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UN chief welcomes US re-engagement with WHOUN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the United States’ stated re-engagement with the World Health Organization (WHO), saying supporting the health agency is “absolutely critical” to combatting the COVID-19 pandemic. He said Washington joining the global vaccine initiative will boost efforts to ensure equitable access to vaccines for all countries."Supporting the WHO is absolutely critical to the world’s efforts for a better coordinated response against COVID-19,” a statement issued by the UN Chief's spokesperson on Wednesday said. Guterres said now is the time for unity and for the international community to work together in solidarity to stop the virus and its shattering consequences.“With vaccines being a critical tool in the battle against COVID-19, the United States joining and supporting the COVAX facility will give momentum to efforts to ensure equitable access to vaccines for all countries,” the statement said.Angry at the WHO for its handling of the coronavirus, which he had termed “China virus” due to its origin in the Chinese city of Wuhan, Biden's predecessor Donald Trump had halted funding to the global health agency last year.His administration had also formally notified the United Nations of its decision to withdraw the US from the WHO. The US has been the largest funder to the WHO, contributing more than USD 450 million per annum. The US has been a party to the WHO Constitution since June 21, 1948.As the world reached a “heart-wrenching milestone” of two million COVID-19-related deaths less than a week ago, Guterres lamented that the deadly impact of the pandemic has worsened due to the absence of a global coordinated effort and said that “vaccinationalism” by governments is “self-defeating” that will delay a global recovery.Guterres has said the UN is supporting countries to mobilise the largest global immunisation effort in history and the world organization is committed to making sure that vaccines are seen as global public goods — people’s vaccines."That requires full funding for the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator and its COVAX facility – which is dedicated to making vaccines available and affordable to all,” Guterres had said. He stressed that manufacturers need to step up their commitment to work with the COVAX facility and countries around the world to ensure enough supply and fair distribution.

UN chief welcomes US re-engagement with WHO

He said Washington joining the global vaccine initiative will boost efforts to ensure equitable access to vaccines for all countries.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers prayers while attending the foundation stone laying ceremony for the construction of the Ram Mandir, in Ayodhya.Indian-Americans across the US celebrated the foundation stone laying ceremony of the historic Ram Temple in the holy city of Ayodhya by lighting diyas and taking around a tableau truck displaying digital images of the Ram Temple around the US Capitol Hill. The groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the temple took place on Wednesday in Ayodhya with Prime Minister Narendra Modi performing the ‘bhoomi pujan’ of the temple, bringing to fruition the BJP’s ‘mandir’ movement that defined its politics for three decades and took it to the heights of power.   In the US, various Hindu community groups would be organising virtual events to mark the importance of the occasion. In Washington, members from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, America took out a tableau truck on Tuesday with the digital image of Ram Temple, and went around the Capitol Hill with chanting of slogans “Jai Shree Ram” and moving around the city later.   Image Source : APHindus offer prayers for a groundbreaking ceremony of a temple dedicated to the Hindu god Ram in Ayodhya, at the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, or World Hindu Council, headquarters in New Delhi.

Indian-Americans celebrate Ram Mandir foundation stone laying ceremony

Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers prayers while attending the foundation stone laying ceremony for the construction of the Ram Mandir, in Ayodhya.

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Pakistan on Thursday seemed to be in a state of shock after the International Court of Justice dealt a huge blow to Islamabad and stayed the execution of Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav.While Pakistan Attorney General's Office termed the stay as "procedural process", the Foreign Office was found making conflicting statements after the verdict. In a statement made after the verdict, Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria said Pakistan does not accept the ICJ's jurisdiction "in matters related to the national security of the country," but in the next breath said that it "will present solid evidence against" Jadhav. "We do not accept the jurisdiction of the ICJ in matters related to the national security of the country," he was quoted as saying by the Dunya TV. He said Pakistan has already informed the ICJ that it does not accept its jurisdiction.However, he added that Pakistan "will present solid evidence against the Indian spy in the International Court."Talking to the state-run Pakistan Television after the ruling was delivered, Zakaria said India has been "trying to hide its real face" by taking the case of Jadhav to ICJ. "The real face of India will be exposed before the world," he said, adding that Jadhav has confessed his crimes of sabotage, terrorism and subversion activities “not once but twice”. Jadhav, 46, was sentenced to death in March by a Pakistani military court and India approached the highest UN judicial body with the plea to stay his execution. The Hague-based ICJ heard the two sides on Monday where Pakistan had challenged the jurisdiction of the court but in its decision accepted Indian pleas. The court today instructed Pakistan to take all "necessary measures at its disposal" to ensure that Jadhav was not executed pending a final decision by it. 

Pakistan confused after ICJ snub? ‘Don’t accept jurisdiction’ but will ‘present solid evidence’ against Jadhav

Pakistan on Thursday seemed to be in a state of shock after the International Court of Justice dealt a huge blow to Islamabad and stayed the execution of Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav.

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 Sharron, 17, Joy, 15, and Aaron, 14 were siblingsThree teenager siblings from a Telangana family were among four killed in a house fire in the United State's Tennessee on Sunday. The three, who were missionary students, were guests for the holidays with the Coudriet family in Tennessee when the fire broke out around 11 pm.A woman Kari Coudriet of Collierville, and Sharron, 17, Joy, 15, and Aaron, 14 — teen siblings of the Naik family from India — all died in the fire, said a statement released by the Coudriet’s Collierville Bible Church.“A fire started around 11 o’clock pm at the Coudriet home. The Coudriet family was hosting, housing, and celebrating Christmas with three teenagers attending an Academy here in the States. The Naik family are missionaries in India that our church supports,” the statement said."Friends and family, please pray for Pastor Naik and his wife. They sent their three precious children to America from India to keep them safe, and during the break, a fire took their lives."The missionary town also said the children "have been a blessing to the French Camp community and are loved by our whole town. I cannot fathom the grief of their parents as I know how much our town is grieving."Only two persons, Kari's husband Daniel Coudriet and their youngest son Cole were able to run out of the house and survived, according to a statement by the Coudriets' church, the Collierville Bible Church.The Church statement said that the family of Indian teenagers was on its way to the US from India. The parents were identified as Srinivas Naik and Sujatha of Gurraputhanda of Neredugommu block in Nalgonda district of Telangana.Srinivas had worked as a pastor in the US and returned to Nalgonda last year. The children, however, stayed back in the US for studies at French Camp Academy in Mississippi. The children were at the Coudriet residence to celebrate Christmas.

3 Indian siblings, visiting US for Christmas, killed in house fire

A woman Kari Coudriet of Collierville, and Sharron, 17, Joy, 15, and Aaron, 14 — teen siblings of the Naik family from India — all died in the fire, said a statement released by the Coudriet’s Collierville Bible Church.

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China coronavirus death toll reaches 2,870;  confirmed cases nearing 80,000China's coronavirus death toll climbed to 2,870 with 35 new deaths, while the confirmed cases increased to 79,824 even as the infections outside the worst-hit Hubei province dropped with only three positive cases reported in a single day, continuing the trend of slowdown in the rest of the country, health officials said Sunday. The National Health Commission (NHC) said it received reports of 573 new confirmed cases of novel coronavirus infection and 35 deaths on Saturday from the Chinese mainland.Among the deaths, 34 were in Hubei and one in Henan Province. COVID-19, which at one time started spreading rapidly all over China, showed a declining trend with three new confirmed cases reported outside Hubei on Saturday. Of the 573 confirmed cases, 570 were reported from Hubei and its capital Wuhan, which remained a battle ground for the virus ever since it originated from there in December last year.Meanwhile, 132 new suspected cases were reported, it said, adding that the number of severe cases decreased to 7,365. Among the 79,824 confirmed cases, 2,870 people have died, 35,329 patients are still being treated while 41,625 have been discharged after recovery. However, some recovered patients are showing relapse of the virus.The commission added that 851 people were still suspected of being infected with the virus. The commission said 51,856 close contacts were still under medical observation. By the end of Saturday, 95 confirmed cases including two deaths had been reported in Hong Kong, 10 confirmed cases in Macao and 39 in Taiwan, including one death.Meanwhile, an official report on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) released jointly by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and China's National Health Commission identified the infection as a zoonotic virus, meaning an infectious disease caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites that spread from animals to humans.The report, which is based on analysis of data the WHO and Chinese health authorities gathered from February 16-24, said human-to-human transmission is largely occurring in families. The report also found that people with COVID-19 generally show symptoms within five to six days, on average, after contracting the infection, and most people infected have mild symptoms and could recover.However, individuals, including people aged over 60 and those with underlying conditions such as hypertension face the highest risk of severe conditions and even death, the report said. COVID-19 is transmitted through droplets and fomites during close unprotected contact with those who are infected with the virus.Airborne transmission has not been reported for COVID-19 and it is not believed to be a major source of transmission based on available evidence. The lockdown of virus-hit Wuhan and 18 other cities in Hubei with over 50 million people since January 23 has effectively prevented furtherexportation of infected individuals to the rest of the country, the report said. ALSO READ | Coronavirus death toll in China reaches 2,592

China coronavirus death toll reaches 2,870; confirmed cases nearing 80,000

China's coronavirus death toll climbed to 2,870 with 35 new deaths, while the confirmed cases increased to 79,824 even as the infections outside the worst-hit Hubei province dropped with only three positive cases reported in a single day, continuing the trend of slowdown in the rest of the country, health officials said Sunday.

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Representational ImageScientists from QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Australia's Queensland have developed two new drugs to both prevent SARS-CoV-2, the virus behind Covid-19 infection, and also treat people who have been exposed to the virus so they do not develop severe disease.The two early intervention drugs target how human cells respond to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, instead of the virus itself, according to the findings published in the journal Nature Cell Discovery.The first peptide-based drug would be given pre-exposure to the virus and help boost the efficacy of vaccines, while the second drug would stop the spread of the virus in already infected cells.Laboratory tests show the first peptide-based drug reduces infection by cloaking the ACE2 receptor protein on human cells. The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein uses the ACE2 receptor to bind to and invade cells. The virus then latches onto the cloaking peptides, which they mistake for human cells -- preventing infection.The lab tests have also shown that if the virus finds its way into cells, the second peptide-drug can block how the virus hijacks the host cell and replicates. It also boosts the immune system's ability to recognise the virus.Professor Sudha Rao, head of QIMR Berghofer's Gene Regulation and Translational Medicine Group, said they were able to develop the drugs after discovering that some people have a chemical tag which acts like a padlock on the ACE2 receptor."The tag can either keep the receptor locked or open -- controlling infection. This means people who have the 'padlock-like' tag on their ACE2 receptors will be less susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 and those without the tag are more vulnerable to infection," Rao said."Our drugs stop the tag from being removed and also protect the untagged ACE2 receptors from being infected."The researchers also discovered that if the virus invaded the cells, it would unlock the tag from the inside -- allowing more efficient virus replication.The drugs are also stable and can be stored at room temperature, which would make them easy to distribute.The research was conducted on Covid-19 patient blood and human cells and the drugs are now being tested in hamsters at France's pre-clinical and clinical research facility, IDMIT, with promising early results showing they are not toxic and have few side effects.

Australian scientists develop new drugs to fight Covid-19

Scientists from QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Australia's Queensland have developed two new drugs to both prevent SARS-CoV-2, the virus behind Covid-19 infection, and also treat people who have been exposed to the virus so they do not develop severe disease.

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To express solidarity with people, Pakistan's Punjab province to name 36 roads, five parks after KashmirTo express solidarity with Kashmiris, the government in Pakistan's Punjab province has decided to name 36 roads and five major parks on Friday after Kashmir after India revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.India on August 5 revoked Article 370 of the Constitution and decided to bifurcate the State of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories, a move which drew a sharp reaction from Pakistan. Usman Buzdar who is the chief minister of the province said, "The Punjab government has decided to name 36 roads (one in each district of the province) and five major parks after Kashmir as 'Kashmir Road and Kashmir Park' to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir."On Thursday, Pakistan even observed 'Black Day' on the occasion of India's Independence Day to protest New Delhi's move to revoke the special status to Jammu and Kashmir. On Wednesday, Pakistan also observed its Independence Day as 'Kashmir Solidarity Day'.Pakistan has approached the UN Security Council against India's decision with the help of its closest ally, China. India has categorically told the international community that its decision on Jammu and Kashmir is an internal matter and has also asked Pakistan to accept the reality.

Pakistan's Punjab province to name 36 roads, 5 parks after Kashmir

India on August 5 revoked Article 370 of the Constitution and decided to bifurcate the State of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories, a move which drew a sharp reaction from Pakistan.

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US Election 2020: Trump campaign postpones North Carolina rallyThe re-election campaign of US President Donald Trump has cancelled a rally scheduled to be held in North Carolina, a major battleground state, citing weather conditions."Because of a wind advisory issued with gusts reaching 50 miles per hour and other weather conditions, the outdoor Fayetteville, North Carolina rally has been postponed until Monday," The Hill news website quoted campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh as saying in a statement on Thursday.Trump's rally was slated to be held on Thursday evening in Fayetteville, which is currently under a wind advisory as hurricane Zeta made its way up the US Gulf Coast after making landfall in Louisiana on Wednesday.Thursday's rally would have been the President's third appearance in North Carolina in recent weeks.In the 2016 presidential election, Trump won North Carolina with 49.83 per cent of the votes, while his then Democratic rival Clinton garnered 46.17 per cent of the ballots.But the latest Hill/Harris battleground poll released on Thursday revealed that incumbent Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and Trump were currently neck-and-neck in North Carolina with 49 per cent to 48 per cent.The President garnered the support of white voters with 60 per cent, while only 38 per cent in this demographic backed Biden.But, 91 per cent African-Americans backed the former President and only 6 per cent voted for the incumbent leader.Biden also held a 10 point lead over Trump among Latinos, 42 per cent to 52 per cent.

US Election 2020: Trump campaign postpones North Carolina rally

The re-election campaign of US President Donald Trump has cancelled a rally scheduled to be held in North Carolina, a major battleground state, citing weather conditions.

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Myanmar to grant visa-on-arrival for Indian touristsIn a bid to boost people-to-people relations with India, Myanmar will provide visa-on-arrival for Indian tourists, President Ram Nath Kovind said Tuesday as he began his five-day visit to the country. President Kovind's visit to Myanmar will continue India's high-level engagements with Myanmar under the rubric of 'Act East Policy' and 'Neighbourhood First Policy'.“Coinciding with President Kovind's visit, and to further people-to-people relations, Myanmar has also announced a visa-on-arrival facility for Indian tourists entering the country through the international airports of Nay Pyi Taw, Yangon and Mandalay," the president's office tweeted.Related Stories Armed Rohingya group massacred scores of Hindus in Myanmar: Amnesty International report Bangaldesh PM Sheikh Hasina urges India to pressurise Myanmar for taking back RohingyasMyanmar denies demonetisation rumours10 killed, 100,000 displaced in Myanmar floodsRohingya refugees hold protest on eve of Myanmar crackdown anniversary, demand justice against ethnic cleansingMyanmar generals must be prosecuted for genocide: UN reportRohingya crisis: China calls for political solution to resolve issue, says unilateral accusations won't workBIMSTEC nations' military 'MILEX-2018' exercise concludesUN has no right to interfere in Myanmar: Army chiefB'desh PM slams Myanmar for failing to take back Rohingya refugeesThere must be accountability for gross violations, abuses committed in Rakhine State : UN ChiefIndia deports 7 Rohingya immigrants to Myanmar after SC's go aheadUN blasts India's deportation of Rohingya to Myanmar Rohingya family makes rare return to Myanmar from BangladeshTravel Myanmar: Yangon should be your first travel destination in 2019China to build port in Myanmar, third in India's neighbourhoodThe President said that residents of India's Northeast region have particularly welcomed and are beginning to reap the benefits of the Land-border Crossing Agreement concluded recently.The landmark Land Border Crossing Agreement between India and Myanmar, signed on May 11, 2018, was brought into effect in August with the simultaneous opening of international entry-exit checkpoints at the Tamu-Moreh and the Rihkhawdar-Zowkhawtar border between the two nations."They look forward to the early conclusion of the Motor Vehicles Agreement," Kovind said.Several agreements are expected to be signed during the President's visit which comes amid China's foray into the southeast Asian country with which it has signed a mega port deal.Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Myanmar last year, while Myanmar's State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi visited India in January for the India-ASEAN Commemorative Summit.

Myanmar to grant visa-on-arrival for Indian tourists

Several agreements are expected to be signed during the President's visit which comes amid China's foray into the southeast Asian country with which it has signed a mega port deal.

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31 Iraqi pilgrims killed, 100 injured in stampede in KarbalaAs many as 31 Iraqi pilgrims were killed and 100 others injured in a stampede in Karbala. The incident happened when a walkway collapsed, setting off a stampede as thousands of Shiite Muslims marked Muhurram.It was the deadliest stampede in recent history during Ashoura commemorations when hundreds of thousands of people converge on the city every year.The incident happened towards the end of the Ashoura procession, causing a panicked rush among worshippers near the gold-domed Imam Hussein shrine.The somber day of Ashoura commemorates the killing of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, the Imam Hussein, by a rival Muslim faction in Karbala in what is now Iraq, in 680 A.D. Hussein and his descendants are seen by Shiites as the rightful heirs to the prophet. Hussein’s killing has been attributed with cementing the schism between Shiite and Sunni Islam.In recent years, Ashoura processions have been attacked by extremist Sunni militants. In 2004, at the height of Iraq’s sectarian violence, 143 people were killed in near simultaneous suicide and other bombings at shrines in Baghdad and Karbala during the Ashoura procession.In 2005, rumors of a suicide bomber among worshippers crossing a bridge during a different religious holiday caused a massive stampede killing more than 950 people, many of whom jumped, in their panic, into the Tigris River.Tuesday’s commemorations were peaceful until the walkway collapsed, triggering the chaos.The incident took place during the so-called “Tweireej” run, when tens of thousands of people run toward the shrine of Imam Hussein in Karbala around noon.The 2-3 kilometer (1-2 mile) run symbolizes when the maternal cousins of Imam Hussein’s half-brother al-Abbas ran from the nearby village of Tweireej to rescue him, only to find out that he had been killed.Earlier in the day, hundreds of thousands of black-clad pilgrims held Ashoura processions amid beefed-up security in Karbala and in the capital, Baghdad, marching through the streets. Many of the faithful beat their chests and lashed themselves with chains in a symbolic expression of grief and regret for not being able to help Hussein before his martyrdom.On Sunday night, thousands marched toward the holy shrine of Imam Hussein in Karbala, which had been lit up on the eve of the celebration.This year’s commemoration comes amid rising tensions in the Middle East and the crisis between Iran and the U.S. and its ally Israel in the wake of the collapsing nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers.Israel has recently expanded its war on Iran and its allies in the region, and is believed to have struck targets as far out as Iraq in recent weeks, drawing outrage and pledges of retaliation.(With AP inputs)

31 Iraqi pilgrims killed, 100 injured in stampede in Karbala

As many as 31 Iraqi pilgrims were killed and 100 others injured in a stampede in Karbala. The incident happened when a walkway collapsed, setting off a stampede as thousands of Shiite Muslims marked Muhurram.

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'Tank man' was featured in 'The most influential photos of all times' One of the famous incidents in the history of the world, the Tiananmen Square protest and its haunting memories which comes down to one picture known as 'Tank Man'. The image of one man standing in the way of a column of tanks, a day after hundreds possibly thousands of people died, has become a defining image of the 1989 pro-democracy protests.The photographer, Charlie Cole, one of the photographers who captured the famous Tank Man on film during the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989, has died. He was 64. He died last week in Bali, Indonesia, where he had been residing on Friday.Cole was one of four photographers that captured the image on June 5, 1989, of the man standing in the way of a column of tanks, a day after hundreds possibly thousands of people died. Cole won the 1990 World Press Photo award for his picture which became a defining image of the 1989 pro-democracy protests.He took his picture for Newsweek with a telephoto lens from the balcony of a hotel, framing it so the man was only just in the bottom left corner. Cole later described how he had expected the man would be killed, and felt it was his responsibility to record what was happening. But the unidentified protester was eventually pulled away from the scene by two men. What happened to him still remains unknown.'Tank Man': a peaceful resistance Image Source : CHARLIE COLIE 'Tank man' was featured in 'The most influential photos of all times' 'Tank man' was featured in 'The most influential photos of all times' When Charlie Cole captured this incident, he knew be would be searched later by Chinese security so hid the undeveloped film roll in the bathroom. After sometime, officials broke through the door and searched the hotel room, but they were not able to discover the film. The scene as shot by him and the other three photographers went on to become an iconic symbol of peaceful resistance across the world.What happened that day? A day after the Tiananmen Square massacre, the Chinese troops were attacking the pro-democracy demonstrators camped on the plaza. When Charlie Cole along with other photographers was capturing the bloody victims, passersby on bicycles and the occasional scorched bus, a column of tanks began rolling out of the ­plaza. Charlie Cole and Jeff Weidner lined up their lens just as a man carrying shopping bags stepped in front of the war machines, waving his arms and refusing to move.A lone cyclist walks past street barriers on Changan Avenue, crushed by Chinese Army tanks during the Tiananmen Square massacre on June 4.A lone cyclist walks past street barriers on Changan Avenue, crushed by Chinese Army tanks during the Tiananmen Square massacre on June 4.The tanks tried to go around the man, but he stepped back into their path, climbing atop one briefly. The photographers assumed the man would be killed, but the tanks held their fire. Eventually, the man was pulled away from the scene by two men. What happened to him still remains unknown. Others also captured the scene, but Widener’s image was transmitted over the AP wire and appeared on front pages all over the world. Demonstrators sit in front of soldiers standing guard outside the Chinese Communist Party's headquarters on Changan Avenue a few days before the start of the violence. June 1.Demonstrators sit in front of soldiers standing guard outside the Chinese Communist Party's headquarters on Changan Avenue a few days before the start of the violence. June 1.What is the Tiananmen Square Protest? The Tiananmen Square Protest, 1989The Tiananmen Square Protest, 1989The Tiananmen Square Protests which happened in 1989, were a student-led protest demanding democracy, free press and free speech in China. They were halted in a bloody crackdown, known as the Tiananmen Square Massacre, by the Chinese government on June 4 and 5, 1989. The students also argued that China’s educational system did not adequately prepare them for an economic system with elements of free-market capitalism. Some leaders within China’s government were sympathetic to the protesters’ cause, while others saw them as a political threat.

Tiananmen Square 'Tank Man' photographer Charlie Coli passes away

One of the famous incidents in the history of the world, the Tiananmen Square protest and its haunting memories which comes down to one picture known as 'Tank Man'. The image of one man standing in the way of a column of tanks, a day after hundreds possibly thousands of people died, has become a defining image of the 1989 pro-democracy protests.

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Resolution condemning human rights violations in Kashmir introduced in US CongressA US lawmaker has introduced a resolution on Kashmir in the House of Representatives, condemning the alleged human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir and urged India and Pakistan to abstain from the use of force to settle the status of all disputed territories between them.Congresswoman Rashida Tlalib, who along with Ilhan Omar is the first two Muslim women to be elected to the Congress, in the House Resolution No 724 introduced on Thursday urged India and Pakistan to engage in dialogue to deescalate tensions between them.India on August 5 abrogated provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution to withdraw Jammu and Kashmir's special status and bifurcated it into two union territories.Pakistan reacted strongly to India's decision and downgraded bilateral ties and expelled the Indian envoy.India has categorically told the international community that the scrapping of Article 370 was an internal matter. It has also advised Pakistan to accept the reality and stop all anti-India propaganda.The resolution titled "Condemning the human rights violations taking place in Jammu and Kashmir and supporting Kashmiri self-determination" currently has no co-sponsors and has been sent to the House Foreign Affairs Committee for necessary actions.The resolution said that any changes to the status of Jammu and Kashmir must be made with the direct consultation of the Kashmiri people, who must play a central role in the determination of their future.Alleging that India has unilaterally changed the status of Jammu and Kashmir without a direct consultation or the consent of the Kashmiri people, the resolution urges New Delhi to immediately lift all remaining elements of the communications blockade imposed in Jammu and Kashmir.Noting that the detentions and harassment of journalists in Jammu and Kashmir has been reported by independent observers and journalistic organisations, the resolution alleges that the right to religious expression has been severely curtailed, including the closures of mosques and religious buildings."India has failed to hold its military accountable and perpetuated a state of impunity for members of the Indian Armed Forces and related security services, in part through the Armed Forces Special Powers Act," the resolution said.The resolution also notes that the militant groups Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Hizbul Mujahideen and Harakat Ul-Mujahidin have contributed to the harsh conditions and dire human rights situation faced by civilians in Jammu and Kashmir.Opposing any use of force against civilian populations by governmental and nongovernmental actors alike, the resolution opposes and condemns the use of pellet shotguns and rubber bullets as a crowd-control method in any case.Urging the Department of State to facilitate contact between Kashmiri Americans and their family members in Jammu and Kashmir, the resolution urges India to ensure compliance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Jammu and Kashmir. Also Read: China-Pak relation win-win cooperation, mutually beneficial: Chinese envoyAlso Read: Trump indicates to veto Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act

Resolution condemning human rights violations in Kashmir introduced in US Congress

The resolution said that any changes to the status of Jammu and Kashmir must be made with the direct consultation of the Kashmiri people, who must play a central role in the determination of their future.

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Indian-Origin Sikh Man Among 8 Killed In US Rail Yard Shooting: ReportA 36-year-old Indian-origin Sikh man was among eight people killed in the horrific rail yard shooting in San Jose in the US state of California, according to media reports on Thursday.Taptejdeep Singh, born in India and raised in Union City, California, has left behind his wife, three-year-old son, one-year-old daughter, and a grieving Sikh community in the Sanfrancisco Bay Area, which described him as a "helpful and caring" man, The Mercury News reported.Co-workers at the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) hailed Singh as a hero, saying he left the safety of an office room, where some colleagues were hiding, to help others escape the line of fire.Samuel Cassidy, 57, a maintenance worker of the VTA, San Jose, on Wednesday gunned down eight of his co-workers and critically injured another in a one of the deadliest shootings in California state this year.As police arrived at the scene, the killer died of a self-inflicted gunshot. Mr Singh was a light rail operator at the VTA for nine years now. He worked at a separate building from where most of the other victims were found, giving the impression that Cassidy had selected his victims. Mr Singh was fatally shot in the stairwell of a VTA building, the report said.Mr Singh's brother-in-law, P.J. Bath, another light rail operator at the VTA, confirmed that the shooter and Singh were in different buildings initially but said nothing on the victims being pre-decided by the killer."He just happened to be in the way, I guess. He was always helpful to everyone and caring," Mr Bath said. "We are in very deep grief," Mr Singh's uncle Sakhwant Dhillon told the San Jose-based newspaper."He told people, "be careful, hide." He was running around the building to save others' lives. He was a good person. He helped everybody," Mr Dhillon said.Mr Singh's brother Bagga Singh said he was told that his brother had saved a lady when he "rushed down the stairway," where he was eventually shot.Mr Singh may be considered a hero, but "he should have saved his life, too. We lost a good person," Mr Bagga said.Emotional scenes were seen at the Red Cross Center in the city where families of the victims gathered after the incident was reported. Mr Singh's family, including his father, hugged and cried.The other victims of the shooting were identified as Paul Delacruz Megia (42), Adrian Balleza (29), Jose Dejesus Hernandez (35), Timothy Michael Romo (49), Michael Joseph Rudometkin (40), Abdolvahab Alaghmandan (63), and Lars Kepler Lane (63).The motive behind the shooting is not yet clear. Minutes after the incident, a fire was reported at Cassidy's home, about 13 kilometres from the VTA office.Also Read: Pak netizens say minor Christian girl raped for refusing to convert to Islam; authorities deny claim

Indian-Origin Sikh Man Among 8 Killed In US Rail Yard Shooting: Report

A 36-year-old Indian-origin Sikh man was among eight people killed in the horrific rail yard shooting in San Jose in the US state of California, according to media reports on Thursday.

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COVID-19: Indians among worst affected minority groups in EnglandPeople of Indian origin in the UK have emerged as the among the worst affected minority group from the coronavirus pandemic, according to an official data on COVID-19 deaths in hospitals across England.Figures released this week by the National Health Service (NHS) England show that of the 13,918 patients who died in hospitals till April 17 after testing positive for the novel coronavirus, 16.2 per cent were of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) background and those identifying with Indian ethnicity made up 3 per cent of that.This was followed by Caribbeans as the second-largest ethnic group affected in the COVID-19 death toll at 2.9 per cent, followed by Pakistanis at 2.1 per cent.The data, only a limited snapshot of the UK-wide COVID-19 tests, follows the British government''s announcement of a review into the coronavirus death toll disparity among the BAME population."We have seen, both across the population as a whole but in those who work in the NHS, a much higher proportion who''ve died from minority backgrounds and that really worries me," said UK health secretary Matt Hancock while launching the review last week.The proportion of deaths among BAME groups is much higher compared to their roughly 13 per cent make-up of the total population.A further breakdown shows COVID-19 deaths among those identifying with white ethnicity at 73.6 per cent and mixed ethnicity at 0.7 per cent.Of the 16.2 per cent BAME figures, those of Bangladeshi ethnicity are at 0.6 per cent, any other Asian background 1.6 per cent, African 1.9 per cent, any other black background 0.9 per cent, Chinese 0.4 per cent and any other ethnic group 2.8 per cent."The government must take every necessary step to address this devastating disparity and protect all sectors of the population equally and now," said Dr Chaand Nagpaul, Council Chair of the British Medical Association (BMA), the doctors'' union lobbying for the review."It also means taking vital steps now to protect our BAME communities until we can develop a detailed understanding of the threats they face. This could include that those at greatest risk, including older and retired doctors, are not working in potentially infectious settings," he said.Meanwhile, an analysis of the COVID-19 death toll data for NHS workers, which stands at 69, also reveals a higher proportion of BAME casualties – including the death of Dr Manjeet Singh Riyat, the UK''s first Sikh emergency medicine consultant, this week.The British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO) recently announced a new academic tie-up with the Imperial College London to set up a research forum to delve deeper into this disparity within the medical profession in the UK."This research has the potential to give data required to delineate vulnerable groups in the pandemic and give clear advice on how to reduce the impact on the BAME population," BAPIO president Dr Ramesh Mehta said.The new study also aims at establishing a new research database as a national resource for the scientific communities to support other studies to improve the future wellbeing of NHS healthcare staff.According to experts, the reasons behind the disproportionately high coronavirus mortality rates for the ethnic minority population of the UK is likely to be down to a complex set of factors, including greater propensity among some ethnicities for heart disease and diabetes, specific vitamin deficiencies, the lack of social distancing measures within the multi-generational family setting or a genetic predisposition.The government''s review is aimed at collating enough data to look into measures that would minimise the risk for these communities.The government on Wednesday said that 759 more people with the coronavirus have died in the country's hospitals, taking the total to 18,100. The daily spike reported was lower than the 823 in the previous 24-hour period.The UK''s death toll due to the coronavirus is the fourth highest in Europe, behind Italy, Spain and France, all of whom have reported over 20,000 deaths. 

COVID-19: Indians among worst affected minority groups in England

People of Indian origin in the UK have emerged as the among the worst affected minority group from the coronavirus pandemic, according to an official data on COVID-19 deaths in hospitals across England.

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Undercover Israeli police detain a Palestinian man following minor clashes in Jerusalem's Old CityIsrael's air force and Palestinian militants traded fire across the Gaza frontier early Thursday as clashes erupted again at Jerusalem's most sensitive holy site, worsening an escalation that has been eerily similar to the lead-up to last year's Israel-Gaza war.The violence along the Gaza front, fueled by the unrest between Israeli police and Palestinians in Jerusalem, appears to be the heaviest-cross-border fighting since last year's 11-day war and comes despite efforts to prevent a repeat.A rocket fired from Gaza this week shattered a months-long period of calm that followed the war.Palestinian militants fired two rockets toward Israel from the Gaza Strip late Wednesday and early Thursday, and Israeli aircraft hit militant targets in the seaside, Hamas-ruled enclave.One rocket landed in the southern Israeli city of Sderot, a frequent target, and another fell short and landed in Gaza, the Israeli military said. The launches set off air-raid sirens across parts of southern Israel, disrupting the quiet of the Passover holiday week.Early Thursday, Israeli warplanes conducted airstrikes in the central Gaza Strip, local media reported. Social media posts by activists showed smoke billowing in the air. The Israeli military said the airstrikes were aimed at a militant site and the entrance of a tunnel leading to an underground complex holding chemicals to make rockets.The military later said its planes attacked another Hamas compound after an anti-aircraft missile was fired from Gaza. It said the missile failed to hit its target and no injuries or damage were reported.The latest Israeli-Palestinian tensions boiled over after a series of deadly attacks by Palestinians against Israelis, which then sparked days-long arrest raids by the military in a flashpoint West Bank city and spread into daily clashes in Jerusalem.This year, the Muslim holy month of Ramadan has coincided with Passover, a time of heightened religious observances and visits by large numbers of people to Jerusalem.Israeli police said dozens of masked protesters holed up in the Al-Aqsa Mosque early Thursday, sealed the doors and began throwing rocks and firecrackers.Police said they attempted to disperse the Palestinians using “riot dispersal means,” without elaborating, and that forces did not enter the mosque itself.A Palestinian official from the Waqf, which administers the site, said large numbers of police used stun grenades to clear out the site. He said police also fired stun grenades and rubber-coated bullets against Palestinians who had sealed themselves inside the mosque.The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the incident with the media.Also Read | Palestinians clash with Israeli police at Al-Aqsa mosque compound in JerusalemThe Palestinian Red Crescent said 20 people were injured, one critically.Similar clashes have taken place throughout the week, while fiercer ones broke out at the site earlier this month, wounding more than 150 Palestinians and three police officers.The Palestinians have accused Israeli police of using excessive force at the holy site, and Palestinian social media have been filled with videos showing Israeli forces striking what appear to be unarmed Palestinians, including women.Police say Palestinians instigate the violence and have released their own videos showing young Palestinian men throwing rocks and fireworks toward the security forces. Police say the Palestinians are desecrating their own shrine and putting others at risk.The scenes of rocket fire and repeated violence in Jerusalem recall the run-up to last year's war. Last year, the violence also spread to mixed Jewish-Arab cities, which hasn't happened in the current wave of unrest.On Wednesday, hundreds of flag-waving Israeli ultra-nationalists marched toward predominantly Palestinian areas around Jerusalem's Old City, a demonstration of Israeli control over the disputed city seen as a provocation by Palestinians.Last year's war erupted during a similar march, when Gaza militants, declaring themselves the guardians of Jerusalem, fired a barrage of rockets toward the holy city.Those events, along with other developments, led to an 11-day war between Israel and Hamas that killed over 250 Palestinians and 14 people in Israel, causing extensive damage in Gaza.This year, Israeli police closed the main road leading to the Damascus Gate of the Old City and the heart of Muslim Quarter. After some pushing and shoving with police, the marchers rallied near the barricades, waving flags, singing and chanting.Israeli nationalists stage such marches to try to assert sovereignty over east Jerusalem, which Israel seized in 1967, along with the West Bank and Gaza, and annexed in a move not recognized internationally. The Palestinians seek an independent state in all three territories and consider east Jerusalem their capital.The hilltop shrine in the Old City is the emotional ground zero of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the center of previous rounds of violence. Known to Muslims as the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, it is the third holiest site in Islam. It is also the holiest site in Judaism, revered by Jews as the Temple Mount, the site of their biblical temples.Israel says it is maintaining a decades-old status quo at the site, which prevents Jews from praying there. But during the Passover holiday this year, visits by Jews have skyrocketed and in some cases Jews have been praying at the compound. Palestinians view the visits, under police escort, as a provocation and possible prelude to Israel taking over the site or partitioning it.For Palestinians, the mosque compound, administered by Muslim clerics, is also a rare place in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem where they have a measure of control.Palestinian militant groups in Gaza — the ruling Hamas and the smaller Islamic Jihad — have positioned themselves as defenders of the Jerusalem holy site. On Wednesday, Hamas said Israel would bear “full responsibility for the repercussions” if it allowed the marchers “to approach our holy sites.” 

Gaza violence intensifies as Jerusalem clashes resume

The violence along the Gaza front, fueled by the unrest between Israeli police and Palestinians in Jerusalem, appears to be the heaviest cross-border fighting since last year’s 11-day war.

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In a significant development, leaders of the world's seven richest nations today inked a declaration on the fight against terrorism and extremism.The declaration was signed at the G7 summit in Taormina, Italy.Video footage released by the Italian presidency of the G7 showed leaders signing a text, and Italy's Premier Paolo Gentiloni told journalists the statement was "a response to the ignoble attack in Manchester against innocent victims"."Several points of this declaration refer to the strengthening of cooperation between the seven biggest economies in the western, free world," he said.The G7 leaders agreed in the statement to commit to tackling extremism on the Internet, Gentiloni said, calling this the "breeding-ground and amplifier" of terrorism.British Prime Minister Theresa May was filmed thanking peers for the support received following Monday's attack on the Manchester Arena after a concert by US singer Ariana Grande in which 22 people died.The G7 needed to show "fierce determination to ensure that we use every tool available to us to fight against terrorism and protect our people", she said.(With IANS inputs)

G7 leaders sign anti-terrorism statement in Italy

In a significant development, leaders of the world's seven richest nations today inked a declaration on the fight against terrorism and extremism.

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America cannot afford four more years of Trump: HarrisAttacking Donald Trump on the eve of the US presidential election, Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris said that the president has failed to lead the country and America can no longer afford four more years of him. “We’ve seen who we are. The country we love. And that is why I know that tomorrow we are going to elect Joe Biden to be the next President of the United States!” Harris said. Biden, the Democratic Party's nominee is challenging Trump, a Republican, in Tuesday's presidential election.“America, we cannot afford four more years of Donald Trump,” Harris said, in a scathing attack on Trump as she made her closing arguments at a drive-in rally in Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, a key battleground state.Sharing her experience of travelling across the country over the past 84 days for campaigning, Harris, 56, said one can feel something is happening.“In big cities and small towns — wearing masks and social distancing — I've seen people lining the streets and gathering on corners to show their support,” she said.“They're bringing their children, holding up signs, wearing their colours and strolling to the polls, and waving the red, white and blue. The energy out there is real. It is inspiring. In this battle for the very soul of our nation — we have seen what can be, unburdened by what has been,” she said.Everything is at stake, she said. “Our health, our economy, our children's futures. A woman’s right to make decisions about her own body. A criminal justice system that treats all people equally and with dignity. A Supreme Court that advances the legacy of Justice Ginsburg. That lives up to the phrase above its entrance: Equal Justice Under Law,” she said.Harris alleged that Trump lied to American people on the coronavirus pandemic.“He covered it up. Can you imagine if you knew on January 28 what he knew? Can you imagine how your family might have been able to prepare? Can you imagine how our businesses, how our schools might have been able to prepare?” she asked.“How we as a country might have been able to prepare? But President Trump doesn’t think about what’s best for America. He only thinks about what’s best for himself. And as a result, we have lost 230 thousand lives to COVID. So many people were forced to die alone because of the nature of this virus,” she said.The US is the worst-affected country from the virus with over 2,31,000 deaths and over 9 million infections. The pandemic devastated the country's economy, resulting in the loss of millions of jobs.“We are also in the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression because President Trump failed to contain this virus. He failed to lead. 23 million people are receiving unemployment. 1 in 5 mothers with children under the age of 12 describe them as hungry. 1 in 6 households are behind on rent. 1 in 4 small businesses have closed,” she said.“And yet, 9 months into this pandemic, this president still doesn't have a plan to contain it. We have witnessed the greatest failure of a presidential administration in America’s history,” Harris alleged.“And on top of it all, President Trump is in court right now trying to end the Affordable Care Act and take health coverage away from over 20 million Americans. He’s trying to end protections for the over 100 million Americans with pre-existing conditions,” she said on former president Barack Obama's signature health law.Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, she said, is a leader who understands what the American people are going through.“He sees us. He understands suffering because he has experienced it himself. Joe Biden is a leader of both strength and empathy. Toughness and humility,” she said.“He understands that the measure of a person’s strength is not based on who you put down, but who you lift up. And he knows that no matter where we come from or where we live, no matter our race or gender, background or faith; no matter how we identify or who we love; no matter the language your grandmother speaks; what we have in common is so much stronger than what divides us,” she asserted.“That’s the kind of leader America needs right now. And it's why we must win this election,” Harris said.

America cannot afford four more years of Trump: Harris

Attacking Donald Trump on the eve of the US presidential election, Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris said that the president has failed to lead the country and America can no longer afford four more years of him.

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Former US President Donald TrumpSince the day after the deadly January 6 riots on the US Capitol, former President Donald Trump’s social media accounts have been silent — muzzled for inciting violence using the platforms as online megaphones. On Wednesday, his fate on Facebook, the biggest social platform around, will be decided. The company’s quasi-independent Oversight Board will announce its ruling around 9 am ET. If it rules in Trump’s favour, Facebook has seven days to reinstate the account. If the board upholds Facebook’s decision, Trump will remain “indefinitely” suspended.Politicians, free speech experts and activists around the world are watching the decision closely. It has implications not only for Trump but for tech companies, world leaders and people across the political spectrum — many of whom have wildly conflicting views of the proper role for technology companies when it comes to regulating online speech and protecting people from abuse and misinformation.After years of handling Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric with a light touch, Facebook and Instagram took the drastic step of silencing his accounts in January. In announcing the unprecedented move, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the risk of allowing Trump to continue using the platform was too great.“The shocking events of the last 24 hours clearly demonstrate that President Donald Trump intends to use his remaining time in office to undermine the peaceful and lawful transition of power to his elected successor, Joe Biden,” Zuckerberg wrote on his Facebook page on Jan. 7.A day before the announcement, Trump unveiled a new blog on his personal website, “From the Desk of Donald J. Trump.” While the page includes a dramatic video claiming, “A BEACON OF FREEDOM ARISES” and hailing “A PLACE TO SPEAK FREELY AND SAFELY,” the page is little more than a displays of Trump’s recent statements — available elsewhere on the website — that can be easily shared on Facebook and Twitter, the platforms that banished him after the riot.While Trump aides have spent months teasing his plans to launch his own social media platform, his spokesman Jason Miller said the blog was something separate. “President Trump’s website is a great resource to find his latest statements and highlights from his first term in office, but this is not a new social media platform,” he tweeted. “We’ll have additional information coming on that front in the very near future.”Barred from social media, Trump has embraced other platforms for getting his message out. He does frequent interviews with friendly news outlets and has emailed a flurry of statements to reporters through his official office and political group. Trump has even said he prefers the statements to his old tweets, often describing them as more “elegant.”Facebook created the oversight panel to rule on thorny content on its platforms following widespread criticism of its difficulty responding swiftly and effectively to misinformation, hate speech and nefarious influence campaigns. Its decisions so far — all nine of them — have tended to favor free expression over the restriction of content.In its first rulings, the panel overturned four out of five decisions by the social network to take down questionable material. It ordered Facebook to restore posts by users that the company said broke standards on adult nudity, hate speech, or dangerous individuals. Critics of Facebook, however, worry that the Oversight Board is a mere distraction from the company’s deeper problems — ones that can’t be addressed in a handful of high-profile cases by a semi-independent body of experts.“Facebook set the rules, are judge, jury and executioner and control their own appeals court and their own Supreme Court. The decisions they make have an impact on our democracies, national security and biosecurity and cannot be left to their own in house theatre of the absurd,” said Imran Ahmed, CEO Center for Countering Digital Hate, a nonprofit critical of Facebook. “Whatever the judgement tomorrow, this whole fiasco shows why we need democratic regulation of Big Tech.”Gautam Hans, a technology law and free speech expert and professor at Vanderbilt University, said he finds the Oversight Board structure to be “frustrating and a bit of a sideshow from the larger policy and social questions that we have about these companies.”“To some degree, Facebook is trying to create an accountability mechanism that I think undermines efforts to have government regulation and legislation,” Hans said. “If any other company decided, well, we’re just going to outsource our decision-making to some quasi-independent body, that would be thought of as ridiculous.”

Facebook board’s Trump decision could have wider impacts

The company’s quasi-independent Oversight Board will announce its ruling around 9 am ET. If it rules in Trump’s favour, Facebook has seven days to reinstate the account. If the board upholds Facebook’s decision, Trump will remain “indefinitely” suspended

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Suicide bombers walked into the two locations in the southwestern city of Baidoa and detonated their vests within minutes of each other, according to witnesses.At least 16 people were killed and 20 others injured in  Somalia in multiple suicide bombings that targeted a restaurant and coffee shop, police said.Suicide bombers walked into the two locations in the southwestern city of Baidoa and detonated their vests within minutes of each other, according to witnesses.Related Stories Huge blast rocks Somalia’s capital; police say 20 killedHuge bomb blast rocks Mogadishu, 276 killed in deadliest single attack in Somalia's history Over 20 dead, more than 30 wounded in Somalia hotel attackThe blasts came a day before the first anniversary of a truck bombing that left more than 500 dead in Mogadishu, the worst ever attack in Somalia which was blamed on Islamist group Al-Shabaab."The number of the dead we have confirmed from the two blasts is 16 and nearly twenty others were wounded some of them seriously, nine people died in the second blast and seven in the first," said Abudulahi Mohamed, a police official in Baidoa."The targeted locations are populated by innocent civilians so that all of the victims were civilians, and the number of the dead can increase anytime because of the wounded," he added.Mohamed Adam, another police official, gave the same toll."I saw fifteen dead bodies at the hospital all of them collected from the scene of the attacks, many worried people poured into the hospital looking for their relatives" Abdi Hassan, a relative of a patient who was wounded in the blast.Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda affiliate, is fighting to overthrow the internationally backed Somali government in Mogadishu.The Shabaab were forced out of the capital by African Union troops in 2011 but still control parts of the countryside and carry out attacks against government, military and civilian targets seemingly at will in Mogadishu and regional towns.(With agency inputs)

Multiple suicide bombings rock Somalia, 16 killed, over 20 injured

The blasts came a day before the first anniversary of a truck bombing that left more than 500 dead in Mogadishu, the worst ever attack in Somalia which was blamed on Islamist group Al-Shabaab.

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President Donald Trump addresses the crowd at a campaign event at the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020, in Latrobe, Pa. US President Donald Trump has mocked his Democratic rival, Joe Biden, for letting his mask hang off his ear when he delivers speeches. Speaking to rally-goers in Pennsylvania, Trump says of Joe Biden, “Did you ever see a man who likes a mask as much as him?” Speaking further, Trump said, "He has it hanging down. Because it gives him a feeling of security. If I were a psychiatrist, right, you know I’d say: ’This guy’s got some big issues. Hanging down. Hanging down.’”Trump acknowledges that face coverings are particularly important for the nation heading into the Labor Day holiday weekend, as public experts have called for Americans to be particularly diligent to prevent a repeat of the explosion of new coronavirus cases seen after Memorial Day.Trump is telling supporters: “Distance on the weekend and all of that stuff. Wear your mask when you’re close together in particular and wash your hands, all of those things.”(With AP inputs)

He has it hanging down: Trump mocks the way Joe Biden wears his mask. Watch Video

US President Donald Trump has mocked his Democratic rival Joe Biden, for letting his mask hang off his ear when he delivers speeches. Speaking to rally-goers in Pennsylvania, Trump says of Joe Biden, “Did you ever see a man who likes a mask as much as him?”

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India could carry out 'action of some sort' in PoK, claims Pak PM Imran KhanPakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday claimed that India could carry out "action of some sort" in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to divert attention from its domestic issues and warned that his army was prepared for any such move.Khan made the remarks while addressing a public gathering in Jhelum district, hours after the army said that two of its soldiers were killed in "unprovoked firing" by the Indian troops along the Line of Control (LOC)."I have been telling the world for the past five months that the Modi-RSS government, in order to divert the world attention away from Kashmir and the protests against the (citizenship) law, will definitely conduct some sort of action" in PoK, Khan said.The prime minister said he had told army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa about the threats from India and the General "told me that Pakistan is prepared for them."He extended condolences to the families of the two soldiers killed on Thursday. Khan said that the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens attracted large-scale protests for being against 200 million Muslims living in India.He also said that Pakistan would not do anything as what Prime Minister Modi was doing "would create a backlash that would bring his downfall." 

India could carry out 'action of some sort' in PoK, claims Pak PM Imran Khan

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday claimed that India could carry out "an action of some sort" in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to divert attention from its domestic issues and warned that his army was prepared for any such move.

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Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi, also congratulated the plant's opening.The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced the start-up operations of its first nuclear power plant in capital Abu Dhabi. The milestone achievement was announced through a tweet by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE prime minister on Saturday, Xinhua news agency reported."We announce the UAE's success in operating the first peaceful nuclear energy reactor in the Arab world ... the work teams succeeded in loading nuclear fuel packages, carrying out comprehensive tests and successfully completing the operation," tweeted Sheikh Mohammed on Saturday.He added the future goal is to provide a quarter of the state's electricity in a safe, reliable and emission-free way.Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi, also congratulated the plant's opening."We proudly witness the start of Barakah nuclear power plant operations, in alignment with the highest international safety standards," he tweeted.Mohamed Al Hammadi, chief executive officer of Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, said the plant is "the culmination of more than a decade of vision, strategic planning and robust program management."Situated 280 km away from Abu Dhabi, the project is expected to cover 25 percent of the country's energy needs, and prevent 21 million tons of carbon emissions each year.When completed, it will consist of four units with a total of 5,600 megawatts capacity, the official WAM news agency reported. (With inputs from IANS)

UAE announces operation of 1st Arab nuclear plant

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced the start-up operations of its first nuclear power plant in capital Abu Dhabi. The milestone achievement was announced through a tweet by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE prime minister on Saturday

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Humans and Lions share Savannah harmoniously Saitoti Petro scans a dirt road in northern Tanzania for recent signs of the top predator on the African savannah. “If you see a lion,” he warns, “stop and look it straight in the eyes — you must never run.”Petro points to a fresh track in the dirt, a paw print measuring nearly the length of a ballpoint pen. He walks along a few more yards reading tracks the way an archaeologist might decipher hieroglyphics, gleaning meaning from the smudges in the dust. A large male passed here within the past two hours, he says. “Here he’s walking slowly, then you see his claws come out in the tracks. Perhaps he’s running after prey, or from something else.”The tall, slender 29-year-old is marching with four other young men who belong to a pastoralist people called the Maasai. Beneath the folds of his thick cloak, he carries a sharpened machete. Only a few years ago, men of Petro’s age would most likely have been stalking lions to hunt them — often, to avenge cattle that the big cats had eaten.But as Petro explains, the problem now is that there are too few lions, not too many. “It will be shameful if we kill them all,” he says. “It will be a big loss if our future children never see lions.”And so he’s joined an effort to protect lions, by safeguarding domestic animals on which they might prey.Petro is one of more than 50 lion monitors from communities on the Maasai steppe who walk daily patrol routes to help shepherds shield their cattle in pasture, with support and training from a small, Tanzanian nonprofit called African People & Wildlife. Over the past decade, this group has also helped more than a thousand extended households to build secure modern corrals made of living acacia trees and chain-link fence to protect their livestock at night.This kind of intervention is, in a way, a grand experiment. The survival of lions — and many other threatened savannah species, from cheetahs to giraffes to elephants — likely depends on finding a way for people, livestock and wild beasts to continue to use these lands together, on the plains where the earliest humans walked upright through tall grass.Across Africa, the number of lions has dropped by more than 40 percent in two decades, according to data released in 2015 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, putting lions on the list of species scientists consider “vulnerable” to extinction. They have disappeared from 94 percent of the lands they used to roam in Africa, what researchers call their “historic range.”The biggest reason for lion’s retreat is that their former grasslands are being converted into cropland and cities. Losing habitat is the top risk to wildlife in Africa and globally. But on open savannahs where lions still roam, poaching for body parts and revenge killings are the next most significant threats.Lions are respected as worthy adversaries in Maasai culture. Anyone who harms more than nine is said to be cursed. But avenging the death of a prize cow wins respect, like dueling to avenge a lost family member.These retaliatory killings have become more deadly in recent years, as many herdsmen have switched from spearing individual lions to leaving out poisoned carcasses, which can decimate a pride of lions, along with other animals that might feed on tainted meat.But what if the triggering conflicts could be prevented? “Our elders killed and almost finished off the lions,” Petro says. “Unless we have new education, they will be extinct.”And so he hikes the steppe, looking to teach people how to live more peaceably alongside large predators.On a July morning, he stops suddenly and points toward a tree-lined ravine. The tracks he’s been following have veered off the road, so he thinks the lion moved toward a stream in the gorge. The footprints must be recent because there are not yet bits of grass strewn on top.As his team walks toward the gulley, they hear cow bells jingling. “We should go and check if anyone is coming this way,” says Petro. “We need to warn them.” They soon find two young shepherds — pre-teen boys — sitting under an acacia tree, playing with small yellow fruit like balls in the dirt. Their two dozen cattle are meandering toward the ravine.Petro kneels to greet the boys, then advises them about the lion. The men help the boys to turn their herd around, with a high whistle the cows recognize, sending them grazing in a safer direction. Petro knows most of the families near here; later, he will make a home visit.In most corners of the planet, humans and big predators don’t easily co-exist. When forests and savannahs are converted to farms and cities, the land ceases to be suitable habitat for most large animals. And predators lingering on the edge of cultivated lands are often demonized, or exterminated — witness the heated debates about allowing gray wolves on the margins of Yellowstone and the French Pyrenees.But on the elevated plains of northern Tanzania, pastoralists have long lived alongside wildlife: grazing their cows, goats and sheep on the same broad savannahs where zebras, buffalo and giraffe munch grass and leaves — and where lions, leopards and hyenas stalk these wild beasts.It’s one of the few places left on Earth where coexistence may still be possible, but it’s a precarious balance. And what happens here in Tanzania will help determine the fate of the species; the country is home to a more than a third of the roughly 22,500 remaining African lions, according to data from researchers at the University of Oxford.There’s some evidence that recent steps taken to mitigate conflict are working.In 2005, the village of Loibor Siret (population 3,000) on the Maasai steppe saw about three predator attacks on livestock each month. In 2017, the number had declined to about one a month. The biggest change in that interval was that about 90 village households built reinforced corrals, which are much more effective than the older barriers of tangled thorn bushes at keeping predators away from livestock. Although protecting animals in pasture is a trickier challenge, the lion monitors helped to defuse 14 situations in 2017 that might have led to lion hunts, according to records collected by African People & Wildlife.While the number of lion hunts in the region is dropping, they do still sometimes happen. In July, one of the field patrols submitted a report about a recent revenge killing, including a photograph of a dead lion with its four paws and tail removed — an old ritual for collecting talismans.Despite such setbacks, the local lion population is beginning to bounce back.Within a study area monitored by the nonprofit Tarangire Lion Project, the monthly count of lions hit a low of around 120 lions in fall 2011 — down from about 220 lions in 2004. But the population started to recover in 2012, reaching more than 160 lions by 2015.“Once you make lions safe, their numbers can recover quickly,” because lions reproduce rapidly, says Laly Lichtenfeld, an ecologist and co-founder of African People & Wildlife.Says Craig Packer, a biologist and founder of the Lion Center at the University of Minnesota, who is not involved in the project: “These conflict-mitigation efforts clearly help lions, although there’s always the question of whether they’re going to last 20 or 50 years with a growing human population.”Wildlife refuges are sometimes not a sufficient answer — at least for species that require large ranges.Within the boundaries of Tanzania’s Tarangire National Park, lions sleep on open river banks and dangle from tree branches — they are, after all, cats — often ignoring the squadrons of open-top safari tour vehicles passing by. Here, they are mostly safe. But the protected area of the park is only a portion of the land that these lions and their prey depend upon. Large migratory animals range widely, and on the parched savannahs of eastern Africa, they mostly follow the rains.The zebras and wildebeests that spend the dry months inside Tarangire National Park move outside the park during the wet winter months, where they munch on more nutritious grass and give birth to most of their calves. And lions, leopards and cheetah trail behind them, roaming widely on the Maasai steppe.“The animals in Tarangire spend so much of the year outside the park, you could never put a fence around it — a fence that blocked migration in and out of the park would kill it,” says Packer.Increasingly scientists are realizing that lands outside national parks must also be considered in conservation strategies. In a study published in March in the journal Science, researchers linked the access and condition of lands surrounding Tanzania’s famous Serengeti-Mara ecosystem to the health of wildlife inside the park. Overgrazing and fire suppression on the edge of the park, for instance, “squeezed” the animals into a smaller area within it, they found.“The current way of just thinking about the borders of protected areas isn’t working,” says Michiel Veldhuis, an ecologist at University of Leiden in the Netherlands and a study co-author. When devising conservation strategies, he says, “we need to think about how to include people living next to protected areas.”Those people can be skeptical. Some people in nearby villages say they aren’t happy about Petro’s efforts.“We don’t want to hear lions roar at night,” says Neema Loshiro, a 60-year-old woman selling handmade jewelry spread out on a cloth on the street of Loibor Siret. The only wildlife she wants nearby are giraffes and impalas because “they’re pretty and don’t attack people or eat crops.”Still, attitudes are evolving. Petro Lengima Lorkuta, Saitoti Petro’s 69-year-old father, killed his first lion when he was 25, hurling a spear after the cat attacked his largest bull. In those days, he says, “If you killed a lion it showed that you were a strong warrior.”Since his extended family moved into a new ranch home and erected a reinforced corral four years ago, he says they have not lost any livestock to predators. “The modern fence is very helpful,” he says.“Now I love to see lions,” just not too near his home — and he supports his son’s efforts to educate neighbors about avoiding predator conflicts.Petro still rises each day at dawn to take the cattle to pasture, as his ancestors have done for generations. But the culture is changing in many ways: Rather than allowing his father to arrange his marriages, as most young Maasai men do, Petro wooed his two brides.“We expect the growing generation to get more education than us,” he says, “and therefore to know the importance of wild animals.”ALSO READ | Slow-lived species likely to become extinct; world will shift to smaller animals over next century: Study

Man-wild conflict: Humans and Lions share Savannah harmoniously

Petro is one of more than 50 lion monitors from communities on the Maasai steppe who walk daily patrol routes to help shepherds shield their cattle in the pasture, with support and training from a small, Tanzanian nonprofit called African People & Wildlife. Over the past decade, this group has also helped more than a thousand extended households to build secure modern corrals made of living acacia trees and chain-link fence to protect their livestock at night.

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FILE - In this Dec. 1, 2011, file photo, a U.S. soldier with Apache Company of Task Force 3-66 Armor, out of Grafenwoehr, Germany, stands guard at a police checkpoint at Gulruddin pass in Sar Hawza district of Paktika province, south of Kabul, Afghanistan. A significant majority of Americans are skeptical that the war in Afghanistan was worthwhile even as they are more divided over the president's handling of foreign policy and national security, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. A significant majority of Americans doubt that the war in Afghanistan was worthwhile, even as the United States is more divided over President Joe Biden’s handling of foreign policy and national security, according to a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.Roughly two-thirds said they did not think America’s longest war was worth fighting, the poll shows. Meanwhile, 47% approve of Biden’s management of international affairs, while 52% approve of Biden on national security.The poll was conducted Aug. 12-16 as the two-decade war in Afghanistan ended with the Taliban returning to power and capturing the capital of Kabul. Biden has faced bipartisan condemnation in Washington for sparking a humanitarian crisis by being ill-prepared for the speed of the Taliban’s advance.The president has stood by his decision to exit the country, insisting that he will not allow the war to continue indefinitely and betting that Americans agree with him.Mark Sohl is among those who do. The 62-year-old Democrat from Topeka, Kansas, said “it wasn’t worth losing more American lives over a mess.”Sohl added: “After 20 years, you got to cut loose.”Others felt more conflicted after seeing grim scenes in Afghanistan even if they opposed the war overall. In one image likely to endure, Afghans clung to U.S. military planes in a desperate bid to flee the country.“I don’t believe we should have been in there to begin with,” said Sebastian Garcia, a 23-year-old Biden voter from Lubbock, Texas, who said he had three cousins serve in Afghanistan. “But now that we’re leaving, I do feel we probably should stay after seeing, I guess you’d say, the trouble we’ve caused.”Roughly two-thirds also suggest the Iraq War that coincided with Afghanistan was a mistake. Republicans are somewhat more likely than Democrats to say the wars in both countries were worth fighting. About 4 in 10 Republicans do, compared with about 3 in 10 Democrats.Deborah Fulkerson of Pueblo, Colorado, believes it would be wise for the U.S. to remain in Afghanistan.“I feel like us having a presence there just keeps things more neutral and safer there for those people and for us,” said the 62-year-old, who describes herself as “more conservative,” particularly on social issues.Fulkerson acknowledged that she does not follow Afghanistan that closely, saying she is more concerned with gas prices and local news.“I’m a Christian and I know where my future lies, and all of this stuff that’s going on that I have no control over except through prayer, I just can’t watch it all the time,” she said. “I would be negative all the time.”About half of Americans say they are extremely or very concerned about the threat to the U.S. posed by extremist groups based outside of the United States; about another one-third are moderately concerned. Only about 1 in 10 say they are not concerned.But nearly 20 years after the Sept. 11 attacks that spurred the Afghanistan war, more Americans say they perceive the major national security threats as being internal.Roughly two-thirds say they are extremely or very concerned about the threat of extremist groups based inside the United States. About one-quarter are somewhat concerned, and about 1 in 10 are not concerned.Republicans and Democrats see the threat of extremist groups based outside of the U.S. similarly: about half across party lines are extremely or very concerned. But Democrats are more likely than Republicans to be strongly concerned about the threat of extremist groups based in the U.S., 75% to 57%.Biden has largely focused his policy agenda on domestic issues such as rebuilding the U.S. economy after the coronavirus pandemic. That appears to be resonating with some Americans who see Afghanistan as a distant war but the costs of food, housing and transportation as inescapable.Michael Lee Bettger, 47, said he voted for Donald Trump, but has been impressed by the economy under Biden and that is his priority. Bettger lives in Austin, Arkansas, and has never been this busy working industrial maintenance.“Jobs are just overflowing,” Bettger said. “There’s not enough of me to go around.”READ MORE: Who are the Taliban and what's happening in Afghanistan? Explained /* .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_7523954007 = { "file": "https://vod-indiatv.akamaized.net/hls/2021/08/0_odm0x1pg/master.m3u8", "image": "https://thumbs.indiatvnews.com/vod/0_odm0x1pg_big_thumb.jpg", "title": "Ground Report | The truth about Taliban's torture on daughters of Afghanistan \n", "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": "1432", "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_7523954007 = ''; jwsetup_7523954007(); function jwsetup_7523954007() { jwvidplayer_7523954007 = jwplayer("jwvidplayer_7523954007").setup(jwconfig_7523954007); jwvidplayer_7523954007.on('ready', function () { ns_.StreamingAnalytics.JWPlayer(jwvidplayer_7523954007, { publisherId: "20465327", labelmapping: "c2=\"20465327\", c3=\"IndiaTV News\", c4=\"null\", c6=\"null\", ns_st_mp=\"jwplayer\", ns_st_cl=\"0\", ns_st_ci=\"0_odm0x1pg\", ns_st_pr=\"Ground Report | The truth about Taliban's torture on daughters of Afghanistan\", ns_st_sn=\"0\", ns_st_en=\"0\", ns_st_ep=\"Ground Report | The truth about Taliban's torture on daughters of Afghanistan\", ns_st_ct=\"null\", ns_st_ge=\"News\", ns_st_st=\"Ground Report | The truth about Taliban's torture on daughters of Afghanistan\", ns_st_ce=\"0\", ns_st_ia=\"0\", ns_st_ddt=\"2021-08-19\", ns_st_tdt=\"2021-08-19\", ns_st_pu=\"IndiaTV News\", ns_st_cu=\"https://vod-indiatv.akamaized.net/hls/2021/08/0_odm0x1pg/master.m3u8\", ns_st_ty=\"video\"" }); }); jwvidplayer_7523954007.on('all', function (r) { if (jwvidplayer_7523954007.getState() == 'error' || jwvidplayer_7523954007.getState() == 'setupError') { jwvidplayer_7523954007.stop(); jwvidplayer_7523954007.remove(); jwvidplayer_7523954007 = ''; jwsetup_7523954007(); return; } }); jwvidplayer_7523954007.on('error', function (t) { jwvidplayer_7523954007.stop(); jwvidplayer_7523954007.remove(); jwvidplayer_7523954007 = ''; jwsetup_7523954007(); return; }); jwvidplayer_7523954007.on('mute', function () { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_7523954007.on('adPlay', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_7523954007.on('adPause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_7523954007.on('pause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_7523954007.on('error', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_7523954007.on('adBlock', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); }

AP-NORC poll: Two-thirds of Americans say they don't think the war in Afghanistan was worth fighting

A significant majority of Americans doubt that the war in Afghanistan was worthwhile, even as the United States is more divided over President Joe Biden’s handling of foreign policy and national security, according to a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

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Twitter hides Trump's tweet accusing Biden campaign of 'stealing' election A 'disputed' label was placed on a tweet by Donald Trump, in which he had accused the rival Biden campaign of trying to "steal" the tightly-contested 2020 presidential elections. "We are up BIG, but they are trying to STEAL the Election. We will never let them do it. Votes cannot be cast after the Polls are closed!", Trump had tweeted as his first reaction to the election results. Moments later, the tweet was placed behind a warning on the president's account that the content shared is 'disputed and might be misleading about an election or other civic process'.This is not the first time Twitter has taken any action on Trump's Twitter account, similar activity has been witnessed in the past too. Facebook also had flagged the post of president Trump.“Final results may be different from initial vote counts, as ballots counting will continue for days and weeks,” Facebook said, quoting Bipartisan Policy Center.The social media giant also flagged the second post by Trump in which he claimed that he is winning big and will soon make a statement.“I will be making a statement tonight. A big WIN!” he said.Flagging the post, Facebook said, “the winner of the 2000 US Presidential Election has not been projected.”Earlier, Twitter pinned a warning on a Trump campaign tweet declaring victory in the battleground state of South Carolina, saying it was premature and not confirmed by official sources.A message under the tweet, in which the campaign trumpeted that Trump had won the Southern state, said “official sources may not have called the race when this was Tweeted," the Politico reported.The action came even as multiple news outlets - including The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN and POLITICO - have similarly projected that President Trump will win the state, the report said.The tweet, said the social media giant, violates a rule rolled out for this election that requires such tweets to be backed by calls from at least two of seven specified news organisations.Twitter, though, left alone a similar Trump campaign tweet declaring victory in Florida because, the company said, it included a nod to one of Twitter’s seven approved race callers.The US' biggest social media companies have in recent days said that so-called premature declarations of victory were one of their primary concerns headed into this fraught Election Day, especially on a night expected to be full of close contests across the country.A final verdict on who wins the presidency could take days or weeks depending on how the vote-counting, recounts and assorted court battles play out.During the election campaign, Trump had accused the big tech companies of taking sides of Biden. He had alleged that the big tech companies do not want him to win the presidential elections.When reports last came in, Trump had 174 electoral college votes, trailing behind 213 of his Democratic rival Joe Biden.Trump was projected to win two major battleground States, Florida and Ohio.He was leading in several other battleground States of North Carolina, Georgia, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Nevada. Biden was leading in Arizona and Minnesota.(With inputs from PTI)

Disputed: Twitter labels Trump's tweet accusing Biden campaign of 'stealing' election

Twitter on Wednesday placed a "disputed" label on a tweet from President Donald Trump in which he accused the rival Biden campaign of trying to "steal" the tightly-contested 2020 presidential elections.

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Turkey detains 3 Sputnik journalists inviting strong response from Russian Foreign Ministry The detention of Sputnik news agency's chief editor in Turkey, Mahir Boztepe by the Turkish security forces has invited a strong response from the Russian Foreign Ministry. The development comes hours after Sputnik's staff at it's Ankara office was apprehended by the security forces. As per reports, Boztepe was taken from the Istanbul office of Sputnik to the General Directorate of Security. Sputnik and RT Editor-in-Chief Margarita Simonyan tweeted that the Turkish police officers arrived at the Istanbul office and detained the Sputnik employees. As per the Russian news agency, the Turkish police in Ankara has denied having Sputnik employees in custody.As per Sputnik, on Saturday night, groups of aggressive people, who were shouting nationalist slogans, insults, and threats, tried to force their way into the homes of three Sputnik Turkey employees in Ankara. The attackers tried to break the doors and were shouting "Turkey for Turks," "Traitors," and "Russian spies." The attackers managed to get away before the police arrived. The incident did not result in any injures."The Russian Foreign Ministry condemned the attack as a blatant violation of the journalists' rights. According to the ministry, the journalists are currently being held by Turkish security forces. The situation is complicated by the fact that it has not been possible to contact the detained journalists," the Russian news agency reported. The actions of the Turkish forces have received widespread condemnation. Seven major Turkish journalist organizations have condemned the detention of the Sputnik staff. Reporters Without Borders Organisation also condemned Turkey for its actions. The agency reported that the police searched its offices on Turkish soil without disclosing any reasons. Sputnik is a news agency, news website platform and radio broadcast service established by the Russian government-owned news agency Rossiya Segodnya. Headquartered in Moscow, Sputnik says it has regional editorial offices in Washington, D.C., Cairo, Beijing, Paris, Berlin, London, India and Edinburgh.

Turkey detains 3 Sputnik journalists inviting strong response from Russian Foreign Ministry

The detention of Sputnik news agency's chief editor in Turkey, Mahir Boztepe by the Turkish security forces has invited a strong response from the Russian Foreign Ministry. The development comes hours after Sputnik's staff at it's Ankara office was apprehended by the security forces.

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Too early to conclude on lessons learnt from COVID crisis: Nirmala Sitharaman.  It is too early to conclude on the lessons that India learnt from the COVID-19 crisis, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said as she stressed that the world is not going to be the same post-pandemic.Sitharaman said much before the second Covid wave struck, her government had extended a stimulus and was waiting for the economy to revive.In every exercise, which was done during that phase and post the second wave, they did not have any "precedent to depend upon", she told a group of Indian reporters as she concluded her meetings at the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank."It is a bit too early for me to conclude on lessons (learnt from the COVID`19 crisis)," she said.Sitharaman said they were not even those kinds of exercises which India was doing alone. Every country in the world has been touched by this crisis, she said."Therefore, for me to quickly now look at and say, look at the last year experience and say, this could have been better handled, I think will be a bit too early," she said."As I said there's no precedent and as I said to assess it from this short a year and half period, may be limiting the scope," the finance minister said. Responding to a question, the minister said the post-pandemic world is not going to be the same."India's priorities are definitely on the basis of the fact that, I suppose most of us will agree on, that post the pandemic, it’s not really going to be the same world, whether it's the manufacturing universe or whether labour," she said.The issues are going to be fairly different from what they were earlier, she said.Sitharaman said a lot of reset is taking place currently, that too across the globe."It is not just in one sector, it is across the sectors. There is definitely a lot of thinking in global institutions. It is also looking at how there can be greater convergence among nations so that resources are better utilised," she said."And where there are issues of getting prepared for future pandemic or future any such emergency where countries will have to respond to help one another. There will be a better way of doing it than the way we did this time," Sitharaman added."So, larger issues of global convergence, larger issues of multilateral institution being ready for meeting such challenges, larger issues of having a global envelope, which can be contributed by everybody so that there is a better response for any such pandemic, if in case we have to face it in the future, have all been part of all discussions in the multilateral fora, and in the bilateral and also among my company, and business leaders meets," she said. /* .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_4860627792 = { "file": "https://vod-indiatv.akamaized.net/hls/2021/09/0_lwxh2e37/master.m3u8", "image": "https://thumbs.indiatvnews.com/vod/0_lwxh2e37_big_thumb.jpg", "title": "Need to have informed conversation about Savarkar: Nirmala Sitharaman", "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": "15", "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_4860627792 = ''; jwsetup_4860627792(); function jwsetup_4860627792() { jwvidplayer_4860627792 = jwplayer("jwvidplayer_4860627792").setup(jwconfig_4860627792); jwvidplayer_4860627792.on('ready', function () { ns_.StreamingAnalytics.JWPlayer(jwvidplayer_4860627792, { publisherId: "20465327", labelmapping: "c2=\"20465327\", c3=\"IndiaTV News\", c4=\"null\", c6=\"null\", ns_st_mp=\"jwplayer\", ns_st_cl=\"0\", ns_st_ci=\"0_lwxh2e37\", ns_st_pr=\"Need to have informed conversation about Savarkar: Nirmala Sitharaman\", ns_st_sn=\"0\", ns_st_en=\"0\", ns_st_ep=\"Need to have informed conversation about Savarkar: Nirmala Sitharaman\", ns_st_ct=\"null\", ns_st_ge=\"News\", ns_st_st=\"Need to have informed conversation about Savarkar: Nirmala Sitharaman\", ns_st_ce=\"0\", ns_st_ia=\"0\", ns_st_ddt=\"2021-09-02\", ns_st_tdt=\"2021-09-02\", ns_st_pu=\"IndiaTV News\", ns_st_cu=\"https://vod-indiatv.akamaized.net/hls/2021/09/0_lwxh2e37/master.m3u8\", ns_st_ty=\"video\"" }); }); jwvidplayer_4860627792.on('all', function (r) { if (jwvidplayer_4860627792.getState() == 'error' || jwvidplayer_4860627792.getState() == 'setupError') { jwvidplayer_4860627792.stop(); jwvidplayer_4860627792.remove(); jwvidplayer_4860627792 = ''; jwsetup_4860627792(); return; } }); jwvidplayer_4860627792.on('error', function (t) { jwvidplayer_4860627792.stop(); jwvidplayer_4860627792.remove(); jwvidplayer_4860627792 = ''; jwsetup_4860627792(); return; }); jwvidplayer_4860627792.on('mute', function () { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_4860627792.on('adPlay', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_4860627792.on('adPause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_4860627792.on('pause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_4860627792.on('error', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_4860627792.on('adBlock', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); }

Too early to conclude on lessons learnt from COVID crisis: Nirmala Sitharaman

FM Sitharaman said much before 2nd Covid wave struck, her govt had extended a stimulus and was waiting for the economy to revive.

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FILE - In this 1918 file photo made available by the Library of Congress, volunteer nurses from the American Red Cross tend to influenza patients in the Oakland Municipal Auditorium, used as a temporary hospital. Science has ticked off some major accomplishments over the last century. The world learned about viruses, cured various diseases, made effective vaccines, developed instant communications and created elaborate public-health networks. Yet in many ways, 2020 is looking like 1918, the year the great influenza pandemic raged. (Edward A. "Doc" Rogers/Library of Congress via AP, File)Centuries apart, between two lethal pandemics, one the misnamed Spanish Flu and the othe coronavirus the world learned about viruses, cured various diseases, made effective vaccines, developed instant communications and created elaborate public-health networks. No wonder, despite a century’s progress in science, 2020 is looking a lot like 1918. Yet here we are again, face-masked to the max. And still unable to crush an insidious yet avoidable infectious disease before hundreds of thousands die from it.As in 1918, people are again hearing hollow assurances at odds with the reality of hospitals and morgues filling up and bank accounts draining. The ancient common sense of quarantining is back. So is quackery: Rub raw onions on your chest, they said in 1918. How about disinfectant in your veins now? mused President Donald Trump, drawing gasps instead of laughs over what he weakly tried to pass off as a joke.In 1918, no one had a vaccine, treatment or cure for the great flu pandemic as it ravaged the world and killed more than 50 million people. No one has any of that for the coronavirus, either.Image Source : AP This Library of Congress photo shows a demonstration at the Red Cross Emergency Ambulance Station in Washington, D.C., during the influenza pandemic of 1918. Science has ticked off some major accomplishments over the last century. The world learned about viruses, cured various diseases, made effective vaccines, developed instant communications and created elaborate public-health networks. Yet in many ways, 2020 is looking like 1918, the year the great influenza pandemic raged. (Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division via AP)This Library of Congress photo shows a demonstration at the Red Cross Emergency Ambulance Station in Washington, D.C., during the influenza pandemic of 1918. Science has ticked off some major accomplishments over the last century. The world learned about viruses, cured various diseases, made effective vaccines, developed instant communications and created elaborate public-health networks. Yet in many ways, 2020 is looking like 1918, the year the great influenza pandemic raged. (Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division via AP)Modern science quickly identified today’s new coronavirus, mapped its genetic code and developed a diagnostic test, tapping knowledge no one had in 1918. That has given people more of a fighting chance to stay out of harm’s way, at least in countries that deployed tests quickly, which the U.S. didn’t.But the ways to avoid getting sick and what to do when sick are little changed. The failure of U.S. presidents to take the threat seriously from the start also joins past to present.Trump all but declared victory before infection took root in his country and he’s delivered a stream of misinformation ever since. President Woodrow Wilson’s principal failure was his silence.Not once, historians say, did Wilson publicly speak about a disease that was killing Americans grotesquely and in huge numbers, even though he contracted it himself and was never the same after. Wilson fixated on America’s parallel fight in World War I like “a dog with a bone,” says John M. Barry, author of “The Great Influenza.”The suspected ground zero of the Spanish flu ranges from Kansas to China. But it was clear to U.S. officials even in 1918 that it didn’t start in Spain.The pandemic took on Spain’s name only because its free press ambitiously reported the devastation in the disease’s early 1918 wave while government officials and a complicit press in countries at war — the U.S. among them — played it down in a time of jingoism, censorship and denial. Like COVID-19, the 1918 pandemic came from a respiratory virus that jumped from animals to people, was transmitted the same way, and had similar pathology, Barry said by email. Social distancing, hand-washing and masks were leading control measures then and now.Medical advice from then also resonates today: “If you get it, stay at home, rest in bed, keep warm, drink hot drinks and stay quiet until the symptoms are past,” said Dr. John Dill Robertson, Chicago health commissioner in 1918. “Then continue to be careful, for the greatest danger is from pneumonia or some kindred disease after the influenza is gone.”In the manner of the day, there just had to be a catchy rhyme in circulation, too: “Cover up each cough and sneeze. If you don’t you’ll spread disease.”But there were also marked differences between the viruses of 1918 and 2020. The Spanish flu was particularly dangerous to healthy people aged 20 to 40 — the prime generation of military service — paradoxically because of their vibrant immune systems.When such people got infected, their antibodies went after the virus like soldiers spilling from the trenches of Europe’s killing fields.“The immune system was throwing every weapon it had at the virus,” Barry said. “The battlefield was the lung. The lung was being destroyed in that battle.”Young soldiers and sailors massed at military camps in the U.S., sailed for Europe on ships stuffed to the gunwales with humanity, fought side by side in the trenches and came home in victory to adoring crowds. The toll was enormous, on them and the people they infected. The Spanish flu could just as easily have been called the U.S. Army or U.S. Navy flu instead. Or the German or British flu, for that matter.Among those who died in the pandemic was Friedrich Trump, Donald Trump’s paternal grandfather. Among those who contracted it and recovered were the wartime leaders of Britain and Germany as well as of the United States, British and Spanish kings and the future U.S. president, Franklin Roosevelt, when he was assistant Navy secretary.But the toll was heavier on average people and the poor, crowded in tenements, street cars and sweaty factories.They could not all live by the words of the 1918 U.S. surgeon general, Rupert Blue: “Keep out of crowds and stuffy places as much as possible. ... The value of fresh air through open windows cannot be overemphasized. ... Make every possible effort to breath as much pure air as possible.”An estimated 675,000 Americans died in the pandemic, which is thought to have infected one-third of the global population.In 1918, the surgeon general noted in a handbill that “a person who has only a mild attack of the disease himself may give a very severe attack to others.” The warning is just as applicable to the coronavirus, especially as scientists learned large numbers of people with COVID-19 may spread it despite no obvious symptoms. Exactly how often the new virus kills can’t be determined without better counts of the infected; some estimates put the 1918 flu’s death rate at 2.5%. Blue’s public notice also warned people to avoid charlatans and only get medicine from doctors.Image Source : APFILE - In this November 1918 photo made available by the Library of Congress, a nurse takes the pulse of a patient in the influenza ward of the Walter Reed hospital in Washington. Science has ticked off some major accomplishments over the last century. The world learned about viruses, cured various diseases, made effective vaccines, developed instant communications and created elaborate public-health networks. Yet in many ways, 2020 is looking like 1918, the year the great influenza pandemic raged. (Harris & Ewing/Library of Congress via AP, File)  FILE - In this November 1918 photo made available by the Library of Congress, a nurse takes the pulse of a patient in the influenza ward of the Walter Reed hospital in Washington. Science has ticked off some major accomplishments over the last century. The world learned about viruses, cured various diseases, made effective vaccines, developed instant communications and created elaborate public-health networks. Yet in many ways, 2020 is looking like 1918, the year the great influenza pandemic raged. (Harris & Ewing/Library of Congress via AP, File) Physicians, though, didn’t always know what they were doing. Medical journals at the time describe a rash of unusual treatments, some in the league of Trump’s amateur theories about disinfectant, blasts of lights and an unapproved drug that has both potential benefits and risks.One 1918-era doctor recommended that people sniff a boric acid and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) powder to rinse out nasal passages. Others prescribed quinine, strychnine and a poisonous garden plant called Digitalis to help circulation, as well as drugs derived from iodine for “internal disinfection,” according to Laura Spinney, who wrote the 2017 book “Pale Rider: The Spanish Flu of 1918 and How it Changed the World.”Popular theories spread that warming your feet would prevent infection, or gobbling brown sugar, or getting the onion rubdown. A “clean heart” was one supposed preventive, though it is not clear whether that meant the organ or the heart of love.“There was no Tony Fauci back then,” Barry said in a remote Library of Congress interview in April.Image Source : AP This Library of Congress photo shows a demonstration at the Red Cross Emergency Ambulance Station in Washington, D.C., during the influenza pandemic of 1918. Science has ticked off some major accomplishments over the last century. The world learned about viruses, cured various diseases, made effective vaccines, developed instant communications and created elaborate public-health networks. Yet in many ways, 2020 is looking like 1918, the year the great influenza pandemic raged. (Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division via AP)This Library of Congress photo shows a demonstration at the Red Cross Emergency Ambulance Station in Washington, D.C., during the influenza pandemic of 1918. Science has ticked off some major accomplishments over the last century. The world learned about viruses, cured various diseases, made effective vaccines, developed instant communications and created elaborate public-health networks. Yet in many ways, 2020 is looking like 1918, the year the great influenza pandemic raged. (Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division via AP)We have Fauci now — a federal immunologist who has been regarded as the truth-teller in White House briefings, singularly immune to Trump’s positive spin and falsehoods. Plus, we know so much more than people did in 1918.Yet we’re still hearing lots of Dark Ages nonsense.Conspiracy theorists have blamed COVID-19 on the development of 5G networks, just as they say radio waves caused the 1918 flu. Arsonists recently torched more than a dozen British cell towers after that falsehood circulated.Over the months of this pandemic, The Associated Press has debunked a series of bogus remedies that spread on Facebook, Twitter and the like. No, blasting hot air up your nose from a hair dryer won’t protect you. Nor will drinking tonic water, eating high-alkaline foods, stuffing antibiotic ointment up your nose, downing vodka or any home elixir.No, it’s not true that if you can’t hold your breath very long, you have COVID-19. Or that a vaccine from a lab only works on a disease created by a lab. Social distancing has not come with social-media distancing. Over a century of science, we haven’t gone back to the future, but ahead to the past.In September 1918, as the Spanish flu’s second and by far deadliest wave hit in the U.S., Philadelphia’s public health chief disregarded advisers and let a massive war-bond parade proceed through downtown. The H1N1 virus raced through the masses in what has been called the world’s deadliest parade. As officials insisted there was nothing to be alarmed about, people were seeing neighbors sicken and die with astonishing speed and mass graves being dug. “It’s just the flu” had worn thin as the mantra of officialdom.Image Source : APFILE - In this Oct. 19, 1918 file photo provide by the U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command a sign is posted at the Naval Aircraft Factory in Philadelphia that indicates, the Spanish Influenza was then extremely active. Science has ticked off some major accomplishments over the last century. The world learned about viruses, cured various diseases, made effective vaccines, developed instant communications and created elaborate public-health networks. Yet in many ways, 2020 is looking like 1918, the year the great influenza pandemic raged. (U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command via AP)FILE - In this Oct. 19, 1918 file photo provide by the U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command a sign is posted at the Naval Aircraft Factory in Philadelphia that indicates, the Spanish Influenza was then extremely active. Science has ticked off some major accomplishments over the last century. The world learned about viruses, cured various diseases, made effective vaccines, developed instant communications and created elaborate public-health networks. Yet in many ways, 2020 is looking like 1918, the year the great influenza pandemic raged. (U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command via AP)Late that November, sirens wailed in San Francisco to sound the all-clear after six weeks of lockdown and tell people they could remove their masks. San Francisco, like many cities in the West, had been largely spared the first wave and spent the interval preparing for Round 2, mandating masks and jailing people who didn’t comply.They had a rhyme for that, too, of course: “Obey the laws, and wear the gauze. Protect your jaws from septic paws.”The precautions paid off with a death rate lower than in afflicted cities elsewhere. But the city relaxed too soon.In December, thousands of new cases erupted. A wave spilling into the new year was underway. San Francisco’s death toll mounted by more than 1,000. It was the last lashing by the Spanish flu, and a less lethal one.The brutal lessons of 1918 and 1919? To Barry, who was enlisted 15 years ago in a Bush administration drive to prepare all levels of government for pandemics, they are to respond early, relax cautiously, tell people the truth.Instead he has seen denial followed by a chaotic federal response and leadership vacuum as Washington and the states compete for the same medical essentials and now move fitfully toward reopening.“Now we have plans, even war-gamed the plans, spent billions preparing for just what is happening, federal agencies have been tasked to handle all these things, and we get ... next to nothing,” he said. Not even a jingle.(With inputs from AP)

From Spanish flu to COVID-19, why virus-afflicted 2020 looks like 1918 despite science's march

Centuries apart, between two lethal pandemics, one the misnamed Spanish Flu and the othe coronavirus the world learned about viruses, cured various diseases, made effective vaccines, developed instant communications and created elaborate public-health networks. No wonder, despite a century’s progress in science, 2020 is looking a lot like 1918.

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President Donald Trump waves to the crowd after speaking at a campaign rally at Phoenix Goodyear Airport.President Donald Trump and Democratic rival Joe Biden are set to chase votes in Florida, a state all but essential to the Republican’s pathway to another term as both nominees turn their focus to encouraging voters to turn out on Election Day.More than 73 million Americans have already voted, absentee or by mail, and Trump and Biden are trying to energize the millions more who will vote in person on Tuesday. While the Election Day vote traditionally favors Republicans and early votes tend toward Democrats, the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed more than 227,000 people in the United States, has injected new uncertainty about the makeup of the electorate.Trump and Biden will appear in Tampa hours apart on Thursday, visiting the western end of the state’s Interstate 4 corridor, the area known for its rapid residential growth, sprawling suburbs and status as an ever-changing, hard-fought battleground during presidential elections.ALSO READ | 2020 US Presidential election to be most expensive in history, expected to cost USD 14 billionThe visit comes as Biden has framed his closing argument to voters on responsible management of the COVID-19 pandemic and Trump promises that the nation is on course to “vanquish the virus” even as it sets records for confirmed new infections.“Even if I win, it’s going to take a lot of hard work to end this pandemic,” Biden said Wednesday during a speech in Wilmington, Delaware. “I do promise this: We will start on day one doing the right things.”Trump spent Wednesday in Arizona, where relaxed rules on social distancing made staging big rallies easier. Thousands gathered in close proximity without wearing masks — a trend that was expected to continue through more than a dozen events in the final sprint to Election Day.Biden, meanwhile, heads later in the week to three more states Trump won in 2016: Iowa, Wisconsin and Michigan, where he’ll hold a joint Saturday rally with former President Barack Obama.ALSO READ | Joe Biden will be a better foreign policy president: International scholars surveyThe pandemic’s consequences were escalating, with deaths climbing in 39 states and an average of 805 people dying daily nationwide — up from 714 two weeks ago. The sharp rise sent shockwaves through financial markets, causing the Dow Jones Industrial Average to drop 900-plus points.Trump, who frequently lauds rising markets, failed to mention the decline on Wednesday. But he promised that economic growth figures for the summer quarter, due Thursday, would be strong, declaring during a rally in Bullhead City, Arizona, “This election is a choice between a Trump super-recovery and a Biden depression.”Trump is betting on the GOP’s vast field and data operations, and efforts known as “poll flushing” — monitoring precinct lists for who has and has not yet voted — to provide a late boost of votes on Election Day. The Republican National Committee, which has more than 3,000 field staff and claims more than 2.5 million volunteers, will use that information to reach out to Trump supporters who have not voted throughout Election Day to ensure they get to the polls.“We will continue our historic voter outreach efforts by knocking on over 4.5 million doors and making 15 million more calls to ensure voters turn out to the polls and vote for President Trump and Republicans up and down the ballot,” party spokesperson Mandi Merritt said.Nowhere may those efforts be more important than in Florida. Without the battleground state’s 29 electoral votes, Trump’s path to victory is exceptionally difficult.Trump is banking on local news coverage of his visit to overcome a substantial advertising deficit stemming from a late cash crunch. Biden and his allies are outspending Trump and his backers by more than 3-to-1 in Florida — about $23 million to about $7 million — in the final push to Election Day, according to data from ad tracking firm Kantar/CMAG.In both Hillsborough County, which includes Tampa, and the adjacent Pinellas County, Democrats are crushing vote by mail. As of Wednesday morning, more than 53,000 Democrats had voted by mail in Hillsborough than Republicans. In Pinellas, the largest of the four counties in the state to switch from Obama to Trump in 2016, that number was just shy of 30,000 more Democrats voting by mail than Republicans.Republicans in both counties have a slight edge in the state’s in-person early voting, which began last Saturday as Trump himself voted in Palm Beach County downstate, and the GOP will likely need a strong showing on Tuesday to overcome Democratic leads.Because of concerns about submission deadlines, Postal Service backlogs and the potential for drawn-out legal challenges, Democrats are pressing their backers who have yet to return a ballot to head to the polls in person. Trump, meanwhile, is banking on enthusiasm among his Election Day supporters to overcome indicated Democratic strength in some early returns.ALSO READ | What Melania Trump told a woman who yelled out 'handsome' for Donald Trump at a rally

US Election 2020: Trump, Biden to appeal to last-minute voters in Florida

President Donald Trump and Democratic rival Joe Biden are set to chase votes in Florida, a state all but essential to the Republican’s pathway to another term as both nominees turn their focus to encouraging voters to turn out on Election Day.

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A Sikh man was asked to remove his turban by a woman in a Canadian club who threatened to "rip" off the head covering and heckled him with racist remarks, according to a media report.Jaswinder Singh Dhaliwal was playing pool with friends at the Royal Canadian Legion, a Canadian ex-service organisation that includes people who have served in military, when the management approached the group and asked him to remove his patka as it was its policy to remove any headgear out of respect for the veterans, CBC News reported.Related Stories Sikh-American teen forced to remove turban at US airportBlasphemy: Australian Sikh denied school enrolment for wearing turbanNow, Sikh cabbie faces ‘hate crime’ in US; assaulted, turban knocked off by passengers However, religious garments are exempted from the legion's policy banning head coverings.The incident took place on Wednesday at Tignish town in Canada's Prince Edward Island.A video of the incident shows a woman threatening to "rip" off the head covering in response to being filmed and a patron at the bar making an obscene gesture while saying the garment must be removed because "it is the law".Legion president Stephen Gallant later said that he plans to apologise to those involved as religious garments are exempted from their policy, the report said.Gallant said there was some confusion over whether the headdress was a religious garment, and the membership has met to clarify the branch’s policy regarding head coverings.

Sikh man asked to remove turban in Canada, heckled with racist remarks

A video of the incident shows a woman threatening to "rip" off the head covering in response to being filmed and a patron at the bar making an obscene gesture while saying the garment must be removed because "it is the law".

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6.0-magnitude quake jolts BaliAn earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale jolted Indonesia's island of Bali on Tuesday, but authorities did not issue a tsunami alert.The quake hit at around 7.18 a.m., a disaster management official said. "We did not issue a tsunami warning, as this quake did not have the potential to trigger big waves," he told Xinhua news agency.The quake has only caused minor damages in Nusa Dua so far and there has no immediate report of casualties.An assessment on the impact of the quake has been undertaken, the official added.Indonesia is frequently hit by earthquakes as it sits on a vulnerable quake-hit zone called "the Pacific Ring of Fire".ALSO READ | 7.2 -magnitude quake jolts IndonesiaALSO READ | 4.7-magnitude earthquake hits western GreeceALSO READ | Massive 6.6-magnitude earthquake jolts Australia

6.0-magnitude quake jolts Bali, no tsunami alert issued

Indonesia is frequently hit by earthquakes as it sits on a vulnerable quake-hit zone called "the Pacific Ring of Fire".

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Kausar Parveen struggles through tears as she remembers the blood-soaked pants of her 9-year-old son, raped by a religious cleric. Each time she begins to speak, she stops, swallows hard, wipes her tears and begins again.The boy had studied for a year at a nearby Islamic school in the town of Kehrore Pakka. In the blistering heat of late April, in the grimy two-room Islamic madrassa, he awoke one night to find his teacher lying beside him.“I didn’t move. I was afraid,” he says.The cleric lifted the boy’s long tunic-style shirt over his head, and then pulled down his baggy pants.“I was crying. He was hurting me. He shoved my shirt in my mouth,” the boy says, using his scarf to show how the cleric tried to stifle his cries. He looks over at his mother.“Did he touch you?′ He nods. “Did he hurt you when he touched you?” ″Yes,” he whispers.“Did he rape you?” He buries his face in his scarf and nods yes.Parveen reaches over and grabs her son, pulling him toward her, cradling his head in her lap.Sexual abuse is a pervasive and longstanding problem at madrassas in Pakistan, an AP investigation has found, from the sunbaked mud villages deep in its rural areas to the heart of its teeming cities. But in a culture where clerics are powerful and sexual abuse is a taboo subject, it is seldom discussed or even acknowledged in public.It is even more seldom prosecuted. Police are often paid off not to pursue justice against clerics, victims’ families say. And cases rarely make it past the courts, because Pakistan’s legal system allows the victim’s family to “forgive” the offender and accept what is often referred to as “blood money.”The AP found hundreds of cases of sexual abuse by clerics reported in the past decade, and officials suspect there are many more within a far-reaching system that teaches at least 2 million children in Pakistan. The investigation was based on police documents and dozens of interviews with victims, relatives, former and current ministers, aid groups and religious officials.The fear of clerics and the militant religious organizations that sometimes support them came through clearly. One senior official in a ministry tasked with registering these cases says many madrassas are “infested” with sexual abuse. The official asks to remain anonymous for fear of retribution; he has been a target of suicide attacks because of his hard position against militant groups.He compares the situation to the abuse of children by priests in the Catholic Church.“There are thousands of incidences of sexual abuse in the madrassas,” he says. “This thing is very common, that this is happening.”Pakistan’s clerics close ranks when the madrassa system is too closely scrutinized, he says. Among the weapons they use to frighten their critics is a controversial blasphemy law that carries a death penalty in the case of a conviction.“This is not a small thing here in Pakistan — I am scared of them and what they can do,” the official says. “I am not sure what it will take to expose the extent of it. It’s very dangerous to even try.”His assessment was echoed by another senior official, a former minister who says sexual abuse in madrassas happens all the time. He also doesn’t want his name used because he too has survived suicide bombings due to his stance on militants.“That’s a very dangerous topic,” he says.A tally of cases reported in newspapers over the past 10 years of sexual abuse by maulvis or clerics and other religious officials came to 359. That represents “barely the tip of the iceberg,” says Munizae Bano, executive director of Sahil, the organization that scours the newspapers and works against sexual abuse of minors.In 2004, a Pakistani official disclosed more than 500 complaints of sexual assaults against young boys in madrassas. He has since refused to talk, and there have been no significant arrests or prosecutions.Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf dismisses the suggestion that sexual abuse is widespread, saying such talk is an attempt to malign the religion, seminaries and clerics. He says he was not aware of even the cases reported in the newspapers, but that it could occur occasionally ’because there are criminals everywhere.” Yousaf says the reform and control of madrassas is the job of the interior ministry.The Interior Ministry, which oversees madrassas, refused repeated written and telephone requests for an interview.The case of Parveen’s son was one of at least three within a month in the towns of Kehrore Pakka and Rajanpur in Punjab province’s deep south, according to police reports. Another incident involved the drugging and gang rape of a 12-year-old boy asleep on his madrassa rooftop by former students. And the third was of a 10-year-old boy sodomized by the madrassa principal when he brought him his meal. The cleric threatened to kill the boy if he told.The AP is not naming the children because they are victims of sexual abuse.The fear of clerics was evident at the courthouse in Kehrore Pakka, where the former teacher of Parveen’s son waited his turn to go before a judge. A half dozen members of the radical Sunni militant organization Sipah-e-Sahabah were there to support the teacher.They scowled and moved closer when an AP reporter sat next to the teacher, who was shackled to a half dozen other prisoners. The whispers grew louder and more insistent.“It’s too dangerous here,” said one person, looking over at the militants nearby. “Leave. Leave the courthouse, they can do anything here.”The teacher had already confessed, according to police, and the police report said he was found with the boy. Yet he swore his innocence in court.“I am married,” he said. “My wife is pretty, why would I do this to a kid?”There are more than 22,000 registered madrassas or Islamic schools in Pakistan. The students they teach are often among the country’s poorest, who receive food and an education for free.Many more madrassas — small two- or three-room seminaries in villages throughout Pakistan — are unregistered, opened by a graduate of another madrassa, often without any education other than a proficiency in the Quran. They operate without scrutiny, ignored by the authorities, say residents living nearby. Parveen’s son, for example, went to an unregistered madrassa.Madrassas are funded by wealthy business people, religious political parties and even donors from other countries, such as Saudi Arabia. The teachings of the madrassas are guided by schools of Islamic thought, such as Shiite and Sunni.However, unlike the Catholic Church, which has a clear hierarchy topped by the Vatican, there is no central religious authority that governs madrassas. There is also no central body that investigates or responds to allegations in religious schools.“Basic responsibility, when something happens, is with the head of the madrassa,” says Mufti Mohammed Naeem, the head of the sprawling Jamia Binoria madrassa in the city of Karachi.There are between 2,000 and 3,000 unregistered madrasses, Naeem says, which makes central oversight even harder. The government has launched a nationwide effort to register madrassas.The “keepers” of madrassas are also notoriously reluctant to accept government oversight or embrace reforms, according to I.A. Rehman of the independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, which makes sexual abuse harder to prevent.“This is one of those things, you know, which everybody knows is going on and happening, but evidence is very scarce,” he says. He adds that the power of the people who run the madrassas has increased over the years.As the religious right has grown stronger in Pakistan, clerics who were once dependent on village leaders for handouts, even food, have risen in stature. With this rise, reporting of sexual abuse in madrassas has trickled off, said human rights lawyer Saif-ul Mulk. Mulk has police protection because of death threats from militants outraged by his defense of a Christian woman sentenced to death for insulting Islam.“Everyone is so afraid of the mullahs today,” he says.The fear that surrounds sexual abuse by clerics means that justice is rare. The payoff from offending mullahs to police means that they often refuse to even register a case, says Azam Hussain, a union councilor in Kehrore Pakka. And the families involved are often poor and powerless.“Poor people are afraid, so they don’t say anything,” Hussain says. “Police help the mullah. Police don’t help the poor...Poor people know this, so they don’t even go to the police.”This is particularly true in Punjab, Pakistan’s largest province, where more than 60 percent of its 200 million people live. Even Pakistan’s own Punjab provincial anti-corruption department in a 2014 report listed the Punjab police as the province’s most corrupt department. Police say they investigate when a complaint is made, but they have no authority to take a case forward when the family accepts money, which often happens.The family of a boy who says he was repeatedly assaulted sexually by a cleric in a Punjab madrassa talks about their tussle with police.The boy isn’t sure of his age. Maybe 10 or 11, he says. His voice is barely a whisper, his head bent low as he talked. He is surrounded by two dozen villagers and relatives, all men, all angry.He says the cleric threatened him with death if he told anyone.“I was ashamed and I was scared,” he says. “He told me if I told anyone, my brother, my family, he would kill all my family and he would kill me.”He says he begged the cleric to leave him alone. Once, the cleric even swore on the Quran that he would stop, but still returned.In August, when the boy was home, the thought of returning to his madrassa became too much. He pleaded with his older brother not to send him back. But his brother beat him and told him to go back.The brother, who would only give his first name as Maqsood, looks anguished. “I didn’t know,” he says. Their elderly uncle, who looks near tears, covers his face and tries not to look in the boy’s direction.The boy says another student at his seminary was assaulted by the same cleric. But police released the cleric after senior Punjab government officials intervened on his behalf, according to Maqsood.Demonstrations by villagers forced the cleric’s re-arrest. Still, Maqsood says, when he went to the police, his honesty was questioned.“The maulvi was sitting in the chair like he was the boss, and I was told to stay standing,” he says. “We are being pressured to compromise...We are poor people.”Local police deny charges that they favored the cleric or intimidated the family. They say they have consulted a local Islamic scholar about the rape allegations, and that the madrassa has not come to their attention previously for any wrongdoing.“We need witnesses, evidence,” says Sajjad Mohammed Khan, Vehari’s deputy superintendent of police for organized crime.The top police officer in the district center of Multan, Deputy Inspector General Police Sultan Azam Temuri, also denies that pressure from clerics or powerful politicians prompts police to go easy in such cases. He says cases are investigated when allegations are made. Temuri says his department is trying to tackle child abuse in general with the introduction of gender and child protection services.The madrassa where Maqsood’s brother went, with more than 250 students, has a reputation in the neighborhood for abuse. Two women with their heads covered hurry past, stopping briefly to warn a young Pakistani woman, “Don’t bring your children to that madrassa. It is very bad what they do to the children there.”A sign for the madrassa is emblazoned with the flag of a Taliban-affiliated group. After persistent knocking, a blind maulvi, Mohammed Nadeem, led by a young student, agrees to speak. He denies that any abuse takes place inside the madrassa.Victims and their families can choose to “forgive” an assailant because Pakistan’s legal system is a mix of British Common Law and Islamic Shariah law.A similar legal provision was changed last year to prevent forgiveness of “honor” killings, where victims are murdered because they are thought to have brought shame on their families. Honor killings now carry a mandatory sentence of life in prison, but clerics in sexual abuse cases can still be forgiven.Sahil, the organization that scours newspapers for cases of sexual assault, offers families legal aid to pursue such cases. Last year, Sahil found 56 cases of sexual assault involving religious clerics. None of the families accepted Sahil’s offer of legal assistance.In cases that are pursued, convictions do occasionally happen.In south Punjab, a cleric was convicted of sexually assaulting a minor girl in 2016 and sentenced to 12 years in jail and the equivalent of a $1,500 fine. The same cleric had in the past managed to get several families to settle over sexual abuse cases because of his close links to religious extremist groups, said local officials. This time, a local activist group known as Roshan Pakistan, or Bright Pakistan, persuaded the family of the young girl to resist.Far more often, the family gives in, as in the case of a 9-year-old girl who was raped by the maulvi of the unregistered madrassa she attended, according to a police report.Her uncle, Mohammed Azam, points across a field to the madrassa, surrounded by a high wall. The girl started working two years ago, at 7, and her only schooling was in the Quran. She spent the rest of the day sitting cross-legged on a mud floor inside a swelteringly hot room sewing the traditional shalwar kameez.Last July, a cleric “forcibly took her shalwar off and started molesting her,” according to the police report obtained by the AP. She screamed. Two men heard her screams and stormed into the room, and found the cleric attacking her. Seeing them, the cleric fled, and the men took the bleeding girl home, the report said.“We would hear that these kinds of things happen, children raped in the madrassas, but you never know until it happens to your family,” says Azam, her uncle.Yet the family settled the case out of court. He refused to say how much money they got, but neighbors say it was around $800.“The family took money to not speak about it,” says Rana Mohammed Jamal, an elderly neighbor. He says he believes abuses occurred predominantly in the small madrassas that spring up in poor neighborhoods, “where it is just the mullah and no one can say who he is, and he can do anything.”Parveen, the mother of the 9-year-old boy who says he was raped by his teacher in Kehrore Pakka, vowed that she would never give in to intimidation. But relatives and neighbors say the family was hounded by religious militants to drop the charges and take money.In the end, the mother “forgave” the cleric and accepted $300, according to police.The cleric was set free.

Sexual abuse is pervasive in Islamic schools in Pakistan

In Pakistan, since clerics are powerful and sexual abuse is a taboo subject, it is seldom discussed or even acknowledged in public.

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North Korea is “directly involved” in the massive WannaCry malware attack earlier this year that hit more than 3,00,000 computers spread across 150 nations, resulting in damage worth billions of dollars, the US administration has said.This is the first time that the US has blamed the country officially for the cyber-attack. Thomas Bossert, an aide to US President Donald Trump, made the accusation in the Wall Street Journal newspaper.Bossert, who advises the president on homeland security, said the allegation was "based on evidence" and said that the United Kingdom and computer firm Microsoft also blamed affiliates of the North Korean government for the attack.Bossert said North Korea must be held "accountable" and said the US would continue to use a "maximum pressure strategy" to hinder the regime's ability to mount cyber-attacks."North Korea has acted especially badly, largely unchecked, for more than a decade, and its malicious behaviour is growing more egregious. WannaCry was indiscriminately reckless," Bossert wrote."As we make the internet safer, we will continue to hold accountable those who harm or threaten us, whether they act alone or on behalf of criminal organizations or hostile nations," he went on."The tool kits of totalitarian regimes are too threatening to ignore."The White House is expected to give an official statement blaming Pyongyang on Tuesday.The WannaCry cyber-attack, that affected hospitals, banks and businesses around the world, hit Windows computers in May this year.The computers affected had their contents locked, and users asked to a shell out a ransom to have their data restored.EU police body Europol called the scale of the attack "unprecedented".   

North Korea ‘directly responsible’ for massive WannaCry cyberattack, says US

Bossert said North Korea must be held "accountable" and said the US would continue to use a "maximum pressure strategy" to hinder the regime's ability to mount cyber-attacks.

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Days before the ninth anniversary of 26/11 terror attacks, a Lahore court today ordered the release of the Mumbai attacks mastermind Hafiz Saeed from house arrest.The Judicial Review Board comprising judges of the Lahore High Court passed the order, observing there were no substantial evidence submitted by the government to prove his involvement in terror activities.Rejecting the government's plea to extend his detention for another three months, the board ordered Saeed's release. Saeed has been under house arrest since January."The government is ordered to release JuD chief Hafiz Saeed if he is not wanted in any other case," the board said.The government had earlier told the judicial body that Islamabad might face sanctions from the international community following Hafiz Saeed’s release.Last month, the board had allowed a 30-day extension to the detention of Saeed which will expire next week. 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Lahore court orders release of 26/11 Mumbai attacks mastermind Hafiz Saeed

Rejecting the government's plea to extend his detention for another three months, the judicial review board ordered Hafiz Saeed's release.

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Pakistan Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed AhmedPakistan Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed has said whenever ulemas (religious scholars) launched a movement it led to the imposition of martial law in the country.According to media reports, he said Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl chief Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman would not march to the federal capital.Addressing a press conference on Saturday, he said the decision regarding Maulana's march seemed unclear. A face-saving formula could be offered to the JUI chief, he added.Rasheed said he was concerned about madrasas and Maulana's march could aid to propaganda against them.Earlier on Sunday, Defence Minister Pervez Khattak-headed committee reiterated its offer to negotiate with Maulana and other opposition parties, which were gearing up to march towards the capital on October 27.ALSO READ | Pak rejects reports about Indian Army targeting terror camps in PoKALSO READ | Pakistan to open Kartarpur Corridor on November 9, says Imran Khan

Ulemas' march could end in martial law: Pakistan Minister

Addressing a press conference on Saturday, he said the decision regarding Maulana's march seemed unclear. A face-saving formula could be offered to the JUI chief, he added.

55c25a85d62f9af80025bf7e60fc4fdd

At least 600 people have been killed and over 25 million others affected by flooding due to the torrential monsoon rains in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Myanmar, the UN has said (Representational image)At least 600 people have been killed and over 25 million others affected by flooding due to the torrential monsoon rains in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Myanmar, the UN has said.More than half-a-million of them have been displaced, Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said. At that 600 people have reportedly been killed in monsoon-related incidents, he said.Mr Haq said that according to the UN's humanitarian personnel, "More than 25 million people have been affected by flooding due to the torrential monsoon rains in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Myanmar, with more than half a million people displaced, our humanitarian colleagues tell us".In India, UNICEF is working with the state governments to provide multi-sectoral planning and coordination support in the three worst-affected states of Assam, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.The UN agency said that while many areas remain inaccessible due to damage to roads, bridges and railways, the most urgent needs for children are clean water, hygiene supplies to prevent the spread of disease, food supplies and safe places in evacuation centres for children to play.In India, more than 10 million people have been affected across Assam, Bihar, parts of UP and other north-eastern states, including more than 4.3 million children.As the situation develops, these numbers are only likely to increase. In Assam alone, almost 2,000 schools have been damaged by floodwaters. While parts of India have been suffering from heavy rainfall and flooding, other parts are still reeling from the aftermath of severe heat and water deficit, affecting almost half of the country.In Bangladesh, it is estimated that over four million people have been affected and the UN is helping to assess needs to determine the necessary response and is also supporting the government in the areas of water and sanitation as well as health.In Myanmar, waters in some areas have receded, allowing some of those who had been uprooted to return home, but over 40,000 people remain displaced."The governments in all four countries are leading the response with support from the UN, aid agencies and the private sector," Mr Haq said.Last week, the UN children's agency UNICEF said heavy rainfall, flooding and landslides across Nepal, India and Bangladesh have killed at least 93 children and put the lives of millions more at risk.UNICEF estimated that more than 12 million people, including about five million children, have been affected. "Millions of children have seen their lives turned upside down by the torrential rainfall, flooding and landslides," UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia Jean Gough said.In Nepal, an estimated 68,666 people are temporarily displaced, including 28,702 children. A total of 88 people have died, including 47 children (15 girls and 32 boys). In Bangladesh, monsoon rains continue to affect most of the country, particularly the central-northern and south-east regions.Over two million people have been affected by flooding, including around 700,510 children. An estimated 367,341 houses have been damaged or destroyed and 1,866 primary and community schools have been damaged by floodwaters.Cox's Bazar - home to more than a million Rohingya refugees - has been hit by excessive rain this month. "Across the region, we are seeing the devastating impact of extreme weather events on children and families. As weather events become more extreme, unpredictable and erratic, it is children who are paying the heaviest price," said Mr Gough.UNICEF warned that while individual extreme weather events cannot specifically be attributed to climate change, the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather - including recent high temperatures, intense rains and slow-moving weather fronts - are in line with predictions of how human activities are affecting the global climate."Such events can cause death and devastation and can also contribute to the increased spread of major killers of children, such as malnutrition, malaria and diarrhoea."And as these extreme climate events increase in frequency and magnitude, the risks to children will likely outpace global capacity to mitigate them as well as to provide a humanitarian response," it said, adding that floods threaten children's survival and development, with direct impacts including injuries and death by drowning.Meanwhile, health-focused relief and development organisation Americares said its chapter in India, Americares India, is organising medical teams to treat survivors of the monsoon rains that have inundated South Asia.Beginning next week, Americares India will organise medical teams in three districts in Assam and two districts in Bihar, where continuous rains and contaminated water have heightened health concerns.The teams, operated in partnership with local health care organisations, will provide medical care and dispense medications as needed. Americares also plans to deliver hygiene kits."With homes and roads submerged in several feet of standing water, we expect to see an increase in infections. Our medical teams will focus on providing primary care and basic first aid for the most vulnerable survivors, including pregnant women, children and the elderly," said Americares India Managing Director Shripad Desai.Americares India, based in Mumbai, provides emergency medical and humanitarian aid in response to floods, cyclones, earthquakes and other disasters.  

600 Killed, 25 Million Affected By Floods In South Asia: United Nations

In India, more than 10 million people have been affected across Assam, Bihar, parts of UP and other north-eastern states, including more than 4.3 million children.

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Crime may have been committed by Trump, says Ex-FBI officialFormer FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe said in an interview that aired Sunday that a "crime may have been committed" when President Donald Trump fired the head of the FBI and tried to publicly undermine an investigation into his campaign's ties to Russia.McCabe also said in the interview with "60 Minutes" that the FBI had good reason to open a counterintelligence investigation into whether Trump was in league with Russia, and therefore a possible national security threat, following the May 2017 firing of then-FBI Director James Comey."And the idea is, if the president committed obstruction of justice, fired the director of the of the FBI to negatively impact or to shut down our investigation of Russia's malign activity and possibly in support of his campaign, as a counterintelligence investigator you have to ask yourself, "Why would a president of the United States do that?" McCabe said.He added: "So all those same sorts of facts cause us to wonder is there an inappropriate relationship, a connection between this president and our most fearsome enemy, the government of Russia?"Asked whether Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein was onboard with the obstruction and counterintelligence investigations, McCabe replied, "Absolutely."A Justice Department spokeswoman declined to comment Sunday night.McCabe also revealed that when Trump told Rosenstein to put in writing his concerns with Comey — a document the White House initially held up as justification for his firing — the president explicitly asked the Justice Department official to reference Russia in the memo. Rosenstein did not want to, McCabe said, and the memo that was made public upon Comey's dismissal did not mention Russia and focused instead on Comey's handling of the Hillary Clinton email server investigation."He explained to the president that he did not need Russia in his memo," McCabe said. "And the president responded, "I understand that, I am asking you to put Russia in the memo anyway."Trump said in a TV interview days after Comey's firing that he was thinking of "this Russia thing" when he fired Comey.Those actions, including a separate request by Trump that the FBI end an investigation into his first national adviser, Michael Flynn, made the FBI concerned that the president was illegally trying to obstruct the Russia probe."Put together, these circumstances were articulable facts that indicated that a crime may have been committed," McCabe said. "The president may have been engaged in obstruction of justice in the firing of Jim Comey."McCabe was fired from the Justice Department last year after being accused of misleading investigators during an internal probe into a news media disclosure. The allegation was referred to the U.S. Attorney's office in Washington for possible prosecution, but no charges have been brought. McCabe has denied having intentionally lied and said Sunday that he believes his firing was politically motivated."I believe I was fired because I opened a case against the president of the United States," he said.In the interview Sunday, McCabe also said Rosenstein in the days after Comey's firing had proposed wearing a wire to secretly record the president. McCabe said he took the remark seriously, though the Justice Department last September — responding last September to a New York Times report that first revealed the conversation — issued a statement from an unnamed official who was in the room and interpreted the remark as sarcastic.McCabe said the remark was made during a conversation about why Trump had fired Comey."And in the context of that conversation, the deputy attorney general offered to wear a wire into the White House. He said, "'I never get searched when I go into the White House. I could easily wear a recording device. They wouldn't know it was there,'" McCabe said.In excerpts released last week by CBS News, McCabe also described a conversation in which Rosenstein had broached the idea of invoking the Constitution's 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office. The Justice Department said in a statement that Rosenstein, based on his dealings with Trump, does not see cause to seek the removal of the president.Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat who is seeking her party's nomination for president, told reporters after a campaign event Sunday in Las Vegas that if the people around Trump believe he cannot fulfill the obligations of his office, then they have a duty to invoke the 25th Amendment.A favorite target of Trump's ire, Warren said she has no special knowledge on whether there are grounds to remove Trump from office but said that "there are a whole lot of people who do see him every day who evidently were talking about invoking the 25th Amendment."

Crime may have been committed by Trump, says Ex-FBI official

Trump said in a TV interview days after Comey's firing that he was thinking of "this Russia thing" when he fired Comey.

45f45b93432760291ef6cd874e5e5484

Russia Ukraine war: US Senator Lindsey Graham calls for Vladimir Putin's assassination.  Calling for the assassination of Russian President Vladimir Putin, US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham asked whether there is a Brutus or a "more successful" Colonel Stauffenberg in the Russian military. Julius Caesar, a Roman general, was assassinated by Brutus while Colonel Stauffenberg, a German army officer, had attempted to assassinate Adolf Hitler on July 20, 1944. In a series of tweets, Graham said, "Is there a Brutus in Russia? Is there a more successful Colonel Stauffenberg in the Russian military? The only way this ends is for somebody in Russia to take this guy out. You would be doing your country - and the world - a great service." He further said, "The only people who can fix this are the Russian people. Easy to say, hard to do. Unless you want to live in darkness for the rest of your life, be isolated from the rest of the world in abject poverty, and live in darkness you need to step up to the plate." Meanwhile, the Russian embassy demanded an official explanation from the US after Senator Lindsey Graham calls for Putin's assassination.  This comes against the backdrop of Russian forces launching military operations in Ukraine on February 24, three days after Moscow recognized Ukraine's breakaway regions- Donetsk and Luhansk - as independent entities. Several countries including the UK, the US, Canada, and the European Union have condemned Russia's military operations in Ukraine and imposed sanctions on Moscow.  These countries have also promised Ukraine to help with military aid to fight Russia. The US, Canada and European allies agreed to remove key Russian banks from the interbank messaging system, SWIFT which means Russian banks won't be able to communicate securely with banks beyond Russia's borders. President Putin has also signed a decree on special economic measures against the US and its allies. (With ANI inputs) ALSO READ: Russia Ukraine War: UK to seek UNSC meeting after fire at Ukraine's nuclear power plant ALSO READ: Joe Biden administration sanctions Kremlin spokesman, 50 Russian oligarchs over Ukraine invasionCalling for the assassination of Russian President Vladimir Putin, US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham asked whether there is a Brutus or a "more successful" Colonel Stauffenberg in the Russian military.Julius Caesar, a Roman general, was assassinated by Brutus while Colonel Stauffenberg, a German army officer, had attempted to assassinate Adolf Hitler on July 20, 1944.In a series of tweets, Graham said, "Is there a Brutus in Russia? Is there a more successful Colonel Stauffenberg in the Russian military? The only way this ends is for somebody in Russia to take this guy out. You would be doing your country - and the world - a great service."He further said, "The only people who can fix this are the Russian people. Easy to say, hard to do. Unless you want to live in darkness for the rest of your life, be isolated from the rest of the world in abject poverty, and live in darkness you need to step up to the plate."Meanwhile, the Russian embassy demanded an official explanation from the US after Senator Lindsey Graham calls for Putin's assassination. This comes against the backdrop of Russian forces launching military operations in Ukraine on February 24, three days after Moscow recognized Ukraine's breakaway regions- Donetsk and Luhansk - as independent entities.Several countries including the UK, the US, Canada, and the European Union have condemned Russia's military operations in Ukraine and imposed sanctions on Moscow. These countries have also promised Ukraine to help with military aid to fight Russia. The US, Canada and European allies agreed to remove key Russian banks from the interbank messaging system, SWIFT which means Russian banks won't be able to communicate securely with banks beyond Russia's borders. President Putin has also signed a decree on special economic measures against the US and its allies.(With ANI inputs)ALSO READ: Russia Ukraine War: UK to seek UNSC meeting after fire at Ukraine's nuclear power plant

Russia Ukraine war: US Senator Lindsey Graham calls for Vladimir Putin's assassination

Julius Caesar, a Roman general, was assassinated by Brutus while Colonel Stauffenberg, a German army officer, had attempted to assassinate Adolf Hitler on July 20, 1944.

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Trump launches attack against 'dishonest' newspapersUS President Donald Trump lashed out at The New York Times and The Washington Post, as tensions between the White House and some of the nation's mainstream media continue to grow."A poll should be done on which is the more dishonest and deceitful newspaper, the Failing New York Times or the Amazon (lobbyist) Washington Post!" Xinhua quoted Trump as saying on Twitter on Sunday.The US President called the newspapers "a disgrace" and "the Enemy of the People', rhetoric he has used frequently during his tenure in the White House.Those attacks came a day after he claimed that The New York Times committed a "virtual act of treason" by reporting on the administration's digital attacks against Russia."Do you believe that the Failing New York Times just did a story stating that the United States is substantially increasing Cyber Attacks on Russia," Trump tweeted Saturday.He dismissed the report as "not true," calling it "a virtual act of Treason by a once great paper so desperate for a story, any story, even if bad for our Country."The New York Times published a report on Saturday about the nation's efforts to penetrate Russia's power grid with cyber tools.In a response to the president's criticism, The New York Times tweeted on Saturday that "accusing the press of treason is dangerous."WATCH | I had spent nine hours at the White House with Donald Trump, says PM Modi /* .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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Trump launches attack against 'dishonest' newspapers

The US President called the newspapers "a disgrace" and "the Enemy of the People', rhetoric he has used frequently during his tenure in the White House.

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The Czech Republic was the only candidate for the seat on the 47-member Human Rights Council. The U.N. General Assembly voted overwhelmingly Tuesday for the Czech Republic to replace Russia on the world organization's leading human rights body following its suspension over allegations of horrific rights violations by Russian soldiers in Ukraine. The Czech Republic was the only candidate for the seat on the 47-member Human Rights Council. Seats on the Geneva-based council are divided among regional groups and a replacement for Russia had to come from an East European country.In Tuesday's secret ballot vote, 180 of the General Assembly's 193 members deposited ballots. The result was 157 countries in favor of the Czech Republic and 23 abstentions. The assembly approved a U.S.-initiated resolution on April 7 to suspend Russia from the Human Rights Council by a vote of 93-24 with 58 abstentions. The vote was significantly lower than on two resolutions the assembly adopted in March demanding an immediate cease-fire in Ukraine, withdrawal of all Russian troops and protection for civilians. Both of those resolutions were approved by at least 140 nations.After the General Assembly suspended Russia, its deputy ambassador Gennady Kuzmin told U.N. members that Russia had withdrawn from the Human Rights Council before the vote. Council spokesman Rolando Gomez said that by withdrawing, Russia avoided being deprived of observer status at the rights body. Since its Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, Russia has lost its spot on multiple U.N. bodies, including the executive boards of UN Women and the U.N. children's agency UNICEF, the Committee on Non-governmental Organizations and the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. It was also suspended from the World Tourism Organization. ALSO READ | Pulitzer Prize in Journalism, Books, Drama and Music announced. Full list ALSO READ | Earthquake measuring 6.3 jolts area between Taiwan, Japan; no tsunami warning issued

UN approves Czech Republic to replace Russia on rights body

After the General Assembly suspended Russia, its deputy ambassador Gennady Kuzmin told U.N. members that Russia had withdrawn from the Human Rights Council before the vote.

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Canada approves Moderna vaccine for kids aged 12-17.Health Canada has approved the usage of the Moderna Covid-19 to inoculate children between 12 to 17 years. The Moderna vaccine had been approved for use in adults over the age of 18 in Canada since December 2020, reports Xinhua news agency.After a thorough and independent scientific review of the evidence, Health Canada said on Friday that it has determined that the vaccine is safe and effective at preventing Covid-19 in youth aged 12 to 17.Health Canada approved the Pfizer vaccine for the same age group in May. Although children are less likely to become really ill from Covid-19, Health Canada highlighted the importance of having them vaccinated because they can still get sick, be infected and not have any symptoms, spread the virus to others, and may experience long-term effects if they do contract it.Children and youth with underlying medical conditions may also have a higher risk of severe illness from Covid-19, Health Canada said.Health Canada data show that as of August 21, 76.9 per cent of adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 had received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine and 63.57 per cent were fully vaccinated with two doses.There is still no Covid-19 vaccine approved for use in children under the age of 12 in Canada. Health Canada said clinical trials are currently underway to determine the safety and effectiveness for those in this age group.Canada reported 1,461 new cases of Covid-19 on Friday, bringing the cumulative total to 1,484,144, with 26,881 deaths. Since July 30, Canada's daily Covid-19 case counts have continued to increase.The latest national seven-day average of 2,848 new cases reported daily on August 20-26 is an increase of 29 per cent over the previous week, the Public Health Agency of Canada said on Friday.After several weeks of rising case counts, the country's national severity trends have begun to increase, primarily involving unvaccinated people. The latest data show that an average of 917 people with Covid-19 were being treated in hospitals each day on August 20-26, which is 39 per cent higher than last week.This includes, on average 340 people who were being treated in intensive care units (ICU), 29 per cent more than last week and an average of nine deaths were reported daily in the same period. /* .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_8423243237 = { "file": "https://vod-indiatv.akamaized.net/hls/2021/06/0_5axv0lnw/master.m3u8", "image": "https://thumbs.indiatvnews.com/vod/0_5axv0lnw_big_thumb.jpg", "title": "VIDEO: Cipla gets DCGI nod to import Modernas COVID vaccine", "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": "137", "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_8423243237 = ''; jwsetup_8423243237(); function jwsetup_8423243237() { jwvidplayer_8423243237 = jwplayer("jwvidplayer_8423243237").setup(jwconfig_8423243237); jwvidplayer_8423243237.on('ready', function () { ns_.StreamingAnalytics.JWPlayer(jwvidplayer_8423243237, { publisherId: "20465327", labelmapping: "c2=\"20465327\", c3=\"IndiaTV News\", c4=\"null\", c6=\"null\", ns_st_mp=\"jwplayer\", ns_st_cl=\"0\", ns_st_ci=\"0_5axv0lnw\", ns_st_pr=\"VIDEO: Cipla gets DCGI nod to import Modernas COVID vaccine\", ns_st_sn=\"0\", ns_st_en=\"0\", ns_st_ep=\"VIDEO: Cipla gets DCGI nod to import Modernas COVID vaccine\", ns_st_ct=\"null\", ns_st_ge=\"News\", ns_st_st=\"VIDEO: Cipla gets DCGI nod to import Modernas COVID vaccine\", ns_st_ce=\"0\", ns_st_ia=\"0\", ns_st_ddt=\"2021-06-30\", ns_st_tdt=\"2021-06-30\", ns_st_pu=\"IndiaTV News\", ns_st_cu=\"https://vod-indiatv.akamaized.net/hls/2021/06/0_5axv0lnw/master.m3u8\", ns_st_ty=\"video\"" }); }); jwvidplayer_8423243237.on('all', function (r) { if (jwvidplayer_8423243237.getState() == 'error' || jwvidplayer_8423243237.getState() == 'setupError') { jwvidplayer_8423243237.stop(); jwvidplayer_8423243237.remove(); jwvidplayer_8423243237 = ''; jwsetup_8423243237(); return; } }); jwvidplayer_8423243237.on('error', function (t) { jwvidplayer_8423243237.stop(); jwvidplayer_8423243237.remove(); jwvidplayer_8423243237 = ''; jwsetup_8423243237(); return; }); jwvidplayer_8423243237.on('mute', function () { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_8423243237.on('adPlay', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_8423243237.on('adPause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_8423243237.on('pause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_8423243237.on('error', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_8423243237.on('adBlock', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); }

COVID: Canada approves Moderna vaccine for kids aged 12-17

After a thorough and independent scientific review of the evidence, Health Canada said that it has determined that the vaccine is safe and effective at preventing Covid in youth aged 12 to 17.

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Pakistan claims India refused to let its train cross border to bring 200 Sikh pilgrimsPakistan on Friday claimed that India refused to let its train cross the border and bring some 200 Sikh yatris to Lahore for Jore Mela festivities."Pakistan had issued visas to some 200 Indian Sikhs to attend the Jore Mela (death anniversary of Guru Arjun Dev jee) and they were due to arrive here by a Pakistani train on Friday. But the Indian government refused to allow the Pakistani train to enter its territory to bring the Sikh yatris here," Amir Hashmi, spokesperson for Evacuee Trust Property Board, told PTI."We remained in touch with the Indian authorities at the border regarding letting the Pakistani train cross the border to pick the awaiting Sikh yatris but they plainly refused," Hashmi claimed.He said the Indian authorities gave no reason for their refusal. The ETPB is a government department that looks after the affairs and holy places of minorities in Pakistan."We have protested the Indian decision. Since the Pakistani High Commission (in Delhi) had issued visas to 200 Sikh yatris there was no point in stopping them from coming to Lahore," Hashmi said, adding that this issue will be take up with India at the government level.Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbhandhik Committee (PSGPC) president Tara Singh said the Indian decision has disappointed the Sikh community in Pakistan. Meanwhile, in Amritsar, United Akali Dal General Secretary Paramjit Singh Jijani, who was leading the Sikh group to Pakistan, also claimed that the Indian Railways has refused to give permission to the train from Pakistan to enter the Attari railway station to carry around 130 yatris to Lahore. He said the Pakistan embassy had already issued a seven-day visa to all the 130 Sikh members to visit Lahore and some other Sikh shrines in the neighbouring country, including Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib. However, in the morning the pilgrims were informed at the Attari railway station that there was no permission from the Indian authorities to allow the train, coming from Wagah, to enter the station.It was a special train to carry Sikh devotees from India, he said.

Pakistan claims India refused to let its train cross border to bring 200 Sikh pilgrims

"We remained in touch with the Indian authorities at the border regarding letting the Pakistani train cross the border to pick the awaiting Sikh yatris but they plainly refused," Amir Hashmi, spokesperson for Evacuee Trust Property Board claimed.

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Elon Musk refutes reports about his links with Epstein ex-girlfriendTesla and SpaceX CEO has once again denied any links with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein's alleged accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell after a photo of him with Maxwell went viral on social media. The photo was taken at a 2014 Vanity Fair party where Musk and British socialite Maxwell, 58, who was arrested and charged with multiple counts of child sex trafficking, were seen together.Writer Leigh Alexander tweeted on Saturday along with tagging the photo: "Who's your friend? You look like you're having fun".Musk hit back: "I was at that Vanity Fair party with @TalulahRiley. Don't know Ghislaine. Real question is why did VF (Vanity Fair) invite her?"Alexander further tweeted: "She was on a huge press tour; I've even met her and I work in a niche. Why would you throw your weight at her? Is it her fault you associated with these people?"Musk has also denied reports that Epstein once toured his SpaceX facility."To the best our knowledge, he never toured SpaceX. Don't know where that comes from", tweeted Musk to a user who asked the question.In a statement to Vanity Fair last year, the Tesla CEO distanced himself from Epstein, who he said was "obviously a creep".Maxwell, an ex-girlfriend of Epstein, is facing charges in the US after being arrested by the FBI on Friday.She is accused of assisting Epstein's abuse of minors by helping to recruit and groom victims known to be underage.Maxwell has previously denied any involvement in or knowledge of Epstein's alleged sexual misconduct.Epstein died in prison on August 10 last year as he awaited, without the chance of bail, his trial on sex trafficking charges.He was arrested in New York following allegations that he was running a network of underage girls - some as young as 14 - for sex. His death was determined to be suicide.Prosecutors allege that between 1994 and 1997, Maxwell helped Epstein groom girls as young as 14.

Elon Musk refutes reports about his links with Epstein ex-girlfriend

The photo was taken at a 2014 Vanity Fair party where Musk and British socialite Maxwell, 58, who was arrested and charged with multiple counts of child sex trafficking, were seen together.

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Canada suffering 4th wave of COVID: Top doctor.Canada is suffering a fourth wave of the Covid-19 pandemic as variants of the virus continue to spread in the country, said Canada's Chief Public Health Officer Theresa Tam on Thursday.Tam told a press conference that the country's national case count has taken a turn for the worse since late July, the Xinhua news agency reported.Canada on Thursday reported 2,138 new cases of Covid-19, bringing the cumulative total to 1,447,439 cases, including 26,692 deaths, according to CTV.Ontario, the most populous province of Canada, logged 513 new cases on Thursday, the first time over 500 cases since mid-June. The last time Ontario reported more than 500 cases of Covid-19 in a single day was on June 13, when 530 cases were identified.Meanwhile, Alberta province logged 550 new cases and British Columbia province confirmed 513 new infections."We have been closely monitoring increases in Covid-19 activity across the country. The latest national surveillance data indicate that a fourth wave is underway in Canada and that cases are plotting along a strong resurgence trajectory," she said.There are currently more than 13,000 active cases in Canada, more than double the number from late July. Tam said that 1,500 new cases are being reported daily and the majority are among those aged 20 to 39."Fortunately, the number of deaths remains low, with an average of seven deaths being reported daily," she said.To reduce the impact the fourth wave could have on the healthcare system or in jeopardizing back-to-school plans, she urged more Canadians to roll up their sleeve to get vaccinated.  /* .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_4133206354 = { "file": "https://vod-indiatv.akamaized.net/hls/2021/07/0_3vuii9m3/master.m3u8", "image": "https://thumbs.indiatvnews.com/vod/0_3vuii9m3_big_thumb.jpg", "title": "Dangerous heatwave bakes western Canada", "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": "121", "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_4133206354 = ''; jwsetup_4133206354(); function jwsetup_4133206354() { jwvidplayer_4133206354 = jwplayer("jwvidplayer_4133206354").setup(jwconfig_4133206354); jwvidplayer_4133206354.on('ready', function () { ns_.StreamingAnalytics.JWPlayer(jwvidplayer_4133206354, { publisherId: "20465327", labelmapping: "c2=\"20465327\", c3=\"IndiaTV News\", c4=\"null\", c6=\"null\", ns_st_mp=\"jwplayer\", ns_st_cl=\"0\", ns_st_ci=\"0_3vuii9m3\", ns_st_pr=\"Dangerous heatwave bakes western Canada\", ns_st_sn=\"0\", ns_st_en=\"0\", ns_st_ep=\"Dangerous heatwave bakes western Canada\", ns_st_ct=\"null\", ns_st_ge=\"News\", ns_st_st=\"Dangerous heatwave bakes western Canada\", ns_st_ce=\"0\", ns_st_ia=\"0\", ns_st_ddt=\"2021-07-02\", ns_st_tdt=\"2021-07-02\", ns_st_pu=\"IndiaTV News\", ns_st_cu=\"https://vod-indiatv.akamaized.net/hls/2021/07/0_3vuii9m3/master.m3u8\", ns_st_ty=\"video\"" }); }); jwvidplayer_4133206354.on('all', function (r) { if (jwvidplayer_4133206354.getState() == 'error' || jwvidplayer_4133206354.getState() == 'setupError') { jwvidplayer_4133206354.stop(); jwvidplayer_4133206354.remove(); jwvidplayer_4133206354 = ''; jwsetup_4133206354(); return; } }); jwvidplayer_4133206354.on('error', function (t) { jwvidplayer_4133206354.stop(); jwvidplayer_4133206354.remove(); jwvidplayer_4133206354 = ''; jwsetup_4133206354(); return; }); jwvidplayer_4133206354.on('mute', function () { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_4133206354.on('adPlay', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_4133206354.on('adPause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_4133206354.on('pause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_4133206354.on('error', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_4133206354.on('adBlock', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); }

Canada suffering 4th wave of COVID: Top doctor

Tam told a press conference that the country's national case count has taken a turn for the worse since late July, the Xinhua news agency reported.

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SCO meeting agenda on counter terrorism not aimed at "targeting" any country: ChinaThe SCO summit in Bishkek this week would discuss economy-related issues and security cooperation with a focus on counter terrorism, but it is not aimed at "targeting" any country, China said on Monday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan are attending the meeting amidst frosty Indo-Pak relations.The 19th summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) will be held the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek on June 13-14. Prime Minister Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping would also attend the summit. Pakistan Prime Minister Khan will also take part in the meeting.Related Stories Sushma Swaraj to visit Kyrgyzstan to attend SCO foreign ministers meet from tomorrowSushma Swaraj arrives in Kyrgyzstan to attend SCO foreign ministers meetSushma Swaraj sits next to Pak counterpart at SCO meetingNo meet between PM Modi and Imran Khan on SCO Summit sidelines: MEADon't target Pakistan at SCO summit: China No PM Modi-Imran Khan meeting on the sidelines of SCO, says MEAThe SCO is a China-led eight-member economic and security bloc. Its founding members include China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan were admitted to the Beijing-based regional security grouping in 2017. This week's SCO summit will be the first major international event being attended by Modi after his re-election. He would meet President Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the summit.India has said that no bilateral meeting has been planned between Prime Minister Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Khan on the sidelines of the SCO Summit.Tensions between India and Pakistan worsened after the Pulwama terror attack and both the countries were almost on the brink of a war after India's military planes struck a terrorist training camp in Pakistan's Balakot on February 26 and Pakistan carried out a counter-offensive the next day. India has not been engaging with Pakistan following the attack on the Air Force base at Pathankot in January of 2016, maintaining that talks and terror cannot go together.Briefing journalists here on the SCO summit, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Hanhui said the meeting would review the past year's work of the grouping and draw up a plan for cooperation this year. "The institutional building of the SCO would be discussed involving economic and security cooperation, particularly on counter terrorism. Security and development are two major issues focus of the SCO," he said."The establishment of the SCO is not to target any country but summit of this level would certainly pay attention to major international and regional issues," he said in response to a question whether the thrust of the summit would be to oppose the US' trade frictions with China and other countries. China routinely asserts that the SCO in which it plays a dominant part is not aimed at forming a military alliance.Since the admission of India and Pakistan into the SCO, Chinese officials have been expressing hope that both the countries would make use of the organisation to improve relations and not to make it a platform to highlight their differences.Zhang also said this year's summit could also discuss issues like multilateralism and protectionism in the context of US trade tensions China besides several other countries including India. "As for the ongoing unilateral protectionism and bullying practices in the world, they are close to the hearts of all countries," he said."We have not set an agenda beforehand but some participating countries will be interested in these topics. Some leaders will express their views on these matters. It is only natural to see that is happening," he said.He also said the China-US trade war and the "spectre" of emerging trade frictions between the US and India could become important part of the discussions between the two leaders. "Whether they will talk about trade fictions between China and the US and the spectre of trade frictions between the US and India, such things are not surprising. I believe this could become an important topic in his bilateral meetings with the related leaders," he said.China and the US have been in an escalating conflict over trade for the past year. The scope of the battle has expanded in recent months as Washington has tightened trade restrictions on Chinese telecom giant Huawei.Also Read | Don't target Pakistan at SCO summit: China

SCO meeting agenda on counter terrorism not aimed at "targeting" any country: China

The SCO summit in Bishkek this week would discuss economy-related issues and security cooperation with a focus on counter terrorism, but it is not aimed at "targeting" any country, China said on Monday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan are attending the meeting amidst frosty Indo-Pak relations.

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The Pentagon is planning to conduct more regular patrols in the South China Sea -- as many as two to three a month -- to assert freedom of navigation in disputed waters claimed by China, the Wall Street Journal reported.The newspaper said the aim is to create a more consistent posture to counter China's maritime claims, rather than a more ad hoc approach favored during Barack Obama's administration.US officials declined to say where or when the new patrols would be made, but said the plan developed by the US Pacific Command calls for two or three so-called "freedom of navigation" operations a month over the next few months.Future patrols also could include US military aircraft as well as US Navy warships, the Journal said.There have been three "freedom of navigation" operations since President Donald Trump took office in January -- the last one by the USS John S. McCain, a destroyer that collided with a cargo ship days later off Singapore, killing 10 sailors.During the Obama administration, the US Navy conducted four such operations in the South China Sea, where China has asserted its claims by building artificial islands and establishing runways, ports and other facilities on them.China claims nearly all of the sea, through which 5 trillion in annual shipping trade passes and which is believed to sit atop vast oil and gas deposits.Its sweeping claims overlap with Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei -- all ASEAN members -- as well as Taiwan.Washington and Beijing have seen their relations grow increasingly fraught since a promising summit between Trump and China's Xi Jinping in April.

US planning more regular South China Sea patrols: Report

China claims nearly all of the sea, through which 5 trillion in annual shipping trade passes and which is believed to sit atop vast oil and gas deposits.

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 Pompeo has said that the US will offere 'unique' security guarantees to North Korea if it accepts denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. The US today offered "unique" security guarantees to North Korea if it accepts a "complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement" of its nuclear programme as the two sides prepared for a historic summit between President Donald Trump and Chairman Kim Jong-un. Addressing a press conference on the eve of Trump-Kim historic summit at the Capella Hotel on Sentosa island, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that preparatory talks were advancing more quickly than expected. Related Stories Can United States attack a nuclear-armed North Korea? CIA director meets Kim Jong Un: Trump says ‘good relationship’ formed with North KoreaWill walk out if meeting with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un doesn't go well, says Donald Trump Pompeo offered 'unique' security guarantees to North Korea if it accepts denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. "The complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement of North Korea's nuclear programme is the only outcome the United States will accept," he said. "We will take actions to provide them sufficient certainty that they can be comfortable that denuclearisation is not something that ends badly for them," Pompeo said. The Secretary of State said North Korea has unprecedented opportunity to change the trajectory of its relationship with the US as he promised economic opportunities post denuclearisation. He said previous American administrations have been fooled by North Korea, but the Trump Administration has got experts on non-proliferation and Weapons of Mass Destruction on the ground to verify Pyongyang's willingness to denuclearise.

US offers 'unique' security guarantees to North Korea if it accepts complete denuclearisation

Addressing a press conference on the eve of Trump-Kim historic summit at the Capella Hotel on Sentosa island, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that preparatory talks were advancing more quickly than expected.

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US condemns infiltration across LoC, supports 'dialogue' on Kashmir between India and Pakistan (File)The US has condemned terrorists who seek to infiltrate across the Line of Control (LoC) between India and Pakistan, calling on all the parties to reduce tensions along the frontiers by returning to the 2003 ceasefire commitments between the two countries.The comments by the State Department spokesperson Ned Price followed a joint statement issued after a hotline discussion between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan on February 25 during which the two sides agreed to strict observance of all agreements, understandings and cease firing along the Line of Control and all other sectors.Responding to a question on the India-Pakistan ceasefire agreement, Price told a reporter that America's policy towards the region has not changed."We have continued to follow very closely developments in Jammu and Kashmir. Our policy towards the region has not changed. We call on all parties to reduce tensions along the Line of Control by returning to the 2003 ceasefire commitments," he said at his daily news conference on Thursday."We condemn terrorists who seek to infiltrate across the Line of Control. When it comes to how we will support that, we continue to support direct dialogue between India and Pakistan on Kashmir and other areas of concern," Price said when asked as to what US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is going to do to ensure or try to ensure that the ceasefire announced between India and Pakistan is maintained.India and Pakistan signed a ceasefire agreement in 2003, but it has hardly been followed in letter and spirit over the past several years. India last month said that it desires normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan in an environment free of terror, hostility and violence. India has said the onus is on Pakistan to create an environment free of terror and hostility."Our position is well-known. India desires normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan in an environment free of terror, hostility and violence," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said. "The onus is on Pakistan for creating such an environment," he said in New Delhi.READ MORE: US lawmaker welcomes India-Pak ceasefire agreement

US condemns infiltration across LoC, supports 'dialogue' on Kashmir between India and Pakistan

India and Pakistan signed a ceasefire agreement in 2003, but it has hardly been followed in letter and spirit over the past several years.

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Yemen rebels claim drone attacks on Saudi Aramco oil plantsDrones claimed by Yemen’s Houthi rebels attacked the world’s largest oil processing facility in Saudi Arabia and a major oilfield operated by Saudi Aramco early Saturday, sparking a huge fire at a processor crucial to global energy supplies.It wasn’t clear if there were any injuries in the attacks in Buqyaq and the Khurais oil field, nor what effect it would have on oil production in the kingdom. The attack also likely will heighten tensions further across the wider Persian Gulf amid a confrontation between the U.S. and Iran over its unraveling nuclear deal with world powers. The Houthis are backed by Tehran amid a yearslong Saudi-led war against them in Yemen.Online videos apparently shot in Buqyaq included the sound of gunfire in the background. Smoke rose over the skyline and glowing flames could be seen a distance away at the Abqaiq oil processing facility.Saudi state television later aired a segment with a correspondent there as smoke from the blazes clearly rose behind. That smoke also was visible from space.The fires began after the sites were “targeted by drones,” the Interior Ministry said in a statement carried by the state-run Saudi Press Agency. It said an investigation into the attack was underway.In a short address aired by the Houthi’s Al-Masirah satellite news channel, military spokesman Yahia Sarie said the rebels launched 10 drones in their coordinated attack on the sites. He warned attacks by the rebels would only get worse if the war continues.“The only option for the Saudi government is to stop attacking us,” Sarie said.Saudi Aramco, the state-owned oil giant, did not immediately respond to questions from The Associated Press. The kingdom hopes soon to offer a sliver of the company in an initial public offering.Saudi Aramco describes its Abqaiq oil processing facility in Buqyaq as “the largest crude oil stabilization plant in the world.”The facility processes sour crude oil into sweet crude, then later transports onto transshipment points on the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea. Estimates suggest it can process up to 7 million barrels of crude oil a day.The plant has been targeted in the past by militants. Al-Qaida-claimed suicide bombers tried but failed to attack the oil complex in February 2006.The Khurais oil field is believed to produce over 1 million barrels of crude oil a day. It has estimated reserves of over 20 billion barrels of oil, according to Aramco.There was no immediate impact on global oil prices as markets were closed for the weekend across the world. Benchmark Brent crude had been trading at just above $60 a barrel.Buqyaq is some 330 kilometers (205 miles) northeast of the Saudi capital, Riyadh.The Saudi-led coalition has been battling the rebels since March 2015. The Iranian-backed Houthis hold Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, and other territory in the Arab world’s poorest country.The war has become the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. The violence has pushed Yemen to the brink of famine and killed more than 90,000 people since 2015, according to the U.S.-based Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, or ACLED, which tracks the conflict.Since the start of the Saudi-led war, Houthi rebels have been using drones in combat. The first appeared to be off-the-shelf, hobby-kit-style drones. Later, versions nearly identical to Iranian models turned up. Iran denies supplying the Houthis with weapons, although the U.N., the West and Gulf Arab nations say Tehran does.The rebels have flown drones into the radar arrays of Saudi Arabia’s Patriot missile batteries, according to Conflict Armament Research, disabling them and allowing the Houthis to fire ballistic missiles into the kingdom unchallenged. The Houthis launched drone attacks targeting Saudi Arabia’s crucial East-West Pipeline in May as tensions heightened between Iran and the U.S. In August, Houthi drones struck Saudi Arabia’s Shaybah oil field, which produces some 1 million barrels of crude oil a day near its border with the United Arab Emirates.U.N. investigators said the Houthis’ new UAV-X drone, found in recent months during the Saudi-led coalition’s war in Yemen, likely has a range of up to 1,500 kilometers (930 miles).That puts the far reaches of both Saudi Arabia and the UAE in range.

Yemen's Houthi rebels claim drone attacks on Saudi Aramco oil plants

Drones claimed by Yemen’s Houthi rebels attacked the world’s largest oil processing facility in Saudi Arabia and a major oilfield operated by Saudi Aramco early Saturday, sparking a huge fire at a processor crucial to global energy supplies.

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Iran's state media has claimed that around 80 US troops were killed in its missile strike.Iran launched over a dozen ballistic missiles targeting at least two bases where US military and coalition forces' are stationed in Iraq, which Tehran said was a "slap in the face" of America.According to Iranian state TV, the attacks were in revenge for the killing of the commander of Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guards, General Qasem Soleimani, in a US drone strike on Friday, which was ordered by President Donald Trump.At least 80 killed in Iran's missile attack at Iraqi bases housing US troopsAs per Iran's state media, around 80 people were killed in the missile strike at Iraqi bases housing US troops.While the Iranian state television claimed that "at least 80 terrorist US soldiers" were killed in the strikes, the Pentagon said it is working on initial battle damage assessments. Some 5,000 US soldiers are in Iraq as part of the international coalition against the IS terror group.The Iraqi military in a statement said a total of 22 missiles hit two bases housing US troops, but there were no victims among the Iraqi forces. /* .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_6568072745 = { "file": "https://indiatv-vh.akamaihd.net/i/vod/0_vr2qg0a4_,20,21,22,.mp4.csmil/master.m3u8", "image": "https://thumbs.indiatvnews.com/vod/0_vr2qg0a4_big_thumb.jpg", "title": "Iran missile attacks at Iraqi bases housing US troops, 80 dead", "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_6568072745 = ''; jwsetup_6568072745(); function jwsetup_6568072745() { jwvidplayer_6568072745 = jwplayer("jwvidplayer_6568072745").setup(jwconfig_6568072745); jwvidplayer_6568072745.on('ready', function () { ns_.StreamingAnalytics.JWPlayer(jwvidplayer_6568072745, { publisherId: "20465327", labelmapping: "c2=\"20465327\", c3=\"IndiaTV News\", c4=\"null\", c6=\"null\", ns_st_mp=\"jwplayer\", ns_st_cl=\"0\", ns_st_ci=\"0_vr2qg0a4\", ns_st_pr=\"Iran missile attacks at Iraqi bases housing US troops, 80 dead\", ns_st_sn=\"0\", ns_st_en=\"0\", ns_st_ep=\"Iran missile attacks at Iraqi bases housing US troops, 80 dead\", ns_st_ct=\"null\", ns_st_ge=\"News\", ns_st_st=\"Iran missile attacks at Iraqi bases housing US troops, 80 dead\", ns_st_ce=\"0\", ns_st_ia=\"0\", ns_st_ddt=\"2020-01-08\", ns_st_tdt=\"2020-01-08\", ns_st_pu=\"IndiaTV News\", ns_st_cu=\"https://indiatv-vh.akamaihd.net/i/vod/0_vr2qg0a4_,20,21,22,.mp4.csmil/master.m3u8\", ns_st_ty=\"video\"" }); }); jwvidplayer_6568072745.on('all', function (r) { if (jwvidplayer_6568072745.getState() == 'error' || jwvidplayer_6568072745.getState() == 'setupError') { jwvidplayer_6568072745.stop(); jwvidplayer_6568072745.remove(); jwvidplayer_6568072745 = ''; jwsetup_6568072745(); return; } }); jwvidplayer_6568072745.on('error', function (t) { jwvidplayer_6568072745.stop(); jwvidplayer_6568072745.remove(); jwvidplayer_6568072745 = ''; jwsetup_6568072745(); return; }); jwvidplayer_6568072745.on('mute', function () { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_6568072745.on('adPlay', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_6568072745.on('adPause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_6568072745.on('pause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_6568072745.on('error', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_6568072745.on('adBlock', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); } All is Well, says Trump after Iran's missile strikeShortly after the missile attacks, Trump tweeted, "All is well! Missiles launched from Iran at two military bases located in Iraq. Assessment of casualties and damages taking place now. So far, so good! We have the most powerful and well-equipped military anywhere in the world, by far! I will be making a statement tomorrow morning."'A slap on the face,' Iran's supreme leader Khamenei on rocket attack Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the attacks were a "slap in the face" of the US. In a speech broadcast live on state television, Khamenei said, "Last night, a slap in the face was delivered."President Trump briefed about missile strikeUS officials said President Trump has been briefed and he is monitoring the situation. "We are working on initial battle damage assessments," Pentagon spokesperson Jonathan Hoffman said.Hoffman said around 5:30 pm on January 7, "Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles against US military and coalition forces in Iraq". "It is clear that these missiles were launched from Iran and targeted at least two Iraqi military bases hosting US military and coalition personnel at Al-Assad and Irbil,” he said.White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham said the President has been briefed about the situation.“We are aware of the reports of attacks on US facilities in Iraq. The President has been briefed and is monitoring the situation closely and consulting with his national security team,” Grisham said.Hoffman said in recent days and in response to Iranian threats and actions, the Department of Defence has taken all appropriate measures to safeguard its personnel and partners.“These bases have been on high alert due to indications that the Iranian regime planned to attack our forces and interests in the region,” he said."As we evaluate the situation and our response, we will take all necessary measures to protect and defend US personnel, partners, and allies in the region,” Hoffman said.President Trump spoke with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and thanked him for his country's strong partnership with the US. The two leaders discussed the situation in Iraq and Iran, as well as other critical bilateral and regional issues, the White House said.Trump dials Germany, discusses security situation Trump also telephoned Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel and the two leaders discussed the security situation in the Middle East and Libya and agreed to continue close coordination moving forward, it said.State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said Secretary of State Michael Pompeo telephoned Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and updated him on the Iranian missile attacks on Iraqi air bases, including in Erbil.The two leaders agreed to stay in close touch as the situation develops.General Soleimani, who was considered a terrorist by the US, was killed when a drone fired missiles into a convoy that was leaving the Baghdad International Airport on Friday last week.Soleimani's killing legally, strategically right: USIn an interview with Fox and Friends news show, Pompeo said, "He's a military commander who was actively engaged in plotting to kill Americans in the region. We had an important set of underlying reasons to take this strike. It was wholly lawful. We're confident that we not only got it right legally but we got it right strategically."The strike also killed the deputy chief of Iraq's powerful Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and some local Iran-backed militias.Khamenei has vowed a revenge against the killing of his general, saying "severe revenge awaits the criminals" behind the attack.Soleimani was widely seen as the second most powerful figure in Iran after the Supreme Leader Khamenei. His Quds Force, an elite unit of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, reported directly to the Khamenei and he was hailed as a heroic national figure.(With inputs from PTI)ALSO READ: 'A slap was delivered last night': Ayatollah Khamenei on rocket attack at US base in IraqALSO READ: Video | Multiple Iranian missiles hit Iraq airbase; locals scream, run for safety /* .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_9800997746 = { "file": "https://indiatv-vh.akamaihd.net/i/vod/0_pfi5tvgr_,20,21,22,.mp4.csmil/master.m3u8", "image": "https://thumbs.indiatvnews.com/vod/0_pfi5tvgr_big_thumb.jpg", "title": "Iran Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says missile attack 'slap in face' delivered to US", "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_9800997746 = ''; jwsetup_9800997746(); function jwsetup_9800997746() { jwvidplayer_9800997746 = jwplayer("jwvidplayer_9800997746").setup(jwconfig_9800997746); jwvidplayer_9800997746.on('ready', function () { ns_.StreamingAnalytics.JWPlayer(jwvidplayer_9800997746, { publisherId: "20465327", labelmapping: "c2=\"20465327\", c3=\"IndiaTV News\", c4=\"null\", c6=\"null\", ns_st_mp=\"jwplayer\", ns_st_cl=\"0\", ns_st_ci=\"0_pfi5tvgr\", ns_st_pr=\"Iran Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says missile attack 'slap in face' delivered to US\", ns_st_sn=\"0\", ns_st_en=\"0\", ns_st_ep=\"Iran Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says missile attack 'slap in face' delivered to US\", ns_st_ct=\"null\", ns_st_ge=\"News\", ns_st_st=\"Iran Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says missile attack 'slap in face' delivered to US\", ns_st_ce=\"0\", ns_st_ia=\"0\", ns_st_ddt=\"2020-01-08\", ns_st_tdt=\"2020-01-08\", ns_st_pu=\"IndiaTV News\", ns_st_cu=\"https://indiatv-vh.akamaihd.net/i/vod/0_pfi5tvgr_,20,21,22,.mp4.csmil/master.m3u8\", ns_st_ty=\"video\"" }); }); jwvidplayer_9800997746.on('all', function (r) { if (jwvidplayer_9800997746.getState() == 'error' || jwvidplayer_9800997746.getState() == 'setupError') { jwvidplayer_9800997746.stop(); jwvidplayer_9800997746.remove(); jwvidplayer_9800997746 = ''; jwsetup_9800997746(); return; } }); jwvidplayer_9800997746.on('error', function (t) { jwvidplayer_9800997746.stop(); jwvidplayer_9800997746.remove(); jwvidplayer_9800997746 = ''; jwsetup_9800997746(); return; }); jwvidplayer_9800997746.on('mute', function () { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_9800997746.on('adPlay', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_9800997746.on('adPause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_9800997746.on('pause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_9800997746.on('error', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_9800997746.on('adBlock', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); }

At least 80 'terrorist US soldiers' killed in missile attack at Iraqi bases: Iran state media

Iranian state media has claimed that at least '80 terrorist US soldiers' were killed in the missile strikes at Iraqi bases housing US troops. The strike was in retaliation to the killing of Iran's top general Qasem Soleimani in a US airstrike.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging talks with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan today as the two sides signed five agreements including a historic pact awarding a consortium of Indian oil companies a 10 per cent stake in offshore oil concession. Modi, who arrived here from Jordan on the second leg of his three-nation tour, was received by Mohammed Bin Zayed and other members of the Royal family at the airport. The two leaders hugged each other and exchanged pleasantries. Related Stories PM Modi to lay foundation stone for Abu Dhabi's first Indian templePM Modi pays homage to iconic Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat PM Modi arrives in UAE on his 2nd visit to Gulf country The Prime Minister thanked the Crown Prince for the special gesture of receiving him at the airport and said his visit will have a positive impact on India-UAE ties. "We warmly welcome our state guest and valued friend, the Indian Prime Minister H.E.@narendramodi to the UAE. His visit reflects our longstanding historical ties and is testament to our friendly bilateral relationship," Mohammed Bin Zayed, also the Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, tweeted. Prime Minister Modi, who is here on his second visit to the UAE, held wide-ranging talks with and Mohammed Bin Zayed. Modi had first visited the UAE as prime minister in August, 2015. After their talks, the two sides signed five agreements related to energy sector, railways, manpower and financial services. An MOU between Indian Consortium (OVL, BPRL & IOCL) and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) was signed for the acquisition of a 10 per cent participating interest in the Abu Dhabi's offshore Lower Zakum Concession, a statement issued by the Indian embassy here said. The concession will be for 40 years from 2018 to 2057. Sixty per cent of the participating interest will be retained by ADNOC and remaining 30 per cent will be awarded to other  international oil companies, the statement said. "This is the first Indian Investment in upstream oil sector of UAE, transforming the traditional buyer-seller relationship to a long-term investor relationship," it added. To cooperate in the field of manpower, India and the UAE signed an MoU that aims to institutionalise the collaborative administration of contractual employment of Indian workers in the Gulf country. Under the MoU, both the sides will work to integrate their labour related e-platforms for ending the existing malpractices, combat trafficking and organise collaborative programs for education and awareness of contractual workers. An MoU for technical cooperation in railways was also signed between the two sides. The MoU aims at cooperation in infrastructure sector especially railways. "The MoU will facilitate development of joint projects, knowledge sharing, joint research and technology transfer. The MoU envisages formation of a Joint Working Group for institutionalising the cooperation mechanism," the statement said. To deepen bilateral cooperation in the field of finance, an MoU between Bombay Stock Exchange and Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange was also signed. It aims at enhancing cooperation  between both the countries in financial services industry.  The MoU would facilitate investment in financial markets by investors from both the countries. An MoU between Government of Jammu and Kashmir and DP World was also signed to establish multi-modal logistics park and hub in Jammu comprising warehouses and specialised storage solutions. Various buildings in Abu Dhabi were lit in the Indian tricolor as the city was decked up to welcome Prime Minister Modi, who also attended a state banquet hosted by the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince. The Prime Minister will visit Wahat Al Karama, the UAE martyr's war memorial here, tomorrow before travelling to Dubai where he will interact with the Indian community at an event at the Dubai Opera House and will witness the groundbreaking ceremony of the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi. The ceremony will be live-streamed to the Opera House. Prime Minister Modi will also deliver a keynote address at the World Government Summit in Dubai where India is a guest of honour this year. He will make inaugural address on the theme: 'Technology for development'. On the first led of his trip, Modi earlier in the day travelled to Ramallah, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to make an official visit to Palestine. In Ramallah, Prime Minister Modi met Mahmoud Abbas during which the Palestinian President sought India's support for a multi-country mechanism to achieve a "just and desired peace" with Israel in accordance with the two-state solution. They discussed the full range of India-Palestine ties following which the two sides signed six agreements worth around USD 50 million that includes setting up of a USD 30 million super speciality hospital in Beit Sahur. From the UAE, Modi will travel to Oman. 

PM Modi meets Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi; India, UAE sign 5 pacts

The Prime Minister thanked the Crown Prince for the special gesture of receiving him at the airport and said his visit will have a positive impact on India-UAE ties.

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Protesters led by influential cleric gather in Islamabad, demand PM Khan's resignation(Representational)An influential Pakistani cleric, who is leading a demonstration against Prime Minister Imran Khan, arrived here on Friday to hold a mammoth protest rally, demanding the premier to step down. Right-wing Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman launched the “Azadi March” along with leaders of other opposition parties on October 27 from the southern Sindh province, demanding Khan's resignation, accusing him of "rigging" the 2018 general elections.He also accused the prime minister of mismanagement of economy, inefficiency and bad governance that has increased hardships of common people. Rehman was scheduled to arrive in Islamabad on October 31. However, it was delayed as his caravan of hundreds of vehicles made a slow progress, JUI-F leaders said.The cleric travelled through Sukkur, Multan, Lahore and Gujranwala to reach Islamabad in the wee hours of Friday. "The person (Prime Minister Khan) has come to power through rigging of elections. He should see the writing on the wall and resign or we will drive him out," he told his supporters on the way.In an interview to AAJ TV, Rehman said there would be “chaos” in the country if the prime minister did not resign. According to security institutions, thousands of people are taking part in the “Azadi March”.The crowd further swelled in Islamabad, as supporters of opposition parties, including Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People Party (PPP), joined the anti-government protest rally.The protestors have encamped in the sprawling ground near Peshawar Mor area where different political parties have set up their camps to house their workers.Addressing the demonstrators at the venue, PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said Imran Khan is a "puppet" and the nation is not ready to bow its head before a "selected" prime minister and "those who have selected him".Rehman in a tweet thanked all protesters and the opposition leaders for their support. He said the rally will now start after the Friday prayers and all senior opposition leaders would be present.It is not clear if the protesters would disperse after rally or settle for a sit-in to force the government to accept their demands. Meanwhile, Pakistani authorities have made elaborate security arrangements to control the sea of protesters. Main roads have been completely or partially blocked by placing shipping containers.Barbed wires have been used as hurdles to prevent protesters if they try to move towards the Red Zone that includes key official buildings and diplomatic enclave. Additional police and paramilitary personnel have also been deployed in Islamabad to prevent any violence. The government deployed army personnel in sensitive places in the capital.The Islamabad local administration requisitioned 111 Brigade in the highly secured Red Zone, which houses sensitive buildings like Parliament House, Supreme Court, Foreign Office, Pakistan Television, Radio Pakistan and Diplomatic Enclave (a cluster of dozens of foreign embassies).Interior Minister Ijaz Shah warned of a crackdown if there is any violence. "I hope they (protesters) will follow the agreement they have signed with the government to remain peaceful," he said. Prime Minister M Khan has already denounced the protest, saying that the opposition parties were trying to blackmail him.The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party alleged that the protest was promoted by the PML-N and the PPP to force the government to release its top leaders, currently held in jails. Khan and his party has ruled out his resignation but showed readiness to accept any other demand to improve election system or system of governance.The protest comes as the government struggles to lift up the faltering economy of the country.ALSO READ| 33 journalists killed in Pak in past six yearsALSO READ| Pak train inferno toll reaches 74

Protesters led by influential cleric gather in Islamabad, demand PM Khan's resignation

An influential Pakistani cleric, who is leading a demonstration against Prime Minister Imran Khan, arrived here on Friday to hold a mammoth protest rally, demanding the premier to step down

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Christmas celebrations across the worldHoliday season, beautifully lit marketplaces, cosy homebound gatherings, an extended palate and family unions are all that makes up Christmas. The pretty, good-vibe bound festival at the end of the 12-month cycle is always a great way to conclude the year. As we wrapped up this year’s Christmas, here's how the world celebrated the festival:India: The country in the middle of a nationwide protest took out time to remember the festival in its own unique way. The protests blended into the colours of the season, with many students turning up for the protest dressed as Santa. Some protesters also held placards that read, ‘’Merry Christmas to all except Delhi Police’’, while another placard read ‘’This year Santa won’t come to India, kyunki, documents nahi hai uske pass’’.Another display of the December festival was witnessed at a gym in Thane, where Santa Claus inspired people to stay fit and exhibited workout techniques for the fitness enthusiasts, while staying relevant with the modern themes.Image Source : PTIIndia : Here is how the world celebrated ChristmasIndia : Here is how the world celebrated ChristmasFrance: Paris held a heavy heart as for the first time in over 200 years, Notre-dame was unable to hold its midnight mass on Christmas eve. Parisians recreated the Christmas magic of this old land, while remembering Notre-Dame.Image Source : APFrance: Here is how the world celebrated ChristmasFrance: Here is how the world celebrated ChristmasAustralia: Being a part of the southern hemisphere, Christmas is more of a warmer affair in Australia. Most parts of the festival witnessed beachy traditions, crowds of people throughout the country turned up dressed as Santa Claus at the shore sides. While the south of the country and New South Wales continued to struggle with the serious issue of bush fire being out of control, many countrymen took digs at the ‘vacationing’ Prime Minister Scott Morrison and used the term ‘Merry Crisis’ instead of ‘Merry Christmas’ to raise their voices.Image Source : APAustralia: Here is how the world celebrated ChristmasAustralia: Here is how the world celebrated ChristmasHong Kong: Amid the ongoing protests, Christmas in Hong Kong was marked by fresh clashes between the protestors and police officials. Police officials had tear gas and black pepper sprayed on multiple protestors who were part of prodemocracy flash mobs and other visual activities. Entrances to the Mong Kok subway station were set ablaze, transportation and communication came to a halt on the festival day.Image Source : APHong Kong: Here is how the world celebrated ChristmasHong Kong: Here is how the world celebrated ChristmasIsrael: The country welcomed the festival to Bethlehem and softened its position at the last minute. After banning Christian pilgrims from the Gaza strip, the decision came in right before Christmas eve. The church is believed to be the oldest Christian church, situated in the West Bank town, where Jesus is believed to have been born.Image Source : APIsrael: Here is how the world celebrated ChristmasIsrael: Here is how the world celebrated ChristmasAlso Read: Santas, Christmas cake, carols at anti-CAA protests in DelhiAlso Read: New Year and Christmas Eve popular time among couples for intimacy /* .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_8071969751 = { "file": "https://indiatv-vh.akamaihd.net/i/vod/0_rjbqk15w_,20,21,22,.mp4.csmil/master.m3u8", "image": "https://thumbs.indiatvnews.com/vod/0_rjbqk15w_big_thumb.jpg", "title": "World celebrates Christmas", "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_8071969751 = ''; jwsetup_8071969751(); function jwsetup_8071969751() { jwvidplayer_8071969751 = jwplayer("jwvidplayer_8071969751").setup(jwconfig_8071969751); jwvidplayer_8071969751.on('ready', function () { ns_.StreamingAnalytics.JWPlayer(jwvidplayer_8071969751, { publisherId: "20465327", labelmapping: "c2=\"20465327\", c3=\"IndiaTV News\", c4=\"null\", c6=\"null\", ns_st_mp=\"jwplayer\", ns_st_cl=\"0\", ns_st_ci=\"0_rjbqk15w\", ns_st_pr=\"World celebrates Christmas\", ns_st_sn=\"0\", ns_st_en=\"0\", ns_st_ep=\"World celebrates Christmas\", ns_st_ct=\"null\", ns_st_ge=\"News\", ns_st_st=\"World celebrates Christmas\", ns_st_ce=\"0\", ns_st_ia=\"0\", ns_st_ddt=\"2019-12-25\", ns_st_tdt=\"2019-12-25\", ns_st_pu=\"IndiaTV News\", ns_st_cu=\"https://indiatv-vh.akamaihd.net/i/vod/0_rjbqk15w_,20,21,22,.mp4.csmil/master.m3u8\", ns_st_ty=\"video\"" }); }); jwvidplayer_8071969751.on('all', function (r) { if (jwvidplayer_8071969751.getState() == 'error' || jwvidplayer_8071969751.getState() == 'setupError') { jwvidplayer_8071969751.stop(); jwvidplayer_8071969751.remove(); jwvidplayer_8071969751 = ''; jwsetup_8071969751(); return; } }); jwvidplayer_8071969751.on('error', function (t) { jwvidplayer_8071969751.stop(); jwvidplayer_8071969751.remove(); jwvidplayer_8071969751 = ''; jwsetup_8071969751(); return; }); jwvidplayer_8071969751.on('mute', function () { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_8071969751.on('adPlay', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_8071969751.on('adPause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_8071969751.on('pause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_8071969751.on('error', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_8071969751.on('adBlock', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); }

Pictures -- Here's how Christmas was celebrated across the globe

Holiday season, beautifully lit marketplaces, cosy home bound gatherings, an extended palate and family unions is all that makes up Christmas. The pretty, good-vibe bound festival at the end of the 12-month cycle is always a great way to conclude the year.

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Chandrayaan-2 Reactions: World reacts to India's historical lunar touchdown | Live UpdatesChandrayaan-2 Reactions: The night of reckoning did not exactly go as planned. ISRO lost contact with the Vikram lander at the very last minute. With 2.1 km to go, Vikram went AWOL.  Here are reactions from the international media as they came in.08:33 am: Bhutan PM Lotay Tshering said, "We are proud of India and its scientists today. Chandrayaan2 saw some challenges last minute but courage and hard work you have shown are historical." 08: 56 am: New York Times India’s attempt to land a robotic spacecraft near the moon’s South Pole on Saturday appeared to end in failure.New York Times on Chandrayaan 2 mission New York Times on Chandrayaan 2 mission 04:56 am: Planetary Society 02:54 am: Sputnik International ReactionSputnik international  Sputnik international 07:36 pm: Fox News ReactionFox News Reaction  Fox News Reaction Fox News Wrote: India's dream of landing on the Moon is getting closer to reality as its Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft split into two on Monday, with one half set to land on the lunar surface later this week.07:21 pm: People's Daily China Reaction: People's Daily, China Tweeted: India’s Chandrayaan-2 moon orbiter performed its first de-orbiting maneuver on Tue, according to the Indian Space Research Organization. The orbiter continues to orbit the Moon and both the orbiter and lander are healthy, IRSO added.07:18 pm: Khaleej Times Reaction: Chandrayaan 2 completes final orbit manoeuvre before India's maiden moon landingKhaleej Times reactionKhaleej Times reactionKhaleej Times wrote: India's first moon lander Vikram is all set to land on the moon on September 7 with Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) completing the second and final de-orbital operations successfully on Wednesday.07:11 pm: Aljazeera Reaction: India's Chandrayaan-2 ready for moon landingAl JazeeraAl JazeeraAl Jazeera Wrote: The landing module of India's unmanned moon mission separated successfully from the orbiter on Monday in the run-up to its planned touchdown on the moon's south polar region this weekend, the country's space agency said.06:06 pm: CNN Reaction: India's polar moon mission puts Chandrayaan-2 in the history booksCNN reactionCNN reactionCNN Wrote: India will become the second country after China to explore the far side of the moon. The mission, operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was launched last month. After more than 45 days it is scheduled to land a rover on the lunar surface on September 7.06:00 pm: BBC Reaction: Chandrayaan-2: The grand ambitions of India's second Moon missionBBC ReactionBBC ReactionBBC Wrote: Costing $150 million, Chandrayaan-2 will carry forward the achievements of its predecessor Chandrayaan-1 which was launched in 2008 and discovered the presence of water molecules on the parched lunar surface.05:50 pm:  New York Times Reaction: India Looks Hopefully to the Moon Ahead of Chandrayaan-2 LandingNew York Times reactionNew York Times reactionNew York Times wrote: The South Pole of the moon is interesting to scientists because of the possibility that water ice could be there. That could be useful for moon habitation and making fuel for exploring Mars. Scientists also want to look for deposits of helium-3, potentially a future energy source for Earth. 

Chandrayaan-2: World reacts as ISRO's plan goes off script, loses contact with Vikram lander | Live

Chandrayaan-2 Reactions: The night of reckoning did not exactly go as planned. ISRO lost contact with the Vikram lander at the very last minute. With 2.1 km to go, Vikram went AWOL. Here are reactions from the international media as they came in.

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Sri Lankans representing various government establishments shout slogans against the government during a protest in Colombo, Sri Lanka on April 20, 2022. In an “unstinted and multi-faceted support” to Sri Lanka, which is grappling with its worst-ever economic crisis, India has extended the duration of the USD 400 million currency swap facility which had been concluded with the island nation in January.This was the first extension of an international debt instrument to Sri Lanka after the government led by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on April 12 temporarily suspended debt servicing.The embattled government had announced an orderly default until the country came to an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a possible bailout package.“India's unstinted and multi-faceted support to Sri Lanka continued. As ongoing currency support, @RBI extended the duration of the US$ 400 million currency swap for @CBSL which was concluded in #January this year,” the High Commission of India said on Twitter.However, the debt service suspension was not applicable to currency swap arrangements with other central banks. The debt default came as the island nation was grappling with its worst-ever economic crisis compounded by forex shortages and a balance of payments crisis.Sri Lanka had also drawn on Indian credit lines worth USD 1 billion for essential imports and separate ones for the importation of fuel. The island nation’s central bank started borrowing from other central banks and the market through swaps as reserves were lost due to money printed to keep rates down, the Economy Next news service said in a report.Sri Lanka’s economists have printed money under various pretexts, delayed market rate rises through various monetary instruments and triggered currency crises for 72 years and blamed them on budget deficits and imports, the report said.The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) signed the currency swap agreement with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka under the SAARC Currency Swap Framework 2019-22.Under the agreement, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka can make drawals of US Dollar, Euro or Indian Rupee in multiple tranches up to a maximum of USD 400 million or its equivalent.Sri Lanka’s economic crisis is caused in part by a lack of foreign currency, which has meant that the country cannot afford to pay for imports of staple foods and fuel, leading to acute shortages and very high prices.The country is witnessing large-scale protests against the government's handling of the debt-ridden economy - the worst-ever economic crisis in the country's history.Protests demanding the resignation of President Rajapaksa and his Sri Lanka Podujana (Peramuna)-led government have intensified as shortages continued and prices soared.Last week, the Sri Lankan government said it would temporarily default on USD 35. 5 billion in foreign debt as the pandemic and the war in Ukraine made it impossible to make payments to overseas creditors. Also Read: With India's back-to-back support, China announces humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka

India extends duration of USD 400 mn currency swap facility with Sri Lanka

This was the first extension of an international debt instrument to Sri Lanka after the government led by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on April 12 temporarily suspended debt servicing.

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Pakistan today said that it was fully prepared to defend itself in case of any "aggression" by India and asked New Delhi to stop blaming it without any concrete evidence. Foreign Office spokesman Dr Mohammad Faisal made the comment while addressing a media briefing.Related Stories 'Job well done': Pak foreign ministry 'thanks' journalists for heckling Kulbhushan’s wife and motherTrump ‘speaking India's language’, says Pak Foreign Minister US present in South Asia to create chaos, says former Pak Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar“If India is bent upon aggression, Pakistan is fully capable of defending itself. The Pakistani nation should not be taken for granted by anyone. If India wants peace then it should refrain from aggressive rhetoric with the sole objective of securing electoral wins,” he said. He said India has a "kneejerk" tendency to assign unilateral blame without evidence and it also blamed Pakistan for “spy pigeons and worse” but Pakistan strongly rejects the allegations. He said a similar tendency was shown after Sunjwan camp attack and certain Indian police and defence officials, and media insinuated against Pakistan.  A group of heavily armed Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists struck the sprawling camp of the 36 brigade of Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry in the early hours on February 10, triggering a gunbattle. Seven people were killed in the attack. He also rejected the comments of Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman by saying that "the familiar tendency of apportioning blame on Pakistan, without concrete evidence, is regrettable". Sitharaman had blamed Pakistan for the terror attack at the Sunjuwan Military Camp and made it clear that it will pay the price for the "misadventure". “We have repeatedly seen India arrogating to itself the role of judge, jury and executioner. The reflex assignment of blame and smear campaigns, based on unfounded allegations, carry no credibility,” Faisal said. To a question, he defended the regular summoning of Indian deputy high commissioner over LoC violations which he said was part of “responsibility of Pakistan is to effectively and emphatically defend its borders, be they physical, diplomatic, political or intellectual.” He also said Pakistan does not support any move by foreign states to interfere in the internal affairs of the Maldives and influence its upcoming elections.   “We believe that the internal affairs of Maldives should be solved internally in consultation with all the stakeholders. The sovereignty and territorial integrity of Maldives should be respected by all,” he said. 

Fully prepared for India's aggression, says Pakistan

Pak FO said India has a "kneejerk" tendency to assign unilateral blame without evidence and it also blamed Pakistan for “spy pigeons and worse” but Pakistan strongly rejects the allegations.

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Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina lambasted Myanmar for ‘atrocities’ against Rohingya Muslims that she said has reached a level beyond description.“I have no words to condemn Myanmar,” she told lawmakers Monday night, noting that Bangladesh had long been protesting the persecution of Rohingya Muslims in Buddhist-majority Myanmar.Related Stories Number of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh surges to 2.7 lakh in last two weeks: UNHCR reportsMyanmar leader Aung Sang Suu Kyi can't be stripped of prize: Nobel institute“Regardless, they are sending Rohingya to Bangladesh afresh. Women are being raped and tortured, children are being killed, and houses are being set on fire in Myanmar’s Rakhine state,” she said, as more continued to stream across the border.At least 3,13,000 Rohingya have arrived since August 25, when Rohingya insurgents attacked police posts, prompting Myanmar’s military to retaliate with what it called ‘clearance operations’ to root out the rebels. The crisis has drawn sharp criticism from around the world. The United States said that it was deeply troubled by the violence, and Germany halted several aid projects in Myanmar in protest.The UN human rights chief said that violence and injustice faced by the ethnic Rohingya minority in Myanmar — where UN rights investigators have been barred from entry — ‘seems a textbook example of ethnic cleansing’.“The Myanmar government should stop pretending that the Rohingya are setting fire to their own homes and laying waste to their own villages,” Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein said on Monday in Geneva, calling it a “complete denial of reality.”Meanwhile, a Rohingya villager in Myanmar said security forces had arrived Monday in the village of Pa Din village, firing guns, setting new fires to homes and driving hundreds of Rohingya to flee.“People were scared and running out of the village,” the villager said, speaking on condition of anonymity out of fear for his safety.Myanmar police disputed that, saying the houses were burned by terrorists they called Bengalis. That term is used derisively by many in Myanmar to describe the Rohingya, who they say migrated illegally from neighbouring Bangladesh, though many Rohingya families have lived in Myanmar for generations.The Bangladeshi Prime Minister demanded that Myanmar bring the Rohingya back, while the country’s Parliament on Monday night urged the UN and other countries to pressure Myanmar to ensure their safety and citizenship once they returned.“We don’t understand why successive Myanmar regimes carried out such atrocities on a particular community when the country is comprised of different groups,” Hasina said.Bangladesh said that it would free 2,000 acres (810 hectares) of land for a new camp in Cox’s Bazar district, to help shelter newly arrived Rohingya. The government was also fingerprinting and registering new arrivals. Two pre-existing Rohingya camps were already beyond capacity. Other new arrivals were staying in schools, or huddling in makeshift settlements with no toilets along roadsides and in open fields. Basic resources were scarce, including food, clean water and medical aid.Hasina was expected to visit the Kutupalong refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar district on Tuesday. The UN refugee agency also said that it expected new relief supplies for 20,000 people to arrive by air during the day. Aid agencies have been overwhelmed by the influx of Rohingya, many of whom are arriving hungry and traumatized after walking days through jungles or being packed into rickety wooden boats in search of safety in Bangladesh.Many tell similar stories — of Myanmar soldiers firing indiscriminately on their villages, burning their homes and warning them to leave or to die. Some say they were attacked by Buddhist mobs.In the last two weeks, the government hospital in Cox’s Bazar has been overwhelmed by Rohingya patients, with 80 arriving in the last two weeks suffering gunshot wounds as well as bad infections. At least three have been wounded in land mine blasts, and dozens have drowned when boats capsized during sea crossings.Myanmar’s authorities said that more than a week ago that some 400 Rohingya — mostly insurgents — had died in clashes with troops, but it has offered no updated death toll since.Rohingya have faced decades of discrimination and persecution in Myanmar and are denied citizenship despite centuries-olds roots in the Rakhine region. Before August 25, Bangladesh had already been housing more than 100,000 Rohingya who arrived after bloody anti-Muslim rioting in 2012 or amid earlier persecution drives in Myanmar.

Bangladesh slams Myanmar for ‘atrocities’ against Rohingya Muslims

At least 3,13,000 Rohingya have arrived since August 25, when Rohingya insurgents attacked police posts, prompting Myanmar’s military to retaliate with what it called ‘clearance operations’ to root out the rebels.

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North Korea fired several rockets into the sea Saturday in the continuation of its rapid nuclear and missile expansion, prompting South Korea to press ahead with military drills involving U.S. troops that have angered Pyongyang.The U.S. Pacific Command revised its initial assessment that the first and third short-range missiles failed during flight to say they flew about 250 kilometers (155 miles). It said that the second missile appears to have blown up immediately and that none posed threat to the U.S. territory of Guam, which the North had previously warned it would fire missiles toward.South Korea’s presidential office and military said North Korea fired “several” projectiles in what was presumed as a test of its 300-millimeter rocket artillery system.Kim Dong-yub, a former South Korean military official who is now an analyst at Seoul’s Institute for Far Eastern Studies, said that South Korean assessment doesn’t necessarily contradict the U.S. evaluation that the launches involved ballistic missiles. North Korea’s large-sized artillery rockets blur the boundaries between artillery systems and ballistic missiles because they create their own thrust and are guided during delivery, Kim said.The presidential office in Seoul said the U.S. and South Korean militaries will proceed with their ongoing war games “even more thoroughly” in response to the launch. They are the first known missile firings since July, when the North successfully flight tested a pair of intercontinental ballistic missiles that analysts say could reach deep into the U.S. mainland when perfected.The White House said that President Donald Trump — who has warned that he would unleash “fire and fury” if the North continued its threats — was briefed on the latest North Korean activity and “we are monitoring the situation.”The rival Koreas recently saw their always testy relationship get worse after Trump traded warlike threats. Saturday’s launch comes during an annual joint military exercise between the United States and South Korea that the North condemns as an invasion rehearsal, and weeks after Pyongyang threatened to lob missiles toward Guam.North Korea had walked back from the threat to lob missiles toward Guam, but there had been concerns that hostility will flare up again during the Ulchi-Freedom Guardian drills between the allies that run through Aug. 31.However, some experts say North Korea is now mainly focused on the bigger picture of testing its bargaining power against the United States with its new long-range missiles and likely has no interest in letting things get too tense during the drills. They say the North may limit its reactions to low-level provocations like artillery and short-range missile launches.While the projectile that supposedly blew up immediately after launch was clearly a failure, Kim, the analyst, said the North with the other missiles could have been experimenting with developmental technologies or deliberately detonated the warheads at certain heights and locations. If the South Korean assessments are correct, the North might have conducted tests to expand the range of its 300-millimeter multiple rocket launchers, which are believed to have a radius of up to 200 kilometers (124 miles), Kim said.North Korea’s state media earlier Saturday said that leader Kim Jong Un inspected a special operation forces training of the country’s army that simulated attacks on South Korean islands along the countries’ western sea border in what appeared to be in response to the ongoing U.S.-South Korea war games.Kim reportedly told his troops that they “should think of mercilessly wiping out the enemy with arms only and occupying Seoul at one go and the southern half of Korea.”The Korean Central News Agency said that the “target striking contest” involved war planes, multiple-rocket launchers and self-propelled guns that attacked targets meant to represent South Korea’s Baengnyeong and Yeonpyeong islands before special operation combatants “landed by surprise” on rubber boats.The border islands have occasionally seen military skirmishes between the rivals, including a North Korean artillery barrage on Yeonpyeong in 2010 that left two South Korean marines and two civilians dead.In response to North Korea’s expanding nuclear weapons program, South Korea has been moving to strengthen its own capabilities, planning talks with the United States on raising the warhead limits on its missiles and taking steps to place additional launchers to a U.S. anti-missile defense system in the country’s southeast.South Korea has also been testing new missiles of its own, including the 800-kilometer (497 mile)-range Hyunmoo-2. Although the missile has not been operationally deployed yet, it is considered a key component to the so-called “kill chain” pre-emptive strike capability the South is pursuing to cope with the North’s growing nuclear and missile threat. 

North Korea fires short-range missiles in latest test

South Korea’s presidential office and military said North Korea fired “several” projectiles in what was presumed as a test of its 300-millimeter rocket artillery system.

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Bangladesh PM, Sheikh HasinaBangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has criticised Myanmar for failing to fulfil its commitment to take back Rohingya Muslim refugees who had fled to Bangladesh due to ethnic and religious persecution in their home country.  Hasina said Myanmar had given a verbal commitment to take back Rohingya Muslims who have fled a military crackdown she described as "tantamount to genocide and crimes against humanity".   Hasina made the remarks in her speech at the annual gathering of world leaders at the United Nations on Thursday, even as the UN Human Rights Council agreed to set up a team to collect evidence of alleged crimes that could later be used to prosecute suspected perpetrators.  "The world cannot ignore or remain silent over the plight of the Rohingya people – driven from their homes in Myanmar and sheltering in Bangladesh," Hasina, said as she urged world leaders for an early and peaceful solution to the massive refugee crisis.  "We are disappointed that despite our earnest efforts we have not been able to begin Rohingya repatriation in a permanent and sustainable manner. Myanmar is one of our neighbours. From the outset, we have been trying to find a peaceful solution to the Rohingya crisis through bilateral consultations," said the Bangladeshi premier noting that her country has concluded three refugee repatriation arrangements with Myanmar, UN News reported.  "Despite their verbal commitment to take back the Rohingya, in reality the Myanmar authorities are yet to accept them back," Hasina said.  Hasina also recalled the five-point proposal she presented to the UN General Assembly last year, which outlined a durable and peaceful solution for the plight of the forcibly displaced Rohingya.  She said Bangladesh is hosting some 1.1 million members of Myanmar's minority Rohingya Muslim community and, supported by humanitarian organisations, including UN agencies, is providing them with food, clothing, healthcare and security. Work is also underway to provide improved housing, as well as education and other services.  "I call upon international organisations to join hands with us in this initiative. I also seek their assistance to help relocate the Rohingya to the facility," she added.   Most of the Rohingya arrived in Bangladesh since August, 2017 when attacks by Rohingya militants led to a major crackdown by Myanmar's security forces that triggered a massive cross-border exodus of refugees. 

B'desh PM slams Myanmar for failing to take back Rohingya refugees

Hasina said Myanmar had given a verbal commitment to take back Rohingya Muslims who have fled a military crackdown she described as "tantamount to genocide and crimes against humanity".

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Sri Lanka: Former PM Mahinda Rajapaksa, 16 others barred from travelling overseas A Sri Lankan court on Thursday (May 12) imposed a travel ban on former prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, his son Namal Rajapaksa and 15 others in view of investigations against them for the deadly attack on anti-government protesters in Colombo this week. The Fort Magistrate’s Court barred them from traveling overseas due to the investigations taking place on the attacks on the GotaGoGama and MynaGoGama peaceful protest sites on Monday, News 1st website reported. The order was also imposed on parliamentarians Johnston Fernando, Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Sanjeewa Edirimanne, Kanchana Jayaratne, Rohitha Abeygunawardena, C.B. Ratnayake, Sampath Athukorala, Renuka Perera, Sanath Nishantha, Senior DIG Deshabandu Thennakoon among others. The Attorney General had requested for a travel ban on the 17 individuals, citing that they need to be present in Sri Lanka for the investigations on the attacks on GotaGoGama and MynaGogama as it appears that they conspired and planned those attacks. What happened in Sri Lanka earlier?  Violence erupted in Sri Lanka on Monday after supporters of Mahinda Rajapaksa attacked peaceful anti-government protesters demanding his ouster over the country's worst economic crisis that led to acute shortages of staple food, fuel and power. Also Read: Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to appoint new PM, Cabinet amid violent clashes in countryA Sri Lankan court on Thursday (May 12) imposed a travel ban on former prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, his son Namal Rajapaksa and 15 others in view of investigations against them for the deadly attack on anti-government protesters in Colombo this week.The Fort Magistrate’s Court barred them from traveling overseas due to the investigations taking place on the attacks on the GotaGoGama and MynaGoGama peaceful protest sites on Monday, News 1st website reported.The order was also imposed on parliamentarians Johnston Fernando, Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Sanjeewa Edirimanne, Kanchana Jayaratne, Rohitha Abeygunawardena, C.B. Ratnayake, Sampath Athukorala, Renuka Perera, Sanath Nishantha, Senior DIG Deshabandu Thennakoon among others.The Attorney General had requested for a travel ban on the 17 individuals, citing that they need to be present in Sri Lanka for the investigations on the attacks on GotaGoGama and MynaGogama as it appears that they conspired and planned those attacks.What happened in Sri Lanka earlier? Violence erupted in Sri Lanka on Monday after supporters of Mahinda Rajapaksa attacked peaceful anti-government protesters demanding his ouster over the country's worst economic crisis that led to acute shortages of staple food, fuel and power.Also Read: Sri Lanka crisis: Central Bank chief threatens to resign amid political unrest

Sri Lanka: Former PM Mahinda Rajapaksa, 16 others barred from travelling overseas

The Fort Magistrate’s Court barred them from traveling overseas due to the investigations taking place on the attacks on the GotaGoGama and MynaGoGama peaceful protest sites on Monday, News 1st website reported.

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Dawood Ibrahim is in Karachi, says PakistanIndia's most wanted and mastermind of 1993 Mumbai serial blasts Dawood Ibrahim is in Karachi, Pakistan has admitted. Pakistan's Foreign Affairs Ministry on Saturday released a list of 88 leaders, members of terrorist groups on which Islamabad has imposed more restrictions. The list mentions the name of Dawood Ibrahim. The name of the terrorist groups, leaders are in compliance with the new list, issued by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). The list also mentions terrorists including Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed, Mohammad Masood Azhar of JeM and Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi. As per reports, Dawood Ibrahim is residing in White House, Karachi. The official statement mentioned Dawood's address -- house number 37, street number 30, housing authority, Karachi.Today's admission by Pakistan that Dawood Ibrahim is indeed residing there could be due to the international pressure that India has been trying to create on Islamabad and Imran Khan's government fear that terror watchdog FATF may blacklist it if Pakistan fails to act against terrorists, terror groups. India, has been for decades, saying that Pakistan was shielding Dawood Ibrahim, which is a safe haven for terrorists. New Delhi for long has been saying that Pakistan should admit that Dawood was hiding in the country, however, Islamabad never accepted that was known to the world. /* .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_5824177594 = { "file": "https://indiatv-vh.akamaihd.net/i/vod/0_sofw39hf_,20,21,22,.mp4.csmil/master.m3u8", "image": "https://thumbs.indiatvnews.com/vod/0_sofw39hf_big_thumb.jpg", "title": "Breaking: Pakistan admits Dawood Ibrahim is in Karachi", "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": "1206", "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_5824177594 = ''; jwsetup_5824177594(); function jwsetup_5824177594() { jwvidplayer_5824177594 = jwplayer("jwvidplayer_5824177594").setup(jwconfig_5824177594); jwvidplayer_5824177594.on('ready', function () { ns_.StreamingAnalytics.JWPlayer(jwvidplayer_5824177594, { publisherId: "20465327", labelmapping: "c2=\"20465327\", c3=\"IndiaTV News\", c4=\"null\", c6=\"null\", ns_st_mp=\"jwplayer\", ns_st_cl=\"0\", ns_st_ci=\"0_sofw39hf\", ns_st_pr=\"Breaking: Pakistan admits Dawood Ibrahim is in Karachi\", ns_st_sn=\"0\", ns_st_en=\"0\", ns_st_ep=\"Breaking: Pakistan admits Dawood Ibrahim is in Karachi\", ns_st_ct=\"null\", ns_st_ge=\"News\", ns_st_st=\"Breaking: Pakistan admits Dawood Ibrahim is in Karachi\", ns_st_ce=\"0\", ns_st_ia=\"0\", ns_st_ddt=\"2020-08-22\", ns_st_tdt=\"2020-08-22\", ns_st_pu=\"IndiaTV News\", ns_st_cu=\"https://indiatv-vh.akamaihd.net/i/vod/0_sofw39hf_,20,21,22,.mp4.csmil/master.m3u8\", ns_st_ty=\"video\"" }); }); jwvidplayer_5824177594.on('all', function (r) { if (jwvidplayer_5824177594.getState() == 'error' || jwvidplayer_5824177594.getState() == 'setupError') { jwvidplayer_5824177594.stop(); jwvidplayer_5824177594.remove(); jwvidplayer_5824177594 = ''; jwsetup_5824177594(); return; } }); jwvidplayer_5824177594.on('error', function (t) { jwvidplayer_5824177594.stop(); jwvidplayer_5824177594.remove(); jwvidplayer_5824177594 = ''; jwsetup_5824177594(); return; }); jwvidplayer_5824177594.on('mute', function () { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_5824177594.on('adPlay', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_5824177594.on('adPause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_5824177594.on('pause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_5824177594.on('error', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_5824177594.on('adBlock', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); }

Dawood Ibrahim is in Karachi, admits Pakistan

India's most wanted and mastermind of 1993 Mumbai serial blasts Dawood Ibrahim is in Karachi, Pakistan has admitted. Pakistan's Foreign Affairs Ministry on Saturday released a list of 88 leaders, members of terrorist groups on which Islamabad has imposed more restrictions. The list mentions the name of Dawood Ibrahim.

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Can a woman be president? US networks headline gender clash at Democratic debateWith no clear winners emerging from a swiftly shrinking Democratic field, Americas leading newspapers and television networks headlined their coverage of the Democratic debate in Iowa with the gender clash viewers saw on prime time television over a disputed remark on a womans electability to the White House.It's the home stretch barely three weeks from the Iowa caucuses and political pundits are still scratching their heads about how Tuesday will reshuffle the pack but are stoked about some of the peak moments from Tuesday's Democratic debate.The US presidential elections are barely 290 days away."It's just a brilliant move to take a question like that and make it into a positive like she did on the gender issue tonight. It was a powerful statement tonight", MSNBC ‘Hardball' host Chris Mathews said about Democratic candidate Elizabeth Warren taking a simmering issue out into the open.For 20 years now, Iowa has backed the eventual Democratic nominee and stakes are high before the first votes are cast there. A win in Iowa could set the tone for the rest of the race."The truth about this week's clash between Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren is that it's not really about Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. It is partly about them, of course: about whether Mr. Sanders told Ms. Warren 13 months ago that he did not believe a woman could be elected president, as she says he did and he says he didn't. But the bigger picture is The Electability Question, a conversation so well worn it may as well be a proper noun," reads a post-debate report in The New York Times."Warren has needed a moment like this and she gave a pretty good performance," Republican strategist Mike Murphy told NBC News.So, how does this change the game?"This doesn't move the needle very much," Jason Johnson, Politics Editor of The Root, said on late night television."More restrained than roaring," is another analysis from The New York Times.Latest polls in Iowa show voters are split tightly between four top candidates: Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Pete Buttigieg.News sites like Breitbart and Fox that lean heavily Trump, brushed aside the Democratic debate as a low energy affair. Their view: "None of the Democrats" have the goods to take on Trump in the fall.But when Warren torched the men on stage, the political conversation lit up instantly."Collectively, they have lost ten elections. The only people on this stage who have won every single election that they've been in are the women. Amy (Klobuchar) and me," Warren said.All the six Democratic candidates were meeting onstage for the first time since Trump ordered the killing of Iran's top military commander Qassem Suleimani earlier this month.Almost in real time while the Democratic debate was on, Trump was running his own counter-programming. He rallied his supporters in battleground state Wisconsin defending his decision to kill Suleimani while Democrats droned on that Trump is putting Americans in harm's way.While all this was happening, former New York mayor and billionaire Mike Bloomberg's campaign had a blast, sending out two hours' worth of bizarre tweets while skipping the debate.Bloomberg is self-funding his campaign for president and did not make the cut for the debate basis rules set by the Democratic National Committee. Bloomberg has vowed to get Trump out of the White House and is ready to spend a $1 billion to get the job done."Inside Bloomberg's plan to drive Trump insane" is how a Vanity Fair story begins on Bloomberg's grand scheme.Whether it's the money or that he is spending all his energy on trolling Trump, Bloomberg is steadily rising in the polls despite wading in late. Already, calls for his inclusion on the debate stage are gaining momentum.Sample this from among hundreds of wild tweets posted by the Bloomberg team during the Democratic Debate: "In a Bloomberg Administration, there will be no tweeting from the Oval Office. Just an aggressive number of TikToks."

Can a woman be president? US networks headline gender clash at Democratic debate

With no clear winners emerging from a swiftly shrinking Democratic field, Americas leading newspapers and television networks headlined their coverage of the Democratic debate in Iowa with the gender clash viewers saw on prime time television over a disputed remark on a woman's electability to the White House.

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Republican senators seek accountability for US military equipment in Taliban's hands. Over two dozen Republican senators on Thursday sought accountability from the Biden administration over US military equipment that landed into the hands of the Taliban in Afghanistan."As we watched the images coming out of Afghanistan as the Taliban retook the country, we were horrified to see US equipment including UH-60 Black Hawks in the hands of the Taliban," Republican Senators wrote in a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.In the letter, Senators Bill Cassidy, Marco Rubio and 23 Senate Republicans asked the Biden administration to account for taxpayer-funded American military equipment that may have fallen into the Taliban's hands."It is unconscionable that high-tech military equipment paid for by US taxpayers has fallen into the hands of the Taliban and their terrorist allies. Securing US assets should have been among the top priorities for the US Department of Defense prior to announcing the withdrawal from Afghanistan," the senators wrote.In their letter to Austin, they sought a full account of military equipment provided to the Afghan armed forces last year."An assessment of the likelihood that the Taliban will seek to work with Russia, Pakistan, Iran, or the People's Republic of China for training, fuel, or infrastructure necessary to utilise the equipment they do not have the capabilities to use on their own, the letter said.  /* .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_8840421261 = { "file": "https://vod-indiatv.akamaized.net/hls/2021/08/0_uq28n208/master.m3u8", "image": "https://thumbs.indiatvnews.com/vod/0_uq28n208_big_thumb.jpg", "title": "VIDEO: C-17 Globemaster bringing 290 civilians from Afghanistan to India", "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": "287", "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_8840421261 = ''; jwsetup_8840421261(); function jwsetup_8840421261() { jwvidplayer_8840421261 = jwplayer("jwvidplayer_8840421261").setup(jwconfig_8840421261); jwvidplayer_8840421261.on('ready', function () { ns_.StreamingAnalytics.JWPlayer(jwvidplayer_8840421261, { publisherId: "20465327", labelmapping: "c2=\"20465327\", c3=\"IndiaTV News\", c4=\"null\", c6=\"null\", ns_st_mp=\"jwplayer\", ns_st_cl=\"0\", ns_st_ci=\"0_uq28n208\", ns_st_pr=\"VIDEO: C-17 Globemaster bringing 290 civilians from Afghanistan to India\", ns_st_sn=\"0\", ns_st_en=\"0\", ns_st_ep=\"VIDEO: C-17 Globemaster bringing 290 civilians from Afghanistan to India\", ns_st_ct=\"null\", ns_st_ge=\"News\", ns_st_st=\"VIDEO: C-17 Globemaster bringing 290 civilians from Afghanistan to India\", ns_st_ce=\"0\", ns_st_ia=\"0\", ns_st_ddt=\"2021-08-20\", ns_st_tdt=\"2021-08-20\", ns_st_pu=\"IndiaTV News\", ns_st_cu=\"https://vod-indiatv.akamaized.net/hls/2021/08/0_uq28n208/master.m3u8\", ns_st_ty=\"video\"" }); }); jwvidplayer_8840421261.on('all', function (r) { if (jwvidplayer_8840421261.getState() == 'error' || jwvidplayer_8840421261.getState() == 'setupError') { jwvidplayer_8840421261.stop(); jwvidplayer_8840421261.remove(); jwvidplayer_8840421261 = ''; jwsetup_8840421261(); return; } }); jwvidplayer_8840421261.on('error', function (t) { jwvidplayer_8840421261.stop(); jwvidplayer_8840421261.remove(); jwvidplayer_8840421261 = ''; jwsetup_8840421261(); return; }); jwvidplayer_8840421261.on('mute', function () { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_8840421261.on('adPlay', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_8840421261.on('adPause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_8840421261.on('pause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_8840421261.on('error', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_8840421261.on('adBlock', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); }

Republican senators seek accountability for US military equipment in Taliban's hands

"As we watched the images coming out of Afghanistan as the Taliban retook the country, we were horrified to see US equipment including UH-60 Black Hawks in the hands of the Taliban," Republican Senators wrote in a letter to Defense Secy Lloyd Austin.

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Donald Trump-Kim Jong/File imageUnited States President Donald Trump said he and North Korean leader Kim Jong have gotten along so well that they "fell in love." Trump's light humorous remarks came after Pyongyang's top diplomaat said there was "no way" the country would disarm under current conditions. He (Kim Jong) wrote me beautiful letters, Trump said during a rally in Wheeling, West Virginia."And they are great letters, we fell in love," he quipped. Trump looked optimistic on his country's relations with North Korea in the present time. "We're doing great with North Korea," he said. "We were going to war with North Korea. Millions of people would have been killed. Now we have this great relationship."He said his efforts to improve relations with Kim have brought positive results - ending rocket tests, helping free hostages and getting the remains of American servicemen returned home.He also said that the North Korean leader was interested in a second meeting. The first meeting between both the countries in Singapore in June this year was seen as a big step toward denuclearisation of North Korea by Trump.

'Fell in love with Kim Jong, he wrote me beautiful letters': Donald Trump

Trump's light humorous remarks came after Pyongyang's top diplomaat said there was "no way" the country would disarm under current conditions.

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Three young migrants hold hands as they run in the rain at an intake area after turning themselves in upon crossing the U.S.-Mexico border in Roma, Texas.The Biden administration has begun flying Central American families expelled from the United States deep into Mexico as authorities encounter more families and unaccompanied children at the U.S.-Mexico border, two American officials said Friday.For years, the U.S. government has intermittently flown deported Mexican migrants back home to make it more difficult to try to cross the border again, but this appears to be the first time it has flown Central Americans to Mexico instead of their home countries.The first flight Thursday fell short of its targeted number of passengers because of elevated COVID-19 rates among migrants, according to two officials who are familiar with the policy change and spoke on the condition of anonymity because details were not intended to be made public. Reuters first reported on the change.The flights were expected to continue, with plans for Mexico to deport the migrants to their home countries in Central America, the officials said. One official said the planes have capacity for 135 people.The U.S. Homeland Security Department confirmed that it began expelling migrants by air to Mexico under a pandemic-related authority that prevents migrants from seeking asylum at the border. The department, which did not respond to a question about the nationalities of those aboard Thursday’s flight, said the frequency of repeat crossers and transmissibility of the delta variant of the coronavirus necessitated the move.Mexico’s Foreign Relations Department and immigration agency did not respond to requests for comment Friday. The flights are the Biden administration’s latest attempt to confront growing numbers of migrants.David Shahoulian, Homeland Security assistant secretary for border and immigration policy, said in a recent court filing that July will likely mark the highest number of unaccompanied children picked up at the border and second-highest number of people arriving in families.There are “significantly increased rates” of migrants testing positive for COVID-19, he said without offering more specifics.The administration also began fast-track deportation flights July 30 for Central American families who are not subject to the pandemic-related expulsions. Manuel Padilla, the Border Patrol’s chief of operations, said Friday that those flights have gone to Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras and will continue weekly.“Anyone who doesn’t have legal status in the United States will be returned to their home countries and will not be allowed to stay here,” Padilla said in a conference call for Spanish-language media.The accelerated efforts to expel Central American families have prompted pro-immigration groups to draw parallels to Donald Trump’s presidency.“It is surprising and disappointing to see the U.S. administration implementing such harsh measures at a time when humanitarian needs could not be higher,” said Olga Byrne, director of immigration at the International Rescue Committee.The Trump administration flew many Mexican adults deep into Mexico last year in an effort to deter repeat crossings, which have become common under the pandemic-related authority because there are no legal consequences for getting caught. Those flights, often to Mexico City, Guadalajara, Queretaro or Villahermosa, tapered off early in the Biden administration.The Biden administration also appears to be flying more migrants out of Texas’ Rio Grande Valley, by far the busiest corridor for illegal crossings, to other U.S. border cities. Witness at the Border, an advocacy group that tracks flights, said there were likely 24 flights from Brownsville, Texas, to El Paso, Texas, during July and likely five to San Diego and four to Tucson, Arizona, in the last few days of July.It is unclear how many flown from Rio Grande Valley to other U.S. cities were allowed to remain in the United States to seek asylum and how many were expelled to Mexico. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has not responded to questions about those flights.

US flying Central Americans to Mexico to deter crossings

For years, the U.S. government has intermittently flown deported Mexican migrants back home to make it more difficult to try to cross the border again.

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Seven Chinese universities in top 10 in QS Asia rankings QS Quacquarelli Symonds, a London-based higher education analyst firm, released on Wednesday its latest assessment of Asia's 500 best universities, which saw institutions from China taking seven out of the top 10 slots in the rankings.The top 10 are: National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, the University of Hong Kong, Tsinghua University, Peking University, Zhejiang University, Fudan University, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Xinhua news agency reported."Since the founding of New China 70 years ago, China has achieved great success in modernizing its higher education. Some of China's cutting-edge research areas have started to assume global leading positions," said Dr. Christina Yan Zhang, China director of QS.Among the top 500 institutions assessed, China has the highest number, 165 in total (118 from the Chinese mainland). India follows with 101, Japan with 87 and South Korea with 71.Ten Chinese mainland universities are among the top 50 for academic reputation, an indicator based on a global survey of 94,672 leading academics, while six mainland universities make the top 50 in the employer reputation measure, based on a global survey of 44,884 recruiters, with Peking University ranked first and Tsinghua University second, according to QS.It is in the research indicators that Chinese mainland institutions really shine. There are 25 of them among the top 50 in citations per paper, an indicator measuring the influence of the research papers produced, QS stated.QS has been compiling university rankings since 2004, when it published the inaugural "QS World University Rankings." Since then, the rankings have grown to be one the world's most popular sources of comparative data about university performance.ALSO READ | Trump signs bills in support of Hong Kong; China furiousALSO READ | 90 more students, mostly from India, held from fake US university

Seven Chinese universities in top 10 in QS Asia rankings

"Since the founding of New China 70 years ago, China has achieved great success in modernizing its higher education. Some of China's cutting-edge research areas have started to assume global leading positions," said Dr. Christina Yan Zhang, China director of QS. Among the top 500 institutions assessed, China has the highest number, 165 in total (118 from the Chinese mainland). India follows with 101, Japan with 87 and South Korea with 71.

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FILE - Elon Musk founder, CEO, and chief engineer/designer of SpaceX speaks during a news conference Elon Musk bought Twitter for roughly $44 billion on Monday, promising a more lenient touch to policing content on the social media platform where he — the world’s richest person — promotes his interests, attacks critics and opines on a wide range of issues to his more than 83 million followers. Now, the outspoken Tesla CEO has said he wants to own and privatize Twitter because he thinks it’s not living up to its potential as a platform for free speech.In a joint statement with Twitter, Musk voiced he wants to make the service 'better than ever' with new features. He also said he wants the social media platform to get rid of automated spam accounts, making its algorithms open to the public to increase trust.“Free speech is the bedrock of a functioning democracy, and Twitter is the digital town square where matters vital to the future of humanity are debated,” Musk said, adding hearts, stars and rocket emojis in a tweet that highlighted the statement.Elon Musk and the Twitter deal The deal was cemented roughly two weeks after the billionaire first revealed a 9 per cent stake in the platform. Last week, Musk had said he had lined up $46.5 billion in financing to buy Twitter, putting pressure on the company’s board to negotiate a deal.Twitter said the transaction was unanimously approved by its board of directors and is expected to close in 2022, pending regulatory sign-off and the approval of shareholders.Meanwhile, shares of Twitter Inc. rose more than 5 per cent Monday to $51.70 per share. On April 14, Musk announced an offer to buy Twitter for $54.20 per share. While the stock is up sharply since Musk made his offer, it is well below the high of $77 per share it reached in February 2021.Musk to go stricter with Twitter?Musk has described himself as a “free-speech absolutist” but is also known for blocking or disparaging other Twitter users who question or disagree with him.In recent weeks, he has proposed relaxing Twitter content restrictions — such as the rules that suspended former President Donald Trump’s account — while ridding the platform of fake “spambot” accounts and shifting away from advertising as its primary revenue model. Musk believes he can increase revenue through subscriptions that give paying customers a better experience — possibly even an ad-free version of Twitter.Asked during a recent TED interview if there are any limits to his notion of “free speech,” Musk said Twitter would abide by national laws that restrict speech around the world. Beyond that, he said, he’d be “very reluctant” to delete posts or permanently ban users who violate the company’s rules.It won’t be perfect, Musk added, “but I think we want it to really have the perception and reality that speech is as free as reasonably possible.”Twitter goes to Musk - Why is Trump a 'big deal'?After the deal was announced, the NAACP released a statement urging Musk not to allow Trump, the 45th president, back onto the platform.“Do not allow 45 to return to the platform,” the civil rights organization said in a statement. “Do not allow Twitter to become a petri dish for hate speech or falsehoods that subvert our democracy.”As both candidate and president, Trump made Twitter a powerful megaphone for speaking directly to the public, often using incendiary and divisive language on hot-button issues. He was permanently banned from the service in the aftermath of the January 6 storming of the Capitol.Advertisers, currently Twitter’s main customers, have also pushed for the stronger content rules Musk has criticized. Keeping them happy requires moderation limiting hate speech so that brands aren’t trying to promote their products next to “calls for genocide,” said Siva Vaidhyanathan, a media studies professor at the University of Virginia.Musk’s pledge to make Twitter a haven for free speech could dim the appeal of Donald Trump’s troubled Truth Social app, which the former president has touted as a competitor to Twitter that would cater to conservatives. Truth Social is part of Trump’s new media company, which has agreed to be taken public by Digital World Acquisition Corp. Shares of DWAC dropped 16.2 per cent Monday and are down 46 per cent since Musk revealed his stake in Twitter.Meanwhile, some users said Monday that they were planning to quit the platform if Musk took it over. To which he responded on Twitter: “I hope that even my worst critics remain on Twitter, because that is what free speech means.”While Twitter’s user base of more than 200 million remains much smaller than those of rivals such as Facebook and TikTok, the service is popular with celebrities, world leaders, journalists and intellectuals. Musk himself is a prolific tweeter with a following that rivals several pop stars in the ranks of the most popular accounts.Musk has a fortune of nearly $268 billion, much of which is tied up in Tesla stock and SpaceX, his privately held space company. It’s unclear how much cash Musk holds.How did luck happen to Elon Musk?Musk began making his fortune in 1999 when he sold Zip2, an online mapping and business directory, to Compaq for $307 million. He used his share to create what would become PayPal, an internet service that bypassed banks and allowed consumers to pay businesses directly. It was sold to eBay for $1.5 billion in 2002.That same year, Musk founded Space Exploration Technologies, or SpaceX, after finding that cost constraint were limiting NASA’s interplanetary travel. The company eventually developed cost-effective reusable rockets.In 2004, Musk was courted to invest in Tesla, then a startup trying to build an electric car. Eventually, he became CEO and led the company to astronomical success as the world’s most valuable automaker and largest seller of electric vehicles.(With inputs from AP)Also Read | Musk declines climate change meet with Gates as latter admits to holding position on Tesla stock

Musk takes Twitter; says he wants to 'privatise' platform, promises more lenient touch to policing content

Elon Musk has described himself as a “free-speech absolutist” but is also known for blocking or disparaging other Twitter users who question or disagree with him.

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Mahinda RajapaksaIn a move to end the ongoing political crisis in the country after failing to prove his majority twice, controversially appointed Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on Sunday demanded holding a snap parliamentary pollsThe island nation has been witnessing a political crisis in the wake of President Maithripapala Sirisena's controversial move to sack prime minister Ranil Wickeremesinghe and install Rajapaksa in his place on October 26.Related Stories Sri Lankan Parliament passes no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Mahinda RajapaksaSri Lanka Crisis: All-party meeting inconclusive, political stalemate continuesSri Lanka Political Crisis: Parliament to meet again on FridaySirisena later dissolved Parliament, almost 20 months before its term was to end, and ordered snap election. The Supreme Court overturned Sirisena's decision to dissolve Parliament and halted the preparations for snap polls.Both Wickremesinghe and Rajapaksa claim to be the prime ministers. Wickremesinghe says his dismissal is invalid because he still holds a majority in the 225-member Parliament. In a statement, Rajapaksa cites occasions in the history when Parliament had been dissolved to call parliamentary elections in Sri Lanka to avoid crisis and bring in political stability. "The only way to restore stability to a destabilised democracy will be through a general election. According to our Constitution, sovereignty is vested in the people and not in Parliament," the former strongman said.Rajapaksa has, so far, failed to prove his majority in Parliament.Wickremesinghe, with the support from the main Tamil party, claims to have the support of more than 113 legislators, required for simple majority.Speculation are that President Sirisena may remove Rajapaksa on Wednesday when another motion would be taken up in Parliament and is defeated. Following the vote, Sirisena would be forced to appoint a new prime minister and a Cabinet.The Sri Lankan president has said that due to sharp personal differences with Wickremesinghe he would not reappoint him as the Prime Minister. However, Wickremesinghe's UNP claims that Sirisena will be left with no choice as he would be the man who will command the confidence in the House.In the statement, Rajapaksa also slammed Wickremesinghe's UNP of feeling shy of contesting a fresh poll. The UNP has said that any election now would be unconstitutional, without restoring the pre-October 26 status.( With inputs from PTI )

Sri Lanka political crisis: Mahinda Rajapaksa calls for snap polls

In a statement, Rajapaksa cites occasions in the history when Parliament had been dissolved to call parliamentary elections in Sri Lanka to avoid crisis and bring in political stability.

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The chill in the Indo-Pak relationship reflected at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Monday with a senior Indian diplomat responding with a curt 'namaskar' to an extended hand of a member of the Pakistani delegation.Ahead of the hearing in the Kulbhushan Jadhav case at the ICJ yesterday, Deepak Mittal, the head of the Pakistan division in the External Affairs Ministry, ignored the handshake gesture by Mohammad Faisal, Pakistan's DG for South Asia and SAARC, and offered a 'namaskar' instead. Interestingly, Mittal, who was representing India in the retired Navy officer's case at the ICJ, shook hands with some of the Pakistan delegation members, including the Pakistani attorney general, the main lawyer in the case from the Pakistan government. Last week also, frosty Indo-Pak relations were on full display when Finance Minister Arun Jaitley was on the dais with his Pakistani counterpart at an event in Japan. There is increasing strain in Indo-Pak ties in the aftermath of the Jadhav episode and the beheading of two Indian soldiers by the Pakistan Army. Indo-Pakistan face off has reached the ICJ after 18 years. The last time it was Islamabad that had sought ICJ's intervention over the shooting down of its naval aircraft. On May 8, India moved the ICJ against the death penalty handed down to Jadhav by a Pakistan military court, alleging violation of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. On May 9, the highest court in the UN gave Jadhav a lease of life. India, in its appeal to the ICJ, had asserted that Jadhav was kidnapped from Iran where he was involved in business activities after retiring from the Indian Navy. India has denied that he has any connection with the government.India has accused Pakistan of violating the Vienna Convention and conducting a "farcical trial" for convicting Jadhav without a "shred of evidence". India demanded the immediate suspension of Jadhav's death sentence, expressing fears that Pakistan could execute him even before the hearing at the ICJ was over. However, Pakistan asserted that Jadhav's execution was not imminent, saying that a time frame of 150 days is provided for seeking clemency and in Jadhav's case even if it started on April 10, 2017, the date of his conviction, the period could extend to well beyond August, 2017. After hearing the arguments of the two sides, the court said it will issue its order on India's request for provisional measures "as soon as possible". Pakistan asserted that Jadhav's execution was not imminent, saying that a time frame of 150 days is provided for seeking clemency and in Jadhav's case even if it started on April 10, 2017, the date of his conviction, the period could extend to well beyond August, 2017.(With PTI inputs) 

When Indian diplomat responded with a curt 'namaskar' to Pakistan DG’s handshake gesture

A senior Indian diplomat responded with a curt namaskar to an extended hand of a member of the Pakistani delegation.

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 India had moved the International Court of Justice in May last year after Mr Jadhav, 48, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of espionage.Pakistan on Tuesday submitted its second counter reply to India's arguments in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the conviction of Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court in April last year on charges of "espionage". Director India Dr. Fareha Bugti submitted the dossier, along with Waseem Shahzad, an officer of the Embassy of Pakistan at the ICJ, said media reports.Pakistan's rejoinder to India's last reply on April 17 has been prepared by a team of experts lead by the country's attorney general Khalid Javed Khan. The UN Court will now fix the matter for hearing, which is likely to take place next year.Related Stories India awaits consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav: MEA India dismisses credibility of new Jadhav video, advises Pak to stop 'propagandistic exercises'Kulbhushan Jadhav case: ICJ fixes deadline for filing of written pleadings by India, Pakistan India files fresh pleadings in ICJ in Kulbhushan Jadhav case India had moved the International Court of Justice in May last year after Mr Jadhav, 48, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of espionage.A 10-member bench of the International Court of Justice on May 18 had restrained Pakistan from executing Jadhav till adjudication of the case.In its written plea, India had highlighted Pakistan's violation of the Vienna Convention by not giving consular access to Mr Jadhav, arguing that the convention did not say that such access would not be available to an individual arrested on espionage charges.In response, Pakistan through its counter-memorial on December 13 told the ICJ that the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations 1963 applied only to legitimate visitors and did not cover clandestine operations.In their statement, Pakistan continued to call Mr Jadhav, who was in Iran for business when he was kidnapped, as "a serving naval officer". The statement came despite India making it clear that he had retired from the navy and was in Iran to pursue business interests.Pakistan, in their reply, further claimed that Mr Jadhav "was on active duty", and that "he was a spy sent on a special mission." Both claims, that have been rejected by India.India has been maintaining that the trial of Mr Jadhav by a military court in Pakistan was "farcical".Pakistan claims that its security forces arrested Mr Jadhav from Balochistan on March 3, 2016 after he allegedly entered from Iran.India maintains that Mr Jadhav was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the navy. Mr Jadhav's sentencing had evoked a sharp reaction in India.

Kulbhushan Jadhav case: Pakistan files 400-page second counter reply to India at ICJ

Pakistan's rejoinder to India's last reply on April 17 has been prepared by a team of experts lead by the country's attorney general Khalid Javed Khan.

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Indian tricolor lights would be turned on at sunset on August 15 New York City timeIndependence Day 2021: Three iconic buildings in America's New York City will illuminate with the Indian Tricolour on the occasion of the 75th Independence Day 2021 on August 15. American community the South Asian Engagement Fund on Friday took to Twitter to make this announcement. The buildings also include the One World Trade Center.The community has encouraged people to head to the WTC Podium in the city to experience the Tricolour display that is scheduled to take place at 07:54 PM tomorrow. The lighting could also be viewed live at http://saef-us.org/TriColorNYC  from anywhere in the world. “This initiative commemorates the world’s largest democracy - India entering its 75th year of Independence,” South Asian Engagement Foundation said in a press release.One World Trade Center’s 408 feet tall and 758-tonne spire as well as its podium will be covered in hues of the Indian flag. The One World Trade Center is the tallest building in America that stands on the site of the 9/11 terror attacks.The lights would be turned on at sunset on August 15 New York City time on One World Trade Center, One Bryant Park, and One Five One until 2 am.The founding trustee of the foundation, Rahul Walia, described the event as a “historic moment commemorating India’s Independence and most importantly the expression of love between the US and India." "We hope to continue the tradition and enhance the experience for everyone with more imagery on the podium,” Walia said in the release.

Independence Day 2021: One World Trade Centre to be lit in Indian Tricolour

The One World Trade Centre in New York City will illuminate with the Indian Tricolor on the occasion of 75th Independence Day 2021.

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First coronavirus case in Sri Lanka Sri Lanka on Wednesday announced its first coronavirus case, a 52-year-old tour guide who had come in contact with a group of Italian tourists. The man has been kept at the isolation ward of the Infectious Diseases Hospital in North Colombo, Director General of Health Services Anil Jasinghe said in a statement.The man, a tour guide by profession, had worked with a group of Italian tourists and contracted the virus, according to a statement released by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's office.COVID-19 has so far killed 631 people and infected over 10,000 in Italy. The Lankan authorities are gathering information on the places visited by the Italian tour group.The island nation has announced several measures in recent weeks to try and stop the spread of viral infection in the country. It has started quarantining returnees from Italy, South Korea, and Iran -- the countries experiencing major outbreaks of the coronavirus.Sri Lanka on Monday suspended Buddhist pilgrimage tours to India, saying these trips are mostly undertaken by elderly people who are most vulnerable to COVID-19.The religious tour, popularly known as 'Dambadiva Vandana', involves trips to Buddhist shrines in Bodhgaya, Varanasi, and Sarnath in India and Lumbini in Nepal.As part of the government's precautionary measures, the Sri Lankan Airlines suspended flights to China and Saudi Arabia indefinitely. Last month, a female Chinese tourist, who was suspected of contracting COVID-19, was discharged from a hospital in Lanka.The global death toll from the new coronavirus has crossed 4,250 and the outbreak has spread to over 100 countries.ALSO READ | Coronavirus outbreak: UK Health Minister Nadine Dorries tests positiveALSO READ | Coronavirus cases rise to 18 in Pakistan

Sri Lanka announces first coronavirus case

Sri Lanka on Wednesday announced its first coronavirus case, a 52-year-old tour guide who had come in contact with a group of Italian tourists.

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Over 500 medics, 40 journalists infected with COVID-19 in PakistanOver 500 medical staff and 40 journalists in Pakistan have been infected by the novel coronavirus so far, according to a government report on Monday. According to the official data, "503 medics including 250 doctors and 110 nurses contacted the deadly virus while treating COVID-19 patients in hospitals. Most of the infected medics belong to Punjab province of Pakistan."It said five doctors are among 13 medics who lost their lives to the virus. Dr Furqanul Haq is the third doctor in Karachi who fell victim to the disease on Sunday. Dr Haq allegedly died because of non-availability of ventilator. The government has announced launching investigation into the matter.Doctors across the country have been complaining for weeks that they are not being provided with the personal protective equipment, making them vulnerable to the virus.They have also urged the federal and provincial governments to impose a strict lockdown as if the number of coronavirus patients increases manifold the country’s healthcare system cannot accommodate them.Similarly, as many as 40 journalists have tested coronavirus positive in the country, said a government official."Three of them have fallen victim to it,” he added.Mohsin Naqvi, the owner of the 24 News, confirmed that more than 30 members of his staff including journalists contracted the virus."We have decided to close down the head office from Monday onwards till further notice. We have moved all necessary operations to some other place to keep our screen up. Nearly 90 per cent of our staff will be working from home,” Naqvi said in a tweet.The confirmed COVID-19 cases have crossed 20,000 in Pakistan with 476 deaths.

Over 500 medics, 40 journalists infected with COVID-19 in Pakistan

Over 500 medical staff and 40 journalists in Pakistan have been infected by the novel coronavirus so far, according to a government report on Monday.

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In a move that stumped Pakistan, the Taliban freed all 4000 fighters affiliated to the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). An earlier report by India Narrative said that the "TTP's leaders are seen threatening Pakistan and promising to establish Khulafat system and Sharia in Pakistan."The Imran Khan government, which is already under pressure for being unable to exit the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, has reasons to be seriously worried after the ISIS-K driven twin bomb blast in Kabul left at least 100 dead and many injured.Islamabad has been in the grip of an intense of "triumphalism" as the Taliban assumed power in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of US troops but "deep down" there are concerns as it could once again be in the spotlight for its direct links with terror outfits.Pakistan based think tank Tabadlab estimated a cumulative real GDP loss of approximately $38 billion that Pakistan has incurred between 2008 and 2019 on account of FATF grey-listing.Given that Islamabad has been making all attempts to come out of this list, it would hope that the Taliban 2.0 are different from the earlier avatar and that they put up a more liberal and inclusive face.Former Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan TCA Raghavan, speaking at the webinar organised by India Writes Network, noted that while there is a sense of triumphalism in Pakistan at the defeat and "humiliation" of the US in Afghanistan, Islamabad too never expected the "unilateralist" Taliban to grab power so rapidly."I don't think they expected quite such a walkover..and certainly, they are worried about the implications now of a Taliban, which is unilateralist, which is backward looking, which draws Western and the US negative sentiments, and makes Pakistan again, the eye of Western and American censure," Raghavan said.Concerns for Beijing have also risen especially after the recent suicide attack at Gwadar in Balochistan province – close to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) construction site. The attack was targeted at Chinese nationals. In another major setback, last month, a blast on a bus in Pakistan's Khyber-Paktunkhwa in July left nine Chinese nationals dead.ALSO READ | Afghanistan: Khalil Haqqani, Taliban's new head of security in Kabul was designated a 'terrorist' by US"Undercurrents between the two allies (Pakistan and China) have emerged after the attacks …for China CPEC is a jewel in the crown and the latter will be closely monitoring security related issues…the recent attacks have suddenly changed the contours," an analyst told India Narrative.The Taliban comprise several factions, few of which are anti-Pakistan.According to Brookings, the beneficiary of the collapse of the Afghan government is likely to be the Pakistan Taliban who have been at war with the Pakistani army for years. The Afghan Taliban that have a "murky relationship with their Pakistani fellow believers" are anti-Shiite. "That will increase sectarian tension in Pakistan which has a much larger Shiite population than Afghanistan," the report said."From whatever one knows about the history of the 1990s, controlling groups, controlling militias, such as the Mujahideen earlier, or the Taliban now, is not an easy process. So, I don't think we should ever magnify the Pakistani establishment or the Pakistani military or the ISI to be supermen, that they can exercise the extent of control, which in fact, the Taliban itself does not have, over itself," Raghavan said.In a move that stumped Pakistan, the Taliban freed all 4000 fighters affiliated to the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). An earlier report by India Narrative said that the "TTP's leaders are seen threatening Pakistan and promising to establish Khulafat system and Sharia in Pakistan."The TTP has been responsible for the majority deaths of civilians and security forces since 2007. In December 2014, it carried out a ghastly attack at Peshawar Army Public School leaving more than 130 children and staff members dead.ALSO READ | Vast majority of Indians who wish to return have been evacuated: MEA on Kabul evacuation /* .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_6977379161 = { "file": "https://vod-indiatv.akamaized.net/hls/2021/08/0_0s5fghlr/master.m3u8", "image": "https://thumbs.indiatvnews.com/vod/0_0s5fghlr_big_thumb.jpg", "title": "WATCH: New video shows aftermath of blasts at Kabul airport", "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": "573", "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_6977379161 = ''; jwsetup_6977379161(); function jwsetup_6977379161() { jwvidplayer_6977379161 = jwplayer("jwvidplayer_6977379161").setup(jwconfig_6977379161); jwvidplayer_6977379161.on('ready', function () { ns_.StreamingAnalytics.JWPlayer(jwvidplayer_6977379161, { publisherId: "20465327", labelmapping: "c2=\"20465327\", c3=\"IndiaTV News\", c4=\"null\", c6=\"null\", ns_st_mp=\"jwplayer\", ns_st_cl=\"0\", ns_st_ci=\"0_0s5fghlr\", ns_st_pr=\"WATCH: New video shows aftermath of blasts at Kabul airport\", ns_st_sn=\"0\", ns_st_en=\"0\", ns_st_ep=\"WATCH: New video shows aftermath of blasts at Kabul airport\", ns_st_ct=\"null\", ns_st_ge=\"News\", ns_st_st=\"WATCH: New video shows aftermath of blasts at Kabul airport\", ns_st_ce=\"0\", ns_st_ia=\"0\", ns_st_ddt=\"2021-08-27\", ns_st_tdt=\"2021-08-27\", ns_st_pu=\"IndiaTV News\", ns_st_cu=\"https://vod-indiatv.akamaized.net/hls/2021/08/0_0s5fghlr/master.m3u8\", ns_st_ty=\"video\"" }); }); jwvidplayer_6977379161.on('all', function (r) { if (jwvidplayer_6977379161.getState() == 'error' || jwvidplayer_6977379161.getState() == 'setupError') { jwvidplayer_6977379161.stop(); jwvidplayer_6977379161.remove(); jwvidplayer_6977379161 = ''; jwsetup_6977379161(); return; } }); jwvidplayer_6977379161.on('error', function (t) { jwvidplayer_6977379161.stop(); jwvidplayer_6977379161.remove(); jwvidplayer_6977379161 = ''; jwsetup_6977379161(); return; }); jwvidplayer_6977379161.on('mute', function () { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_6977379161.on('adPlay', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_6977379161.on('adPause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_6977379161.on('pause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_6977379161.on('error', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_6977379161.on('adBlock', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); }

Pakistan has reasons to be seriously worried after ISIS-K's Kabul airport serial blasts

The Taliban comprise several factions, few of which are anti-Pakistan. According to Brookings, the beneficiary of the collapse of the Afghan government is likely to be the Pakistan Taliban who have been at war with the Pakistani army for years.

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COVID-19 lab leak theory unlikely: ReportThe theory that Covid-19 is the result of the virus jumping from animals to humans is much more likely than the much prevalent lab leak, say, researchers.In a critical review published in the peer-reviewed journal Cell, 21 scientific experts from across the world presented evidence that an infected animal passing the SARS-CoV-2 virus to a human at a live animal market in China's Wuhan is much more probable than the novel disease originating from a laboratory accident, a theory that has received attention in the media."The discussion over the origins of the pandemic has become politicized and heated, and we felt the time was right to take a critical look at all of the available evidence," said Stephen Goldstein, an evolutionary virologist at the University of Utah Health.According to researchers, maps pinpointing geographic locations of the first wave of Covid-19 cases in December 2019, show they initially emerged close to the site of the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan, as well as other markets reported to have live animal trading.In the weeks following, cases radiated outward geographically. Those cases were followed by excessive deaths in January 2020, a second marker of how the virus spread through the population. Similarly, those deaths were initially localized to near the animal markets."It tells us where the epidemic began and where intense transmission began," Goldstein noted. "This suggests that the epidemic began in markets in this district: the Huanan market and possibly other markets as well."On the other hand, there is a lack of evidence for a laboratory leak. The Wuhan Institute of Virology often cited as the source of a slab leak, is a distance away from the live animal markets from where the first cases reportedly emerged, said the researchers.Moreover, there are no signs of man-made changes to the virus, the researchers said.A recurring argument for the lab leak theory is that the virus, SARS-CoV-2, carries a specific short genetic code that is sometimes engineered into laboratory products, called a furin cleavage site.To investigate, researchers have previously analyzed genetic sequences from multiple coronaviruses and found the code in question to be commonplace among them. The team further determined that the specific code in SARS-CoV-2 is imperfect and therefore would not perform its function well."There is no logical reason why an engineered virus would utilize such a suboptimal furin cleavage site, which would entail such an unusual and needlessly complex feat of genetic engineering," the researchers said.

COVID-19 lab leak theory unlikely: Report

In a critical review published in the peer-reviewed journal Cell, 21 scientific experts from across the world presented evidence that an infected animal passing the SARS-CoV-2 virus to a human at a live animal market in China's Wuhan is much more probable than the novel disease originating from a laboratory accident, a theory that has received attention in the media.

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US revises its travel advisory for Pakistan, places it at Level 3The United States has revised its travel advisory for Pakistan, bringing it down to Level 3 category of 'reconsider travel' from the previous Level 4 of 'do not travel' category. India, which was placed in the Level 4 category on August 6 due to the increased cases of the novel coronavirus, continues to be in the "do not travel" advisory of the State Department."Reconsider travel to Pakistan due to COVID-19 and terrorism," the State Department said in its latest travel advisory on Tuesday, replacing the August 10 travel advisory that had placed Pakistan in the highest Level 4 category.It urged the US citizens not to travel to Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) provinces due to terrorism and kidnapping, and the immediate vicinity of the Line of Control due to terrorism and the potential for armed conflict, it said.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 3 Travel Health Notice for Pakistan due to COVID-19, it said.The Pakistan government has lifted stay-at-home orders and allowed the resumption of intercity domestic travel and mass transit services in most cities, it said.According to the State Department, Pakistan's security environment had improved since 2014 when Pakistani security forces undertook concerted counter-terrorism and counter-militant operations.There are greater security resources and infrastructure in the major cities, particularly Islamabad, and security forces in these areas may be more readily able to respond to an emergency compared to other areas of the country.While threats still exist, terrorist attacks are rare in Islamabad, it said.Noting that terrorist groups continue plotting attacks in Pakistan, the State Department said that a local history of terrorism and ongoing ideological aspirations of violence by extremist elements have led to indiscriminate attacks on civilians as well as local military and police targets.Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting transportation hubs, markets, shopping malls, military installations, airports, universities, tourist locations, schools, hospitals, places of worship, and government facilities. Terrorists have targeted US diplomats and diplomatic facilities in the past, it said.Terrorist attacks continue to happen across Pakistan, with most occurring in Balochistan and KPK. Large-scale terrorist attacks have resulted in numerous casualties, the advisory said.(With agency inputs)

Reconsider travel: US revises travel advisory for Pakistan, places it at Level 3

The United States has revised its travel advisory for Pakistan, bringing it down to Level 3 category of 'reconsider travel' from the previous Level 4 of 'do not travel' category.

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RepresentationalIn a Dubai court, an Indian man is facing murder charges for allegedly killing his roommate for talking loudly on his cell phone, according to a media report. At the Court of First Instance, a construction worker (37) has been charged with murder and consuming alcohol without a license, the Khaleej Times reported. The next trial is on October 7.On March 30 in Al Qusais, the Indian worker, who was drunk, fatally stabbed the victim during a farewell party for the latter, a witness said. The victim was due to leave for his home country.  A brawl erupted between the accused and the victim over latter talking loudly on his mobile phone, the witness was quoted as saying. "The accused picked a knife from beneath a bed and stabbed the victim in the abdomen. He then pulled the knife and rushed out," he said.As shown in the forensic report, the cause of the death was severe bleeding because of a deep stab wound, the report said. (With PTI inputs)

Indian man kills roommate for talking loudly on phone in Dubai

As shown in the forensic report, the cause of the death was severe bleeding because of a deep stab wound, the report said.

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Musharraf death sentence unconstitutional: Lahore High CourtIn a major relief for Pakistan's self-exiled former military dictator, a top court in Lahore on Monday quashed Pervez Musharraf's death sentence and termed as "unconstitutional" the formation of a special tribunal that tried him for high treason. The special court of Islamabad on December 17 last handed down the death penalty to 74-year-old Musharraf after six years of hearing the high-profile treason case against him. The case was filed by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government in 2013.A three-member full bench of the Lahore High Court comprising Justices Syed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, Mohammad Ameer Bhatti and Chaudhry Masood Jahangir unanimously declared the formation of the special court against Musharraf as "unconstitutional".The court also ruled that the treason case against Musharraf was not prepared in accordance with the law.After Monday's ruling, the special court's verdict stands void, Dawn reported, quoting both the government and Musharraf's lawyers as saying.The decision came in response to a petition filed by Musharraf challenging the formation of the special court for the high treason case against him.In his petition, Musharraf had asked the court to set aside the special court's verdict for being illegal, without jurisdiction and unconstitutional, while also seeking suspension of the verdict till a decision on his petition was made.Additional Attorney-General Ishtiaq Ahmad Khan earlier told the court that the formation of the special court to try Musharraf under Article 6 of the Constitution was not part of the agenda of federal cabinet meetings of the government of then prime minister Nawaz Sharif."The special court was constituted without the formal approval of the cabinet," Khan said in court. He also maintained that the charges filed against the former president were flimsy since, under the emergency powers of the executive, fundamental rights could be suspended.Justice Naqvi had asked the federal government on Friday to submit a summary on the formation of the special court and had directed the government's lawyer to present arguments on Monday.Musharraf ruled Pakistan from 1999 to 2008 and lives in Dubai in self-imposed exile.The PML-N government had filed the treason case against the former army chief in 2013 over the imposition of an extra-constitutional emergency in November 2007, which led to the confinement of a number of superior court judges in their houses and sacking of over 100 judges.In August 2008, he finally resigned in the face of impeachment proceedings by the new governing coalition, going into exile until his ill-starred homecoming in 2013, exiling himself once more three years later. Also Read: Pakistani driver turns savior for Indian girl in DubaiAlso Read: Pak Bar Council slams Army for criticising court verdict in Musharraf treason case

Musharraf death sentence unconstitutional: Lahore High Court

The special court of Islamabad on December 17 last handed down the death penalty to 74-year-old Musharraf after six years of hearing the high-profile treason case against him.

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Representative ImageLaser guns and beams are no longer the fodder of science fiction and 'Star Wars' movies. China has made this fictional concept a reality-it has reportedly developed a gun that can fire at targets from half-mile away using an energy beam that can tear into human tissues.The ZKZM-500 laser assault rifle can strike a target from half-mile away, causing 'instant carbonisation of human skin and tissue'. The weapon includes a silent, invisible 'energy beam', that cannot be seen with the naked eye, but can pass through windows and is able to  burn clothes in a split second and set a person on fire.Powered by a lithium battery that can be recharged, the gun can potentially fire 1000 times with each fire lasting two seconds. The gun can also be mounted on cars, boats and planes for varying operations.It is learnt that the ZKZM-500 is all set for mass production and that the first batch of the guns would be given for anti-terrorism operations as its benefits in hostage situation could be enormous. At an estimated price of US$15,000 per unit, the gun could also be one of the most expensive when mass produced.The construction of laser guns by China have already sent alarming waves in the United States. The US Navy recently announced its own  $300 million  research fund aimed at creating a family of laser weapons for its fleet.Earlier in 2016, the US military said it would be deploying laser weapons as early as 2023.

China builds 'Laser Gun' that can penetrate into human body from half-mile away: DETAILS INSIDE

The ZKZM-500 laser assault rifle can strike a target from half-mile away, causing 'instant carbonisation of human skin and tissue'.

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99-year-old Brazilian World War II veteran recovers from COVID-19A 99-year-old Brazilian World War II veteran was discharged from the Armed Forces Hospital in Brasilia on Tuesday after recovering from the COVID-19.Ernando Piveta, who had been a member of the Brazilian Expeditionary Force, was admitted to the hospital on April 6 and treated in the facility's "COVID ward" after testing positive for the virus, the Defence Ministry said, Xinhua news agency reported.The ministry noted he was discharged on the same day as the 75th anniversary of the Taking of Montese, a successful campaign by Brazilian troops in Italy during the war.Born on October 7, 1920, Piveta received the Medal of Victory from Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro last year for his service to the nation.ALSO READ | Coronavirus pandemic puts over 117 million children at risk of missing out first measles vaccineALSO READ | Coronavirus Pandemic: Donald Trump says will let States decide on reopening economy

99-year-old Brazilian World War II veteran recovers from COVID-19

Ernando Piveta, who had been a member of the Brazilian Expeditionary Force, was admitted to the hospital on April 6 and treated in the facility's "COVID ward" after testing positive for the virus, the Defence Ministry said, Xinhua news agency reported.

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A powerful magnitude 7.3 earthquake hit the mountainous region along the border between Iran and Iraq on Sunday, killing at least 407 people and injuring over 6,500.The powerful earthquake sent residents fleeing their homes into the night and was felt as far away as the Mediterranean coast.The highest casualties occurred in the town of Sarpol-e Zahab, in Iran’s Kermanshah Province. The National Disaster Management Organization of Iran said 328 people were confirmed dead as of Monday noon, Press TV reported. Some 2530 others were injured.Power cuts had been reported in Kermanshah and houses in some western Iranian villages have been damaged to various degrees. A few others were  The most extensive damage was in the town of Darbandikhan, 75 kilometers east of the city of Sulaimaniyah in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region.The US Geological Survey said the epicentre of the quake was 32 kilometers outside the eastern Iraqi city of Halabja at the depth of 23.2 km. It reported the time of the quake as 9:18 pm local time, November 12. The USGS had earlier reported the magnitude as 7.2 which it later revised to 7.3. According to reports, the quake and its aftershocks have been felt in many Iranian provinces, including Kordestan, Kermanshah, Ilam, Khuzestan, Hamedan, West Azarbaijan, East Azarbaijan, Lorestan, Tehran, Qazvin, Zanjan and Qom.The tremor triggered landslides in the mountainous region that were hindering the rescue effort, officials said. Head of Iran's emergency medical services, Pirhossein Koulivand, said it was "difficult to send rescue teams to the villages because the roads have been cut off... there have been landslides." The worst-hit towns in Iran were Qasr-e Shirin in Kermanshah and Azgaleh, about 40 kilometres northwest, IRNA said. Koulivand earlier told a local television station that the earthquake knocked out electricity in Iran's western cities of Mehran and Ilam. 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Iran was hit by a major earthquake in 2003 when a tremor struck its Bam city in the southeastern province of Kerman, killing over 26,000 people and injuring even more. The magnitude 6.6 earthquake flattened the historic city.Since then, Iran has experienced two major quake disasters, one in 2005 that killed more than 600 and another in 2012 that left around 300 dead. 

Iran-Iraq earthquake: Death toll mounts to 407, over 6,500 injured

A powerful magnitude 7.3 earthquake hit the mountainous region along the border between Iran and Iraq on Sunday, killing at least 407 people and injuring over 6,500.

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People wearing sanitary masks walk past the Duomo Gothic cathedral in Milan, Italy, on Sunday, Feb 23, 2020 (file photo)Italy is yet to reach the peak when it comes to the number of coronavirus infections, the head of the country's national health institute  Silvio Brusaferro was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency on Friday. The remarks came a day after the European Union (EU) country reported more than 6,000 positive cases and 712 deaths in a 24-hour time period, the news agency noted.Notably, coronavirus has wreaked havoc in Italy, with the country reporting the highest number of deaths due to the virus in the world after coronavirus first surfaced in China's Hubei province last year.“We haven’t reached the peak and we haven’t passed it,” Brusaferro, who heads the Superior Health Institute, reportedly said in a press conference. He added that there were "signs of a slowdown" in terms of the number of people being affected and the "peak" may not be far ahead.“When the descent begins, how steep it is will depend on our behaviour," the UK-based agency quoted him as saying, in an apparent reference to how much the Italians would adhere to the government lockdown in place to check the further spread of the virus.As of March 27, the US positive cases' count surpassed China, while Italy reported the largest number of deaths.With a death toll of more than 8,200, more people have died in Italy due to the coronavirus than any other country in the world.The global case count of positive cases stood at over 5.52 lakh, as of March 27, with the overall death count crossing 25,000 on the day.Also read: UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock tests positive for coronavirus

After more than 8,000 deaths, Italy yet to hit coronavirus 'peak', warns country's national health chief

With a death toll of more than 8,200, more people have died in Italy due to the coronavirus than any other country in the world

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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is hitting the send button on President Donald Trump's impeachmentHouse Speaker Nancy Pelosi is hitting the send button on President Donald Trump's impeachment. That's after she paused the whole constitutional matter, producing a three-week standoff with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and complicating the campaigning picture for the five Democratic senators in the White House race. By Friday, three weeks before the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses, what leverage Pelosi, D-Calif., had possessed was in question.She wanted McConnell to allow witnesses and documents. He answered that those decisions would be made later — by the Republican-controlled Senate, not anyone in the Democratic-run House. With 51 votes for that plan, McConnell never budged. Yet it now appears at least a few Republicans are open to witness testimony once the trial begins.SHE'S READYPelosi insisted for weeks that she would send the articles when she was ready.“Probably,” she said Thursday. "Soon,'' she added.Before noon the next day, after House members stampeded out of session for the weekend without acting on impeachment, a grinning Pelosi made her way toward her office. She paused at the threshold, casting Democrats as “a thousand flowers blossoming beautifully in our caucus.” Then, still smiling, Pelosi disappeared into her suite.It was 11:43 a.m. At that precise moment, Pelosi's “Dear Colleague” letter saying she would send the impeachment articles this coming week landed in hundreds of congressional inboxes.BUT FIRSTPelosi said she was directing the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., to write a resolution naming House members — “managers,” in the official parlance — to prosecute the charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress at Trump's Senate impeachment trial. Whoever wins the plum assignments is a white-hot topic in the Capitol, and Pelosi has held the number of managers and their identities close.The speaker said she would discuss the process “further” at a caucus meeting Tuesday.A WARNINGPelosi also cautioned that senators will “”pay a price" with Americans if they refuse to hear additional witnesses during the impeachment trial.“The senators who are thinking now about voting for witnesses or not, they will have to be accountable for not having a fair trial,” she told ABC's “'This Week."Pelosi said it's up to the Senate and American voters now. She and the House already have put their stamp on Trump's legacy."He'll be impeached forever.''AT LASTIt's McConnell's turn. The model, he said, would be President Bill Clinton's impeachment trial in 1999.This past week, McConnell announced that he has the 51 votes required to launch the trial on those terms, and not Pelosi's.Back then, all 100 senators agreed to start Clinton's trial without an agreement to bring witnesses or testimony, as the Democrats have demanded in Trump's proceedings.McConnell, protective of the 53-seat GOP majority and up for reelection himself this year, delivered hot words on the Senate floor in which he refused to “cede” decision making to the House.“It’s been a long wait," McConnell said Friday. "and I’m glad it’s over.“THE MODELMcConnell said the resolution starting Trump's Senate trial would not mirror Clinton's word for word. Tactics and strategy, not drama, is McConnell's style.But McConnell did say that what was good for Clinton is good for Trump. That likely means Senate rules and the 1999 resolution that governed Clinton's trial would provide the framework at least to start Trump's proceedings, so it's worth looking at what happened then, beginning on Jan 7, 1999.There were 13 impeachment prosecutors during Clinton's trial, including then-Rep. Lindsey Graham, now a GOP senator from South Carolina. Their procession into the Senate, the oath-taking of the chief justice and all senators and the call of the sergeant at arms provided some pageantry.“Hear ye! Hear ye! Hear ye! All persons are commanded to keep silent, on pain of imprisonment, while the Senate of the United States is sitting for the trial of the articles of impeachment,” proclaimed James Ziglar, who was the Senate sergeant at arms at the time.Senate rules say the trial then begins, and run six days a week — except Sundays — until it's resolved. But senators could vote to change the schedule.ON THE FLOORWho is on the Senate floor for the trial, and where, will be an extraordinary sight in a chamber that strictly guards who breathes its rarified air.Start with the presiding officer, in the top-most chair, normally occupied by Vice President Mike Pence or a rotating cast of senators. Instead, Chief Justice John Roberts will take that seat and direct the proceedings.Also on the floor: The House managers selected by Pelosi will prosecute the case against Trump.Defending Trump will be a team of lawyers and advisers.The senators will be seated around the chamber, supposedly wordlessly and not checking their phones, during the proceedings.TRUMP WILL BE SUMMONEDThe rules call for the Senate to summon Trump in terms the combative president isn't likely used to hearing.According to a template in the Senate rules, Trump is summoned to appear “... then and there to abide by, obey, and perform such orders, directions, and judgments” according to the Senate, the Constitution and the laws.“Hereof you are not to fail,” Trump will be instructed.His lawyers can appear for him.OATHS, BY THE BOOKSenators take an oath, by which they “solemnly swear (or affirm, as the case may be)” to “do impartial justice according to the Constitution and laws: so help me God.”During the Clinton trial, senators also lined up to sign their name in an oath book that is now stored at the National Archives. It is expected to be brought out again for Trump's trial.The practice began in 1986, according to the Senate historian's office. The pages are blank; the senators create a list by signing their names.WITNESSESThe Senate would decide which, if any, witnesses testify. Trump tweeted Sunday that Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff of California, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee "must be'' a witness and so should Pelosi.Yet hours later Trump suggested almost the opposite, saying senators should do away with a trial completely. Trump said “many believe" by holding a Senate trial “it gives the partisan Democrat Witch Hunt credibility that it otherwise does not have. I agree!"During the Clinton trial, former White House intern Monica Lewinsky was deposed privately but not called to testify. She and Clinton had had an extramarital relationship, they both said.A template for the witness subpoena, included in the Senate rules, summons them to appear before the Senate.“Fail not,” they read.THE WOULD-BE PRESIDENTSFor five senators who are running for the Democratic presidential nomination, the impeachment trial complicates the face-to-face contact that's critical for candidates before the Feb. 3 Iowa caucuses. New Hampshire is set to hold its first-in-the-nation primary eight days later.Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, Cory Booker of New Jersey and Michael Bennet of Colorado would have to return to Washington to sit as jurors.The timing of the trial could benefit candidates who aren't members of the Senate. Former Vice President Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, have spent months crowded near the top of the Democratic field with Warren and Sanders.Look for high-profile surrogates, such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., for Sanders and former presidential candidate Julián Castro for Warren, to fill in.And there could be scheduling gymnastics. Warren says she’s prepared to spend days in the Senate, then fly back to Iowa for evening campaigning “if that’s what it takes.” But that’s a tall logistical order given the limited commercial flight options between Washington and Iowa. Taking private flights could make things easier, but also open them up to political attacks.ALSO READ | Trump's position unshakeable in Senate trial after impeachmentALSO READ | Trump impeachment: A timeline of events

'Fail Not:' What to watch ahead of Trump's Senate trial

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is hitting the send button on President Donald Trump's impeachment. That's after she paused the whole constitutional matter, producing a three-week standoff with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and complicating the campaigning picture for the five Democratic senators in the White House race.

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Pakistan national flagThe presidential election in Pakistan will be held on September 4, the country's poll body announced on Thursday.According to the schedule issued by the Election Commission, nomination papers for the presidential polls can be filed with the presiding officers in Islamabad and the four provinces by August 27, Geo News reported.President Mamnoon Hussain's five-year term is set to expire on September 9. The President is elected by an electoral college comprising members of the Senate, National Assembly and four provincial assemblies. Voting is held through a secret ballot.Scrutiny of the nomination papers will be conducted on August 29. Candidature can be withdrawn by 12 noon on August 30. The list of validated candidates will be published the same day at 1 p.m., the poll body said.Voting will be held in the National Assembly and the four provincial assemblies from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on September 4.

Pakistan presidential election to be held on September 4

According to the schedule issued by the Election Commission, nomination papers for the presidential polls can be filed with the presiding officers in Islamabad and the four provinces by August 27.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called for intensifying regional cooperation to effectively deal with terrorism and pitched for a rules-based security architecture for the resource-rich region, seen as a veiled reference to China's expansionist posturing in the Indo-Pacific.In an address at the Asean-India summit here, PM Modi identified terrorism and extremism as the major challenge facing the region and said time has come for the countries of the region to join hands to collectively deal with it."We have individually strived very hard to fight terrorism and violent extremism. It is time that we jointly address this challenge by intensifying cooperation in this crucial area," he said.The 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) is considered one of the most influential groupings in the region and India and several other countries including the US, China, Japan and Australia are its dialogue partners.In a clear reference to the South China Sea (SCS) dispute which has cast a shadow over the summit talks, PM Modi said India will continue its support to the ASEAN for establishing a rules-based security architecture in the region."India assures the Asean of its steady support towards achieving a rules-based regional security architecture that best attests to the region's interests and its peaceful development," he said.China's aggressive military build up in the SCS was one of the focus areas of the deliberations at the Asean summit.China claims sovereignty over all of SCS, a huge source of hydrocarbons. However, several Asean member countries including Vietnam, the Philippines and Brunei have counter claims.India has been supporting freedom of navigation and access to resources in the SCS in accordance with principles of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.The Asean have been pushing for a legally binding code of conduct for all stakeholders in the SCS but Beijing has been opposing such a framework asserting that it will resolve the dispute with respective countries under bilateral mechanism.Prime Minister Modi also talked about shared values and common destiny between India and Asean, adding 1.25 billion people in India were eagerly waiting to receive leaders of the ASEAN at the Republic Day celebrations in January next year.He said India is also holding a commemorative summit with Asean on January 25 next year.The ties between India and Asean have been on an upswing.The Asean region along with India together comprises combined population of 1.85 billion people, which is one fourth of the global population and their combined GDP has been estimated at over $3.8 trillion.Investment from Asean to India has been over $70 billion in the last 17 years accounting for more than 17 per cent of India's total FDI.India's investment in Asean during the same period has been more than $40 billion.Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Brunei are the members of the Asean.Prime Minister Modi also participated at a meeting of leaders of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).The RCEP, comprising 10-member Asean bloc and six other countries -- India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, is engaged in negotiations for a free trade pact.(With PTI inputs)

India supports rules-based security architecture: PM Modi's apparent take on South China Sea dispute

PM Modi identified terrorism and extremism as the major challenge facing the region and said time has come for the countries of the region to join hands to collectively deal with it.

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An employee manually inspects syringes of the SARS CoV-2 Vaccine for COVID-19 produced by Sinovac at its factory in Beijing.Provincial governments across China are placing orders for experimental, domestically made coronavirus vaccines, though health officials have yet to say how well they work or how they may reach the country’s 1.4 billion people. Developers are speeding up final testing, the Chinese foreign minister said during a U.N. meeting last week, as Britain approved emergency use of Pfizer Inc.’s vaccine candidate and providers scrambled to set up distribution.Even without final approval, more than 1 million health care workers and others in China who are deemed at high risk of infection have received experimental vaccines under emergency use permission. There has been no word on possible side effects.China’s fledgling pharmaceutical industry has at least five vaccines from four producers being tested in more than a dozen countries including Russia, Egypt and Mexico. Health experts say even if they are successful, the certification process for the United States, Europe, Japan and other developed countries might be too complex for them to be used there. However, China said it will ensure the products are affordable for developing countries.One developer, China National Pharmaceutical Group, known as Sinopharm, said in November it applied for final market approval for use of its vaccine in China. Others have been approved for emergency use on people deemed at high risk of infection.“We must be prepared for large-scale production,” said Vice Premier Sun Chunlan, who has overseen much of the country’s response, during a visit Wednesday to developers, according to the official Xinhua News Agency.Sun visited one of Sinopharm’s Beijing subsidiary companies; another producer, Sinovac, and a research lab under the National Medical Products Administration, a regulatory agency that approves medical products for public use.The government has yet to say how many people it plans to vaccinate. Sun said plans call for vaccinating border personnel and other high-risk populations this month.The companies are using more traditional techniques than Western developers.They say unlike Pfizer’s vaccine, which must be kept frozen at temperatures as low as minus 70 degrees Celsius (minus 94 Fahrenheit), theirs can be stored at 2 to 8 C (36 to 46 F). The Chinese producers have yet to say how they might be distributed.Health experts question why China is using experimental vaccines on such a vast scale now that the outbreak is largely under control within its borders.Health officials previously said China will be able to manufacture 610 million doses by the end of this year and ramp up to 1 billion doses next year.The government of Jiangsu province, where the major city of Nanjing is located, issued a procurement notice for vaccines from Sinovac and Sinopharm on Wednesday for emergency use vaccinations.Authorities in Sichuan province in the west, which has about 85 million people, announced Monday they were already buying vaccines. An official newspaper in Anhui province, southeast of Beijing, said a local residential committee issued a notice asking whether residents want a vaccine.The Sichuan and Anhui announcements said the vaccine, given in two shots, would cost a total of 400 yuan ($60).Vaccines from Sinovac and Sinopharm were approved for emergency use in July.In October, Zhejiang province south of Shanghai offered the public vaccination under emergency use authorization. It said people considered high-risk would get priority.In November, the Communist Party secretary for Sinopharm said almost 1 million people had received its vaccine.In September, Sinovac’s CEO said about 3,000 of its employees had taken their vaccine. He said the company provided tens of thousands of doses to the Beijing city government.Developers have yet to disclose how effective their vaccines are and possible side effects.Sinopharm has clinical trials under way in 10 countries including the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, Peru and Argentina with nearly 60,000 volunteers. It has built two facilities in China capable of producing 200 million doses per year.Sinovac has trials in Brazil, Turkey and Indonesia. Its most recent publicized data, a study in the science journal the Lancet, showed its candidate produced lower levels of antibodies in people than those who had recovered from COVID-19. The company projects it will be able to produce a few hundred million doses of the vaccine by February or March of next year.Another producer, CanSino, is testing in Russia, Pakistan and Mexico and pursuing partnerships in Latin American countries. Its vaccine, which has been used on an emergency basis with the Chinese military, uses a harmless adenovirus to carry genes into human cells to generate an immune response.A fourth company, Anhui Zhifei Longcom Biologic Pharmacy Co., is conducting final stage trials across China.

China prepares large-scale rollout of coronavirus vaccines

Provincial governments across China are placing orders for experimental, domestically made coronavirus vaccines, though health officials have yet to say how well they work or how they may reach the country’s 1.4 billion people.

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 UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson , Brexit Withdrawal Bill, European UnionUK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has published his 110-page Brexit Withdrawal Agreement Bill just hours before MPs were scheduled to debate it in House of Commons on Tuesday, in an attempt to avoid another delay and take the country out of the European Union (EU) by October 31. The Withdrawal Agreement Bill was accompanied by another 124 pages of explanatory notes.The Bill details exactly how Parliament is expected to put the deal that the Prime Minister agreed with his counterparts around the continent into UK law. Ministers have insisted that they have the numbers to get the Withdrawal Agreement Bill approved, despite losing a crunch Commons vote on October 19 aimed at ruling out a no-deal Brexit.If MPs back the bill, they will then vote on the government's "programme motion", which sets out the timetable for the legislation's passage through the Commons. If the programme motion is approved, the bill will then move to the committee stage, which will continue on into Wednesday when MPs will have the opportunity to put down amendments. These are expected to include attempts to keep the UK more closely aligned with the EU through a customs union and to stage a second referendum. Both were strongly opposed by the government, raising a possibility that it could pull the bill altogether if either gets through.Ahead of the debate, Johnson on Monday night called on MPs to get behind the government's plans."The public doesn't want any more delays, neither do other European leaders and neither do I," he said. "Let's get Brexit done on October 31 and move on."But opposition MPs have said there would not be enough time to scrutinise the bill in just three days, the BBC reported.Labour's Shadow Brexit Secretary, Keir Starmer, accused ministers of trying to "bounce" MPs into approving a Bill that could cause "huge damage" to the country.The Scottish Nationalist Party's Pete Wishart said: "Three days to consider a bill (that)somebody suggested is 100 pages... how on earth are we going to have the chance to assess that properly? "The 110-page document will give legal effect to the withdrawal deal negotiated by Johnson which ditches the backstop - the controversial measure designed to prevent a return to physical checks on the Irish border.Instead it essentially draws a new customs border in the Irish Sea, as goods which could travel onwards to Ireland will have to pay a duty tax. It also will see the whole of the UK leave the EU customs union, meaning it could strike trade deals with other countries in the future.ALSO READ| Benjamin Netanyahu again fails to form government in IsraelALSO READ|  Canada elections: Justin Trudeau wins 2nd term but loses majority

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson publishes his Brexit Withdrawal Bill

The Bill details exactly how Parliament is expected to put the deal that the Prime Minister agreed with his counterparts around the continent into UK law

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Brooklyn man pleads guilty to attempting to provide material support to ISIS (Representational image)A Brooklyn resident has pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support to terror group ISIS and posted calls for attacks on the public and institutions. Zachary Clark, 41, who also had the alias ‘Umar Kabir’ and ‘Abu Talha’ pled guilty to one count of attempting to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organisation, namely ISIS.The charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. He entered the plea Monday in Manhattan federal court before US District Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald and will be sentenced in February next year.“Having pledged allegiance to ISIS, Clark provided specific instructions for how to conduct attacks in New York City, instructing others on knifing and bomb-making,” Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C Demers said.Acting US Attorney Audrey Strauss for the Southern District of New York said Clark pledged allegiance to ISIS and posted calls for attacks on the public and institutions in New York on encrypted pro-ISIS chatrooms as well as detailed instructions for carrying out those violent acts.According to the allegations in the indictment, Clark pledged allegiance to ISIS twice - first in July 2019 to ISIS’s then-leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and then in October 2019 to the group's new leader Abu Ibrahim al-Sashemi al-Qurayshi, who ISIS promoted after al-Baghdadi’s death.Around March 2019, Clark disseminated ISIS propaganda through encrypted chatrooms intended for members, associates, supporters, and potential recruits of ISIS. His propaganda included, among other things, calls for ISIS supporters to commit lone wolf attacks in New York City.The indictment said that in August last year, Clark posted instructions about how to conduct such an attack, including directions on how to select an attack target, conduct preoperational surveillance and operational planning, and how to avoid attracting law enforcement attention when preparing for and conducting the attack.On another occasion, Clark posted a manual about using knives for possible attacks and another one issued by Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula that included detailed instructions about constructing bombs using readily available materials. Clark told participants in encrypted chatrooms to attack specific targets, posting maps and images of the New York City subway system and encouraging ISIS supporters to attack those locations.

Brooklyn man pleads guilty to attempting to provide material support to ISIS

A Brooklyn resident has pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support to terror group ISIS and posted calls for attacks on the public and institutions. Zachary Clark, 41, who also had the alias ‘Umar Kabir’ and ‘Abu Talha’ pled guilty to one count of attempting to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organisation, namely ISIS.

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Hailing Singapore as a valuable partner in India's Act-East policy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended full cooperation in the flagship initiatives of the Government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi who arrived in Singapore as part of his five-day South-East Asia visit, met President Halimah Yacob and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome upon his arrival at the Presidential Palace."Prime Minister Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome on his arrival at Istana - Presidential Palace of Singapore. Millennia-old ties now powered by partnership in innovation and technology," said Raveesh Kumar, Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs. ALSO READ: PM Modi's five-day South-East Asia visit LIVE: Digital partnership with Singapore is important, says PMHailing Singapore as a valuable partner in India's Act-East policy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended full cooperation in the flagship initiatives of the Government. During the talks with his Singapore counterpart, Lee Hsien Loong, both the leaders discussed a wide range of topics including trade and investment, connectivity, innovation, technology and strategic ties. Both the leaders also reiterated their principled position on maritime security.Later the day, PM Modi will on Friday deliver the keynote address at the strategically important Shangri- La Dialogue in Singapore. Notably, PM Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister to deliver the keynote address at the International Institute for Strategic Studies Shangri-La Dialogue. PM Modi will also visit the Singapore Botanic Gardens where an orchid will be named in his honour. He will also be visiting the Nanyang Technical University as per his official schedule.  

PM Modi arrives in Singapore; calls Singapore 'valuable partner' in India's Act-East policy

Hailing Singapore as a valuable partner in India's Act-East policy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended full cooperation in the flagship initiatives of the Government.

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 The Russian missile cruiser Moskva, the flagship of Russia's Black Sea Fleet is seen anchored in the Black Sea port of Sevastopol, on Sept. 11, 2008. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the ship was damaged Wednesday, April 13, 2022, but not that it was hit by Ukraine. Russia-Ukraine News: Ukrainian forces said they struck and seriously damaged the flagship of Russia's Black Sea fleet, dealing a potentially major setback to Moscow's forces as they try to regroup for a renewed offensive in eastern Ukraine after retreating from much of the north, including the capital.Russia said Thursday the entire crew of the Moskva, a warship that would typically have 500 sailors on board, was forced to evacuate after a fire overnight and also reported it was badly damaged. It did not acknowledge any attack, which would also deal a major blow to Russian prestige seven weeks into a war that is already widely seen as a historic blunder.The reported ship attack came hours after Ukraine's allies sought to rally new support for the embattled country. On a visit with leaders from three other countries on Russia's doorstep who fear they could next be in Moscow's sights, Lithuania's President Gitanas Nauseda declared that “the fight for Europe’s future is happening here.”Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden, who called Russia’s actions in Ukraine “a genocide” this week, approved $800 million in new military assistance to Kyiv. He said weapons from the West have sustained Ukraine’s fight so far and “we cannot rest now.”The news of the flagship's damage overshadowed Russian claims of advances in the southern port city of Mariupol, where they have been battling the Ukrainians since the early days of the invasion in some of the heaviest fighting of the war — at a horrific cost to civilians.Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj.-Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Wednesday that 1,026 troops from the Ukrainian 36th Marine Brigade surrendered at a metals factory in the city. But Vadym Denysenko, adviser to Ukraine’s interior minister, rejected the claim, telling Current Time TV that “the battle over the seaport is still ongoing today.”It was unclear when a surrender may have occurred or how many forces were still defending Mariupol.Russian state television broadcast footage Wednesday that it said was from Mariupol showing dozens of men in camouflage walking with their hands up and carrying others on stretchers or in chair holds. One man held a white flag.Mariupol's capture is critical for Russia because it would put a swath of territory in its control that would allow its forces in the south, who came up through the annexed Crimean Peninsula, to link up with troops in the eastern Donbas region, Ukraine's industrial heartland and the target of the coming offensive.Moscow-backed separatists have been battling Ukraine in the Donbas since 2014, the same year Russia seized Crimea. Russia has recognized the independence of the rebel regions in the Donbas.But the loss of the Moskva, which satellite images show was at the port of Sevastopol in Crimea a week ago, could set those efforts back.The governor of the Odesa region, Maksym Marchenko, said the Ukrainians struck the guided-missile cruiser with two Neptune missiles and caused “serious damage.” Russia’s Defense Ministry said ammunition on board detonated as a result of a fire.It was not clear if the ship was totally disabled, but even serious damage could be a major blow to Russia, which already saw its tank carrier Orsk hit late last month.Hours after the attack was reported, Ukrainian authorities said on the Telegram messaging service that explosions had struck Odesa, Ukraine's largest port which lies on the Black Sea, as does Sevastopol. They urged residents to remain calm and said there is no danger to civilians.Russia invaded on Feb. 24 with the goal, according to Western officials, of rapidly seizing Kyiv, toppling the government and installing a Moscow-friendly replacement. But the ground advance stalled in the face of strong Ukrainian resistance with the help of Western arms, and Russia has lost potentially thousands of fighters. The conflict has killed untold numbers of Ukrainian civilians and forced millions more to flee.A U.N. task force warned that the war threatens to devastate the economies of many developing countries that are facing even higher food and energy costs and increasingly difficult financial conditions. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the war is “supercharging” a crisis in food, energy and finance in poorer countries that were already struggling to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and a lack of access to funding.The war has also unsettled the post-Cold War balance in Europe — and particularly worried countries on NATO's eastern flank that fear they could next come under attack. As a result, those nations have been some of Ukraine's staunchest supporters.The presidents of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia traveled Wednesday to war-ravaged areas in Ukraine and demanded accountability for what they called war crimes. They met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and visited Borodyanka, one of the towns near Kyiv where evidence of atrocities was found after Russian troops withdrew to focus on the country's east."There are no doubts that they committed war crimes. And for that, they should be accountable,” Latvian President Egils Levits said.Nauseda of Lithuania called for tougher sanctions, including against Russian oil and gas shipments and all the country’s banks.In his nightly address, Zelenskyy noted that the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court visited the Kyiv suburb of Bucha, which was controlled by Russian forces until recently and where evidence of mass killings and more than 400 bodies were found.“It is inevitable that the Russian troops will be held responsible. We will drag everyone to a tribunal, and not only for what was done in Bucha,” Zelenskyy said late Wednesday.He also said work was continuing to clear tens of thousands of unexploded shells, mines and trip wires left in northern Ukraine by the departing Russians. He urged people returning to homes to be wary of any unfamiliar objects and report them to police. Also Read: Russia Ukraine War: BRICS countries support dialogue, negotiations for comprehensive solutionAlso Read: Russia war a 'genocide,' trying to 'wipe out' Ukraine, says US President Biden

Russian warship suffers serious damage after explosion, Ukraine claims attack

Russia said the entire crew of the Moskva, a warship that would typically have 500 sailors on board, was forced to evacuate after a fire overnight and also reported it was badly damaged.

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A Chinese daily today accused the US and other countries of trying to escalate the Sino-India standoff to replicate the "South China Sea trick" and seek strategic benefits."More than five weeks into the border standoff between China and India, some countries other than the two directly involved are trying to step in," an op-ed article in the state-run Global Times said, directly mentioning the US and Australia.The article titled 'Instigating Sino-India confrontation won't benefit US' referred to commentaries in the US media calling on Washington to provide to support India to "deter and counter" China and rally the world against Beijing.It also took exception to Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop's call for resolving the Doklam issue peacefully, saying "Bishop intends to blur the nature of the face-off and shows disguised support for India."The article said "so far, the Donald Trump administration has paid little attention to the US-India ties, and their divergences over issues like trade and immigration remain"."The Americans may think they can copy their South China Sea trick. But what did the US get from the maritime disputes? Likewise, Washington won't get any benefits from the escalation of the Sino-India confrontation. China won't give up safeguarding its territory because of US interference," it said.The article said the US seems to be everywhere when conflicts come up and it seldom takes an impartial posture to help address the problems."There are certain forces in the West that are instigating a military clash between China and India, from which they can seek strategic benefits at no cost to themselves. Washington applied this scheme in the South China Sea disputes," it said.China claims nearly all of the strategically vital South China Sea. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei, as well as Taiwan, also claim parts of the sea.While the US is not a claimant, it has criticised what it has termed Chinese "militarisation" of the sea.The article also blamed the US and the erstwhile Soviet Union for the 1962 India-China war."It's necessary to note that half a century ago behind the border war between China and India, there were the invisible hands of the US and the Soviet Union," it said.The article said "neither China nor India wants a war".

Doklam standoff: US trying to escalate border row with India, says Chinese daily

A Chinese daily today accused the US and other countries of trying to escalate the Sino-India standoff to replicate the "South China Sea trick" and seek strategic benefits

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Turkey's Erdogan claims ex-Egyptian president was killedTurkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has claimed that former Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi did not die of natural causes but that he was killed.During a speech in Istanbul, Erdogan cited as evidence that the deposed Egyptian president allegedly "flailed" in a Cairo courtroom for 20 minutes Monday and nobody assisted him.The Turkish leader said Wednesday: "Unfortunately, Mohammed Morsi was on the ground of courtroom flailing for 20 minutes. No official there intervened. Morsi did not (die) naturally, he was killed."Erdogan said Turkey would do everything in its power to ensure Egypt faces trial in Morsi's death. He also called on the Islamic Cooperation Organization to "take the necessary action" over Morsi's death.

Turkey's Erdogan claims ex-Egyptian president was killed

During a speech in Istanbul, Erdogan cited as evidence that the deposed Egyptian president allegedly "flailed" in a Cairo courtroom for 20 minutes Monday and nobody assisted him.

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Taliban fighters stand guard in front of the Hamid Karzai International Airport after the U.S. withdrawal in Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021. Japan's top diplomat says his country has temporarily moved its embassy from Afghanistan to Turkey but now plans to relocate it to Qatar, where the Taliban have an office. The Gulf Arab country is also expected to play an important political role in what comes next for Afghanistan.Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi earlier this month visited the Middle East. He told reporters on Tuesday that his talks with leaders in the region suggest that Doha, the capital of Qatar, will carry growing political importance.“I believe various forms of communication will take place,” Motegi said. Japanese nationals at the embassy in Kabul were among the first to be evacuated from Afghanistan. Most of them were airlifted by the British military before Tokyo dispatched its Self-Defense Force aircraft last week as the security outside the Kabul airport worsened.Last Thursday and Friday, Japan evacuated only one Japanese citizen, along with 14 Afghan people at the request of US military, to Pakistan.Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said that safe evacuations of the rest of Japanese nationals and Afghans who worked for the Japanese Embassy and aid organization remain a top priority.

Japan to relocate its Kabul embassy to Qatar

Last Thursday and Friday, Japan evacuated only one Japanese citizen, along with 14 Afghan people at the request of US military, to Pakistan.

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An Israeli border police officer faces off with a Palestinian woman at a protest at the Damascus Gate to the Old City of Jerusalem Thursday, June 17Israel launched airstrikes on the Gaza Strip late Thursday for a second time since a shaky cease-fire ended last month’s 11-day war. The strikes came after activists mobilized by Gaza’s militant Hamas rulers launched incendiary balloons into Israel for a third straight day.There were no immediate reports of casualties from the strikes, which could be heard from Gaza City. Israel also carried out airstrikes early Wednesday, targeting what it is said were Hamas facilities, without killing or wounding anyone.The military said fighter jets struck Hamas “military compounds and a rocket launch site” late Thursday in response to the balloons. It said its forces were preparing for a “variety of scenarios including a resumption of hostilities.”Rocket sirens went off in Israeli communities near Gaza shortly after the airstrikes. The military later said they were triggered by “incoming fire, not rockets.”Surveillance camera footage obtained by The Associated Press showed what appeared to be heavy machine-gun fire into the air from Gaza, a possible attempt by Palestinian militants to shoot down aircraft. Other footage showed projectiles being fired from Gaza, but it was unclear what kind or where they landed.Tensions have remained high since a cease-fire halted the war on May 21, even as Egyptian mediators have met with Israeli and Hamas officials to try and shore up the informal truce.Israel and Hamas have fought four wars and countless smaller skirmishes since the Islamic militant group seized power from rival Palestinians forces in 2007. Israel and Egypt have imposed a crippling blockade on Gaza, which is home to more than 2 million Palestinians, since Hamas took over.Earlier, Israeli police used stun grenades and a water cannon spraying skunk water to disperse Palestinian protesters from Damascus Gate in east Jerusalem, the epicenter of weeks of protests and clashes in the run-up to the Gaza war.After the crowds were dispersed, Palestinians could be seen throwing rocks and water bottles at ultra-Orthodox Jews walking in the area.Calls had circulated for protesters to gather at Damascus Gate in response to a rally held there by Jewish ultranationalists on Tuesday in which dozens of Israelis had chanted “Death to Arabs” and “May your village burn.” The police had forcibly cleared the square and provided security for that rally, part of a parade to celebrate Israel’s conquest of east Jerusalem.In a separate incident, a Palestinian teenager died Thursday after being shot by Israeli troops in the occupied West Bank during a protest against a settlement outpost, the fourth demonstrator to be killed since the outpost was established last month.The Israeli military said Wednesday that a soldier stationed near the wildcat outpost in the West Bank saw a group of Palestinians approaching, and that one “hurled a suspicious object at him, which exploded adjacent to the soldier.” The army said that the soldier fired in the air, then shot the Palestinian who threw the object.The Palestinian Health Ministry said Thursday that Ahmad Shamsa, 15, died of a gunshot wound sustained a day earlier.Settlers established the outpost, which they refer to as Eviatar, near the northern West Bank town of Nablus last month and say it is now home to dozens of families. Palestinians say it is built on private land and fear it will grow and merge with other large settlements nearby.Nearly 500,000 Jewish settlers live in some 130 settlements across the occupied West Bank. The Palestinians and much of the international community view the settlements as a violation of international law and a major obstacle to peace.Israeli authorities have evacuated the outpost on several occasions. They appear reluctant to do so this time because it would embarrass Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and other right-wing members of the fragile government sworn in over the weekend.Palestinians from the nearby village of Beita have held several protests in which demonstrators have hurled stones and Israeli troops have fired tear gas and live ammunition. Four Palestinians have been killed since mid-May, including Shamsa and another teenager.The Israeli military also shot and killed a Palestinian woman on Wednesday, saying she had tried to ram her car into a group of soldiers guarding a West Bank construction site.In a statement, the army said soldiers fired at the woman in Hizmeh, just north of Jerusalem, after she exited the car and pulled out a knife. The statement did not say how close the woman was to the soldiers, and the army did not release any photos or video of the incident.The family of Mai Afaneh insisted she had no reason or ability to carry out an attack.In recent years, Israel has seen a series of shootings, stabbings and car ramming attacks against Israeli soldiers and civilians in the occupied West Bank. Most have been carried out by Palestinians with no apparent links to organized militant groups.Palestinians and Israeli human rights groups say the soldiers often use excessive force and could have stopped some assailants without killing them. In some cases, they say that innocent people have been identified as attackers and shot.The Palestinians seek the West Bank, where the Palestinian Authority exerts limited self-rule in population centers, as part of a future state along with the Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem. Israel captured all three territories in the 1967 war and says Jerusalem is indivisible. There have been no substantive peace talks in more than a decade.Also Read: Naftali Bennett sworn in as Israel's new Prime Minister, ending Netanyahu's 12-year ruleAlso Read: Israeli airstrikes target Gaza sites, first since cease-fire

Israel strikes Gaza after Hamas fires incendiary balloons

Israel launched airstrikes on the Gaza Strip late Thursday for a second time since a shaky cease-fire ended last month’s 11-day war.

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A woman watches as the Bobcat Fire burns in Juniper Hill, Calif., Friday, Sept. 18, 2020. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)An enormous wildfire that churned through mountains northeast of Los Angeles and into the Mojave Desert was still threatening homes on Monday and was one of more than two dozen major fires burning across California.Five of the largest wildfires in state history are currently burning and more than 5,600 square miles (14,500 square kilometers) have been charred, an area larger than the state of Connecticut, Gov. Gavin Newsom said.At 165 square miles (427 square kilometers), the Bobcat Fire is one of the largest ever in Los Angeles County after burning for more than two weeks. It’s just 15% contained.Evacuation orders and warnings are in place for thousands of residents in foothill and desert areas, where semi-rural homes and a popular nature sanctuary have burned. Statewide, at least 23,000 people remain evacuated, Newsom said.No injuries have been reported for the fire about 50 miles (80 kilometers) northeast of downtown Los Angeles.Erratic winds that drove flames into the community of Juniper Hills over the weekend had died down, said U.S. Forest Service spokesman Larry Smith.“It’s slightly cooler too, so hopefully that will be a help to firefighters,” Smith said.Numerous studies in recent years have linked bigger U.S. wildfires to global warming from the burning of coal, oil and gas, especially because climate change has made California much drier. A drier California means plants are more flammable.Officials said it could be days before teams determine the scope of the destruction in the area burned by the Bobcat FireEarly estimates are that 6,400 buildings have been destroyed across the state, but Newsom said “by no stretch of the imagination do we think this tells the entire story.” Damage assessments are ongoing, he said.The Bobcat Fire started Sept. 6 and has doubled in size over the last week as it ripped through forested areas that hadn’t burned in decades. The cause is under investigation.Firefighters battled back against another flareup near Mount Wilson, which overlooks greater Los Angeles in the San Gabriel Mountains and has a historic observatory founded more than a century ago and numerous broadcast antennas serving Southern California.Flames destroyed the nature center at Devil’s Punchbowl Natural Area, a geological attraction that sees some 130,000 visitors per year. A wildlife sanctuary on the property was undamaged, and staff and animals had been evacuated days earlier.Nearly 19,000 firefighters in California are currently battling 27 major blazes, Newsom said. At least 7,900 wildfires have erupted in the state this year, many during a mid-August barrage of dry lightning ignited parched vegetation.Twenty-six people have been killed. Officials were investigating the death of a firefighter at another Southern California wildfire that erupted earlier this month from a smoke-generating pyrotechnic device used by a couple to reveal their baby’s gender.The death occurred Sept. 17 in San Bernardino National Forest as crews battled the El Dorado Fire about 75 miles (120 kilometers) east of Los Angeles, the U.S. Forest Service said in a statement. That blaze is 59% contained.In Wyoming, officials warned that gusty winds on Monday could cause more growth of a wildfire burning toward cabins and an important water supply reservoir that’s a major source of water for the state’s capital city, Cheyenne. The fire in the Medicine Bow National Forest is burning in heavily forested, rugged terrain which would usually would be busy now with hunters at the start of elk hunting season.And in Colorado, more evacuations were ordered on Sunday as winds caused the state’s largest wildfire to grow. Firefighters had to temporarily retreat from the massive Cameron Peak Fire near Red Feather Lakes. Flames later spread into flatter ground which gave crews a better chance to battle the blaze, fire managers said.More than 9,000 firefighters continue to battle 27 large wildfires across Oregon and Washington, where thousands of residences have been destroyed, the Pacific Northwest Region of the Forest Service said.

Enormous California wildfire threatens desert homes near LA

An enormous wildfire that churned through mountains northeast of Los Angeles and into the Mojave Desert was still threatening homes on Monday and was one of more than two dozen major fires burning across California.

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In a severe indictment of Pakistan’s poor human rights record, the European Parliament on Thursday passed a resolution condemning Islamabad for showing scant regard for human rights and the rule of law.The Resolution also slammed Pakistan for breaching international law by not allowing consular access to former Indian naval officer  Kulbhushan Jadhav, who has been sentenced to death for “espionage”.The resolution, which was adopted by majority, expressed grave concern over the "roll-back in Pakistan of the respect for human rights and the rule of law", in particular the freedom granted to security forces, the use of military courts, the crackdown on NGOs, the intimidation of human rights defenders and religious minorities, and the increase in extrajudicial killings.Expressing "deep concern at the alarming rate of executions in Pakistan following flawed trials, including of minors and persons with mental disabilities, some of which are carried out while appeals are still under way", it urged the Pakistani government to prevent misuse of the "blasphemy law", which is so vaguely defined as to render it open to abuse, including to target political dissidents.It highlighted the case of Jadhav who was sentenced to death in April 2017 by a military court without any access to consular services which is in breach of international law.Speaking during the debate in plenary in the French city of Strasbourg, British Member of the European Parliament Neena Gill, said: "In 2014, the EU allowed Pakistan to access GSP+, an exceptional tool to help kick-start the economy and - crucially - encourage progress on improving human rights. It has proved its value in many countries. But I question whether this is the case for Pakistan."A delegation of the European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee visited Pakistan in April."From our meetings with government officials and civil society it became glaringly clear that a lack of rule of law permeates Pakistani society and human rights are violated instead of advanced," said Gill, the only MEP of Indian origin."In March, military courts that can try civilians were reinstated for 2 more years. Basic rights of foreigners brought to trial are trampled on. With no access to consular rights. People who work for NGOs face harassment, arrest or worse - death," she added."It is high time to see real progress on human rights and strengthening of the civil judiciary in Pakistan.If not, GSP+ has to be reviewed," she stressed.(With IANS inputs)

European Parliament slams Pakistan for not allowing India consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav

The European Parliament highlighted the case of Jadhav who was sentenced to death in April 2017 by a military court without any access to consular services which is in breach of international law.

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In this image from video, President Donald Trump waves as he drives past supporters gathered outside Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020. Trump was admitted to the hospital after contracting COVID-19. (AP Photo/Carlos Vargas)Two days after being hospitalized with COVID-19, President Donald Trump declared, “I get it,” in a message to the nation Sunday before briefly leaving the hospital to salute supporters from a motorcade, a move that suggested the president would continue to disregard basic precautions to contain the virus that has killed more than 209,000 Americans.Hours earlier, Trump’s medical team reported that his blood oxygen level dropped suddenly twice in recent days and that they gave him a steroid typically only recommended for the very sick. The doctors also said Trump’s health is improving and that he could be discharged as early as Monday.With one month until Election Day, Trump was eager to project strength despite his illness. The still-infectious president surprised supporters who had gathered outside Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, driving by in a black SUV with the windows rolled up. Secret Service agents inside the vehicle could be seen in masks and other protective gear.The move capped a weekend of contradictions that fueled confusion about Trump’s health, which has imperiled the leadership of the U.S. government and upended the final stages of the presidential campaign. While Trump’s physicians offered a rosy prognosis, they reported information about drops in his blood oxygen level that was initially withheld from the public.In a short video released by the White House, Trump insisted he understood the gravity of the moment. But his actions moments later, by leaving the hospital and sitting inside the SUV with others, suggested otherwise.“This is insanity,” Dr. James P. Phillips, an attending physician at Walter Reed who is a critic of Trump and his handling of the pandemic. “Every single person in the vehicle during that completely unnecessary presidential ‘drive-by’ just now has to be quarantined for 14 days. They might get sick. They may die.”“For political theater,” the doctor added. “Commanded by Trump to put their lives at risk for theater.”White House spokesman Judd Deere said Trump’s trip outside the hospital “was cleared by the medical team as safe to do.” He added that precautions were taken, including using personal protective equipment, to protect Trump as well as White House officials and Secret Service agents.Joe Biden’s campaign, meanwhile, said the Democratic presidential nominee again tested negative for coronavirus Sunday. The results come five days after Biden spent more than 90 minutes on the debate stage with Trump. Biden, who has taken a far more cautious approach to in-person events, had two negative tests on Friday.His doctors sidestepped questions on Sunday about exactly when Trump’s blood oxygen dropped — an episode they neglected to mention in multiple statements the day before — or whether lung scans showed any damage.It was the second straight day of obfuscation from a White House already suffering from a credibility crisis. And it raised more doubts about whether the doctors treating the president were sharing accurate, timely information with the American public about the severity of his condition.Pressed about conflicting information he and the White House released on Saturday, Navy Cmdr. Dr. Sean Conley acknowledged that he had tried to present a rosy description of the president’s condition.“I was trying to reflect the upbeat attitude that the team, the president, that his course of illness has had. Didn’t want to give any information that might steer the course of illness in another direction,” Conley said. “And in doing so, you know, it came off that we were trying to hide something, which wasn’t necessarily true. The fact of the matter is that he’s doing really well.”Medical experts said Conley’s revelations were hard to square with his positive assessment and talk of a discharge.“There’s a little bit of a disconnect,” said Dr. Steven Shapiro, chief medical and scientific officer at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.According to CDC guidelines, “In general, transport and movement of a patient with suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection outside of their room should be limited to medically essential purposes.”Some Secret Service agents have expressed concern about the lackadaisical attitude toward masks and social distancing inside the White House, but there isn’t much they can do, according to agents and officials who spoke to The Associated Press. This close to the election, thousands of agents are engaged on protective duty so they can be subbed out quickly should someone test positive.The disclosures about Trump’s oxygen levels and steroid treatment suggested the president is enduring more than a mild case of COVID-19.Blood oxygen saturation is a key health marker for COVID-19 patients. A normal reading is between 95 and 100. Conley said the president had a “high fever” and a blood oxygen level below 94% on Friday and during “another episode” on Saturday.He was evasive about the timing of Trump oxygen drops. (“It was over the course of the day, yeah, yesterday morning,” he said) and asked whether Trump’s level had dropped below 90%, into concerning territory. (“We don’t have any recordings here on that.”) But he revealed that Trump was given a dose of the steroid dexamethasone in response.At the time of the briefing, Trump’s blood oxygen level was 98% — within normal rage, Trump’s medical team said.Signs of pneumonia or other lung damage could be detected in scans before a patient feels short of breath, but the president’s doctors declined to say what those scans have revealed.“There’s some expected findings, but nothing of any major clinical concern,” Conley said. He declined to outline those “expected findings.”Asked about Conley’s lack of transparency, White House aide Alyssa Farah suggested the doctors were speaking as much to the president as to the American public, “when you’re treating a patient, you want to project confidence, you want to lift their spirits, and that was the intent.”Biden pulled his attack ads off the air during Trump’s hospitalization, and on Sunday, he dispatched senior aides to deliver a largely friendly message.“We are sincerely hoping that the president makes a very quick recovery, and we can see him back out on the campaign trail very soon,” Biden adviser Symone Sanders said on CNN’s “State of the Union.”She added, “This is a glaring reminder that the virus is real.”In all, nearly 7.4 million people have been infected in the United States, and few have access to the kind of around-the-clock attention and experimental treatments as Trump.Trump’s treatment with the steroid dexamethasone is in addition to the single dose he was given Friday of an experimental drug from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. that supplies antibodies to help the immune system fight the virus. Trump on Friday also began a five-day course of remdesivir, a Gilead Sciences drug currently used for moderately and severely ill patients. The drugs work in different ways — the antibodies help the immune system rid the body of virus, and remdesivir curbs the virus’ ability to multiply.Garibaldi, a specialist in pulmonary critical care, said the president was not showing any side effects of the drugs “that we can tell.”The National Institutes of Health COVID-19 treatment guidelines recommend against using dexamethasone in patients who do not require oxygen. It has only been proven to help in more serious cases. Among the concerns with earlier use is that steroids tamp down certain immune cells, hindering the body’s own ability to fight off infection.Trump is 74 years old and clinically obese, putting him at higher risk of serious complications.First lady Melania Trump has remained at the White House as she recovers from her own bout with the virus.Several White House officials this weekend expressed frustration with the level of transparency and public disclosure since the president announced his diagnosis early Friday.They were particularly upset by the whiplash between Conley’s upbeat assessment Saturday and Meadows’ more concerned outlook. They privately acknowledge that the administration has little credibility on COVID-19 and that they have unnecessarily squandered what remains of it with the lack of clear, accurate updates on Trump’s condition.Many in the White House are also shaken and scared — nervous that they have been exposed to the virus and confronting the reality that what seemed like a bubble of safety has become a COVID-19 hot spot. It took until late Sunday for the White House to send a generic note to staffers suggesting they not come to the building if they do not feel well. 

Trump declares ‘I get it,’ then briefly leaves hospital

Two days after being hospitalized with COVID-19, President Donald Trump declared, “I get it,” in a message to the nation Sunday before briefly leaving the hospital to salute supporters from a motorcade, a move that suggested the president would continue to disregard basic precautions to contain the virus that has killed more than 209,000 Americans.

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UK PM Boris Johnson returns to face growing coronavirus divisionsBritish Prime Minister Boris Johnson is returning to work after recovering from a coronavirus infection that put him in intensive care, with his government facing growing criticism over the deaths and disruption the virus has caused. Johnson’s office said he would be back at his desk in 10 Downing St. on Monday, two weeks after he was released from a London hospital. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who has been standing in for the prime minister, said Sunday that Johnson was “raring to go.”Britain has recorded more than 20,000 deaths among people hospitalized with COVID-19, the fifth country in the world to reach that total. Thousands more are thought to have died in nursing homes.Johnson, 55, spent a week at St. Thomas’ Hospital, including three nights in intensive care, where he was given oxygen and watched around the clock by medical workers. After he was released on April 12, he recorded a video message thanking staff at the hospital for saving his life.Johnson has not been seen in public since, as he recovered at Chequers, the prime minister’s country retreat outside London.Opposition politicians say Britain’s coronavirus death toll could have been lower if Johnson’s Conservative government had imposed a nationwide lockdown sooner. They are also demanding to know when and how the government will ease the restrictions that were imposed March 23 and run to at least May 7.“Decisions need to be taken quicker and communication with the public needs to be clearer,” opposition Labour Party leader Keir Starmer said in a letter to Johnson.“The British public have made great sacrifices to make the lockdown work,” he wrote. “They deserve to be part of an adult conversation about what comes next.”Despite the toll, which saw another 813 virus-related deaths announced Saturday, some in Britain are growing impatient with the restrictions, which have brought much of the economy and daily life to a halt. Road traffic has begun to creep up after plummeting when the lockdown first was imposed, and some businesses have begun to reopen after implementing social-distancing measures.Scientists say the U.K. has reached the peak of the pandemic but is not yet out of danger. The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 is declining and the number of daily deaths peaked on April 8.But with hundreds of new deaths announced each day, some health experts say Britain could eventually have the highest virus death toll in Europe.As fears recede that the health system will be overwhelmed, opponents are criticizing Johnson’s government over shortages of protective equipment for medical workers and a lack of testing for the virus. More than 100 infected medical workers have died so far.The government has promised to conduct 100,000 coronavirus tests a day by the end of the month, but has yet to reach even 30,000 a day. Increasing testing, so that all people with the virus can be identified and their contacts traced and isolated, is key to loosening the lockdown.The British government says all health care staff and other essential workers can be tested if they show symptoms. It is rolling out almost 100 mobile testing sites, staffed by soldiers, to conduct tests at nursing homes, police stations, prisons and other sites.In the first two days of expanded testing, however, the online system handling daily demand for the tests had exceeded the supply by early morning.

UK PM Boris Johnson returns to face growing coronavirus divisions

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is returning to work after recovering from a coronavirus infection that put him in intensive care, with his government facing growing criticism over the deaths and disruption the virus has caused.

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Representational imageChina on Monday said Pakistan should not be targeted on terrorism at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit this week where Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to raise the issue of Islamabad harbouring terrorists.During his first foreign visit to the Maldives after being re-elected as India's Prime Minister, Modi on Saturday indirectly attacked Pakistan, saying state sponsorship of terrorism is the biggest threat the world is facing today.Related Stories India-China trade to cross USD 100 billion this year: EnvoyChina grants commercial licences to 4 telecom companies to launch 5G services amid tensions with USTrump blames India, China for not doing enough on climate changeThe new Modi NITI, how to take on China with 'AIM'Modi is likely to raise the issue at this week's summit as part of India's strategy to isolate Pakistan at multilateral forums but China made clear its ally, Islamabad, should not be targeted at the event. "In every summit, the institutional building of the SCO will be discussed that would involve economic cooperation and security cooperation particularly on counter-terrorism," China's Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Hanhui said. "Security and development are two major issues of focus for the SCO. The establishment of the SCO is not to target any certain country but the summit of this level will certainly pay attention to major international relation and regional issues," Zhang said in an indirect reference to Pakistan while replying to a question if multilateralism would be the at the fulcrum of the discussion at the event.Zhang was addressing a press conference ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping attending the 19th SCO summit in Kyrgyzstan's Bishkek and the fifth version of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) in Dushanbe, the capital city of Tajikistan.Modi will meet Xi on the sidelines of the summit where he will not meet Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, citing Islamabad funding anti-India terrorists.China has long shielded Pakistan on terrorism, saying the South Asian nations itself is the victim of the menace and done a tremendous job in wiping out terrorists. This frustrates India and one of the sore points in its ties with China.Talking to journalists, Zhang also said US' trade protectionist policy will figure at the event. "As for the ongoing unilateralist, protectionist and bullying practices in the world, I think they are close to the hearts of all countries. "We have not set an agenda as such beforehand but I think some participation countries will be interests in this topic. Some leaders will express their views on these matters. It is only natural to see that happening," he added. 

Don't target Pakistan at SCO summit: China

"In every summit, the institutional building of the SCO will be discussed that would involve economic cooperation and security cooperation particularly on counter-terrorism," China's Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Hanhui said.

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US asks Pak to meet international obligations on combating terror financingThe US during the recent visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan asked Pakistan to meet its international obligations on combating terror financing, a senior State Department official has said.The official, on the condition of anonymity, said Pakistan is working to implement its action plan that it submitted to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and the issue came up for discussion when Khan held a meeting with President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last week. In June, the Paris-based anti-money laundering watchdog said that Pakistan failed to complete its action plan on terror financing. It warned Islamabad to meet its commitment by October or face action, which could possibly lead to the country getting blacklisted.The FATF last year placed Pakistan on the grey list of countries whose domestic laws are considered weak to tackle the challenges of money laundering and terrorism financing.Noting that America's "engagement" with Pakistan on the FATF issue is “driven by facts”, the State Department official said: "Pakistan is working to complete its FATF Action Plan and we discussed ways to support it as it does."“We obviously welcome Prime Minister Khan's stated commitment that Pakistan for its own future will prevent the operation of all militant groups on its territory,” said the official.The US insisted that Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts would be measured against its FATF commitments.Refusing to give the details of deliberations on the FATF, the official said there is an action plan. “It’s discreet, it's tangible, it's measurable. So we will look to see what actions Pakistan will take." “We heard a message of political commitment to upholding the FATF and it's important to see that political commitment is then translated into specific actions,” the official said. “These measures (Pakistan action plan) are not specific. FATF obligations are not group dependent. These obligations and commitments are how a country can establish a financial system, how it can ensure that its system is not being abused or misused by terrorist or actors or other criminal networks,” the official said.These are very technocratic regulations that have been set by the international community, the official added. ALSO READ | Post-Imran Khan visit, US avoids using 'reset' term for ties with PakistanALSO READ | Donald Trump offered mediation as US wants improved Indo-Pak relations: State Department officialALSO READ | Trump, Putin speak over phone on trade, wildfiresWATCH | Special report: Pakistan and its exports, in form of donkeys and dogs, to China /* .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'); 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US asks Pak to meet international obligations on combating terror financing

The official, on the condition of anonymity, said Pakistan is working to implement its action plan that is submitted to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and the issue came up for discussion when Khan held a meeting with President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last week.