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Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Janaki Mandir in Janakpur on FridayUnderlining the importance of Nepal in India’s foreign policy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the Himalayan kingdom is at the top of New Delhi’s Neighbourhood First policy. Speaking at a civic reception in Janakpur, PM Modi invoked mythological links between India and Nepal and announced a Rs 100 crore package to develop Janakpur - the sacred city for Hindus.Related Stories Will continue defence ties with India: Nepal's Defence MinisterIndia, Nepal decide to boost cooperation, speed up connectivity projects: 8 PointsChina moots India-Nepal-China economic corridor through Himalayas The amount will be spent on different development projects forging collaboration between the central government and the local government of Province No. 2. Janakpur is known as the birth place of Sita, the wife of Lord Rama.Amid thunderous applause, Modi said that he was visiting  Janakpur not as the prime minister but as the chief pilgrim.PM Modi is visiting Nepal for the third time since he assumed the reins of power in 2014.Recalling  the special bonding that India shared with Nepal, PM Modi read out a verse from Ramcharitmanas which says ‘one cannot remain isolated from the suffering of a friend and a true friend always helps his friend in the time of suffering.’ “Whenever there has been a problem, India and Nepal have stood together. We have been there for each other in the most difficult of times,” PM Modi said.Modi, who earlier with his Nepalese counterpart K P Sharma Oli jointly inaugurated a direct bus service between Janakpur and Ayodhya - the two sacred cities for Hindus, said he was happy to link Janakpur with Ramayan Circuit. “This circuit will develop religious tourism. It also will strengthen connectivity between the two nations,” Modi said. He also announced that two other circuits will also be developed for the promotion of the areas related to Buddhism and Jain religion in both Nepal and India, which will be instrumental in generating employment for the youths. Modi said Nepal and India can benefit if they cooperate and work together for the promotion of five Ts: Tradition, Trade, Tourism, Technology and Transport. He underlined the need for linking Nepal and India through highway, I- way or Information, Railway, Trans way or electric connectivity, waterway and airway. “Better connectivity leads to enhanced India-Nepal friendship. That is why topmost priority is being given to boosting connectivity,” he said. “We are also trying our best to connect Nepal with waterways so that Nepal will be able to export Nepali goods abroad. If done so Nepal will be able to reap benefits through international trade,” Modi said. He said his long cherished dream to visit Janakpur has now been fulfilled with the grace of Goddess Sita. Modi, who earlier offered special prayers at the famed 20th century Janaki temple, invoked mythological King Janak of Mithila and King Dashratha of Ayodhya and said they not only united Janakpur and Ayodhya but also united India and Nepal. “Nepal and India relations were started during the rule of King Janak in Treta Yuga and the bondage built by Sita during the period is still strong. It is this bondage which attracts people from Rameswaram to Pashupatinath, people from Lumbini to Bodhgaya and I was also attracted with the same bondage,” he said. He said Nepal and India not only share border, aspirations, dreams and destination, but their happiness and challenge are also same. “Nepal is the land of great sages like Yagyavalkya, Astavakra, Gargi, who used to debate on theology and social issues in the palace of King Janak,” he said, adding that Nepal has become the centre of spiritualism and philosophy. Janakpur is the land from where the message of women empowerment reverberates, Modi said, adding that this is also the land which Raja Janak served with utmost devotion and compassion. Modi also hailed the three successful polls in Nepal after the promulgation of the new Constitution in 2015.He said the strides Nepal has made in strengthening its democratic fabric are commendable. Nepal conducted two-phased parliamentary and provincial assembly elections in November and December 2017. The country also held local elections in three phases last year. Modi said India will build a railway link between Raxaul in Bihar and Kathmandu to facilitate people-to-people contact and movement of goods. He also thanked Oli and said the honour he received in Janakpur is for the entire people of India. Defence Minister Ishwor Pokharel welcomed Prime Minister Modi at the function. Modi was wearing a Maithili kurta gifted by Prime Minister Oli. “Nepal and India are tied together by common culture, civilization and history,” Pokharel said. He expressed the confidence that the people to people relations between the two countries are being nurtured on the basis of brotherhood and equality. Mayor of Janakpur Sub-metropolitan City Lal Kishro Shah read out felicitation letter in honour of Modi. He also handed over the symbolic key of Janakpur to Modi and gifted the picture of Janaki Temple as a token of love to him. Chief Minister of Province No. 2 Lal Babu Raut offered a huge garland weighing 121 kg to Modi on the occasion. Welcoming Modi, Chief Minister Raut said the “open borders between Nepal and India have been instrumental in connecting the peoples of the two countries.”Watch video: PM Modi says Nepal at top of India's Neighbourhood First policy(With PTI inputs)

PM Modi announces Rs 100-crore package for Janakpur, says Nepal at top of India’s Neighbourhood First policy

“Whenever there has been a problem, India and Nepal have stood together. We have been there for each other in the most difficult of times,” PM Modi said.

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UN General Assembly President condoles loss of lives due to floods in IndiaPresident of the 73rd session of UN General Assembly Maria Fernanda Espinosa has expressed solidarity with India over floods wreaking havoc in southern and western parts of the country. Espinosa's spokesperson Monica Grayley said she has "sent her condolences to the people and the Government of India after the monsoon floods in the southern and western parts of the country, which led to over 140 deaths, and hundreds of thousands of people being evacuated." She said the president of the UN General Assembly expressed her solidarity to all of those who were affected by the natural disaster. Floods in southern Indian states of Kerala and Karnataka, and western states of Maharashtra and Gujarat have so far claimed 225 lives and lakhs of people had to be moved to safety. Kerala alone accounted for 91 of these deaths. Over the weekend, the President of the UN General Assembly tweeted to express sorrow over the loss of lives and devastation caused by Typhoon Lekima in China that hit Zhejiang province early on Saturday morning. Over a million people had to be evacuated in the province. She tweeted that the international community is ready to cooperate with China if needed. Also Read | NDRF rescue boat overturns in Karnataka's Koppal as flood situation worsensPresident of the 73rd session of UN General Assembly Maria Fernanda Espinosa has expressed solidarity with India over floods wreaking havoc in southern and western parts of the country.Espinosa's spokesperson Monica Grayley said she has "sent her condolences to the people and the Government of India after the monsoon floods in the southern and western parts of the country, which led to over 140 deaths, and hundreds of thousands of people being evacuated."She said the president of the UN General Assembly expressed her solidarity to all of those who were affected by the natural disaster.Floods in southern Indian states of Kerala and Karnataka, and western states of Maharashtra and Gujarat have so far claimed 225 lives and lakhs of people had to be moved to safety. Kerala alone accounted for 91 of these deaths.Over the weekend, the President of the UN General Assembly tweeted to express sorrow over the loss of lives and devastation caused by Typhoon Lekima in China that hit Zhejiang province early on Saturday morning. Over a million people had to be evacuated in the province.She tweeted that the international community is ready to cooperate with China if needed.Also Read | 9 dead, several missing after boat capsizes in Maharashtra's Sangli district

UN General Assembly President condoles loss of lives due to floods in India

President of the 73rd session of UN General Assembly Maria Fernanda Espinosa has expressed solidarity with India over floods wreaking havoc in southern and western parts of the country.

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US says it won't allow Daniel Pearl's killer to evade justice; ready to try Omar SheikhThe US has said it is ready to take custody of British-born al-Qaeda leader Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, accused of kidnapping and murdering American journalist Daniel Pearl, asserting that Washington will not allow him to evade justice.Acting US Attorney General Jeffrey A Rosen’s remarks comes days after a Pakistani court-ordered release of Sheikh and his three aides, convicted and later acquitted in the kidnapping and murder case of Pearl."We cannot allow him to evade justice for his role in Daniel Pearl’s abduction and murder," Rosen said on Tuesday.Pearl, the 38-year-old South Asia bureau chief for The Wall Street Journal, was abducted and beheaded while he was in Pakistan investigating a story in 2002 on the links between the country's powerful spy agency ISI and al-Qaeda."We understand that Pakistani authorities are taking steps to ensure that Omar Sheikh remains in custody while the Supreme Court appeal seeking to reinstate his conviction continues," Rosen said in a statement released by the US State Department."The separate judicial rulings reversing his conviction and ordering his release are an affront to terrorism victims everywhere," he said.“We remain grateful for the Pakistani government’s actions to appeal such rulings to ensure that he and his co-defendants are held accountable. If, however, those efforts do not succeed, the United States stands ready to take custody of Omar Sheikh to stand trial here," he said.In a surprise move, a two-judge bench of the Sindh High Court last week directed security agencies not to keep Sheikh and other accused under "any sort of detention" and declared all notifications of the Sindh government related to their detention "null and void". The court observed that the four men's detention was "illegal".Days later the Sindh province government said it has decided not to release Sheikh and his three aides in view of a Supreme Court’s September 28 order.A three-judge apex court bench headed by Justice Mushir Alam, which is hearing the appeal by the Sindh government and the family of the slain journalist against the acquittal of Sheikh by the Sindh High Court in April, on September 28 noted that till the next date of hearing, the accused shall not be released.A senior Pakistani government official said the apex court order has not been specifically recalled."The SHC in its December 24 order also clarified that accused should not be released if there is a Supreme Court restraining order regarding their detention,” the official added.In April, a two-judge Sindh High Court bench commuted the death sentence of 46-year-old Sheikh to seven years imprisonment. The court also acquitted his three aides who were serving life terms in the case – almost two decades after they were found guilty and jailed.However, the Sindh government refused to release them and kept them in detention under the Maintenance of Public Order. Their continuous detention was challenged in the Sindh High Court, which ordered their release on Thursday.On Friday, the United States had expressed "deep concern" over the order to release Sheikh and his aides and said it will continue to monitor any developments in the case."We are deeply concerned by the reports of the December 24 ruling of Sindh High Court to release multiple terrorists responsible for the murder of Daniel Pearl. We have been assured that the accused have not been released at this time," the US State Department said in a tweet. It said that the US will continue to monitor any developments in the case and will continue to support the Pearl family "through this extremely difficult process" while honouring the legacy of Pearl as a "courageous journalist".The US has been mounting pressure on Pakistan, demanding justice for Pearl.Pearl's murder took place three years after Sheikh, along with Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar and Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar, was released by India in 1999 and given safe passage to Afghanistan in exchange for the nearly 150 passengers of hijacked Indian Airlines Flight 814. He was serving a prison term in India for kidnappings of Western tourists in the country.

Won't allow Daniel Pearl's killer to evade justice: US tells Pakistan

Acting US Attorney General Jeffrey A Rosen’s remarks comes days after a Pakistani court ordered release of Sheikh and his three aides, convicted and later acquitted in the kidnapping and murder case of Pearl.

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At least 18 people, mostly civilians, were killed Saturday when a suicide car bomber targeted a convoy of provincial security forces in eastern Afghanistan, an Interior Ministry official said.Najib Danish, the ministry’s deputy spokesman, said the target of the bomber was a group of guards providing security for U.S. forces in Khost province, but most of the victims in the attack were civilians.No group immediately claimed responsibility, but Taliban insurgents have increased their attacks against Afghan security forces since announcing their spring offensive last month.The security forces were attacked near the province’s main bus station, said Danish. “Six other civilians including two small children were wounded in the attack,” he said.The attack, which took place on a road between a bus station and the provincial football stadium, damaged or destroyed about a dozen shops and several vehicles.The attack came on the first day of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month.Mubariz Zadran, a spokesman for the provincial governor in Khost said the casualty number could rise because some of the wounded were in critical condition.

18 killed in suicide car bomb attack in Afghanistan

At least 18 people were killed Saturday when a suicide car bomber targeted a convoy of provincial security forces in eastern Afghanistan.

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The UN Security Council should step up pressure on Pakistan to "change its behaviour", US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley today said. Briefing reporters after returning from a UN Security Council visit to Afghanistan, she said the Afghanistan government has asked the 15-member powerful wing of the world body to step up pressure on Pakistan. "They did ask us for consensus to put further pressure on Pakistan to come to the table and change their behaviour," Haley said. She said the Afghan government "continue to make 10 steps forward, and with Pakistan they feel like they continue to take steps backward." The Kabul visit of UN Security Council members came ahead of the Kabul Process meeting next month where the Afghan government is expected to present its strategy for reaching a settlement with the armed opposition. Haley said the Afghan government is starting to see the Taliban concede, they are starting to see them move towards coming to the table. Pakistan is accused of supporting the Taliban and various militant groups in Afghanistan. Early this month, the US freezed nearly USD 2 billion in security assistance to Pakistan arguing that Islamabad is not taking any decisive action against terrorists operating from its soil. 

UNSC must step up pressure on Pakistan to change its behaviour: US

The UN Security Council should step up pressure on Pakistan to "change its behaviour", US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley today said.

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US-based biotechnology giant Moderna has said it will request an emergency use authorization from the US FDA.US-based biotechnology giant Moderna has said it will request an emergency use authorization from the US FDA and conditional approval from the European Medicines Agency after its coronavirus vaccine showed 94.1 per cent effective rate in the trials. A couple of weeks ago, Moderna said that its COVID-19 vaccine showed to be 94.5 per cent effective in preventing the deadly disease, bringing a glimmer of hope to a world ravaged by the pandemic.Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Moderna's announcement had come just a week after Pfizer and Biontech said their COVID-19 vaccine candidate was found to be more than 90 per cent effective in preventing COVID-19 in participants."This is a pivotal moment in the development of our COVID-19 vaccine candidate. Since early January, we have chased this virus with the intent to protect as many people around the world as possible. All along, we have known that each day matters," said Stephane Bancel, CEO of Moderna."This positive interim analysis from our Phase 3 study has given us the first clinical validation that our vaccine can prevent COVID-19 disease, including severe disease,” Bancel said as the pandemic has killed more than 1.3 million people worldwide, more than 245,000 of them in the US."The independent, NIH-appointed Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) for the Phase 3 study of mRNA-1273, its vaccine candidate against COVID-19, has informed Moderna that the trial has met the statistical criteria pre-specified in the study protocol for efficacy, with a vaccine efficacy of 94. 5 per cent," Moderna said in a statement.ALSO READ | PM Modi to take stock of COVID-19 vaccine development, visit key labs on SaturdayThis study, known as the COVE study, enrolled more than 30,000 participants in the US, it added.Based on these interim safety and efficacy data, Moderna intends to submit for an Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) with the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) in the coming weeks and anticipates having the EUA informed by the final safety and efficacy data. Moderna also plans to submit applications for authorisations to global regulatory agencies.Bancel said the company is looking forward to the “next milestones” of submitting for an emergency use authorisation in the US, and regulatory filings in countries around the world, "while we continue to collect data on the safety and efficacy of the vaccine in the COVE study. We remain committed to and focused on doing our part to help end the COVID-19 pandemic.” /* .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_6919077629 = { "file": "https://indiatv-vh.akamaihd.net/i/vod/0_38dvuh5y_,20,21,22,.mp4.csmil/master.m3u8", "image": "https://thumbs.indiatvnews.com/vod/0_38dvuh5y_big_thumb.jpg", "title": "Coronavirus vaccine launch update: Know current status of key covid-19 vaccines", "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": "297", "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_6919077629 = ''; jwsetup_6919077629(); function jwsetup_6919077629() { jwvidplayer_6919077629 = jwplayer("jwvidplayer_6919077629").setup(jwconfig_6919077629); jwvidplayer_6919077629.on('ready', function () { ns_.StreamingAnalytics.JWPlayer(jwvidplayer_6919077629, { publisherId: "20465327", labelmapping: "c2=\"20465327\", c3=\"IndiaTV News\", c4=\"null\", c6=\"null\", ns_st_mp=\"jwplayer\", ns_st_cl=\"0\", ns_st_ci=\"0_38dvuh5y\", ns_st_pr=\"Coronavirus vaccine launch update: Know current status of key covid-19 vaccines\", ns_st_sn=\"0\", ns_st_en=\"0\", ns_st_ep=\"Coronavirus vaccine launch update: Know current status of key covid-19 vaccines\", ns_st_ct=\"null\", ns_st_ge=\"News\", ns_st_st=\"Coronavirus vaccine launch update: Know current status of key covid-19 vaccines\", ns_st_ce=\"0\", ns_st_ia=\"0\", ns_st_ddt=\"2020-11-30\", ns_st_tdt=\"2020-11-30\", ns_st_pu=\"IndiaTV News\", ns_st_cu=\"https://indiatv-vh.akamaihd.net/i/vod/0_38dvuh5y_,20,21,22,.mp4.csmil/master.m3u8\", ns_st_ty=\"video\"" }); }); jwvidplayer_6919077629.on('all', function (r) { if (jwvidplayer_6919077629.getState() == 'error' || jwvidplayer_6919077629.getState() == 'setupError') { jwvidplayer_6919077629.stop(); jwvidplayer_6919077629.remove(); jwvidplayer_6919077629 = ''; jwsetup_6919077629(); return; } }); jwvidplayer_6919077629.on('error', function (t) { jwvidplayer_6919077629.stop(); jwvidplayer_6919077629.remove(); jwvidplayer_6919077629 = ''; jwsetup_6919077629(); return; }); jwvidplayer_6919077629.on('mute', function () { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_6919077629.on('adPlay', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_6919077629.on('adPause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_6919077629.on('pause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_6919077629.on('error', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_6919077629.on('adBlock', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); } By the end of 2020, the company expects to have approximately 20 million doses of mRNA-1273 ready to ship in the US. The Company remains on track to manufacture 500 million to 1 billion doses globally in 2021.The announcements about the vaccines and their potential availability for use among the general population in the coming weeks and months has offered hope to millions around the world in a year that has seen the COVID-19 pandemic devastate lives and economies and still showing no signs of abating.(With inputs from IANS)ALSO READ | UK asks regulator to approve Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine

After 94.1% efficacy, Moderna to request for emergency use authorization in US, conditional approval in Europe

US-based biotechnology giant Moderna has said it will request an emergency use authorization from the US FDA and conditional approval from the European Medicines Agency after its coronavirus vaccine showed 94.1 per cent effective rate in the trials.

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Hong Kong protesters vandalize subway station, storm mallPolice fired tear gas and protesters broke windows at a shopping mall Sunday in anti-government demonstrations across Hong Kong amid anger over a student activist’s death and the arrest of pro-democracy lawmakers.Hong Kong is in the sixth month of protests that began in June over a proposed extradition law and have expanded to include demands for greater democracy and other grievances. Activists complain the government is eroding the autonomy and Western-style civil liberties promised when this former British colony returned to China in 1997.Police in green fatigues with riot helmets and shields fired tear gas to clear streets in Tsuen Wan in the northwest after chasing protesters in the district’s Citywalk shopping mall. Officers walked up a four-lane thoroughfare shoulder to shoulder firing volleys of tear gas ahead of them.Protesters started a small fire with debris in the street. The newspaper Apple Daily reported four men and one woman suspected of vandalizing shops in Tsuen Wan were taken away.In Sha Tin in the northeast, authorities closed a subway station after protesters broke windows and damaged a ticket machine. Reporters saw police arrest three men at a residential complex elsewhere in Sha Tin but the reason wasn’t clear.In Tuen Mun in the northwest, about three dozen people dressed in black, the symbolic color of the protests, stormed through a shopping mall.Most were peaceful but one used a club to smash windows while others overturned tables in a restaurant. Spectators on the street outside shouted “Cockroaches!” at police.Inside the Festival Walk shopping mall in Kowloon Tong, reporters saw a man lying on a public walkway beside a small pool of blood with police standing over him. His condition and the reason for possible injuries were unclear.There were brief shoving matches between police and shoppers, some of whom thrust their fists in the air in a gesture of defiance. Police released pepper spray inside the mall.A government statement said one person who was arrested at Kowloon Tong escaped from police due to clamor caused by protesters.Activists are demanding the resignation of the semi-autonomous Chinese territory’s leader, Chief Executive Carrie Lam.The protests have added to downward pressure on Hong Kong’s economy. It already was struggling with declining global economic growth and the U.S.-Chinese tariff war.The territory of 7.5 million people tumbled into its first recession since the global financial crisis after economic activity shrank 3.2% in the quarter ending in September.On Saturday, police announced the arrest of six lawmakers on charges of obstructing the local assembly during a raucous May 11 meeting over the extradition bill. All were freed on bail.Meanwhile, protesters mourned the death Friday death of a university student, Chow Tsz-Lok, who fell from a parking garage when police fired tear gas at protesters.The circumstances of the death are unclear, but many accuse police of using heavy-handed tactics, including widespread use of tear gas and pepper spray. Police denied pushing the 22-year-old student during last Monday’s incident or delaying emergency treatment.The territory is preparing for Nov. 24 district council elections that are viewed as a measure of public sentiment toward the government. Pro-democracy lawmakers accuse the government of trying to provoke violence to justify canceling or postponing the elections.Violence erupted late Friday when protesters took to the streets following memorial events for the student in multiple locations. More than 3,300 people have been arrested since the start of the protest movement.ALSO READ | Pro-Beijing lawmaker Junius Ho in Hong Kong stabbed while campaigning

Hong Kong protesters vandalize subway station, storm mall

Police fired tear gas and protesters broke windows at a shopping mall Sunday in anti-government demonstrations across Hong Kong amid anger over a student activist’s death and the arrest of pro-democracy lawmakers.

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Pakistan mission issues visas to Hindu pilgrims to visit Katas Raj templesThe Pakistan High Commission here on Monday said it has issued visas to a group of Hindu pilgrims to visit Shree Katas Raj temples in Punjab province's Chakwal district. The group is planning to visit Shree Katas Raj temples, also known as Qila Katas or complex of Katas temples, from February 19 to 25, the Pakistan High Commission said in a statement.Katas Raj temples surround a pond which is considered sacred by the Hindus, it said. A group of 88 Indian Hindu devotees had also visited Shree Katas Raj temples last year from December 13 to 19. Both these visits are covered under the Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines, 1974. The issuing of visas to Sikh and Hindu pilgrims is in line with the Pakistan government's efforts to facilitate visits to religious shrines, the statement said. ALSO READ | Pakistan no longer a 'safe haven' for terror groups: Imran KhanALSO READ | Pakistan: 7 dead, several injured in blast near Quetta press club in Balochistan province

Pakistan mission issues visas to Hindu pilgrims to visit Katas Raj temples

The Pakistan High Commission here on Monday said it has issued visas to a group of Hindu pilgrims to visit Shree Katas Raj temples in Punjab province's Chakwal district.

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PM Modi and President Trump - File pic

'PM Modi a friend of mine, I like him very much': US President Donald Trump to Bob Woodward in his latest book

Woodward’s book ‘Fear: Trump in the White House’ has stirred controversy in the US as it reportedly portrays Trump as chaotic, mercurial and uninformed.

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45-year-old Indian teacher in China contracts mysterious virusA 45-year-old Indian woman has become the first foreigner in China to have contracted a mysterious virus, which is suspected to be Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)-like corona virus.In 2002-2003, the SARS corona virus killed around 650 people in China and Hong Kong. This time, a new strain of virus with 62 cases have been reported in Wuhan and two in Shenzhen so far. 19 patients have been already cured and discharged, as per the Chinese media.Official sources in Beijing said that the patient, Preeti Maheshwari, a school teacher at an international school, is undergoing treatment for the new strain of pneumonia outbreak, which has been spreading in two major cities of China - Wuhan and Shenzen. She has been on a ventilator in the intensive care unit.Maheshwari was admitted to a local hospital after she seriously fell ill last Friday. Her husband, a businessman from Delhi, is allowed to visit her daily.Following a second death due to the outbreak of the virus in Wuhan, India on Friday issued an advisory to its nationals travelling to China. Over 500 Indian medical students are studying in Wuhan.

45-year-old Indian teacher in China contracts deadly Coronavirus

In 2002-2003, the SARS corona virus killed around 650 people in China and Hong Kong. This time, a new strain of virus with 62 cases have been reported in Wuhan and two in Shenzhen so far. 19 patients have been already cured and discharged, as per the Chinese media.

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Twitter's CEO Jack Dorsey heckled at Bitcoin 2021 conference in MiamiTwitter's CEO Jack Dorsey on late Friday (local time) was heckled at the Bitcoin 2021 conference held in Miami. "Twitter's CEO Jack Dorsey heckled over censorship during an #Bitcoin event," tweeted Disclose.At the event, one of the attendees interrupted the discussion at one point, seemingly accusing Dorsey of undue censorship of free speech through Twitter.According to US-based entertainment news company Meaww, the attendee who interrupted Dorsey was an anti-Muslim activist, Laura Loomer.She attacked Dorsey at the bitcoin reference for being a "giant hypocrite about censorship and freedom of speech". Laura registered her protest against the new censorship rules and accused Dorsey of "interfering" with people's rights."Censorship is human rights violation, " she said. Following her gimmick, Laura was quickly escorted out, reported Meaww.Twitter banned Laura back in 2018 after she posted a tweet about Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar. In her tweet, Laura mentioned that Omar, one of the first two Muslim women elected to Congress, was "anti-Jewish" and that her religion pushed homophobia and abuse of women.Laura had registered her protest against getting banned from the platform by handcuffing herself to the glass doors leading into Twitter's Manhattan headquarters. "It's almost as if Twitter hates Jews and conservatives. When is Jack Dorsey going to stop censoring conservatives? When am I going to get my Twitter back? I'll be here as long as it takes, " she said, reported Meaww.Twitter raged with reactions over Laura Loomer's heckling of Twitter CEO over censorship issues. While some agreed with Laura's stance, some condemned her act.One user wrote, "Jack Dorsey, why don't you do the right thing and allow all voices to be heard? Seriously, what are you so afraid of? That people will think for themselves?"One of the comments slamming Laura Looner read, "Hearing Laura Loomer just lost it on Jack Dorsey at a Bitcoin event in Miami -for censorship Sorry, dopey Laura, wrong platform It's Facebook you're mad at today. But hey, keep it up! Rational America really appreciates the help getting Trump permanently banned from Twitter!"Another tweet read, "Laura Loomer is a racist Islamaphobic loser who feels important because every once and a while she trends on twitter for doing some dumb... like she did today with Jack Dorsey"At the conference, Dorsey was joined during the discussion by Alex Gladstein the chief strategy officer of Human Rights Foundation and another advocate for the sovereign potential of Bitcoin.(With ANI inputs) /* .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_9616368086 = { "file": "https://vod-indiatv.akamaized.net/hls/2021/05/0_7oysyz0o/master.m3u8", "image": "https://thumbs.indiatvnews.com/vod/0_7oysyz0o_big_thumb.jpg", "title": "Delhi Police searches Twitter' office amid 'toolkit' row", "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": "56", "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_9616368086 = ''; jwsetup_9616368086(); function jwsetup_9616368086() { jwvidplayer_9616368086 = jwplayer("jwvidplayer_9616368086").setup(jwconfig_9616368086); jwvidplayer_9616368086.on('ready', function () { ns_.StreamingAnalytics.JWPlayer(jwvidplayer_9616368086, { publisherId: "20465327", labelmapping: "c2=\"20465327\", c3=\"IndiaTV News\", c4=\"null\", c6=\"null\", ns_st_mp=\"jwplayer\", ns_st_cl=\"0\", ns_st_ci=\"0_7oysyz0o\", ns_st_pr=\"Delhi Police searches Twitter' office amid 'toolkit' row\", ns_st_sn=\"0\", ns_st_en=\"0\", ns_st_ep=\"Delhi Police searches Twitter' office amid 'toolkit' row\", ns_st_ct=\"null\", ns_st_ge=\"News\", ns_st_st=\"Delhi Police searches Twitter' office amid 'toolkit' row\", ns_st_ce=\"0\", ns_st_ia=\"0\", ns_st_ddt=\"2021-05-25\", ns_st_tdt=\"2021-05-25\", ns_st_pu=\"IndiaTV News\", ns_st_cu=\"https://vod-indiatv.akamaized.net/hls/2021/05/0_7oysyz0o/master.m3u8\", ns_st_ty=\"video\"" }); }); jwvidplayer_9616368086.on('all', function (r) { if (jwvidplayer_9616368086.getState() == 'error' || jwvidplayer_9616368086.getState() == 'setupError') { jwvidplayer_9616368086.stop(); jwvidplayer_9616368086.remove(); jwvidplayer_9616368086 = ''; jwsetup_9616368086(); return; } }); jwvidplayer_9616368086.on('error', function (t) { jwvidplayer_9616368086.stop(); jwvidplayer_9616368086.remove(); jwvidplayer_9616368086 = ''; jwsetup_9616368086(); return; }); jwvidplayer_9616368086.on('mute', function () { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_9616368086.on('adPlay', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_9616368086.on('adPause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_9616368086.on('pause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_9616368086.on('error', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_9616368086.on('adBlock', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); } ALSO READ: Facebook to end rule exemptions for politicians: ReportsALSO READ: Talk of Donald Trump 2024 run builds as legal pressure intensifies

Twitter's CEO Jack Dorsey heckled at Bitcoin 2021 conference in Miami

At the event, one of the attendees interrupted the discussion at one point, seemingly accusing Dorsey of undue censorship of free speech through Twitter.

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Denmark lifts almost all COVID pandemic restrictions. As Denmark reclassified Covid-19 from "socially critical" to a "generally dangerous" disease, almost all the restrictions, including the mandatory use of face masks and enforcement of the "corona pass", have been lifted."Everyday life has pretty much returned to normal, but it does not mean that there is no danger," Health Minister Magnus Heunicke told the Danish broadcaster TV2 on Friday.However, he noted that with a high vaccination rate among the population, "we are in a good place", reports Xinhua news agencyIn the past 24 hours, Denmark's Statens Serum Institute (SSI), the country's infectious diseases agency, registered 557 new cases and four deaths, bringing the national totals to 351,553 infections and 2,608 fatalities.Nevertheless, the public had mixed feelings about the disappearance of restrictions.Normalcy returns in the wake of the government's refusal to extend the Epidemic Act, which it passed in March 2020, and which categorised Covid-19 as "socially critical," able to seriously disrupt important societal functions as it spreads."The pandemic is under control, we have record high vaccination rates. Therefore, we can drop some special rules we have had to introduce in the fight against Covid-19," the Ministry of Health said on August 27.Despite still being prevalent in society, coronavirus is now considered by the government to be less socially disruptive and has therefore been labelled as a "generally dangerous disease" akin to influenza."At the moment, I think that we have reason to favor lifting restrictions, but this does not mean that we would not go back to restrictions later on," Jens Lundgren, professor of viral diseases at Copenhagen University Hospital, told Xinhua news agency."That is why an extensive surveillance activity is now being implemented in Denmark to make sure that we capture early signs of a potential worsening of the pandemic," he said.According to the Ministry of Health, some "minor restrictions will still apply around utilities like wastewater, entry restrictions to medical establishments and care homes as well as the requirement for facemasks at airports and onboard planes to comply with international rules".The Health Minister said that Denmark has placed further orders for "millions of vaccines", including newly developed types, to tackle new variants despite the end of restrictions.Heunicke urged people to take the vaccine to "avoid transmitting the infection to other citizens with a weakened immune system".On Friday, the SSI reported that 75.6 per cent of the population, or 4,428,948 people, had already started the vaccination process.Of them, 4,282,637 people, or 73.1 per cent, are fully vaccinated."Covid-19 remains a lethal disease and everybody knows that. But we have a very effective weapon to control it, namely vaccination. Therefore, we need to continue to encourage the unvaccinated to get vaccinated," Lundgren said.The Danish Health Authority (SST) has said that 90 per cent of the population must be vaccinated against Covid-19 by October 1.To achieve this goal, an additional 174,000 people must get the shot during September, according to the SSI. /* .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_6543633482 = { "file": "https://vod-indiatv.akamaized.net/hls/2021/09/0_iyjlelsc/master.m3u8", "image": "https://thumbs.indiatvnews.com/vod/0_iyjlelsc_big_thumb.jpg", "title": "Research suggests mental health distress continued to increase during COVID pandemic", "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": "70", "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_6543633482 = ''; jwsetup_6543633482(); function jwsetup_6543633482() { jwvidplayer_6543633482 = jwplayer("jwvidplayer_6543633482").setup(jwconfig_6543633482); jwvidplayer_6543633482.on('ready', function () { ns_.StreamingAnalytics.JWPlayer(jwvidplayer_6543633482, { publisherId: "20465327", labelmapping: "c2=\"20465327\", c3=\"IndiaTV News\", c4=\"null\", c6=\"null\", ns_st_mp=\"jwplayer\", ns_st_cl=\"0\", ns_st_ci=\"0_iyjlelsc\", ns_st_pr=\"Research suggests mental health distress continued to increase during COVID pandemic\", ns_st_sn=\"0\", ns_st_en=\"0\", ns_st_ep=\"Research suggests mental health distress continued to increase during COVID pandemic\", ns_st_ct=\"null\", ns_st_ge=\"News\", ns_st_st=\"Research suggests mental health distress continued to increase during COVID pandemic\", ns_st_ce=\"0\", ns_st_ia=\"0\", ns_st_ddt=\"2021-09-11\", ns_st_tdt=\"2021-09-11\", ns_st_pu=\"IndiaTV News\", ns_st_cu=\"https://vod-indiatv.akamaized.net/hls/2021/09/0_iyjlelsc/master.m3u8\", ns_st_ty=\"video\"" }); }); jwvidplayer_6543633482.on('all', function (r) { if (jwvidplayer_6543633482.getState() == 'error' || jwvidplayer_6543633482.getState() == 'setupError') { jwvidplayer_6543633482.stop(); jwvidplayer_6543633482.remove(); jwvidplayer_6543633482 = ''; jwsetup_6543633482(); return; } }); jwvidplayer_6543633482.on('error', function (t) { jwvidplayer_6543633482.stop(); jwvidplayer_6543633482.remove(); jwvidplayer_6543633482 = ''; jwsetup_6543633482(); return; }); jwvidplayer_6543633482.on('mute', function () { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_6543633482.on('adPlay', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_6543633482.on('adPause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_6543633482.on('pause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_6543633482.on('error', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_6543633482.on('adBlock', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); }

Denmark lifts almost all COVID pandemic restrictions

However, he noted that with a high vaccination rate among the population, "we are in a good place", reports Xinhua news agency

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US President Donald Trump on Thursday demanded death penalty for Uzbek immigrant Sayfullo Saipov after he killed eight people in a truck attack in New York. Trump has been vocal in condemning the attack carried out by the 29-year-old ISIS-inspired man who ploughed a pickup truck down a crowded bike path near the World Trade Centre, killing eight people and injuring nearly a dozen others."NYC terrorist was happy as he asked to hang ISIS flag in his hospital room. He killed 8 people, badly injured 12. SHOULD GET DEATH PENALTY!" Trump said in a tweet, in reference to the FBI's statement that Saipov, a resident of New Jersey, was inspired by the ISIS and "requested to display ISIS's flag" in his hospital room.Trump said on Wednesday that it was "another attack by a very sick and deranged person" while extending his "thoughts, condolences and prayers" to the victims.He also called for tougher "merit-based" immigration measures and vowed to do away with the diversity visa programme."The terrorist came into our country through what is called the 'Diversity Visa Lottery Programme'... I want merit based," he wrote on Twitter.Saipov was charged with terrorism offences by US prosecutors who said he decided to carry out the attack "to inflict maximum damage against civilians".The FBI and New York Police Department are jointly investigating the terrorist attack, the deadliest in New York post 9/11.Hours after the terrorist attack, Trump directed the Department of Homeland Security for "extreme vetting". He has also supported the idea of sending the suspect to Guantanamo Bay terrorist detention centre in Cuba.

Donald Trump condemns New York attack, says attacker should be put to death

Trump has been vocal in condemning the attack carried out by the 29-year-old ISIS-inspired man who ploughed a pickup truck down a crowded bike path near the World Trade Centre, killing eight people and injuring nearly a dozen others.

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US President-elect Joe BidenThe Pentagon is deploying 20,000 National Guards with lethal weapons here, a week ahead of the inauguration, to prevent any violence as experienced on January 6, with intelligence agencies receiving information about move to create violence and chaos across the country. As many as 15,000 have already been deployed in and around the Capitol Hill and another 5,000 would be added around the January 20 inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. This is now twice the number of American troops in Afghanistan and Iraq combined.As US House of Representatives started the impeachment proceedings against Trump, security was tightened in and around the Capitol Hill.Not only metal detectors were installed, but also eight-feet high metal walls were erected overnight around the Capitol Hill.“There are significantly more US troops currently deployed on Capitol Hill than in Afghanistan and Iraq combined, a staggering statistic that underscores just how massive the security presence already is,” CNN said reflecting on the gravity of the situation in the country.“I think you can except to see somewhere upwards beyond 20,000 members of the National Guard that will be here in the footprint of the District of Columbia,” acting DC police chief Robert J. Contee III told reporters at a news conference here.Guardsmen, who are responsible for security around the Capitol building complex, were armed with lethal weapons, the Politico reported.Major news outlets on Wednesday flashed pictures of guardsman inside the US Capitol guarding the temple of democracy, a scenario that was undreamt of before January 6, when thousands of supporters of Trump stormed the building and disrupted the constitutional process of counting and certification of electoral college votes.Officials are bracing for uncertainty and preparing for the potential of violence in the days ahead, The New York Times reported.“About 16 groups have registered to stage protests and officials said that law enforcement agencies were preparing for the possibility of armed conflict,” the daily reported.National Guard Bureau Chief Gen. Daniel Hokanson told reporter that the troops “are authorized to do law enforcement if that’s requested from the supporting agency.” ALSO READ | US House impeaches Donald Trump for 'incitement of insurrection' at Capitol

20,000 national guards with lethal weapons being deployed in Washington DC

The Pentagon is deploying 20,000 National Guards with lethal weapons here, a week ahead of the inauguration, to prevent any violence as experienced on January 6, with intelligence agencies receiving information about move to create violence and chaos across the country.

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US coronavirus death toll surpasses 150,000The US has recorded over 150,000 Covid-19 deaths, another grim milestone that comes amidst warning from a top Indian-American physician that the country has failed to arrest the spread of the deadly pandemic. America's coronavirus death toll was 150,676 as of Wednesday -- more than a fifth of the world's recorded deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University. The US also had over 4,426,000 confirmed cases, making it the world's worst-hit country.The first death in the US was reported on February 29. The country reached 50,000 deaths 54 days later on April 23, and 34 days later, on May 27, crossed 100,000 deaths. It has taken 63 days to add another 50,000 to reach the 150,000 mark, CNN reported."I think the fact that we as a country have not been able to get our arms around this, have not prioritised preventing those deaths is all that much more maddening," Dr Ashish Jha, director of the Harvard Global Health Institute, said."And so, for me it's frustration, it's sadness. And a resolve to try to figure out how we prevent the next 150,000," Jha told CNN."I think we can, but we're really going to have to work for it," he added.Some states in the US are seeing their highest death tolls. California on Wednesday reported 197 Covid-related deaths in a single day, according to state Department of Public Health. That total far outpaces the previous high of 159, recorded just last week.Florida also reported a record 216 deaths on Wednesday.Infectious disease experts say the US is at a critical juncture, as debates about how and whether to reopen schools for in-person learning are taking place across the country.Case rates rose as businesses reopened and distancing rules relaxed in late spring, and those wanting more normalcy soon should get more disciplined now by wearing masks, limiting outdoor dining and social gatherings, and closing bars, Dr Anthony Fauci said on Tuesday."It's not going to spontaneously come down," Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, he said in a call with several governors about the raging pandemic.Fauci has also disputed claims in a video shared on social media by President Donald Trump about mask-wearing and the use of anti-malarial drug hydroxychloriquine to treat Covid-19.Fauci told the BBC that it was not productive for him to judge the president's tweets or retweets but made it clear that his own view on masks was well known in the White House, adding that "it's not helpful" for conflicting guidance to be presented "when we are trying to get people to universally wear masks".Meanwhile, scholars at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security said in a report that the United States needs to restart its response with policy actions at the federal, state and local levels to get control of the pandemic."Unlike many countries in the world, the United States is not currently on course to get control of this epidemic," the report says, adding that, "It is time to reset."The report includes 10 recommendations that include universal mask mandates, federal leadership to improve testing and, in places where rates of transmission are worsening, stay-at-home orders. 

US coronavirus death toll surpasses 150,000

The US has recorded over 150,000 Covid-19 deaths, another grim milestone that comes amidst warning from a top Indian-American physician that the country has failed to arrest the spread of the deadly pandemic.

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Mexican conservative Anaya concedes election victory to ObradorMexican conservative party candidate Ricardo Anaya conceded he had lost the election to leftist candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Sunday.Anaya said the elections results so far showed that Lopez Obrador's Moreno Party had won the presidency with a resounding double-digit margin of victory in the vote tally.Lopez Obrador won over 40 per cent of the overall vote, with the two other main candidates winning slightly over 20 percent each and a fourth candidate winning just over six percent.It was Lopez Obrador's third try at winning the Mexican presidency, spanning almost 20 years.US President Donald Trump is sending his congratulations to Mexico's Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on his apparent victory in Sunday's presidential election. In a tweet about the leftist populist candidate, Trump says: "I look very much forward to working with him. There is much to be done that will benefit both the United States and Mexico!"

Mexican conservative Anaya concedes election victory to Obrador

US President Donald Trump is sending his congratulations to Mexico's Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on his apparent victory in Sunday's presidential election

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Russian President Vladimir PutinAll Moscow's security concerns must be taken into account for settlement in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a telephone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron.Putin on Monday reiterated that a settlement would only be possible if Russia's security concerns were taken into account, including "Russia's sovereignty over Crimea," as well as the country's commitment to solving the tasks of Ukraine's demilitarisation and denazification, and the issue of Ukraine's neutral status, the Kremlin said in a statement.Putin said Russia is open to negotiations with Ukraine and expressed hope they would lead to the desired result, Xinhua news agency reported."The French side expressed its well-known views on Russia's special military operation... and expressed hope for a quick settlement of the conflict through dialogue," the Kremlin said.Putin said that Russia's armed forces are not striking civilian objects, and do not pose a threat to civilians."Ukrainian nationalists, who have been using their civilian population 'as a human shield,' are a threat," Putin said.According to the Elysee, Macron asked Russia to respect international law and protect the civil population. "The French President reaffirmed the necessity to implement an immediate ceasefire," the Elysee said.Putin and Macron agreed to hold further contacts.READ MORE: India reiterates call for immediate cessation of violence, end to hostilitiesREAD MORE: Satellite photos show much longer convoy of Russian forces approaching Kyiv 

Russia's security concerns must be taken into account for settlement in Ukraine: Putin

Vladimir Putin on Monday reiterated that a settlement would only be possible if Russia's security concerns were taken into account, including Russia's sovereignty over Crimea.

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Nepal's new prime minister KP Oli has said he wants to deepen ties with China to explore more options and get more leverage in his dealings with India "in keeping with the times".Oli, widely regarded as pro-China, also said he wants to "update" relations with India "in keeping with the times" and favours a review of all special provisions of the Indo-Nepal relations, including the long-established practice of Nepalese soldiers serving in India's armed forces.Related Stories KP Sharma Oli sworn in as Nepal PM for second timeNepal's top Communist leader KP Sharma Oli back at the helm as PM"We have great connectivity with India and an open border. All that's fine and we'll increase connectivity even further, but we can’t forget that we have two neighbours. We don't want to depend on one country or have one option," he said.About how he plans to work out relations with India, Oli said, "We have always had excellent relations with India. There were some elements in the Indian establishment that caused some misunderstanding, but Indian leaders have assured us that there will be no interference in the future and we will respect each other's sovereign rights".Oli, 65, who had also served as the country's prime minister from October 11, 2015 to August 3, 2016, was forced to resign following the political crisis in the Himalayan nation over the Madhesi issue.Madhesis, mostly of Indian-origin, had been demanding amendment of the new Constitution to address their concerns over representation in Parliament.Before Oli's inauguration as the prime minister for the second time, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj had visited Nepal and met him and other Left leaders. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke to Oli.About Nepalese serving in the Indian Army, Oli said, "This should be internally and mutually discussed and corrected, if necessary. We live in a new world, and Nepal is starting a new journey, we have to update whatever is considered outdated and bring it in line with the modern era."Oli also said he would revive the China-backed $2.5 billion hydropower project which was scrapped by the previous government.Expectations are high in China about Oli's government as he signed the Transit Treaty with Beijing during his first stint as Prime Minister in 2015 to end dependence on India for his landlocked country to revive the Budhi Gandaki project.The dam project was scrapped by the previous government headed by Sher Bahadur Deuba citing irregularities.China has been investing heavily in Nepal, blunting India's influence in the Himalayan country.Oli justified his decision to build the dam with Chinese company saying that "our petroleum usage has been increasing but we import all of it. We urgently need to develop hydropower to reduce our dependence on petroleum."He sees infrastructure development as an important means to narrow the distance with China, whose physical remoteness compared with next-door India is a hindrance to deeper Sino-Nepal relations, the paper said.He also spoke about improving rail and road network between Nepal and China through Tibet. "Once China brings its rail network up to Shigatse and then Kyirong in Tibet, it should be easy to extend it to Nepal. It has lower altitude than Tibet, and the terrain is actually sloping all the way down from Kyirong.""Apart from that, three roads are under construction connecting China and Nepal, which should be ready in a couple of years. If we can connect this railway network to our east-west rail project, it can revolutionise China-India trade, with Nepal in the middle," he said.China aims to extend the Qinghai-Tibet railway to the Nepal border by 2020 and has expressed interest in extending it to Kathmandu. Kyirong in Tibet is about 25km from Nepal's Rasuwagadhi border transit point, which is 50km from Kathmandu.

Want to deepen ties with China to get more leverage in dealings with India: Nepal PM

Oli, widely regarded as pro-China, also said he wants to "update" relations with India "in keeping with the times" and favours a review of all special provisions of the Indo-Nepal relations, including the long-established practice of Nepalese soldier

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ADB asks staff at Manila office to work from home after visitor tests positive for COVID-19Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Thursday said it has asked employees at its Manila headquarter to work from home after a visitor to the bank tested positive for COVID-19. taff at the ADB's headquarters in Manila, Philippines, are temporarily working from home from today following advice that a visitor to the bank has tested positive for the coronavirus or COVID-19, it said in a release.The bank’s Manila headquarters facility will be closed from March 12 to undertake cleaning and disinfecting. The bank's operations will continue. ADB management will make a decision in coming days on when to reopen the bank premises, it said."The safety of staff, visitors to the bank, and their families is of utmost importance to us. We are providing support to staff who interacted with the visitor,” said ADB Vice President for Administration and Corporate Management Deborah Stokes. Also Read:Coronavirus could cost China USD 103 billion: ADBAlso Read:Global GDP may lose $77-347 billion due to coronavirus, Asia to be hit significantly : ADB

ADB asks staff at Manila office to work from home after visitor tests positive for COVID-19

Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Thursday said it has asked employees at its Manila headquarter to work from home after a visitor to the bank tested positive for COVID-19.

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Former Pakistan President Asif Ali ZardariFormer Pakistan president Asif Ali Zardari was sent on a 10-day physical remand by an accountability court here on Tuesday, a day after he was arrested in a multi-million dollar money laundering case.A team of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) arrested the Pakistan Peoples Party co-chairman hours after the Islamabad High Court rejected his bail plea.Related Stories Imran Khan likely to be Pakistan's next PM: Everything you need to know about the cricketer-turned-politicianPakistan: Shehbaz, Bilawal among 2870 candidates whose security deposit will be forfeitedPolitics over Pulwama terror attack: Asif Ali Zardari slams Imran KhanAsif Ali Zardari vows to remove Imran Khan's govtFormer Pak president Asif Ali Zardari arrested in fake bank accounts caseZardari, 63, and his sister are two of the main accused in the money laundering scandal which utilised fake bank accounts to channel illegally gained funds out of Pakistan.According to the NAB officials, the duo made transactions of Rs 150 million through alleged fake bank accounts. The arrest warrants were issued on Sunday by the NAB, the anti-corruption watchdog, which is probing them in the fake bank accounts case.Zardari was brought to the court on Friday by a team of the accountability bureau.During the court proceedings,the NAB requested 14-day physical remand for Zardari, which was opposed by his counsel Farooq H Naek.NAB officials had requested the court for 14-day physical remand of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader.NAB prosecutor Muzaffar Abbasi informed the court that fake bank accounts were opened with the help of bank officials. Abbasi said that Zardari had been arrested and his remand was necessary for investigation.Zardari requested the court for more facilities in the NAB prison. He also requested for an attendant and medical facilities.The court has ordered Zardari to be presented before the court on June 21, Geo TV reported.At least 500 police personnel were being deployed around the federal capital for security purpose. At least 300 policemen were deployed outside the NAB headquarters, while roads leading to accountability court remained closed for all kind of traffic. Prior to his arrival at the court, a three-member team of doctors conducted a medical examination of the former president. According to the NAB sources, Zardari was found to be fit for physical remand.The report was presented to the accountability court judge in his chambers. Zardari, the 11th President of Pakistan from 2008 to 2013, has denied any link with the fake accounts. He has said the allegation was part of a vilification campaign by the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party to malign opposition leaders.He was elected as a member of the National Assembly from the NA-213 Nawabshah seat of Sindh province in last year's general election. Zardari's arrest prompted a strong reaction from the Opposition and sporadic protests by PPP workers in various parts of the country, mostly in the party-ruled Sindh province.Terming his father’s arrest an act of “political victimisation” by the government, PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said the Constitution guarantees the right of fair trial to every citizen. He appealed to party workers to remain calm and wait for party directives. Also Read | Former Pak president Asif Ali Zardari arrested in fake bank accounts case 

Zardari sent on 10-day physical remand

Former Pakistan president Asif Ali Zardari was sent on a 10-day physical remand by an accountability court here on Tuesday, a day after he was arrested in a multi-million dollar money laundering case.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said his visit to Oman and talks with the oil-rich Gulf nation's top leadership will impart a "substantial momentum" to all spheres of their bilateral strategic ties. "This Oman visit is one I will cherish for a long time to come," Modi tweeted before concluding his two-day visit to Oman during which the two countries signed eight agreements, including one on enhancing defence cooperation. Related Stories India, Oman sign 8 pacts as PM Modi meets Sultan QaboosModi in Oman: PM offers prayers at Shiva temple, visits Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in MuscatPM Modi visits 125-year-old Shiva temple in Oman PM Modi concludes Oman trip, says visit will impart ‘substantial momentum’ to ties"This visit has helped in building upon the centuries-old ties between our enterprising people, and will impart a substantial momentum to our relations in all spheres, including trade and investment relations," Modi said."Thank you Your Majesty Sultan Qaboos (bin Said al Said) for your exceptional warmth, hospitality and friendship, as also your personal attention to details, that made my visit to Oman one of the most memorable visits I have undertaken anywhere, the prime minister said. Modi also expressed gratitude to the Sultan and the people of Oman for the tremendous support, goodwill and affection. "We are deeply honoured and we look forward to the forthcoming 50th anniversary of your stewardship of Oman," he said as he concluded his three-nation visit to the Palestine, the UAE and Oman. In a joint statement issued today, the two sides agreed that the visit of Prime Minister Modi to Oman helped in further consolidating and deepening the strategic partnership framework and further development of excellent bilateral relations in all spheres, to serve the common interests of the two countries and their peoples. Modi, who arrived here from Dubai on the final leg of his three-nation tour, led talks with Sultan Qaboos last night on a wide range of issues. During the meeting, several aspects of the existing cooperation between the two countries and means of promoting the good relations between them were discussed, the official Oman News Agency reported."Charting out new frontiers in our bilateral relationship, PM @narendramodi led delegation-level talks with Sultan Qaboos of Oman. The two strategic partners discussed to strengthen cooperation in trade & investment, energy, defence & security, food security and regional issues," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted. Sultan Qaboos appreciated the contribution of "honest and hard working" Indian nationals in the development of Oman. After their talks, the two sides signed eight agreements, including an MoU on legal and judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters. They also signed an agreement on mutual visa exemption for holders of diplomatic, special, service and official passports and an MoU on cooperation in the field of health, tourism and peaceful uses of outer space.The two sides also signed annexure to the MoU on military cooperation. According to Oman News Agency, it envisages the services of Duqm Port and dry-dock for maintenance for Indian military vessels. Secretary-General of Oman's Ministry of Defence Mohammed bin Nasser al Rasbi said there are many areas of cooperation with the Indian side, whether in the field of joint exercises, training or courses, as well as exchange of experiences between the two sides and some defence purchases and projects. India's Ambassador Indra Man Pandey said that signing the MoUs will promote cooperation between the two friendly countries. He said that the Indian companies have a strong presence in Oman and have significant investments in the Omani free zones and ports in Suhar and Salalah. He said Indian investments are estimated at USD 1.8 billion in two projects in Special Economic Zone in Duqm (SEZD). The volume of trade exchange during this year is expected to reach USD 5.5 billion, Pandey was quoted as saying. The two countries also signed an agreement on cooperation between Foreign Service Institute, Ministry of External Affairs, India and Oman's Diplomatic Institute. An MoU on academic and scholarly cooperation between National Defence College, Sultanate of Oman and the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses. Modi today met Oman's Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said and Deputy Prime Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Affairs Sayyid Asa'ad bin Tariq Al Said. Modi and the two leaders exchanged views on intensifying ties in the areas of energy, trade and investment, food security, defence and security, mining and other sectors. He also had a meeting with leading business leaders and investors. Modi also offered prayers at the 125-year-old Shiva Temple, one of the oldest in the region. He also visited the iconic Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the main mosque in Oman. In Oman, there are over eight lakh Indians and they constitute the largest expatriate community. The prime minister had also addressed the Indian community last night.Bilateral trade rose 3.6 per cent from USD 3.8 billion in 2015-16 to USD 4 billion in 2016-17. On the first leg of his trip, Modi had travelled to Ramallah, becoming the first Indian prime minister to make an official visit to Palestine. 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}); } India and Oman will coordinate efforts to counter the "misuse" of religion by groups and states for perpetrating acts of terrorism as they called for isolating its sponsors, in an apparent reference to Pakistan. According to a joint statement issued today at the end of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day visit to Oman during which he met Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the two leaders exchanged views on regional and international issues of common interest, including the security situation in West and South Asia. "The two sides acknowledged the common threat posed by terrorism to peace and security and agreed to continue working together bilaterally, regionally and globally to counter this menace," said the statement. It said the two leaders called for isolating the sponsors and supporters of terrorism and agreed that the international community should take urgent action against all such entities, which support terrorism and use it as an instrument of policy. "The two sides agreed to coordinate efforts to counter extremism and radicalisation and misuse of religion by groups and countries for inciting hatred and perpetrating acts of terrorism," the statement said, indirectly referring to Pakistan, which is blamed for providing safe havens to terrorists and training Islamist militants. Prime Minister Modi and Sultan Qaboos decided to promote the experiences of India and Oman in building inclusive societies as effective models in countering extremism and radicalisation. Both sides underlined the importance of coordinated efforts to disrupt terrorist networks, their financing and movement. They also called for an early conclusion of negotiations on the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism in the United Nations. The two leaders voiced serious concerns over the misuse of cyber space as a medium to promote subversive and extremist ideologies. They agreed to enhance cooperation in this field.Recognising their common responsibility towards promoting regional peace and security, the two sides underlined the importance of further cementing bilateral strategic engagement, especially in the areas of security and defence.Both sides agreed to provide further impetus to the robust defence relations, including through regular holding of joint exercises by the three defence forces, training of navy, air and army officials, as also cooperation in the area of coastal defence. They agreed to enhance cooperation to strengthen maritime security in the Gulf and the Indian Ocean regions, vital for the security and prosperity of both countries.Modi offered India's partnership and cooperation in areas such as minerals and mining, manufacturing, logistics, infrastructure, tourism, agriculture and fisheries, IT and IT enabled-services, skills development, innovation etc. He reiterated India's offer to share India's experience and capabilities with Oman in development of its renewable sources of energy, such as solar and wind power etc. Both sides agreed to pursue opportunities in the health care industry, including in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology sectors and resolved to encourage their private sectors to explore participation in these areas. They stressed the need for the UN reforms, including of the Security Council through expansion in both categories of membership, to make it more representative, credible and effective. Modi thanked Sultan Qaboos for Oman's consistent support for India's candidature for permanent membership in a reformed and expanded UN Security Council. 

Oman visit will impart 'substantial momentum' to bilateral ties, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said his visit to Oman and talks with the oil-rich Gulf nation's top leadership will impart a "substantial momentum" to all spheres of their bilateral strategic ties.

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Saudi plans OIC foreign ministers' meeting to discuss Kashmir situationSaudi Arabia plans to convene a meeting of the foreign ministers of member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for a discussion on the situation in Kashmir, according to a Pakistani media report.Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan conveyed this to his Pakistani counterpart, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, during a meeting with him at the Foreign Office on Thursday, Dawn reported, quoting a diplomatic source.Prince Faisal was on a day-long visit to Pakistan to convey the Saudi leadership's gratitude for not participating in the recently held Kuala Lumpur summit of Muslim nations in view of the Gulf Kingdom's reservations, the paper reported."The two Foreign Ministers discussed OIC's role in the advancement of the cause of Kashmir," the Foreign Office said in a statement.Qureshi briefed Prince Faisal on the situation in Kashmir in the aftermath of India's move to abrogate article 370 on August 5.He also "highlighted the Indian Government's actions with regard to CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act 2019) and NRC (National Register of Citizens) and the systematic targeting of minorities in India, particularly Muslims," the FO said.The OIC is a 57-member grouping of Muslim majority nations, including Pakistan. The body has usually been supportive of Pakistan and often sided with Islamabad on the Kashmir issue.In a brief statement, the OIC last week said it was "closely following recent developments affecting Muslim minority in India."Prince Faisal also called on Prime Minister Imran Khan. The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Qureshi, Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood, spy agency ISI chief Lt Gen Faiz Hameed and other senior officials.Khan told the Saudi minister that alleged ceasefire violations by India along the Line of Control were "stoking tensions and imperiling regional peace and security".The Kuala Lumpur summit had found strong support in Pakistan because of Saudi's growing trade ties with India and the OIC's failure to take strong stance on Muslim issues. The day-long visit of the Saudi minister came after criticism of the alleged pressure applied by the Gulf Kingdom on Pakistan to skip the Kuala Lumpur summit.The Summit from December 19-21 was seen by Saudis as an attempt to create a new bloc in the Muslim world that could become an alternative to the dysfunctional OIC led by the Gulf Kingdom.Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have extended financial support to the government of Prime Minister Khan to deal with the balance of payment crisis last year.ALSO READ | OIC expresses concern over CAA; says 'closely' following developmentsALSO READ | Pakistan Foreign Minister Qureshi speaks with OIC Secretary General over Kashmir

Saudi plans OIC foreign ministers' meeting to discuss Kashmir situation

Saudi Arabia plans to convene a meeting of the foreign ministers of member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for a discussion on the situation in Kashmir, according to a Pakistani media report.

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The Islamic State (ISIS) has claimed responsibility for the London terror attacks, which rattled the city on Sunday killing seven people and injuring 48. According to the SITE Intelligence Group, the Islamic State's official Amaq News Agency posted a message on Telegram on Sunday claiming that Saturday's attacks at the London Bridge and the Borough Market here were carried out by ISIS fighters.Earlier, the British police arrested a dozen people in connection with the terror attacks. "Officers from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command have this morning, Sunday 4 June, arrested 12 people in Barking, east London, in connection with last night's incidents in London Bridge and the Borough Market area. Searches of a number of addresses in Barking are continuing," London's Metropolitan Police said in a statement.Although the attackers were also dead, authorities raced to determine whether they had accomplices, and Prime Minister Theresa May warned that the country faced a new threat from copycat attacks.The country’s major political parties temporarily suspended campaigning with only days to go before the general election. May said the vote would take place as scheduled Thursday because “violence can never be allowed to disrupt the democratic process.”The assault unfolded over a few terrifying minutes late Saturday, starting when a rented van veered off the road and barreled into pedestrians on busy London Bridge. Three men then got out of the vehicle with large knives and attacked people at bars and restaurants in nearby Borough Market until they were shot dead by police.“They went ‘This is for Allah,’ and they had a woman on the floor. They were stabbing her,” witness Gerard Vowls said.Florin Morariu, a Romanian chef who works in the Bread Ahead bakery, said he saw people running and some fainting. Then two people approached another person and “began to stick the knife in ... and then I froze and I didn’t know what to do.”He said he managed to get near one attacker and “hit him around the head” with a bread basket.“There was a car with a loudspeaker saying ‘go, go’ and they (police) threw a grenade. ... and then I ran,” he said.London police said officers killed the attackers within eight minutes of arriving at the scene. Eight officers fired some 50 rounds, said Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley, the force’s head of counterterrorism.Islamic State’s statement from its Aamaq news agency claimed the group’s “fighters” were responsible, the SITE Intelligence Group said Sunday. IS has urged supporters to weaponize vehicles in attacks against the West.It was the third attack in Britain this year that Islamic State has claimed — including the similar attack on Westminister Bridge in March and the Manchester concert bombing two weeks ago — and one of several involving vehicles in Europe, including last year’s Bastille Day rampage in the French city of Nice.The three attackers Saturday were wearing what appeared to be suicide belts, but the belts turned out to be fake. Investigators were working to determine whether others assisted them, Rowley said.A bystander was also wounded by the gunfire, but the civilian’s injuries were not believed to be critical.Forty-eight people, including two police officers, were treated at hospitals. Twenty-one remained in critical condition Sunday. Among the wounded were German, French, Spanish and Australian citizens, officials said.Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said a Canadian woman was among the dead, and a French national was also confirmed dead.Counterterrorism officers raided several addresses in Barking, an east London suburb, and arrested 12 people there Sunday, police said.Neighbors at the site of one raid in Barking said a man who lived there resembled one of the attackers shown in news photographs.“He’s lived here for about three years,” Damien Pettit said. “He’s one of our neighbors. I’ve said hello in passing more than 50, 60 occasions. He has two young kids. He was a very nice guy.”Armed officers also conducted a raid in the East Ham area of the city. Video showed police shouting at someone: “Get on the balcony. Stand up and show us your hands!”The rampage was the third major attack in Britain in the past three months, including a similar vehicle and knife attack on Westminster Bridge in March that left five people dead.On May 22, a suicide bomber killed 22 people and injured dozens at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, in northwest England. Grande and other stars performed Sunday night at a benefit concert for victims under tight security in Manchester.“I don’t feel or smell or hear or see any fear in this building. All we feel here tonight is love, resilience, positivity,” said Pharrel Williams, who performed alongside Miley Cyrus.May said the London and Manchester attacks were not directly connected, “but we believe we are experiencing a new trend in the threat we face” as “terrorism breeds terrorism” and attackers copy one another. She said five credible plots have been disrupted since March.“It is time to say, enough is enough,” she said.Britain’s official terrorism threat level was raised from “severe” to “critical” after the Manchester attack, meaning an attack may be imminent. Several days later it was lowered again to “severe,” meaning an attack is highly likely.Home Secretary Amber Rudd said Sunday that the level would remain at severe because police believe there are no perpetrators still on the loose.London Bridge and a large area on the south bank of the River Thames remained cordoned off Sunday, and police told people to avoid the area.Hours earlier, the area packed with bars and restaurants around the foodie magnet of Borough Market had been a scene of panic, as people barricaded themselves in pubs and restaurants or fled through the streets.Medics treated the wounded near the market as shocked people cried and shouted around them. Police officers yelled at people to run from the area, and blasts were heard as officers performed a series of controlled explosions.Renan Marquese, a sous-chef at a tapas restaurant, said he was working when he heard chaotic sounds outside.“When I open the door I see three dead people on the floor,” he said. “People running everywhere, police shouting to run away.”He said that he helped a man and his partner, even taking the woman into his arms because she was too upset to walk properly. He said it took him 20 minutes to carry her across the bridge, stumbling all the way.“It was really scary,” he said.Amid the violence and fear were stories of compassion and heroism. The British Transport Police said one of their officers, among the first to arrive, took the attackers on armed only with his baton and was seriously wounded. He was later described as being in stable condition with injuries that were not life-threatening.Witnesses described how passers-by threw chairs and beer glasses at the attackers in an attempt to stop them.Richard Angell, who was in a restaurant, said he looked out and saw “a guy who is throwing a table at somebody, and it’s very unclear about what is happening. And it turns out to be a heroic guy who saw what was happening and just bombarded these terrible cowardly people with stuff.”Vowls also saw people striking back at the attackers and said he joined in.“I went ‘Oi, terrorists, cowards, Oi!’” he told The Associated Press. Then he picked up a chair.“I chucked it, but I think I missed one of them, and then I picked up a stool, and I threw it at him. And he looked at me. He started running towards me, and then he decided not to.“Then I was screaming at them, picking up bottles from a beer barrel. I was just throwing it at them, trying to get them to chase me so I could get them out into the main road where the police could see them and obviously take them down.” (With AP inputs)

London terror attack: ISIS claims responsibility, 12 arrested so far

The Islamic State (ISIS) has claimed responsibility for the London terror attacks, which rattled the city on Sunday killing seven people and injuring 48

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Donald Trump today defended his eldest son Don Jr -- who is under fire for his meeting with a Russian lawyer during last year's US presidential campaign - and hailed his "transparency" for releasing emails about the talks. "My son is a high-quality person and I applaud his transparency," Trump said in a statement to reporters read by White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders. President Trump's eldest son on Tuesday released the email chain relating to his meeting with a Russian attorney who allegedly promised to provide incriminating information about Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.In one email, publicist Rob Goldstone, who set up the meeting, tells Trump Jr. that the Russian lawyer would provide "some official documents and information that would incriminate Hillary and her dealings with Russia and would be very useful to your father," Efe news reports."This is obviously very high level and sensitive information but is part of Russia and its government's support for Trump," Goldstone said in the email."Seems we have some time and if it's what you say I love it especially later in the summer," Trump Jr. replied on June 3, 2016.Other emails provide details about the meeting with an individual identified as "the Russian government attorney who is flying over from Moscow."Trump Jr. indicated that he would probably attend the meeting with the president's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and then-campaign chairman Paul Manafort.Kushner, senior White House adviser, and Manafort are being targeted by investigators looking for evidence of alleged collusion between the Trump campaign and the Russian government.The Russian lawyer, Natalia Veselnitskaya, said in an exclusive interview with NBC News before the emails' release that she had no links to the Kremlin and provided no incriminating information about Clinton."I never had any damaging or sensitive information about Hillary Clinton. It was never my intention to have that," Veselnitskaya said.The lawyer, however, said it was possible that Trump Jr. thought she might have such information."It is quite possible that maybe they were longing for such an information. They wanted it so badly that they could only hear the thought that they wanted," Veselnitskaya said.The lawyer, who said she did not work for the Russian government, told NBC that Trump Jr. asked if she "had any financial records which might prove that the funds used to sponsor the D.N.C. (Democratic National Committee) were coming from inappropriate sources."Veselnitskaya said the meeting was set up by a man she did not know."I never asked anybody for a particular meeting with Donald Trump Jr., or with anybody else," the Russian lawyer said.

'My son is a high-quality person': Donald Trump hails son for 'transparency' over Russia meeting

Donald Trump today defended his eldest son Don Jr -- who is under fire for his meeting with a Russian lawyer during last year's US presidential campaign - and hailed his "transparency" for releasing emails about the talks

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China on evaluation of CPEC projects As cash-strapped Pakistan approached the IMF for a bailout agreeing to share the details of huge Chinese loans obtained for the CPEC, a wary China on Monday said the global lender should "objectively and professionally" evaluate its investments and ensure that any financial package does not affect close ties between Beijing and Islamabad.Pakistan Finance Minister Asad Umar told the media on Sunday that Islamabad is ready to share details of the debt related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) with the IMF as he formally sought a bailout package from the international lender.Related Stories US tariffs starting to have effect on global economy: IMF chief Christine LagardeIMF predicts 7.3% growth for India in 2018, praises GST, bankruptcy code180 million jobs for women at high risk globally: IMFFurther escalation of trade tensions may harm global growth, warns IMFUS Treasury chief warns China against currency devaluationsDespite worsening tariff war, China's trade surplus with US widens to record $34.1 billionChina not ready for trade deal with US, says President Trump amid tariff warChinese choppers violate Indian airspace near Ladakh border, says ITBPSpeaking in Islamabad on his return from Indonesia where he requested International Monetary Fund's Managing Director Christine Lagarde for a bailout package for Pakistan, Umar said the decision to approach the global lender was taken after consultations with friendly countries.He said an IMF team is scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on November 7 to negotiate the programme, likely to span over a three-year period.Reacting to the move by its all-weather ally Pakistan to approach the IMF for a bailout package, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, Lu Kang said that China wants an "objective and professional" evaluation of its loans to Pakistan by the IMF. The measures to be worked out by the IMF should not affect China-Pakistan relations, he said."As a member of the IMF, China supports the organisation having cooperation with Pakistan in objectively and professionally evaluating the situation on the ground in Pakistan," he said while answering questions on calls for scrutiny of Chinese loans by IMF and US officials."Also we support the IMF (helping Pakistan) in coping with the current difficulties. Their measures shall not affect normal bilateral cooperation between China and Pakistan," he said.He said the CPEC projects have been undertaken by the two governments under the principle of "consultation and contribution for shared benefits".The project and financing arrangements are made by the two sides on equal consultation, he said."In fact, judging from the debt structure already released by the Pakistani government their debt incurred from the CPEC accounts for low proportion. So, it is not the reason for Pakistan's financial difficulties," he said.Lu also said "China would like to work with Pakistan to substantiate and expand the CPEC projects and help Pakistan to achieve development on its own strength".After the new Pakistan government led by Prime Minister Imran Khan took over, China has agreed to extend the CPEC projects to the restive Balochistan province to address criticism that only the dominant Punjab province has grabbed most Chinese investments.India has also protested to China over CPEC as it traverses through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The entire project is stated to be worth around USD 60 billion.On his recent visit to Pakistan, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said there were currently 22 cooperation projects in Pakistan within the framework of the CPEC of which nine have been completed and 13 are under construction. The total investment of the projects is to the tune of USD 19 billion.A sense of unease prevailed in Beijing since the Khan-led government started taking a critical look at the CPEC projects in view of the difficult financial situation faced by Pakistan as well criticism over debt diplomacy being pursued by China by doling out excessive loans leaving countries in heavy debt.Umar said Pakistan's current year debt repayments were about USD 9 billion but obviously, it would not entirely be available from the IMF.Ahead of Umar's comments, both IMF and US officials spoke of concerns over the excessive loans obtained by Pakistan under the CPEC projects. The US said there was no rationale for the IMF to service Chinese debt and called for close scrutiny before extending a bailout package for Pakistan.The Trump administration has been critical of China's Belt and Road Initiative, saying that it has saddled some developing countries with debts they cannot afford to repay.In July, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said there was "no rationale" for an IMF bailout to Pakistan to pay off Chinese loans to Islamabad.On October 13, US State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said Washington, a major stakeholder in the IMF, will examine closely Pakistan's request for loans, adding that "part of the reason that Pakistan found itself in this situation is Chinese debt"."In all cases, we examine that closely from all angles of it, including Pakistan's debt position, in evaluating any type of loan programme," she said.IMF's chief economist Maurice Obstfeld said China's involvement besides bringing development to Pakistan could also bring potential risks."It is important that the design of the projects....be solid and excessive debts which cannot be repaid are avoided," he said.

IMF should evaluate CPEC projects objectively while granting bailout package to Pakistan: China

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said that China wants an "objective and professional" evaluation of its loans to Pakistan by the IMF.

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South African Defence Force soldiers keep themselves warm around a fire while stationed in Alexandra Township, near Johannesburg, to assist police in quelling looting and rioting. South Africa's police say 72 people have been killed and 1,234 have been arrested in unrest set off by the imprisonment last week of former President Jacob Zuma.Rioting continued in parts of South Africa Wednesday, in unrest sparked by the imprisonment last week of ex-President Jacob Zuma that has spiraled into days of looting in two of the country's nine provinces.South Africa’s police say 72 people have been killed and 1,234 have been arrested in waves of rioting that have hit the KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng provinces. Many of the deaths were caused by chaotic stampedes as thousands of people stole food, electric appliances, liquor and clothing from stores, police Maj. Gen. Mathapelo Peters said in a statement.Image Source : APSouth African Defence Force soldiers keep themselves warm around a fire while stationed in Alexandra Township, near Johannesburg, to assist police in quelling looting and rioting. South Africa's police say 72 people have been killed and 1,234 have been arrested in unrest set off by the imprisonment last week of former President Jacob Zuma.South African Defence Force soldiers keep themselves warm around a fire while stationed in Alexandra Township, near Johannesburg, to assist police in quelling looting and rioting. South Africa's police say 72 people have been killed and 1,234 have been arrested in unrest set off by the imprisonment last week of former President Jacob Zuma.In eastern Johannesburg, some retail centers continued to be under attack Wednesday, while in Soweto township, south of the city, police and army units patrolled malls and streets. Community volunteer groups have begun cleaning up the broken glass and debris caused by the destructive mobs 24 hours earlier.ALSO READ | Nepal gets new PM sans political stability; confidence vote within 30 daysThe violence broke out after Zuma began serving a 15-month sentence for contempt of court last week for refusing to comply with a court order to testify at a state-backed inquiry investigating allegations of corruption while he was president from 2009 to 2018.Image Source : APA police officer stops a man running away inside a shopping mall in Vosloorus, east of Johannesburg, South Africa. South Africa's rioting continued Wednesday as police and the military struggle to quell the violence in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces.A police officer stops a man running away inside a shopping mall in Vosloorus, east of Johannesburg, South Africa. South Africa's rioting continued Wednesday as police and the military struggle to quell the violence in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces.The protest escalated into a spree of looting in township areas of the two provinces, although it has not spread to South Africa’s other seven provinces, where police are on alert.The deployment of 2,500 soldiers to support the South African police has helped to slow down the rampant looting. Although unrest continued to be reported in some areas of Johannesburg, including Vosloorus in the eastern part of the city.Image Source : APResidents help a family member of a 14-year-old boy who was shot during protests in Vosloorus, east of Johannesburg, South Africa. South Africa's rioting continued Wednesday as police and the military struggle to quell the violence in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces.Residents help a family member of a 14-year-old boy who was shot during protests in Vosloorus, east of Johannesburg, South Africa. South Africa's rioting continued Wednesday as police and the military struggle to quell the violence in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces.ALSO READ | Indonesia becomes Asia's hotspot, reports 54,000 Covid-19 virus cases /* .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_1626286477 = { "file": "https://vod-indiatv.akamaized.net/hls/2021/07/0_8zkjr92s/master.m3u8", "image": "https://thumbs.indiatvnews.com/vod/0_8zkjr92s_big_thumb.jpg", "title": "J&K: Pakistani LeT commander Aijaz Abu Huraira killed along with 2 local terrorists", "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": "379", "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_1626286477 = ''; jwsetup_1626286477(); function jwsetup_1626286477() { jwvidplayer_1626286477 = jwplayer("jwvidplayer_1626286477").setup(jwconfig_1626286477); jwvidplayer_1626286477.on('ready', function () { ns_.StreamingAnalytics.JWPlayer(jwvidplayer_1626286477, { publisherId: "20465327", labelmapping: "c2=\"20465327\", c3=\"IndiaTV News\", c4=\"null\", c6=\"null\", ns_st_mp=\"jwplayer\", ns_st_cl=\"0\", ns_st_ci=\"0_8zkjr92s\", ns_st_pr=\"J&K: Pakistani LeT commander Aijaz Abu Huraira killed along with 2 local terrorists\", ns_st_sn=\"0\", ns_st_en=\"0\", ns_st_ep=\"J&K: Pakistani LeT commander Aijaz Abu Huraira killed along with 2 local terrorists\", ns_st_ct=\"null\", ns_st_ge=\"News\", ns_st_st=\"J&K: Pakistani LeT commander Aijaz Abu Huraira killed along with 2 local terrorists\", ns_st_ce=\"0\", ns_st_ia=\"0\", ns_st_ddt=\"2021-07-14\", ns_st_tdt=\"2021-07-14\", ns_st_pu=\"IndiaTV News\", ns_st_cu=\"https://vod-indiatv.akamaized.net/hls/2021/07/0_8zkjr92s/master.m3u8\", ns_st_ty=\"video\"" }); }); jwvidplayer_1626286477.on('all', function (r) { if (jwvidplayer_1626286477.getState() == 'error' || jwvidplayer_1626286477.getState() == 'setupError') { jwvidplayer_1626286477.stop(); jwvidplayer_1626286477.remove(); jwvidplayer_1626286477 = ''; jwsetup_1626286477(); return; } }); jwvidplayer_1626286477.on('error', function (t) { jwvidplayer_1626286477.stop(); jwvidplayer_1626286477.remove(); jwvidplayer_1626286477 = ''; jwsetup_1626286477(); return; }); jwvidplayer_1626286477.on('mute', function () { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_1626286477.on('adPlay', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_1626286477.on('adPause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_1626286477.on('pause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_1626286477.on('error', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_1626286477.on('adBlock', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); }

South Africa ex-President Jacob Zuma imprisonment: Riots continues, 72 killed, over 1,200 arrested

South Africa’s police say 72 people have been killed and 1,234 have been arrested in waves of rioting that have hit the KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng provinces.

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Pakistan eases nationwide lockdown even as coronavirus cases risePakistan on Saturday began easing the month-long lockdown despite a steady rise in the number of the coronavirus cases which rose to 27,474 after health authorities reported a big jump of 1,637 infections and 24 deaths in a single day. Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday said that Pakistan would begin easing its nationwide lockdown in a phase-wise manner by allowing various businesses to open up from Saturday, citing the economic crisis due to the shutdown, which was enforced in the country in March end.The first phase of easing lockdown began as the government announced removing restrictions by allowing more business to open and operate from dawn to 5pm.The federal government was trying to provide maximum relief to the people but due to the current economic conditions of the country, the lockdown must be eased, the Express Tribune quoted Khan as saying.Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Adviser to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Ajmal Wazir said the provincial government is on board with Khan's plan.The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on Friday announced the easing of lockdown enforced on March 21. According to it, shops and selected businesses will open four days a week and that all businesses will be closed at 4pm.Also, the government has allowed congregational prayers in mosques during the month of Ramzan after the clerics agreed to follow the government guidelines on social distancing while praying in mosques.However, doctors and the Opposition expressed reservations about the decisions. Former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said "this government has no policy on lockdown or coronavirus. " Although several economic sectors and business activities are allowed to reopen, schools in Pakistan will remain closed until July 15.According to the Ministry of National Health Services, Pakistan reported a total of 27,474 coronavirus cases after 1,637 new patients were diagnosed in one day. Another 24 patients died taking the death toll to 618.The Punjab province reported 10,471 cases, Sindh 9,691, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 4,327, Balochistan 1,876, Islamabad 609, Gilgit-Baltistan 421 and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir 79 cases.So far 7,756 patients have recovered. The authorities have conducted 270,025 tests including 12,982 in the last 24 hours.Separately, Prime Minister Khan appreciated the 'Made in Pakistan' initiative of the Ministry of Science and Technology focusing on boosting indigenous productivity in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.ALSO READ | Pakistan extends suspension of domestic flights till Sunday

Pakistan eases nationwide lockdown even as coronavirus cases rise

Pakistan on Saturday began easing the month-long lockdown despite a steady rise in the number of the coronavirus cases which rose to 27,474 after health authorities reported a big jump of 1,637 infections and 24 deaths in a single day.

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Pakistani Army claims to shoot down ‘Indian spying quadcopter' along LoC (Representational image)The Pakistan Army on Saturday claimed to have shot down an "Indian spying quadcopter" allegedly intruding across the Line of Control (LoC). Military spokesman Major General Babar Iftikhar said that the mini copter violated the country's airspace in Khanjar sector of the LoC. "The quadcopter had intruded 500 metres on Pakistan's side of the LoC,” he said in a statement.The spokesman claimed that it was the eighth Indian quadcopter to be shot down by the Pakistan Army troops this year. Last month, two such quadcopters were downed, the first on May 27 and the second on May 29 after they allegedly intruded deep inside the Pakistani territory, he said.India has dismissed previous such claims by the Pakistan Army. The ties between the two nations strained following the Balakot strike when the Indian Air Force jets bombed a Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp in Pakistan on February 26 last year to avenge the killing of 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel in the Pulwama terror attack on February 14.Pakistan retaliated on February 27 by attempting to target Indian military installations. The ties further nose-dived after New Delhi abrogated Article 370 that granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir in August last year. Pakistan downgraded diplomatic relations with India and expelled the Indian High Commissioner. 

Pakistani Army claims to shoot down ‘Indian spying quadcopter' along LoC

The Pakistan Army on Saturday claimed to have shot down an "Indian spying quadcopter" allegedly intruding across the Line of Control (LoC). Military spokesman Major General Babar Iftikhar said that the mini copter violated the country's airspace in Khanjar sector of the LoC.

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Covid survivors still at reinfection risk from Alpha, Beta variants (Representational Image)Immune response following a coronavirus infection can vary between individuals and may not be enough to fight Alpha, and Beta variant of Covid-19, finds a study reinforcing the need for vaccination.The study found that people who produced a weak immune response signature, obtained at one and six months post infection, failed to show any neutralising antibodies against the Alpha variant, with none mounting a neutralising antibody response against the Beta variant.The preprint study was led by University of Oxford, in collaboration with the Universities of Liverpool, Sheffield, Newcastle and Birmingham, suggests that whether it is symptomatic or asymptomatic infection, it does not necessarily protect people long-term from Covid-19, particularly against new Variants of Concern."Our study is one of the most comprehensive accounts of the immune response following Covid-19 in both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. It is very important that we all get the Covid vaccine when offered even if you think you may have previously had Covid-19," said Christina Dold, from the University of Oxford."We found that individuals showed very different immune responses from each other following Covid-19, with some people from both the symptomatic and asymptomatic groups showing no evidence of immune memory six months after infection or even sooner," Dold added.The study examined how the immune system responds to Covid-19 in 78 healthcare workers who had experienced either symptomatic or asymptomatic disease. An additional eight patients who experienced severe disease were included for comparison.Blood samples were taken monthly from 1-6 months post infection to examine different elements of the immune response. The report details a highly complex and variable immune response following Covid-19 infection.The team found an early immune signature, detectable one month post infection and linked to both cellular and antibody immunity, which predicted the strength of immune response measured at six months post infection.This is the first time that such a signature has been found and improves understanding of the development of lasting immunity.While the majority of people who had symptomatic disease did have measurable immune responses at six months post infection, a significant minority (26 per cent) did not. The vast majority of people who experienced asymptomatic disease (92 per cent) did not exhibit a measurable immune response at six months post infection, the researchers said.ALSO READ | COVID-19: Delta variant gaining ground in GermanyALSO READ | New COVID-19 variant 'Lambda' identified in 29 countries, says WHO

Covid survivors still at reinfection risk from Alpha, Beta variants

Immune response following a coronavirus infection can vary between individuals and may not be enough to fight Alpha, and Beta variant of Covid-19, finds a study reinforcing the need for vaccination.

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Another person who was infected by noval Coronavirus has died in US.Authorities in US have reported second death due to Coronavirus in the country on Sunday night. A 70-year-old man who was suffering from the deadly virus was admitted to a nursing facility in Washington. The first death in United States was reported on late Saturday when a person in late 50s lost her life.The 70-year-old man was admitted near Seattle where dozens of people were sick and had been tested for the virus.Researchers said earlier the virus may have been circulating for weeks undetected in Washington state.In a statement, Public Health—Seattle & King County said the man died Saturday. On Friday, health officials said a man in his 50s died of coronavirus. Both had underlying health conditions, and both were being treated at a hospital in Kirkland, Washington, east of Seattle.The confirmed cases of noval Coronavirus alone in Washington has surged to 12. State and local authorities stepped up testing for the illness as the number of new cases grew nationwide, with new infections announced in California, Illinois, Rhode Island, New York and Washington state.Authorities in the Seattle area reported four new cases Sunday night, including the man who died. Two health care workers in California were also diagnosed. Of the new Washington state cases, two were women, one in her 80s and another in her 90s. Both were in critical condition. A man in his 70s was also in critical condition. All three were from the LifeCare nursing facility in Kirkland, Washington, where health officials said 50 people are sick and being tested for the virus.On Sunday night, the International Association of Fire Fighters said 25 members who responded to calls for help at the nursing facility are being quarantined.The first US case was a Washington state man who had visited China, where the virus first emerged, but several recent cases in the U.S. have had no known connection to travelers.On Sunday, President Trump announced further travel restrictions affecting Italy, South Korea, Iran amid rising cases of Coronavirus in the country.(With inputs from AP)ALSO READ: New York confirms first case of coronavirus; France closes LouvreALSO READ: Indore woman quarantined for suspected Coronavirus exposure after she returned from Italy /* .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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Second Coronavirus death in Washington, confirmed cases surge to 12

Authorities in US have reported second death due to Coronavirus in the country on Sunday night. A 70-year-old man who was suffering from the deadly virus was admitted to a nursing facility in Washington.

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It has been a rather eventful week at the United Nations General Assembly for India and Pakistan. Speeches have been fiery and charges and counter-charges have flown thick and fast and so has a ‘criminal’ gaffe, courtesy Maleeha Lodhi, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations. The ante has been upped, be it in terms of Pakistan holding India responsible for atrocities against Kashmiris or India’s aggression in branding Pakistan as ‘Terroristan’, the “hub of global terrorism”.The past week has seen fiery speeches from representatives from both sides – with Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj, First Secretary in the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations Eenam Gambhir and diplomat at the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations Paulomi Tripathi holding the fort for India, and how!The three ladies not only managed to put across India’s concerns vis a viz terror emanating from Pakistan in perhaps the strongest possible words, they also demolished each claim by Pakistan at the global forum with ‘surgical’ precision. As much as Indians may like to believe that countering Pakistan’s propaganda is a cakewalk, platforms such as the United Nations require countries to put across their points based on facts and not television studio rhetoric.It is here that India’s representatives at the highest global forum have succeeded, while Pakistan has erred and thus finds itself increasingly isolated globally. Needless to say, Pakistan has no place to hide after the week that has gone by.A look through the sequence of events as they unfolded at the United Nations General Assembly puts this in better perspective:September 21: Pakistan PM addresses UNGA, speech laden with anti-India rhetoricImage Source : PTIPakistan PM Shahid AbbasiIn his maiden address to the UN General Assembly, Pakistan’s newly appointed Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi accused India of indulging in terror activities against his country and warned of a "matching response" if it "ventures across the LoC (Line of Control)" or acts upon its doctrine of limited war against Pakistan."The Kashmir dispute should be resolved justly, peacefully and expeditiously. As India is unwilling to resume the peace process with Pakistan, we call on the Security Council to fulfil its obligation to secure the implementation of its own resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir," he said, urging the United Nations to appoint a special envoy to Kashmir, as he claimed that the struggle of the people in the region is being "brutally suppressed" by India.He further said that despite over 600 ceasefire violations on the India-Pakistan border since January this year, Pakistan has acted with restraint. "But if India does venture across the LoC, or acts upon its doctrine of limited war against Pakistan, it will evoke a strong and matching response," he said in his speech in which he raised his anti-India rhetoric.India refuses to implement the unanimous resolutions of the UN Security Council, which mandate a UN supervised plebiscite to enable the people of Jammu and Kashmir to freely decide their destiny," he said, accusing India of deploying “nearly 700,000 troops” in Kashmir to “suppress the legitimate struggle of the Kashmiris to exercise their right to self-determination”.This is the most intense foreign military occupation in recent history, Abbasi said. "Shotgun pellets have blinded and maimed thousands of Kashmiris including children. These and other brutalities clearly constitute war crimes and violate the Geneva Conventions," he charged.However, he stated that Pakistan remains open to resuming a comprehensive dialogue with India to address all outstanding issues, especially Kashmir and discuss measures to maintain peace and security in the region, provided India accompanied it with an end to its “campaign of subversion and state sponsored terrorism against Pakistan”.September 21: ‘Pakistan is Terroristan’ – When Eenam Gambhir demolished Pakistan’s ‘terror victim’ narrativeImage Source : PTIEenam Gambhir, India's First Secretary to the United NationsPakistan is now "Terroristan" - the land of pure terror, India’s Eenam Gambhir said in a terse rebuttal at the UN to Pakistani Prime Minister Abbasi urging the appointment of a special envoy to Kashmir while alleging that the "struggle of the people in the region is being brutally suppressed by India". Exercising its Right of Reply after Abbasi's loud-mouthed speech at the UN General Assembly, Gambhir said it was "extraordinary" that the state that sheltered Osama bin Laden was creating narratives based on deception and deceit."In its short history, Pakistan is a geography synonymous with terror. The quest for a land of pure has actually produced 'the land of pure terror'. Pakistan is now Terroristan with a flourishing industry producing and exporting global terrorism," Gambhir, India's First Secretary to the UN, said.Demolishing Pakistan’s attempts to paint itself as a victim of terror, India described Pakistan as a country whose counter-terrorism policy was to "mainstream and upstream terrorists" by either providing safe havens to terror leaders in its military town or protecting them with political careers.The obvious reference was to Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden, who was found and killed by US forces in the Pakistan’s Abbottabad, and terror mastermind Hafiz Saeed, who recently floated a political party and is planning to contest general elections in the country next year."Its current state can be gauged from the fact that Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, a leader of the UN designated terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba, is now sought to be legitimized as a leader of a political party," Gambhir said.Having annihilated Pakistan’s narrative of being a terror victim, Gambhir then turned to Abbasi’s references to Kashmir and the call for a ‘dialogue’ on the ‘outstanding’ issue. "In so far as India is concerned, Pakistan must understand that the state of Jammu and Kashmir is and will always remain an integral part of India. However much it scales up cross-border terrorism, it will never succeed in undermining India's territorial integrity," she said.Gambhir also said Pakistan, after diverting billions of dollars in aid towards creating a dangerous infrastructure of terror, was the polluter paying the price. "Even as terrorists thrive in Pakistan and roam its streets with impunity, we have heard it lecture about human rights in India. The world does not need lessons on democracy and human rights from a country whose own situation is charitably described as a failed state," she said.September 23: Sushma Swaraj addresses UNGA, says India made IITs, Pakistan made LashkarImage Source : PTIForeign Minister Sushma SwarajSushma Swaraj displayed what Pakistan will perhaps remember as an epic takedown for a long time to come. The Foreign Minister dismissed Abbasi's accusations of violating human rights, telling the United Nations General Assembly, "Look who is talking"."We are completely engaged in fighting poverty; alas our neighbour Pakistan seems only engaged in fighting us," Swaraj said in her hard-hitting speech. Swaraj advised Pakistani leaders to introspect, reminding them that though both countries became independent at the same time, India is globally known as an IT superpower, and Pakistan, "as the pre-eminent export factory for terror"."We set up IITs, IIMs, AIIMS and ISRO. What did Pakistan make? They set up Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Haqqani Network, Hizbul Mujahiddeen," said Swaraj in her speech delivered in Hindi. Naming Pakistan PM twice in her 21-minute speech, Swaraj told the UN meet that a country that has been the world's greatest exporter of havoc, death and inhumanity had become a champion of hypocrisy by preaching about humanity."If Pakistan had spent on its development what it has spent on developing terror, both Pakistan and the world would be safer and better-off today," she said to a loud applause at the UNGA.Complimenting Swaraj for delivering a "strong message" on the dangers of terrorism at the world meet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described it an "incredible" and "insightful" speech. "She has made India extremely proud at the world stage," PM Modi tweeted.Read full text of Sushma Swaraj's UNGA speech hereSeptember 23: Maleeha Lodhi’s criminal faux pasImage Source : PTIPakistan's Permanent Representative to UN Maleeha LodhiRattled by Sushma Swaraj’s hard-hitting speech, Pakistan then fielded one of its senior most officials in its diplomatic corps, Permanent Representative to the United Nations Maleeha Lodhi, to deliver a rejoinder. While the exercise of delivering rejoinders is usually consigned to junior diplomats, Pakistan thought it best to counter the Indian Foreign Minister with their best among the lot.Sadly, she was far from it. Armed with an intent to ‘expose’ India and its wrongdoings in Kashmir and establish itself as the harbinger of the humanitarian cause, Lodhi’s speech, as it eventually turned out, became nothing but laughing stock. Here is how and where she went wrong.In a desperate dramatic act aimed at whipping up anti-India emotions, Pakistan's Maleeha Lodhi brandished a photograph of a young woman – her face scarred with scattered bruises -- at the United Nations as an example of "Indian brutality" in Kashmir. As it turned out, she had goofed up big time.The photograph that Maleeha brandished with aplomb at the UN turns out to be that of a Palestine resident. The photograph was clicked in Gaza in 2014 by award winning photographer Heidi Levine. The girl -- Rawya Abu Joma, who was then 17 years old --had been injured during an Israeli airstrike, the original caption with the photograph said. The photo has been carried by many online photo galleries -- including New York Times and the Guardian.The rest of her speech – of course she did not realise she had passed off an incorrect image to drive home her point – was aimed with the usual. Maleeha Lodhi used Islamabad’s right of reply to claim India as the “mother of terrorism in South Asia, not (us)”. She also called Swaraj’s speech a “litany of falsehoods”, only to back it up with one of her own.September 26: After Pak goof-up, Indian diplomat Paulomi Tripathi displays ‘true picture’Image Source : PTIPaulomi Tripathi, India's First Secretary to the United NationsA day after the big goof-up by Pakistan’s top diplomat at the UN, India fielded a young diplomat, Paulomi Tripathi, to put facts before the world as they are. Only this time, the picture was real, and so was the narrative.The diplomat held up the picture of Lt Umar Faiyaz, a young Army officer from Jammu and Kashmir who was brutally killed by “Pakistan-supported terrorists” in May this year. She called it a “true picture” which portrays a “harsh and tragic reality” of India.Calling Lodhi waving a picture of the Palestinian girl “a fake picture to push a completely false narrative”, Paulomi Tripathi said that the Permanent Representative of Pakistan, in her statement, yet again sought to divert attention from Pakistan’s role as the hub of global terrorism.“She did so by callously holding up a picture of an injured girl. It was a photograph of Rawya abu Jom’a, a girl from Palestine. The picture was taken on 22 July 2014 by an American photographer Heidi Levine. This photograph was published by New York Times on 24 March 2015 under the caption ‘Conflict, Courage and Healing in Gaza’. The Permanent Representative of Pakistan misled this Assembly by displaying this picture to spread falsehoods about India. A fake picture to push a completely false narrative,” she said.Tripathi, a First Secretary at the Permanent Mission of India at the UN, said that “in view of this cynical and misleading attempt by Pakistan, we are constrained to show this Assembly, a photograph that reflects the real picture of pain inflicted by the nefarious designs of Pakistan on India”.“This is a real and not a fake picture of Lt. Umar Faiyaz. A young officer from the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir. Umar Faiyaz was kidnapped at a wedding celebration. He was brutally tortured and killed by Pakistan supported terrorists in May 2017,” she said.“This is a true picture. It portrays a harsh and tragic reality. A picture of terrorism emanating from across our borders that the people of India, especially in the state of Jammu and Kashmir have to struggle with, every day. This is the reality which the Permanent Representative of Pakistan sought to obfuscate,” Tripathi said.She concluded by saying that the “true face of Pakistan is not hidden from anyone”.Read Full Text Here

Sushma Swaraj, Eenam Gambhir and Paulomi Tripathi: How three Indian women demolished Pakistan's lies on Kashmir at UN

Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj, First Secretary in the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations Eenam Gambhir and diplomat at the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations Paulomi Tripathi are holding the fort for India.

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India's stand clear on Kashmir, won't accept third party mediation: JaishankarCategorically rejecting any scope for third party mediation between India and Pakistan on Kashmir, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said India's stand has been clear for decades and the two countries can discuss the issue bilaterally.Jaishankar arrived here on Sunday night from New York after attending the annual General Assembly session of the United Nations along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session, the two leaders held bilateral meetings with dozens of world leaders."India has been clear for 40 odd years that we would not accept mediation... and that whatever has to be discussed has to be discussed bilaterally," Jaishankar told a group of Indian reporters on Wednesday when asked about US President Donald Trump's mediation remarks on Kashmir.Trump in the recent past has offered mediation between India and Pakistan on the Kashmir issue."I'm clearing in my mind as far as I'm concerned. That's what it's about. My point is very simple. Whose issue (is this?). Mine. Who has to take the call? Me. If it is my issue and I have to take the call; I will decide whether I want somebody's mediation or not. You can offer anything you like, but if I decide it is not relevant to me then it does not happen," Jaishankar said."I am very clear in my mind. When people speak of it has gone up and down, where has it gone up and down? India has been very clear about it," he said when asked about the frequent offer of mediation by President Trump.The External Affairs Minister said in half of his meetings on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session, the issue of recent developments in Jammu and Kashmir popped up."In terms of (issue of) Article 370, I would find it hard to quantify, but I would say may be in about half my meetings it came up and may be in half of my meetings it didn't come up. It wasn't that every guy who came to me came with that burning question," he said.Frankly, most of them were focused on the bilateral relations, he said, adding that even those who raised it, it was not necessarily the first issue of interest to them."I think in the case of people who showed interest, it was more like, we have read about developments on Kashmir and it would be useful for us to hear from you," he said. Jaishankar said he apprised the leaders about what was happening and why it was happening in Kashmir.The External Affairs Minister said that in many cases a lot of what he said was new to them."When you explain to them that Article 370 was temporary, when you tell them that it was part of the Constitution of India in which delegates from Jammu and Kashmir also took part, when you tell them that there was a provision within the Article for the modification which took place, and you explain to them that today major source of concern was the fact that Jammu and Kashmir is really not aligned with the rest of India on a whole set of issues and so therefore, how do you really run a country where one large state is misaligned with rest of the country."It's a very basic governance issue which people have ducked in the past. But because they ducked in the past doesn't mean that everybody keeps ducking in the future. I think, once you walked them (world leaders) through this, most of them understood it and got it," he said.When specifically asked about the position of two countries – Malaysia and Turkey – on Kashmir, the minister said "obviously they have been given an understanding which clearly is very different from the facts on the ground".Prime Minister Modi and Jaishankar's meeting came against the backdrop of the Indian government revoking the special status to Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcating the state into two Union Territories on August 5.Tensions between India and Pakistan spiked after India abrogated provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution, evoking strong reactions from Pakistan.India has categorically told the international community that the scrapping of Article 370 was an internal matter and also advised Pakistan to accept the reality. ALSO READ | It is a 'Jihad', says Imran on Kashmir after returning from USALSO READ | Military rule tradition of Pakistan: India rebuts Pak stand on Kashmir at Commonwealth meetALSO READ | Why are you only bothered about Muslims in Kashmir and not in China: US asks Pakistan

India's stand clear on Kashmir, won't accept third party mediation: Jaishankar

Jaishankar arrived here on Sunday night from New York after attending the annual General Assembly session of the United Nations along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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Adorned with the cartoon icon inside and out, it’s a dream ride for fans of the internationally popular character.Japan on Saturday unveiled a high-speed Shinkansen train decorated with Hello Kitty, one of the country's most iconic and well-known cartoon characters.Pink and white are the dominant colours in the 500 series bullet train, which will run for three months and make two trips a day between the city of Fukuoka and Osaka as a tourist attraction, according to West Japan Railway Company.The train has feline motifs everywhere - both in the interior and outside - with seats, passages, windows, and doors displaying detailed images and colours of the character, reports Efe news.The first car of the train does not have any seats and has been redesigned to showcase regions of Japan and to allow passengers to buy products and food from around the country.Another car allows fans to pose with a huge Hello Kitty figure dressed in the uniform of the train's crew.The famous character has become immensely popular since it was created in 1974 by illustrator Yoko Shimizu to decorate a coin purse sold by the Japanese firm Sanrio.

'Hello Kitty' themed bullet train debuts in Japan

The train has feline motifs everywhere - both in the interior and outside - with seats, passages, windows and doors displaying detailed images and colours of the character.

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Very close to restoring normalcy, says J&K DGPJammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh on Wednesday asserted that the erstwhile state is on the edge of normalcy, with restrictions almost lifted from most of the districts."We are very close to normalcy. If you take the entire state into account, all 10 districts of Jammu have become absolutely normal. All schools, colleges and offices are open. People are doing their jobs without any problem," he said in a press briefing after Lashkar-e-Taiba militant Asif Maqbool Bhat was killed in a shootout with police this morning.The DGP said that the situation in Leh and Kargil districts were also normal."I have visited Leh and Kargil. Total normal life is being seen there. There is absolutely no restriction there. In those regions also we have been gradually trying to ease out the restrictions whichever were imposed."Singh said over 90 per cent area are free of restrictions and 100 per cent of the telephone exchanges are functioning now in the region.All the telephone exchanges were opened from the night from September 4, as per J&K's Department of Information and Public Relations.The Central government had imposed communication restrictions in the Valley, by clamping down upon landline, mobile and internet connections, after special status was withdrawn on August 5.ALSO READ | Kurukshetra | Pakistan keeps a pack of lies in UNHRC meetALSO READ | Will UNHRC take note of rights violations by Pak in PoK, Gilgit-Baltistan?ALSO READ | Curfew-like restrictions reimposed in several parts of Kashmir to foil Muharram processions

Very close to restoring normalcy, says J&K DGP

"We are very close to normalcy. If you take the entire state into account, all 10 districts of Jammu have become absolutely normal."said,Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh.

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Sri Lankan security forces near St. Anthony's shrine after an explosion took place in a vehicle parked outside the church in Colombo.As many as 87 bomb detonators were found at a bus station in Colombo , police said, a day after a series of deadly blasts killed 290 people and wounded more than 500 others in the island nation.The bomb detonators were found at the Central Colombo bus station in Pettah area.The police initially found 12 bomb detonators scattered on the ground. A further search revealed 75 more, a police statement said.On Easter Sunday, a string of eight powerful blasts, including suicide attacks, struck churches and luxury hotels frequented by foreigners in Sri Lanka, killing 290 people, including three Indians, and shattering a decade of peace in the island nation since the end of the brutal civil war with the LTTE.The blasts - one of the deadliest attacks in the country's history - targeted St Anthony's Church in Colombo, St Sebastian's Church in the western coastal town of Negombo and Zion Church in the eastern town of Batticaloa at around 8.45 a.m. (local time) as the Easter Sunday mass were in progress.Explosions were also reported from three five-star hotels - the Shangri-La, the Cinnamon Grand and the Kingsbury in Colombo.

87 bomb detonators found at Colombo bus station: Police

The bomb detonators were found at the Central Colombo bus station in Pettah area. The police initially found 12 bomb detonators scattered on the ground. A further search revealed 75 more, a police statement said.

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PM Modi releases Mahatma Gandhi stamps to mark 'Year of Tolerance' in UAEPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday released postage stamps on Mahatma Gandhi to commemorate his 150th birth anniversary here in the presence of Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.The stamps were issued at the Presidential Palace. India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) share values of peace, non-violence and pluralism. Zayed-Gandhi digital museum on peace, tolerance and sustainability was mounted earlier this year in Abu Dhabi to showcase the shared values and legacy of Baba Zayed and Mahatma Gandhi.This year, India is celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi whose values of peace, tolerance and sustainability continue to be relevant and guide the world. The fact that the Gandhi stamp is launched as the UAE celebrates the Year of Tolerance has special significance, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. Modi is in the UAE on a two-day visit during which he has conferred the Order of Zayed, the country's highest civilian honour.

PM Modi releases Mahatma Gandhi stamps to mark 'Year of Tolerance' in UAE

The stamps were issued at the Presidential Palace. India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) share values of peace, non-violence and pluralism. Zayed-Gandhi digital museum on peace, tolerance and sustainability was mounted earlier this year in Abu Dhabi to showcase the shared values and legacy of Baba Zayed and Mahatma Gandhi.

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A car plowed into pedestrians at the busy tourist destination Times Square in New York today, killing one person and leaving 22 others injured, authorities said. Amid fears of a possible terrorism link to the incident, the New York Police Department said it appears to be an "isolated incident" and is being investigated. The driver was later identified as 26-year-old Richard Rojas, U.S. Navy veteran, and appeared intoxicated. He drove his car the wrong way up a Times Square street  and plowed into pedestrians on the sidewalk, killing a teenager and injuring 22 other people.The driver was taken into custody and being tested for alcohol."One male in custody in the #TimesSquare vehicle collision. It is believed to be an isolated incident, it remains under investigation," he NYPD said in a tweet. White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said US President Donald Trump "has been made aware" of the incident. Trump "will continue to receive updates", Spicer tweeted. The NYPD said that "due to a vehicle collision" that resulted in injuries to pedestrians, emergency vehicles were in Times Square, the hugely crowded tourist destination in Manhattan. Images on social media showed the car with a smoking hood slightly overturned on a barrier at a sidewalk in Times Square. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo was headed to the scene. Emergency response crews, including ambulances and fire trucks, were on the scene, which had been cordoned off. The crash occurred during lunchtime here with hundreds of thousands of people on the street. With the advent of summers, it is peak tourist time in one of the most popular destinations in the world. The vehicle barreled through the prime tourist location and came to rest with two of its wheels in the air. The car leaned on a lamppost and steel barriers intended to block vehicles from getting onto the sidewalk.The incident brought to mind similar ones across the world, including the terror attack in Nice, France when a large truck plowed through a Bastille Day crowd last year killing over 70 people. In December, a truck had plowed into a Christmas market in Berlin, killing 12 people and injuring about 50. In 2010, Times Square was the target of an attempted car bombing. Pakistan-born Faisal Shahzad was arrested and charged with carrying out the failed terror plot. The crash happened midday on a hot, clear day that brought large crowds of people into the streets to enjoy the good weather. Video posted online showed steam or smoke pouring from the car for a few moments after it stopped moving.After the car struck a barricade and stopped, the driver climbed out of his vehicle, Lowe said.“He just started running until people tackled him down,” Lowe said. “Citizens just reacted.”The driver, 26-year-old Richard Rojas, was taken into custody and was undergoing tests for alcohol and drugs, Police Commissioner James O’Neill said. Rojas had been arrested at least twice previously for driving while intoxicated, once in 2008 and once in 2015, police said. He was in custody, and it wasn’t clear if he had an attorney yet who could comment on his behalf.The crash killed an 18-year-old woman and the injured included her 13-year-old sister, police said.Police do not suspect a link to terrorism, but the vehicle was checked by the bomb squad and certain city landmarks were getting a beefed up police presence.“Out of an abundance of caution,” Mayor Bill de Blasio added.Police said Rojas made a quick U-turn onto 42nd Street and then drove up the sidewalk for three blocks, passing tourist draws like the Hard Rock Cafe and the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company restaurant and mowing people down before slamming into a pole. He was combative with officers arresting him, authorities said.(With agencies) 

One killed as car drives into crowd in New York’s Times Square; no indication of terrorism

A car plowed into pedestrians at the busy tourist destination Times Square in New York today, killing one person and leaving 22 others injured.

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Coronavirus: Over 1 lakh people in Europe dead, a million more infected | Facts and FiguresEurope has been by far the worst-hit continent by the coronavirus pandemic that has infected close to 2.5 million people worldwide and killed over 165,000. Europe has accounted for over 40 per cent of all COVID-19 cases (1,089,674) and over 60 per cent of all the coronavirus related deaths (101,859). Most of the European countries have had to deal with fast spreading coronavirus as cases and death toll have mounted by by the thousands. As many as 5 major European countries -- Spain, Italy, France, Germany, and the UK -- have crossed the 100,000 coronavirus cases and have accounted for almost half of all coronavirus deaths in the world. 

Coronavirus: Over 1 lakh people in Europe dead, a million more infected | Facts and Figures

Europe has been by far the worst-hit continent by the coronavirus pandemic that has infected close to 2.5 million people worldwide and killed over 165,000. Europe has accounted for over 40 per cent of all COVID-19 cases (1,089,674) and over 60 per cent of all the coronavirus related deaths (101,859).

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Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi today demanded the implementation of the UN Security Council resolution on Kashmir, asserting that his country will continue supporting the right to self- determination in Jammu and Kashmir.Identifying Kashmir as the core issue with its eastern neighbour, Abbasi exuded confidence that the resolution will help address the contentious issue. "I think the basic issue is Kashmir. The implementation of the Security Council resolution will be a great starting point that will help address each others concerns and provide peace to the region and between Pakistan and India. Thats the core issue between the two countries," Abbasi told a New York audience at an event organised by the Council on Foreign Relations.Abbasi was responding to a question from Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney who sought to know from the Pakistan Prime Minister that what India and Pakistan need to do to achieve peace.Abbasi is here to attend the annual United Nations General Assembly session where he will deliver his remarks today."There is Indian aggression along the Line of Control (LoC), mostly to draw attention away from the genuine struggle of the Kashmiri people, who have today risen against the Indian occupation there," he responded to another question.Abbasi asked the world community to honour and defend the fundamental right to self-determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir."We fully support the right to self-determination. Weve fully supported that at every forum since 1948, and we continue to support that. And that issue should be resolved as per the UN Security Council resolutions. There are no two opinions about that. We fully support the self-determination rights of the Kashmiri people, and we ask the world community to honour and defend that," he said."The Indian occupation forces there have committed atrocities which are really beyond belief, and we expect the world community to take notice of those atrocities. These are very serious crimes against humanity in that region," Abbasi alleged.Abbasi alleged that India has continued with its aggression in the recent past. He, however, said that the two neighbours need to engage on core issues and that he wants "normal relation" with India."Those have to be resolved first, and Kashmir is the basic core issue there. But unfortunately, in the recent past, the aggression from India has continued unabated, and that is not acceptable. And we want normal relations with India, but on the basis of trust and respect," he said in response to another question.

Pak PM seeks implementation of UNSC resolution on Kashmir, says will help address the issue

Identifying Kashmir as the core issue with its eastern neighbour, Abbasi exuded confidence that the resolution will help address the contentious issue

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Representational imageA UK judge has ordered the declassification of documents that are expected to shed further light on Britain’s involvement in Operation Bluestar in 1984, dismissing the government’s argument that the move could damage diplomatic ties with India.Judge Murray Shanks, who presided over a three-day hearing of the First Tier Tribunal (Information Rights) in London in March, on Monday ruled that a majority of the files relating to the period must be made public and rejected the UK government’s argument that declassifying the Downing Street papers would damage diplomatic ties with India.The judge, however, did accept that one file marked “India: Political”, from the UK’s Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC), could contain information that relates to British spy agencies MI5, MI6 and GCHQ (government communications headquarters) and therefore the cabinet office was entitled to rely on a technicality that exempts such material from the freedom of information (FOI) request appeal.“We recognise that the period we are concerned with was a highly sensitive one in India’s recent history and the strength of feeling it continues to evoke… it should also be remembered that the fact that 30 years has gone by is bound to have reduced any prejudice that may have resulted from release of the withheld material,” the judgment notes.The FOI appeal was handled by KRW Law on behalf of freelance journalist Phil Miller, who has been investigating the exact nature of the then Margaret Thatcher led government’s assistance to the Indian Army operation at the Golden Temple in Amritsar.In 2014, UK government documents declassified under the 30-year rule to make such material public had revealed that British military advice was given to Indian forces prior to the Bluestar.Then British PM David Cameron had ordered a review into this discovery, named as the Heywood Review, which led to a statement in Parliament declaring that Britain’s role had been purely “advisory” and the advice provided by the country’s Special Air Service (SAS) had “limited impact in practice”.But Miller, the author of ‘Sacrificing Sikhs: The need for an investigation’ report released last year, says only “full transparency” would reveal the exact nature of Britain’s involvement.“After nearly four years of asking for disclosure of these files, it is a great victory for a judge to rule that more transparency would not harm diplomatic ties or risk national security,” said Miller, who is disappointed that one file has been left out due to a “loophole” relating to the country’s intelligence agencies.“It is no wonder that many in the Sikh community are calling for a public inquiry, as only that would have the power to disclose all relevant material,” he added.The files that must now be released in full include papers on UK-India relations from 1983 to 1985 – covering a meeting between Thatcher and Indira Gandhi’s adviser, LK Jha, the situation in Punjab, Sikh activities and the assassination of Indira Gandhi in October 1984.The UK Cabinet Office has been given time until July 11 to appeal against the First Tier Tribunal’s decision. Alternatively, it must make the relevant documents available to Miller for his research by July 12. The cabinet office said it would be issue its response in due course.

Make Operation Bluestar files public: UK judge to British govt

In 2014, UK government documents declassified under the 30-year rule to make such material public had revealed that British military advice was given to Indian forces prior to the Bluestar.

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US top brass to mediate between South Korea, JapanA top US military officer will be trying to contain the fallout between Seoul and Tokyo on his first overseas trip on the job. "It is in our interests to keep all three of us very closely aligned," US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley said of South Korea and Japan while en route to the region, according to a press release from the US Department of Defence on Monday, Xinhua reported.The overseas trip, the first since he assumed office on September 30, reflected concern among US officials over the straining relationship between its two Asian allies."We've got to get past some of these friction points in a way that is helpful to the alliance," Milley said.According to US media reports, Milley's first stop will be in Japan, before he visits other locations covered by the US Indo-Pacific Command.Milley's visit represents a refreshed effort to mediate the bitter diplomatic row between Seoul and Tokyo.The relationship of the Asian neighbours has sharply worsened after South Korea's top court ordered Japanese firms to pay compensation to forced labourers during Japan's 1910-1945 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula.Japan, for its part, has claimed the rulings are not in line with international law and run contrary to the foundation of friendly and cooperative relations between the two neighbours since the 1965 normalisation of diplomatic ties.ALSO READ: Man in US kills wife over her obsession for Hrithik Roshan, commits suicide laterALSO READ: President Trump has not done anything to be impeached: Nikki Haley says

US top brass to mediate between South Korea, Japan

US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley's visit represents a refreshed effort to mediate the bitter diplomatic row between Seoul and Tokyo.

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Taliban torture Afghan man to death for critical Facebook postThe Taliban have been accused of killing an Afghan over a critical Facebook post three days after he was taken into custody, RFE/RL reported. The 30-year-old's body was found along a riverbank on the outskirts of the southern Afghan city of Lashkar Gah.The Taliban claimed that Naweed Azami had escaped detention. But his family has accused the militant group of torturing and killing him, the report said.Azami appears to be the latest victim of the Taliban's campaign of targeted killings in Afghanistan. Azami was detained in Lashkar Gah on November 25, just days after he criticised the Taliban on Facebook.In his post, Azami questioned how the Taliban could keep their promise of paying teachers their salaries when the regime was "surviving on donated food". Azami deleted the post before he was detained, the report said.Tens of thousands of government employees have not received a paycheck since the Taliban takeover. The militants said on November 20 that they would start paying overdue salaries, but the announcement was widely met with skepticism.When Azami's family asked the Taliban where he was being held on November 27, the militants said he had escaped detention, the report said.The next day, Azami's body was discovered by a group of nomadic tribesmen along the banks of the Helmand River.ALSO READ | Taliban bans forced marriages of women in Afghanistan

Taliban torture Afghan man to death for critical Facebook post

The Taliban claimed that Naweed Azami had escaped detention. But his family has accused the militant group of torturing and killing him, the report said.

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China urges India to restore normal trade relationsChina on Wednesday urged the government to restore the trade relations for mutual benefit. The development comes after reports of China being upset by India's latest ban on 43 Chinese mobile applications. According to an official statement issued by the Chinese embassy in New Delhi, "China and India are the opportunities of development to each other rather than threats. Both sides should bring bilateral economic and trade relations back to the right path for mutual benefit and win-win results on the basis of dialogue and negotiation."The embassy was responding to a media query related to the Indian government's decision to block the usage of 43 mobile applications with Chinese background including AliExpress, DingTalk, etc.The Chinese Communist Party regime "firmly opposes the Indian side's repeated use of national security as an excuse to prohibit some mobile applications with a Chinese background," the statement said.The embassy further claimed that the Chinese government has "always required overseas Chinese companies to abide by international rules, operate in compliance with laws and regulations and conform to public order and good morals."Spokesperson of the embassy Ji Rong said that China hoped India "provides a fair, impartial and non-discriminatory business environment for all market players from various countries including China, and rectify the discriminatory practices violating WTO rules."The statement comes at a time when India and China remain locked in a stand-off along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh since June. India has taken several diplomatic measures in retaliation to Chinese aggression, including banning of Chinese applications over data security issues.Meanwhile, the eighth round of talks of the India-China senior military commanders were held in Chushulon on November 6 to ensure complete disengagement and full restoration of peace and tranquillity along the LAC in the Western Sector. Both countries have agreed to continue their dialogue and communication through military and diplomatic channels.

Upset on app ban, China urges India to restore normal trade relations

The statement comes at a time when India and China remain locked in a stand-off along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh since June. India has taken several diplomatic measures in retaliation to Chinese aggression, including banning of Chinese applications over data security issues.

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Reserve Bank of IndiaNepal has asked the RBI to declare newly circulated Indian currency notes of denominations higher than Rs 100 legal tender in the country, according to media report on Sunday.The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), the country's central monetary authority, has written a letter on Friday to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), asking it to make Indian bank bills Rs 200, Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 legal tender in Nepal, The Himalayan Times reported.The NRB has asked the India's central bank to issue a notification under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), which will make Indian bank notes of denomination more than Rs 100 legal tender in Nepal and to provide the exchange facilities to get bills of such denominations, it said. The RBI has only allowed the circulation of Indian currency notes of Rs 100 and less in Nepal and provides exchange facilities for bills of these denomination.Before the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 bank notes in November 2016, the RBI had issued a FEMA notification allowing Nepali citizens to carry Rs 25,000 worth of such bank notes. After the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 Indian currency notes, circulation of new bank notes of denominations Rs 200, Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 was started by the Indian government. The RBI did not issue the notification for the newly circulated bank notes, making their use illegal in Nepal. "As the RBI was not allowing the circulation of the higher denomination Indian notes, we had to ban their use in Nepal to protect our citizens," Chief of Foreign Exchange Management Department at the NRB. "However, after we received complaints from people in various sectors, especially those who have to visit India frequently, we asked the Indian central bank to make such bank notes legal tender in Nepal." The circulation of such notes in Nepal, according to Dhungana, will solely depend upon the RBI and Indian government's will.Also the NRB, in the same letter, has asked the Indian central bank to provide exchange facility to Nepalis holding the banned Indian currency in the country. The central bank has said the country’s banking system, including banks, financial institutions and NRB, hold Indian currency denominations of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 worth Rs 48 million.But the actual stock of banned Indian bank notes is expected to be much more because Nepalis were previously allowed to carry Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 Indian bank notes worth up to Rs 25,000.Also, those residing in areas bordering India usually stash Indian notes of larger denominations as they have to go to Indian markets frequently to buy goods.To make exchange facility available to Nepalis holding banned Indian currency, NRB has already prepared software to keep a database of names of people who sought exchange facility, serial number of bills of 00 and Rs 1,000 submitted by the people, and their identification numbers, among others. But the Indian government is yet to take a decision, it said.

Nepal writes to RBI to declare banned new Indian currency notes legal

Nepal has asked the RBI to declare newly circulated Indian currency notes of denominations higher than Rs 100 legal tender in the country, according to media report on Sunday.

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In a sweeping anti-corruption purge, Saudi Arabia has arrested 11 princes including prominent billionaire investor Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, and dozens of current and former ministers. Besides, King Salman also removed three top ministers - Economy and Planning Minister Adel bin Mohammed Faqih, National Guard Minister Prince Miteb bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and Naval Forces Commander Admiral Abdullah bin Sultan bin Mohammed Al-Sultan.Prince Miteb, one of the country's highest-level royals, was once considered a contender for the throne when his father, late King Abdullah, was the monarch. He was replaced by Prince Khalid bin Ayyaf al-Muqrin, who had held a senior post with the guard. Prince Miteb's father had also led the National Guard and had transformed it into a powerful and prestigious force tasked with protecting the ruling Al Saud family, as well as important holy sites in Mecca and Medina, and oil and gas sites. His ouster as head of the National Guard essentially sidelines one of the most formidable rivals to the current Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has amassed enormous power in less than three years since his father, King Salman, ascended to the throne. It comes just three months after Prince Mohammed bin Nayef was ousted from the line of succession and from his post as interior minister, overseeing internal security. With the two princes now sidelined, control of the kingdom's security apparatus is now largely centralized under the Crown Prince, who is also defense minister. The monarch also replaced Minister of Economy and Planning Adel Fakeih with his deputy, Mohammad al-Tuwaijri. Admiral Abdullah Al-Sultan was also sacked as commander of Saudi Naval Forces and replaced by Admiral Fahd bin Abdullah Al-Ghifaili.The action was followed by formation of a new anti-corruption committee headed by the kingdom's powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.King Salman ordered the new anti-corruption campaign as part of an "active reform agenda aimed at tackling a persistent problem that has hindered development efforts in the Kingdom in recent decades", a statement from the Saudi Ministry of Communications said.The royal decree said the committee was needed "due to the propensity of some people for abuse, putting their personal interest above public interest, and stealing public funds" and will "trace and combat corruption at all levels", the statement said.The committee, headed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has the authority to investigate, arrest, issue travel bans and freeze the assets of those it finds corrupt.It can also trace funds, prevent the transfer of funds or the liquidation of assets and take other precautionary measures until cases are referred to the judiciary. The Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya news channel reported that the committee is looking into devastating and deadly floods that overwhelmed parts of the city of Jiddah in 2009 and is investigating the Saudi government's response to the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) virus that has killed several hundred people in the past few years. The Ritz Carlton hotel in Riyadh, the de facto royal hotel, was evacuated on Saturday, stirring rumours that it would be used to house detained royals, reported The New York Times. The airport for private planes was closed, arousing speculation that the crown prince was seeking to block rich businessmen from fleeing before more arrests.Meanwhile, the kingdom's top council of clerics issued a statement saying it is an Islamic duty to fight corruption— essentially giving religious backing to the high-level arrests being reported. Saudi nationals have long complained of rampant corruption in government and of public funds being squandered or misused by people in power. The 32-year-old crown prince Mohammed bin Salman has been seeking to attract greater international investments and improve the country's reputation as a place to do business. It's part of a larger effort to diversify the economy away from dependence on oil revenue.(With agencies) 

11 princes arrested, senior ministers ousted in sweeping anti-corruption purge in Saudi Arabia

11 princes and dozens of former ministers were detained in a new anti-corruption probe headed by the kingdom's powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya reported.

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US asks India to lift restriction on export of pharmaceutical ingredients (Representational image)The officials of the United States on Tuesday urged India to lift the restriction to give the US access to pharmaceutical ingredients as demand in America surge due to coronavirus pandemic. As reported by news agency ANI, the governments of the two countries are holding discussions that are aimed at easing newly imposed restrictions on pharmaceutical ingredients' exports from India. India imposed restrictions to ensure it has medicine needed to handle the crisis within the country. India is the world's leading supplier of generic drugs and is a key source for active pharmaceutical ingredients. When asked about the US request to India, a state department spokesperson said: "We are collaborating, healthcare technology and personal protective equipment remain open even as large portions of our countries are shut down to reduce the risk of transmission."Meanwhile, coronaivirus cases are continuing to surge giving rise to fears of a potential US drug supply shortage prompted by the coronavirus outbreak. The number of novel coronavirus cases within the United States surpassed 150,000 and the death toll has reached 2838, according to John Hopkins University. India's embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment. (With inputs from ANI)ALSO READ | COVID-19: H1B workers seek 180 instead of 60-day stay in US post-unemployment period ​

US asks India to lift restriction on export of pharmaceutical ingredients

The officials of United States on Tuesday urged India to lift restriction to give the US acess to pharmaceutical ingredients as demand in America surge due to coronavirus pandemic.

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Representational Image An Indian has been charged with allegedly transporting illegal immigrants who crossed from Canada to the US, according to officials.Jawant Singh, 30, who was caught by a Border Patrol agent with the help of a Customs and Border Protection Agency helicopter, was accused in a federal court in Syracuse, New York, of transporting two illegal immigrants for $2,200, federal prosecutor Grant Jaquith announced, on Thursday.Related Stories Aasia Bibi leaves Pakistan after blasphemy acquittalUS reaches deal with Canada, Mexico; to lift tariffs on steel and aluminumCanadian PM Justin Trudeau congratulates Modi, says 'Let’s keep working together'The helicopter spotted several people crossing the St Lawrence River into the US and entering a vehicle, according to court documents. The border agent then stopped the vehicle and Singh was arrested.People illegally immigrating from Canada to the US is a twist to the perceptions that President Donald Trump's America is hostile to immigrants and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Canada welcomes them. Singh, who is from Philadelphia, was produced before Federal Magistrate Judge David Peebles, who ordered him detained.http://vidgyor.com#0_7023iqvg 

Indian national arrested for transporting illegal immigrants from Canada to US

A criminal complaint,against Indian National, Jawant Singh, 30, filed in United States District Court charges Singh with transporting two aliens to US who were without 'lawful status' in the country.

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Our failure to remove militia page operational mistake: Facebook CEOFacebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has blamed an operational mistake by the third-party contractors and reviewers who failed to remove the Kenosha Guard militia Page and Event prior to the shooting in Wisconsin in the US that left two dead.In a video message, Zuckerberg said on Saturday that the ‘Kenosha' Page and Event violated Facebook policies and there have been a bunch of media reports asking why this Page was not removed sooner."It was largely an operational mistake. We have a team specialized team that enforces the policy against such dangerous organisations. The contractors, the reviewers who the initial complaints were funneled to basically didn't pick this up," he said.On the second review, the Facebook team took the ‘Kenosha' militia page down as part of the new policy addressing groups linked to violence such as militias.A 17-year-old teenager has been arrested on murder charges after two people were killed amid violent protests against the police shooting of an African-American man in the state earlier this week.On Wednesday, Kyle Rittenhouse was charged with first-degree intentional homicide and was arrested in his hometown of Antioch, Illinois, about 30 minutes away from Kenosha.Police officers identified the victims as a 26-year-old and a 36-year-old who died, and another 26-year-old who was injured in the shooting.The Kenosha Guard militia established a Facebook Page in June this year.They used another Facebook Event page to invite "any patriots willing to take up arms and defend out City tonight from the evil thugs", referencing those protesting the police shooting of Jacob Blake.The shootings took place during the third night of unrest in Kenosha against the shooting of 29-year-old Blake by the police."We designated the shooting as a mass murder, and removed the shooter's page. His accounts from Facebook, Instagram were deleted," Zuckerberg said."We have our teams proactively looking for content and removing content that praises the shooting or the shooter. We've been generally applying a warning screen to disturbing imagery as we would normally do," he said.The Facebook CEO said the company is going to continue to enforce its policies and continue evolving them to be able to identify more potential dangerous organisations.

Our failure to remove militia page operational mistake: Facebook CEO

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has blamed an operational mistake by the third-party contractors and reviewers who failed to remove the Kenosha Guard militia Page and Event prior to the shooting in Wisconsin in the US that left two dead.

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Several small explosions heard in Bangkok cityAt least 2 persons were injured after explosions hit Bangkok city in Thailand early Friday. According to news agency ANI, several small explosions were heard in Bangkok in at least three locations, in which two people have suffered minor injuries.Police have reached the spot of the explosion and further investigation was underway. Loud bangs, similar to bomb explosions were heard twice at the Chong Nonsi BTS station, the local police said. Exit numbers 3 and 4 were closed for safety reasons following the blasts, the police said. The local police also reported loud bangs in Soi 57/1 on Rama 9 road, injuring two city road cleaners.One loud bang was reported outside King Power Mahanakhon Building near the same BTS station, while three bangs were heard near the Government Complex on Chaeng Wattana Road at the same time.Meanwhile, the police have cordoned off the ground near the two exits to examine the cause of the blasts.Bangkok is currently hosting a regional security meeting of foreign ministers from the Association of South-east Asian Nations (Asean) and their counterparts from world powers including the United States, China and Russia. On Thursday, Thai police said they had found two fake bombs on Thursday near the venue of the regional security meeting. The packages prompted a brief security scare but were quickly deemed harmless. It was unclear whether the meeting was the target. Police said two men had been arrested in connection with the fake bombs. Also Read | Video shows fire at Texas Exxon Mobil refinery after blastAlso Read | 10 killed, 19 injured in China gas plant explosionWATCH |  2 injured as blasts hit Bangkok /* .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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Two injured as several small explosions hit Thai capital Bangkok

Two people were injured after a series of blasts hit Bangkok city in Thailand. The explosions were heard in 3 different locations in Bangkok. The police have reached the site of the explosion and further investigation was underway.

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In this Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019, file photo, A Walmart logo is attached to the outside of a Walmart store in Walpole, Mass. Walmart says it has removed ammunition and firearms from displays at U.S. stores, citing “civil unrest” in some areas. The nation’s largest retailer, based in Bentonville, Arkansas, sell firearms in about half of its 4,700 stores. Walmart says it has removed ammunition and firearms from displays at its U.S. stores, citing "civil unrest" in some areas. The nation's largest retailer, based in Bentonville, Arkansas, sells firearms in about half of its 4,700 stores. "We have seen some isolated civil unrest and as we have done on several occasions over the last few years, we have moved our firearms and ammunition off the sales floor as a precaution for the safety of our associates and customers," Walmart said in a statement emailed to The Associated Press on Thursday.The discounter said the items remain available for purchase by customers.The move comes after several days of protests, widespread vandalism and an overnight curfew in Philadelphia before Election Day after police fatally shot a Black man with a history of mental health problems.Walmart made a similar move in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd that set off sometimes violent demonstrations against police brutality and injustice against African Americans.Last year, Walmart stopped selling handgun and short-barrel rifle ammunition while requesting that customers not openly carry firearms in its stores, even where state laws allow it. The company also ended the sale of handguns in Alaska, the only state where the discounter sold them.

Walmart removes guns, ammunition on display at US stores

Walmart says it has removed ammunition and firearms from displays at its U.S. stores, citing "civil unrest" in some areas. The nation's largest retailer, based in Bentonville, Arkansas, sells firearms in about half of its 4,700 stores.

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Pakistani troops forced to abandom border posts after Balochistan protests turn violentThe troops of the Pakistani security forces were forced to abandom their posts after locals turned on them in Balochistan on Wednesday. As per local media reports, violent protests erupted in Brabchah area of Balochistan where the locals pelted the Pak security forces with stones.The troops retreated from their positions and abandoned their posts. Pak military establishments and buildings were also torched by the locals, who blamed the forces of 'illegally occupying their territory', The Balochistan Post reported. Protests are being held across Balochistan to demand justice for 4-year-old Bramsh, who was killed by the Pak Army in cold blood along with her mother. The Baloch Republican Party (BRP) has slammed the Pakistani Army over Turbat incident and termed it as 'a continuation of the massacre of Pakistan armed forces in Balochistan who have been engaged in kidnapping civilians for ransom and dumping mutilated bodies for the last several years'.Balochistan is widely known for rich pool of natural resources that the localites have repeatedly accused Pakistan of exploiting for the betterment of the other provinces of Pakistan, while Balochistan remains mostly underdeveloped and under occupation. An important point worth noting here would be that enforced disappearances and abductions by the Pakistani military establishment have also been carried out regularly and for innumerabl times in Balochistan. Leaders, activists, and vocal members of various student organisations have been detained by the security forces and kept in confinement. While others have been shot dead. 

Pakistani troops forced to abandon border posts after Balochistan protests turn violent

The troops of the Pakistani security forces were forced to abandom their posts after locals turned on them in Balochistan on Wednesday. As per local media reports, violent protests erupted in Brabchah area of Balochistan where the locals pelted the Pak security forces with stones.

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Kim Jong Un wants to turn the art of kimchi-making into a science. And the North Korean leader is putting his money where his mouth is.On the outskirts of Pyongyang, surrounded by snow-covered farms and greenhouses, stands one of Kim's latest pet projects, the Ryugyong Kimchi Factory, which produces 4,200 tons of the iconic Korean pickled vegetable dish a year. The shiny new facility replaces an older factory and opened in June last year after getting Kim's final seal of approval, according to manager Paek Mi Hye.The factory is intended to showcase Kim's efforts to boost North Korea's domestic economy and produce more, and better, consumer products. His strategy, known as "byungjin," aims to simultaneously develop the national economy and North Korea's nuclear weapons program.ALSO READ | 'They are laughing at us, they think we are bunch of dummies': Trump tweets video showing he warned of nuclear threat 18 years backNorth Korea's repeated underground nuclear tests and launches of long-range missiles that could conceivably reach the US mainland have brought more sanctions down on the North than ever before. But outside experts believe the country - while still struggling in many areas - is showing signs of modest economic growth and improved agricultural production. It could be just a year or two away from having an operational, nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missile.Applied science, according to the North's policymakers, is absolutely essential on all fronts.Kim has transformed the Pyongyang skyline with high-rise apartments to house his prized rocket scientists and nuclear engineers, and Paek repeatedly stressed while giving a tour of the facility to The Associated Press how even an ancient delicacy like kimchi can benefit from scientific innovation.ALSO READ | Kim Jong UN’s top aide disappears from public life, may have been executedPaek, who accompanied Kim on his "on-the-spot guidance" visits, said the factory has 150 workers but is for the most part automated.She said the primary objective of the factory is to operate in a "scientific manner at every stage." In kimchi-making, that means inspections all along the production line to ensure quality and hygiene. The factory boasts of a one-of-a-kind "kimchi analyzer" to maintain the proper levels of saltiness and lactic acid - its signature ingredient.Koreans North and South have been making kimchi for generations, often passing family recipes down from mother to daughter or mother-in-law to daughter-in-law.In 2015, UNESCO added kimchi to its "intangible cultural heritage of humanity" list, noting that the traditional sharing of know-how and materials to prepare large quantities of kimchi for the winter months "boosts cooperation among families, villages and communities, contributing to social cohesion."Paek acknowledged that some people might resist giving up the cherished tradition of communal kimchi-making. "But they also recognize the quality and reliability of our factory-made product," she said.The factory produces eight kimchi products, from the very spicy staple "tong kimchi," which has a red tint and is made of whole cabbages, to a milder variety designed for children. Its kimchi products are distributed to restaurants and grocery stores around Pyongyang."This is the model," Paek said. "Other factories like ours are being planned in every province."

Secret Sauce? North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un applies science to kimchi-making

On the outskirts of Pyongyang, surrounded by snow-covered farms and greenhouses, stands one of Kim's latest pet projects, the Ryugyong Kimchi Factory, which produces 4,200 tons of the iconic Korean pickled vegetable dish a year.

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FATF all set to decide on Pakistan's grey list status this monthThe Financial Action Task Force is all set to decide on Pakistan's grey list status in a virtual meeting scheduled later this month, according to a media report on Monday.The Paris-based global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog had placed Pakistan on the grey list in June 2018 and asked Islamabad to implement a plan of action to curb money laundering and terror financing by the end of 2019 but the deadline was extended later on due to COVID-19 pandemic.Seeking to wriggle out of the FATF's grey list, debt-ridden Pakistan in August imposed financial sanctions on 88 banned terror groups and their leaders, including 26/11 Mumbai attack mastermind and Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar and underworld don Dawood Ibrahim.The virtual FATF plenary scheduled for October 21-23 will decide if Pakistan should be excluded from its grey list, based on a review of Islamabad's performance to meet global commitments and standards on fight against money laundering and terror financing (ML&TF), the Dawn News reported.The meeting was earlier scheduled in June but Islamabad got an unexpected breather after the global watchdog against financial crimes temporarily postponed all mutual evaluations and follow-up deadlines in the wake of grave health risk following COVID-9 pandemic, it said.The agency also put a general pause in the review process, thus giving additional four months to Pakistan to meet the requirements.In February, the FATF gave Pakistan, which missed 13 targets, a four-month grace period to complete its 27-point action plan against ML&TF committed with the international community.In its third plenary held virtually in June, the FATF decided to keep Pakistan in the grey list as Islamabad failed to check flow of money to terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).With Pakistan's continuation in the 'grey list', it is increasingly becoming difficult for the country to get financial aid from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the European Union, thus further enhancing problems for the nation which is in a precarious financial situation.In July, Pakistan's Senate unanimously approved two bills related to the tough conditions set by FATF. In August, Parliament's lower house passed four FATF-related bills as part of the efforts by Pakistan to move from the FATF's grey list to the white list.In September, the joint session of the Parliament amended about 15 laws to upgrade its legal system matching international standards as required by the FATF. The government has already submitted its report to the FATF and its affiliated review groups and responded to their comments, detailing compliance with the 13 outstanding action points, the Dawn report stated.The FATF meeting this month will review Pakistan's compliance with the 13 remaining action points. The FATF will examine if the country had demonstrated remedial actions and sanctions applied in cases of violations relating to terrorist financing risk management and terror financing sanctions obligations.The FATF will also judge if competent authorities were cooperating and taking action to identify and taking enforcement action against illegal money or value transfer services and had proven implementation of cross-border currency and bearer negotiable instruments controls at all ports of entry, including applying effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions.Pakistan has also to determine if law enforcement agencies were identifying and investigating the widest range of terror financing activity and that terrorist financing (TF) probes and prosecution target designated persons and entities, and those acting on behalf or at the direction of the designated persons or entities besides showing TF prosecutions result in effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions, the report said.The country's outstanding action areas also include effective implementation of targeted financial sanctions (supported by a comprehensive legal obligation) against all 1,267 and 1,373 designated terrorists and those acting for or on their behalf, including preventing the raising and moving of funds, identifying and freezing assets (movable and immovable), and prohibiting access to funds and financial services, it said.If the FATF in its meeting finds that Pakistan has failed to meet its requirements, there is every possibility that the global body may put the country in the 'Black List' along with North Korea and Iran.In August, Prime Minister Imran Khan had warned that if blacklisted at the FATF, Pakistan's entire economy will be destroyed due to inflation and a massive fall in Pakistani Rupee.The FATF is an inter-governmental body established in 1989 to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system.The FATF currently has 39 members including two regional organisations - the European Commission and Gulf Cooperation Council. 

FATF all set to decide on Pakistan's grey list status this month

The Financial Action Task Force is all set to decide on Pakistan's grey list status in a virtual meeting scheduled later this month, according to a media report on Monday.

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Russian troops fired on the TV tower, near the Memorial complex in Kyiv.The safety of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe's largest, has now been secured. A massive fire broke out at the nuclear power plant on Friday following an attack by Russian forces."The director of the plant said that nuclear safety is now guaranteed. According to those responsible for the plant, a training building and a laboratory were affected by the fire," Oleksandr Starukh, head of the military administration of the Zaporizhzhia region, said on Facebook.According to reports, some people were seriously injured during fighting at the nuclear power plant in the southeastern region of the war-torn nation. Meanwhile, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has placed its Incident and Emergency Centre in full 24/7 response mode due to the serious situation at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.Separately, US President Joe Biden spoke with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky to receive an update on the fire at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and urged Russia to cease its military activities in the affected area and allow access to emergency responders, the White House has said."President Biden joined President Zelenskyy in urging Russia to cease its military activities in the area and allow firefighters and emergency responders to access the site," the White House said in a readout of the call on Thursday.Biden also spoke with the Under Secretary for Nuclear Security of the US Department of Energy and Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) to receive an update on the situation at the plant. The President will continue to be briefed regularly, the White House said.British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also spoke with Zelensky. He said reckless actions of Russia could now directly threaten the safety of all of Europe. He said UK would do everything it could to ensure situation didn't deteriorate further"I've just spoken to President @ZelenskyyUa about the gravely concerning situation at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station. Russia must immediately cease its attack on the power station and allow unfettered access for emergency services to the plant," he tweeted."The Prime Minister said he would be seeking an emergency UN Security Council meeting in the coming hours, and that the UK would raise this issue immediately with Russia and close partners," the British government said in a statement.On Thursday, Russian forces pressed their attack on a crucial energy-producing Ukrainian city by shelling Europe's largest nuclear plant early Friday, sparking a fire and raising fears that radiation could leak from the damaged power station.READ MORE: Fire at nuclear plant Zaporizhzhia, Europe's largest, after Russian attacks 

Russia Ukraine War: Safety of Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe's largest, secured

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has placed its Incident and Emergency Centre in full 24/7 response mode due to the serious situation at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

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Russia registers 10,102 COVID-19 cases in 24 hrsRussia has confirmed 10,102 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, raising the overall tally to 155,370, its country's coronavirus response centre said on Tuesday. The death toll from the pandemic increased by 95 to 1,451, while 19,865 people have recovered, including 1,770 over the last 24 hours, Xinhua news agency quoted the statement as saying.Moscow, the country's worst-hit region, confirmed 5,714 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing its total to 80,115.Russia's consumer rights and human well-being watchdog said on Tuesday that 222,510 people were under medical observation as of Monday.More than 4.4 million lab tests for COVID-19 have been conducted across the country so far, it added.ALSO READ | France's first known COVID-19 case was in December, reveals ReportALSO READ | Pakistan coronavirus cases surges past 21,000; death toll at 486

Russia registers 10,102 COVID-19 cases in 24 hrs

Russia has confirmed 10,102 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, raising the overall tally to 155,370, its country's coronavirus response centre said on Tuesday.

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That India and Pakistan have never seen eye to eye is no secret. Neither is the fact that the differences between the two countries outweigh their similarities more often than not. At a time when the relations between the two countries is at an all-time low comes the story of the struggles of many aspiring entrepreneurs in the neighbouring country that many in India may identify with but never match.Unlike India, the scene and scope of entrepreneurship in Pakistan -- especially for youngsters full of ideas but with nowhere to go and hardly anyone to look up to – is vastly different.Also Read: Tax breaks, no govt inspection and Rs 10K cr fund: Modi's startup planThe story of Faraz Khan’s Gizelle Communications is perhaps the biggest example. Seven years ago, banks in Pakistan turned down loan applications for his fledgling advertising company.That, as it turned out, was only part of the challenge. Faraz tells Bloomberg that he found plenty of private investors willing to back his vision. That help, however, came with a catch. Faraz says that a lot of the funding that he was being offered was illicit and accepting it would have turned his Gizelle Communication Ltd. into a money launderer.“There were investors with blank checks and investors who were like ‘take as much money as you want,”’ he told Bloomberg in Karachi.“You have to sift through very carefully the ones that are dirty money.”Khan says he rejected the lucrative offers and instead turned to other businesses and an international bank to build the company. Today, Faraz is considering listing Gizelle Communications on the Pakistan Stock Exchange this year -- a first for a startup in the country.The reluctance of banks to fund fledgling companies or aspiring entrepreneurs was not limited to Faraz. Pakistan, South Asia’s second-largest economy and home to about 200 million people, is looked at with caution by foreign investors given its tattered infrastructure – especially power shortages – and security concerns. This despite ‘good friend’ China financing a staggering Rs 3.5 lakh crore of its infrastructure and energy projects.Also Read: We Are All Weather Friends, Chinese PM Tells Pak ParliamentThe Bloomberg report notes that most of the country’s commercial banks are risk averse, making money through investments in government notes and bonds and preferring loans to traditional manufacturers and industries run by well-established families. Unemployment, on the other hand, remains precariously high with the government failing to provide job options to its youth. Precarious since over 66 per cent of the country’s population is below 30.Not that the government has turned a complete blind eye. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif set up a loan program for those under the age of 45 to set up businesses, providing interest free loans to more than 260,000 people since his election in 2013.However, experts believe that was never going to be enough. Homegrown organization Planet N’s founder Nadeem Hussain believes Pakistan requires at least $1 billion of seed money to help new businesses take the next step. His firm has invested $8 million in 41 companies, most of them startups. Of the more than 700 startups that were established since 2010, 67 percent are still active and 68 have managed to raise funding of about $20 million. At least 24 incubators, accelerators and co-working spaces supporting startups have popped up across the country in the past seven years.Also Read: Google to directly mentor 25 startups in India for the first timeHussain says that despite the growth of incubators and accelerators, startups will continue to stumble without wider access to seed finance.Gizelle’s Faraz Khan, whose firm, Seed Ventures, has invested $745,000 supporting 135 startups, also talks about the challenge of a cultural mindset. He says students he meets at varsities say “it’s risky, there’s a chance of failure, there’s a lack of access to finance and we’ve got great expectations from our parents to actually become doctors, engineers, lawyers and that is a safer option.”The biggest challenge, however, continues to be the reluctance of big companies with big dollars to come into the funding space. The absence of foreign investors, largely on security concerns, only makes matters worse.

From avoiding illicit money to lack of finance, the many struggles of a Pakistani startup

Seven years ago, banks in Pakistan turned down Faraz Khan's loan applications for his fledgling advertising company. That, as it turned out, was only a part of the challenge

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Baloch, Sindhis and Afghan community living in the United States held a peaceful protest and a car rally against Pakistan’s human rights violations against themMembers of the Baloch, Sindhis and Afghan community living in the United States along with several Bangladeshi migrants and Gilgit Baltistan held a peaceful protest and a car rally against Pakistan’s human rights violations against them. “All oppressed communities from Pakistan are protesting against the human rights violations against Pakistan. We demand the international community and the United States to impose sanctions against Pakistan,” Nabi Baksha Baloch from the Baloch National Movement, US, told PTI during the protest held on Saturday.The protest in front of the Embassy of Pakistan, where they reached in a car rally, was organized by the “Expose-Pakistan Campaign Committee”, of which Baloch National Movement is part of along with Pashtun Tahafuz Movement – the USA, Jiye Sindh Freedom Movement, Human Rights Congress for Bangladeshi Minorities and Kashmir/Gilgit-Baltistan.“August 14 is not a day of Azadi (freedom) but the day Pakistan forcefully occupied Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan. It is the day when cultural genocide and ethnic engineering started in Sindh. It is the day when Islamic terrorism was imposed on Pashtuns and Afghans to destroy their cultural identity,” the organizers said in a statement.“It is the day when Hindu citizens lost their right to religious freedom and life,” it said, adding that the protest is organized by the direct victims of Pakistan’s brutal domestic and foreign policy.Participants said that Pakistan is openly funding the Taliban which is on the list of UN-banned terrorist groups.“This is a clear violation of UN Charter and the international community should place a ban on the sales of weapons and military hardware to Islamabad. Moreover, we demand that FATF should move Pakistan to the Blacklist,” they demanded.Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is a Paris-based body to combat money laundering terror financing.“Further, the USA and its allies should impose trade and commerce restrictions on China, Iran, and Pakistan for supporting terrorism and genocide. The United Nations should remove Pakistan and Iran from the Human Rights Council,” they 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_4234334740 = { "file": "https://vod-indiatv.akamaized.net/hls/2021/08/0_uyxtbhxh/master.m3u8", "image": "https://thumbs.indiatvnews.com/vod/0_uyxtbhxh_big_thumb.jpg", "title": "Blast near Afghanistan's defence facility in Kabul, several civilians injured", "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": "697", "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_4234334740 = ''; jwsetup_4234334740(); function jwsetup_4234334740() { jwvidplayer_4234334740 = jwplayer("jwvidplayer_4234334740").setup(jwconfig_4234334740); jwvidplayer_4234334740.on('ready', function () { ns_.StreamingAnalytics.JWPlayer(jwvidplayer_4234334740, { publisherId: "20465327", labelmapping: "c2=\"20465327\", c3=\"IndiaTV News\", c4=\"null\", c6=\"null\", ns_st_mp=\"jwplayer\", ns_st_cl=\"0\", ns_st_ci=\"0_uyxtbhxh\", ns_st_pr=\"Blast near Afghanistan's defence facility in Kabul, several civilians injured\", ns_st_sn=\"0\", ns_st_en=\"0\", ns_st_ep=\"Blast near Afghanistan's defence facility in Kabul, several civilians injured\", ns_st_ct=\"null\", ns_st_ge=\"News\", ns_st_st=\"Blast near Afghanistan's defence facility in Kabul, several civilians injured\", ns_st_ce=\"0\", ns_st_ia=\"0\", ns_st_ddt=\"2021-08-04\", ns_st_tdt=\"2021-08-04\", ns_st_pu=\"IndiaTV News\", ns_st_cu=\"https://vod-indiatv.akamaized.net/hls/2021/08/0_uyxtbhxh/master.m3u8\", ns_st_ty=\"video\"" }); }); jwvidplayer_4234334740.on('all', function (r) { if (jwvidplayer_4234334740.getState() == 'error' || jwvidplayer_4234334740.getState() == 'setupError') { jwvidplayer_4234334740.stop(); jwvidplayer_4234334740.remove(); jwvidplayer_4234334740 = ''; jwsetup_4234334740(); return; } }); jwvidplayer_4234334740.on('error', function (t) { jwvidplayer_4234334740.stop(); jwvidplayer_4234334740.remove(); jwvidplayer_4234334740 = ''; jwsetup_4234334740(); return; }); jwvidplayer_4234334740.on('mute', function () { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_4234334740.on('adPlay', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_4234334740.on('adPause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_4234334740.on('pause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_4234334740.on('error', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_4234334740.on('adBlock', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); }

Baloch, Sindhis and Afghans protest against Pakistan in Washington

Protest against Pakistan in front of the Embassy of Pakistan was organized by the “Expose-Pakistan Campaign Committee” comprising of Baloch, Sindhis, and Afghans.

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COVID-19 deaths in the US have climbed to an average of more than 1,900 a day for the first time since early MarchCOVID-19 deaths in the US have climbed to an average of more than 1,900 a day for the first time since early March, with experts saying the virus is preying largely on a distinct group -- 71 million unvaccinated Americans. The increasingly lethal turn has filled hospitals, complicated the start of the school year, delayed the return to offices and demoralized health care workers."It is devastating," said Dr. Dena Hubbard, a pediatrician in the Kansas City, Missouri, area who has cared for babies delivered prematurely by cesarean section in a last-ditch effort to save their mothers, some of whom died. For health workers, the deaths, combined with misinformation and disbelief about the virus, have been "heart-wrenching, soul-crushing."Twenty-two people died in one week alone at CoxHealth hospitals in the Springfield-Branson area, a level almost as high as that of all of Chicago. West Virginia has had more deaths in the first three weeks of September 340 than in the previous three months combined. Georgia is averaging 125 dead per day, more than California or other more populous states. I've got to tell you, a guy has got to wonder if we are ever going to see the end of it or not, said Collin Follis, who is the coroner in Missouri's Madison County and works at a funeral home.The nation was stunned back in December when it was witnessing 3,000 deaths a day. But that was when almost no one was vaccinated. Now, nearly 64 per cent of the US population has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. And yet, average deaths per day have climbed 40 per cent over the past two weeks, from 1,387 to 1,947, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.Health experts say the vast majority of the hospitalised and dead have been unvaccinated. While some vaccinated people have suffered breakthrough infections, those tend to be mild. The number of vaccine-eligible Americans who have yet to get a shot has been put at more than 70 million.There is a very real risk you'll end up in the hospital or even in the obituary pages, Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, chief medical officer for the Ohio Department of Health, said to the unvaccinated. Don't become a statistic when there is a simple, safe and effective alternative to go out today and get vaccinated.Many low-vaccination communities also have high rates of conditions like obesity and diabetes, said Dr. William Moss of Johns Hopkins. And that combination along with the more contagious delta variant has proved lethal. I think this is a real failure of society and our most egregious sin to be at this stage where we have hospitals overwhelmed, ICUs overwhelmed and hitting this mark in terms of deaths per day, Moss lamented.New cases of the coronavirus per day in the US have dropped since the start of September and are now running at about 139,000. But deaths typically take longer to fall because victims often linger for weeks before succumbing.In Kansas, 65-year-old cattleman Mike Limon thought he had beaten COVID-19 and went back to work for a few days. But the virus had fried his lungs and he died last week, said his grandson, Cadin Limon, 22, of Wichita. He said his grandfather didn't get vaccinated for fear of a bad reaction, and he hasn't gotten the shot either for the same reason, though serious side effects have proved extremely rare. He described his grandfather as a man of faith."Sixty-five is still pretty young," the young man said. "know that. It seems sudden and unexpected, but COVID didn't surprise God. His death wasn't a surprise to God. The God I serve is bigger than that."Cases are falling in West Virginia from pandemic highs, but deaths and hospitalizations are expected to continue increasing for as many as six more weeks, said retired National Guard Maj. Gen. James Hoyer, who leads the state's coronavirus task force. Dr. Greg Martin, who is president of the Society of Critical Care Medicine and practices mostly at Grady Hospital in Atlanta, said the staff is buckling under the strain."I think everyone in 2020 thought we would get through this. No one really thought that we would still be seeing this the same way in 2021," he said.In Oklahoma, Hillcrest South Hospital in Tulsa is among several medical centers around the country to add temporary morgues. Deaths are at an all-time high there, at three to four times the number it would see in a non-COVID-19 world, said Bennett Geister, hospital CEO. He said the staff there, too, is worn out. "They didn't sign up to be ICU nurses only to have people pass away on them," he said. "They signed up to be ICU nurses to take people to recovery and heal people from the brink of death."READ MORE: What's driving Delta Covid variant to spreadREAD MORE: US sees spike in kids hospitalisations due to Delta variant /* .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_3714055911 = { "file": "https://vod-indiatv.akamaized.net/hls/2021/06/0_5xio8iir/master.m3u8", "image": "https://thumbs.indiatvnews.com/vod/0_5xio8iir_big_thumb.jpg", "title": "Coronavirus: How dangerous are Covid-19 Delta and Delta Plus variants? watch report", "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": "584", "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_3714055911 = ''; jwsetup_3714055911(); function jwsetup_3714055911() { jwvidplayer_3714055911 = jwplayer("jwvidplayer_3714055911").setup(jwconfig_3714055911); jwvidplayer_3714055911.on('ready', function () { ns_.StreamingAnalytics.JWPlayer(jwvidplayer_3714055911, { publisherId: "20465327", labelmapping: "c2=\"20465327\", c3=\"IndiaTV News\", c4=\"null\", c6=\"null\", ns_st_mp=\"jwplayer\", ns_st_cl=\"0\", ns_st_ci=\"0_5xio8iir\", ns_st_pr=\"Coronavirus: How dangerous are Covid-19 Delta and Delta Plus variants? watch report\", ns_st_sn=\"0\", ns_st_en=\"0\", ns_st_ep=\"Coronavirus: How dangerous are Covid-19 Delta and Delta Plus variants? watch report\", ns_st_ct=\"null\", ns_st_ge=\"News\", ns_st_st=\"Coronavirus: How dangerous are Covid-19 Delta and Delta Plus variants? watch report\", ns_st_ce=\"0\", ns_st_ia=\"0\", ns_st_ddt=\"2021-06-26\", ns_st_tdt=\"2021-06-26\", ns_st_pu=\"IndiaTV News\", ns_st_cu=\"https://vod-indiatv.akamaized.net/hls/2021/06/0_5xio8iir/master.m3u8\", ns_st_ty=\"video\"" }); }); jwvidplayer_3714055911.on('all', function (r) { if (jwvidplayer_3714055911.getState() == 'error' || jwvidplayer_3714055911.getState() == 'setupError') { jwvidplayer_3714055911.stop(); jwvidplayer_3714055911.remove(); jwvidplayer_3714055911 = ''; jwsetup_3714055911(); return; } }); jwvidplayer_3714055911.on('error', function (t) { jwvidplayer_3714055911.stop(); jwvidplayer_3714055911.remove(); jwvidplayer_3714055911 = ''; jwsetup_3714055911(); return; }); jwvidplayer_3714055911.on('mute', function () { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_3714055911.on('adPlay', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_3714055911.on('adPause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_3714055911.on('pause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_3714055911.on('error', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_3714055911.on('adBlock', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); }

Soul-crushing: US COVID-19 deaths are topping 1,900 a day

COVID-19 deaths in the US have climbed to an average of more than 1,900 a day for the first time since early March.

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In this image from UNTV video, United Nation Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addresses an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council on Ukraine to deplore Russia's actions toward the country and plead for diplomacyRussia-Ukraine war: UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has termed Russian President Vladimir Putin announcement of a special military operation in Ukraine as the “saddest moment in my tenure”, while Security Council members blasted the Russian leader for the “unprovoked and unjustified” action and for delivering a “message of war”.Putin on Thursday announced a special military operation in eastern Ukraine, claiming it's intended to protect civilians.In a televised address, Putin said Russia's move to launch a special military operation in Ukraine came in response to threats emanating from that country. He also warned other countries that if they attempted to interfere with the Russian military operation they would see “consequences they have never seen”.“This is the saddest moment in my tenure as Secretary-General of the United Nations. I started this meeting of the Security Council addressing President Putin and telling him from the bottom of my heart: Stop your troops from an offensive against Ukraine, give peace a chance because too many people have died,” Guterres told reporters at the UN headquarters here as he came out of an emergency Security Council meeting on Ukraine late Wednesday night.During the meeting President Putin announced a ‘special military operation’ in the Donbas and required the Ukrainian troops to lay down their arms, he noted. "So, in the present circumstances I must change my appeal,” Guterres said.“I must say, President Putin: In the name of humanity bring your troops back to Russia. In the name of humanity, do not allow to start in Europe what could be the worst war since the beginning of the century, with consequences not only devastating for Ukraine, not only tragic for the Russian Federation," but for the entire world, he said.The UN chief said the impact of the attack "we cannot even foresee in relation to the consequences for the global economy in a moment when we are emerging from the COVID (pandemic) and so many developing countries absolutely need to have space for the recovery which would be very, very difficult, with the high prices of oil, with the end of exports of wheat from Ukraine, and with the rising interest rates caused by instability in international markets”.The announcement by Putin came just at the time the Council was meeting on the situation in Ukraine, the second such meeting this week and the fourth since January 31.Council members made their remarks calling for de-escalation, restraint and diplomacy just as explosions and artillery fire were beginning to be reported from eastern Ukraine. Several Council members, including permanent members US, UK and France, took the floor again after making their initial statements to react to Putin’s announcement.US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said, “At the exact time as we are gathered in the Council seeking peace, Putin delivered a message of war in total disdain for the responsibility of this Council. This is a grave emergency. The Council will need to act, and we will put a resolution on the table tomorrow.”She added that earlier in her remarks, “I said that we predicted Russia’s false flag attacks, the misinformation, the theatrical emergency meetings, and the cyber attacks – but one piece had not come to pass. Unfortunately, while we've been meeting in the Security Council tonight, it appears that President Putin has ordered that last step”.UK Ambassador Barbara Woodward said “as we sat in this Chamber urging Russia to step back, President Putin announced special military operations on Ukrainian territory".“This is unprovoked and unjustified. This is a grave day for Ukraine and for the principles of the United Nations,” Woodward said, adding that the UK and its partners “have been clear that there will be consequences for Russia's actions. We fully support the United States call for a UN Security Council resolution. This Council must do all it can to stop war and uphold the Charter”.French envoy Nicolas De Riviere said “at the very moment when we were urgently meeting to try to prevent the worst and the outbreak of war, we learned, as you all did, that the President of the Russian Federation has ordered a special military operation in the Donbas and that Russia will try to demilitarise Ukraine".“Russia has thus made the choice of war,” he said, voicing his country’s condemnation in the “strongest terms” of the launching of these operations.“This decision, announced at the very moment when this Council is meeting, illustrates the contempt in which Russia holds international law and the United Nations,” the French envoy said.He added that Russia must be held accountable before the Security Council and this is why France will join its partners in the Council to prepare in the coming hours a resolution condemning the war led by Moscow.“We call on all members of this Council to support us in these tragic circumstances. We call on the Russian Federation to respect international humanitarian law in all circumstances, and we call for the protection of and respect for all civilians, including vulnerable people, women, children and humanitarian personnel,” Riviere said.Ireland’s Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason said when she spoke earlier in the Council she had said that the path for diplomacy and the path for dialogue was perilously narrow."And I didn’t realise how narrow, and indeed how close to the precipice we really were just over an hour ago.“We now see that that path has been closed by the announcement of a military aggression on the part of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. That is something that we roundly condemn. We stand with the people of Ukraine tonight – with every man, woman and child who is seeing this news as we did as we sat here in the chamber, and whose lives are at risk,” Nason said.She said it is now time for the Council to stand up and to assume its responsibility and to speak out in the strongest possible terms about this act of aggression.A visibly agitated and upset Ukrainian envoy at the UN Sergiy Kyslytsya told Russia’s Ambassador Vasily Nebenzia, President of the Security Council for the month of February, that he should “relinquish” his duties as Chair, and call Putin and (Russian Foreign Minister Sergey) Lavrov to stop aggression.He welcomed the decision of some Council Members to meet as soon as possible to consider the resolution that will "condemn the aggression that you launched on my people. There is no purgatory for war criminals. They go straight to hell, Ambassador.”Nebenzia said, “We aren't being aggressive against the Ukrainian people but against the junta that is in power in Kyiv. This isn't called a war, it is called a special military operation in the Donbas.”ALSO READ: Russia-Ukraine news: Joe Biden condemns Russia for ‘unjustified attack’

Russia-Ukraine war: 'Saddest moment in my tenure' as UN chief, says Antonio Guterres as Putin announces war

In a televised address, Putin said Russia's move to launch a special military operation in Ukraine came in response to threats emanating from that country. He also warned other countries that if they attempted to interfere with the Russian military operation they would see “consequences they have never seen”.

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'We'll hunt you down and make you pay': Joe Biden warns Kabul airport attackers.President Joe Biden has vowed to "hunt" down the terrorists and make them "pay" for the deadly attacks outside the Kabul airport in which 13 US service members were killed and 18 others wounded.Two suicide bombers and gunmen attacked crowds of Afghans flocking to Kabul's airport on Thursday, killing at least 60 Afghans and 13 US troops.“To those who carried out this attack, as well as anyone who wishes America harm notice, we will not forgive. We will not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay. I will defend our interests and our people with every measure at my command,” Biden told reporters at the White House on Thursday.The president said the ISIS-K was behind the gruesome attack at the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul and at a hotel nearby.“As you all know, the terrorist attacks that we've been talking about and worried about within the intelligence community, was an undertaking attack by a group known as ISIS-K,” Biden said.“They took the lives of American service members standing guard at the airport and wounded several others seriously. They also wounded, a number of civilians, and civilians were killed as well," he said.Biden said he has ordered his commanders to develop operational plans to strike ISIS-K assets, leadership and facilities.“We will respond with force and precision at our time at the place we choose in a moment of our choosing these ISIS terrorists will not win,” he said.He asserted that the US is determined to continue with its mission to evacuate American nationals from Kabul and complete the mission by August 31.August 31 is the cut-off date set by both the US and the Taliban for America's pullout from the war-torn country.“We can and we must complete this mission and we will. That’s what I’ve ordered them to do. We will not be deterred by terrorists. We will not let them stop our mission. We will continue the evacuation,” Biden said.“We will complete our mission, and we will continue after our troops have withdrawn, to find means by which we can find any American who wishes to get out of Afghanistan. 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'We will hunt you down and make you pay': Joe Biden warns Kabul airport attackers

2 suicide bombers and gunmen attacked crowds of Afghans flocking to Kabul's airport on Thursday, killing at least 60 Afghans and 13 US troops.

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Iranian FM Zarif holds talks with Russian counterpart Lavrov, discusses evolving situation in GulfIranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif met his Russian counterpart on Wednesday and discussed the evolving situation in the Gulf. The two leaders are here to attend India's flagship global conference on geopolitics, the Raisina Dialogue.The deliberations between them come amid the global focus on Iran and the US over the confrontation following killing of Maj Gen Qasem Soleimani.India has been maintaining that it would like the situation to de-escalate as soon as possible and the country has been in touch with key players, including Iran, United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar, as it has important interests in the region.Maj Gen Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite al-Quds force, was killed when a US drone fired missiles on his convoy in Iraq on January 3. Last week, Iran launched over a dozen ballistic missiles targeting at least two bases where US military and coalition forces' are stationed in Iraq. Soleimani's killing was the most dramatic escalation yet in spiralling tensions between Iran and the US. ALSO READ | India 'deeply concerned', says Jaishankar after conversation with Iran Foreign Minister Javad Zarif

Iranian FM Zarif holds talks with Russian counterpart Lavrov, discusses evolving situation in Gulf

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif met his Russian counterpart on Wednesday and discussed the evolving situation in the Gulf. The two leaders are here to attend India's flagship global conference on geopolitics, the Raisina Dialogue.

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US issues new guidelines for air travel, lifts restrictions on fully vaccinated foreign travellersFully vaccinated people can now travel to the United States as the country has announced lifting restrictions from November 8. President Joe Biden on Monday signed a presidential proclamation detailing the country's new international travel rules, which will replace the patchwork of blanket bans that have been in place since the beginning of the pandemic.The new travel guidelines will end the US travel ban that has been in place for dozens of countries, including India, due to the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. However, the new order has made the entry of unvaccinated noncitizen nonimmigrants in the US difficult.Here's what the advisory states:(With inputs from ANI)Also Read | Singapore removes India, 5 other South Asian nations from travel restriction list /* .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_8243616673 = { "file": "https://vod-indiatv.akamaized.net/hls/2021/05/0_5lugu9ux/master.m3u8", "image": "https://thumbs.indiatvnews.com/vod/0_5lugu9ux_big_thumb.jpg", "title": "America restricts travel from India in light of second wave of Covid infections", "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": "32", "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_8243616673 = ''; jwsetup_8243616673(); function jwsetup_8243616673() { jwvidplayer_8243616673 = jwplayer("jwvidplayer_8243616673").setup(jwconfig_8243616673); jwvidplayer_8243616673.on('ready', function () { ns_.StreamingAnalytics.JWPlayer(jwvidplayer_8243616673, { publisherId: "20465327", labelmapping: "c2=\"20465327\", c3=\"IndiaTV News\", c4=\"null\", c6=\"null\", ns_st_mp=\"jwplayer\", ns_st_cl=\"0\", ns_st_ci=\"0_5lugu9ux\", ns_st_pr=\"America restricts travel from India in light of second wave of Covid infections\", ns_st_sn=\"0\", ns_st_en=\"0\", ns_st_ep=\"America restricts travel from India in light of second wave of Covid infections\", ns_st_ct=\"null\", ns_st_ge=\"News\", ns_st_st=\"America restricts travel from India in light of second wave of Covid infections\", ns_st_ce=\"0\", ns_st_ia=\"0\", ns_st_ddt=\"2021-05-01\", ns_st_tdt=\"2021-05-01\", ns_st_pu=\"IndiaTV News\", ns_st_cu=\"https://vod-indiatv.akamaized.net/hls/2021/05/0_5lugu9ux/master.m3u8\", ns_st_ty=\"video\"" }); }); jwvidplayer_8243616673.on('all', function (r) { if (jwvidplayer_8243616673.getState() == 'error' || jwvidplayer_8243616673.getState() == 'setupError') { jwvidplayer_8243616673.stop(); jwvidplayer_8243616673.remove(); jwvidplayer_8243616673 = ''; jwsetup_8243616673(); return; } }); jwvidplayer_8243616673.on('error', function (t) { jwvidplayer_8243616673.stop(); jwvidplayer_8243616673.remove(); jwvidplayer_8243616673 = ''; jwsetup_8243616673(); return; }); jwvidplayer_8243616673.on('mute', function () { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_8243616673.on('adPlay', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_8243616673.on('adPause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_8243616673.on('pause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_8243616673.on('error', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_8243616673.on('adBlock', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); }

US to lift restrictions for fully vaccinated travellers from November 8; new guidelines issued

The new travel guidelines will replace the patchwork of blanket bans that have been in place since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.

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US Supreme Court puts hold on Trump's financial records rulingUS Chief Justice John Roberts said that the Supreme Court has issued a temporary stay of a federal appeals court ruling that granted a House committee access to eight years of President Donald Trump's financial records from his accounting firm.The ruling was set to go into effect on Wednesday. The subpoena from the House Oversight and Reform Committee will be unenforceable while the Supreme Court decides whether to take up the case, Xinhua news agency reported.The House panel said on Monday in a letter to the Supreme Court that it would agree to the temporary stay to allow the justices to weigh in.Trump's legal team on Friday asked the Supreme Court to put a hold on the panel's subpoena, arguing that if the lower court rulings are allowed to stand, any committee of Congress could subpoena any personal information it wants from a president."Given the temptation to dig up dirt on political rivals, intrusive subpoenas into personal lives of presidents will become our new normal in times of divided government -- no matter which party is in power," the lawyers said.The House Oversight and Reform Committee issued the subpoena in April, requesting Mazars USA, the president's accounting firm, to provide his financial records between 2011 and 2018. The committee said it acted after former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen had testified that "Trump inflated his total assets when it served his purposes and deflated his assets to reduce his real estate taxes."A US federal appeals court ruled against Trump's appeal earlier last week, upholding an earlier ruling that affirmed Congress' investigative authority to seek the president's financial records.In a separate case, Trump's legal team also asked the Supreme Court last week to block a subpoena issued by the New York County District Attorney demanding his accounting firm to turn over eight years of his tax returns to Manhattan prosecutors.The Supreme Court, which now has five conservatives and four liberals, could decide to consider the two cases together. It's unclear whether the Supreme Court will take up Trump's appeal and there is no deadline for the court to act, according to local media reports.Also Read: Trump has unscheduled physical ahead of busy 2020Also Read: Severe weather hits three Austrian states, one dead

US Supreme Court puts hold on Trump's financial records ruling

The ruling was set to go into effect on Wednesday. The subpoena from the House Oversight and Reform Committee will be unenforceable while the Supreme Court decides whether to take up the case, Xinhua news agency reported.

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Hungarian wins over 33 million dollar EurojackpotAll previous Hungarian lottery records have been broken after a Hungarian hit the Eurojackpot by winning more than 10 billion forints ($33 million), Szerencsejatek, the official Hungarian gambling service provider announced Budapest on Saturday. According to the announcement, the winner was the second Hungarian to ever hit the Eurojackpot, the Xinhua news agency reported.Besides the Hungarian winner, two other lotto players also hit the jackpot, said Szerencsejatek.In 2017, a Hungarian won a total of 7 billion forints. ($1 = 302.29 HUF)Eurojackpot started in 2012. It is currently playable in 18 countries in Europe. The first drawing in Hungary took place in October 2014.Also Read: Earth's most inhabitable place found: StudyAlso Read: Amazon files suit against Pentagon's 10 billion dollar cloud contract to Microsoft

Hungarian wins over 33 million dollar Eurojackpot

According to the announcement, the winner was the second Hungarian to ever hit the Eurojackpot, the Xinhua news agency reported.

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US will take on challenges posed by China directly: BidenThe United States will take on the challenges being posed by China directly, but will not hesitate to work with Beijing when it is in America's interest to do so, President Joe Biden said on Thursday. "We will confront China's economic abuses, counter its aggressive, coercive action to push back on China's attack on human rights, intellectual property and global governance," Biden said in his address to State Department employees at its Foggy Bottom headquarters here. "But we are ready to work with Beijing when it is in America's interest to do so. We will compete from a position of strength by building back better at home, working with our allies and partners, renewing our role in international institutions, and reclaiming our credibility and moral authority, much of which has been lost," he said, giving the glimpse of his administration's policies on China. "That is why we have moved quickly to begin restoring American engagement internationally and earn back our leadership position to catalyse global action on shared challenges," Biden said. Earlier in the day, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters that their priority is not to get access for Goldman Sachs in China. "Our priority is to make sure that we are dealing with China's trade abuses that are harming American jobs and American workers in the United States," he said. The Biden administration believes that once the US establishes its position of strength, it will be able to compete more effectively with its competitors across the board and especially with China in every domain, including economic, diplomatic, technological and security. "We will be able to counter Russia more effectively and we will be better equipped to address threats from climate change, to pandemics, to nuclear proliferation. We will also be able to more effectively pursue a foreign policy for the middle class. This is not just a tagline, it is an organising principle for the work that we will do," Biden said. In a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Senator Rick Scott underscored that the threat of communist China must be a top priority for Pentagon. "As the United States faces increasingly frequent and dangerous threats from adversaries across the globe -- namely communist China, Iran, Russia and North Korea -- there has never been a more important time to ensure that our men and women in uniform have every resource they need to stand strong and combat threats to our freedoms and interests," he said. "Communist China is undoubtedly our greatest enemy and must be treated as such. The Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) policy of genocide against the Uyghurs, theft of American technology and dangerous actions to build its military presence and threaten the security of the United States and its allies cannot be tolerated," Scott wrote to Austin. Encouraged by the defense secretary's candour regarding the threat communist China poses to nations around the world, Scott urged Austin to take the strongest possible position to ensure that the Biden administration places accountability and strength at the top of its policy agenda. "We cannot forget, when the reckless actions of communist China adversely impact our allies, especially those in the Indo-Pacific region including Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, India or Taiwan, they also threaten the safety and security of the United States," he said. Meanwhile, Congressman Brad Wenstrup led 45 lawmakers in writing to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Sullivan regarding the CCP's coercive population control efforts and grave human rights abuses in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. "There is little doubt that China poses one of the most significant challenges to the United States going forward. As part of the administration's effort to confront this challenge, we urge you to prioritise holding the Chinese government accountable for the ongoing genocide in Xinjiang and stand up for the rights to life, human dignity and religious freedom for all people," the members wrote. Also Read: Joe Biden cancels Trump's nomination of Indian American as judge  The United States will take on the challenges being posed by China directly, but will not hesitate to work with Beijing when it is in America's interest to do so, President Joe Biden said on Thursday."We will confront China's economic abuses, counter its aggressive, coercive action to push back on China's attack on human rights, intellectual property and global governance," Biden said in his address to State Department employees at its Foggy Bottom headquarters here."But we are ready to work with Beijing when it is in America's interest to do so. We will compete from a position of strength by building back better at home, working with our allies and partners, renewing our role in international institutions, and reclaiming our credibility and moral authority, much of which has been lost," he said, giving the glimpse of his administration's policies on China."That is why we have moved quickly to begin restoring American engagement internationally and earn back our leadership position to catalyse global action on shared challenges," Biden said.Earlier in the day, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters that their priority is not to get access for Goldman Sachs in China. "Our priority is to make sure that we are dealing with China's trade abuses that are harming American jobs and American workers in the United States," he said.The Biden administration believes that once the US establishes its position of strength, it will be able to compete more effectively with its competitors across the board and especially with China in every domain, including economic, diplomatic, technological and security."We will be able to counter Russia more effectively and we will be better equipped to address threats from climate change, to pandemics, to nuclear proliferation. We will also be able to more effectively pursue a foreign policy for the middle class. This is not just a tagline, it is an organising principle for the work that we will do," Biden said.In a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Senator Rick Scott underscored that the threat of communist China must be a top priority for Pentagon."As the United States faces increasingly frequent and dangerous threats from adversaries across the globe -- namely communist China, Iran, Russia and North Korea -- there has never been a more important time to ensure that our men and women in uniform have every resource they need to stand strong and combat threats to our freedoms and interests," he said."Communist China is undoubtedly our greatest enemy and must be treated as such. The Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) policy of genocide against the Uyghurs, theft of American technology and dangerous actions to build its military presence and threaten the security of the United States and its allies cannot be tolerated," Scott wrote to Austin.Encouraged by the defense secretary's candour regarding the threat communist China poses to nations around the world, Scott urged Austin to take the strongest possible position to ensure that the Biden administration places accountability and strength at the top of its policy agenda."We cannot forget, when the reckless actions of communist China adversely impact our allies, especially those in the Indo-Pacific region including Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, India or Taiwan, they also threaten the safety and security of the United States," he said.Meanwhile, Congressman Brad Wenstrup led 45 lawmakers in writing to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Sullivan regarding the CCP's coercive population control efforts and grave human rights abuses in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region."There is little doubt that China poses one of the most significant challenges to the United States going forward. As part of the administration's effort to confront this challenge, we urge you to prioritise holding the Chinese government accountable for the ongoing genocide in Xinjiang and stand up for the rights to life, human dignity and religious freedom for all people," the members wrote.Also Read: Joe Biden cancels Trump's nomination of Indian American as judge

US will take on challenges posed by China directly: Biden

The Biden administration believes that once the US establishes its position of strength, it will be able to compete more effectively with its competitors across the board and especially with China in every domain, including economic, diplomatic, technological and security.

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Representational ImageAsserting that there is no problem of freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, Beijing said no country should use any excuse to engage in militarisation in the region.China, which claims almost all of the South China Sea, has been unhappy with the US' navigation and overflight patrols in the region over which Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also have counter claims. In September, a Chinese destroyer and a US warship nearly collided in the disputed waters. "There is no problem of the freedom of navigation and overflight being obstructed, so to use the freedom of navigation and overflight as an excuse to pursue military actions is unjustifiable,” Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi told a joint press conference here on Friday. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, US Defence Secretary James Mattis and Chinese Minister of National Defence Wei Fenghe were also present at the press conference.The Chinese leaders are in Washington to set the stage for a meeting between US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping later this month.In an apparent attempt to allay the growing global concern about China constructing defence facilities in the disputed territory, Yang said Beijing is only building certain security facilities in response to possible threats from outside.He said China has undertaken some constructions on the islands and reefs in the region, however, "most of them are civilian facilities" whose purpose is to "serve the interest of the Chinese people and also to provide public goods to others". Yang said to pursue militarisation in the region will not only undermine interest of regional countries, but will also hurt the nations that take these actions. Addressing the conference, Mattis said the US adheres strictly to international law and the international maritime rules of the road and it "will continue to fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows". He said the US' commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, one that is underpinned by the rules-based international order and regional stability, is unwavering. 

No country should use any excuse to engage in militarisation in South China Sea: Beijing

The Chinese leaders are in Washington to set the stage for a meeting between US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping later this month.

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Who will be the first to get COVID-19 vaccines?No decision has been made, but the consensus among many experts in the U.S. and globally is that health care workers should be first, said Sema Sgaier of the Surgo Foundation, a nonprofit group working on vaccine allocation issues. An expert panel advising the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is also considering giving high priority to workers in essential industries, people with certain medical conditions and people age 65 and older.Once a vaccine gets a green light from the Food and Drug Administration, the panel will look at clinical trial data on side effects and how people of various ages, ethnicities and health statuses responded. That will determine the panel’s recommendations to the CDC on how to prioritize shots.State officials are expected to follow the CDC’s guidance as they distribute the first vaccines.Vaccine supplies will be limited at first. There won’t be enough to protect everyone, yet getting the shots to the right people could change the course of the pandemic.Many other questions about distribution remain unanswered, Sgaier noted, such as whether to distribute shots equally across the country, or to focus on areas that are hot spots.

Who will be the first to get COVID-19 vaccines?

Once a vaccine gets a green light from the Food and Drug Administration, the panel will look at clinical trial data on side effects and how people of various ages, ethnicities and health statuses responded. That will determine the panel’s recommendations to the CDC on how to prioritize shots.

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Saudi Arabia has permitted outbound passenger flights to IndiaAir India Express said Saudi Arabia has permitted outbound passenger flights to India under the Vande Bharat mission. On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia had banned flights to and from India amid a surge in coronavirus cases. In a tweet on Wednesday night, Air India Express clarified it would not carry passengers from India to Saudi Arabia."Air India Express Vande Bharat Mission flights would continue to carry passengers on its flights from Saudi Arabia to India," it added.In a circular issued on Tuesday, Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) said it was "suspending travel to and from the following countries: (India, Brazil and Argentina) including any person who has been in any of the mentioned countries above in the last 14 days prior to their arrival to the Kingdom".However, it excluded "passengers who have official government invitations”.The GACA circular -- titled: 'Suspension of travel to countries where the COVID-19 virus has outbreak' -- was marked to all the airlines and chartered flight companies operating at the Saudi Arabia's airports.Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) host a significant Indian migrant population.Five days ago, Air India Express said that the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) had suspended its flights for 24 hours for bringing two passengers with COVID-19 positive certificates on August 28 and September 4.Dubai is the most populous city of the UAE.According to rules of the UAE government, every passenger travelling from India is required to bring an original COVID-19 negative certificate of an RT-PCR test done within 96 hours prior to the journey.Scheduled international passenger flights have been suspended in India since March 23 due to the outbreak. However, special international flights have been operating between India and Saudi Arabia since May 6 under the Vande Bharat mission.The total coronavirus cases on Thursday in India rose to 57,32,518 with 86,508 people testing positive in a day.The death toll climbed to 91,149 with 1,129 people succumbing to the disease in a span of 24 hours, the Health Ministry's data updated at 8 am showed.

Saudi Arabia has permitted outbound passenger flights to India: AI Express

Air India Express said Saudi Arabia has permitted outbound passenger flights to India under the Vande Bharat mission. On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia had banned flights to and from India amid a surge in coronavirus cases.

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India today slammed Pakistan at the UN for repeatedly raising the Kashmir issue on platforms where it has not been part of the agenda, saying the neighbouring country has ventured to plough a "lonely furrow contrary to the onward march of history". India's response came after Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the UN, Maleeha Lodhi, said that the decolonisation agenda of the UN will "remain incomplete" without resolution of the "long festering dispute" of Jammu and Kashmir. The issues was raised by Pakistan during a debate on decolonisation in the fourth committee of the UN General Assembly. Srinivas Prasad, minister at the Permanent Mission of India to the UN, said India "rejects the efforts of the delegation of Pakistan to bring issues which have never been on the agenda of this Committee ever in its history." He said India considered it a diversion from the agenda and as a distraction not worthy of a response. "Even as all those who have taken the floor have focused on issues of Non Self-Governing Territories, a solitary member State, as usual, has ventured to plough a lonely furrow contrary to the onward march of history," said the Indian diplomat. However, exercising its right to reply, Pakistan said that Kashmir remained a "dispute under any definition", and that there was an "explicit obligation" for the UN and the parties to work to resolve it. Earlier, Lodhi continued with her anti-India tirade at the UN. "Contrary to Indian claims, Jammu and Kashmir never was and never can be an integral part of India. It is disputed territory, the final status of which has yet to be determined in accordance with several resolutions of the UN Security Council," she said.

'A country's lonely furrow': India slams Pakistan for repeatedly raising Kashmir issue at UN

India slammed Pakistan at the UN for repeatedly raising the Kashmir issue on platforms where it has not been part of the agenda.

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India moves up 14 spots to 63 on World Bank's ease of doing business rankingIndia jumped 14 places to the 63rd position on the World Bank's ease of doing business ranking released on Thursday, riding high on the government's flagship 'Make in India' scheme and other reforms attracting foreign investment.The country also figured among the the top 10 performers on the list for the third time in a row.The rankings come at a time when the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and various rating agencies have slashed the country's growth forecasts amid a slowdown in the global economy.India was ranked 142nd among 190 nations when Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office in 2014. Four years of reform pushed up India's rank to 100th in World Bank's 'Doing Business' 2018 report. It was 130th in 2017 when it was ranked lower than Iran and Uganda. Last year, the country jumped 23 places to the 77th position on the back of reforms related to insolvency, taxation and other areas.In its 'Doing Business' 2020 report, the World Bank commended the reform efforts undertaken by the country "given the size of India's economy"."This is the third year in a row that India makes to top 10 in Doing Business, which is a success which very few countries have done over the 20 years of the project, Without exception, the other countries that have done this are very small, population-wise, and homogeneous," Simeon Djankov, Director of Development Economics at the World bank told PTI in an interview. "India is the first country of its type to achieve that. It has jumped this year by 14 position," he said.Apart from India, the other countries on this year's 'top 10 performers' list are Saudi Arabia (62), Jordan (75), Togo (97), Bahrain (43), Tajikistan (106), Pakistan (108), Kuwait (83), China (31) and Nigeria (131).Prime Minister Modi's 'Make in India' campaign focused on attracting foreign investment, boosting the private sector — manufacturing in particular — and enhancing the country's overall competitiveness, the World Bank said in its report.The government turned to the Doing Business indicators to show investors India's commitment to reform and to demonstrate tangible progress. In 2015, the government’s goal was to join the 50 top economies on the ease of doing business ranking by 2020. While the competition to move up the ladder would increase and become much tougher, India is on track to be within top 50 of the Ease of Doing business in the next year or two, Djankov told PTI in response to a question.And to come under 25 or below 50, the Modi government needs to announce and start implementing next set of ambitious reforms now, as these reforms takes a few years to be realized on the ground, he said."The administration's reform efforts targeted all of the areas measured by Doing Business, with a focus on paying taxes, trading across borders, and resolving insolvency. The country has made a substantial leap upward, raising its ease of doing business ranking from 130 in Doing Business 2016 to 63 in Doing Business 2020,” the report said.One of the main reasons for improvement in India’s ranking this year goes to the successful implementation of the Insolvency And Bankruptcy Code, the World Bank official said."Before the implementation of the reform, it was very burdensome for secured creditors to seize companies in default of their loans," the report said."Since its implementation, more than 2,000 companies have used the new law. Of these, about 470 have commenced liquidation and more than 120 have approved reorganization plans, with the remaining cases still pending," it added.In the past, foreclosure was the most common procedure reported by legal practitioners in both Delhi and Mumbai under the case study assumptions measured by the resolving insolvency indicator set, with an approximate duration of 4.3 years, the report said.ALSO READ: Global value chains can help developing countries in better growth outcomes: World Bank

India moves up 14 spots to 63 on World Bank's ease of doing business ranking

India made trading across borders easier by enabling post clearance audits, integrating trade stakeholders in a single electronic platform, upgrading port infrastructures, and enhancing the electronic submission of documents, the report said.

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New calculations released on December 10, 2020, show the world's carbon dioxide emissions plunged 7% in 2020 because of the pandemic lockdowns.A locked-down pandemic-struck world cut its carbon dioxide emissions this year by 7%, the biggest drop ever, new preliminary figures show. The Global Carbon Project, an authoritative group of dozens of international scientists who track emissions, calculated that the world will have put 37 billion U.S. tons (34 billion metric tons) of carbon dioxide in the air in 2020. That’s down from 40.1 billion US tons (36.4 billion metric tons) in 2019, according a study published Thursday in the journal Earth System Science Data.Scientists say this drop is chiefly because people are staying home, traveling less by car and plane, and that emissions are expected to jump back up after the pandemic ends. Ground transportation makes up about one-fifth of emissions of carbon dioxide, the chief man-made heat-trapping gas.“Of course, lockdown is absolutely not the way to tackle climate change,” said study co-author Corinne LeQuere, a climate scientist at the University of East Anglia.The same group of scientists months ago predicted emission drops of 4% to 7%, depending on the progression of COVID-19. A second coronavirus wave and continued travel reductions pushed the decrease to 7%, LeQuere said.Emissions dropped 12% in the United States and 11% in Europe, but only 1.7% in China. That’s because China had an earlier lockdown with less of a second wave. Also China’s emissions are more industrial based than other countries and its industry was less affected than transportation, LeQuere said.The calculations — based on reports detailing energy use, industrial production and daily mobility counts — were praised as accurate by outside scientists.Even with the drop in 2020, the world on average put 1,185 tons (1,075 metric tons) of carbon dioxide into the air every second.Final figures for 2019 published in the same study show that from 2018 to 2019 emissions of the main man-made heat-trapping gas increased only 0.1%, much smaller than annual jumps of around 3% a decade or two ago. Even with emissions expected to rise after the pandemic, scientists are wondering if 2019 be the peak of carbon pollution, LeQuere said.“We are certainly very close to an emissions peak, if we can keep the global community together,” said United Nations Development Director Achim Steiner.Chris Field, director of the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, thinks emissions will increase after the pandemic, but said “I am optimistic that we have, as a society learned some lessons that may help decrease emissions in the future.”“For example,” he added, “as people get good at telecommuting a couple of days a week or realize they don’t need quite so many business trips, we might see behavior-related future emissions decreases.”ALSO READ | Delhi wakes up to moderate fog; air quality continues to be 'very poor'

World carbon dioxide emissions drop 7% in pandemic-hit 2020

A locked-down pandemic-struck world cut its carbon dioxide emissions this year by 7%, the biggest drop ever, new preliminary figures show.

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Joe Biden's to-do list on Day One of PresidencyDay One of Joe Biden's presidency will kick off with a rash of executive orders. COVID-19 will overshadow everything else for the first 100 days but subsumed within will be efforts to push forward quick fixes on immigration, healthcare, and a battered economy.First up, on January 20, Biden will sign "roughly a dozen actions" to combat four crises, according to his Chief of Staff Ron Klain. Based on Biden's statements in recent days and a memo from Klain, here's what the early days will look like, mostly via executive action.- Rejoining the Paris climate accord.- Rejoining the World Health Organisation.- Asking the Department of Education to extend the ongoing pause on student loan payments and interest for millions of Americans with federal student loans.- Declaring ethical standards and prohibiting interference in Justice Department operations from other arms of government.- Restoring 100 public health and environmental rules that the Obama administration created and President Donald Trump wrecked.- Ending restrictions on travellers from a variety of Muslim-majority countries.- Launching a "100 Day Masking Challenge" by issuing a mask mandate on federal property and inter-state travel.- Action to extend nationwide restrictions on evictions and foreclosures.- Beginning the process to rejoin the deal reining in Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief.- Protecting from deportation people who came to the country illegally as children.- Legislation proposing repeal of liability protections for gun manufacturers.- Immigration legislation offering a path to citizenship for 11 million people in the US illegally. Under the legislation, those living in the US as of Jan 1, 2021, without legal status would have a five-year path to temporary legal status if they pass background checks and fulfill other basic requirements including paying taxes. From there, it's a three-year path to naturalisation.- Biden also wants Congress to approve a $1.9 trillion plan to combat the coronavirus.ALSO READ | Joe Biden Inauguration Day: How America will welcome its 46th President | ExplainerALSO READ | Joe Biden to propose 8-year citizenship path for immigrants /* .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_6320271922 = { "file": "https://vod-indiatv.akamaized.net/hls/2021/01/0_0bcwoy54/master.m3u8", "image": "https://thumbs.indiatvnews.com/vod/0_0bcwoy54_big_thumb.jpg", "title": "Trump admits defeat after Congress certifies Joe Biden's victory", "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": "64", "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_6320271922 = ''; jwsetup_6320271922(); function jwsetup_6320271922() { jwvidplayer_6320271922 = jwplayer("jwvidplayer_6320271922").setup(jwconfig_6320271922); jwvidplayer_6320271922.on('ready', function () { ns_.StreamingAnalytics.JWPlayer(jwvidplayer_6320271922, { publisherId: "20465327", labelmapping: "c2=\"20465327\", c3=\"IndiaTV News\", c4=\"null\", c6=\"null\", ns_st_mp=\"jwplayer\", ns_st_cl=\"0\", ns_st_ci=\"0_0bcwoy54\", ns_st_pr=\"Trump admits defeat after Congress certifies Joe Biden's victory\", ns_st_sn=\"0\", ns_st_en=\"0\", ns_st_ep=\"Trump admits defeat after Congress certifies Joe Biden's victory\", ns_st_ct=\"null\", ns_st_ge=\"News\", ns_st_st=\"Trump admits defeat after Congress certifies Joe Biden's victory\", ns_st_ce=\"0\", ns_st_ia=\"0\", ns_st_ddt=\"2021-01-08\", ns_st_tdt=\"2021-01-08\", ns_st_pu=\"IndiaTV News\", ns_st_cu=\"https://vod-indiatv.akamaized.net/hls/2021/01/0_0bcwoy54/master.m3u8\", ns_st_ty=\"video\"" }); }); jwvidplayer_6320271922.on('all', function (r) { if (jwvidplayer_6320271922.getState() == 'error' || jwvidplayer_6320271922.getState() == 'setupError') { jwvidplayer_6320271922.stop(); jwvidplayer_6320271922.remove(); jwvidplayer_6320271922 = ''; jwsetup_6320271922(); return; } }); jwvidplayer_6320271922.on('error', function (t) { jwvidplayer_6320271922.stop(); jwvidplayer_6320271922.remove(); jwvidplayer_6320271922 = ''; jwsetup_6320271922(); return; }); jwvidplayer_6320271922.on('mute', function () { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_6320271922.on('adPlay', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_6320271922.on('adPause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_6320271922.on('pause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_6320271922.on('error', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_6320271922.on('adBlock', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); }

Joe Biden's to-do list on Day One of Presidency

Based on Biden's statements in recent days and a memo from Klain, here's what the early days will look like, mostly via executive action.

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Representational ImageA school principal in Pakistan was sentenced to 105 years in prison on Tuesday for sexually exploiting school children and filming them with secret cameras installed on campus.Attaullah Marwat, who is the owner of a private school, was arrested in the city after police registered a case against him on July 14, 2017, on the complaint of a boy student.A sessions court here handed a total of 105 years in prison to the principal on charges of child abuse, pornography, rape, blackmail and maintaining illicit relations.Marwat was also fined Rs 1.4 million in addition to the jail terms.A trial court had framed charges against him on eight counts under the Pakistan Penal Code.He was found guilty of all charges and handed various jail sentences under each section - resulting in a total prison term of 105 years.One of the charges against the convict was that he had forced, persuaded, coerced and enticed girl students under the age of 18 to engage in sexual activities and was involved in explicit sexual conduct and abuse of minor schoolgirls.Following his arrest last year, the accused had recorded his confessional statement before a judicial magistrate, wherein he had admitted that it was his "hobby" to make videos of his sexual activities.He had also admitted that the videos were stored in his personal computer. The police had recovered memory cards and USBs. (With PTI inputs)

Pakistan: School principal sentenced to 105 years in prison for sexually exploiting school children, filming acts with secret cameras

Attaullah Marwat, who is also the school's owner, was arrested in this city after police registered a case against him on July 14, 2017, on the complaint of a boy student.

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Representative ImageChina's military, the world's largest force, has cut the size of its land-based army by about 50 per cent and significantly boosted its navy and air force as part of an "unprecedented" strategic shift designed to transform the People's Liberation Army (PLA) into a comprehensive modern force.The 2 million-strong Chinese military has significantly boosted its navy, air force and new strategic units and downsized its land-based army, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported quoting a state-run Xinhua report.In a feature report highlighting the "transformational changes" made by the PLA, Xinhua on Sunday said "this new data is unprecedented in the history of the PLA – the army now accounts for less than 50 per cent of the total number of PLA troops; almost half of our non-combatant units have been made redundant, and the number of officers in the PLA has been reduced by 30 per cent."In the last few years, the PLA has downsized its military by retrenching three lakh troops under the military reforms initiated by President Xi Jinping. But it still remained the world's largest military with two million personnel in the ranks.The statement indicated that the four other branches of the PLA – the navy, air force, rocket force and strategic support force, which is responsible for areas such as cyberwarfare - now together make up more than half of the Chinese military, overtaking the army, which has traditionally been the dominant unit of the PLA.The expansion of the navy in the past few years was massive as China now has one aircraft carrier, another undergoing trial and third in making. Official media reports said China plans to have about five to six aircraft carriers.The rocket force and strategic support force mainly focus on missile warfare.Shanghai-based military analyst Ni Lexiong said the overhaul marked a significant strategic shift from having a homeland-based defensive force to one with the capacity to allow Beijing to flex its muscles beyond its national borders and to protect its interests overseas.Ni told the Post that it also means that branches such as the navy, air force and missile units can now play a bigger role in the event of conflict by fighting enemy forces beyond China's borders.

China military rejig: Xi administration reduces army by half, increases size of navy, air force

The 2 million-strong Chinese military has significantly boosted its navy, air force and new strategic units and downsized its land-based army, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported quoting a state-run Xinhua report.

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President Donald Trump speaks while on a phone call with leaders of Sudan and Israel in the Oval Office of the White HouseUS President Donald Trump announced Friday that Sudan will start to normalize ties with Israel, making it the third Arab state to do so as part of U.S.-brokered deals in the run-up to Election Day. The deal, which would deepen Sudan’s engagement with the West, follows Trump’s conditional agreement this week to remove the North African nation from the list of state sponsors of terrorism if it pays compensation to American victims of terror attacks.It also delivers a foreign policy achievement for Trump just days before the U.S. election and boosts his embattled ally, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Recently, the United States brokered diplomatic pacts between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. Jordan recognized Israel in the 1990s.Trump invited reporters into the Oval Office while he was on the phone with the leaders of Israel and Sudan. Trump said Sudan had demonstrated a commitment to battling terrorism. “This is one of the great days in the history of Sudan,” Trump said, adding that Israel and Sudan have been in a state of war for decades.“It is a new world,” Netanyahu said over the phone. “We are cooperating with everyone. Building a better future for all of us.”Netanyahu has made it a priority to forge ties with formerly hostile countries in Africa and the Arab world in the absence of any progress with the Palestinians during his more than decade in office. The deal also is aimed at unifying Arab countries against their common adversary, Iran.These recent recognitions of Israel have undermined the traditional Arab consensus that there can be no normalization with Israel before the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. The Palestinians say the recognitions amount to betrayal, while Israel says the Palestinians have lost what they have seen as their “veto” over regional peace efforts.The deal with Sudan will include aid and investment from Israel, particularly in technology and agriculture, along with further debt relief. It comes as Sudan and its transitional government teeter on the edge. Thousands have protested in the country’s capital Khartoum and other regions in recent days over dire economic conditions.Trump’s announcement, the morning after the final presidential debate with Democrat Joe Biden, came after Sudan followed through on its pledge to deliver $335 million to compensate American victims of past terror attacks and their families. The money is meant for victims of the 1998 bombings of the U.S. Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania by the al-Qaida network while its leader, Osama bin Laden, was living in Sudan. Trump said on Tuesday that one the funds were transferred, he would remove Sudan from the list.The removal of the terror designation opens the door for Sudan to get international loans and aid needed to revive its battered economy and rescue the country’s transition to democracy.Sudan is on a fragile path to democracy after a popular uprising last year led the military to overthrow the longtime autocrat, Omar al-Bashir. A military-civilian government rules the country, with elections possible in late 2022.Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok thanked Trump for signing the executive order to remove Sudan from the terrorism list and said in a statement that he hoped to complete the process in a “timely manner.”The normalization agreement had been in the works for some time but was finalized when Trump’s Mideast peace team, led by Jared Kushner and Avi Berkowitz, visited the region earlier this week to mark the first commercial flight between Israel and Bahrain and then went on to the United Arab Emirates, according to U.S. officials.Unlike with Bahrain and the UAE, there has been a state of hostilities between Sudan and Israel, even if they had not been in direct conflict.Key to the agreement was Sudan’s deposit of $335 million into an escrow account to pay compensation to victims of the 1998 bombings of the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. A senior U.S. official said Sudan had borrowed the money needed to pay that amount.Unmentioned in the joint statement was that Sudan has agreed, according to the senior U.S. official, to designate Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement as a terrorist organization, something that Israel has long sought from its neighbors and others in the international community.Kushner said that other normalization agreements between Israel and Arab nations are in the works but would not predict which countries or when those deals might be completed.

Sudan to join UAE, Bahrain in recognizing Israel: Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump announced Friday that Sudan will start to normalize ties with Israel, making it the third Arab state to do so as part of U.S.-brokered deals in the run-up to Election Day.

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Afghan airline flew out relatives, not evacuees: ReportA private Afghan airline flew out at least 155 family members of the company's leadership to Abu Dhabi instead of evacuees, including journalists, according to a media report on Monday. Citing the Bloomberg report, TOLO News said the Kam Air flight was intended to evacuate journalists and other qualified persons out of the country following the Taliban takeover, but families of the airline's leadership were crammed into the half-empty plane at the last moment.After the flight landed in the UAE capital, the US State Department found out that the evacuees were not on the list, according to the reportOfficials at Kam Air have, however, denied the claims, saying the company was not picking evacuees and was only responsible for transferring them."We had only two flights, to Abu Dhabi and Tabas (Iran). They went according to the list. Because many people remain in Afghanistan, they make these claims that Kam Air took some families and relatives," TOLO News quoted Kam Air CEO Mohammad Dawood Sharifi as saying.The passengers who were allegedly not on the list are reportedly still in Abu Dhabi and their fate is uncertain.Ahmad Shuaib Fana, chief executive of the Afghanistan National Journalist Association, said that "every person from any address that committed this action should be accountable".A Khaama News report said that a group of Afghan journalists has planned to gather in Kabul on Monday and hold a press conference over the development.Also Read | Pakistan allows Afghan airline to operate Islamabad-Kabul flights /* .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_1285362699 = { "file": "https://vod-indiatv.akamaized.net/hls/2021/09/0_oakngccu/master.m3u8", "image": "https://thumbs.indiatvnews.com/vod/0_oakngccu_big_thumb.jpg", "title": "Afghanistan faces food crisis under Taliban`s new government", "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": "161", "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_1285362699 = ''; jwsetup_1285362699(); function jwsetup_1285362699() { jwvidplayer_1285362699 = jwplayer("jwvidplayer_1285362699").setup(jwconfig_1285362699); jwvidplayer_1285362699.on('ready', function () { ns_.StreamingAnalytics.JWPlayer(jwvidplayer_1285362699, { publisherId: "20465327", labelmapping: "c2=\"20465327\", c3=\"IndiaTV News\", c4=\"null\", c6=\"null\", ns_st_mp=\"jwplayer\", ns_st_cl=\"0\", ns_st_ci=\"0_oakngccu\", ns_st_pr=\"Afghanistan faces food crisis under Taliban`s new government\", ns_st_sn=\"0\", ns_st_en=\"0\", ns_st_ep=\"Afghanistan faces food crisis under Taliban`s new government\", ns_st_ct=\"null\", ns_st_ge=\"News\", ns_st_st=\"Afghanistan faces food crisis under Taliban`s new government\", ns_st_ce=\"0\", ns_st_ia=\"0\", ns_st_ddt=\"2021-09-17\", ns_st_tdt=\"2021-09-17\", ns_st_pu=\"IndiaTV News\", ns_st_cu=\"https://vod-indiatv.akamaized.net/hls/2021/09/0_oakngccu/master.m3u8\", ns_st_ty=\"video\"" }); }); jwvidplayer_1285362699.on('all', function (r) { if (jwvidplayer_1285362699.getState() == 'error' || jwvidplayer_1285362699.getState() == 'setupError') { jwvidplayer_1285362699.stop(); jwvidplayer_1285362699.remove(); jwvidplayer_1285362699 = ''; jwsetup_1285362699(); return; } }); jwvidplayer_1285362699.on('error', function (t) { jwvidplayer_1285362699.stop(); jwvidplayer_1285362699.remove(); jwvidplayer_1285362699 = ''; jwsetup_1285362699(); return; }); jwvidplayer_1285362699.on('mute', function () { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_1285362699.on('adPlay', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_1285362699.on('adPause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_1285362699.on('pause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_1285362699.on('error', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_1285362699.on('adBlock', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); }

Afghan airline flew out relatives, not evacuees: Report

The passengers who were allegedly not on the list are reportedly still in Abu Dhabi and their fate is uncertain.

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PM Modi to address Maldivian parliament next month: Report

PM Modi to address Maldivian parliament next month: Report

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the Maldivian Parliament during his likely visit to the key Indian Ocean country next month, according to a media report here on Wednesday.

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HAL running smoothly despite borrowings from banks: Govt

In a written response to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Subhash Bhamre, Minister of State for Defence, said the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited owed Rs 1,250 crore to its vendors and contractors.

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PM Modi holds informal talks with Shinzo AbePrime Minister Narendra held informal talks with his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe on Sunday as he arrived in Japan late Saturday evening to attend the 13th India-Japan annual summit. Modi said the partnership between the two countries has been fundamentally transformed and it has been strengthened as a 'special strategic and global partnership'.It is the first time that Abe has invited a foreign political leader to his holiday home in the village of Narusawa in the prefecture."Extremely grateful to PM @AbeShinzo for the warm reception at his home. I am truly honoured by this gesture. PM Abe also taught me the Japanese way of eating food using chopsticks!" PM Modi tweeted.Top 10 highlights from PM Modi- Shinzo Abe meet1. According to officials of the Ministry of External Affairs, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was briefed on the various robotic and automation capabilities of FANUC.2. Later in the evening, Abe in a special gesture hosted Modi at his personal villa near Lake Kawaguchi in Yamanashi for a private dinner.3. After the dinner, the two leaders left for Tokyo by train. The two prime ministers spent about eight hours together, MEA officials said.4. Both the leaders observed several illustrations of the working of industrial robots. At the motor assembly facility, they witnessed the assembling of a motor by a robot in 40 seconds, officials added.5. The two leaders also visited the FANUC industrial facility, which specialises in automation.6. Modi presented Abe two handcrafted stone bowls and dhurries made from rose quartz and yellow quartz stone sourced from Rajasthan.7. A Jodhpuri wooden chest from Rajasthan with traditional work was also presented. The gifts were specially crafted on the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Japan.8. Prime Minister Modi has said projects such as Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail and Dedicated Freight Corridors reflected the high level and "strength of our economic engagement".9. "Japan is also at the forefront of engaging in our national initiatives, such as 'Make in India', 'Skill India', 'Digital India', 'Start Up India'... Japanese investors have faith in India's economic future, which is marked with myriad opportunities," Modi said.10. It is said the prime minister's visit will reaffirm the traditional bonds of friendship between the two countries and strengthen their multi-faceted cooperation in diverse fields.Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also address the Indian community function in Tokyo and will attend a series of business events and address the business forum.The two leaders will hold a formal summit in Tokyo on Monday, during which strengthening bilateral security and economic cooperation is expected to be high on the agenda. During the formal summit Monday, Modi will engage with Abe on a range of issues including defence and regional security.PM Modi takes express train to travel to Tokyo with Shinzo AbePrime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday rode an express train to travel to Tokyo, with his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe."After spending 8 hours together in Yamanashi, PM Narendra Modi and Japanese PM Shinzo Abe depart for Tokyo by Express Train Kaiji," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.Image Source : PTIPM Modi takes express train to travel to Tokyo with Shinzo AbePM Modi takes express train to travel to Tokyo with Shinzo AbeIndia was driving the region and the world's prosperity as a global power, Japanese PM Abe said in a message on the day of the two leaders' summit meeting."Japan is India's partner in railway modernisation, including Mumbai Ahmedabad High Speed Railway," he said.

PM Modi in Japan: From informal talks to chopstick lessons, here are key highlights

It is the first time that Abe has invited a foreign political leader to his holiday home in the village of Narusawa in the prefecture.

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US President-elect Biden, his deputy Harris, incumbent President Trump send Diwali greetingsUS President-elect Joe Biden, his deputy Kamala Harris and incumbent President Donald Trump on Saturday extended Diwali greetings to those celebrating the festival of lights."To the millions of Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists celebrating the Festival of Lights, @DrBiden and I send our best wishes for a #HappyDiwali. May your new year be filled with hope, happiness, and prosperity. Sal Mubarak," President-elect Biden tweeted.Harris, who scripted history by becoming the first Indian-American and Black woman Vice President in the US, extended greetings on the occasion of Diwali."Happy Diwali and Sal Mubarak! @DouglasEmhoff and I wish everyone celebrating around the world a safe, healthy, and joyous new year, Vice President-elect Harris tweeted.In a joint statement, Biden and Harris wished a happy Diwali to everyone celebrating the festival of lights across the US, India, and the world."Like so many cherished traditions during the pandemic, we know this year's Diwali and its symbolising of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and empathy over apathy arrives with a deeper meaning," they said."Our hearts go out to everyone who is ushering in this new year with the recent loss of a loved one, or who finds themselves fallen on hard times. Our prayers remain with everyone fighting the pandemic on the frontlines instead of staying safe at home in prayer with their families. And, we know the sadness of being apart on a day that truly signifies the blessing of family and friendship," they said."But Diwali is ultimately a reminder of the light that's within us all to hope and dream, and to overcome our differences and keep the faith in each other. That's the light we see shining on this day and that will guide us through the darkness with knowledge, science, truth, unity, and compassion, the joint statement said."And that's why as Diwali is celebrated via video calls and while socially distanced this year, we look forward to celebrating Diwali at the White House next year - in person, together with you, and in a nation healed and united," they said.President Trump, a Republican, who was defeated by Biden in the November 3 presidential election, shared a picture of him lighting a lamp in the White House along with Indian American members of his administration. 'Happy Diwali' was written on the photo."During this Festival of Lights, friends, neighbours, and loved ones join in fellowship to commemorate the spiritual triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance. As diyas are lit throughout homes, workplaces, communities, and places of worship, their warmth reminds us of the hope and devotion that faith and tradition bring into our lives, Trump said in his Diwali greetings."The United States is a deeply faithful nation, and I am proud of my Administration's work defending the constitutional right of all Americans to live and worship according to their conscience. Wherever Americans light diyas to celebrate Diwali, our Nation shines bright as a beacon of religious liberty for all people, he said."This year, we are especially reminded to cherish and give thanks for the companionship of our friends and family. The First Lady and I wish the millions of people in the United States and around the world observing Diwali a joyous celebration and prosperous new beginnings, Trump said.Vice President Mike Pence greeted happy Diwali to all those celebrating the festival around the world.Earlier, Secretary of the State Mike Pompeo also extended greetings on Diwali."Happy Diwali to everyone celebrating the victory of light over darkness. May you have a joyous Festival of Lights! tweeted Pompeo, who is currently on a seven-nation tour to Europe and Middle East."Happy Diwali! We wish everyone safety and good health as you celebrate Festival of Lights. Even if physically apart from family and friends, may the spirit of the season bring joy and light, said South and Central Asia Bureau of the State Department."Sending warm wishes to everyone celebrating the Festival of Lights as you commemorate this holiday through prayer, lighting diyas and lanterns, and feasts and other festivities. On behalf of the State Department, we wish you a happy Diwali! said Deputy Spokesman of the State Department Cale Brown.The overarching theme of Diwali is a celebration of the victory of good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance, said Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in his Diwali greetings."Wishing you love and light, from my home to yours-happy #Diwali!" said Indian American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal in her Diwali greetings."As we open a new chapter after a critical election, I can think of no better time to call in the spirit of this Festival of Lights. Let it remind us that dharma-goodness, duty, righteousness-must always prevail, Jayapal said. "As we call in the spirit of this Festival of Lights, let us continue to oppose the forces of hate, racism, and xenophobia that seek to divide us while also calling out injustice wherever we see it, she said in another tweet.

US President-elect Biden, his deputy Harris, incumbent President Trump send Diwali greetings

Harris, who scripted history by becoming the first Indian-American and Black woman Vice President in the US, extended greetings on the occasion of Diwali.

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The suicide bomber behind the Manchester Arena bombing which killed 22 people and injured dozens has been identified as 22-year-old Salman Abedi. The suspect was born in Manchester in 1994 and was the second youngest of four children of Libyan refugees who came to UK to escape the Gaddafi regime, a report in The Telegraph said.Abedi was named by Greater Manchester Chief Constable Ian Hopkins today. "Priority is to continue to investigate whether he was acting alone or working as part of a wider network," Hopkins said.The Islamic State has claimed responsibility of the attack. The terror group said that “a soldier of the caliphate planted bombs in the middle of Crusaders gatherings” and then detonated them. It did not say whether the attacker was killed. The claim, however, could not be verified, top US intelligence official Dan Coats said.The bombing Monday night at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester killed 22 people and sparked a stampede of young concertgoers. An 8-year-old girl Saffie Roussos was among the dead — the youngest known victim — and her mother and sister were among 59 people wounded in what May called “a callous terrorist attack.” The wounded included 12 children under age 16, hospital officials said.The explosion struck near the exit around 10:30 p.m. Monday as Grande was ending the concert, part of her Dangerous Woman Tour. Police cars, bomb-disposal units and 60 ambulances raced to the scene as the scale of the carnage became clear. More than 400 officers were deployed.Greater Manchester Police had earlier announced that they had arrested a 23-year-old man in the south of the city in connection with the attack.

Manchester suicide attacker identified as Salman Abedi, son of Libyan parents

The suicide bomber behind the Manchester Arena bombing which killed 22 people and injured dozens has been identified as 22-year-old Salman Abedi.

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Pak continues to harbour terrorists: Nikki HaleyAsserting that Washington should not give Islamabad even a dollar until it addresses the issue of terrorism, US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley has said Pakistan continues to harbour terrorists that turn around and kill American soldiers. The United States did not need to give money to countries that wish harm to America, go behind its back and try and "stop us from doing things," she said."...I think there should be a strategic view on which countries we partner with, which ones we count on to work with us on certain things and move forward accordingly. I think we just blindly allow money to keep going without thinking that this is real leverage. We have to use it," Haley said.Related Stories US vetoes UN resolution against Trump’s Jerusalem decision US President Trump threatens to withdraw aid from countries backing UN Jerusalem voteUS announces $285 million cut in United Nations budgetPresident Trump willing to end all aid to Pakistan: Nikki HaleyUNSC must step up pressure on Pakistan to change its behaviour: USNikki Haley condemns rumours of her affair with Donald TrumpUS withdraws from UNHRC, calls it 'cesspool of political bias' Nikki Haley on 3-day visit to India to advance ties with USUS wants to make relationship with India even strongerUS envoy Nikki Haley says India visit aimed at solidifying partnership Religious freedom as important as freedom of rights, says Nikki Haley on India visitNikki Haley meets PM Modi, discusses Indo-US cooperation in counter-terrorismNikki Haley in Delhi: Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Committe takes up issue of 52 Indians in US detention centresNikki Haley warns Pakistan against sheltering terrorists targeting IndiaNikki Haley calls Iran ‘next North Korea’, asks India to re-think ties with TeheranNikki Haley resigns as US ambassador to UN, will campaign for Trump in 2020: ReportsUS President Donald Trump praises Nikki Haley, says likely to join private sector, make lot of money"The one example I'll give you is, look at Pakistan. Giving them over a billion dollars, and they continue to harbour terrorists that turn around and kill our soldiers —that's never okay. We shouldn't even give them a dollar until they correct it. Use the billion dollars. That's not a small amount of change," she said.The first Indian-American ever appointed to a Cabinet position in any US presidential administration, Nikki Haley will step down as the UN envoy at the end of this year.Chief State Department spokeswoman and a former Fox News journalist Heather Nauert was last week appointed as Haley's successor by President Donald Trump.In September, the Trump administration had cancelled USD 300 million in military aid to Islamabad for not doing enough against terror groups active on its soil.In October, Haley announced that she was leaving the post by the end of the year. The 46-year-old former South Carolina governor has served nearly two years in the post.She said Pakistan should be told "you have to do these things before we will even start to help you with your military or start to help you on counter terrorism".Last month, Trump defended his administration's decision to stop hundreds of millions of dollars in military aid to Pakistan, saying Islamabad does not do "a damn thing" for the US and its government helped late al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden hide near its garrison city of Rawalpindi."We give Pakistan USD 1.3 billion a year... (Laden] lived in Pakistan, we're supporting Pakistan, we're giving them USD 1.3 billion a year - which we don't give them anymore, by the way, I ended it because they don't do anything for us, they don't do a damn thing for us," he had said."They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!" Trump added.

‘Pakistan continues to harbour terrorists that kill American soldiers’: Nikki Haley defends not giving even one dollar to Islamabad

The first Indian-American ever appointed to a Cabinet position in any US presidential administration, Haley will step down as the UN envoy at the end of this year.

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Breaking news The total number of global coronavirus cases has surpassed 6.4 million, including more than 382,000 fatalities. More than 3,009,000 patients are reported to have recovered. Follow this breaking news blog for live updates on coronavirus pandemic as it continues to pose a challenge for health workers and scientists who are in a race against time to produce a vaccine/medicine. IndiaTvNews.com brings you the economic fallout of the COVID-19 crisis that has resulted in job losses in millions and changing the way we work. Stay Home, Stay Safe and Stay Informed as our team of dedicated editors/reporters bring you the latest news on coronavirus: 

Coronavirus Updates: June 3, 2020 | As it happened

The total number of global coronavirus cases has surpassed 6.4 million, including more than 382,000 fatalities. More than 3,009,000 patients are reported to have recovered. Follow this LIVE blog for the latest on coronavirus and its global economic fallout.

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How worrying is the variant first seen in India?For the first time in months, people across England are meeting indoors at pubs, restaurants, cinemas, gyms and elsewhere as coronavirus rules were relaxed this week. But Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned Britons to be cautious and some of the scientists advising him say restrictions might need to be reimposed quickly because of a worrying variant first detected in India.Here's a look at what we know and don't know about the variant:WHAT IS THIS VARIANT?The COVID-19 variant first identified in India has been classified as a “variant of concern” by Britain and the World Health Organisation, meaning there is some evidence that it spreads more easily between people, causes more severe disease, or might be less responsive to treatments and vaccines.“The absolute numbers of cases (of the variant) in the UK remain quite small, but the growth rate is quite high,” said Nick Loman, a professor of microbial genomics at the University of Birmingham.To date, there have been more than 2,300 cases identified in Britain. Figures released by Public Health England show cases of the variant first detected in India have tripled in the past week and experts say it's on track to become the most dominant COVID-19 variant in the country.Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO's COVID-19 technical lead, said more information was still needed about the variant's spread globally.“We need more sequencing, targeted sequencing to be done and to be shared in India and elsewhere so that we know how much of this virus is circulating,” she said.HOW TRANSMISSIBLE IS THE VARIANT?We don't entirely know. But according to the minutes of an expert group advising the government last week, scientists said “it is a realistic possibility that (the variant first seen in India) is as much as 50% more transmissible” than the variant first reported in Britain — whose explosive spread led to the country's longest lockdown in January.“There are plausible biological reasons as to why some of the mutations present could make this variant more transmissible,” they concluded.If the variant proves to be 40 to 50% more transmissible, the scientists predicted that would “lead to a much larger peak” of cases, hospitalisations and deaths than previous waves of coronavirus — particularly if the government continues with its existing plans to exit lockdown.Dr Jeremy Farrar, director of the Wellcome Trust and one of the scientists advising the government, said it was entirely possible the COVID-19 restrictions relaxed on Monday might need to be reintroduced soon if the variant's spread leads to a spike in hospitalisations and deaths.“A very careful lifting (of restrictions) is reasonable, but we may have to reverse that,” Farrar warned. Experts think the next few weeks should provide more details about how quickly the variant identified in India is sickening people and whether that might overwhelm hospitals.Johnson said any proof the variant identified in India is more dangerous could “pose a serious disruption” to the UK government's plans to lift all remaining COVID-19 restrictions next month.DO VACCINES WORK AGAINST THIS VARIANT?Scientists think so but are still waiting for definitive answers.At a press briefing last week, Marco Cavaleri, head of vaccines at the European Medicines Agency, said the data appeared “rather reassuring” that vaccines made by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna would protect against the variant first seen in India.He said the agency was still gathering more information on the effectiveness of the shots made by AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson and was “pretty confident” those vaccines too would afford people enough protection from the variant.“Urgent experimental data is being generated (for this variant),” said Sharon Peacock of the UK COVID-19 Genomics Consortium. She noted that vaccines appear to work against other variants to date but that it is important to determine if one dose is effective or if two are needed.In the areas of the UK worst hit by the variant, Britain's health secretary Matt Hancock said most people hospitalised had “chosen not to have the jab.”On Monday, Johnson said people over 50 and those with underlying health conditions would have their wait for a second vaccine dose cut from 12 weeks to eight, over concerns about the variant's rapid spread.ALSO READ: WHO didn't use term 'Indian Variant' for B.1.617 strain: Health MinistryALSO READ: WHO classifies Indian Covid strain as 'variant of concern'

EXPLAINER: How worrying is the variant first seen in India?

The COVID-19 variant first identified in India has been classified as a “variant of concern” by Britain and the World Health Organisation, meaning there is some evidence that it spreads more easily between people, causes more severe disease, or might be less responsive to treatments and vaccines.

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Pakistani media has reported that India has not issued visas for two months to Pakistani patients who travel to the country for treatment. According to Geo News, the decision has affected thousands of Pakistanis suffering from liver, kidney and heart diseases."India has made it impossible for Pakistanis to get medical visas," an official said.According to the official, Pakistan has summoned Indian envoy to Islamabad Gautam Bambawale and expressed concern over the latest move.Tensions are running high between India and Pakistan following the death sentence awarded to Kulbhushan Jadhav, said to be an Indian spy, for sponsoring terrorism and waging war against Islamabad.(With IANS inputs)

India refuses visas to Pakistani patients, claims Pak media

Pakistani media has reported that India has not issued visas for two months to Pakistani patients who travel to the country for treatment.

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Houston hospital first in US to try coronavirus blood transfusion therapy A prominent US hospital here has infused the blood of a patient, who has recovered from COVID-19, into a critically ill patient, becoming the first medical facility in the country to try the experimental therapy. The individual, who has been in good health for more than two weeks since being diagnosed with the deadly coronavirus, donated the blood plasma for what is known as the convalescent serum therapy at the Houston Methodist Hospital. The concept dates back to the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918."Convalescent serum therapy could be a vital treatment route because unfortunately there is relatively little to offer many patients except supportive care, and the ongoing clinical trials are going to take a while," Dr Eric Salazar, a physician scientist with Methodist's Research Institute, said in a statement. "We don't have that much time," Salazar said. The treatment was fast-tracked to the bedside over the weekend as the death toll in the pandemic caused by the coronavirus soared to more than 2,000 people in the United States, including 34 in Texas.Methodist on Friday began recruiting blood plasma donors from among 250 patients who have tested positive for the virus at the system's hospitals. Donors gave a quart of blood plasma in a procedure, much like donating whole blood. Houston Methodist President and CEO Marc Boom said they felt obligated to try."There is so much to be learned about this disease while it's occurring. If an infusion of convalescent serum can help save the life of a critically ill patient, then applying the full resources of our blood bank, our expert faculty, and our academic medical centre is incredibly worthwhile and important to do," he said in a statement.Plasma from someone who has recovered from COVID-19 contains antibodies made by the immune system to attack the virus. The hope is that transfusing such plasma into a patient still fighting the virus may transfer the power of the antibodies into a healing, possibly life-saving therapy. In addition to its use in 1918, convalescent serum therapy was also tried during a diphtheria outbreak in the 1920s, a flesh-eating bacteria epidemic in the 1930s and other infectious disease outbreaks.There are nearly 2,500 confirmed cases in Texas, including 810 in the Houston region. Six people have died here and 47 have recovered. A vaccine is in the works but will not be ready for the general population for at least a year and a half, and drugs are in clinical trials that might take eight to 10 months to produce convincing results. Convalescent plasma therapy, if it works, could be a more immediate treatment with a relatively abundant supply source: to date, thousands of people have recovered.

Houston hospital first in US to try coronavirus blood transfusion therapy

A prominent US hospital here has infused the blood of a patient, who has recovered from COVID-19, into a critically ill patient, becoming the first medical facility in the country to try the experimental therapy.

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Balakot: Fully prepared to counter any threat to Pak's sovereignty, says PAF chiefPakistan Air Force is fully prepared to counter any threat to the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, the PAF chief said here on Thursday, a year after IAF jets bombed a terror camp in Balakot. The Indian Air Force jets carried out air strikes on a Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp in Balakot on February 26 last year to avenge the killing of 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel in the Pulwama terror attack on February 14. Pakistan retaliated on February 27 by attempting to target Indian military installations.Pakistan's Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar, speaking during a ceremony at the Air Headquarters here to celebrate the first anniversary of the "Operation Swift Retort", reiterated the PAF's commitment of responding to aggressors, The Express Tribune reported."We stood as an integrated force that is hard-hitting and focused on its mission. Prior to the Indian aggression, our leadership had made it amply clear that no misadventure will ever go un-responded," he said.He said that the PAF is second to none and has proved its air superiority on February 27 last year."Pakistan Air Force along with other services is fully prepared to counter any threat to the country," Khan added.To mark the day, the PAF recently released a special patriotic song.The relations between India and Pakistan strained following the Balakot strike. The ties further nose-dived after New Delhi abrogated Article 370 that granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir in August last. Pakistan downgraded diplomatic relations with India and expelled Indian High Commissioner.The strike by India's warplanes on the camp and the Pakistani Air Force's subsequent retaliation the next day triggered fears of a war between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.An IAF pilot was captured by Pakistan after downing his MiG-21 fighter jet, triggering the most serious military crisis between the two neighbours in decades.But diplomatic outreach by major powers and India's stern warning to Pakistan led to the IAF pilot's release after two days. 

Balakot: Fully prepared to counter any threat to Pak's sovereignty, says PAF chief

Pakistan Air Force is fully prepared to counter any threat to the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, the PAF chief said, a year after IAF jets bombed a terror camp in Balakot. The Indian Air Force jets carried out air strikes on a Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp in Balakot on February 26 last year to avenge the killing of 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel in the Pulwama terror attack on February 14.

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WHO to launch second Solidarity Trial for coronavirus vaccineThe World Health Organisation (WHO) is soon going to launch a second protocol for the Solidarity Trial, the organisation said on Friday. According to a press statement released by Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director of WHO South-East Asia, "WHO would soon be launching a second protocol for the Solidarity Trial that will help establish incidence and prevalence of infection and the future behaviour of the virus."At least three South-East Asian member countries, including India, Indonesia and Thailand have already signed up for the multi-country trial, which will compare the safety and effectiveness of four different drugs or drug combinations against COVID-19. The Regional Director commended countries in the Region for participating in the WHO Solidarity Trial.On Thursday, the World Health Organisation chief Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told media at a press conference "The Solidarity trial, which is assessing potential treatments for COVID-19, has already brought in 74 countries, which have either joined the trial or are in the process of joining," adding more than 200 patients have been randomly assigned to one of the study arms."It is a historic undertaking that will dramatically reduce the time needed to generate robust evidence about what drugs are effective in treating COVID-19. The more countries that join, the faster we will have the results. I urge all countries to sign up," Dr Khetrapal Singh said.The Regional Director held a virtual meeting with health ministers of the Region to review the challenges. Most countries highlighted the need for essential medical equipment, testing kits, personal protective equipment for health workers and enhancing health systems capacities, especially to respond to community transmission.According to the WHO, nearly 1.5 billion people - in Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand together - are currently experiencing lockdowns. Supported by communities. "We should start to see the impact of these measures in the coming weeks. Simultaneously, this is also an opportunity for countries to enhance capacities of their health systems," said Dr Khetrapal Singh.The Regional Head, Dr. Kherapal suggested that a more comprehensive approach is needed with communities. Most importantly, communities need to be engaged and empowered to make appropriate decisions and measures. "The onus must be on each one. At this stage, everyone needs to contribute to minimize health as well as socio-economic impact of the pandemic," she said.WHO has called for a stronger whole of society approach in the South-East Asia Region.Also Read | China’s vaccine for coronavirus may be tested abroad: OfficialAlso Read | Oxford university begins enrolling over 500 volunteers for coronavirus vaccine trial

WHO to launch second solidarity trial for coronavirus vaccine

According to the WHO, nearly 1.5 billion people - in Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand together - are currently experiencing lockdowns.

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Slain IS chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi buried at sea by US militaryThe United States military has buried the body of Islamic State chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi at sea, said reports in the international media. French news agency AFP  reported details that emerged on Tuesday. Baghdadi's burial at sea resembles that of Osama Bin Laden after he was killed by US military on May 2, 2011. Details about the specific location of the burial are not available. Going by what happened in Osama Bin Laden's case, it is unlikely that the US military will make exact location of Baghdadi's sea burial a public knowledge.Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, chief of IS or ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) was killed by United States special forces on October 26, 2019. The operation took place in idlib in Iraq.The IS at its peak ruled large swaths of land in Iraq and Syria. It controlled major cities in Iraq like Mosul.Idlib province of Syria where the raid was carried out is controlled by Syrian militias including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham - the former Nusra Front- which clashed with ISIS in recent years. The final nod was given to the special ops raid after the command received 'actionable intelligence' after constant surveillance for some time.Also Read | The tip, the raid, the reveal: The takedown of al-BaghdadiAlso Read | Baghdadi raid was named after IS victim Kayla Mueller /* .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_4127198022 = { "file": "https://indiatv-vh.akamaihd.net/i/vod/0_uujunvvr_,20,21,22,.mp4.csmil/master.m3u8", "image": "https://thumbs.indiatvnews.com/vod/0_uujunvvr_big_thumb.jpg", "title": "ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is dead, confirms US President Donald Trump", "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_4127198022 = ''; jwsetup_4127198022(); function jwsetup_4127198022() { jwvidplayer_4127198022 = jwplayer("jwvidplayer_4127198022").setup(jwconfig_4127198022); jwvidplayer_4127198022.on('ready', function () { ns_.StreamingAnalytics.JWPlayer(jwvidplayer_4127198022, { publisherId: "20465327", labelmapping: "c2=\"20465327\", c3=\"IndiaTV News\", c4=\"null\", c6=\"null\", ns_st_mp=\"jwplayer\", ns_st_cl=\"0\", ns_st_ci=\"0_uujunvvr\", ns_st_pr=\"ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is dead, confirms US President Donald Trump\", ns_st_sn=\"0\", ns_st_en=\"0\", ns_st_ep=\"ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is dead, confirms US President Donald Trump\", ns_st_ct=\"null\", ns_st_ge=\"News\", ns_st_st=\"ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is dead, confirms US President Donald Trump\", ns_st_ce=\"0\", ns_st_ia=\"0\", ns_st_ddt=\"2019-10-28\", ns_st_tdt=\"2019-10-28\", ns_st_pu=\"IndiaTV News\", ns_st_cu=\"https://indiatv-vh.akamaihd.net/i/vod/0_uujunvvr_,20,21,22,.mp4.csmil/master.m3u8\", ns_st_ty=\"video\"" }); }); jwvidplayer_4127198022.on('all', function (r) { if (jwvidplayer_4127198022.getState() == 'error' || jwvidplayer_4127198022.getState() == 'setupError') { jwvidplayer_4127198022.stop(); jwvidplayer_4127198022.remove(); jwvidplayer_4127198022 = ''; jwsetup_4127198022(); return; } }); jwvidplayer_4127198022.on('error', function (t) { jwvidplayer_4127198022.stop(); jwvidplayer_4127198022.remove(); jwvidplayer_4127198022 = ''; jwsetup_4127198022(); return; }); jwvidplayer_4127198022.on('mute', function () { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_4127198022.on('adPlay', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_4127198022.on('adPause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_4127198022.on('pause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_4127198022.on('error', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_4127198022.on('adBlock', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); }   

Slain IS chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi buried at sea by US military

The United States military has buried the body of Islamic State chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi at sea, said reports in the international media. Baghdadi's burial at sea resembles that of Osama Bin Laden after he was killed by US military on May 2, 2011.

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Gadhafi's son Seif al-Islam announces candidacy for president of LibyaThe son and one-time heir apparent of late Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi announced Sunday his candidacy for the country's presidential election next month, Libya's election agency said. Seif al-Islam, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of crimes against humanity related to the 2011 uprising, submitted his candidacy papers in the southern town of Sabha, 650 kilometers (400 miles) south of the capital of Tripoli, the High National Elections Commission said in a statement.Gadhafi’s son was captured by fighters in the town of Zintan late in 2011, the year when a popular uprising, backed by NATO, toppled his father after more than 40 years in power. Moammar Gadhafi was killed in October 2011 amid the ensuing fighting that would turn into a civil war.In a video shared by an election official, Seif al-Islam addressed the camera, saying that God will decide the right path for the country's future. The 49-year old, who earned a PhD at the London School of Economics, wore a traditional Libyan robe, turban and spectacles. It was the first time in years that he appeared in public.The second-born son to the longtime dictator, he was seen as the reformist face of the Gadhaf regime before the 2011 uprising. He was released in June 2017 after more than five years of detention. This July, he told The New York Times in an exclusive interview that he was considering a run for the country's top office. His candidacy is likely to stir controversy across the divided country.Seif al-Islam is wanted by the ICC on charges of crimes against humanity allegedly committed in the first weeks of the 2011 uprising. ICC spokesman Fadi El Abdallah declined to comment on Seif al-Islam's candidacy.“The Court doesn’t comment on political issues, as for the legal side there is a pending warrant of arrest and that hasn’t changed," he said.Gadhafi’s son, who has deeply rooted links to tribes across Libya, is the first major presidential hopeful to submit his candidacy to run for the country’s highest post. Also widely expected to announce their bids are powerful military commander Khalifa Hifter, Parliament Speaker Agila Saleh and former Interior Minister Fathi Bashaga.Seif al-Islam's campaign may focus on the failure of political parties and armed groups to establish a government capable of stabilizing and uniting the fractured country since the 2011 overthrow and killing of his father. However, he is highly likely to face stiff resistance from armed groups and militias particularly in the capital, Tripoli, and the western town of Misrata.Abdel-Rahman el-Swahili, a lawmaker from Misrata, voiced his rejection to Seif al-Islam's candidacy, saying that Gadhafi’s son should be prosecuted, not running for president.“Those who believe in the possibility of Libya’s returning to the era of dictatorship after all these sacrifices, are delusional,” he wrote on Facebook.A group of elders and militia leaders in the western town of Zawiya also announced their rejection of the candidacies of Seif al-Islam and Hifter, warning about the return of civil war. They threatened in a statement to shut polling stations if the elections proceeded with the current laws.The election agency began the registration process for presidential and parliamentary hopefuls last week. Potential candidates have until Nov. 22 to register to run for the country’s highest post, while parliamentary hopefuls have until Dec. 7 to register their candidacies.Libya is set to hold presidential elections on Dec. 24, after years of U.N.-led attempts to usher in a more democratic future and bring the country's war to an end. Following the overthrow and killing of Gadhafi, oil-rich Libya spent most of the last decade split between rival governments — one based in the capital, Tripoli, and the other in the eastern part of the country.The announcement of Seif al-Islam's candidacy came after an international conference in Paris on Friday expressed support for holding “free, fair, inclusive and credible presidential and parliamentary elections” on Dec. 24.The long-awaited vote still faces challenges, including unresolved issues over laws governing the elections, and occasional infighting among armed groups. Other obstacles include the deep rift that remains between the country’s east and west, split for years by the war, and the presence of thousands of foreign fighters and troops.Gadhafi the dictator had eight children, most of whom played significant roles in his regime. His son Muatassim was killed at the same time Gadhafi was captured and slain. Two other sons, Seif al-Arab and Khamis, were killed earlier in the uprising. Another son, al-Saadi Gadhafi, was released in September after more than seven years of detention in the capital of Tripoli following his extradition from neighboring Niger.(With ANI inputs)ALSO READ: Pakistan: Roadside bomb kills two constables in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Gadhafi's son Seif al-Islam announces candidacy for president of Libya

Gadhafi’s son was captured by fighters in the town of Zintan late in 2011, the year when a popular uprising, backed by the NATO, toppled his father after more than 40 years in power. Moammar Gadhafi was killed in October 2011 amid the ensuing fighting that would turn into a civil war.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi is unlikely to attend the annual UN General Assembly session here in September and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will address the high-level session, according to the provisional agenda released by the UN.According to the first provisional list of speakers for the General Debate of the 72nd session of the General Assembly, Swaraj will address the high-level session on the morning of September 23. She had addressed the General Debate last year as well.The General Debate will open on September 19 and run through September 25. All eyes will be on US President Donald Trump, who will deliver his first address to global leaders from the General Assembly hall's iconic green podium on September 19. The US is traditionally the second speaker on the opening day of the General Debate, after Brazil.According to the list of speakers, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is scheduled to address global leaders on September 21.Modi had visited Washington late last month for his first bilateral meeting with Trump.Modi had given his maiden address to the UN General Assembly as Prime Minister in 2014.In 2015, he had attended the high-level UN Sustainable Development Summit ahead of the General Debate, when the world leaders had adopted the ambitious 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, an intergovernmental set of aspiration Goals with 169 targets.He had also attended the UN Peacekeeping Summit hosted by President Barack Obama when he had announced that India will contribute an additional battalion of 850 troops for UN peacekeeping operation. The summit was the only forum when Modi and Sharif had come face to face during their visit for the UN General Assembly.

PM Modi unlikely to attend UNGA session in September

According to the first provisional list of speakers for the General Debate of the 72nd session of the General Assembly, Swaraj will address the high-level session on the morning of September 23.

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A press release issued by US researchers said that the coronavirus vaccine would be "highly scalable" for widespread use, in an indication that, if successful, the vaccine could be deployed for mass use straightawayResearchers at the University of Pittsburgh have said that they might have found a potential vaccine for the new coronavirus, US publication New York Post reported on Thursday, the day when the number of positive cases across the world crossed a million mark. The news report cited a study published by the scientists in EBioMedicine, with the researchers from the university's School of Medicine stating in study that the vaccine could be rolled out quickly to "significantly impact the spread of the disease."The New York Post reported that the new vaccine had been tested on mice and it had produced "enough antibodies to counter the virus." The scientists have been quoted as qualifying their findings by highlighting that the mice hadn't been studied in a while. However, they also note that enough antibodies against the virus had been produced within two weeks of them being administered the vaccine.The Pittsburgh researchers said that they were able to act fast as they had already done their research on similar coronaviruses, SARS and MERS. According to co-senior author Andrea Gambotto, MD associate professor of surgery at the Pitt School of Medicine, both the viruses are closely related to SARS-COV-2. The two viruses impart crucial lessons about 'spike protein', believed to be important for inducing immunity against the coronavirus. “We knew exactly where to fight this new virus,” the New York Post quoted her as saying. The modus operandi of administering the new potential vaccine follows a different approach from the traditional injection-based method, employing the use of a patch to deliver spike protein to the organism. According to the researchers, a patch comprises 400 "microneedles, in turn made of sugar and protein pieces. In layman terms, a patch would be applied like a Band-Aid, with needles dissolving into the skin once it is administered.A press release issued by the researchers said that the vaccine would be "highly scalable" for widespread use, in an indication that, if successful, the vaccine could be deployed for mass use straightaway.The study's authors are now applying for investigational new drug approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They are hoping to start clinical trials in the next few months, as per the New York Post.Also read: A silver lining in the coronavirus cloud 

American scientists claim having found a potential vaccine for coronavirus

A press release issued by US researchers said that the coronavirus vaccine would be "highly scalable" for widespread use, in an indication that, if successful, the vaccine could be deployed for mass use straightaway

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In the public debate, Trump sounded more determined than ever to allow a partial government shutdown unless he gets the billions he wants for his long-promised wall along the US-Mexico border.In a wild Oval Office confrontation, President Donald Trump heatedly threatened to shut down the US government on Tuesday as he and Democratic leaders bickered over funding for his promised border wall and offered a grim preview of life in Washington the next two years under divided government.Trump and House and Senate Democratic leaders Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer squabbled for more than 15 minutes in the stunning, televised encounter. Each of them, especially Trump, interrupted the others to question facts, quibble over election results and lob insults.Trump questioned Pelosi’s ability to count votes in her own House. She questioned his manhood — after she left the building.The public clash marked Trump’s first meeting with the newly empowered Democrats since their midterm victories that put them in control of the House, laying bare the tensions on both sides and suggesting how divided government might work — or not — as the 2020 presidential election nears.Neither the public nor the private face-to-face portion of the meeting appeared to resolve the wall-funding dispute with a partial shutdown looming on Dec. 21. However, Pelosi said Trump called her later in the afternoon and told her the White House was looking at options she and Schumer had laid out.In the public debate, Trump sounded more determined than ever to allow a partial government shutdown unless he gets the billions he wants for his long-promised wall along the US-Mexico border.“I will take the mantle. I will be the one to shut it down,” he declared.Pelosi later crowed that she and Schumer had goaded the president to “fully own that the shutdown was his.” She told Democratic lawmakers back at the Capitol, according to an aide who was in the room, that the wall was “like a manhood thing for him ... as if manhood could ever be associated with him. This wall thing.”The aide was not authorized to speak publicly and commented only on condition of anonymity.While Trump has suggested he may be willing to trade with Democrats and has publicly praised Pelosi, he was focused Tuesday on reinforcing his hardline immigration promises, repeatedly stressing border security and the wall as a critical part. Democrats were in no mood to sympathize, emphasizing their newfound political strength.“Elections have consequences, Mr. President,” said Schumer.Trump later called it a “friendly meeting,” saying “I’ve actually liked them for a long period of time and I respect them both. And we made a lot of progress.” The Democrats said they had given Trump two options to keep government open and the responsibility lay with him and Republicans who control Congress.The wall remains the main sticking point in talks. Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan acknowledged Tuesday that the GOP-led House has yet to pass legislation that includes the $5 billion in border wall funds that Trump has been requesting. Ryan likely lacks sufficient votes from Republicans who will lose their majority at the end of the month.Trump is seeking far more for his long-stalled border wall than the $1.6 billion the Senate has agreed to for border security, including physical barriers and technology along the U.S. southern border.Should the two sides not make a deal by Dec. 21, about three-quarters of the government would continue to have enough money to operate. But departments affected absent a deal include Homeland Security, Transportation, Agriculture, State and Justice, as well as national parks.Both sides came into the negotiating session primed for battle. After a few niceties, Trump dug into Democrats on the border wall, prompting a stern rebuke from Schumer that the issue at hand was “called funding the government.” Trump soon started scrapping with Pelosi, when she said there should not be a “Trump shutdown.”“Did you say Trump?” the president said, as the two argued over whether Trump had enough Republican votes in the House to support his border wall plan.“The fact is that you do not have the votes in the House,” Pelosi declared.Trump shot back, “Nancy, I do.”Also in a fighting mood, Schumer accused Trump of threatening a shutdown “because you can’t get your way.”Trump heckled Schumer over a previous shutdown, saying “the last time you shut it down you got killed” politically.Pelosi and Schumer both repeatedly asked to make the conversation private, without success, as Trump argued that the public meeting was a good thing: “It’s called transparency.”Trump repeatedly returned to his argument that the border wall is needed for security reasons. He also argued that “tremendous” portions of the wall have already been built. In fact, some barrier renovation has happened, but little wall construction has been completed under Trump.If Democrats refuse to support the wall, the military will build the remaining sections, Trump said. “The wall will get built,” he insisted.Hours after the meeting ended, a Pentagon spokesman said in a statement that “there is no plan” for the military to build sections of a border wall. But Army Lt. Col. Jamie Davis added that the military may have the power to fund “barrier projects” in national emergencies or to counter the drug trade.Pence, a former House member, sat silently as Trump and the two Democrats bickered. He later called the meeting a “good discussion.” Asked to describe the atmosphere in the private meeting that followed the public quarrel, Pence said, “candid.”Pelosi and Schumer have urged Trump to support a measure that includes a half-dozen government funding bills largely agreed upon by lawmakers, along with a separate measure that would fund the Department of Homeland Security at current levels through Sept. 30, the end of the fiscal year. The homeland bill includes about $1.3 billion for fencing and other security measures at the border.If Trump rejects that, Democrats are urging a continuing resolution that would fund all the remaining appropriations bills at current levels through Sept. 30.“We gave the president two options that would keep the government open,” Pelosi and Schumer said in a statement after the meeting. “It’s his choice to accept one of those options or shut the government down.”Pelosi, who is seeking to become House speaker when the new Congress convenes in January, said she and many other Democrats consider the wall “immoral, ineffective and expensive.” She noted that Trump promised during the 2016 campaign that Mexico would pay for the wall, an idea Mexico has repeatedly rejected.In fact, Trump declared during the presidential campaign two years ago, “That wall will go up so fast your head will spin.”Pelosi’s willingness to stand up to Trump won praise from Democrats. Rep. Eric Swalwell of California told CNN that she “may have sealed her speakership by going toe-to-toe with the president.”Despite the rancor, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he hadn’t given up hope that a shutdown can be averted. The Kentucky Republican said “magic” sometimes happens in Congress ahead of Christmas, when lawmakers are eager to leave Washington.“I’d like to see a smooth ending here,” McConnell said at the Capitol.

US President Donald Trump threatens to shut down government over border wall funding following public altercation with Democratic leaders

In the public debate, Trump sounded more determined than ever to allow a partial government shutdown unless he gets the billions he wants for his long-promised wall along the US-Mexico border.

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EXPLAINER: What the WHO coronavirus experts learned in Wuhan

EXPLAINER: What the WHO coronavirus experts learned in Wuhan

A World Health Organization team is leaving China on Wednesday after gaining some new insights into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic that has now killed more than 2.3 million people worldwide — but with the major questions still unanswered.

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Breaking News: Top Headlines This HourThe total number of global coronavirus cases has surpassed 10.2 million, including more than 504,000 fatalities. More than 5,553,000 patients are reported to have recovered. Follow this breaking news blog for live updates on coronavirus pandemic as it continues to pose a challenge for health workers and scientists who are in a race against time to produce a vaccine/medicine. IndiaTvNews.com brings you the economic fallout of the COVID-19 crisis that has resulted in job losses in millions and changing the way we work. Stay Home, Stay Safe and Stay Informed as our team of dedicated editors/reporters bring you the latest news on coronavirus. 

Breaking News: June 29, 2020 | As it happened

The total number of global coronavirus cases has surpassed 10.2 million, including more than 504,000 fatalities. More than 5,553,000 patients are reported to have recovered. Follow this breaking news blog for live updates

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Bek Air plane crashes in KazakhstanA Bek Air plane with 100 people onboard crashed in Kazakhstan early on Friday. According to airport officials, the Bek Air aircraft went down shortly take off from Almaty airport in the wee hours of the day (local time). The plane struck a concrete barrier and crashed into a two-storey building, officials said. As of now, at least 14 casualties have been confirmed in the plane crash, while at least 35 others survived with injuries, officials in Almaty said. There was no fire upon impact.Emergency service personnel have rushed to the scene as rescue operations are underway. Information on more casualties or survivors was yet not available. Image Source : SOCIAL MEDIABek Air plane crashes in KazakhstanBek Air plane crashes in KazakhstanAccording to reports, the Bek plane had taken off for Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan's capital city. There were 95 passengers and five crew on board, Almaty's airport said, adding the plane lost communication at 07:22 local time (01:22 GMT).In a statement on its Facebook page, the airport said there was no fire and rescue operations got underway immediately following the crash.The aircraft was identified as a Fokker-100, a medium-sized, twin-turbofan jet airliner. The company manufacturing the aircraft went bankrupt in 1996 and the production of the Fokker-100 stopped the following year.All Bek Air and Fokker-100 flights in Kazakhstan have been suspended pending the investigation of the crash, the country’s authorities said. Also Read | IAF AN-32 aircraft crash investigation reveals 'navigational error'Also Read | Boeing ousts its CEO after two deadly 737 Max crashes​ /* .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_7200731383 = { "file": "https://indiatv-vh.akamaihd.net/i/vod/0_p20hzamr_,20,21,22,.mp4.csmil/master.m3u8", "image": "https://thumbs.indiatvnews.com/vod/0_p20hzamr_big_thumb.jpg", "title": "Plane with 100 people on board crashes in Kazakhstan", "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_7200731383 = ''; jwsetup_7200731383(); function jwsetup_7200731383() { jwvidplayer_7200731383 = jwplayer("jwvidplayer_7200731383").setup(jwconfig_7200731383); jwvidplayer_7200731383.on('ready', function () { ns_.StreamingAnalytics.JWPlayer(jwvidplayer_7200731383, { publisherId: "20465327", labelmapping: "c2=\"20465327\", c3=\"IndiaTV News\", c4=\"null\", c6=\"null\", ns_st_mp=\"jwplayer\", ns_st_cl=\"0\", ns_st_ci=\"0_p20hzamr\", ns_st_pr=\"Plane with 100 people on board crashes in Kazakhstan\", ns_st_sn=\"0\", ns_st_en=\"0\", ns_st_ep=\"Plane with 100 people on board crashes in Kazakhstan\", ns_st_ct=\"null\", ns_st_ge=\"News\", ns_st_st=\"Plane with 100 people on board crashes in Kazakhstan\", ns_st_ce=\"0\", ns_st_ia=\"0\", ns_st_ddt=\"2019-12-27\", ns_st_tdt=\"2019-12-27\", ns_st_pu=\"IndiaTV News\", ns_st_cu=\"https://indiatv-vh.akamaihd.net/i/vod/0_p20hzamr_,20,21,22,.mp4.csmil/master.m3u8\", ns_st_ty=\"video\"" }); }); jwvidplayer_7200731383.on('all', function (r) { if (jwvidplayer_7200731383.getState() == 'error' || jwvidplayer_7200731383.getState() == 'setupError') { jwvidplayer_7200731383.stop(); jwvidplayer_7200731383.remove(); jwvidplayer_7200731383 = ''; jwsetup_7200731383(); return; } }); jwvidplayer_7200731383.on('error', function (t) { jwvidplayer_7200731383.stop(); jwvidplayer_7200731383.remove(); jwvidplayer_7200731383 = ''; jwsetup_7200731383(); return; }); jwvidplayer_7200731383.on('mute', function () { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_7200731383.on('adPlay', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_7200731383.on('adPause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_7200731383.on('pause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_7200731383.on('error', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_7200731383.on('adBlock', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); } ​

14 killed as Bek Air plane with 100 onboard strikes barrier, crashes into two-storey building in Kazakhstan

At least 14 people were reported dead after a Bek Air plane carrying 100 passengers crashed into a two-storey building in Kazakhstan on Friday. The airport authorities said the crash occurred soon after the plane had taken off for Nur-Sultan, the capital city of Kazakhstan. Rescue operations are currently underway.

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Pakistan opens airspace 5 months after military escalation with India (representational image) Pakistani authorities on Tuesday announced the complete reopening of the country's airspace for civilian flights, nearly five months after the military escalation with India."With immediate effect Pakistan airspace is open for all type of civil traffic on published ATS (Air Traffic Service) routes," according to a notice to airmen (NOTAMS) published on the CAA's website. Pakistan partially opened its airspace in March but it continued to remain closed on its eastern and southern side to prohibit flights from India.Pakistan closed off its airspace on February 27, resulting in the cancellation of all domestic flights and the diversion of international flights, although operations were partially resumed at a handful of airports a short while later, reports Efe news.Pakistan's move came after the Indian Air Force's February 26 Balakot strike which was in retaliation to the February 14 suicide bombing in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district that killed 42 CRPF troopers.The attack was carried out by the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group.Following the Balakot strike, Islamabad bombed Indian territory, triggering air combat in which fighter jets were shot down and an Indian pilot was captured by Pakistan, though he was released.Tuesday's development comes after Pakistan Aviation Secretary Shahrukh Nusrat told a parliamentary committee last week that Islamabad would not open its airspace until India de-escalates."The Indian government approached asking us to open the airspace. We conveyed our concerns that first India must withdraw its fighter planes placed forward," Dawn news reported citing Nusrat as telling the Senate Standing Committee on Aviation.Thousands of commercial and cargo flights were disturbed due to the closure as the Pakistan airspace is located in a key aviation corridor. ALSO READ | Air India lost Rs 491 cr till July 2 due to closure of Pakistan airspace: GovernmentALSO READ | Pakistan didn't enter Indian airspace after Balakot airstrike: IAF chiefALSO READ | Indian airlines to re-route flights avoiding Iranian airspace: DGCA

Pakistan opens airspace 5 months after military escalation with India

Pakistani authorities on Tuesday announced the complete reopening of the country's airspace for civilian flights, nearly five months after the military escalation with India.

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A U.S. Chinook helicopter flies over the city of Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021. Taliban fighters entered the outskirts of the Afghan capital on Sunday, further tightening their grip on the country as panicked workers fled government offices and helicopters landed at the U.S. Embassy.  The Taliban seized nearly all of Afghanistan in just over a week, despite the hundreds of billions of dollars spent by the U.S. and NATO over nearly two decades to build up Afghan security forces. Kabul is the only major city left standing. With Afghan President Ashraf Ghani being on the brink of losing control of the country, a resignation may be happening soon. As the talks were still on, the Khamma Press News Agency on Sunday reported that Ali Ahmad Jalali could be the head of the new interim government. Sources told India TV that India was closely monitoring the fast-changing situation in Afghanistan to decide on the evacuation of diplomatic personnel from Kabul.Meanwhile, an Air India flight carrying 129 Indians onboard has left from Kabul. It is expected to reach home tonight. Passengers walk to the departures terminal of Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021. As a Taliban offensive encircles the Afghan capital, there's increasingly only one way out for those fleeing the war, and only one way in for U.S. troops sent to protect American diplomats still on the ground: the airport.READ MORE: Afghan forces surrender Bagram air base to Taliban

Afghanistan Crisis: Taliban takes over Afghan presidential palace, Kabul airport under fire | Updates

​The Taliban seized nearly all of Afghanistan in just over a week, despite the hundreds of billions of dollars spent by the U.S. and NATO over nearly two decades to build up Afghan security forces. Kabul is the only major city left standing.

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COVID-19 vaccine discovered, claim Nigerian scientistsScientists from Nigeria have made the claim that they have discovered the first preventive vaccine against novel coronavirus, the local media reported on Sunday.  "It is our passion to be a solution provider to such a global pandemic, and we are ready to throw our weights behind the team and make the vaccine a reality," news website Leadership quoted the leader of the COVID-19 Research Group, Dr. Oladipo Kolawole as saying. "The vaccine is real. We have validated it several times. It is targeted at Africans, but will also work for other races. It will work. It cannot be faked. This is a result of the determination. It took a lot of scientific efforts. The population of those that need vaccines is more than those that need drugs. That is why the research focused on a vaccine," Kolawole told reporters at Adeleke University in NigeriaKalawole further stated that the team collected samples from across Africa to reach to a conclusion as to what is the best potential vaccine candidate. He also said that it would take a minimum of 18 months to release vaccine for widespread use, due to a large amount of research, analysis and approvals required by medical authorities. Coronavirus cases have crossed the 9 million marks with over 4.5 lakh people dying due to the illness.  

COVID-19 vaccine discovered, claim Nigerian scientists

Scientists from Nigeria have made the claim that they have discovered the first preventive vaccine against novel coronavirus, the local media reported on Sunday.

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Jackpot! Unemployed Indian man wins whopping US $1 million in UAE raffle draw (Representational Image)A 30-year-old unemployed Indian man has won USD 1 million in a raffle draw contest in the UAE, according to a media report on Monday. Navaneeth Sajeevan won the mega prize money in the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire Draw held on Sunday after he picked the Millennium Millionaire Series 345, the Gulf News reported.Sajeevan, who has lived in Abu Dhabi for the past four years, had bought the ticket online on November 22.Sajeevan, a native of Kasargod in Kerala, is presently serving his notice period at his company. He was laid off last month as part of cost measures at his firm in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.Speaking to Gulf News, Sajeevan said: “It is unbelievable. I feel blessed and happy. I am sharing the prize with four other colleagues and friends. Still I take home USD 200,000, which is a big amount."Sajeevan, who has a one-year-old child, is the 171st Indian national to win the DDF mega prize, the Gulf News article said. Indian expatriates make up the highest number of Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire ticket buyers.

Jackpot! Unemployed Indian man wins whopping US $1 million in UAE raffle draw

A 30-year-old unemployed Indian man has won USD 1 million in a raffle draw contest in the UAE, according to a media report on Monday.