Pandora Papers seem to have opened the Pandora’s box as several hidden secrets of numerous influential people have been revealed in the leak. &nbsp;&nbsp;

In an announcement, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan said the country’s government would investigate all citizens mentioned in the report. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pandora-papers-members-of-imran-khans-inner-circle-secretly-moved-millions-offshore-417997" hreflang="en">Pandora Papers: Members of Imran Khan's inner circle secretly moved millions</a>

The remark came after the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) unveiled “Pandora Papers” on Sunday. It is major international research into the financial secrets held by high-profile individuals around the world.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;

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In the leak, several people from Pakistan have been claimed to be holding foreign assets. These include Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin, his family, and the son of Prime Minister Imran Khan's former adviser for finance and revenue, Waqar Masood Khan.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pandora-papers-live-update-tendulkar-shakira-king-of-jordan-putin-named-in-leak-418058">Pandora papers update: Tendulkar, Shakira, King of Jordan, Putin named in leak</a>

As per the ICIJ, the documents contain no suggestion that the prime minister himself owns offshore companies. &nbsp;

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We welcome the Pandora Papers exposing the ill-gotten wealth of elites, accumulated through tax evasion &amp; corruption &amp; laundered out to financial "havens". The UN SG's Panel FACTI calculated a staggering $7 trillion in stolen assets parked in largely offshore tax havens.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1444709567355670528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 3, 2021</a></blockquote>
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On Twitter, Khan said, “We welcome the Pandora Papers exposing the ill-gotten wealth of elites, accumulated through tax evasion &amp; corruption &amp; laundered out to financial "havens". My govt will investigate all our citizens mentioned in the Pandora Papers &amp; if any wrongdoing is established, we will take appropriate action.” &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Pandora Papers seem to have opened the Pandora’s box as several hidden secrets of numerous influential people have been revealed in the leak. In an announcement, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan said the country’s government would investigate all citizens mentioned in the report.

Pandora Papers seem to have opened the Pandora’s box as several hidden secrets of numerous influential people have been revealed in the leak. In an announcement, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan said the country’s government would investigate all citizens mentioned in the report. Also Read: Pandora Papers: Members of Imran Khan's inner circle secretly moved millions The remark came after the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) unveiled “Pandora Papers” on Sunday. It is major international research into the financial secrets held by high-profile individuals around the world. Watch: × In the leak, several people from Pakistan have been claimed to be holding foreign assets. These include Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin, his family, and the son of Prime Minister Imran Khan's former adviser for finance and revenue, Waqar Masood Khan. Also Read: Pandora papers update: Tendulkar, Shakira, King of Jordan, Putin named in leak As per the ICIJ, the documents contain no suggestion that the prime minister himself owns offshore companies. We welcome the Pandora Papers exposing the ill-gotten wealth of elites, accumulated through tax evasion & corruption & laundered out to financial "havens". The UN SG's Panel FACTI calculated a staggering $7 trillion in stolen assets parked in largely offshore tax havens. — Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) October 3, 2021 × On Twitter, Khan said, “We welcome the Pandora Papers exposing the ill-gotten wealth of elites, accumulated through tax evasion & corruption & laundered out to financial "havens". My govt will investigate all our citizens mentioned in the Pandora Papers & if any wrongdoing is established, we will take appropriate action.” (With inputs from agencies)

Pandora Papers leak: Pakistan govt to probe all citizens exposed, says PM Imran Khan

Manila Mayor Francisco Domagoso on Monday filed his certificate of candidacy to run for May 2022 presidential elections in the Philippines.

Domagoso, 46, popularly known by his celebrity nickname Isko Moreno, and his running-mate Willie Ong, a doctor with more than 16 million followers on Facebook, filed their certificates of candidacy at the Commission on Elections, reports Xinhua news agency.

The mayor of the Philippine capital will run under the political party Aksyon Demokratiko, of which he is the President.

According to a recent survey published by Pulse Asia, 13 per cent of the Filipino respondents expressed support for Domagoso as a "probable" presidential candidate.

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Monday's development comes two days after incumbent President Rodrigo Duterte announced his retirement from politics, adding that he will not contest for Vice President in 2022 elections.

Meanwhile, his former long-time aid and Senator Christopher Go, 47, has his candidacy for Vice President.

On October 1, Filipino boxing icon and Senator Manny Pacquiao became to first candidate to file his official certificate, just days after he announced his retirement from boxing.

The May 9, 2022 elections will elect the President, Vice President, half of the 24-member Senate, members of the House of Representatives, and other local officials.

Candidates have until Friday to file their official certificates to contest the polls.

The EU had yet to formally reply to UK proposals made in July to reform the so-called Northern Ireland Protocol, he noted.

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"But from what I hear, I worry that we will not get one which enables the significant change we need.&nbsp;

"So I urge the EU to be ambitious. It's no use tinkering around the edges. &nbsp;We need significant change," Frost said.&nbsp;

"But we cannot wait for ever. Without an agreed solution soon, we will need to act, using the Article 16 safeguard mechanism, to address the impact the protocol is having on Northern Ireland."

The protocol formed part of the UK's drawn-out divorce from the EU, and was designed to prevent unchecked goods heading into the bloc's single market via the UK's only land border with the EU to Ireland.

But pro-UK unionists in Northern Ireland are opposed, arguing that border checks on goods from mainland Great Britain -- England, Scotland and Wales -- effectively creates a border in the Irish Sea, compromising the province's place in the wider UK.

Brussels insists that the protocol is not up for renegotiation, and could trigger trade reprisals should the UK invoke its Article 16, which would suspend the pact owing to extraordinary circumstances.

"That may in the end be the only way to protect our country -- our people, our trade, our territorial integrity, the peace process, and the benefits of this great UK of which we are all part," Frost warned.

Addressing the annual conference of the ruling Conservative party, Brexit minister David Frost said: "The long bad dream of our EU membership is over.

Manila Mayor Francisco Domagoso on Monday filed his certificate of candidacy to run for May 2022 presidential elections in the Philippines. Domagoso, 46, popularly known by his celebrity nickname Isko Moreno, and his running-mate Willie Ong, a doctor with more than 16 million followers on Facebook, filed their certificates of candidacy at the Commission on Elections, reports Xinhua news agency.

Manila Mayor Francisco Domagoso on Monday filed his certificate of candidacy to run for May 2022 presidential elections in the Philippines. Domagoso, 46, popularly known by his celebrity nickname Isko Moreno, and his running-mate Willie Ong, a doctor with more than 16 million followers on Facebook, filed their certificates of candidacy at the Commission on Elections, reports Xinhua news agency. The mayor of the Philippine capital will run under the political party Aksyon Demokratiko, of which he is the President. According to a recent survey published by Pulse Asia, 13 per cent of the Filipino respondents expressed support for Domagoso as a "probable" presidential candidate. Also Read: Hong Kong Stock Exchange halts trading of Evergrande shares Monday's development comes two days after incumbent President Rodrigo Duterte announced his retirement from politics, adding that he will not contest for Vice President in 2022 elections. Meanwhile, his former long-time aid and Senator Christopher Go, 47, has his candidacy for Vice President. On October 1, Filipino boxing icon and Senator Manny Pacquiao became to first candidate to file his official certificate, just days after he announced his retirement from boxing. The May 9, 2022 elections will elect the President, Vice President, half of the 24-member Senate, members of the House of Representatives, and other local officials. Candidates have until Friday to file their official certificates to contest the polls. The EU had yet to formally reply to UK proposals made in July to reform the so-called Northern Ireland Protocol, he noted. Also Read | Trial of Myanmar's Suu Kyi taking toll on her health: Lawyer "But from what I hear, I worry that we will not get one which enables the significant change we need. "So I urge the EU to be ambitious. It's no use tinkering around the edges. We need significant change," Frost said. "But we cannot wait for ever. Without an agreed solution soon, we will need to act, using the Article 16 safeguard mechanism, to address the impact the protocol is having on Northern Ireland." The protocol formed part of the UK's drawn-out divorce from the EU, and was designed to prevent unchecked goods heading into the bloc's single market via the UK's only land border with the EU to Ireland. But pro-UK unionists in Northern Ireland are opposed, arguing that border checks on goods from mainland Great Britain -- England, Scotland and Wales -- effectively creates a border in the Irish Sea, compromising the province's place in the wider UK. Brussels insists that the protocol is not up for renegotiation, and could trigger trade reprisals should the UK invoke its Article 16, which would suspend the pact owing to extraordinary circumstances. "That may in the end be the only way to protect our country -- our people, our trade, our territorial integrity, the peace process, and the benefits of this great UK of which we are all part," Frost warned. Addressing the annual conference of the ruling Conservative party, Brexit minister David Frost said: "The long bad dream of our EU membership is over.

Manila Mayor officially joins 2022 presidential race

The United States will in the coming days have "frank conversations" with China on trade as the Biden administration believes the Asian giant has not honored its commitments under an agreement signed in January 2020.

"China made commitments intended to benefit certain American industries, including agriculture, that we must enforce," US Trade Representative Katherine Tai will say in a speech on Monday to US think tank the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

According to excerpts from her speech, which she is due to deliver at 10:00 am (1400 GMT), Tai will also announce the launch of "a targeted tariff exclusion process" for exemptions from customs tariffs imposed on $370 billion worth of Chinese goods a year by the previous Trump administration.

The punitive tariffs, imposed in retaliation for Chinese trade practices deemed "unfair", are criticised by many companies.

In early August, some of the most influential US business groups urged the Biden administration to reduce these surcharges, pointing out that US industries faced "increased costs" as the tariffs are paid by importers.

A senior US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the tariffs "will remain in place" for the duration of the exemption procedure.

President Joe Biden had asked Tai to conduct a comprehensive review of US trade strategy towards China and the tariffs initiated by his Republican predecessor Donald Trump.

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"We continue to have serious concerns with China's state-centered and non-market trade practices" that were not addressed in the "Phase One" agreement reached in 2019 to calm a trade war between the two economic superpowers, Tai will say.

"As we work to enforce the terms of Phase One, we will raise these broader policy concerns with Beijing."

The deal signed by Trump and Tai's opposite number, Vice Premier Liu He, committed Beijing to adding an extra $200 billion in purchases of US exports, including energy, agricultural and manufactured products through 2021.

That is far from happening, trade analysts say.

The Biden administration official did not specify the extent of the shortfall, while indicating that Washington is unsatisfied.

"There are some commitments that have not been met and we think the results overall of the agreement have been mixed," the official said, while stressing the US objective "is not to escalate trade tension."

- 'Work with our allies' -

Tai's speech will highlight the Biden administration's strategy of teaming up with allied democracies in its competition with China.

Trump, who rejected traditional US alliances, sparked market anxiety around the world with his trade war.

However, he ended up producing limited concrete results, let alone progress on the deep-seated problems that the United States and its allies say plague their China trade relationship.

These include massive state subsidies for national companies, intellectual property theft and other factors creating a heavily uneven playing field.

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Washington "will use the full range of tools we have and develop new tools as needed to defend American economic interests from harmful policies and practices," Tai will say.

"The core of our strategy is a commitment to ensuring we work with our allies to create fair and open markets."

Tai will also stress that the trade and economic relationship between the United States and China "is one of profound consequence."

"As the two largest economies in the world, how we relate to each other does not just affect our two countries. It impacts the entire world and billions of workers."

Overall, Washington sees a bleak outlook, with the administration official saying "we know that China is unlikely to make meaningful reforms right now" and that there is no push for starting long-awaited "Phase Two" negotiations.

"Beijing is increasingly explicit that it is doubling down on its authoritarian, state-centric approach, and is resistant to addressing our structural concerns," the official said.

"We recognize that China simply may not change and that we have to have a strategy that deals with China as it is, rather than as we might wish it be," the official said.

"Our primary focus will be on building resilience and competitiveness, including with our allies and partners."

The United States will in the coming days have "frank conversations" with China on trade as the Biden administration believes the Asian giant has not honored its commitments under an agreement signed in January 2020.

The United States will in the coming days have "frank conversations" with China on trade as the Biden administration believes the Asian giant has not honored its commitments under an agreement signed in January 2020. "China made commitments intended to benefit certain American industries, including agriculture, that we must enforce," US Trade Representative Katherine Tai will say in a speech on Monday to US think tank the Center for Strategic and International Studies. According to excerpts from her speech, which she is due to deliver at 10:00 am (1400 GMT), Tai will also announce the launch of "a targeted tariff exclusion process" for exemptions from customs tariffs imposed on $370 billion worth of Chinese goods a year by the previous Trump administration. The punitive tariffs, imposed in retaliation for Chinese trade practices deemed "unfair", are criticised by many companies. In early August, some of the most influential US business groups urged the Biden administration to reduce these surcharges, pointing out that US industries faced "increased costs" as the tariffs are paid by importers. A senior US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the tariffs "will remain in place" for the duration of the exemption procedure. President Joe Biden had asked Tai to conduct a comprehensive review of US trade strategy towards China and the tariffs initiated by his Republican predecessor Donald Trump. Also Read: Blinken faces an awkward visit to Paris, his ‘second home’ "We continue to have serious concerns with China's state-centered and non-market trade practices" that were not addressed in the "Phase One" agreement reached in 2019 to calm a trade war between the two economic superpowers, Tai will say. "As we work to enforce the terms of Phase One, we will raise these broader policy concerns with Beijing." The deal signed by Trump and Tai's opposite number, Vice Premier Liu He, committed Beijing to adding an extra $200 billion in purchases of US exports, including energy, agricultural and manufactured products through 2021. That is far from happening, trade analysts say. The Biden administration official did not specify the extent of the shortfall, while indicating that Washington is unsatisfied. "There are some commitments that have not been met and we think the results overall of the agreement have been mixed," the official said, while stressing the US objective "is not to escalate trade tension." - 'Work with our allies' - Tai's speech will highlight the Biden administration's strategy of teaming up with allied democracies in its competition with China. Trump, who rejected traditional US alliances, sparked market anxiety around the world with his trade war. However, he ended up producing limited concrete results, let alone progress on the deep-seated problems that the United States and its allies say plague their China trade relationship. These include massive state subsidies for national companies, intellectual property theft and other factors creating a heavily uneven playing field. Also Read: For second straight day, Chinese jets fly towards Taiwan in another incursion Washington "will use the full range of tools we have and develop new tools as needed to defend American economic interests from harmful policies and practices," Tai will say. "The core of our strategy is a commitment to ensuring we work with our allies to create fair and open markets." Tai will also stress that the trade and economic relationship between the United States and China "is one of profound consequence." "As the two largest economies in the world, how we relate to each other does not just affect our two countries. It impacts the entire world and billions of workers." Overall, Washington sees a bleak outlook, with the administration official saying "we know that China is unlikely to make meaningful reforms right now" and that there is no push for starting long-awaited "Phase Two" negotiations. "Beijing is increasingly explicit that it is doubling down on its authoritarian, state-centric approach, and is resistant to addressing our structural concerns," the official said. "We recognize that China simply may not change and that we have to have a strategy that deals with China as it is, rather than as we might wish it be," the official said. "Our primary focus will be on building resilience and competitiveness, including with our allies and partners."

US to have 'frank conversations' with China on trade

Governments must step up investment in low-carbon hydrogen to unlock its potential and help the world achieve net zero emissions, with $1.2 trillion needed by 2030, the International Energy Agency said on Monday.

Governments with hydrogen strategies have committed $37 billion so far, while the private sector has announced $300 billion, said the IEA, which advises developed countries on energy policies.

Only three countries, France, Japan and South Korea, had hydrogen strategies in 2019, but 17 do now and 20 others are working on one, the IEA said in its Global Hydrogen Review for 2021.

There are pilot projects to produce steel and chemicals with low-carbon hydrogen, the report noted.

The technology also has potential in other sectors where emissions are difficult to reduce, including long-haul trucking, shipping and aviation, the agency said.

"We have experienced false starts before with hydrogen, so we can't take success for granted," said IEA executive director Fatih Birol.

"But this time, we are seeing exciting progress in making hydrogen cleaner, more affordable and more available for use across different sectors of the economy," he said.

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Birol urged governments to "take rapid actions to lower the barriers that are holding low-carbon hydrogen back from faster growth, which will be important if the world is to have a chance of reaching net zero emissions by 2050."&nbsp;

Nearly all hydrogen produced today comes from fossil fuels and releases 900 million tonnes of CO2 emissions -- as much as Britain and Indonesia combined, according to the IEA.

Low-carbon hydrogen requires large amounts of electricity to produce it from water, or the use of carbon-capture technologies if it is to be made from fossil fuels, it said.

"The main obstacle to the extensive use of low-carbon hydrogen is the cost of producing it," the report said.

The report comes as governments prepare for the COP26 climate summit in Scotland next month.

Candidates have until Friday to file their official certificates to contest the polls.

The EU had yet to formally reply to UK proposals made in July to reform the so-called Northern Ireland Protocol, he noted.

"But from what I hear, I worry that we will not get one which enables the significant change we need.&nbsp;

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"So I urge the EU to be ambitious. It's no use tinkering around the edges. &nbsp;We need significant change," Frost said.&nbsp;

"But we cannot wait for ever. Without an agreed solution soon, we will need to act, using the Article 16 safeguard mechanism, to address the impact the protocol is having on Northern Ireland."

The protocol formed part of the UK's drawn-out divorce from the EU, and was designed to prevent unchecked goods heading into the bloc's single market via the UK's only land border with the EU to Ireland.

But pro-UK unionists in Northern Ireland are opposed, arguing that border checks on goods from mainland Great Britain -- England, Scotland and Wales -- effectively creates a border in the Irish Sea, compromising the province's place in the wider UK.

Brussels insists that the protocol is not up for renegotiation, and could trigger trade reprisals should the UK invoke its Article 16, which would suspend the pact owing to extraordinary circumstances.

"That may in the end be the only way to protect our country -- our people, our trade, our territorial integrity, the peace process, and the benefits of this great UK of which we are all part," Frost warned.

Addressing the annual conference of the ruling Conservative party, Brexit minister David Frost said: "The long bad dream of our EU membership is over.

Domagoso, 46, popularly known by his celebrity nickname Isko Moreno, and his running-mate Willie Ong, a doctor with more than 16 million followers on Facebook, filed their certificates of candidacy at the Commission on Elections, reports Xinhua news agency

Governments must step up investment in low-carbon hydrogen to unlock its potential and help the world achieve net zero emissions, with $1.2 trillion needed by 2030, the International Energy Agency said on Monday.

Governments must step up investment in low-carbon hydrogen to unlock its potential and help the world achieve net zero emissions, with $1.2 trillion needed by 2030, the International Energy Agency said on Monday. Governments with hydrogen strategies have committed $37 billion so far, while the private sector has announced $300 billion, said the IEA, which advises developed countries on energy policies. Only three countries, France, Japan and South Korea, had hydrogen strategies in 2019, but 17 do now and 20 others are working on one, the IEA said in its Global Hydrogen Review for 2021. There are pilot projects to produce steel and chemicals with low-carbon hydrogen, the report noted. The technology also has potential in other sectors where emissions are difficult to reduce, including long-haul trucking, shipping and aviation, the agency said. "We have experienced false starts before with hydrogen, so we can't take success for granted," said IEA executive director Fatih Birol. "But this time, we are seeing exciting progress in making hydrogen cleaner, more affordable and more available for use across different sectors of the economy," he said. Also Read: World Animal Day 2021: Conservation efforts bring animals back from extinction in wild Birol urged governments to "take rapid actions to lower the barriers that are holding low-carbon hydrogen back from faster growth, which will be important if the world is to have a chance of reaching net zero emissions by 2050." Nearly all hydrogen produced today comes from fossil fuels and releases 900 million tonnes of CO2 emissions -- as much as Britain and Indonesia combined, according to the IEA. Low-carbon hydrogen requires large amounts of electricity to produce it from water, or the use of carbon-capture technologies if it is to be made from fossil fuels, it said. "The main obstacle to the extensive use of low-carbon hydrogen is the cost of producing it," the report said. The report comes as governments prepare for the COP26 climate summit in Scotland next month. Candidates have until Friday to file their official certificates to contest the polls. The EU had yet to formally reply to UK proposals made in July to reform the so-called Northern Ireland Protocol, he noted. "But from what I hear, I worry that we will not get one which enables the significant change we need. Also Read: Oil spill due to pipeline leak hits California shores "So I urge the EU to be ambitious. It's no use tinkering around the edges. We need significant change," Frost said. "But we cannot wait for ever. Without an agreed solution soon, we will need to act, using the Article 16 safeguard mechanism, to address the impact the protocol is having on Northern Ireland." The protocol formed part of the UK's drawn-out divorce from the EU, and was designed to prevent unchecked goods heading into the bloc's single market via the UK's only land border with the EU to Ireland. But pro-UK unionists in Northern Ireland are opposed, arguing that border checks on goods from mainland Great Britain -- England, Scotland and Wales -- effectively creates a border in the Irish Sea, compromising the province's place in the wider UK. Brussels insists that the protocol is not up for renegotiation, and could trigger trade reprisals should the UK invoke its Article 16, which would suspend the pact owing to extraordinary circumstances. "That may in the end be the only way to protect our country -- our people, our trade, our territorial integrity, the peace process, and the benefits of this great UK of which we are all part," Frost warned. Addressing the annual conference of the ruling Conservative party, Brexit minister David Frost said: "The long bad dream of our EU membership is over. Domagoso, 46, popularly known by his celebrity nickname Isko Moreno, and his running-mate Willie Ong, a doctor with more than 16 million followers on Facebook, filed their certificates of candidacy at the Commission on Elections, reports Xinhua news agency

Hydrogen needs $1.2 tn for zero emissions goal: IEA

An Iranian nuclear reactor being converted from heavy water production into a power generating research&nbsp;facility will be launched within a year, a spokesman for parliament's energy commission announced.&nbsp;

Under a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, the Islamic republic shut down the original Arak reactor in Markazi province so that it could not produce military-grade plutonium.

It also pledged that a replacement of the original reactor with a new one would support "peaceful nuclear research".

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Quoted on Sunday by the Fars news agency, Mustafa Nakhai, spokesman of the legislature's energy commission, said "the Arak IR-20 reactor will be launched in a year from now".

Nakhai said he was in turn quoting Mohamed Eslami, newly-appointed to head the Iranian Atomic Energy Organisation (AEOI).

He also quoted Eslami as saying the new IR-20 reactor at Arak will feed into the generation of a planned 8,000 MW of nuclear power, to be achieved by the construction of additional reactors, state news agency IRNA reported. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/us-scientists-david-julius-ardem-patapoutian-win-nobel-prize-in-medicine-for-research-about-temperature-and-touch-418138" hreflang="en">US scientists David Julius, Ardem Patapoutian win Nobel prize in medicine for research about temperature and touch</a>

Nuclear chief Eslami also said in mid-September during a site visit to Arak that Iran wanted to establish the long-planned research facility "as quickly as possible".

The AEOI had said early this year that it would cold test the new reactor in the first three months of the Iranian year, which began on March 21.

The 2015 nuclear deal gave Iran sanctions relief in return for tight controls on its nuclear programme, monitored by the UN.

Tehran has gradually rolled back its nuclear commitments since 2019, a year after then US president Donald Trump withdrew from the multilateral deal and began reimposing sanctions.

Talks began in April in Vienna in a bid to bring the US back inside the deal, but the dialogue has been stalled since June, when ultraconservative Ebrahim Raisi was elected as Iran's president.

An Iranian nuclear reactor being converted from heavy water production into a power generating research facility will be launched within a year, a spokesman for parliament's energy commission announced.

An Iranian nuclear reactor being converted from heavy water production into a power generating research facility will be launched within a year, a spokesman for parliament's energy commission announced. Under a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, the Islamic republic shut down the original Arak reactor in Markazi province so that it could not produce military-grade plutonium. It also pledged that a replacement of the original reactor with a new one would support "peaceful nuclear research". Also Read: Coalition airstrikes kill 28 Houthis in Yemen's Marib Quoted on Sunday by the Fars news agency, Mustafa Nakhai, spokesman of the legislature's energy commission, said "the Arak IR-20 reactor will be launched in a year from now". Nakhai said he was in turn quoting Mohamed Eslami, newly-appointed to head the Iranian Atomic Energy Organisation (AEOI). He also quoted Eslami as saying the new IR-20 reactor at Arak will feed into the generation of a planned 8,000 MW of nuclear power, to be achieved by the construction of additional reactors, state news agency IRNA reported. Also Read: US scientists David Julius, Ardem Patapoutian win Nobel prize in medicine for research about temperature and touch Nuclear chief Eslami also said in mid-September during a site visit to Arak that Iran wanted to establish the long-planned research facility "as quickly as possible". The AEOI had said early this year that it would cold test the new reactor in the first three months of the Iranian year, which began on March 21. The 2015 nuclear deal gave Iran sanctions relief in return for tight controls on its nuclear programme, monitored by the UN. Tehran has gradually rolled back its nuclear commitments since 2019, a year after then US president Donald Trump withdrew from the multilateral deal and began reimposing sanctions. Talks began in April in Vienna in a bid to bring the US back inside the deal, but the dialogue has been stalled since June, when ultraconservative Ebrahim Raisi was elected as Iran's president.

Iran to launch Arak nuclear research reactor 'within a year'

As the nation’s death toll climbed above 700,000 in October, Dr. Anthony Fauci, an adviser on the pandemic to President Joe Biden, emphasized the need for the 70 million Americans who are eligible for a vaccine to get immunized during interviews on Sunday morning talk shows.

“Many of those deaths were unavoidable but many, many are avoidable, were avoidable and will in the future be avoidable,” Fauci, who is also director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said on CNN’s "State the Union."

Fauci was enthusiastic about the development of the new Merck antiviral pill, describing it as “extremely important.” In announcing the results of its clinical trial last Friday, Merck said the pill was able to cut the risk of hospitalization and death from the virus by half.

But he also warned that Americans should not wait to be vaccinated because they believe they can take the pill. While the new medicine may decrease a person’s risk, the best way to be protected is avoiding infection, he said.

Merck said it would seek emergency authorization from the Food and Drug Administration for its drug, known as molnupiravir, as soon as possible. The pills could be available by late this year.

Fauci pointed to the stark difference in how many people died during Merck’s clinical trial for the treatment, with eight among the placebo group and none among those taking the drug. “That’s very impressive, so we really look forward to the implementation of this and to its effect on people who are infected,” he said.

The federal government has placed advanced orders for 1.7 million doses of the new medication. But Dr. Scott Gottlieb, the former FDA commissioner under President Donald Trump and a board member for Pfizer, said that amount was “not enough” on CBS’ Face the Nation, covering only one month’s worth of infections in Southern states since the delta variant emerged. He also contrasted that quantity with the national stockpile of medication to treat a flu pandemic, which he said numbers in the tens of millions.

Earlier, Fauci dismissed the notion that federal officials had not procured enough of the medicine, saying they had placed “a good bet” on the treatment.

“We have options for millions more,” he said on the program, predicting the company would ramp up production to meet demand in the United States and across the world.

Fauci also expressed optimism that the country was now seeing a slowdown in cases, signaling a potential respite from the pandemic. “We certainly are turning a corner on this particular surge,” he said during an interview on “This Week” on ABC News.

But he also refused to predict whether people would be able to freely gather this coming Christmas, saying on CBS News that “it’s just too soon to tell.”

As the nation’s death toll climbed above 700,000 in October, Dr. Anthony Fauci, an adviser on the pandemic to President Joe Biden, emphasized the need for the 70 million Americans who are eligible for a vaccine to get immunized during interviews on Sunday morning talk shows.

As the nation’s death toll climbed above 700,000 in October, Dr. Anthony Fauci, an adviser on the pandemic to President Joe Biden, emphasized the need for the 70 million Americans who are eligible for a vaccine to get immunized during interviews on Sunday morning talk shows. “Many of those deaths were unavoidable but many, many are avoidable, were avoidable and will in the future be avoidable,” Fauci, who is also director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said on CNN’s "State the Union." Fauci was enthusiastic about the development of the new Merck antiviral pill, describing it as “extremely important.” In announcing the results of its clinical trial last Friday, Merck said the pill was able to cut the risk of hospitalization and death from the virus by half. But he also warned that Americans should not wait to be vaccinated because they believe they can take the pill. While the new medicine may decrease a person’s risk, the best way to be protected is avoiding infection, he said. Merck said it would seek emergency authorization from the Food and Drug Administration for its drug, known as molnupiravir, as soon as possible. The pills could be available by late this year. Fauci pointed to the stark difference in how many people died during Merck’s clinical trial for the treatment, with eight among the placebo group and none among those taking the drug. “That’s very impressive, so we really look forward to the implementation of this and to its effect on people who are infected,” he said. The federal government has placed advanced orders for 1.7 million doses of the new medication. But Dr. Scott Gottlieb, the former FDA commissioner under President Donald Trump and a board member for Pfizer, said that amount was “not enough” on CBS’ Face the Nation, covering only one month’s worth of infections in Southern states since the delta variant emerged. He also contrasted that quantity with the national stockpile of medication to treat a flu pandemic, which he said numbers in the tens of millions. Earlier, Fauci dismissed the notion that federal officials had not procured enough of the medicine, saying they had placed “a good bet” on the treatment. “We have options for millions more,” he said on the program, predicting the company would ramp up production to meet demand in the United States and across the world. Fauci also expressed optimism that the country was now seeing a slowdown in cases, signaling a potential respite from the pandemic. “We certainly are turning a corner on this particular surge,” he said during an interview on “This Week” on ABC News. But he also refused to predict whether people would be able to freely gather this coming Christmas, saying on CBS News that “it’s just too soon to tell.”

Fauci says Americans should get vaccinated even if Merck’s Covid pill cuts deaths 

After being released from Chinese jail recently, Canadian citizen Michael Spavor has expressed joy on being reunited with his family. &nbsp;

In first statement since release, Spavor said on Friday, “I’m overjoyed to be finally reunited with my family. It’s humbling as I begin to understand the continued support that we’ve received from Canadians and those around the world, thank you.” &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-rebukes-china-over-record-fighter-jet-incursion-417607" hreflang="en">Taiwan rebukes China over record fighter jet incursion</a>

Just days after Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou’s arrest in Vancouver in December 2018, businessman Spavor and Canadian former diplomat Michael Kovrig were detained by authorities in China. &nbsp;&nbsp;

They were released last week within hours of Meng reaching a deal with US prosecutors to end the bank fraud case against her. She was being held for more than 1,000 days. Beijing has been denying that their arrests were linked. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-wants-to-tweet-again-ex-us-president-requests-us-judge-to-force-twitter-into-restoring-account-417625" hreflang="en">Trump to tweet again? Ex-Prez asks judge to force Twitter to restore account</a>

Accused of supplying photographs of military equipment to Kovrig, Spavor was sentenced in August to 11 years in jail. Kovrig had been awaiting sentencing. As per the two men’s families, they were innocent. &nbsp;

China gave no legal explanation for the Canadians’ release or its timing. The country said the two men had applied for and had been granted bail on unspecified “medical grounds”. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

After being released from Chinese jail recently, Canadian citizen Michael Spavor has expressed joy on being reunited with his family. In first statement since release, Spavor said on Friday, “I’m overjoyed to be finally reunited with my family.

After being released from Chinese jail recently, Canadian citizen Michael Spavor has expressed joy on being reunited with his family. In first statement since release, Spavor said on Friday, “I’m overjoyed to be finally reunited with my family. It’s humbling as I begin to understand the continued support that we’ve received from Canadians and those around the world, thank you.” Also Read: Taiwan rebukes China over record fighter jet incursion Just days after Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou’s arrest in Vancouver in December 2018, businessman Spavor and Canadian former diplomat Michael Kovrig were detained by authorities in China. They were released last week within hours of Meng reaching a deal with US prosecutors to end the bank fraud case against her. She was being held for more than 1,000 days. Beijing has been denying that their arrests were linked. Also Read: Trump to tweet again? Ex-Prez asks judge to force Twitter to restore account Accused of supplying photographs of military equipment to Kovrig, Spavor was sentenced in August to 11 years in jail. Kovrig had been awaiting sentencing. As per the two men’s families, they were innocent. China gave no legal explanation for the Canadians’ release or its timing. The country said the two men had applied for and had been granted bail on unspecified “medical grounds”. (With inputs from agencies)

After release from China, Canadian Michael Spavor overjoyed on being reunited with family

For well over a year now, President Joe Biden’s vaunted negotiating style largely boiled down to this: I’m with you.

After he vanquished Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., in the Democratic primary, he brought the liberal icon’s ardent supporters into the fold by embracing much of the senator’s platform even as he ran on unifying the country. When moderate Democrats came to call, he used the tones of centrism to assure them of his conciliatory bona fides.

But when Biden ventured to the Capitol on Friday to help House Democrats out of their thicket, he had to choose sides. He effectively chose the left.

“The way he is governing doesn’t reflect the skills I know he must have from his years as a legislator,” said Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., who had been one of the moderates demanding an immediate vote on a trillion-dollar infrastructure bill, convinced that was what the president wanted — or at least needed. She called Biden’s refusal to push harder for legislation he had embraced “disappointing and frustrating.”

“I’m not clear why he came up to the Hill,” she grumbled.

Since the president claimed his party’s nomination last year, he has nurtured the fragile peace between his party’s fractious center and left by convincing both sides he is their ally. Unified first by their shared disdain for former President Donald Trump, and then by Biden’s adoption of an expansive platform, the two factions remained in harmony into this year. They responded to the pandemic by passing a sweeping stimulus package in the spring.

Now the two factions are at loggerheads — one flexing its power but as yet empty-handed, the other feeling betrayed, both claiming they have the president on their side — and the outcome of their battle over Biden’s proposals could determine Democrats’ fate in the midterms and the success of his presidency.

That agenda consists of two sweeping domestic proposals resembling a modern Great Society: the “American Jobs Plan,” spending $1 trillion over 10 years on traditional infrastructure like roads, bridges and tunnels; and a bigger and more controversial “American Family Plan,” which the Democrats labeled “soft infrastructure,” including universal prekindergarten and community college, paid family and medical leave, child care and elder care support, and an expansion of Medicare.

But liberals feared that moderate Democrats would vote for the infrastructure bill, claim victory and peel away from the social policy measure, so they refused to support the smaller infrastructure bill until the larger social policy package had been passed.

Heading into last week, both the moderates and the progressives felt as if they had ironclad promises: the moderates, that a vote on infrastructure would happen before October; the liberals, that the bill, a crucial part of the president’s domestic agenda, was inextricably twinned with their higher priority, the more expansive measure addressing climate change and the frayed social safety net.

The liberals, however, used their larger numbers to blockade the infrastructure bill — and they said they did it for Biden. Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., one of the left-wing leaders of the blockade, stood before reporters last week and said the blockaders were the ones “trying to make sure that the president has a success.”

“If we pass the infrastructure bill alone, we are not even accomplishing 10% of his agenda,” said Omar, the vote-counter in the Congressional Progressive Caucus, a bloc of Democrats nearly 100 strong, who showed their cohesion in last week’s showdown.

This enraged both the nine centrist lawmakers who had forced Speaker Nancy Pelosi to promise an infrastructure vote by the end of September, and a larger, quieter group of backbench House Democrats, many from swing districts, who were eager for the president to sign the public works bill and start trumpeting the funding for roads, bridges and broadband in their districts, at a time when Biden’s approval ratings were sagging.

“I don’t think it’s good for the Joe Biden administration, and I don’t think it’s good for Democrats,” said Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, suggesting that Biden was effectively siding with the left by not lobbying for passage of the infrastructure package.

In part, that anger stemmed from Biden’s go-along-to-get-along style.

“You got the feeling that Uncle Joe is for everybody, he likes everybody,” said Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, D-Mo.

Members of the moderate wing were explicit Friday, blaming the liberals but also insisting that they themselves were Biden’s true torch bearers. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., denounced a “small faction on the far left” that he said had employed “Freedom Caucus tactics” to “destroy the president’s agenda” — a reference to the hard-right faction of the House that bedeviled Republican leaders when they were in charge.

“We were elected to achieve reasonable, common-sense solutions for the American people — not to obstruct from the far wings,” Gottheimer fumed in a statement released late Friday night. “This far-left faction is willing to put the president’s entire agenda, including this historic bipartisan infrastructure package, at risk. They’ve put civility and bipartisan governing at risk.”

Given the range of the party’s suburbanites-to-socialists coalition, it may have been inevitable that Biden would eventually anger one wing of his party. What was striking, and perhaps equally surprising to both blocs, was that he alienated the moderates who had propelled him to the nomination while delighting the progressives who vociferously opposed him in the primary.

The president is not backing off the public works measure so treasured by the moderates.

But as he told House Democrats on Friday, he believes it’s “just reality” that the infrastructure legislation will not pass without assurances from two centrist senators, Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., that they will support the more wide-ranging bill.

Although, as Biden conceded in the Capitol, that will not happen until the more expansive bill is pared back to meet the two senators’ approval.

The decision to keep the fate of each bill tied to the other’s measure amounts to a gamble. Infrastructure was the bird in hand; it passed the Senate with bipartisan bonhomie in August with 69 votes.

Together, they are in trouble, which deepens with every new demand by Manchin and Sinema that pulls the social policy bill further from the liberals’ vision. If the two factions cannot agree on that measure, Biden might end up with nothing — a catastrophic blow for his party and its leader.

Delaying the infrastructure bill is not, as Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn., put it, “the linear and expeditious path to which most of us would aspire.”

Phillips, a well-liked moderate who captured a Republican district in 2018, expressed hope earlier in the week that Biden could serve as a bridge between the party’s factions. But he acknowledged Friday that those chances had “been sadly diminished” in light of what he called the president’s “nothing-burger” of a visit to the Capitol.

Phillips said he thought both bills would still get done. But privately, other lawmakers from competitive seats were disconsolate that they would not be able to spend the remainder of this fall holding up evidence of bipartisan achievement in Washington.

Biden is eager to sign both bills. One of his aides Friday likened them to children he loves equally.

That has not, though, stopped both factions of the party from claiming that they are the ones seeking to assure passage of his agenda.

The result is quite a turnabout.

“We are fighting for the Build Back Better agenda,” said Omar, employing Biden’s preferred slogan — which would have been shocking at this time two years ago, when she rallied early to Sanders’ candidacy.

Throughout 2019 and in the first months of 2020, Biden was an object of scorn from the left. He was too old, too moderate and an obviously bad fit for an increasingly young, diverse and progressive party, they said, often mocking him in harsh terms.

Biden believed liberals were the ones out of step with the Democratic center of gravity. And he effectively proved it by assembling a multiracial coalition that was animated by defeating Trump more than by any bold policy agenda.

Yet because his primary had largely centered on ousting Trump and unifying the country, he had little in the way of firm policy plans. And in making peace with progressives after he secured the nomination, he adopted a number of their ideas.

That has allowed left-wing Democrats to say, with wide smiles, that they are only trying to fulfill Biden’s vision. The question now is whether his attempt to pass both bills will pay off — or if his decision to not push for quick passage of the infrastructure bill will leave him with a protracted standoff or nothing at all.

What is certain, however, is that after Biden’s all-things-to-all-people campaign, he has committed himself to many of the policies that his liberal critics were skeptical he would embrace.

“For all of the progressives who kept telling me there was no difference between Joe Biden and Mike Bloomberg,” said Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-Pa., an early Biden supporter, “where Biden has come down in this internal debate shows how absurd that claim always was.”

For well over a year now, President Joe Biden’s vaunted negotiating style largely boiled down to this: I’m with you. After he vanquished Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.

For well over a year now, President Joe Biden’s vaunted negotiating style largely boiled down to this: I’m with you. After he vanquished Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., in the Democratic primary, he brought the liberal icon’s ardent supporters into the fold by embracing much of the senator’s platform even as he ran on unifying the country. When moderate Democrats came to call, he used the tones of centrism to assure them of his conciliatory bona fides. But when Biden ventured to the Capitol on Friday to help House Democrats out of their thicket, he had to choose sides. He effectively chose the left. “The way he is governing doesn’t reflect the skills I know he must have from his years as a legislator,” said Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., who had been one of the moderates demanding an immediate vote on a trillion-dollar infrastructure bill, convinced that was what the president wanted — or at least needed. She called Biden’s refusal to push harder for legislation he had embraced “disappointing and frustrating.” “I’m not clear why he came up to the Hill,” she grumbled. Since the president claimed his party’s nomination last year, he has nurtured the fragile peace between his party’s fractious center and left by convincing both sides he is their ally. Unified first by their shared disdain for former President Donald Trump, and then by Biden’s adoption of an expansive platform, the two factions remained in harmony into this year. They responded to the pandemic by passing a sweeping stimulus package in the spring. Now the two factions are at loggerheads — one flexing its power but as yet empty-handed, the other feeling betrayed, both claiming they have the president on their side — and the outcome of their battle over Biden’s proposals could determine Democrats’ fate in the midterms and the success of his presidency. That agenda consists of two sweeping domestic proposals resembling a modern Great Society: the “American Jobs Plan,” spending $1 trillion over 10 years on traditional infrastructure like roads, bridges and tunnels; and a bigger and more controversial “American Family Plan,” which the Democrats labeled “soft infrastructure,” including universal prekindergarten and community college, paid family and medical leave, child care and elder care support, and an expansion of Medicare. But liberals feared that moderate Democrats would vote for the infrastructure bill, claim victory and peel away from the social policy measure, so they refused to support the smaller infrastructure bill until the larger social policy package had been passed. Heading into last week, both the moderates and the progressives felt as if they had ironclad promises: the moderates, that a vote on infrastructure would happen before October; the liberals, that the bill, a crucial part of the president’s domestic agenda, was inextricably twinned with their higher priority, the more expansive measure addressing climate change and the frayed social safety net. The liberals, however, used their larger numbers to blockade the infrastructure bill — and they said they did it for Biden. Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., one of the left-wing leaders of the blockade, stood before reporters last week and said the blockaders were the ones “trying to make sure that the president has a success.” “If we pass the infrastructure bill alone, we are not even accomplishing 10% of his agenda,” said Omar, the vote-counter in the Congressional Progressive Caucus, a bloc of Democrats nearly 100 strong, who showed their cohesion in last week’s showdown. This enraged both the nine centrist lawmakers who had forced Speaker Nancy Pelosi to promise an infrastructure vote by the end of September, and a larger, quieter group of backbench House Democrats, many from swing districts, who were eager for the president to sign the public works bill and start trumpeting the funding for roads, bridges and broadband in their districts, at a time when Biden’s approval ratings were sagging. “I don’t think it’s good for the Joe Biden administration, and I don’t think it’s good for Democrats,” said Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, suggesting that Biden was effectively siding with the left by not lobbying for passage of the infrastructure package. In part, that anger stemmed from Biden’s go-along-to-get-along style. “You got the feeling that Uncle Joe is for everybody, he likes everybody,” said Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, D-Mo. Members of the moderate wing were explicit Friday, blaming the liberals but also insisting that they themselves were Biden’s true torch bearers. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., denounced a “small faction on the far left” that he said had employed “Freedom Caucus tactics” to “destroy the president’s agenda” — a reference to the hard-right faction of the House that bedeviled Republican leaders when they were in charge. “We were elected to achieve reasonable, common-sense solutions for the American people — not to obstruct from the far wings,” Gottheimer fumed in a statement released late Friday night. “This far-left faction is willing to put the president’s entire agenda, including this historic bipartisan infrastructure package, at risk. They’ve put civility and bipartisan governing at risk.” Given the range of the party’s suburbanites-to-socialists coalition, it may have been inevitable that Biden would eventually anger one wing of his party. What was striking, and perhaps equally surprising to both blocs, was that he alienated the moderates who had propelled him to the nomination while delighting the progressives who vociferously opposed him in the primary. The president is not backing off the public works measure so treasured by the moderates. But as he told House Democrats on Friday, he believes it’s “just reality” that the infrastructure legislation will not pass without assurances from two centrist senators, Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., that they will support the more wide-ranging bill. Although, as Biden conceded in the Capitol, that will not happen until the more expansive bill is pared back to meet the two senators’ approval. The decision to keep the fate of each bill tied to the other’s measure amounts to a gamble. Infrastructure was the bird in hand; it passed the Senate with bipartisan bonhomie in August with 69 votes. Together, they are in trouble, which deepens with every new demand by Manchin and Sinema that pulls the social policy bill further from the liberals’ vision. If the two factions cannot agree on that measure, Biden might end up with nothing — a catastrophic blow for his party and its leader. Delaying the infrastructure bill is not, as Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn., put it, “the linear and expeditious path to which most of us would aspire.” Phillips, a well-liked moderate who captured a Republican district in 2018, expressed hope earlier in the week that Biden could serve as a bridge between the party’s factions. But he acknowledged Friday that those chances had “been sadly diminished” in light of what he called the president’s “nothing-burger” of a visit to the Capitol. Phillips said he thought both bills would still get done. But privately, other lawmakers from competitive seats were disconsolate that they would not be able to spend the remainder of this fall holding up evidence of bipartisan achievement in Washington. Biden is eager to sign both bills. One of his aides Friday likened them to children he loves equally. That has not, though, stopped both factions of the party from claiming that they are the ones seeking to assure passage of his agenda. The result is quite a turnabout. “We are fighting for the Build Back Better agenda,” said Omar, employing Biden’s preferred slogan — which would have been shocking at this time two years ago, when she rallied early to Sanders’ candidacy. Throughout 2019 and in the first months of 2020, Biden was an object of scorn from the left. He was too old, too moderate and an obviously bad fit for an increasingly young, diverse and progressive party, they said, often mocking him in harsh terms. Biden believed liberals were the ones out of step with the Democratic center of gravity. And he effectively proved it by assembling a multiracial coalition that was animated by defeating Trump more than by any bold policy agenda. Yet because his primary had largely centered on ousting Trump and unifying the country, he had little in the way of firm policy plans. And in making peace with progressives after he secured the nomination, he adopted a number of their ideas. That has allowed left-wing Democrats to say, with wide smiles, that they are only trying to fulfill Biden’s vision. The question now is whether his attempt to pass both bills will pay off — or if his decision to not push for quick passage of the infrastructure bill will leave him with a protracted standoff or nothing at all. What is certain, however, is that after Biden’s all-things-to-all-people campaign, he has committed himself to many of the policies that his liberal critics were skeptical he would embrace. “For all of the progressives who kept telling me there was no difference between Joe Biden and Mike Bloomberg,” said Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-Pa., an early Biden supporter, “where Biden has come down in this internal debate shows how absurd that claim always was.”

Biden throws in with Left, leaving his agenda in doubt

In another blatant incursion, China flew 39 military planes towards Taiwan on Saturday. This was the second large display of force in as many days. &nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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20 PLA aircraft (J-16*14, SU-30*4 and Y-8 ASW*2) entered <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Taiwan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Taiwan</a>’s southwest ADIZ on October 2, 2021. Please check our official website for more information: <a href="https://t.co/ga0zLOIC4d">https://t.co/ga0zLOIC4d</a> <a href="https://t.co/SA59EdkJW5">pic.twitter.com/SA59EdkJW5</a>
— 國防部 Ministry of National Defense, R.O.C. 🇹🇼 (@MoNDefense) <a href="https://twitter.com/MoNDefense/status/1444259257558323207?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Tensions have been continuously rising between the two countries recently. &nbsp;

Around 39 aircraft entered Taiwan’s air defense identification zone in two sorties, one during the day and one at night, said Taiwan’s Defense Ministry. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/now-chinas-move-to-cut-silicon-production-disrupts-global-economy-417923" hreflang="en">Now, China's move to cut silicon production disrupts global economy</a>

The Chinese followed a similar pattern on Friday after 38 planes flew into the area south of the self-governing island.&nbsp;

In the afternoon of October 2, 20 PLA aircraft, including 14 J-16s, four SU-30s and two Y-8 ASWs, entered airspace. And 19 PLA aircraft including 12 J-16s, six SU-30s and KJ-500 AEW&amp;C, entered Taiwan’s southwest ADIZ at night.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-release-from-china-canadian-michael-spavor-overjoyed-on-being-reunited-with-family-417762" hreflang="en">After release from China, Canadian Michael Spavor overjoyed on being reunited with family</a>

"It's evident that the world, the international community, rejects such behaviours by China more and more," Taiwanese Premier Su Tseng-chang said on Saturday.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the United States said it is concerned with China's increasing military activity near Taiwan. It added that China's military pressure against Taiwan undermines regional peace and stability. &nbsp;

On Sunday, a State Department spokesperson, said, "We urge Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure and coercion against Taiwan." &nbsp;&nbsp;

China claims Taiwan as a breakaway province, which it has said will be unified with the mainland by force if necessary. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;&nbsp;

In another blatant incursion, China flew 39 military planes towards Taiwan on Saturday. This was the second large display of force in as many days. 20 PLA aircraft (J-16*14, SU-30*4 and Y-8 ASW*2) entered #Taiwan’s southwest ADIZ on October 2, 2021.

In another blatant incursion, China flew 39 military planes towards Taiwan on Saturday. This was the second large display of force in as many days. 20 PLA aircraft (J-16*14, SU-30*4 and Y-8 ASW*2) entered #Taiwan’s southwest ADIZ on October 2, 2021. Please check our official website for more information: https://t.co/ga0zLOIC4d pic.twitter.com/SA59EdkJW5 — 國防部 Ministry of National Defense, R.O.C. 🇹🇼 (@MoNDefense) October 2, 2021 × Tensions have been continuously rising between the two countries recently. Around 39 aircraft entered Taiwan’s air defense identification zone in two sorties, one during the day and one at night, said Taiwan’s Defense Ministry. Also Read: Now, China's move to cut silicon production disrupts global economy The Chinese followed a similar pattern on Friday after 38 planes flew into the area south of the self-governing island. In the afternoon of October 2, 20 PLA aircraft, including 14 J-16s, four SU-30s and two Y-8 ASWs, entered airspace. And 19 PLA aircraft including 12 J-16s, six SU-30s and KJ-500 AEW&C, entered Taiwan’s southwest ADIZ at night. Also Read: After release from China, Canadian Michael Spavor overjoyed on being reunited with family "It's evident that the world, the international community, rejects such behaviours by China more and more," Taiwanese Premier Su Tseng-chang said on Saturday. Meanwhile, the United States said it is concerned with China's increasing military activity near Taiwan. It added that China's military pressure against Taiwan undermines regional peace and stability. On Sunday, a State Department spokesperson, said, "We urge Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure and coercion against Taiwan." China claims Taiwan as a breakaway province, which it has said will be unified with the mainland by force if necessary. (With inputs from agencies)

For second straight day, Chinese jets fly towards Taiwan in another incursion

At an event held to mark the 31st anniversary of reunification, the Germany’s Ambassador to India Walter J Lindner said on Sunday that both Berlin and&nbsp;New Delhi are very much on the same page on issues concerning Afghanistan. The diplomat also said the two countries will see closer cooperation in this regard. &nbsp;

Lindner said, "India is a very big actor there (Afghanistan)... Involved in a lot of developmental projects and Germany has been very active (there) for the last 20 years. So, we both share pretty much the same principles." &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/uk-wants-trade-security-pact-with-india-says-foreign-secretary-liz-truss-417979" hreflang="en">UK wants trade, security pact with India, says Foreign Secretary Liz Truss</a>

The envoy unveiled a symbolic painting on a large wall at the iconic Sheila Theatre in Paharganj, which depicted the friendship between India and Germany. &nbsp;

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31 years ago, GER became reunited, courageous people teared down Berlin Wall. Today, as COVID makes large celebrations still impossible, we unveiled symbolic street-art painting of IND-GER friendship on this wall in middle of Delhi. Thanks to <a href="https://twitter.com/delhistreetart?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@delhistreetart</a>! Happy 3rd of Oct! <a href="https://t.co/hRBZ5KM68E">pic.twitter.com/hRBZ5KM68E</a>
— Walter J. Lindner (@AmbLindnerIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/AmbLindnerIndia/status/1444581266322427904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 3, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Economy, student exchange, green energy, environmental protection, science and technology, and artificial intelligence will be some of the key areas of the India-Germany partnership ahead, the diplomat said. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/china-releases-new-propaganda-video-on-galwan-valley-clash-last-year-417891" hreflang="en">China releases new propaganda video on Galwan Valley clash last year</a>

Answering a query related to the India-UK row over COVID-19 vaccine certification, Lindner said, "I don't know exactly what the specifications are... Why the UK is not recognising the app from India. Weeks ago, we recognised Covishield. I myself have been vaccinated with Covishield. So, those who have been administered Covishield do not need to undergo quarantine (in Germany) or face any other restrictions." &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

At an event held to mark the 31st anniversary of reunification, the Germany’s Ambassador to India Walter J Lindner said on Sunday that both Berlin and New Delhi are very much on the same page on issues concerning Afghanistan.

At an event held to mark the 31st anniversary of reunification, the Germany’s Ambassador to India Walter J Lindner said on Sunday that both Berlin and New Delhi are very much on the same page on issues concerning Afghanistan. The diplomat also said the two countries will see closer cooperation in this regard. Lindner said, "India is a very big actor there (Afghanistan)... Involved in a lot of developmental projects and Germany has been very active (there) for the last 20 years. So, we both share pretty much the same principles." Also Read: UK wants trade, security pact with India, says Foreign Secretary Liz Truss The envoy unveiled a symbolic painting on a large wall at the iconic Sheila Theatre in Paharganj, which depicted the friendship between India and Germany. 31 years ago, GER became reunited, courageous people teared down Berlin Wall. Today, as COVID makes large celebrations still impossible, we unveiled symbolic street-art painting of IND-GER friendship on this wall in middle of Delhi. Thanks to @delhistreetart! Happy 3rd of Oct! pic.twitter.com/hRBZ5KM68E — Walter J. Lindner (@AmbLindnerIndia) October 3, 2021 × Economy, student exchange, green energy, environmental protection, science and technology, and artificial intelligence will be some of the key areas of the India-Germany partnership ahead, the diplomat said. Also Read: China releases new propaganda video on Galwan Valley clash last year Answering a query related to the India-UK row over COVID-19 vaccine certification, Lindner said, "I don't know exactly what the specifications are... Why the UK is not recognising the app from India. Weeks ago, we recognised Covishield. I myself have been vaccinated with Covishield. So, those who have been administered Covishield do not need to undergo quarantine (in Germany) or face any other restrictions." (With inputs from agencies)

India, Germany on same page over Afghanistan, says envoy Walter J Lindner

To challenge the influence of authoritarian states, the UK wants to get into agreements, covering trade and security with India and other democratic nations in Indo-Pacific region, said Britain's new Foreign Secretary Liz Truss on Sunday. &nbsp;

Until her recent promotion within UK Cabinet, Truss as international trade secretary was in-charge of talks with India on a future Free Trade Agreement (FTA). &nbsp; &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/immigration-to-not-solve-food-fuel-crises-says-uk-pm-boris-johnson-417977" hreflang="en">Immigration to not solve food, fuel crises, says UK PM Boris Johnson</a>

The foreign secretary said that she is keen to strike more deals&nbsp;in line with AUKUS, the trilateral security alliance between Australia, the UK and the US, which is widely seen as a counter-balance to China. &nbsp;

In her first major interview since taking over new role, Truss told The Sunday Times, "We want to work with our friends and allies to create more economic agreements and security agreements. AUKUS is about protecting trade routes and shipping routes specifically with Australia but I want to look at arrangements with India, with Japan and with Canada to expand that security support in the same types of areas." &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/queen-elizabeth-urges-scottish-parliament-to-tackle-climate-change-417916" hreflang="en">Queen Elizabeth urges Scottish parliament to tackle climate change</a>

"Some countries we will be able to enter deeper security arrangements with than others. One thing I know from being Trade Secretary for two years is that the UK is hugely trusted. People know we are reliable and when we say we will do something we do it, we follow the rules," the leader added. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

To challenge the influence of authoritarian states, the UK wants to get into agreements, covering trade and security with India and other democratic nations in Indo-Pacific region, said Britain's new Foreign Secretary Liz Truss on Sunday.

To challenge the influence of authoritarian states, the UK wants to get into agreements, covering trade and security with India and other democratic nations in Indo-Pacific region, said Britain's new Foreign Secretary Liz Truss on Sunday. Until her recent promotion within UK Cabinet, Truss as international trade secretary was in-charge of talks with India on a future Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Also Read: Immigration to not solve food, fuel crises, says UK PM Boris Johnson The foreign secretary said that she is keen to strike more deals in line with AUKUS, the trilateral security alliance between Australia, the UK and the US, which is widely seen as a counter-balance to China. In her first major interview since taking over new role, Truss told The Sunday Times, "We want to work with our friends and allies to create more economic agreements and security agreements. AUKUS is about protecting trade routes and shipping routes specifically with Australia but I want to look at arrangements with India, with Japan and with Canada to expand that security support in the same types of areas." Also Read: Queen Elizabeth urges Scottish parliament to tackle climate change "Some countries we will be able to enter deeper security arrangements with than others. One thing I know from being Trade Secretary for two years is that the UK is hugely trusted. People know we are reliable and when we say we will do something we do it, we follow the rules," the leader added. (With inputs from agencies)

UK wants trade, security pact with India, says Foreign Secretary Liz Truss

At the beginning of Conservative Party's conference, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Sunday he would not return to "uncontrolled immigration" to solve gas, fuel and Christmas food crises. &nbsp;

The leader, who was forced to again defend his government, suggested for the first time that the issues were related to Brexit. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/queen-elizabeth-urges-scottish-parliament-to-tackle-climate-change-417916" hreflang="en">Queen Elizabeth urges Scottish parliament to tackle climate change</a>

The Johnson government is facing numerous issues as people are unable to get petrol for vehicles, retailers are warning about shortages for Christmas and gas companies are struggling with a spike in wholesale prices. &nbsp;

Although the British leader was looking to refocus on his 2019 election pledges to tackle regional inequality, crime and social care at the conference, he was forced to get on the backfoot. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sarah-everards-killer-was-put-on-parliamentary-duty-5-times-despite-criminal-background-reports-417885" hreflang="en">Sarah Everard's killer was put on Parliamentary duty 5 times despite criminal background: Reports</a>

Johnson told BBC's Andrew Marr Show, "The way forward for our country is not to just pull the big lever marked uncontrolled immigration, and allow in huge numbers of people to do work ... So what I won't do is go back to the old failed model of low wages, low skills supported by uncontrolled immigration." &nbsp;&nbsp;

"When people voted for change in 2016 and ... again in 2019 as they did, they voted for the end of a broken model of the UK economy that relied on low wages and low skill and chronic low productivity, and we are moving away from that," the PM added. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

At the beginning of Conservative Party's conference, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Sunday he would not return to "uncontrolled immigration" to solve gas, fuel and Christmas food crises.

At the beginning of Conservative Party's conference, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Sunday he would not return to "uncontrolled immigration" to solve gas, fuel and Christmas food crises. The leader, who was forced to again defend his government, suggested for the first time that the issues were related to Brexit. Also Read: Queen Elizabeth urges Scottish parliament to tackle climate change The Johnson government is facing numerous issues as people are unable to get petrol for vehicles, retailers are warning about shortages for Christmas and gas companies are struggling with a spike in wholesale prices. Although the British leader was looking to refocus on his 2019 election pledges to tackle regional inequality, crime and social care at the conference, he was forced to get on the backfoot. Also Read | Sarah Everard's killer was put on Parliamentary duty 5 times despite criminal background: Reports Johnson told BBC's Andrew Marr Show, "The way forward for our country is not to just pull the big lever marked uncontrolled immigration, and allow in huge numbers of people to do work ... So what I won't do is go back to the old failed model of low wages, low skills supported by uncontrolled immigration." "When people voted for change in 2016 and ... again in 2019 as they did, they voted for the end of a broken model of the UK economy that relied on low wages and low skill and chronic low productivity, and we are moving away from that," the PM added. (With inputs from agencies)

Immigration to not solve food, fuel crises, says UK PM Boris Johnson

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