Chinese state media on Friday posted a propaganda video, claiming it to be the footage from the Galwan Valley clash last year in which 20 Indian soldiers had lost their lives.

The video, released by Global Times, comes on a day when Beijing for the first time acknowledged that five of its security personnel were also killed in the violent confrontation.&nbsp;

Watch |

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-chinas-galwan-admission-beijings-propaganda-push-364921/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Without directly naming India, the 3 minutes 20 seconds video started that since April 2020 "foreign military" violated previous agreements and tried to change the status quo "unilaterally".&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-china-standoff-disengagement-complete-at-pangong-tso-lake-commander-level-talks-on-saturday-364704">India-China standoff: Disengagement complete at Pangong Tso lake; commander-level talks on Saturday</a>

It said Chinese soldiers "fought bravely" and paid tributes to security personnel who lost their lives in the clash.&nbsp;

However, the video is a clear attempt by Beijing to push forward its propaganda as the footage does not provide any evidence that India incited the heated confrontation.&nbsp;

The background music in the video is also kept dramatic.&nbsp;

Earlier on Friday, Senior Colonel Ren Guoqiang, a Defense Ministry spokesperson, called the Galwan Valley skirmishes "Indian military's responsibility".

Beijing also awarded Qi Fabao with the title of "Hero Regimental Commander for defending the border" and Chen Hongjum with "Hero for defending the border".

<h2>Questions remain</h2>

One of the main questions is: why did Beijing take so long in giving a number? Last year in July, the South China Morning Post had published some insights, reporting how China remains sensitive about military casualties.

It also said how the numbers had to be approved by Chinese President Xi Jinping himself before they are released.

China's claims come just ahead of the 10th round of military-level talks with India on Saturday. Both sides will meet to discuss de-escalation from other friction areas just ahead of the planned talks.

The Chinese state media has begun spreading propaganda and is trying to paint India as the aggressor. The video released calls Indian soldiers "foreign military". In its daily press conference, China's foreign ministry amplified the narrative of Global Times.

These words lead us to only one question: if China really respects its martyrs, why did it wait for eight months to speak about them? &nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Chinese state media on Friday posted a propaganda video, claiming it to be the footage from the Galwan Valley clash last year in which 20 Indian soldiers had lost their lives.

Chinese state media on Friday posted a propaganda video, claiming it to be the footage from the Galwan Valley clash last year in which 20 Indian soldiers had lost their lives. The video, released by Global Times, comes on a day when Beijing for the first time acknowledged that five of its security personnel were also killed in the violent confrontation. Watch | Without directly naming India, the 3 minutes 20 seconds video started that since April 2020 "foreign military" violated previous agreements and tried to change the status quo "unilaterally". Also read | India-China standoff: Disengagement complete at Pangong Tso lake; commander-level talks on Saturday It said Chinese soldiers "fought bravely" and paid tributes to security personnel who lost their lives in the clash. However, the video is a clear attempt by Beijing to push forward its propaganda as the footage does not provide any evidence that India incited the heated confrontation. The background music in the video is also kept dramatic. Earlier on Friday, Senior Colonel Ren Guoqiang, a Defense Ministry spokesperson, called the Galwan Valley skirmishes "Indian military's responsibility". Beijing also awarded Qi Fabao with the title of "Hero Regimental Commander for defending the border" and Chen Hongjum with "Hero for defending the border". Questions remain One of the main questions is: why did Beijing take so long in giving a number? Last year in July, the South China Morning Post had published some insights, reporting how China remains sensitive about military casualties. It also said how the numbers had to be approved by Chinese President Xi Jinping himself before they are released. China's claims come just ahead of the 10th round of military-level talks with India on Saturday. Both sides will meet to discuss de-escalation from other friction areas just ahead of the planned talks. The Chinese state media has begun spreading propaganda and is trying to paint India as the aggressor. The video released calls Indian soldiers "foreign military". In its daily press conference, China's foreign ministry amplified the narrative of Global Times. These words lead us to only one question: if China really respects its martyrs, why did it wait for eight months to speak about them?

China releases propaganda video of Galwan Valley clash

India and China held the tenth round of military talks on Saturday to further push&nbsp;the disengagement process in the eastern Ladakh region.&nbsp;

The 10th round of Corps Commander-level talks comes two days after the militaries of both the nations completed the withdrawal of forces and weaponry from the North and South banks of Pangong.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

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The meet began at 10 am at the Moldo border point on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control and it was continuing, sources told news agency PTI.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-releases-propaganda-video-of-galwan-valley-clash-364969">China releases propaganda video of Galwan Valley clash</a>

"The focus of the talks is on carrying forward the disengagement process," a source said.&nbsp;

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on February 11 told Parliament that India and China agreed on disengagement in the North and South banks of Pangong lake that binds both nations to "cease" forward deployment of troops in a "phased, coordinated and verifiable" manner.

According to the agreement, China will pull back its troops east of Finger 8 areas in the northern bank of Pangong lake, while Indian troops will be permanently based at Dhan Singh Thapa Post near Finger 3 in the region, Singh said.&nbsp;

The defence minister said that similar action would be taken on the south bank of the lake too.&nbsp;

India and China held the tenth round of military talks on Saturday to further push the disengagement process in the eastern Ladakh region. The 10th round of Corps Commander-level talks comes two days after the militaries of both the nations completed the withdrawal of forces and weaponry from the North and South banks of Pangong.

India and China held the tenth round of military talks on Saturday to further push the disengagement process in the eastern Ladakh region. The 10th round of Corps Commander-level talks comes two days after the militaries of both the nations completed the withdrawal of forces and weaponry from the North and South banks of Pangong. Watch | The meet began at 10 am at the Moldo border point on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control and it was continuing, sources told news agency PTI. Also read | China releases propaganda video of Galwan Valley clash "The focus of the talks is on carrying forward the disengagement process," a source said. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on February 11 told Parliament that India and China agreed on disengagement in the North and South banks of Pangong lake that binds both nations to "cease" forward deployment of troops in a "phased, coordinated and verifiable" manner. According to the agreement, China will pull back its troops east of Finger 8 areas in the northern bank of Pangong lake, while Indian troops will be permanently based at Dhan Singh Thapa Post near Finger 3 in the region, Singh said. The defence minister said that similar action would be taken on the south bank of the lake too.

India, China hold 10th round of military talks

The United States on Friday expressed concerns over China's new legislation, saying the law can be used to "intimidate" China's maritime neighbours.&nbsp;

China has enacted a new law that empowers its coast guard to use weapons against foreign ships entering illegally in what Beijing considers its waters.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

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It "strongly implies this law can be used to intimidate the PRC's maritime neighbours," State Department spokesman Ned Price said, in a reference to the People's Republic of China.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/eam-pitches-for-connectivity-from-arabian-sea-to-south-china-sea-363877">EAM pitches for connectivity from Arabian Sea to South China Sea</a>

The US urged all the parties operating in the South China Sea to act with "professionalism" and "restrain," Price said.&nbsp;

"We remind the PRC and all whose forces operate in the South China Sea that responsible maritime forces act with professionalism and restraint in the exercise of their authorities," Price said.&nbsp;

"We are further concerned that China may invoke this new law to assert its unlawful maritime claims in the South China Sea."

He also said that the US is backing the previous administration's statement on the South China Sea issued in July, which has called Beijing's offshore resources across the majority of the South China Sea were "completely unlawful."

Earlier, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has voiced concern over Beijing's new maritime law in a call with his Japanese counterpart Toshimitsu Motegi.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The United States on Friday expressed concerns over China's new legislation, saying the law can be used to "intimidate" China's maritime neighbours. China has enacted a new law that empowers its coast guard to use weapons against foreign ships entering illegally in what Beijing considers its waters.

The United States on Friday expressed concerns over China's new legislation, saying the law can be used to "intimidate" China's maritime neighbours. China has enacted a new law that empowers its coast guard to use weapons against foreign ships entering illegally in what Beijing considers its waters. Watch | It "strongly implies this law can be used to intimidate the PRC's maritime neighbours," State Department spokesman Ned Price said, in a reference to the People's Republic of China. Also read | EAM pitches for connectivity from Arabian Sea to South China Sea The US urged all the parties operating in the South China Sea to act with "professionalism" and "restrain," Price said. "We remind the PRC and all whose forces operate in the South China Sea that responsible maritime forces act with professionalism and restraint in the exercise of their authorities," Price said. "We are further concerned that China may invoke this new law to assert its unlawful maritime claims in the South China Sea." He also said that the US is backing the previous administration's statement on the South China Sea issued in July, which has called Beijing's offshore resources across the majority of the South China Sea were "completely unlawful." Earlier, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has voiced concern over Beijing's new maritime law in a call with his Japanese counterpart Toshimitsu Motegi.

US expresses concern over China's new maritime law, says it can 'intimidate' neighbours

US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden </a>on Friday urged American allies to work towards addressing Iran's "destabilising" activities across the Middle East.

Biden's remarks came in at the Munich Security Conference a day after he urged European allies to return nuclear talks with Iran.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

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"The threat of nuclear proliferation also continues to require careful diplomacy and cooperation among us," the US president said in the teleconference.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-his-first-major-global-appearance-biden-draws-sharp-contrast-with-trumps-policies-364920">At his first major global appearance, Biden draws sharp contrast with Trump's policies</a>

"That's why we have said we're prepared to reengage in negotiations with the P5+1 on Iran's nuclear program."&nbsp;

"We must also address Iran's destabilising activities across the Middle East, and we're going to work in close cooperation with our European and other partners as we proceed."

After Biden's predecessor <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump </a>pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran resumed the enrichment of uranium, raising threats of the Islamic republic developing nuclear weaponry.&nbsp;

On Thursday, the US State Department spokesperson Ned Price hinted at a diplomatic solution to the issue as he said that the US has accepted an invitation by the European Union political director Enrique Mora for an informal meet to discuss Iran.&nbsp;

The spokesperson said the meeting would "discuss a diplomatic way forward."

To ease tensions with Iran, the US has also dropped Trump's approach of a push at the UN to impose more sanctions on Iran and removed curbs on the Iranian diplomats accredited to the United Nations in New York.

However, Tehran has continued its demand to lift all the sanctions imposed by Trump.&nbsp;

US President Joe Biden on Friday urged American allies to work towards addressing Iran's "destabilising" activities across the Middle East. Biden's remarks came in at the Munich Security Conference a day after he urged European allies to return nuclear talks with Iran.

US President Joe Biden on Friday urged American allies to work towards addressing Iran's "destabilising" activities across the Middle East. Biden's remarks came in at the Munich Security Conference a day after he urged European allies to return nuclear talks with Iran. Watch | "The threat of nuclear proliferation also continues to require careful diplomacy and cooperation among us," the US president said in the teleconference. Also read | At his first major global appearance, Biden draws sharp contrast with Trump's policies "That's why we have said we're prepared to reengage in negotiations with the P5+1 on Iran's nuclear program." "We must also address Iran's destabilising activities across the Middle East, and we're going to work in close cooperation with our European and other partners as we proceed." After Biden's predecessor Donald Trump pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran resumed the enrichment of uranium, raising threats of the Islamic republic developing nuclear weaponry. On Thursday, the US State Department spokesperson Ned Price hinted at a diplomatic solution to the issue as he said that the US has accepted an invitation by the European Union political director Enrique Mora for an informal meet to discuss Iran. The spokesperson said the meeting would "discuss a diplomatic way forward." To ease tensions with Iran, the US has also dropped Trump's approach of a push at the UN to impose more sanctions on Iran and removed curbs on the Iranian diplomats accredited to the United Nations in New York. However, Tehran has continued its demand to lift all the sanctions imposed by Trump.

Biden urges allies to work towards addressing Iran's 'destabilising' activities

Australia and Facebook conducted talks on Friday after the social media giant blacked out news for Australian netizens.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said he had spoken with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to resolve the issue at the earliest and negotiations would continue in the weekend.&nbsp;

Watch |

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&nbsp;&nbsp;"We talked through their remaining issues and agreed our respective teams would work through them immediately," Frydenberg was quoted as saying by news agency AFP.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/facebook-to-launch-smartwatch-with-messaging-fitness-features-363611">Facebook to launch smartwatch with messaging, fitness features</a>

Prime Minister Scott Morrison called Facebook's behaviour threatening and asked it to "come back to the table".&nbsp;

Morrison said the Australian government's decision to ask Facebook and Google to pay the media for news posted on their website has generated interest from across the world and he has also talked with Indian PM Narendra Modi and Canadian PM Justin Trudeau regarding the matter.&nbsp;

Facebook has blanked out pages of news organisations from Thursday for Australian users and blocked them from publishing any news content over the new legislation that has been approved by the lower house.&nbsp;

The social media giant has said the proposed legislation "fundamentally misunderstands" Facebook's relationship with news outlets and it has left with no choice other than blocking the news content.&nbsp;

Since the ban by Facebook to block news content came into effect, the traffic of Australian news sites at home and abroad reduced substantially, with foreign traffic coming down by more than 20 per cent per day, according to data analytics company Chartbeat.

 
&nbsp;

Australia and Facebook conducted talks on Friday after the social media giant blacked out news for Australian netizens. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said he had spoken with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to resolve the issue at the earliest and negotiations would continue in the weekend.

Australia and Facebook conducted talks on Friday after the social media giant blacked out news for Australian netizens. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said he had spoken with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to resolve the issue at the earliest and negotiations would continue in the weekend. Watch | "We talked through their remaining issues and agreed our respective teams would work through them immediately," Frydenberg was quoted as saying by news agency AFP. Also read | Facebook to launch smartwatch with messaging, fitness features Prime Minister Scott Morrison called Facebook's behaviour threatening and asked it to "come back to the table". Morrison said the Australian government's decision to ask Facebook and Google to pay the media for news posted on their website has generated interest from across the world and he has also talked with Indian PM Narendra Modi and Canadian PM Justin Trudeau regarding the matter. Facebook has blanked out pages of news organisations from Thursday for Australian users and blocked them from publishing any news content over the new legislation that has been approved by the lower house. The social media giant has said the proposed legislation "fundamentally misunderstands" Facebook's relationship with news outlets and it has left with no choice other than blocking the news content. Since the ban by Facebook to block news content came into effect, the traffic of Australian news sites at home and abroad reduced substantially, with foreign traffic coming down by more than 20 per cent per day, according to data analytics company Chartbeat.

Facebook, Australia hold talks following news ban

Argentina's health minister resigned on Friday after a journalist claimed that he was able to skip the queue for getting <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">coronavirus vaccination</a>.&nbsp;

"Responding to your express request, I present my resignation from the position of minister of health," Gonzalez Garcia said in a letter addressed to the president.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

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He will be replaced by Carla Vizzotti, who ensured the use of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine, making Argentina the first American country to approve it.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/peru-begins-covid-inoculation-argentina-approves-covishield-vaccine-362671">Peru begins Covid inoculation, Argentina approves Covishield vaccine</a>

The scandal came to fore after a 71-year-old journalist said on the radio that he had able to get inoculated before the general population due to his longstanding friendship with Garcia.&nbsp;

Reports say at least 10 people got vaccinated without following proper procedure and the journalist was one of them.&nbsp;

So far, only healthcare personnel have been vaccinated in the country and inoculation for people over 70 started on Wednesday in the province of Buenos Aires.&nbsp;

However, local media reported that people who are in close proximity with the government are able to get vaccinated.&nbsp;

Argentina is not the only country in South America against which such accusations were levelled.&nbsp;

In Peru, some 500 government officials, including former president Martin Vizcarra and top ministers have been accused of receiving coronavirus vaccinations ahead of their turn.&nbsp;

Argentina's health minister resigned on Friday after a journalist claimed that he was able to skip the queue for getting coronavirus vaccination. "Responding to your express request, I present my resignation from the position of minister of health," Gonzalez Garcia said in a letter addressed to the president.

Argentina's health minister resigned on Friday after a journalist claimed that he was able to skip the queue for getting coronavirus vaccination. "Responding to your express request, I present my resignation from the position of minister of health," Gonzalez Garcia said in a letter addressed to the president. Watch | He will be replaced by Carla Vizzotti, who ensured the use of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine, making Argentina the first American country to approve it. Also read | Peru begins Covid inoculation, Argentina approves Covishield vaccine The scandal came to fore after a 71-year-old journalist said on the radio that he had able to get inoculated before the general population due to his longstanding friendship with Garcia. Reports say at least 10 people got vaccinated without following proper procedure and the journalist was one of them. So far, only healthcare personnel have been vaccinated in the country and inoculation for people over 70 started on Wednesday in the province of Buenos Aires. However, local media reported that people who are in close proximity with the government are able to get vaccinated. Argentina is not the only country in South America against which such accusations were levelled. In Peru, some 500 government officials, including former president Martin Vizcarra and top ministers have been accused of receiving coronavirus vaccinations ahead of their turn.

Argentina's health minister resigns over VIP treatment to get Covid-19 vaccines

At least two protesters were injured in a fresh shooting in Myanmar.&nbsp;

The shooting comes as thousands of demonstrators gathered on the streets of Yangon on Saturday to mourn the death of the protester who lost her life yesterday and continued their demand from the military to end the coup.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

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Mya Thwate Thwate Khaing, a 20-year-old died on Friday as she succumbed to the gunshot on her head during a protest in Myanmar's capital last week.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmars-lgbtq-activists-join-protests-against-military-coup-364851">Myanmar's LGBTQ activists join protests against military coup</a>

Mya Thwate has become a symbol of resistance to the movement and people were seeing carrying her photographs and even waived a huge banner of artwork from a bridge to illustrate the moment she was attacked, news agency AFP reported.

"Please all join this protest movement to be more successful. That's all I want to say," her sister Poh Poh told reporters after she was declared dead.&nbsp;

Thousands of protesters assembled at the main junctions of Yangon, lit candles and laid roses by a banner with her picture.&nbsp;

"I feel that the bullet that hit Mya Thwate Thwate Khaing's head has also hit our heads," said Win Zaw, a protester.&nbsp;

In Naypyitaw on Saturday, mourners observed a minute of silence in remembrance of the deceased protesters and were seen carrying her portrait.&nbsp;

<h2>US calls for reversing action</h2>

Meanwhile, the United States has asked the Myanmar military to refrain from violence against "peaceful protesters," with the State Department asking the military regime to "reverse its actions". &nbsp;

"We reiterate our calls on the Burmese military to refrain from violence against peaceful protesters," spokesman Ned Price on Friday said.

"We will work with partners and allies to press the Burmese military to reverse its actions."

 
&nbsp;

At least two protesters were injured in a fresh shooting in Myanmar. The shooting comes as thousands of demonstrators gathered on the streets of Yangon on Saturday to mourn the death of the protester who lost her life yesterday and continued their demand from the military to end the coup.

At least two protesters were injured in a fresh shooting in Myanmar. The shooting comes as thousands of demonstrators gathered on the streets of Yangon on Saturday to mourn the death of the protester who lost her life yesterday and continued their demand from the military to end the coup. Watch | Mya Thwate Thwate Khaing, a 20-year-old died on Friday as she succumbed to the gunshot on her head during a protest in Myanmar's capital last week. Also read | Myanmar's LGBTQ activists join protests against military coup Mya Thwate has become a symbol of resistance to the movement and people were seeing carrying her photographs and even waived a huge banner of artwork from a bridge to illustrate the moment she was attacked, news agency AFP reported. "Please all join this protest movement to be more successful. That's all I want to say," her sister Poh Poh told reporters after she was declared dead. Thousands of protesters assembled at the main junctions of Yangon, lit candles and laid roses by a banner with her picture. "I feel that the bullet that hit Mya Thwate Thwate Khaing's head has also hit our heads," said Win Zaw, a protester. In Naypyitaw on Saturday, mourners observed a minute of silence in remembrance of the deceased protesters and were seen carrying her portrait. US calls for reversing action Meanwhile, the United States has asked the Myanmar military to refrain from violence against "peaceful protesters," with the State Department asking the military regime to "reverse its actions". "We reiterate our calls on the Burmese military to refrain from violence against peaceful protesters," spokesman Ned Price on Friday said. "We will work with partners and allies to press the Burmese military to reverse its actions."

Myanmar: Two injured in fresh shooting as thousands mourn death of 20-year-old protester

As eyes set on NASA's Perseverance, world races to find Mars mysteries

A casino where celebrities including Hulk Hogan and Keith Richards hung out and was formerly owned by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;was demolished on Wednesday in Atlantic City.

The demolition which was done using 3,000 sticks of dynamite reduced the Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino to a pile of rubble in a few seconds.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

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This is the moment Trump Plaza, the first casino Donald Trump ever built and a faded vestige of Atlantic City’s glamorous past, came crashing down in a cloud of dirt, dust and noise. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PoliticIsDirty?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PoliticIsDirty</a> <a href="https://t.co/R8xTv25s7w">pic.twitter.com/R8xTv25s7w</a>
— DrJohnJack Spirro (/) (@DSpirro) <a href="https://twitter.com/DSpirro/status/1362180335618826242?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2021</a></blockquote>
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A number of loud explosions were heard after the detonator button was hit shortly after 9 am and the gigantic building collapsed in less than 20 seconds.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/unsmiling-political-hack-trump-lashes-out-at-mitch-mcconnell-after-impeachment-trial-364141">'Unsmiling political hack': Trump lashes out at Mitch McConnell after impeachment trial</a>

The building was opened in 1984 and was one of the first of the many properties owned by Trump in the country's coastal gambling town.&nbsp;

It was Trump's first of the many properties in the Atlantic City and was closed since 2014 post which it has undergone little to no maintenance.&nbsp;

The building's exterior had crumbled due to several storms and in mid-June, the city's Mayor Marty Small ordered the structure's demolition, calling it a danger to residents.&nbsp;

Since 2016, the building was owned by billionaire investor Carl Icahn.

In 2014, Trump had filed a lawsuit urging his name to be removed from the two-building complex, insisting that Trump's name on it harms the former president's brand.&nbsp;

He once owned up to four casinos in the gambling city with the Trump World's Fair and the Trump Taj Mahal closed in 1999 and 2016 respectively, while the Trump Marina sold by creditors in 2011.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

A casino where celebrities including Hulk Hogan and Keith Richards hung out and was formerly owned by Donald Trump was demolished on Wednesday in Atlantic City. The demolition which was done using 3,000 sticks of dynamite reduced the Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino to a pile of rubble in a few seconds.

A casino where celebrities including Hulk Hogan and Keith Richards hung out and was formerly owned by Donald Trump was demolished on Wednesday in Atlantic City. The demolition which was done using 3,000 sticks of dynamite reduced the Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino to a pile of rubble in a few seconds. Watch | This is the moment Trump Plaza, the first casino Donald Trump ever built and a faded vestige of Atlantic City’s glamorous past, came crashing down in a cloud of dirt, dust and noise. #PoliticIsDirty pic.twitter.com/R8xTv25s7w — DrJohnJack Spirro (/) (@DSpirro) February 17, 2021 × A number of loud explosions were heard after the detonator button was hit shortly after 9 am and the gigantic building collapsed in less than 20 seconds. Also read | 'Unsmiling political hack': Trump lashes out at Mitch McConnell after impeachment trial The building was opened in 1984 and was one of the first of the many properties owned by Trump in the country's coastal gambling town. It was Trump's first of the many properties in the Atlantic City and was closed since 2014 post which it has undergone little to no maintenance. The building's exterior had crumbled due to several storms and in mid-June, the city's Mayor Marty Small ordered the structure's demolition, calling it a danger to residents. Since 2016, the building was owned by billionaire investor Carl Icahn. In 2014, Trump had filed a lawsuit urging his name to be removed from the two-building complex, insisting that Trump's name on it harms the former president's brand. He once owned up to four casinos in the gambling city with the Trump World's Fair and the Trump Taj Mahal closed in 1999 and 2016 respectively, while the Trump Marina sold by creditors in 2011.

Casino formerly owned by Donald Trump demolished

The Australian government lashed out at Facebook on Thursday for a news blackout calling the social media giant's action as "unnecessary" and "heavy-handed". Meanwhile in a move that will further anger China, the United States on Wednesday announced talks with all the 'Quad' members: Australia, Japan and India.&nbsp;

Click on headlines to read more

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/heavy-handed-several-key-sectors-hit-as-facebook-blocks-news-sharing-in-australia-364398">'Heavy handed': Several key sectors hit as Facebook blocks news sharing in Australia</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/16/174248-facebookk.jpg?itok=cM4YWNOx" />

The Australian government on Thursday slammed Facebook's news blackout as "heavy-handed" after the social media giant blocked sharing of news in Australia.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-hold-talks-with-quad-partners-despite-china-pressure-364402">US to hold talks with 'Quad' partners despite China pressure</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/10/07/163449-untitled-design-2.jpg?itok=mfiUoKZ9" />

The United States on Wednesday announced talks with Australia, Japan and India to further boost the "Quad" alliance despite warnings from China.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-pay-200-million-in-who-obligations-blinken-364364">US to pay $200 million in WHO obligations: Blinken</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2021/02/06/181532-us-secretary-of-state-antony-blinken.jpg?itok=eonB0CPR" />

The United States will pay more than $200 million to the World Health Organization by the end of the month after reversing Donald Trump's plan to withdraw, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/italy-pm-mario-draghi-sets-out-plan-to-rebuild-virus-hit-country-364400">Italy PM Mario Draghi sets out plan to rebuild virus-hit country</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2021/02/13/182614-mario-draghi.jpg?itok=qtdtLOSh" />

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi said on Wednesday that he will use "all means" to fight coronavirus pandmic and that it presented Italy with an opportunity to rebuild as it did after Second World War.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/african-countries-are-facing-a-new-crisis-an-ebola-outbreak-364373">African countries are facing a new crisis - an Ebola outbreak</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2021/02/17/183221-oof-1.jpg?itok=6IY3rwYv" />

A new crisis has erupted in Africa - an outbreak of Ebola in Guinea and Congo. Five people have died in Guinea so far and six African countries have been put on alert. 
&nbsp;

The Australian government lashed out at Facebook on Thursday for a news blackout calling the social media giant's action as "unnecessary" and "heavy-handed". Meanwhile in a move that will further anger China, the United States on Wednesday announced talks with all the 'Quad' members: Australia, Japan and India.

The Australian government lashed out at Facebook on Thursday for a news blackout calling the social media giant's action as "unnecessary" and "heavy-handed". Meanwhile in a move that will further anger China, the United States on Wednesday announced talks with all the 'Quad' members: Australia, Japan and India. Click on headlines to read more 'Heavy handed': Several key sectors hit as Facebook blocks news sharing in Australia The Australian government on Thursday slammed Facebook's news blackout as "heavy-handed" after the social media giant blocked sharing of news in Australia. US to hold talks with 'Quad' partners despite China pressure The United States on Wednesday announced talks with Australia, Japan and India to further boost the "Quad" alliance despite warnings from China. US to pay $200 million in WHO obligations: Blinken The United States will pay more than $200 million to the World Health Organization by the end of the month after reversing Donald Trump's plan to withdraw, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday. Italy PM Mario Draghi sets out plan to rebuild virus-hit country Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi said on Wednesday that he will use "all means" to fight coronavirus pandmic and that it presented Italy with an opportunity to rebuild as it did after Second World War. African countries are facing a new crisis - an Ebola outbreak A new crisis has erupted in Africa - an outbreak of Ebola in Guinea and Congo. Five people have died in Guinea so far and six African countries have been put on alert.

Morning news brief: Facebook news ban, Quad meet, and more

The third phase of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">coronavirus vaccination </a>drive which will include those above 50 years of age with co-morbid conditions is expected to begin in two to three weeks in India and the central government is planning to use its flagship Co-WIN app for registration of vaccine beneficiaries.&nbsp;

According to the health ministry in the second version of the app, people can self-register themselves to get the vaccine shot and will be launched soon.&nbsp;

Watch |

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indias-covid-19-fatality-rate-falls-to-143-country-reports-progressive-increase-in-vaccination-363741/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">
People will also have the option of choosing their date and location for getting the incoluation, a report by The Indian Express claimed.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ten-countries-including-pakistan-to-take-part-in-india-led-initiative-on-covid-19-crisis-364397">Ten countries, including Pakistan to take part in India-led initiative on COVID-19 crisis</a>

"All these vaccination sites will be GPS-coordinate-embedded in the Co-WIN system. When a beneficiary logs on to the system, she can see which is the vaccination site nearest to her residence," a source said.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the health ministry on Thursday said that it ranks third globally after the US and the UK for vaccinating the most number of people.&nbsp;

The cumulative vaccination coverage of healthcare workers (HCWs) and frontline workers (FLWs) against Covid-19 in the country has crossed 94 lakh till 8 am on Thursday, it said.

The ministry also said that the coronavirus positivity rate in the country has also been on a constant decline in the last seven days.&nbsp;
</div>

The third phase of the coronavirus vaccination drive which will include those above 50 years of age with co-morbid conditions is expected to begin in two to three weeks in India and the central government is planning to use its flagship Co-WIN app for registration of vaccine beneficiaries.

The third phase of the coronavirus vaccination drive which will include those above 50 years of age with co-morbid conditions is expected to begin in two to three weeks in India and the central government is planning to use its flagship Co-WIN app for registration of vaccine beneficiaries. According to the health ministry in the second version of the app, people can self-register themselves to get the vaccine shot and will be launched soon. Watch | People will also have the option of choosing their date and location for getting the incoluation, a report by The Indian Express claimed. Also read | Ten countries, including Pakistan to take part in India-led initiative on COVID-19 crisis "All these vaccination sites will be GPS-coordinate-embedded in the Co-WIN system. When a beneficiary logs on to the system, she can see which is the vaccination site nearest to her residence," a source said. Meanwhile, the health ministry on Thursday said that it ranks third globally after the US and the UK for vaccinating the most number of people. The cumulative vaccination coverage of healthcare workers (HCWs) and frontline workers (FLWs) against Covid-19 in the country has crossed 94 lakh till 8 am on Thursday, it said. The ministry also said that the coronavirus positivity rate in the country has also been on a constant decline in the last seven days.

Covid-19 vaccination in India: Beneficiaries can soon self-register on Co-WIN app

In the coming weeks, a small, carefully selected group of volunteers is expected to arrive on the 11th floor of a London hospital to be given what the rest of the world’s 7.8 billion people have been trying to avoid: a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus infection</a>.

They will be administered tiny droplets of the virus into their nostrils as part of a plan authorized by British regulators Wednesday to deliberately infect unvaccinated volunteers with the coronavirus.

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/covid-19-uk-gives-go-ahead-to-worlds-first-human-challenge-trials-364499/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The scientists hope to eventually expose vaccinated people to the virus as a way of comparing the effectiveness of different vaccines. But before that, the project’s backers have to expose unvaccinated volunteers in order to determine the lowest dose of the virus that will reliably infect them.

By controlling the amount of the virus people are subjected to and monitoring them from the moment they are infected, scientists hope to discover things about how the immune system responds to the coronavirus that would be impossible outside a lab — and to develop ways of directly comparing the efficacy of treatments and vaccines.

“We are going to learn an awful lot about the immunology of the virus,” Peter Openshaw, an Imperial College London professor involved in the study, said Wednesday. He added that the study would be able “to accelerate not only understanding of diseases caused by infection, but also to accelerate the discovery of new treatments and of vaccines.”

The idea of such a study, called a human challenge trial, has been hotly debated since the early months of the pandemic.

In the past, scientists have deliberately exposed volunteers to diseases like typhoid and cholera to test vaccines. But infected people could be cured of those diseases; COVID-19 has no known cure, putting the scientists in charge of the British study in largely uncharted ethical territory.

To ensure that participants do not become seriously ill, the British study will be restricted to healthy volunteers, in an 18 to 30 age range.

But there have been severe COVID-19 cases even in those types of patients, and the long-term consequences of an infection are also largely unknown. The age restrictions also may make it difficult to translate the findings to older adults or people with preexisting conditions, whose immune responses might be different and who are the target group for treatments and vaccines.

“It will be a limited study,” said Ian Jones, a professor of virology at the University of Reading who is not part of the study. “And you could argue that, by definition, it’s not going to study those in whom it’s most important to know what’s going on.”

For now, the only part of the study to be formally authorized by British regulators is the experiment to determine the lowest dose of virus needed to infect people.

After being exposed to the virus, the participants will be isolated for two weeks in the hospital. For that and the year’s worth of follow-up appointments that are planned, they will be paid 4,500 pounds, or about $6,200. The researchers said that would compensate people for time away from jobs or families without creating too large an economic incentive for people to participate.

When the idea of human challenge trials was first floated last year, some scientists saw it as a way of shaving off crucial time in the race to identify a vaccine. Unlike in large clinical trials, in which scientists wait for vaccinated people to encounter the virus in their communities, researchers in this project would eventually purposely infect vaccinated people.

Now that several vaccines have been authorized, the goals of this human challenge trial are somewhat different.

For now, the researchers will be exposing people to the version of the virus that has been circulating in Britain since last spring, and not the more contagious and potentially deadlier variant that has taken hold more recently. But eventually, they said, they could give people experimental vaccines designed to address the effect of new, worrisome variants and then subject them to those versions of the virus.

They could also directly compare different vaccine doses and dosing intervals for the same vaccine.

And once the pandemic wanes and there are fewer hospitalized patients to enroll in drug trials, the scientists behind the study said that additional such trials where people are directly infected would allow them to continue investigating new treatments.

“In the future, we won’t have large numbers of people you can do studies on in the field,” said Robert Read, a professor of infectious diseases at the University of Southampton, who helped design the study.

Infecting unvaccinated people with even low doses of the virus could yield important insights, said Andrew Catchpole, the chief scientific officer at hVIVO, a company specializing in human challenge trials that is involved in the study.

As intensely as the coronavirus has been studied, relatively little is understood about how people’s immune systems react in the immediate aftermath of being infected.

Nor do scientists yet know the specific type or level of immune responses that are necessary to completely protect most people from infection, a clue to how the dozens of vaccines that are still being studied will perform against the virus.

“One of the things we don’t understand is what is a truly protective response,” said Lawrence Young, a virus expert at Warwick Medical School, who is not involved in the study. “It’s a good way of understanding the host-pathogen interaction, though it does come with a whole heap of ethical issues, obviously.”

In the first part of the study, the scientists will administer tiny doses of the virus to a small cohort of volunteers. If they do not become infected, the scientists will give slightly bigger doses to a different group of volunteers, repeating the process in up to 90 participants until they have determined the right dose.

By this spring, the scientists hope to repeat a version of their experiment by exposing vaccinated people to the virus. The British government, which is helping fund the study, will help choose the vaccines. Those and other future stages of the trial would require new regulatory approvals.

There has been no shortage of interest among potential volunteers in these types of trials, with thousands of people around the world registering their interest with 1Day Sooner, a group that advocates human challenge trials as a way of speeding the development of enough vaccines to inoculate people in parts of the world still waiting for doses.

It is not clear how drug regulators in Britain or around the world would evaluate results from a human challenge trial, given the age restrictions and the small numbers of people involved.

But Catchpole said Britain’s drug regulator had indicated it would take any of the group’s findings into consideration as it evaluates future vaccine candidates.

With the virus now acquiring dangerous mutations, one question facing the scientists is whether they will be able to keep up with its evolution.

Just as making new vaccines takes time, so does manufacturing new viral particles to infect people. Catchpole said that it would take the researchers three or four months to make a new coronavirus variant in a lab before they could begin putting droplets of it into the noses of volunteers.

In the coming weeks, a small, carefully selected group of volunteers is expected to arrive on the 11th floor of a London hospital to be given what the rest of the world’s 7.

In the coming weeks, a small, carefully selected group of volunteers is expected to arrive on the 11th floor of a London hospital to be given what the rest of the world’s 7.8 billion people have been trying to avoid: a coronavirus infection. They will be administered tiny droplets of the virus into their nostrils as part of a plan authorized by British regulators Wednesday to deliberately infect unvaccinated volunteers with the coronavirus. Watch | The scientists hope to eventually expose vaccinated people to the virus as a way of comparing the effectiveness of different vaccines. But before that, the project’s backers have to expose unvaccinated volunteers in order to determine the lowest dose of the virus that will reliably infect them. By controlling the amount of the virus people are subjected to and monitoring them from the moment they are infected, scientists hope to discover things about how the immune system responds to the coronavirus that would be impossible outside a lab — and to develop ways of directly comparing the efficacy of treatments and vaccines. “We are going to learn an awful lot about the immunology of the virus,” Peter Openshaw, an Imperial College London professor involved in the study, said Wednesday. He added that the study would be able “to accelerate not only understanding of diseases caused by infection, but also to accelerate the discovery of new treatments and of vaccines.” The idea of such a study, called a human challenge trial, has been hotly debated since the early months of the pandemic. In the past, scientists have deliberately exposed volunteers to diseases like typhoid and cholera to test vaccines. But infected people could be cured of those diseases; COVID-19 has no known cure, putting the scientists in charge of the British study in largely uncharted ethical territory. To ensure that participants do not become seriously ill, the British study will be restricted to healthy volunteers, in an 18 to 30 age range. But there have been severe COVID-19 cases even in those types of patients, and the long-term consequences of an infection are also largely unknown. The age restrictions also may make it difficult to translate the findings to older adults or people with preexisting conditions, whose immune responses might be different and who are the target group for treatments and vaccines. “It will be a limited study,” said Ian Jones, a professor of virology at the University of Reading who is not part of the study. “And you could argue that, by definition, it’s not going to study those in whom it’s most important to know what’s going on.” For now, the only part of the study to be formally authorized by British regulators is the experiment to determine the lowest dose of virus needed to infect people. After being exposed to the virus, the participants will be isolated for two weeks in the hospital. For that and the year’s worth of follow-up appointments that are planned, they will be paid 4,500 pounds, or about $6,200. The researchers said that would compensate people for time away from jobs or families without creating too large an economic incentive for people to participate. When the idea of human challenge trials was first floated last year, some scientists saw it as a way of shaving off crucial time in the race to identify a vaccine. Unlike in large clinical trials, in which scientists wait for vaccinated people to encounter the virus in their communities, researchers in this project would eventually purposely infect vaccinated people. Now that several vaccines have been authorized, the goals of this human challenge trial are somewhat different. For now, the researchers will be exposing people to the version of the virus that has been circulating in Britain since last spring, and not the more contagious and potentially deadlier variant that has taken hold more recently. But eventually, they said, they could give people experimental vaccines designed to address the effect of new, worrisome variants and then subject them to those versions of the virus. They could also directly compare different vaccine doses and dosing intervals for the same vaccine. And once the pandemic wanes and there are fewer hospitalized patients to enroll in drug trials, the scientists behind the study said that additional such trials where people are directly infected would allow them to continue investigating new treatments. “In the future, we won’t have large numbers of people you can do studies on in the field,” said Robert Read, a professor of infectious diseases at the University of Southampton, who helped design the study. Infecting unvaccinated people with even low doses of the virus could yield important insights, said Andrew Catchpole, the chief scientific officer at hVIVO, a company specializing in human challenge trials that is involved in the study. As intensely as the coronavirus has been studied, relatively little is understood about how people’s immune systems react in the immediate aftermath of being infected. Nor do scientists yet know the specific type or level of immune responses that are necessary to completely protect most people from infection, a clue to how the dozens of vaccines that are still being studied will perform against the virus. “One of the things we don’t understand is what is a truly protective response,” said Lawrence Young, a virus expert at Warwick Medical School, who is not involved in the study. “It’s a good way of understanding the host-pathogen interaction, though it does come with a whole heap of ethical issues, obviously.” In the first part of the study, the scientists will administer tiny doses of the virus to a small cohort of volunteers. If they do not become infected, the scientists will give slightly bigger doses to a different group of volunteers, repeating the process in up to 90 participants until they have determined the right dose. By this spring, the scientists hope to repeat a version of their experiment by exposing vaccinated people to the virus. The British government, which is helping fund the study, will help choose the vaccines. Those and other future stages of the trial would require new regulatory approvals. There has been no shortage of interest among potential volunteers in these types of trials, with thousands of people around the world registering their interest with 1Day Sooner, a group that advocates human challenge trials as a way of speeding the development of enough vaccines to inoculate people in parts of the world still waiting for doses. It is not clear how drug regulators in Britain or around the world would evaluate results from a human challenge trial, given the age restrictions and the small numbers of people involved. But Catchpole said Britain’s drug regulator had indicated it would take any of the group’s findings into consideration as it evaluates future vaccine candidates. With the virus now acquiring dangerous mutations, one question facing the scientists is whether they will be able to keep up with its evolution. Just as making new vaccines takes time, so does manufacturing new viral particles to infect people. Catchpole said that it would take the researchers three or four months to make a new coronavirus variant in a lab before they could begin putting droplets of it into the noses of volunteers.

UK approves study that will deliberately infect volunteers with coronavirus

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Zee News Rajasthan

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