According to information provided to Congress on Thursday by Google's top executive, medical facilities in the United States that provide abortions will be explicitly identified in search results and on Google Maps to prevent confusion with anti-abortion facilities.&nbsp;

In a letter to Senator Mark Warner and Representative Elissa Slotkin, Google's vice president for government affairs and public policy for the US and Canada, Mark Isakowitz, stated that when users search for "abortion clinics near me," the results box will show locations that have been verified to offer abortions.

According to Isakowitz, the internet giant will also enable users to expand their search to include relevant results from businesses that don't offer abortions.&nbsp;

Google's statement came in response to a letter from Warner and Slotkin, dated June 17, asking Alphabet Inc. CEO Sundar Pichai to stop Google search results from referring users to anti-abortion organisations.&nbsp;

Following Roe's overturn, around half of the American states have attempted to outlaw or restrict abortions or are anticipated to do so. Idaho, Texas, and 11 additional states have "trigger" laws that forbid abortion upon making such a decision.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-operating-21-filtration-locations-to-process-ukraine-pow-us-report-510199">Russia operating 21 'filtration' locations to process Ukraine PoW: US Report</a>

Since the Supreme Court's decision, a number of conservative states have already outlawed abortion, and in the coming weeks or months, over half of the 50 US states are anticipated to follow suit.&nbsp;

Democratic President Joe Biden criticised the Supreme Court's decision on abortion last month, which was ruled by conservatives, and he has urged Americans to vote in record numbers in November's midterm elections.&nbsp;

However, because the incumbent party typically does poorly in midterm elections, Democrats run the risk of losing both their majority in the House and their tenuous hold on the Senate. 
&nbsp;

(with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1  width=&quot;100%&quot;"></iframe>

According to information provided to Congress on Thursday by Google's top executive, medical facilities in the United States that provide abortions will be explicitly identified in search results and on Google Maps to prevent confusion with anti-abortion facilities.

According to information provided to Congress on Thursday by Google's top executive, medical facilities in the United States that provide abortions will be explicitly identified in search results and on Google Maps to prevent confusion with anti-abortion facilities. In a letter to Senator Mark Warner and Representative Elissa Slotkin, Google's vice president for government affairs and public policy for the US and Canada, Mark Isakowitz, stated that when users search for "abortion clinics near me," the results box will show locations that have been verified to offer abortions. According to Isakowitz, the internet giant will also enable users to expand their search to include relevant results from businesses that don't offer abortions. Google's statement came in response to a letter from Warner and Slotkin, dated June 17, asking Alphabet Inc. CEO Sundar Pichai to stop Google search results from referring users to anti-abortion organisations. Following Roe's overturn, around half of the American states have attempted to outlaw or restrict abortions or are anticipated to do so. Idaho, Texas, and 11 additional states have "trigger" laws that forbid abortion upon making such a decision. Also Read: Russia operating 21 'filtration' locations to process Ukraine PoW: US Report Since the Supreme Court's decision, a number of conservative states have already outlawed abortion, and in the coming weeks or months, over half of the 50 US states are anticipated to follow suit. Democratic President Joe Biden criticised the Supreme Court's decision on abortion last month, which was ruled by conservatives, and he has urged Americans to vote in record numbers in November's midterm elections. However, because the incumbent party typically does poorly in midterm elections, Democrats run the risk of losing both their majority in the House and their tenuous hold on the Senate. (with inputs from agencies)

Google will prominently label American medical facilities that perform abortion

As momentum grows for the revival of a 2015 nuclear deal, Iran's top diplomat on Thursday demanded that the UN nuclear watchdog abandon the matter of three undeclared sites.&nbsp;

The International Atomic Energy Agency needs Tehran's cooperation to dispel doubts about past activities at three unreported locations, and the United States is insistent about this.&nbsp;

The board of governors of the IAEA adopted a resolution denouncing Iran in June for failing to effectively respond to the earlier finding of traces of enriched uranium at three locations that Tehran had not acknowledged as having hosted nuclear operations.

"We are very serious about safeguard issues, and do not want to allow some of the IAEA's baseless accusations to remain," Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said, state news agency IRNA reported.

According to an Iranian diplomat reported by IRNA, the incident is "political in character, and should not be used as a pretext to punish Iran," poisoning relations between the IAEA and the Islamic Republic.&nbsp;

The remarks follow an American response to Iranian suggestions for restoring the historic accord that former president Donald Trump had criticised.

Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-lawmaker-on-armed-services-committee-arrives-in-taiwan-defying-pressure-from-beijing-510213">&nbsp;US lawmaker on armed services committee arrives in Taiwan, defying pressure from Beijing</a>

 
"We are in the process of examining the response of the Americans," Amir-Abdollahian said.

Just a few weeks after it appeared that the agreement was dead, the European Union put forth on August 8 what it called a final text to revive it. Under this text, Iran would receive relief from sanctions and be allowed to sell its oil once more in exchange for strict limitations on its nuclear programme.&nbsp;

The United States officially responded to Iran's last week's suggested modifications on Wednesday, a day after Tehran accused its longtime foe of obstruction.&nbsp;

In 2015, Iran and six major world powers—Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the United States—agreed to a deal that would lift sanctions in exchange for limits on the Islamic Republic's nuclear programme.

(with inputs from agencies)

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1  width=&quot;100%&quot;"></iframe>

As momentum grows for the revival of a 2015 nuclear deal, Iran's top diplomat on Thursday demanded that the UN nuclear watchdog abandon the matter of three undeclared sites.

As momentum grows for the revival of a 2015 nuclear deal, Iran's top diplomat on Thursday demanded that the UN nuclear watchdog abandon the matter of three undeclared sites. The International Atomic Energy Agency needs Tehran's cooperation to dispel doubts about past activities at three unreported locations, and the United States is insistent about this. The board of governors of the IAEA adopted a resolution denouncing Iran in June for failing to effectively respond to the earlier finding of traces of enriched uranium at three locations that Tehran had not acknowledged as having hosted nuclear operations. "We are very serious about safeguard issues, and do not want to allow some of the IAEA's baseless accusations to remain," Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said, state news agency IRNA reported. According to an Iranian diplomat reported by IRNA, the incident is "political in character, and should not be used as a pretext to punish Iran," poisoning relations between the IAEA and the Islamic Republic. The remarks follow an American response to Iranian suggestions for restoring the historic accord that former president Donald Trump had criticised. Also Read: US lawmaker on armed services committee arrives in Taiwan, defying pressure from Beijing "We are in the process of examining the response of the Americans," Amir-Abdollahian said. Just a few weeks after it appeared that the agreement was dead, the European Union put forth on August 8 what it called a final text to revive it. Under this text, Iran would receive relief from sanctions and be allowed to sell its oil once more in exchange for strict limitations on its nuclear programme. The United States officially responded to Iran's last week's suggested modifications on Wednesday, a day after Tehran accused its longtime foe of obstruction. In 2015, Iran and six major world powers—Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the United States—agreed to a deal that would lift sanctions in exchange for limits on the Islamic Republic's nuclear programme. (with inputs from agencies)

Iran demands UN nuclear watchdog to drop issue of three undeclared sites

The third visit by a US dignitary this month landed in Taiwan on Thursday, rejecting calls from Beijing to stop the excursions by a US congressman on the Senate Commerce and Armed Services committees.&nbsp;

On board a US military plane, Senator Marsha Blackburn arrived in Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, according to live television footage from the nearby Songshan Airport. According to Blackburn's office, Douglas Hsu, director general of Taiwan's foreign affairs ministry, greeted her on the airport runway.&nbsp;

"Taiwan is our strongest partner in the Indo-Pacific Region. Regular high-level visits to Taipei are long-standing US policy," Blackburn said in a statement. "I will not be bullied by Communist China into turning my back on the island."

After US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan in early August, China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory despite the vehement protests of the democratically elected government in Taipei, began conducting military exercises close to the island.&nbsp;

Blackburn was scheduled to meet President Tsai Ing-wen during her visit, which concludes on Saturday, as well as senior security officer Wellington Koo and Foreign Minister Joseph Wu, according to Taiwan's Foreign Ministry.&nbsp;

The ministry noted in a brief statement that "the two sides will exchange views extensively on issues such as Taiwan-US&nbsp;security and economic and trade relations."

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Tsai will meet with Blackburn on Friday morning, according to Taiwan's presidential office. A request for comment was not immediately answered by the Chinese Embassy in Washington.&nbsp;

Blackburn, a Republican from Tennessee and a member of US&nbsp;President Joe Biden's Democratic Party, had previously expressed support for Pelosi's visit.&nbsp;

China was enraged by Pelosi's visit, and in retaliation, it conducted its first-ever test launch of a ballistic missile over Taipei and severed certain diplomatic ties with the United States.

(with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1  width=&quot;100%&quot;"></iframe>

The third visit by a US dignitary this month landed in Taiwan on Thursday, rejecting calls from Beijing to stop the excursions by a US congressman on the Senate Commerce and Armed Services committees.

The third visit by a US dignitary this month landed in Taiwan on Thursday, rejecting calls from Beijing to stop the excursions by a US congressman on the Senate Commerce and Armed Services committees. On board a US military plane, Senator Marsha Blackburn arrived in Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, according to live television footage from the nearby Songshan Airport. According to Blackburn's office, Douglas Hsu, director general of Taiwan's foreign affairs ministry, greeted her on the airport runway. "Taiwan is our strongest partner in the Indo-Pacific Region. Regular high-level visits to Taipei are long-standing US policy," Blackburn said in a statement. "I will not be bullied by Communist China into turning my back on the island." After US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan in early August, China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory despite the vehement protests of the democratically elected government in Taipei, began conducting military exercises close to the island. Blackburn was scheduled to meet President Tsai Ing-wen during her visit, which concludes on Saturday, as well as senior security officer Wellington Koo and Foreign Minister Joseph Wu, according to Taiwan's Foreign Ministry. The ministry noted in a brief statement that "the two sides will exchange views extensively on issues such as Taiwan-US security and economic and trade relations." Also Read: Russia operating 21 'filtration' locations to process Ukraine PoW: US Report Tsai will meet with Blackburn on Friday morning, according to Taiwan's presidential office. A request for comment was not immediately answered by the Chinese Embassy in Washington. Blackburn, a Republican from Tennessee and a member of US President Joe Biden's Democratic Party, had previously expressed support for Pelosi's visit. China was enraged by Pelosi's visit, and in retaliation, it conducted its first-ever test launch of a ballistic missile over Taipei and severed certain diplomatic ties with the United States. (with inputs from agencies)

US lawmaker on armed services committee arrives in Taiwan, defying pressure from Beijing

The foreign ministry&nbsp;of Iran said that the country has received&nbsp;a response from the United States on Wednesday to its suggestions on the final European Union draft&nbsp;for the renewal of the 2015 nuclear deal.

The declaration comes a day after Washington claimed that Iran had agreed to relax important conditions that had prevented the resumption of the 2015 agreement that former president Donald Trump had slammed.

A day before, Tehran had blasted the US for being reluctant to respond to its offers.

"Tehran received this evening via the (EU) coordinator, the response from the US government over the Islamic Republic of Iran's opinions on the outstanding issues in the negotiations to lift sanctions," Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani said, as reported by AFP.

"The process of carefully reviewing the US opinions has begun, and the Islamic Republic of Iran will announce its opinion in this context to the coordinator after it completes its review," Kanani added, without providing further details.

Iran provided its suggestions last week over the final text that the EU, which has coordinated discussions in Vienna on renewing the treaty, sent on August 8.&nbsp;

Washington also acknowledged that it had responded to Iran's offers following Tehran's statement.&nbsp;

In 2015, Iran and six major world powers—Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the United States—agreed to a deal that lifted sanctions in return for limits on the Islamic Republic's nuclear programme.

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), as the agreement is officially known, was created to stop Iran from creating a nuclear weapon, something it has always denied wanting to do.&nbsp;

The news from Iran comes as Israel, Iran's arch-enemy, has urged Western nations to put an end to negotiations to revive the pact and warned against the repercussions of doing so.&nbsp;

(with inputs from agencies)

The foreign ministry of Iran said that the country has received a response from the United States on Wednesday to its suggestions on the final European Union draft for the renewal of the 2015 nuclear deal.

The foreign ministry of Iran said that the country has received a response from the United States on Wednesday to its suggestions on the final European Union draft for the renewal of the 2015 nuclear deal. The declaration comes a day after Washington claimed that Iran had agreed to relax important conditions that had prevented the resumption of the 2015 agreement that former president Donald Trump had slammed. A day before, Tehran had blasted the US for being reluctant to respond to its offers. "Tehran received this evening via the (EU) coordinator, the response from the US government over the Islamic Republic of Iran's opinions on the outstanding issues in the negotiations to lift sanctions," Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani said, as reported by AFP. "The process of carefully reviewing the US opinions has begun, and the Islamic Republic of Iran will announce its opinion in this context to the coordinator after it completes its review," Kanani added, without providing further details. Iran provided its suggestions last week over the final text that the EU, which has coordinated discussions in Vienna on renewing the treaty, sent on August 8. Washington also acknowledged that it had responded to Iran's offers following Tehran's statement. In 2015, Iran and six major world powers—Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the United States—agreed to a deal that lifted sanctions in return for limits on the Islamic Republic's nuclear programme. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), as the agreement is officially known, was created to stop Iran from creating a nuclear weapon, something it has always denied wanting to do. The news from Iran comes as Israel, Iran's arch-enemy, has urged Western nations to put an end to negotiations to revive the pact and warned against the repercussions of doing so. (with inputs from agencies)

Iran receives US response on final European Union draft for revival of 2015 nuclear deal

In response to gruesome images of the helicopter crash that claimed the life of basketball star Kobe Bryant being shared, a jury on Wednesday ordered Los Angeles County to pay $31 million in damages to his&nbsp;widow and another co-plaintiff.&nbsp;

Firefighters and sheriff's deputies who arrived on the scene of the January 2020 collision took photos of the carnage, which included the icon of the Los Angeles Lakers and his 13-year-old daughter's mutilated remains.&nbsp;

During the civil trial in Los Angeles, it was revealed that some of the first responders displayed the images to bystanders, including a bartender, while one of the deputies texted a friend while the two were playing video games.

Los Angeles County defended itself by claiming that the images were never made public and that meticulous steps had been made to remove them from devices.&nbsp;

But throughout the two-week trial, it was revealed that Vanessa Bryant and Chris Chester, whose wife and daughter also died in the collision, constantly worry about these pictures being up online.

In lawsuits that have been merged, both claimed that the pictures had caused them emotional harm.&nbsp;

Bryant and Chester each received a $16 million and $15 million payment order from the county.

On Tuesday, Chester's attorney demanded that damages be determined according to the remaining lives of the two claimants.&nbsp;

For Bryant, age 40, and Chester, age 48, he had requested for $40 million and $30 million, respectively.&nbsp;

A hero to the people of Los Angeles, Bryant and his wife are seeking "justice and accountability," according to their attorney Craig Lavoie.

Bryant is regarded as one of the all-time greats in basketball, and his two sparkling decades with the Los Angeles Lakers helped him establish himself as the sport's spokesman.&nbsp;

In his career, which he began in 1996 right out of high school and continued until his retirement in 2016, he won five NBA championships.

(with inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

In response to gruesome images of the helicopter crash that claimed the life of basketball star Kobe Bryant being shared, a jury on Wednesday ordered Los Angeles County to pay $31 million in damages to his widow and another co-plaintiff.

In response to gruesome images of the helicopter crash that claimed the life of basketball star Kobe Bryant being shared, a jury on Wednesday ordered Los Angeles County to pay $31 million in damages to his widow and another co-plaintiff. Firefighters and sheriff's deputies who arrived on the scene of the January 2020 collision took photos of the carnage, which included the icon of the Los Angeles Lakers and his 13-year-old daughter's mutilated remains. During the civil trial in Los Angeles, it was revealed that some of the first responders displayed the images to bystanders, including a bartender, while one of the deputies texted a friend while the two were playing video games. Los Angeles County defended itself by claiming that the images were never made public and that meticulous steps had been made to remove them from devices. But throughout the two-week trial, it was revealed that Vanessa Bryant and Chris Chester, whose wife and daughter also died in the collision, constantly worry about these pictures being up online. In lawsuits that have been merged, both claimed that the pictures had caused them emotional harm. Bryant and Chester each received a $16 million and $15 million payment order from the county. On Tuesday, Chester's attorney demanded that damages be determined according to the remaining lives of the two claimants. For Bryant, age 40, and Chester, age 48, he had requested for $40 million and $30 million, respectively. A hero to the people of Los Angeles, Bryant and his wife are seeking "justice and accountability," according to their attorney Craig Lavoie. Bryant is regarded as one of the all-time greats in basketball, and his two sparkling decades with the Los Angeles Lakers helped him establish himself as the sport's spokesman. In his career, which he began in 1996 right out of high school and continued until his retirement in 2016, he won five NBA championships. (with inputs from agencies)

Jury orders Los Angeles county to pay USD 16 million in damages to Kobe Bryant's widow

A senior White House official indicated on Wednesday that Russia could start referenda intended to formally establish its rule over the Ukrainian territory it captured this week.

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said the United States has heard "that Russian leadership has instructed officials to begin preparing to hold sham referenda" in Kherson, Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and "particularly" Kharkiv, the second-largest city in Ukraine.&nbsp;

"These referenda could begin in a matter of days or weeks. In fact, we could see a Russian announcement of the first one or ones before the end of this week," he added.&nbsp;

"Since they obviously are having trouble achieving geographic gains inside Ukraine, they are trying to gain that through false political means," he said.

Kirby asserted that there is little support among Ukrainians in such regions for Russian annexation.

"We expect Russia to try to manipulate the results of these referenda, to falsely claim that the Ukrainian people want to join Russia," he said.

"It will be critical to call out and counter this disinformation in real-time," he said.

In 2014, weeks after capturing control of the Crimean peninsula of Ukraine, Moscow sponsored a referendum that allegedly revealed the region's residents preferred to join Russia.&nbsp;

According to the US intelligence, Russian authorities in the occupied territories are concerned that the local population won't show up to vote, Kirby said.&nbsp;He&nbsp;further stated without going into further detail that the Russians are preparing "workarounds" to show success in order to cope with it.

"The Russian officials themselves know that what they're doing will lack legitimacy, and it will not reflect the will of the people," he said.

"The United States and the international community have been very clear that any attempts at controlling Ukraine's sovereign territory will not be considered legitimate," he said.

(with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

A senior White House official indicated on Wednesday that Russia could start referenda intended to formally establish its rule over the Ukrainian territory it captured this week.

A senior White House official indicated on Wednesday that Russia could start referenda intended to formally establish its rule over the Ukrainian territory it captured this week. White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said the United States has heard "that Russian leadership has instructed officials to begin preparing to hold sham referenda" in Kherson, Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and "particularly" Kharkiv, the second-largest city in Ukraine. "These referenda could begin in a matter of days or weeks. In fact, we could see a Russian announcement of the first one or ones before the end of this week," he added. "Since they obviously are having trouble achieving geographic gains inside Ukraine, they are trying to gain that through false political means," he said. Kirby asserted that there is little support among Ukrainians in such regions for Russian annexation. "We expect Russia to try to manipulate the results of these referenda, to falsely claim that the Ukrainian people want to join Russia," he said. "It will be critical to call out and counter this disinformation in real-time," he said. In 2014, weeks after capturing control of the Crimean peninsula of Ukraine, Moscow sponsored a referendum that allegedly revealed the region's residents preferred to join Russia. According to the US intelligence, Russian authorities in the occupied territories are concerned that the local population won't show up to vote, Kirby said. He further stated without going into further detail that the Russians are preparing "workarounds" to show success in order to cope with it. "The Russian officials themselves know that what they're doing will lack legitimacy, and it will not reflect the will of the people," he said. "The United States and the international community have been very clear that any attempts at controlling Ukraine's sovereign territory will not be considered legitimate," he said. (with inputs from agencies)

Russia may announce 'sham' referenda to formalise control of captured territories in Ukraine: US

According to authorities, a man&nbsp;who attempted to smuggle reptiles worth $750,000 into the United States by concealing them in his pants risks decades in prison.&nbsp;

Jose Manuel Perez, who lives in southern California, planned the six-year plot that involved importing 1,700 animals into the country via Mexico and Hong Kong.&nbsp;

In a plea agreement with the Department of Justice, Perez admitted that he sometimes used his own means of border crossing and other times paid mules to deliver his illegal goods.

According to records, the species he netted—including Yucatan box turtles, Mexican box turtles, young crocodiles, and Mexican beaded lizards—were sold to customers across the nation for more than $739,000 each.&nbsp;

His demise occurred in March when he attempted to drive from Mexico while concealing 60 animals in various places on his shirt and around his groin.&nbsp;

He was discovered to be carrying 60 reptiles on him after originally claiming to customs agents he was carrying his pet lizards in his pockets.

They contained Isthmian dwarf boas, a type of snake that can change colours and uses bleeding from its eyes as a form of defence. They also included arboreal alligator lizards.&nbsp;

Of the reptiles, three were deceased.&nbsp;

On December 1, Perez will get his punishment after admitting to two counts of smuggling, each of which has a possible sentence of 20 years in prison, and one offence of wildlife trafficking, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

(with inputs from agencies)

According to authorities, a man who attempted to smuggle reptiles worth $750,000 into the United States by concealing them in his pants risks decades in prison. Jose Manuel Perez, who lives in southern California, planned the six-year plot that involved importing 1,700 animals into the country via Mexico and Hong Kong.

According to authorities, a man who attempted to smuggle reptiles worth $750,000 into the United States by concealing them in his pants risks decades in prison. Jose Manuel Perez, who lives in southern California, planned the six-year plot that involved importing 1,700 animals into the country via Mexico and Hong Kong. In a plea agreement with the Department of Justice, Perez admitted that he sometimes used his own means of border crossing and other times paid mules to deliver his illegal goods. According to records, the species he netted—including Yucatan box turtles, Mexican box turtles, young crocodiles, and Mexican beaded lizards—were sold to customers across the nation for more than $739,000 each. His demise occurred in March when he attempted to drive from Mexico while concealing 60 animals in various places on his shirt and around his groin. He was discovered to be carrying 60 reptiles on him after originally claiming to customs agents he was carrying his pet lizards in his pockets. They contained Isthmian dwarf boas, a type of snake that can change colours and uses bleeding from its eyes as a form of defence. They also included arboreal alligator lizards. Of the reptiles, three were deceased. On December 1, Perez will get his punishment after admitting to two counts of smuggling, each of which has a possible sentence of 20 years in prison, and one offence of wildlife trafficking, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. (with inputs from agencies)

US man hid snakes and lizards in his trousers for smuggling, 60 reptiles found

A months-long ceasefire between central government forces and soldiers from the separatist Tigray region of Ethiopia has broken down, according to residents and both parties on Wednesday.&nbsp;

Hopes for peace talks between the government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) have been severely damaged by the fighting. Each side accused the other of starting the conflict.

"At 5 am today&nbsp;(the TPLF) has attacked the Eastern Front; from Bisober, Zobel and Tekulshe direction ... it has effectively broken the ceasefire," the government's communications service said in a statement.

The military said that the Tigrayan forces were preparing for an attack and covering their tracks by distributing false information about military movements the day before as social media erupted with reports of troops on the march.

The statement accused the TPLF of developing "pre-conflict propaganda" and claimed that it had become "open secret" that they were trying to implicate our forces.

The government was accused of breaking the truce by the military command of the Tigrayan forces, who claimed in a statement that they thought the offensive at Kobo, south of Tigray, was a diversion and that their forces were preparing for a significant onslaught from the west.

The peace process is being set up to fail, according to TPLF leader Debretsion Gebremichael, who also accused the government of trying to obstruct war crimes investigations, withhold essential services, and blockade the area, in a statement to the world community.&nbsp;

The Ethiopian army shot down a jet delivering weapons to Tigray after it crossed Ethiopian airspace from neighbouring Sudan, according to Redwan Hussein, the prime minister's national security adviser. The place where the plane was shot down was kept a secret by him.&nbsp;

Millions of people have been displaced by the violence in the second-most populous country in Africa, which has also resulted in thousands of civilian deaths and hunger in some areas of Tigray.

(with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

A months-long ceasefire between central government forces and soldiers from the separatist Tigray region of Ethiopia has broken down, according to residents and both parties on Wednesday.

A months-long ceasefire between central government forces and soldiers from the separatist Tigray region of Ethiopia has broken down, according to residents and both parties on Wednesday. Hopes for peace talks between the government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) have been severely damaged by the fighting. Each side accused the other of starting the conflict. "At 5 am today (the TPLF) has attacked the Eastern Front; from Bisober, Zobel and Tekulshe direction ... it has effectively broken the ceasefire," the government's communications service said in a statement. The military said that the Tigrayan forces were preparing for an attack and covering their tracks by distributing false information about military movements the day before as social media erupted with reports of troops on the march. The statement accused the TPLF of developing "pre-conflict propaganda" and claimed that it had become "open secret" that they were trying to implicate our forces. The government was accused of breaking the truce by the military command of the Tigrayan forces, who claimed in a statement that they thought the offensive at Kobo, south of Tigray, was a diversion and that their forces were preparing for a significant onslaught from the west. The peace process is being set up to fail, according to TPLF leader Debretsion Gebremichael, who also accused the government of trying to obstruct war crimes investigations, withhold essential services, and blockade the area, in a statement to the world community. The Ethiopian army shot down a jet delivering weapons to Tigray after it crossed Ethiopian airspace from neighbouring Sudan, according to Redwan Hussein, the prime minister's national security adviser. The place where the plane was shot down was kept a secret by him. Millions of people have been displaced by the violence in the second-most populous country in Africa, which has also resulted in thousands of civilian deaths and hunger in some areas of Tigray. (with inputs from agencies)

Ethiopian government and Tigray rebels exchange fire ending months-long ceasefire

The state of California will vote this week on plans requiring&nbsp;all new cars sold to be zero-emission vehicles by 2035, as the nation's largest economy propels a transition away from fossil fuels.&nbsp;

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) will discuss proposals this week that will formalise the goals established by Governor Gavin Newsom, and perhaps encourage other US states to follow suit.

The plans, which board member Daniel Sperling previously told CNN he was "99.9 per cent" sure would be enacted, also include gradual stages requiring that more than a third of cars sold in the state by 2026 and more than two-thirds by 2030 be zero-emission vehicles.

California has the largest market in the country with more than 40 million consumers. Because businesses cannot afford to lose out, regulations in the state have an impact on manufacturers' output plans across the nation and beyond. As a result, California can effectively establish national norms.

The probable decision on Thursday follows the signing last week of a climate law by US President Joe Biden, which allocates hundreds of millions of dollars in incentives for clean energy initiatives.&nbsp;

As the former president of the United States, Donald Trump pulled the country out of the Paris Climate Accord and undid what many environmentalists saw as already meagre progress in reducing the emissions of fossil fuels that cause global warming, Biden and his Democratic Party are scrambling to regain the climate policy ground they believe was lost under the previous administration.

Authorities from all over the world, particularly in Europe, have recently focused on the polluting vehicle industry. 
&nbsp;

(with inputs from agencies)

The state of California will vote this week on plans requiring all new cars sold to be zero-emission vehicles by 2035, as the nation's largest economy propels a transition away from fossil fuels.

The state of California will vote this week on plans requiring all new cars sold to be zero-emission vehicles by 2035, as the nation's largest economy propels a transition away from fossil fuels. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) will discuss proposals this week that will formalise the goals established by Governor Gavin Newsom, and perhaps encourage other US states to follow suit. The plans, which board member Daniel Sperling previously told CNN he was "99.9 per cent" sure would be enacted, also include gradual stages requiring that more than a third of cars sold in the state by 2026 and more than two-thirds by 2030 be zero-emission vehicles. California has the largest market in the country with more than 40 million consumers. Because businesses cannot afford to lose out, regulations in the state have an impact on manufacturers' output plans across the nation and beyond. As a result, California can effectively establish national norms. The probable decision on Thursday follows the signing last week of a climate law by US President Joe Biden, which allocates hundreds of millions of dollars in incentives for clean energy initiatives. As the former president of the United States, Donald Trump pulled the country out of the Paris Climate Accord and undid what many environmentalists saw as already meagre progress in reducing the emissions of fossil fuels that cause global warming, Biden and his Democratic Party are scrambling to regain the climate policy ground they believe was lost under the previous administration. Authorities from all over the world, particularly in Europe, have recently focused on the polluting vehicle industry. (with inputs from agencies)

Goodbye to gas guzzlers: California to ban fossil fuel cars by 2035

Elon Musk may have more justification to withdraw from a bid to acquire Twitter in light of recent whistleblower claims of widespread security vulnerabilities and spam issues at the company.&nbsp;

Peiter Zatko, Twitter's former security chief turned whistleblower, filed an 84-page complaint on Tuesday alleging that the company prioritises user growth over spam prevention, has a plan for severe security issues, and has half of its servers running vulnerable and out-of-date software.

The allegations come as the social network business fights Musk in court following his effort to back out of a $44 billion acquisition deal. According to Anat Alon-Beck, a law professor at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio, Musk's decision to withdraw was motivated by Twitter's reluctance to share information on the prevalence of bot and spam accounts. This makes the timing of Tuesday's disclosures "amazing" for Musk's case.&nbsp;

According to Alon-Beck, it's unclear how Musk's legal team will make advantage of the most recent case developments. Musk must demonstrate a "material&nbsp;adverse effect" in order to exit the Twitter agreement without paying a $1 billion termination fee. This is required by a clause that says Musk must demonstrate an event that&nbsp;significantly lowers the deal's long-term value.

Up until this point, Musk has relied on claims that Twitter lied about the actual amount of spam and bot accounts on its social media network, which the firm has claimed in corporate filings make up just 5 per cent of accounts. When making his approach to buy the company, Musk claimed he was relying on those papers. Twitter claimed in a lawsuit that the billionaire's assertions were based on "distortion, misrepresentation, and outright deception," and that he was exaggerating the severity of the problem as a justification for pulling out of the agreement.

But according to Ann Lipton, a professor at Tulane Law School, the latest whistleblower allegations give his case a new dimension since they raise further allegations that Twitter concealed security and data privacy flaws and offer "a different basis for fraud."&nbsp;

Both sides have continued to gather evidence as the legal dispute continues in front of a trial that will start in Delaware on October 17. Musk summoned former executive Jack Dorsey on Monday in order to obtain further details.&nbsp;

A number of well-known witnesses have also been subpoenaed by Twitter, including David Sacks, the founding COO of Paypal, and well-known VC Marc Andreessen.

(with inputs from agencies)

Elon Musk may have more justification to withdraw from a bid to acquire Twitter in light of recent whistleblower claims of widespread security vulnerabilities and spam issues at the company.

Elon Musk may have more justification to withdraw from a bid to acquire Twitter in light of recent whistleblower claims of widespread security vulnerabilities and spam issues at the company. Peiter Zatko, Twitter's former security chief turned whistleblower, filed an 84-page complaint on Tuesday alleging that the company prioritises user growth over spam prevention, has a plan for severe security issues, and has half of its servers running vulnerable and out-of-date software. The allegations come as the social network business fights Musk in court following his effort to back out of a $44 billion acquisition deal. According to Anat Alon-Beck, a law professor at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio, Musk's decision to withdraw was motivated by Twitter's reluctance to share information on the prevalence of bot and spam accounts. This makes the timing of Tuesday's disclosures "amazing" for Musk's case. According to Alon-Beck, it's unclear how Musk's legal team will make advantage of the most recent case developments. Musk must demonstrate a "material adverse effect" in order to exit the Twitter agreement without paying a $1 billion termination fee. This is required by a clause that says Musk must demonstrate an event that significantly lowers the deal's long-term value. Up until this point, Musk has relied on claims that Twitter lied about the actual amount of spam and bot accounts on its social media network, which the firm has claimed in corporate filings make up just 5 per cent of accounts. When making his approach to buy the company, Musk claimed he was relying on those papers. Twitter claimed in a lawsuit that the billionaire's assertions were based on "distortion, misrepresentation, and outright deception," and that he was exaggerating the severity of the problem as a justification for pulling out of the agreement. But according to Ann Lipton, a professor at Tulane Law School, the latest whistleblower allegations give his case a new dimension since they raise further allegations that Twitter concealed security and data privacy flaws and offer "a different basis for fraud." Both sides have continued to gather evidence as the legal dispute continues in front of a trial that will start in Delaware on October 17. Musk summoned former executive Jack Dorsey on Monday in order to obtain further details. A number of well-known witnesses have also been subpoenaed by Twitter, including David Sacks, the founding COO of Paypal, and well-known VC Marc Andreessen. (with inputs from agencies)

Twitter whistleblower's allegations could boost Elon Musk’s legal battle to back out of deal to buy company

Democrats, who want to make reproductive rights a focal point of the campaign, were celebrating victory on Wednesday in a US special election that was seen as the final barometer of public opinion on abortion before the midterm elections in November.&nbsp;

To fill the remaining months of Democrat Antonio Delgado's tenure in the House of Representatives after he resigned to become the Empire State's lieutenant governor, voters in a swing district in upstate New York cast ballots on Tuesday.&nbsp;

Two months after the Supreme Court ended the constitutionally protected right to an abortion, which generated widespread outrage, the race for New York's 19th congressional district is now in full swing.

According to US media outlets including NBC, ABC, and Fox News, Democrat Pat Ryan, who has attempted to turn the vote into a referendum on abortion access, was predicted to win.&nbsp;

He has charged that his Republican opponent Marc Molinaro and his party are "too extreme on women's rights" since they oppose such access.&nbsp;

According to Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Sean Patrick Maloney, Ryan's victory "sends a clear message that voters are fighting back against Republicans' extreme attacks on abortion rights," according to an NBC report.&nbsp;

After Donald Trump won the district by almost seven points in 2016, President Joe Biden won it by less than two points in 2020. There, Barack Obama won in 2012.

In separate districts that have been freshly created as a result of the most recent round of redistricting, both candidates will be back on the ballot in November.&nbsp;

Ryan, who has not yet been nominated to run for a seat in the midterm elections, was on the ballot on Tuesday in two districts for two different seats in two different congresses because of the fairly antiquated system.&nbsp;

A number of primary elections, sometimes known as nomination battles, were held in New York, one of which pitted Democratic committee chairs Jerry Nadler and Carolyn Maloney against one another.&nbsp;

With more than 95 per cent of the votes cast, Nadler easily defeated Maloney, winning with 55.4 per cent to 24.4 per cent.

(with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Democrats, who want to make reproductive rights a focal point of the campaign, were celebrating victory on Wednesday in a US special election that was seen as the final barometer of public opinion on abortion before the midterm elections in November.

Democrats, who want to make reproductive rights a focal point of the campaign, were celebrating victory on Wednesday in a US special election that was seen as the final barometer of public opinion on abortion before the midterm elections in November. To fill the remaining months of Democrat Antonio Delgado's tenure in the House of Representatives after he resigned to become the Empire State's lieutenant governor, voters in a swing district in upstate New York cast ballots on Tuesday. Two months after the Supreme Court ended the constitutionally protected right to an abortion, which generated widespread outrage, the race for New York's 19th congressional district is now in full swing. According to US media outlets including NBC, ABC, and Fox News, Democrat Pat Ryan, who has attempted to turn the vote into a referendum on abortion access, was predicted to win. He has charged that his Republican opponent Marc Molinaro and his party are "too extreme on women's rights" since they oppose such access. According to Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Sean Patrick Maloney, Ryan's victory "sends a clear message that voters are fighting back against Republicans' extreme attacks on abortion rights," according to an NBC report. After Donald Trump won the district by almost seven points in 2016, President Joe Biden won it by less than two points in 2020. There, Barack Obama won in 2012. In separate districts that have been freshly created as a result of the most recent round of redistricting, both candidates will be back on the ballot in November. Ryan, who has not yet been nominated to run for a seat in the midterm elections, was on the ballot on Tuesday in two districts for two different seats in two different congresses because of the fairly antiquated system. A number of primary elections, sometimes known as nomination battles, were held in New York, one of which pitted Democratic committee chairs Jerry Nadler and Carolyn Maloney against one another. With more than 95 per cent of the votes cast, Nadler easily defeated Maloney, winning with 55.4 per cent to 24.4 per cent. (with inputs from agencies)

US special election: Democrats win vote seen as last bellwether of public mood on abortion ahead of midterms

Anthony Fauci, the foremost authority on infectious diseases in the US and the Covid-19 pandemic's public face, will leave the federal government in December. Since 1984, Fauci, 81, has served as the director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). In 1968, at the age of 27, he started working at the National Institutes of Health.&nbsp;

Pioneer in handling infectious diseases

Fauci advised seven US Presidents throughout the course of a career that lasted close to five decades. Even before the coronavirus spread around the world, he was a pioneer in the federal response to HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases. He most recently worked as US President Joe Biden's physician advisor. Before Covid-19 shook the world, he enjoyed a successful run for a number of years.

Fauci practically got himself into trouble when dealing with COVID-19 in the US. Then came his order to not initially wear a mask, which he later changed, and his doubts about the origins of the Covid-19 virus. Additionally, he disagreed with MPs from Donald Trump's party and the former US president.&nbsp;

Fauci's allegation

The 3,000 emails, which revealed how he handled Covid-19 in the early days of the outbreak and were obtained by the Washington Post, Buzzfeed News, and CNN under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), caused the most debate surrounding Fauci's allegation.

Wuhan lab controversy

The largest biomedical research institute in the nation's director sent Dr Fauci an email in January 2020 suggesting that the virus's "odd traits" showed it may have been created. Fauci responded by promising to get in touch over the phone.&nbsp;

In 2021, Fauci once more stated his suspicion. On May 11, 2021, Fauci was questioned over the possibility of the virus naturally occurring at the United Facts of America: A Festival of Fact-Checking. Fauci responded by stating that he was not persuaded by the theory. According to Fauci, "I am not convinced with the theory that the virus "developed naturally."

"I think we should continue to investigate what went on in China until we find out to the best of our ability exactly what happened. Certainly, the people who investigated it say it was the emergence of from an animal reservoir that then infected individuals, but it could have been something else, and we need to find that out," Fauci said.

Did the US fund a lab in China?&nbsp;

Republicans in Congress claimed in August 2021 that there was "ample evidence" that the US had supported a lab in China to develop a human-infecting virus. Senator Rand Paul said that US funds were being used to "gain-of-function," a process that makes viruses more lethal and contagious.&nbsp;

This assertion had been refuted by Fauci, who oversaw NIAID as part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) of the US government.

Denying facts

However, it was also discovered that NIH 2014 had given funding to a group that worked with the Wuhan Institute of Virology, according to BBC. The NIH awarded $3.7 million to the US-based EcoHealth Alliance, of which $600,000 was granted to the Wuhan Institute of Virology.&nbsp;

The project was extended for a further five years in 2019, but the Trump administration cancelled it once the virus started to spread. Despite all of this, Anthony Fauci insisted that NIH did not support research in 2020 that contributed to the Covid-19 virus.

(with inputs from agencies)

Anthony Fauci, the foremost authority on infectious diseases in the US and the Covid-19 pandemic's public face, will leave the federal government in December. Since 1984, Fauci, 81, has served as the director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).

Anthony Fauci, the foremost authority on infectious diseases in the US and the Covid-19 pandemic's public face, will leave the federal government in December. Since 1984, Fauci, 81, has served as the director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). In 1968, at the age of 27, he started working at the National Institutes of Health. Pioneer in handling infectious diseases Fauci advised seven US Presidents throughout the course of a career that lasted close to five decades. Even before the coronavirus spread around the world, he was a pioneer in the federal response to HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases. He most recently worked as US President Joe Biden's physician advisor. Before Covid-19 shook the world, he enjoyed a successful run for a number of years. Fauci practically got himself into trouble when dealing with COVID-19 in the US. Then came his order to not initially wear a mask, which he later changed, and his doubts about the origins of the Covid-19 virus. Additionally, he disagreed with MPs from Donald Trump's party and the former US president. Fauci's allegation The 3,000 emails, which revealed how he handled Covid-19 in the early days of the outbreak and were obtained by the Washington Post, Buzzfeed News, and CNN under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), caused the most debate surrounding Fauci's allegation. Wuhan lab controversy The largest biomedical research institute in the nation's director sent Dr Fauci an email in January 2020 suggesting that the virus's "odd traits" showed it may have been created. Fauci responded by promising to get in touch over the phone. In 2021, Fauci once more stated his suspicion. On May 11, 2021, Fauci was questioned over the possibility of the virus naturally occurring at the United Facts of America: A Festival of Fact-Checking. Fauci responded by stating that he was not persuaded by the theory. According to Fauci, "I am not convinced with the theory that the virus "developed naturally." "I think we should continue to investigate what went on in China until we find out to the best of our ability exactly what happened. Certainly, the people who investigated it say it was the emergence of from an animal reservoir that then infected individuals, but it could have been something else, and we need to find that out," Fauci said. Did the US fund a lab in China? Republicans in Congress claimed in August 2021 that there was "ample evidence" that the US had supported a lab in China to develop a human-infecting virus. Senator Rand Paul said that US funds were being used to "gain-of-function," a process that makes viruses more lethal and contagious. This assertion had been refuted by Fauci, who oversaw NIAID as part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) of the US government. Denying facts However, it was also discovered that NIH 2014 had given funding to a group that worked with the Wuhan Institute of Virology, according to BBC. The NIH awarded $3.7 million to the US-based EcoHealth Alliance, of which $600,000 was granted to the Wuhan Institute of Virology. The project was extended for a further five years in 2019, but the Trump administration cancelled it once the virus started to spread. Despite all of this, Anthony Fauci insisted that NIH did not support research in 2020 that contributed to the Covid-19 virus. (with inputs from agencies)

Explained: Anthony Fauci and the 'Wuhan virus' controversy

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Zee News Rajasthan

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