<p>In a heart-rending news, the world lost one of its oldest penguins at the Oregon Zoo in the US on Saturday. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The 31-year-old animal is called Mochica or Mo. The animal was America's oldest male Humboldt penguin. He lived his entire life at the zoo in Portland until he had to be euthanised due to old age ailments. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Travis Koons, who oversees the zoo's bird population, said, "He had a mature cataract in one eye, old-age haze in the other, bilateral arthritis in his hips. He was just a very old bird. It was hard for him to see, and at times, difficult for him to walk." &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Thriving seal population dips in Britain's River Thames</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://13.235.153.162/videos/thriving-seal-population-dips-in-britains-river-thames-411618/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Hatched on July 6, 1990, the animal enjoyed spending time with people. He also often chose hanging out in the keepers' quarters over the companionship of his bird friends. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Koons added, "It was pretty common to walk into the keeper kitchen area and find Mo 'helping' with the food prep or just hanging out with care staff there." &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The animal was the oldest male of his species in any North American zoo or aquarium and perhaps the whole world, as per Koons. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/europes-hottest-summer-on-record-climate-scientists-411713" hreflang="en">Europe’s hottest summer on record: Climate scientists</a></strong></p>

<p>In a news release, the zoo said, he belonged to the wild Humboldt species, which rarely live past the age of 20. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>"It's an incredibly sad day for his care team and for everyone who spent time with this amazing bird. We've all had times in our lives where animals have left an indelible mark on our hearts. Mochica has done that for thousands of people. He inspired generations," Koons added.&nbsp;</p>


In a heart-rending news, the world lost one of its oldest penguins at the Oregon Zoo in the US on Saturday. The 31-year-old animal is called Mochica or Mo. The animal was America's oldest male Humboldt penguin.

In a heart-rending news, the world lost one of its oldest penguins at the Oregon Zoo in the US on Saturday. The 31-year-old animal is called Mochica or Mo. The animal was America's oldest male Humboldt penguin. He lived his entire life at the zoo in Portland until he had to be euthanised due to old age ailments. Travis Koons, who oversees the zoo's bird population, said, "He had a mature cataract in one eye, old-age haze in the other, bilateral arthritis in his hips. He was just a very old bird. It was hard for him to see, and at times, difficult for him to walk." Watch: Thriving seal population dips in Britain's River Thames × Hatched on July 6, 1990, the animal enjoyed spending time with people. He also often chose hanging out in the keepers' quarters over the companionship of his bird friends. Koons added, "It was pretty common to walk into the keeper kitchen area and find Mo 'helping' with the food prep or just hanging out with care staff there." The animal was the oldest male of his species in any North American zoo or aquarium and perhaps the whole world, as per Koons. Also Read: Europe’s hottest summer on record: Climate scientists In a news release, the zoo said, he belonged to the wild Humboldt species, which rarely live past the age of 20. "It's an incredibly sad day for his care team and for everyone who spent time with this amazing bird. We've all had times in our lives where animals have left an indelible mark on our hearts. Mochica has done that for thousands of people. He inspired generations," Koons added.

World’s one of oldest Humboldt penguins euthanised at Oregon zoo in US  

<p>In the fight against coronavirus, Italy is going to give third dose of Covid-19 vaccine to ‘clinically vulnerable’ people this month. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>With the move, it will become the latest country in the west to push forward with booster jabs. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Italy’s health minister Roberto Speranza said that the third dose of Covid-19 vaccine will be made available to groups of 'clinically vulnerable' people this month. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Gravitas: Can long COVID be linked to dementia?</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://13.235.153.162/videos/gravitas-can-long-covid-be-linked-to-dementia-410574/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>On Tuesday, Italy reported 71 coronavirus-related deaths, up from 52 on Monday. The daily tally of new infections rose to 4,720 from 3,361, Reuters reported. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has cut the average life expectancy in Italy by 1.2 years. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Italy’s national statistics bureau ISTAT in a report said that compared with 2019, the nationwide life expectancy for those born in 2020 has now dropped by over one year. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-may-not-impair-lung-function-in-young-adults-research-shows-411444" hreflang="en">COVID-19 may not impair lung function in young adults, research shows</a></strong></p>

<p>According to the latest figures the nationwide life expectancy at birth last year stood at 82 years, compared to 83.2 years in 2019. &nbsp;</p>

<p>For a child born in 2020, male life expectancy is nearly 80 years while for women it is 84.4 years. &nbsp;</p>

<p>"In 2020, the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting sharp increase in mortality abruptly interrupted the growth in life expectancy at birth that had characterised the trend until 2019," ISTAT said. &nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


In the fight against coronavirus, Italy is going to give third dose of Covid-19 vaccine to ‘clinically vulnerable’ people this month. With the move, it will become the latest country in the west to push forward with booster jabs.

In the fight against coronavirus, Italy is going to give third dose of Covid-19 vaccine to ‘clinically vulnerable’ people this month. With the move, it will become the latest country in the west to push forward with booster jabs. Italy’s health minister Roberto Speranza said that the third dose of Covid-19 vaccine will be made available to groups of 'clinically vulnerable' people this month. Watch | Gravitas: Can long COVID be linked to dementia? × On Tuesday, Italy reported 71 coronavirus-related deaths, up from 52 on Monday. The daily tally of new infections rose to 4,720 from 3,361, Reuters reported. Meanwhile, the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has cut the average life expectancy in Italy by 1.2 years. Italy’s national statistics bureau ISTAT in a report said that compared with 2019, the nationwide life expectancy for those born in 2020 has now dropped by over one year. Also Read: COVID-19 may not impair lung function in young adults, research shows According to the latest figures the nationwide life expectancy at birth last year stood at 82 years, compared to 83.2 years in 2019. For a child born in 2020, male life expectancy is nearly 80 years while for women it is 84.4 years. "In 2020, the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting sharp increase in mortality abruptly interrupted the growth in life expectancy at birth that had characterised the trend until 2019," ISTAT said. (With inputs from agencies)

'Clinically vulnerable' people to get Covid vaccine’s third dose in Italy  

<p>In a landmark judgement, the Australia's top court has ruled that the country’s news outlets can be held liable for defamatory comments posted by readers on their social media posts. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The ruling can have wide implications as Australian news firms and others will have to relook at the ways to use social media. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The decision has come in a case where a former teenage prisoner sued media companies over comments posted on Facebook below articles about his mistreatment in detention. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;New technology recreates old bells so they can ring once again</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://13.235.153.162/videos/new-technology-recreates-old-bells-so-they-can-ring-once-again-411693/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>In the case, Nine Entertainment and News Corp Australia could face damages. &nbsp;</p>

<p>According to the experts, the ruling could have consequences for anyone with a large online following and not just news publishers. It could also influence defamation cases globally. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The cruel treatment of 17-year-old Dylan Voller, who was in youth detention, was exposed in a TV report in 2016. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The shocking photos of him being shackled to a chair in a spit hood had sparked outcry. The revelation had led to a public inquiry into the mistreatment of inmates in the Northern Territory's juvenile detention system. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/google-maps-student-finds-mysterious-hole-to-the-centre-of-the-earth-411645" hreflang="en">Google Maps: Student finds mysterious 'Hole to the centre of the earth'</a></strong></p>

<p>There was an extensive media coverage, which included articles shared on Facebook by publishers. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Many users had also made comments on Facebook posts about Voller, who was later released from detention in early 2017. &nbsp;</p>

<p>In that year later, he sued the Sydney Morning Herald, which is now owned by Nine Entertainment, and News Corp's The Australian and Sky News Australia for allowing comments, which he said were defamatory. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Voller's legal team has called it a "historic step" while media outlets expressed alarm over the scope of the new precedent.&nbsp;</p>


In a landmark judgement, the Australia's top court has ruled that the country’s news outlets can be held liable for defamatory comments posted by readers on their social media posts.

In a landmark judgement, the Australia's top court has ruled that the country’s news outlets can be held liable for defamatory comments posted by readers on their social media posts. The ruling can have wide implications as Australian news firms and others will have to relook at the ways to use social media. The decision has come in a case where a former teenage prisoner sued media companies over comments posted on Facebook below articles about his mistreatment in detention. Watch: New technology recreates old bells so they can ring once again × In the case, Nine Entertainment and News Corp Australia could face damages. According to the experts, the ruling could have consequences for anyone with a large online following and not just news publishers. It could also influence defamation cases globally. The cruel treatment of 17-year-old Dylan Voller, who was in youth detention, was exposed in a TV report in 2016. The shocking photos of him being shackled to a chair in a spit hood had sparked outcry. The revelation had led to a public inquiry into the mistreatment of inmates in the Northern Territory's juvenile detention system. Also Read | Google Maps: Student finds mysterious 'Hole to the centre of the earth' There was an extensive media coverage, which included articles shared on Facebook by publishers. Many users had also made comments on Facebook posts about Voller, who was later released from detention in early 2017. In that year later, he sued the Sydney Morning Herald, which is now owned by Nine Entertainment, and News Corp's The Australian and Sky News Australia for allowing comments, which he said were defamatory. Voller's legal team has called it a "historic step" while media outlets expressed alarm over the scope of the new precedent.

Court rules Australian news outlets can be sued for comments on social media posts

<p>Lashing out at the US, China deployed fighter jets on Wednesday after a frontline American warship sailed past a reef close to the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea (SCS). &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>China called the incident the “biggest destroyer of peace”. The SCS is one of the world’s busiest maritime trade lanes. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Calling it a part of Freedom of Navigation Operation (FONOP), the US navy’s destroyer USS Benfold sailed past the Mischief Reef, located close to Spratly Islands, on Wednesday. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;US President Joe Biden tours hurricane hit areas in America</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://13.235.153.162/videos/us-president-joe-biden-tours-hurricane-hit-areas-in-america-411607/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>The Mischief Reef is ring-shaped and located some 250km from the Philippines coast. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a statement, Lt Mark Langford, deputy public affairs officer, US 7th Fleet, said, “On September 8, USS Benfold (DDG 65) asserted navigational rights and freedoms in the Spratly Islands, consistent with international law. This FONOP upheld the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea. USS Benfold demonstrated that Mischief Reef, a low-tide elevation in its natural state, is not entitled to a territorial sea under international law.” &nbsp;</p>

<p>Issuing a strong statement against the US warship’s movements in the SCS, China’s People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) southern theatre command (STC) spokesperson, Tian Junli, said the operation was carried out without the approval of the Chinese government.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-airstrikes-potentially-killed-over-40000-civilians-since-911-says-report-411636" hreflang="en">US airstrikes potentially killed over 40,000 civilians since 9/11, says report</a></strong></p>

<p>Carrying out follow-up surveillance, the PLA air force issued a warning to warship, he said. “The US’s serious violation of China’s sovereignty and security is another ironclad evidence of its aggressive navigation hegemony and militarisation of the South China Sea,” Junli added. &nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


Lashing out at the US, China deployed fighter jets on Wednesday after a frontline American warship sailed past a reef close to the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea (SCS).

Lashing out at the US, China deployed fighter jets on Wednesday after a frontline American warship sailed past a reef close to the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea (SCS). China called the incident the “biggest destroyer of peace”. The SCS is one of the world’s busiest maritime trade lanes. Calling it a part of Freedom of Navigation Operation (FONOP), the US navy’s destroyer USS Benfold sailed past the Mischief Reef, located close to Spratly Islands, on Wednesday. Watch: US President Joe Biden tours hurricane hit areas in America × The Mischief Reef is ring-shaped and located some 250km from the Philippines coast. In a statement, Lt Mark Langford, deputy public affairs officer, US 7th Fleet, said, “On September 8, USS Benfold (DDG 65) asserted navigational rights and freedoms in the Spratly Islands, consistent with international law. This FONOP upheld the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea. USS Benfold demonstrated that Mischief Reef, a low-tide elevation in its natural state, is not entitled to a territorial sea under international law.” Issuing a strong statement against the US warship’s movements in the SCS, China’s People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) southern theatre command (STC) spokesperson, Tian Junli, said the operation was carried out without the approval of the Chinese government. Also Read: US airstrikes potentially killed over 40,000 civilians since 9/11, says report Carrying out follow-up surveillance, the PLA air force issued a warning to warship, he said. “The US’s serious violation of China’s sovereignty and security is another ironclad evidence of its aggressive navigation hegemony and militarisation of the South China Sea,” Junli added. (With inputs from agencies)

China lashes out, deploys fighter jets after US warship sails past Mischief Reef in South China Sea

<p>In a major development in the ongoing Naga peace process, Government of India has entered into a ceasefire agreement with National Socialist Council of Nagaland (K) Niki Group on Wednesday. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Recently, the reports were rife that the Indian government and the Niki Sumi-led Khaplang faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K) are going to sign a ceasefire agreement in New Delhi. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Indian NSA Doval and top Russian security official hold talks on Afghan crisis</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://13.235.153.162/videos/indian-nsa-doval-and-top-russian-security-official-hold-talks-on-afghan-crisis-411679/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>According to the sources, the chairman of Ceasefire Monitoring Group (CFMG Nagaland) Lt Gen (retired) AS Bedi was in Delhi to prepare the groundwork with the Union Home Ministry for the new agreement. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>In 2015, the NSCN (K) unilaterally abrogated its 2001 ceasefire agreement with the Centre. Following its move, the Union Home Ministry declared the group as a banned outfit and an “unlawful association”. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/private-firm-tata-to-make-40-out-of-56-transport-aircraft-for-indian-air-force-411681" hreflang="en">Private firm TATA to make 40 out of 56 transport aircraft for Indian Air Force</a></strong></p>

<p>The NSCN (K) had been operating to establish a sovereign state, which brings all Naga-inhabited areas of Myanmar and India under one administrative setup. &nbsp;</p>

<p>After abrogating the ceasefire agreement with Indian government in 2015, the NSCN (K) led by its leader SS Khaplang had went on to establish a strong base in neighbouring Myanmar. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>In 2017, Khaplang died of a cardiac arrest at Taga in Myanmar’s Sagaing region under Naga self-administered zone. The group, which was later taken over by Khaplang’s relative Yung Aung, had split into different factions. The Niki-led NSCN (K) is one of them.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


In a major development in the ongoing Naga peace process, Government of India has entered into a ceasefire agreement with National Socialist Council of Nagaland (K) Niki Group on Wednesday.

In a major development in the ongoing Naga peace process, Government of India has entered into a ceasefire agreement with National Socialist Council of Nagaland (K) Niki Group on Wednesday. Recently, the reports were rife that the Indian government and the Niki Sumi-led Khaplang faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K) are going to sign a ceasefire agreement in New Delhi. Watch: Indian NSA Doval and top Russian security official hold talks on Afghan crisis × According to the sources, the chairman of Ceasefire Monitoring Group (CFMG Nagaland) Lt Gen (retired) AS Bedi was in Delhi to prepare the groundwork with the Union Home Ministry for the new agreement. In 2015, the NSCN (K) unilaterally abrogated its 2001 ceasefire agreement with the Centre. Following its move, the Union Home Ministry declared the group as a banned outfit and an “unlawful association”. Also Read: Private firm TATA to make 40 out of 56 transport aircraft for Indian Air Force The NSCN (K) had been operating to establish a sovereign state, which brings all Naga-inhabited areas of Myanmar and India under one administrative setup. After abrogating the ceasefire agreement with Indian government in 2015, the NSCN (K) led by its leader SS Khaplang had went on to establish a strong base in neighbouring Myanmar. In 2017, Khaplang died of a cardiac arrest at Taga in Myanmar’s Sagaing region under Naga self-administered zone. The group, which was later taken over by Khaplang’s relative Yung Aung, had split into different factions. The Niki-led NSCN (K) is one of them. (With inputs from agencies)

India inks ceasefire agreement with another insurgent group in northeastern state of Nagaland

<p>If the documents obtained by Anadolu Agency are to be believed, French cement giant Lafarge financed Daesh. It also constantly informed the French intelligence services about its relationship with the terrorist organisation. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Belonging to French institutions, these documents reveal that one of the world’s largest cement giants, French Lafarge, constantly informed the French domestic, foreign and military intelligence services about its relationship with Daesh. The relationship was also within the knowledge of the French state. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Taliban's supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada says it will uphold the Sharia law in Afghanistan</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://13.235.153.162/videos/talibans-supreme-leader-hibatullah-akhundzada-says-it-will-uphold-the-sharia-law-in-afghanistan-411582/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>In the documents, the company had commercial relations with Daesh, which built shelters for itself with its cement, even after it took over the factory, and it was noted that Daesh also financed itself by selling Lafarge cement. &nbsp;</p>

<p>In the French state documents obtained by the news agency, it is understood that the relationship between Lafarge company and the French intelligence service started with an e-mail sent by the company’s security director Jean Claude Veillard to an address belonging to the Ministry of Interior intelligence on January 22, 2014. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nearly-80-killed-in-fighting-for-the-strategic-yemeni-city-of-marib-sources-411595" hreflang="en">Nearly 80 killed in fighting for the strategic Yemeni city of Marib: Sources</a></strong></p>

<p>In his e-mail, company official Veillard stated that Lafarge is still active in Syria and needs to establish relations with “local actors” in order to continue its work. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>On September 1, 2014, the details of sending cement to Daesh were discussed in the correspondence between Lafarge Security Manager Veillard and the French Ministry of Interior intelligence.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the top court in France on Tuesday overturned a decision by a lower court to dismiss charges brought against Lafarge for complicity in crimes against humanity in Syria's civil war.</p>

<p>The ruling by the Court of Cassation marks a major setback for the cement giant, which is accused of paying nearly 13 millions euros ($15.3 million) to jihadist groups including the Islamic State to keep its cement factory in northern Syria running through the early years of the war.</p>

<p>It has acknowledged that its Syrian subsidiary paid middlemen to negotiate with armed groups to allow the movement of staff and goods inside the war zone.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


If the documents obtained by Anadolu Agency are to be believed, French cement giant Lafarge financed Daesh. It also constantly informed the French intelligence services about its relationship with the terrorist organisation.

If the documents obtained by Anadolu Agency are to be believed, French cement giant Lafarge financed Daesh. It also constantly informed the French intelligence services about its relationship with the terrorist organisation. Belonging to French institutions, these documents reveal that one of the world’s largest cement giants, French Lafarge, constantly informed the French domestic, foreign and military intelligence services about its relationship with Daesh. The relationship was also within the knowledge of the French state. Watch: Taliban's supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada says it will uphold the Sharia law in Afghanistan × In the documents, the company had commercial relations with Daesh, which built shelters for itself with its cement, even after it took over the factory, and it was noted that Daesh also financed itself by selling Lafarge cement. In the French state documents obtained by the news agency, it is understood that the relationship between Lafarge company and the French intelligence service started with an e-mail sent by the company’s security director Jean Claude Veillard to an address belonging to the Ministry of Interior intelligence on January 22, 2014. Also Read | Nearly 80 killed in fighting for the strategic Yemeni city of Marib: Sources In his e-mail, company official Veillard stated that Lafarge is still active in Syria and needs to establish relations with “local actors” in order to continue its work. On September 1, 2014, the details of sending cement to Daesh were discussed in the correspondence between Lafarge Security Manager Veillard and the French Ministry of Interior intelligence. Meanwhile, the top court in France on Tuesday overturned a decision by a lower court to dismiss charges brought against Lafarge for complicity in crimes against humanity in Syria's civil war. The ruling by the Court of Cassation marks a major setback for the cement giant, which is accused of paying nearly 13 millions euros ($15.3 million) to jihadist groups including the Islamic State to keep its cement factory in northern Syria running through the early years of the war. It has acknowledged that its Syrian subsidiary paid middlemen to negotiate with armed groups to allow the movement of staff and goods inside the war zone. (With inputs from agencies)

Cement giant Lafarge financed Daesh, informed French intelligence: Report

<p>In a revelation on Tuesday, the federal government said that the German Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) had bought notorious Pegasus spyware from the Israeli firm NSO in 2019. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a closed-doors session, the government informed the Interior Committee of the Bundestag about the purchase, sources in the parliament said. It confirmed the earlier reports, which were published in German newspaper ‘Die Zeit’, about the matter. &nbsp;</p>

<p>According to ‘Die Zeit’, the software was procured under "the utmost secrecy". The move was taken despite the hesitations of lawyers as the surveillance tool can do much more than German privacy laws permit. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Iran enriches production of highly enriched uranium</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://13.235.153.162/videos/iran-enriches-production-of-highly-enriched-uranium-411534/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>To prevent abuse, the version purchased by the BKA had certain functions blocked, security circles told the paper. Although it is unclear how that works on a practical level. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The revelations came after a joint research by Die Zeit as well as daily Süddeutsche Zeitung and public broadcasters NDR and WDR. &nbsp;</p>

<p>BKA Vice President Martina Link confirmed to lawmakers that her organisation had purchased the software, said the Süddeutsche Zeitung report. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/opinions/can-biden-save-his-presidency-411654" hreflang="en">Can Biden save his presidency?</a></strong></p>

<p>In 2020, the police force acquired a version of the Pegasus Trojan virus software, which was being used in select operations, concerning terrorism and organised crime since March this year. &nbsp;</p>

<p>As per Germany's Federal Constitutional Court ruling, security services are only permitted to use spyware on the cellphones and computers of surveillance targets in special cases, and can only initiate certain types of operations.&nbsp;</p>


In a revelation on Tuesday, the federal government said that the German Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) had bought notorious Pegasus spyware from the Israeli firm NSO in 2019.

In a revelation on Tuesday, the federal government said that the German Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) had bought notorious Pegasus spyware from the Israeli firm NSO in 2019. In a closed-doors session, the government informed the Interior Committee of the Bundestag about the purchase, sources in the parliament said. It confirmed the earlier reports, which were published in German newspaper ‘Die Zeit’, about the matter. According to ‘Die Zeit’, the software was procured under "the utmost secrecy". The move was taken despite the hesitations of lawyers as the surveillance tool can do much more than German privacy laws permit. Watch: Iran enriches production of highly enriched uranium × To prevent abuse, the version purchased by the BKA had certain functions blocked, security circles told the paper. Although it is unclear how that works on a practical level. The revelations came after a joint research by Die Zeit as well as daily Süddeutsche Zeitung and public broadcasters NDR and WDR. BKA Vice President Martina Link confirmed to lawmakers that her organisation had purchased the software, said the Süddeutsche Zeitung report. Also Read: Can Biden save his presidency? In 2020, the police force acquired a version of the Pegasus Trojan virus software, which was being used in select operations, concerning terrorism and organised crime since March this year. As per Germany's Federal Constitutional Court ruling, security services are only permitted to use spyware on the cellphones and computers of surveillance targets in special cases, and can only initiate certain types of operations.

NSO's notorious Pegasus spyware secretly bought by police in Germany: Reports

<p>After suffering starvation and repression for decades, Japanese national Hiroko Saito, who escaped North Korea, has sued the Kim Jong-un-led government. &nbsp; &nbsp;</p>

<p>Saito says in the 1960s, she and 97,000 others were deceived into relocating to the North with promises of "paradise on Earth". &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Saito and five others are taking part in a lawsuit at the Tokyo District Court. It is due to rule on October 14 over the responsibility of the North Korean government for their ordeal. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Japan upgrades Q2 GDP, with help of solid expenditure</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://13.235.153.162/videos/japan-upgrades-q2-gdp-with-help-of-solid-expenditure-411530/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Although plaintiffs are also demanding compensation from the Kim Jong-un government, Saito says her campaign is not about the money. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The escapee said, "We had been told we were going to paradise on Earth, that we would have our own apartment, jobs and that hospitals and schools were free. They told us we did not need to take anything with us, that everything would be provided. They kept repeating that it was paradise." &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spanish-teenager-sues-health-trust-for-almost-3-million-after-getting-swapped-at-birth-411580" hreflang="en">Spanish teenager sues health trust for almost $3 million after getting swapped at birth</a></strong></p>

<p>"Then we arrived and I saw the boy from the ship. He only had a tattered old shirt and nothing on the lower half of his body. He looked thin and poor. It was at that moment that I knew. I knew we had been deceived," 80-year-old Saito told DW. &nbsp;</p>

<p>At the arrival with hundreds of returnees and their families from Japan at Chongjin in 1961, Saito was greeted by poverty-stricken residents and heavily armed soldiers. The situation had worsened soon in the country. &nbsp;</p>

<p>After four decades of hunger, repression and violence, she was finally able to escape over the border into China and, ultimately, return to Japan in 2001.&nbsp;</p>


After suffering starvation and repression for decades, Japanese national Hiroko Saito, who escaped North Korea, has sued the Kim Jong-un-led government. Saito says in the 1960s, she and 97,000 others were deceived into relocating to the North with promises of "paradise on Earth".

After suffering starvation and repression for decades, Japanese national Hiroko Saito, who escaped North Korea, has sued the Kim Jong-un-led government. Saito says in the 1960s, she and 97,000 others were deceived into relocating to the North with promises of "paradise on Earth". Saito and five others are taking part in a lawsuit at the Tokyo District Court. It is due to rule on October 14 over the responsibility of the North Korean government for their ordeal. Watch: Japan upgrades Q2 GDP, with help of solid expenditure × Although plaintiffs are also demanding compensation from the Kim Jong-un government, Saito says her campaign is not about the money. The escapee said, "We had been told we were going to paradise on Earth, that we would have our own apartment, jobs and that hospitals and schools were free. They told us we did not need to take anything with us, that everything would be provided. They kept repeating that it was paradise." Also Read: Spanish teenager sues health trust for almost $3 million after getting swapped at birth "Then we arrived and I saw the boy from the ship. He only had a tattered old shirt and nothing on the lower half of his body. He looked thin and poor. It was at that moment that I knew. I knew we had been deceived," 80-year-old Saito told DW. At the arrival with hundreds of returnees and their families from Japan at Chongjin in 1961, Saito was greeted by poverty-stricken residents and heavily armed soldiers. The situation had worsened soon in the country. After four decades of hunger, repression and violence, she was finally able to escape over the border into China and, ultimately, return to Japan in 2001.

After decades of misery, Japanese escapee sues North Korean govt for ordeal

<p>Angela Merkel has said she wanted to stay out of the election campaign for her replacement as Germany’s chancellor. But with her party polling at record lows, Merkel used a speech to Germany’s Parliament on Tuesday to plead with Germans to keep the Christian Democrats in power.</p>

<p>Since late July, the conservative Christian Democrats and their Bavaria-only partners, the Christian Social Union, have been dropping steadily in the polls, while their candidate to replace Merkel, Armin Laschet, has struggled to overcome a series of gaffes that sent his own popularity plunging.</p>

<p>The situation has become alarming enough that Merkel has dropped the pretense of being a bystander, and in recent weeks she has been using her voice and platform to try to drum up support for Laschet and distance herself from his main rival, Olaf Scholz.</p>

<p>Scholz, Germany’s finance minister and Merkel’s vice chancellor, has been seeing his popularity rise, along with that of his center-left Social Democratic Party — often by positioning himself as the true successor to the chancellor under whom he has governed since 2017.</p>

<p>In an effort to claw back support, Laschet has taken to warning that a government led by Scholz could shift the country away from its current centrist course, especially if he includes the Left Party in any governing coalition. The Left Party has repeatedly rejected Germany’s participation in NATO missions and questioned whether the alliance should exist.</p>

<p>Merkel, who is not seeking another term in office, echoed that warning on Tuesday in what was likely her last speech before Parliament as chancellor, urging voters to throw their support behind Laschet when they go to the polls on Sept. 26 to elect a new government. It is the first time since modern Germany was founded in 1949 that the incumbent chancellor is willingly ceding power.</p>

<p>“In a few days, our citizens have to make a choice: either between a government with the Social Democrats and the Greens, that accepts support from the Left Party, or at least does not exclude it,” Merkel said, “or a German government led by the Christian Democrats and Christian Social Union, with Armin Laschet as chancellor.”</p>

<p>Despite Merkel’s intentions to stay out of the campaign, Tuesday’s remarks were not the first time she has stepped up to help her party’s flagging fortunes. On Aug. 20, when Laschet sought to relaunch his election campaign heading into the final weeks, Merkel praised, among other things, his Christianity as his guiding moral compass. Still, his fortunes failed to turn around.</p>

<p>Last week, Laschet presented a team of expert advisers he hoped would shore up his numbers, but that appears to have had little impact.</p>

<p>Polls released this week have shown Laschet’s party struggling to retain 20% support — a previously unthinkable position for a party that has governed Germany for all but two of the past seven decades.</p>

<p>Merkel also went on the attack against Scholz, who during a campaign speech last week described the 50 million Germans who had been vaccinated against COVID-19 as “guinea pigs” who had proved the safety of the vaccines.</p>

<p>“We were the guinea pigs for those who have waited,” Scholz told a radio station in North Rhine-Westphalia. “As one of the 50 million, I can say, it went well! Please join us!”</p>

<p>In her speech on Tuesday, Merkel shot back: “Of course no one of us who has been vaccinated is in any way a guinea pig,” she said, adding that all vaccines had undergone the necessary testing to be granted approval.</p>

<p>Scholz defended his comment as a lighthearted attempt to persuade more people to get their inoculation against COVID-19. “If some people don’t want to laugh, but get upset, maybe it has something to do with their ratings in the polls that aren’t very funny,” he said.</p>

<p>Long the traditional rivals of the center-right conservatives, the Social Democrats spent 12 of Merkel’s nearly 16 years in government as the junior coalition partner in her government, influencing many of the policies passed, like a national minimum wage and billions in COVID relief.</p>

<p>Scholz, who was initially dismissed as a viable candidate for chancellor, has surprised the conservatives with his strong showing. Headed into the race, the Christian Democrats thought their biggest challenge would be the Green Party and its 40-year-old candidate, Annalena Baerbock, who has campaigned on a promise to usher in an era of change.</p>

<p>Scholz, 63, has understood that after four terms of prosperity and relative stability under Merkel, Germans still value a feeling of security. He has focused his campaign on pledging to ensure jobs and working to shore up social stability by fighting child poverty and keeping housing prices in check.</p>

<p>“A new beginning is needed,” Scholz told Parliament on Tuesday. “I hope, and I am sure, that it will succeed.”</p>


Angela Merkel has said she wanted to stay out of the election campaign for her replacement as Germany’s chancellor. But with her party polling at record lows, Merkel used a speech to Germany’s Parliament on Tuesday to plead with Germans to keep the Christian Democrats in power.

Angela Merkel has said she wanted to stay out of the election campaign for her replacement as Germany’s chancellor. But with her party polling at record lows, Merkel used a speech to Germany’s Parliament on Tuesday to plead with Germans to keep the Christian Democrats in power. Since late July, the conservative Christian Democrats and their Bavaria-only partners, the Christian Social Union, have been dropping steadily in the polls, while their candidate to replace Merkel, Armin Laschet, has struggled to overcome a series of gaffes that sent his own popularity plunging. The situation has become alarming enough that Merkel has dropped the pretense of being a bystander, and in recent weeks she has been using her voice and platform to try to drum up support for Laschet and distance herself from his main rival, Olaf Scholz. Scholz, Germany’s finance minister and Merkel’s vice chancellor, has been seeing his popularity rise, along with that of his center-left Social Democratic Party — often by positioning himself as the true successor to the chancellor under whom he has governed since 2017. In an effort to claw back support, Laschet has taken to warning that a government led by Scholz could shift the country away from its current centrist course, especially if he includes the Left Party in any governing coalition. The Left Party has repeatedly rejected Germany’s participation in NATO missions and questioned whether the alliance should exist. Merkel, who is not seeking another term in office, echoed that warning on Tuesday in what was likely her last speech before Parliament as chancellor, urging voters to throw their support behind Laschet when they go to the polls on Sept. 26 to elect a new government. It is the first time since modern Germany was founded in 1949 that the incumbent chancellor is willingly ceding power. “In a few days, our citizens have to make a choice: either between a government with the Social Democrats and the Greens, that accepts support from the Left Party, or at least does not exclude it,” Merkel said, “or a German government led by the Christian Democrats and Christian Social Union, with Armin Laschet as chancellor.” Despite Merkel’s intentions to stay out of the campaign, Tuesday’s remarks were not the first time she has stepped up to help her party’s flagging fortunes. On Aug. 20, when Laschet sought to relaunch his election campaign heading into the final weeks, Merkel praised, among other things, his Christianity as his guiding moral compass. Still, his fortunes failed to turn around. Last week, Laschet presented a team of expert advisers he hoped would shore up his numbers, but that appears to have had little impact. Polls released this week have shown Laschet’s party struggling to retain 20% support — a previously unthinkable position for a party that has governed Germany for all but two of the past seven decades. Merkel also went on the attack against Scholz, who during a campaign speech last week described the 50 million Germans who had been vaccinated against COVID-19 as “guinea pigs” who had proved the safety of the vaccines. “We were the guinea pigs for those who have waited,” Scholz told a radio station in North Rhine-Westphalia. “As one of the 50 million, I can say, it went well! Please join us!” In her speech on Tuesday, Merkel shot back: “Of course no one of us who has been vaccinated is in any way a guinea pig,” she said, adding that all vaccines had undergone the necessary testing to be granted approval. Scholz defended his comment as a lighthearted attempt to persuade more people to get their inoculation against COVID-19. “If some people don’t want to laugh, but get upset, maybe it has something to do with their ratings in the polls that aren’t very funny,” he said. Long the traditional rivals of the center-right conservatives, the Social Democrats spent 12 of Merkel’s nearly 16 years in government as the junior coalition partner in her government, influencing many of the policies passed, like a national minimum wage and billions in COVID relief. Scholz, who was initially dismissed as a viable candidate for chancellor, has surprised the conservatives with his strong showing. Headed into the race, the Christian Democrats thought their biggest challenge would be the Green Party and its 40-year-old candidate, Annalena Baerbock, who has campaigned on a promise to usher in an era of change. Scholz, 63, has understood that after four terms of prosperity and relative stability under Merkel, Germans still value a feeling of security. He has focused his campaign on pledging to ensure jobs and working to shore up social stability by fighting child poverty and keeping housing prices in check. “A new beginning is needed,” Scholz told Parliament on Tuesday. “I hope, and I am sure, that it will succeed.”

With her party fading, Merkel dips into the campaign fray

<p>A three-year-old boy, who spent three nights lost in rugged Australian woodland, was back at home from hospital on Tuesday. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>His family and rescuers had a sigh of relief with the happy ending to a desperately difficult search. The child, whose name is Anthony 'AJ' Elfalak, has autism and is non-verbal. AJ has a few scratches and bruises from the ordeal.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A three-year-old child missing on a rural property in the Hunter region since Friday has been located following a large-scale search.<a href="https://t.co/VrlVwL4sYW">https://t.co/VrlVwL4sYW</a> <a href="https://t.co/byOXFCiD1j">pic.twitter.com/byOXFCiD1j</a></p>
— NSW Police Force (@nswpolice) <a href="https://twitter.com/nswpolice/status/1434739398130606081?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>He was taken to hospital for observation after he was found on Monday. He was spotted sitting in a shallow creek and drinking water with cupped hands on his family's remote rural property near the village of Putty, north of Sydney.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Lion population rises in South Africa</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://13.235.153.162/videos/lion-population-rises-in-south-africa-411408/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>On Monday night, his mother Kelly Elfalak brought him home to sleep in his own bed. She also thanked the hundreds of emergency services officers and volunteers, who had scoured the steep terrain surrounding the house after AJ vanished on Friday morning. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The mother told reporters, "I can't explain it, I'm so blessed. I'm so happy that he is here. He's with us, he's safe and well and healthy, that's all that matters." &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-filtering-method-promises-safer-drinking-water-improved-industrial-production-411452" hreflang="en">New filtering method promises safer drinking water, improved industrial production</a></strong></p>

<p>According to relatives, AJ spent Tuesday sleeping, eating and playing with toys. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Jonathan Smith, a pilot of the police helicopter that spotted AJ, described his reaction as 'absolute joy’. &nbsp;</p>

<p>"We were all emotional and I said to the boys ... If that doesn't make you happy, nothing will," Smith said, while referring to the crew.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


A three-year-old boy, who spent three nights lost in rugged Australian woodland, was back at home from hospital on Tuesday. His family and rescuers had a sigh of relief with the happy ending to a desperately difficult search.

A three-year-old boy, who spent three nights lost in rugged Australian woodland, was back at home from hospital on Tuesday. His family and rescuers had a sigh of relief with the happy ending to a desperately difficult search. The child, whose name is Anthony 'AJ' Elfalak, has autism and is non-verbal. AJ has a few scratches and bruises from the ordeal. A three-year-old child missing on a rural property in the Hunter region since Friday has been located following a large-scale search.https://t.co/VrlVwL4sYW pic.twitter.com/byOXFCiD1j — NSW Police Force (@nswpolice) September 6, 2021 × He was taken to hospital for observation after he was found on Monday. He was spotted sitting in a shallow creek and drinking water with cupped hands on his family's remote rural property near the village of Putty, north of Sydney. Watch: Lion population rises in South Africa × On Monday night, his mother Kelly Elfalak brought him home to sleep in his own bed. She also thanked the hundreds of emergency services officers and volunteers, who had scoured the steep terrain surrounding the house after AJ vanished on Friday morning. The mother told reporters, "I can't explain it, I'm so blessed. I'm so happy that he is here. He's with us, he's safe and well and healthy, that's all that matters." Also Read: New filtering method promises safer drinking water, improved industrial production According to relatives, AJ spent Tuesday sleeping, eating and playing with toys. Jonathan Smith, a pilot of the police helicopter that spotted AJ, described his reaction as 'absolute joy’. "We were all emotional and I said to the boys ... If that doesn't make you happy, nothing will," Smith said, while referring to the crew. (With inputs from agencies)

After getting lost in woods for 3 days, Australian toddler now back at home  

<p>If reports are to be believed, around 20 livestock companies seem to be responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than either Germany, Britain or France. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>These firms are also receiving billions of dollars in financial backing to do so, said a new report by environmental campaigners. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Raising livestock seems to be contributing significantly to carbon emissions. The animal agriculture accounts for 14.5% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Carmakers gather in Munich to launch zero-or low-emission vehicles</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://13.235.153.162/videos/carmakers-gather-in-munich-to-launch-zero-or-low-emission-vehicles-411293/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>As per the scientific reports, the rich countries need huge reductions in meat and dairy consumption to tackle the climate change. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Global meat and dairy companies received more than US$478bn in backing from around 2,500 investment firms, banks and pension funds from 2015 to 2020, said Meat Atlas.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/33-year-old-uk-man-spends-275-every-month-on-dirty-socks-411372" hreflang="en">33-year-old UK man spends $275 every month, on dirty socks</a></strong></p>

<p>Most of these investment firms were based in North America or Europe. It was compiled by Friends of the Earth and the European political foundation, Heinrich Böll Stiftung. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The report estimates that meat production could increase by a further 40m tonnes by 2029, to hit 366m tonnes of meat a year due to the level of financial support. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The report says, three-quarters of all agricultural land is used to raise animals or the crops to feed them in the world.</p>


If reports are to be believed, around 20 livestock companies seem to be responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than either Germany, Britain or France. These firms are also receiving billions of dollars in financial backing to do so, said a new report by environmental campaigners.

If reports are to be believed, around 20 livestock companies seem to be responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than either Germany, Britain or France. These firms are also receiving billions of dollars in financial backing to do so, said a new report by environmental campaigners. Raising livestock seems to be contributing significantly to carbon emissions. The animal agriculture accounts for 14.5% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. Watch: Carmakers gather in Munich to launch zero-or low-emission vehicles × As per the scientific reports, the rich countries need huge reductions in meat and dairy consumption to tackle the climate change. Global meat and dairy companies received more than US$478bn in backing from around 2,500 investment firms, banks and pension funds from 2015 to 2020, said Meat Atlas. Also Read: 33-year-old UK man spends $275 every month, on dirty socks Most of these investment firms were based in North America or Europe. It was compiled by Friends of the Earth and the European political foundation, Heinrich Böll Stiftung. The report estimates that meat production could increase by a further 40m tonnes by 2029, to hit 366m tonnes of meat a year due to the level of financial support. The report says, three-quarters of all agricultural land is used to raise animals or the crops to feed them in the world.

20 dairy, meat firms emit more greenhouse gas than France, Britain or Germany: Report  

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{2661e509-f51b-4f66-ba86-30f850fb6b1d}{152}" paraid="633104752" >In order to pay homage to the old guard of the group, The Taliban on Tuesday announced a caretaker Cabinet. It has given top posts to Taliban personalities, who dominated the 20-year battle against the US-led coalition and its Afghan government allies.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{2661e509-f51b-4f66-ba86-30f850fb6b1d}{190}" paraid="1424877520" >The Interim Prime Minister will be Mullah Hasan Akhund, who had headed the Taliban government in Kabul during the last years of its rule.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{2661e509-f51b-4f66-ba86-30f850fb6b1d}{190}" paraid="1424877520" ><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Hundreds of Afghans took to the streets of Kabul to protest against Pakistan</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://13.235.153.162/videos/hundreds-of-afghans-took-to-the-streets-of-kabul-to-protest-against-pakistan-411345/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, who led talks with the United States and signed the deal that led to America's final withdrawal from Afghanistan, will be one of Akhund's two deputies.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{2661e509-f51b-4f66-ba86-30f850fb6b1d}{246}" paraid="1739080402" >Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid made the announcement. Mullah Yaqub, the son of the Taliban founder and late supreme leader Mullah Omar, was named defence minister.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{d5f1cb9c-0a35-4c72-816d-1b025821be36}{19}" paraid="1472787606" >The position of interior minister was given to Sirajuddin Haqqani, the leader of the feared Haqqani network.</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{d5f1cb9c-0a35-4c72-816d-1b025821be36}{19}" paraid="1472787606" ><strong>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/south-asia/breaking-taliban-announce-leader-first-ministers-in-new-government-411393" hreflang="en">Breaking: Taliban announce leader, first ministers in new government</a></strong> &nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{d5f1cb9c-0a35-4c72-816d-1b025821be36}{47}" paraid="986622448" >"The cabinet is not complete, it is just acting," Mujahid said at the Government Information and Media Centre in Kabul. "We will try to take people from other parts of the country."&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{d5f1cb9c-0a35-4c72-816d-1b025821be36}{61}" paraid="376499756" >Amir Khan Muttaqi, a Taliban negotiator in Doha and member of the first regime's cabinet, was named foreign minister.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{d5f1cb9c-0a35-4c72-816d-1b025821be36}{75}" paraid="1666722243" >In the lineup, there was no evidence of non-Taliban representation, which was a big demand of the international community.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{d5f1cb9c-0a35-4c72-816d-1b025821be36}{89}" paraid="521887117" ><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


In order to pay homage to the old guard of the group, The Taliban on Tuesday announced a caretaker Cabinet. It has given top posts to Taliban personalities, who dominated the 20-year battle against the US-led coalition and its Afghan government allies.

In order to pay homage to the old guard of the group, The Taliban on Tuesday announced a caretaker Cabinet. It has given top posts to Taliban personalities, who dominated the 20-year battle against the US-led coalition and its Afghan government allies. The Interim Prime Minister will be Mullah Hasan Akhund, who had headed the Taliban government in Kabul during the last years of its rule. Watch: Hundreds of Afghans took to the streets of Kabul to protest against Pakistan × Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, who led talks with the United States and signed the deal that led to America's final withdrawal from Afghanistan, will be one of Akhund's two deputies. Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid made the announcement. Mullah Yaqub, the son of the Taliban founder and late supreme leader Mullah Omar, was named defence minister. The position of interior minister was given to Sirajuddin Haqqani, the leader of the feared Haqqani network. Also Read | Breaking: Taliban announce leader, first ministers in new government "The cabinet is not complete, it is just acting," Mujahid said at the Government Information and Media Centre in Kabul. "We will try to take people from other parts of the country." Amir Khan Muttaqi, a Taliban negotiator in Doha and member of the first regime's cabinet, was named foreign minister. In the lineup, there was no evidence of non-Taliban representation, which was a big demand of the international community. (With inputs from agencies)

Paying homage to old guard, Taliban name caretaker Afghanistan cabinet

Author

Zee News Rajasthan

Editor

Gandharv Walia

Home

Live Tv

Latest

World

India

Business

Entertainment

Sports

Opinions

Videos

Photos

Gravitas

Lifestyle

Science

Tech

Rajasthan News in Hindi: In-depth coverage of Rajasthan Crime, Political News, Education, Rajasthan Weather Update and Latest Rajasthan News on Zee News Rajasthan.