Israel agreed on Monday to provide about 700,000 expiring doses of Pfizer-BioNTech's coronavirus vaccine to South Korea, the Haaretz newspaper reported, citing Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. 
 
Delivery of the doses is to begin later in July, and as part of the deal Israel will receive in September and October an identical number of Pfizer vaccine doses that had been ordered by Seoul, Bennett said. 
 
A spokeswoman for South Korea's Health Ministry said on Tuesday, she had no comment on the report. 
 
South Korea has quickly distributed the COVID-19 vaccines it has, but has struggled to obtain enough doses in a timely manner amid tight global supplies, particularly in Asia. 
 
The government said last week it is hoping to achieve herd immunity earlier than its November target by inoculating at least 70% of its population with a minimum of one vaccine dose, mostly mRNA ones such as Pfizer`s. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Israel agreed on Monday to provide about 700,000 expiring doses of Pfizer-BioNTech's coronavirus vaccine to South Korea, the Haaretz newspaper reported, citing Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.

Israel agreed on Monday to provide about 700,000 expiring doses of Pfizer-BioNTech's coronavirus vaccine to South Korea, the Haaretz newspaper reported, citing Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. Delivery of the doses is to begin later in July, and as part of the deal Israel will receive in September and October an identical number of Pfizer vaccine doses that had been ordered by Seoul, Bennett said. A spokeswoman for South Korea's Health Ministry said on Tuesday, she had no comment on the report. South Korea has quickly distributed the COVID-19 vaccines it has, but has struggled to obtain enough doses in a timely manner amid tight global supplies, particularly in Asia. The government said last week it is hoping to achieve herd immunity earlier than its November target by inoculating at least 70% of its population with a minimum of one vaccine dose, mostly mRNA ones such as Pfizer`s. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel and South Korea agree to COVID-19 vaccine exchange: Report

The Taliban plan to present a written peace proposal to the Afghan government side as soon as next month, a spokesman for the Islamist insurgents said even as they make major territorial gains in the breach left by departing foreign forces. 
 
Hundreds of Afghan security force members have fled into neighbouring Tajikistan in the face of Taliban advances since the United States vacated its main Afghan base, centrepiece of US&nbsp;and NATO might for almost two decades in the country, as part of a plan to withdraw all foreign troops by September&nbsp;11. 
 
While the transfer of Bagram Air Base to the Afghan army added momentum to a Taliban drive to seize control over new districts, Taliban leaders renewed the long stalled talks with Afghan government envoys in Qatar's capital Doha last week. 
 
"The peace talks and process will be accelerated in the coming days ... and they are expected to enter an important stage,&nbsp;naturally it will be about peace plans," Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid told Reuters on Monday. 
 
"Possibly it will take a month to reach that stage when both sides will share their written peace plan," he said, adding that the latest round of talks were at a critical juncture. 
 
"Although we (Taliban) have the upper hand on the battlefield, we are very serious about talks and dialogue." 
 
The upsurge in fighting and the flight of thousands of members of the tattered Afghan security forces have raised grave doubt about the US-backed peace negotiations, which began last year under the then-President Donald Trump's administration. 
 
Responding to a request for comment on the Taliban representative's remarks, a spokesperson for the US&nbsp;State Department said a negotiated settlement was the only way to end 40 years of war in Afghanistan. 
 
"We urge the sides to engage in serious negotiations to determine a political roadmap for Afghanistan’s future that leads to a just and durable settlement, the official said. 
 
"The world will not accept the imposition by force of a government in Afghanistan," the official added. "Legitimacy and assistance for any Afghan government can only be possible if that government has a basic respect for human rights."

The Taliban plan to present a written peace proposal to the Afghan government side as soon as next month, a spokesman for the Islamist insurgents said even as they make major territorial gains in the breach left by departing foreign forces.

The Taliban plan to present a written peace proposal to the Afghan government side as soon as next month, a spokesman for the Islamist insurgents said even as they make major territorial gains in the breach left by departing foreign forces. Hundreds of Afghan security force members have fled into neighbouring Tajikistan in the face of Taliban advances since the United States vacated its main Afghan base, centrepiece of US and NATO might for almost two decades in the country, as part of a plan to withdraw all foreign troops by September 11. While the transfer of Bagram Air Base to the Afghan army added momentum to a Taliban drive to seize control over new districts, Taliban leaders renewed the long stalled talks with Afghan government envoys in Qatar's capital Doha last week. "The peace talks and process will be accelerated in the coming days ... and they are expected to enter an important stage, naturally it will be about peace plans," Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid told Reuters on Monday. "Possibly it will take a month to reach that stage when both sides will share their written peace plan," he said, adding that the latest round of talks were at a critical juncture. "Although we (Taliban) have the upper hand on the battlefield, we are very serious about talks and dialogue." The upsurge in fighting and the flight of thousands of members of the tattered Afghan security forces have raised grave doubt about the US-backed peace negotiations, which began last year under the then-President Donald Trump's administration. Responding to a request for comment on the Taliban representative's remarks, a spokesperson for the US State Department said a negotiated settlement was the only way to end 40 years of war in Afghanistan. "We urge the sides to engage in serious negotiations to determine a political roadmap for Afghanistan’s future that leads to a just and durable settlement, the official said. "The world will not accept the imposition by force of a government in Afghanistan," the official added. "Legitimacy and assistance for any Afghan government can only be possible if that government has a basic respect for human rights."

Taliban aim to present written peace plan at talks as soon as next month

A drone was intercepted and shot down near the US&nbsp;embassy in Baghdad on Monday, without causing casualties, two Iraqi security sources told Reuters. 
 
The sources said the drone failed to reach the embassy compound. 
 
Earlier,&nbsp;a volley of rockets targeted the high-security zone in the Iraqi capital that is home to the US embassy, the military and security sources said.

The attack was&nbsp;the third in a week to target Western diplomatic, military or commercial installations across Iraq after months of relative calm.

At least two rockets hit within the perimeter of the Green Zone, where the American and other foreign embassies are based, according to a statement by Iraq's security services.

A security source told AFP at least one rocket hit the headquarters of Iraq's National Security Service near the US diplomatic mission.

Others crashed into nearby residential districts, including a multi-storey parking complex in the neighbourhood of Harithiya, a witness said.&nbsp;

The attack comes one week after more than a dozen rockets targeted a military complex at the Arbil airport in northern Iraq, which hosts foreign troops from a US-led coalition helping Iraq fight jihadists since 2014.

Two people were killed, including one foreign contractor based at the airport, who died immediately, and a civilian, who died of his wounds later.

On Saturday, another wave of rockets hit the Al-Balad airbase north of Baghdad, where Iraq keeps most of the F-16s it has purchased from the US in recent years.

Security sources said at least one local contractor for Sallyport, the US company that maintains the planes, was wounded.

(With inputs from agencies)

A drone was intercepted and shot down near the US embassy in Baghdad on Monday, without causing casualties, two Iraqi security sources told Reuters. The sources said the drone failed to reach the embassy compound.

A drone was intercepted and shot down near the US embassy in Baghdad on Monday, without causing casualties, two Iraqi security sources told Reuters. The sources said the drone failed to reach the embassy compound. Earlier, a volley of rockets targeted the high-security zone in the Iraqi capital that is home to the US embassy, the military and security sources said. The attack was the third in a week to target Western diplomatic, military or commercial installations across Iraq after months of relative calm. At least two rockets hit within the perimeter of the Green Zone, where the American and other foreign embassies are based, according to a statement by Iraq's security services. A security source told AFP at least one rocket hit the headquarters of Iraq's National Security Service near the US diplomatic mission. Others crashed into nearby residential districts, including a multi-storey parking complex in the neighbourhood of Harithiya, a witness said. The attack comes one week after more than a dozen rockets targeted a military complex at the Arbil airport in northern Iraq, which hosts foreign troops from a US-led coalition helping Iraq fight jihadists since 2014. Two people were killed, including one foreign contractor based at the airport, who died immediately, and a civilian, who died of his wounds later. On Saturday, another wave of rockets hit the Al-Balad airbase north of Baghdad, where Iraq keeps most of the F-16s it has purchased from the US in recent years. Security sources said at least one local contractor for Sallyport, the US company that maintains the planes, was wounded. (With inputs from agencies)

Drone shot down near US embassy in Baghdad, no casualties: Security sources

About 150 students are missing after armed men raided a boarding school in Nigeria's Kaduna state, a parent and an administrator said on Monday, and police said they were in hot pursuit alongside military personnel. 
 
The attack on the Bethel Baptist High School is the 10th mass school kidnapping since December in northwest Nigeria, which authorities have attributed to armed bandits seeking ransom payments. 
 
Dozens of distraught parents gathered at the school compound, some weeping and crying out, standing in groups awaiting news. Discarded sandals lay strewn nearby. Dormitories containing metal bunk beds and cupboards were deserted. 
 
"May God take away their tears and the suffering that they will face in the hands of the kidnappers," said a woman pointing at a hole in the school's perimeter from where the attackers entered. 
 
His voice breaking, parent John Evans said he had recently told his daughter that God would protect her while she studied at the school. 
 
"Just this morning at about 6, I received a phone call that they have entered the school...kidnappers, that all our children are packed (taken), including my daughter," he said. "We rushed down here, we confirmed that they are all packed." 
 
Police said gunmen shooting wildly attacked overnight and overpowered the school's security guards, taking an unspecified number of students into a nearby forest. A police statement said 26 people including a female teacher had been rescued. 
 
Reverend John Hayab, a founder of the school, said about 25 students had managed to escape while the school`s other students remained missing. 
 
Roughly 180 students attended the school and were in the process of sitting exams, according to Hayab, whose 17-year-old son escaped, and parent, Hassana Markus, whose daughter was among those missing. 
 
Local residents, who declined to be identified, said that security officials had cordoned off the school after the attack, which took place between 11 pm&nbsp;on Sunday and 4 am&nbsp;on Monday morning. 
 
Kaduna authorities ordered the immediate closure of Bethel Baptist and 12 other schools in the area after Monday's kidnapping, without saying when they may reopen. 
 
Armed men, known locally as bandits, have made an industry of kidnapping students for ransom in northwest Nigeria, with Kaduna state particularly hard hit. They have taken nearly 1,000 people from schools since December last year, more than 150 of whom remain missing. 
 
Kidnappers have also targeted roads, private residents and even hospitals; in the early morning hours of Sunday, gunmen abducted six people including a 1-year-old child from a hospital in Kaduna state. 
 
In February, President Muhammadu Buhari urged state governments "to review their policy of rewarding bandits with money and vehicles," warning that the policy might boomerang disastrously. The unrest has become a political problem for Buhari, a retired general and former military ruler, who has faced mounting criticism over prominent attacks by the gangs. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

About 150 students are missing after armed men raided a boarding school in Nigeria's Kaduna state, a parent and an administrator said on Monday, and police said they were in hot pursuit alongside military personnel.

About 150 students are missing after armed men raided a boarding school in Nigeria's Kaduna state, a parent and an administrator said on Monday, and police said they were in hot pursuit alongside military personnel. The attack on the Bethel Baptist High School is the 10th mass school kidnapping since December in northwest Nigeria, which authorities have attributed to armed bandits seeking ransom payments. Dozens of distraught parents gathered at the school compound, some weeping and crying out, standing in groups awaiting news. Discarded sandals lay strewn nearby. Dormitories containing metal bunk beds and cupboards were deserted. "May God take away their tears and the suffering that they will face in the hands of the kidnappers," said a woman pointing at a hole in the school's perimeter from where the attackers entered. His voice breaking, parent John Evans said he had recently told his daughter that God would protect her while she studied at the school. "Just this morning at about 6, I received a phone call that they have entered the school...kidnappers, that all our children are packed (taken), including my daughter," he said. "We rushed down here, we confirmed that they are all packed." Police said gunmen shooting wildly attacked overnight and overpowered the school's security guards, taking an unspecified number of students into a nearby forest. A police statement said 26 people including a female teacher had been rescued. Reverend John Hayab, a founder of the school, said about 25 students had managed to escape while the school`s other students remained missing. Roughly 180 students attended the school and were in the process of sitting exams, according to Hayab, whose 17-year-old son escaped, and parent, Hassana Markus, whose daughter was among those missing. Local residents, who declined to be identified, said that security officials had cordoned off the school after the attack, which took place between 11 pm on Sunday and 4 am on Monday morning. Kaduna authorities ordered the immediate closure of Bethel Baptist and 12 other schools in the area after Monday's kidnapping, without saying when they may reopen. Armed men, known locally as bandits, have made an industry of kidnapping students for ransom in northwest Nigeria, with Kaduna state particularly hard hit. They have taken nearly 1,000 people from schools since December last year, more than 150 of whom remain missing. Kidnappers have also targeted roads, private residents and even hospitals; in the early morning hours of Sunday, gunmen abducted six people including a 1-year-old child from a hospital in Kaduna state. In February, President Muhammadu Buhari urged state governments "to review their policy of rewarding bandits with money and vehicles," warning that the policy might boomerang disastrously. The unrest has become a political problem for Buhari, a retired general and former military ruler, who has faced mounting criticism over prominent attacks by the gangs. (With inputs from agencies)

Some 150 students missing after gunmen raid Nigerian school: Report

China’s cybersecurity watchdog suggested Didi Global Inc delay its initial public offering and urged it to review its network security, weeks before the Chinese ride-hailing giant went public, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter. 
 
It isn’t known whether Didi carried out its own review, according to the WSJ report. But a person close to the company told the newspaper, the company ultimately decided to go ahead with the IPO as it faced increasing investor pressure for a big payout. 
 
The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) launched the investigation into Didi on Friday, just two days after the company began trading on the New York Stock Exchange. 
 
On Sunday, the agency ordered a suspension of app downloads for Didi after it found the company illegally collected personal user data. 
 
Didi said in a statement on Monday, it had no knowledge before its $4.4 billion listing that CAC would start to investigate the company and order its app to be taken down. 
 
Officials in Beijing, especially those at CAC, were wary of the ride-hailing giant’s troves of data potentially falling into foreign hands as a result of the greater public disclosure associated with a US&nbsp;listing, according to the WSJ report. 
 
Chinese internet regulators have tightened rules for the country's tech giants in recent years, asking companies to collect, store and handle key data properly. 
 
Didi, which offers services in China and more than 15 other markets, gathers vast amounts of real-time mobility data every day. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

China’s cybersecurity watchdog suggested Didi Global Inc delay its initial public offering and urged it to review its network security, weeks before the Chinese ride-hailing giant went public, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter.

China’s cybersecurity watchdog suggested Didi Global Inc delay its initial public offering and urged it to review its network security, weeks before the Chinese ride-hailing giant went public, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter. It isn’t known whether Didi carried out its own review, according to the WSJ report. But a person close to the company told the newspaper, the company ultimately decided to go ahead with the IPO as it faced increasing investor pressure for a big payout. The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) launched the investigation into Didi on Friday, just two days after the company began trading on the New York Stock Exchange. On Sunday, the agency ordered a suspension of app downloads for Didi after it found the company illegally collected personal user data. Didi said in a statement on Monday, it had no knowledge before its $4.4 billion listing that CAC would start to investigate the company and order its app to be taken down. Officials in Beijing, especially those at CAC, were wary of the ride-hailing giant’s troves of data potentially falling into foreign hands as a result of the greater public disclosure associated with a US listing, according to the WSJ report. Chinese internet regulators have tightened rules for the country's tech giants in recent years, asking companies to collect, store and handle key data properly. Didi, which offers services in China and more than 15 other markets, gathers vast amounts of real-time mobility data every day. (With inputs from agencies)

Chinese regulators suggested ride-hailing giant Didi delay its US IPO: Report

There is&nbsp;so much hype now surrounding the recent death of Father Stan Swamy.

Swamy is an accused in the Elgar Parishad case. He&nbsp;was facing investigation for his links to Maoist and Naxalite groups in India.&nbsp;

His death is being hyped up by a section of the media, social media and some politicians. But what is the truth?

Here are some of the facts that you should&nbsp;know.

So what really happened?

Elgar Parishad case&nbsp;accused Fr Stan Swamy, 84, suffered a cardiac arrest in&nbsp;Holy Family Hospital on&nbsp;July&nbsp;3. He passed away on July&nbsp;5.&nbsp;

What is the case he was involved in?

At the heart of the Elgar Parishad case is the incitement of people and giving of provocative speeches during a meeting of the same name, organised&nbsp;by Kabir Kala Manch on&nbsp;December&nbsp;31,&nbsp;2017 at&nbsp;Shanivarwada, Pune, in the western Indian state of Maharashtra.

The accused&nbsp;promoted enmity between the caste groups, which led to violence resulting in loss of life and property.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;&nbsp;case was registered on&nbsp;January&nbsp;8,&nbsp;2018.

During investigation, it was revealed that senior leaders of CPI (Maoist), a proscribed terrorist&nbsp;organisation,&nbsp;were in contact with organisers of Elgar Parishad to spread their ideology of Maoism&nbsp;or&nbsp;Naxalism&nbsp;and encourage unlawful&nbsp;activities.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;case&nbsp;was&nbsp;later&nbsp;transferred&nbsp;to&nbsp;National Investigation Agency (NIA).

The role of Stan Swamy emerged during the investigation, as he was found to be a member of CPI (Maoist) and actively involved in furthering its activities.

He was found to be in communication with CPI (Maoist) cadre. He was also convener of Persecuted Prisoners Solidarity Committee (PPSC), a front organisation&nbsp;of CPI (Maoist).&nbsp;

Arrest and case: Was Swamy given due legal process?

Swamy was arrested on&nbsp;October&nbsp;8,&nbsp;2020 by NIA. He was&nbsp;duly informed of grounds of arrest in terms of relevant sections of law.

He was examined by the medical practitioner and accordingly,&nbsp;his health condition was certified to be stable.

He was also subjected to medical check-up.&nbsp;He has made no complaints about his ill-treatment&nbsp;at&nbsp;the hands of the investigation officers during his production before the concerned NIA&nbsp;court, according to the government.&nbsp;

He was sent on judicial custody to Central Jail in Taloja, Mumbai.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In between, his bail applications before the High Court of Bombay was&nbsp;rejected.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Was his health condition taken into account?&nbsp;

According to the government, Swamy was provided with&nbsp;all&nbsp;the&nbsp;necessary requirements related to entitlement of accused in detention.

From his arrest to production before a special court, all the necessary medical formalities after his arrest were complied with. Care and attention were given for his safety and comfort during the air journey from Ranchi to Mumbai.&nbsp;&nbsp;

During&nbsp;his&nbsp;judicial&nbsp;custody,&nbsp;Fr&nbsp;Stan&nbsp;Swamy&nbsp;was&nbsp;kept&nbsp;in&nbsp;a&nbsp;separate&nbsp;cell&nbsp;of&nbsp;prison&nbsp;hospital&nbsp;with&nbsp;all&nbsp;necessary&nbsp;precautions&nbsp;and&nbsp;two&nbsp;attendants&nbsp;as&nbsp;per&nbsp;advice&nbsp;of&nbsp;medical&nbsp;officer&nbsp;of&nbsp;Taloja&nbsp;Central&nbsp;Prison in&nbsp;Mumbai.&nbsp;

He&nbsp;was&nbsp;provided&nbsp;with&nbsp;all&nbsp;facilities&nbsp;including&nbsp;wheel&nbsp;chair,&nbsp;walker,&nbsp;walking&nbsp;stick,&nbsp;straws,&nbsp;sipper,&nbsp;mug,&nbsp;commode&nbsp;chair,&nbsp;battery&nbsp;cells&nbsp;for&nbsp;his&nbsp;hearing&nbsp;machines,&nbsp;dental&nbsp;treatment,&nbsp;visiting&nbsp;psychiatrist&nbsp;and&nbsp;telemedicine, the government said.&nbsp;

Was he taken into custody?

No. Considering his age, no police custody was obtained by NIA during investigation, as sufficient evidences were already on record.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Did he get proper medical treatment?&nbsp;

On&nbsp;May&nbsp;21,&nbsp;2021, Fr Stan Swamy had filed criminal appeal before High Court of Bombay, regarding which Maharashtra had filed medical report of Board of Doctors constituted by JJ Hospital.

He was advised by court to be treated in JJ Hospital; however, he refused to get admitted in JJ Hospital.

Subsequently, High Court allowed his plea to be shifted and treated in Holy Family Hospital, Bandra, along with&nbsp;one attendant as per the protocol.

The Maharashtra government was directed to provide protection during the treatment.&nbsp;

Swamy remained admitted in hospital since&nbsp;May&nbsp;28,&nbsp;2021 for treatment in respect of ailments.

The duration of his stay in the hospital was extended till&nbsp;July&nbsp;6,&nbsp;2021.&nbsp;

There is so much hype now surrounding the recent death of Father Stan Swamy. Swamy is an accused in the Elgar Parishad case. He was facing investigation for his links to Maoist and Naxalite groups in India.

There is so much hype now surrounding the recent death of Father Stan Swamy. Swamy is an accused in the Elgar Parishad case. He was facing investigation for his links to Maoist and Naxalite groups in India. His death is being hyped up by a section of the media, social media and some politicians. But what is the truth? Here are some of the facts that you should know. So what really happened? Elgar Parishad case accused Fr Stan Swamy, 84, suffered a cardiac arrest in Holy Family Hospital on July 3. He passed away on July 5. What is the case he was involved in? At the heart of the Elgar Parishad case is the incitement of people and giving of provocative speeches during a meeting of the same name, organised by Kabir Kala Manch on December 31, 2017 at Shanivarwada, Pune, in the western Indian state of Maharashtra. The accused promoted enmity between the caste groups, which led to violence resulting in loss of life and property. The case was registered on January 8, 2018. During investigation, it was revealed that senior leaders of CPI (Maoist), a proscribed terrorist organisation, were in contact with organisers of Elgar Parishad to spread their ideology of Maoism or Naxalism and encourage unlawful activities. The case was later transferred to National Investigation Agency (NIA). The role of Stan Swamy emerged during the investigation, as he was found to be a member of CPI (Maoist) and actively involved in furthering its activities. He was found to be in communication with CPI (Maoist) cadre. He was also convener of Persecuted Prisoners Solidarity Committee (PPSC), a front organisation of CPI (Maoist). Arrest and case: Was Swamy given due legal process? Swamy was arrested on October 8, 2020 by NIA. He was duly informed of grounds of arrest in terms of relevant sections of law. He was examined by the medical practitioner and accordingly, his health condition was certified to be stable. He was also subjected to medical check-up. He has made no complaints about his ill-treatment at the hands of the investigation officers during his production before the concerned NIA court, according to the government. He was sent on judicial custody to Central Jail in Taloja, Mumbai. In between, his bail applications before the High Court of Bombay was rejected. Was his health condition taken into account? According to the government, Swamy was provided with all the necessary requirements related to entitlement of accused in detention. From his arrest to production before a special court, all the necessary medical formalities after his arrest were complied with. Care and attention were given for his safety and comfort during the air journey from Ranchi to Mumbai. During his judicial custody, Fr Stan Swamy was kept in a separate cell of prison hospital with all necessary precautions and two attendants as per advice of medical officer of Taloja Central Prison in Mumbai. He was provided with all facilities including wheel chair, walker, walking stick, straws, sipper, mug, commode chair, battery cells for his hearing machines, dental treatment, visiting psychiatrist and telemedicine, the government said. Was he taken into custody? No. Considering his age, no police custody was obtained by NIA during investigation, as sufficient evidences were already on record. Did he get proper medical treatment? On May 21, 2021, Fr Stan Swamy had filed criminal appeal before High Court of Bombay, regarding which Maharashtra had filed medical report of Board of Doctors constituted by JJ Hospital. He was advised by court to be treated in JJ Hospital; however, he refused to get admitted in JJ Hospital. Subsequently, High Court allowed his plea to be shifted and treated in Holy Family Hospital, Bandra, along with one attendant as per the protocol. The Maharashtra government was directed to provide protection during the treatment. Swamy remained admitted in hospital since May 28, 2021 for treatment in respect of ailments. The duration of his stay in the hospital was extended till July 6, 2021.

Stan Swamy's death: Facts vs furore - here is what we know

Iran reported 'good progress' on Tuesday in talks with regional rival Saudi Arabia but said some of their disputes are complex and may take time to resolve. 
 
Saudi Arabia and Gulf allies continue to pressure Iran, which backs the opposite side in conflicts in the region, over its nuclear programme, which Tehran says is entirely peaceful, its ballistic missiles, and its support for militant groups. 
 
Iran has criticised the Gulf Arab states' close ties with Tehran's long-term foe Washington and moves by some of them to normalise relations with Israel, a country that Iran, which supports the Palestinians, does not recognise. 
 
"Good progress has been achieved in these talks ... In some cases, disputes may have complexities that take time to resolve," Iranian government spokesman Ali Rabiei told a news conference carried by state media. 
 
In a bid to contain tensions between them, Saudi Arabia and Iran began direct talks in April. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Iran reported 'good progress' on Tuesday in talks with regional rival Saudi Arabia but said some of their disputes are complex and may take time to resolve. Saudi Arabia and Gulf allies continue to pressure Iran, which backs the opposite side in conflicts in the region, over its nuclear programme, which Tehran says is entirely peaceful, its ballistic missiles, and its support for militant groups.

Iran reported 'good progress' on Tuesday in talks with regional rival Saudi Arabia but said some of their disputes are complex and may take time to resolve. Saudi Arabia and Gulf allies continue to pressure Iran, which backs the opposite side in conflicts in the region, over its nuclear programme, which Tehran says is entirely peaceful, its ballistic missiles, and its support for militant groups. Iran has criticised the Gulf Arab states' close ties with Tehran's long-term foe Washington and moves by some of them to normalise relations with Israel, a country that Iran, which supports the Palestinians, does not recognise. "Good progress has been achieved in these talks ... In some cases, disputes may have complexities that take time to resolve," Iranian government spokesman Ali Rabiei told a news conference carried by state media. In a bid to contain tensions between them, Saudi Arabia and Iran began direct talks in April. (With inputs from agencies)

Iran says Saudi talks progress but time needed to resolve disputes

Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said he would discuss with his US&nbsp;counterpart Lloyd Austin on Wednesday a plan for Turkey to operate and guard Kabul's Hamid Karzai airport after the NATO withdrawal from Afghanistan, adding there was no final decision yet. 
 
Ankara has offered to run and guard the airport after NATO's withdrawal, and has been in talks with allies, namely the United States, on financial, political and logistical support. Security of the airport is key for the operations of diplomatic missions out of Afghanistan after the withdrawal. 
 
Speaking to a group of reporters after a cabinet meeting on Monday, Akar said talks on the details of the mission were still underway, and that the airport must be operational so the Afghan government is not isolated from the world following the pullout. 
 
"From making certain decisions at the United Nations, NATO, to reaching an agreement with the Afghan government, as well as political, financial, and logistical support, we are in contact with various countries. Meanwhile, our talks with the Americans also continue," Akar said. "No final decision has been made yet, but our talks continue." 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said he would discuss with his US counterpart Lloyd Austin on Wednesday a plan for Turkey to operate and guard Kabul's Hamid Karzai airport after the NATO withdrawal from Afghanistan, adding there was no final decision yet.

Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said he would discuss with his US counterpart Lloyd Austin on Wednesday a plan for Turkey to operate and guard Kabul's Hamid Karzai airport after the NATO withdrawal from Afghanistan, adding there was no final decision yet. Ankara has offered to run and guard the airport after NATO's withdrawal, and has been in talks with allies, namely the United States, on financial, political and logistical support. Security of the airport is key for the operations of diplomatic missions out of Afghanistan after the withdrawal. Speaking to a group of reporters after a cabinet meeting on Monday, Akar said talks on the details of the mission were still underway, and that the airport must be operational so the Afghan government is not isolated from the world following the pullout. "From making certain decisions at the United Nations, NATO, to reaching an agreement with the Afghan government, as well as political, financial, and logistical support, we are in contact with various countries. Meanwhile, our talks with the Americans also continue," Akar said. "No final decision has been made yet, but our talks continue." (With inputs from agencies)

Turkish, US defence ministers to discuss Kabul airport plan on Wednesday

Restrictions on civic space in Venezuela remain a cause for concern, UN&nbsp;High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said on Monday. 
 
Bachelet's office said it documented 97 incidents of "stigmatisation, criminalisation and threats against dissenting voices, particularly towards civil society, media and members of the opposition" from June 2020 to May 2021. 
 
The vast majority of those incidents involved individuals criminally charged for "legitimate forms of civic engagement," Bachelet said. 
 
The arrest of three members of NGO FundaRedes was a 'worrying example'&nbsp;of this kind of criminalisation, she said. 
 
Javier Tarazona, the director of NGO FundaRedes, which has been the most active entity denouncing abuses and illicit activities by irregular Colombian armed groups in Venezuela, and two others were charged with instigation of hatred, treason and terrorism on Saturday. 
 
The report also raised concerns about conditions in detention centers, due process, and access to basic services, and called for vaccines to be available to all. 
 
"I call for all detained persons to be guaranteed access to adequate food, water, sanitation and sanitary care," said Bachelet. 
 
In response, Venezuela's foreign ministry released a statement on Twitter, saying "from a handful of alleged complaints of human rights violations, they made unverified accusations." 
 
It said the report is part of a "lie constructed to artificially feed a case before the International Criminal Court, with the political objective of destabilising the country's democratic institutions." 
 
The high commissioner did welcome some actions she saw as progress, including police and justice reforms, a downward trend in alleged deaths in protests and security operations, and some improvement in impunity, noting the conviction of a police officer who killed a protestor in 2017. 
 
She noted that Venezuela's top prosecutor had agreed to give her office access to case files of human rights violations. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Restrictions on civic space in Venezuela remain a cause for concern, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said on Monday. Bachelet's office said it documented 97 incidents of "stigmatisation, criminalisation and threats against dissenting voices, particularly towards civil society, media and members of the opposition" from June 2020 to May 2021.

Restrictions on civic space in Venezuela remain a cause for concern, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said on Monday. Bachelet's office said it documented 97 incidents of "stigmatisation, criminalisation and threats against dissenting voices, particularly towards civil society, media and members of the opposition" from June 2020 to May 2021. The vast majority of those incidents involved individuals criminally charged for "legitimate forms of civic engagement," Bachelet said. The arrest of three members of NGO FundaRedes was a 'worrying example' of this kind of criminalisation, she said. Javier Tarazona, the director of NGO FundaRedes, which has been the most active entity denouncing abuses and illicit activities by irregular Colombian armed groups in Venezuela, and two others were charged with instigation of hatred, treason and terrorism on Saturday. The report also raised concerns about conditions in detention centers, due process, and access to basic services, and called for vaccines to be available to all. "I call for all detained persons to be guaranteed access to adequate food, water, sanitation and sanitary care," said Bachelet. In response, Venezuela's foreign ministry released a statement on Twitter, saying "from a handful of alleged complaints of human rights violations, they made unverified accusations." It said the report is part of a "lie constructed to artificially feed a case before the International Criminal Court, with the political objective of destabilising the country's democratic institutions." The high commissioner did welcome some actions she saw as progress, including police and justice reforms, a downward trend in alleged deaths in protests and security operations, and some improvement in impunity, noting the conviction of a police officer who killed a protestor in 2017. She noted that Venezuela's top prosecutor had agreed to give her office access to case files of human rights violations. (With inputs from agencies)

Restriction of civic space in Venezuela is worrying, says UN human rights chief

Saudi Arabia will invest over 500 billion riyals ($133.34 billion) in airports, sea ports, rail and other infrastructure by the end of the decade in a bid to make the kingdom a global transportation and logistics hub, its transport minister said on Monday. 
 
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is pushing economic diversification to wean Saudi Arabia off oil revenues and create jobs, announced a transport and logistics drive, of which few details have been released publicly, last Tuesday. 
 
Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh bin Nasser al-Jasser said at an event in Saudi Arabia that the strategy included many mega projects, with over 500 billion riyals earmarked for investment. 
 
The strategy is the latest economic policy to put Riyadh in competition with the United Arab Emirates, the region's business, trade and tourism hub. 
 
Saudi Arabia plans to increase the number of international aviation routes from 99 to over 250 and more than triple total annual passenger traffic from 103 million in 2019 to 330 million by 2030, Abdulaziz Al-Duauilj, the head of the aviation authority, said at the same event. 
 
The kingdom's international network is currently significantly smaller than that of neighbouring smaller states the UAE or Qatar, which are both large air transit hubs. 
 
Al-Duauilj said annual capacity at Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport and Jeddah's King Abdulaziz International Airport would each expand to 100 million passengers, without saying by when. 
 
He also said the kingdom was aiming to become a global air freight logistics hub, handling 4.5 million tonnes of air cargo a year, up from 900,000 in 2019. 
 
Saudi Arabia earlier announced a new national carrier would be launched as part of the strategy, which aims to make the kingdom the fifth biggest global air passenger transit hub. 
 
Sources familiar with the plans have told Reuters the new airline would target international transit traffic, pitting it directly against Gulf giants Emirates and Qatar Airways. 
 
Saudi Arabia's other airlines, like state-owned Saudia and its low cost subsidiary flyadeal, mostly operate domestic services and point-to-point flights to and from the country of 35 million people.

Saudi Arabia will invest over 500 billion riyals ($133.34 billion) in airports, sea ports, rail and other infrastructure by the end of the decade in a bid to make the kingdom a global transportation and logistics hub, its transport minister said on Monday.

Saudi Arabia will invest over 500 billion riyals ($133.34 billion) in airports, sea ports, rail and other infrastructure by the end of the decade in a bid to make the kingdom a global transportation and logistics hub, its transport minister said on Monday. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is pushing economic diversification to wean Saudi Arabia off oil revenues and create jobs, announced a transport and logistics drive, of which few details have been released publicly, last Tuesday. Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh bin Nasser al-Jasser said at an event in Saudi Arabia that the strategy included many mega projects, with over 500 billion riyals earmarked for investment. The strategy is the latest economic policy to put Riyadh in competition with the United Arab Emirates, the region's business, trade and tourism hub. Saudi Arabia plans to increase the number of international aviation routes from 99 to over 250 and more than triple total annual passenger traffic from 103 million in 2019 to 330 million by 2030, Abdulaziz Al-Duauilj, the head of the aviation authority, said at the same event. The kingdom's international network is currently significantly smaller than that of neighbouring smaller states the UAE or Qatar, which are both large air transit hubs. Al-Duauilj said annual capacity at Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport and Jeddah's King Abdulaziz International Airport would each expand to 100 million passengers, without saying by when. He also said the kingdom was aiming to become a global air freight logistics hub, handling 4.5 million tonnes of air cargo a year, up from 900,000 in 2019. Saudi Arabia earlier announced a new national carrier would be launched as part of the strategy, which aims to make the kingdom the fifth biggest global air passenger transit hub. Sources familiar with the plans have told Reuters the new airline would target international transit traffic, pitting it directly against Gulf giants Emirates and Qatar Airways. Saudi Arabia's other airlines, like state-owned Saudia and its low cost subsidiary flyadeal, mostly operate domestic services and point-to-point flights to and from the country of 35 million people.

Saudi Arabia to invest over $133 billion in transport sector, minister says

US&nbsp;tech giants Facebook Inc, Alphabet Inc's Google and Twitter Inc have privately warned the Hong Kong government that they could stop offering their services in the city if authorities proceed with planned changes to data-protection laws, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing a letter.

The laws could make the tech companies liable for the malicious sharing of individuals' information online, the newspaper added.

A letter sent by an industry group that includes the internet firms said companies are concerned that the planned rules to address 'doxing' could put their staff at risk of criminal investigations or prosecutions related to what the firms' users post online, Journal reported.

Doxing is an act of revealing people's personal information such as real name, home address or workplace online without the user's permission.

Facebook, Google and Twitter did not immediately respond to requests for a comment.

Hong Kong's Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau in May proposed amendments to the city's data-protection laws that it said were needed to combat doxing, a practice that was prevalent during 2019 protests in the city, the newspaper said.

According to the newspaper, the letter dated June 25 was sent by Singapore-based Asia Internet Coalition.&nbsp;"The only way to avoid these sanctions for technology companies would be to refrain from investing and offering the services in Hong Kong," the Journal reported, quoting the letter.

(With inputs from agencies)

US tech giants Facebook Inc, Alphabet Inc's Google and Twitter Inc have privately warned the Hong Kong government that they could stop offering their services in the city if authorities proceed with planned changes to data-protection laws, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing a letter.

US tech giants Facebook Inc, Alphabet Inc's Google and Twitter Inc have privately warned the Hong Kong government that they could stop offering their services in the city if authorities proceed with planned changes to data-protection laws, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing a letter. The laws could make the tech companies liable for the malicious sharing of individuals' information online, the newspaper added. A letter sent by an industry group that includes the internet firms said companies are concerned that the planned rules to address 'doxing' could put their staff at risk of criminal investigations or prosecutions related to what the firms' users post online, Journal reported. Doxing is an act of revealing people's personal information such as real name, home address or workplace online without the user's permission. Facebook, Google and Twitter did not immediately respond to requests for a comment. Hong Kong's Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau in May proposed amendments to the city's data-protection laws that it said were needed to combat doxing, a practice that was prevalent during 2019 protests in the city, the newspaper said. According to the newspaper, the letter dated June 25 was sent by Singapore-based Asia Internet Coalition. "The only way to avoid these sanctions for technology companies would be to refrain from investing and offering the services in Hong Kong," the Journal reported, quoting the letter. (With inputs from agencies)

Facebook, Google, Twitter say could quit Hong Kong over proposed data laws: Report

An aeroplane with 28 people on board crashed into the sea on Tuesday off Russia's far eastern Kamchatka peninsula as it was preparing to land, RIA news agency reported on Tuesday.

The plane, an Antonov An-26 twin-engined turboprop, was en route from regional capital Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to Palana, a village in northern Kamchatka, when it lost contact with air traffic control, Russia's emergencies ministry said.

Several ships were en route to the crash site, RIA cited emergency services as saying.

There were 22 passengers and six crew on board, the ministry said. Village mayor Olga Mokhireva was among the passengers, the TASS agency quoted local authorities as saying.

The weather in the area was cloudy at the time, Interfax news agency said, quoting the local meteorology centre.

According to TASS, the plane was built in 1982.

An aeroplane with 28 people on board crashed into the sea on Tuesday off Russia's far eastern Kamchatka peninsula as it was preparing to land, RIA news agency reported on Tuesday.

An aeroplane with 28 people on board crashed into the sea on Tuesday off Russia's far eastern Kamchatka peninsula as it was preparing to land, RIA news agency reported on Tuesday. The plane, an Antonov An-26 twin-engined turboprop, was en route from regional capital Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to Palana, a village in northern Kamchatka, when it lost contact with air traffic control, Russia's emergencies ministry said. Several ships were en route to the crash site, RIA cited emergency services as saying. There were 22 passengers and six crew on board, the ministry said. Village mayor Olga Mokhireva was among the passengers, the TASS agency quoted local authorities as saying. The weather in the area was cloudy at the time, Interfax news agency said, quoting the local meteorology centre. According to TASS, the plane was built in 1982.

Plane with 28 on board crashes into sea in Russia's far east: Report

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