Bitcoin regained some ground on Tuesday, a day after touching a two-week low after China's central bank reaffirmed a crackdown on cryptocurrencies and restricted trading channels for Chinese residents. 
 
The world's largest crypto currency was last up 4.58% at $33,000, having dropped more than 10% on Monday. Ether, the second-biggest crypto currency, was up 5.05% at $1,983 after hitting a five-week low the day before. 
 
Monday's sell-off was sparked by an announcement from the Peoples Bank of China saying it had summoned China's largest banks and payment firms urging them to crack down harder on cryptocurrency trading. 
 
"It basically says now OTC transactions are not legitimate... we are not allowed by the banks to transfer money for cryptocurrency purchases and sales," said Bobby Lee, founder and CEO of Ballet, a cryptocurrency wallet app, and formerly CEO of BTC China, China's first bitcoin exchange. 
 
Crypto exchanges were effectively pushed out of China by a 2017 rule change, but over the counter (OTC) platforms based-overseas sprung up to act as middlemen, receiving payment from people based in China and buying cryptocurrencies on their behalf. 
 
"Essentially this puts all the OTC platforms out of business," Lee said. 
 
However, Tuesday's price moves suggested Asian traders thought markets overnight had overreacted to the news. 
 
"A Chinese ban on cryptocurrencies isn't something new. The one that came out yesterday was almost a copy of a previous announcement, earlier this year," said Justin d'Anethan, head of exchange sales at crypto exchange operator EQONEX. 
 
"As always, leverage, large participants and fundamental events mean crypto can move dramatically," he said. Last month, three industry associations issued a ban on crypto-related financial services, but these bodies have much less clout than the PBOC.&nbsp;

Market participants said at the time that the earlier ban would be hard to enforce as banks and payment firms would struggle to identify crypto-related payments. However, following Monday's PBOC statement, banks including Agricultural Bank of China and Alipay, the ubiquitous payment platform owned by fintech giant Ant Group, said they would step up monitoring to root out crypto transactions. 
 
China's crackdown has also had a dramatic effect on bitcoin mining. The hashrate, which measures the processing power of the bitcoin network and shows how much mining is taking place, on Monday hit its lowest level since late 2020. 
 
Cryptomining is a big business in China, which accounts for over half of global bitcoin production. However, since the State Council's statement, bans on cryptomining have been issued in major bitcoin mining hubs, including Sichuan, Xinjiang, and Inner Mongolia.

Bitcoin regained some ground on Tuesday, a day after touching a two-week low after China's central bank reaffirmed a crackdown on cryptocurrencies and restricted trading channels for Chinese residents.

Bitcoin regained some ground on Tuesday, a day after touching a two-week low after China's central bank reaffirmed a crackdown on cryptocurrencies and restricted trading channels for Chinese residents. The world's largest crypto currency was last up 4.58% at $33,000, having dropped more than 10% on Monday. Ether, the second-biggest crypto currency, was up 5.05% at $1,983 after hitting a five-week low the day before. Monday's sell-off was sparked by an announcement from the Peoples Bank of China saying it had summoned China's largest banks and payment firms urging them to crack down harder on cryptocurrency trading. "It basically says now OTC transactions are not legitimate... we are not allowed by the banks to transfer money for cryptocurrency purchases and sales," said Bobby Lee, founder and CEO of Ballet, a cryptocurrency wallet app, and formerly CEO of BTC China, China's first bitcoin exchange. Crypto exchanges were effectively pushed out of China by a 2017 rule change, but over the counter (OTC) platforms based-overseas sprung up to act as middlemen, receiving payment from people based in China and buying cryptocurrencies on their behalf. "Essentially this puts all the OTC platforms out of business," Lee said. However, Tuesday's price moves suggested Asian traders thought markets overnight had overreacted to the news. "A Chinese ban on cryptocurrencies isn't something new. The one that came out yesterday was almost a copy of a previous announcement, earlier this year," said Justin d'Anethan, head of exchange sales at crypto exchange operator EQONEX. "As always, leverage, large participants and fundamental events mean crypto can move dramatically," he said. Last month, three industry associations issued a ban on crypto-related financial services, but these bodies have much less clout than the PBOC. Market participants said at the time that the earlier ban would be hard to enforce as banks and payment firms would struggle to identify crypto-related payments. However, following Monday's PBOC statement, banks including Agricultural Bank of China and Alipay, the ubiquitous payment platform owned by fintech giant Ant Group, said they would step up monitoring to root out crypto transactions. China's crackdown has also had a dramatic effect on bitcoin mining. The hashrate, which measures the processing power of the bitcoin network and shows how much mining is taking place, on Monday hit its lowest level since late 2020. Cryptomining is a big business in China, which accounts for over half of global bitcoin production. However, since the State Council's statement, bans on cryptomining have been issued in major bitcoin mining hubs, including Sichuan, Xinjiang, and Inner Mongolia.

Bitcoin recoups some losses in Asia after plunging on Chinese crackdown

Iran could quickly export millions of barrels of oil it is holding in storage if it reaches a deal with the United States on its nuclear programme and has been moving oil into place to prepare for an eventual restart, Reuters news agency reported citing traders and industrial sources. 
 
The US&nbsp;and Iran began in mid-June their sixth round of indirect talks on reviving a 2015 nuclear deal that former US&nbsp;President Donald Trump pulled out of in 2018. Trump reimposed sanctions on Iran’s energy sector, leading refiners in many countries to shun Iranian crude and forcing Tehran to pump well below capacity. 
 
Iran sits on the world’s fourth-largest oil reserves and relies heavily on oil revenues. If and when the administration of US&nbsp;President Joe Biden and the Iranian government agree a deal that results in the lifting of sanctions, Iran plans to increase output to 3.8 million barrels per day (bpd) from the current 2.1 million bpd, according to oil ministry officials. 
 
That would return the country’s production level to where it was before the sanctions, but would take time because of years of low investment in mature oilfields and heavily reduced output. 
 
As a stopgap measure while it works on boosting production, the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) is expected to export from onshore and offshore storage that contains as much as 200 million barrel, according to energy consultancy and monitoring firms. &nbsp; 
 
This could allow the country to export an extra 1 million bpd, or 1% of global supply, for more than six months. 
 
"Iran will be using its nearly 60 million barrels of crude inventory, of which 30-35 million barrels are built during the past two years, within a few months of sanctions removal," said Iman Nasseri, managing director for the Middle East with FGE consultancy. 
 
An increase of 1 million bpd of Iranian crude would put downward pressure on benchmark global oil prices, but investment bank Goldman Sachs said last month that the global oil market should be able to absorb the additional supply relatively quickly. 
 
Fuel demand is rising as global economic activity recovers from the impact of the COVID-19 &nbsp;pandemic, and OPEC producers and their allies have been cautious about increasing supply to the market in part to avoid a shock should Iranian supply return.

"From a macro perspective, a return of Iranian barrels to the market should not derail OPEC+ intentions to gradually increase production as long as demand in Europe and the United States continues to recover," said Florian Thaler, the CEO and co-founder of consultancy OilX. 
 
Iran has boosted the volume of crude it has stored on oil tankers in recent months, according to data intelligence firm Kpler, in what may be a preparation for a restart to exports. Some of those tankers are already in Asia, historically the biggest market for Iran’s oil. 
 
"We currently estimate around 78 million barrels of oil and condensate are stored on water and this compares against only 41 million barrels at the same time last year," said Homayoun Falakshahi, a senior analyst at Kpler. 
 
"A lot of tankers are already parked close to East Asian markets, so it could be a question of days," he added.

(With inputs from agencies)

Iran could quickly export millions of barrels of oil it is holding in storage if it reaches a deal with the United States on its nuclear programme and has been moving oil into place to prepare for an eventual restart, Reuters news agency reported citing traders and industrial sources.

Iran could quickly export millions of barrels of oil it is holding in storage if it reaches a deal with the United States on its nuclear programme and has been moving oil into place to prepare for an eventual restart, Reuters news agency reported citing traders and industrial sources. The US and Iran began in mid-June their sixth round of indirect talks on reviving a 2015 nuclear deal that former US President Donald Trump pulled out of in 2018. Trump reimposed sanctions on Iran’s energy sector, leading refiners in many countries to shun Iranian crude and forcing Tehran to pump well below capacity. Iran sits on the world’s fourth-largest oil reserves and relies heavily on oil revenues. If and when the administration of US President Joe Biden and the Iranian government agree a deal that results in the lifting of sanctions, Iran plans to increase output to 3.8 million barrels per day (bpd) from the current 2.1 million bpd, according to oil ministry officials. That would return the country’s production level to where it was before the sanctions, but would take time because of years of low investment in mature oilfields and heavily reduced output. As a stopgap measure while it works on boosting production, the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) is expected to export from onshore and offshore storage that contains as much as 200 million barrel, according to energy consultancy and monitoring firms. This could allow the country to export an extra 1 million bpd, or 1% of global supply, for more than six months. "Iran will be using its nearly 60 million barrels of crude inventory, of which 30-35 million barrels are built during the past two years, within a few months of sanctions removal," said Iman Nasseri, managing director for the Middle East with FGE consultancy. An increase of 1 million bpd of Iranian crude would put downward pressure on benchmark global oil prices, but investment bank Goldman Sachs said last month that the global oil market should be able to absorb the additional supply relatively quickly. Fuel demand is rising as global economic activity recovers from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and OPEC producers and their allies have been cautious about increasing supply to the market in part to avoid a shock should Iranian supply return. "From a macro perspective, a return of Iranian barrels to the market should not derail OPEC+ intentions to gradually increase production as long as demand in Europe and the United States continues to recover," said Florian Thaler, the CEO and co-founder of consultancy OilX. Iran has boosted the volume of crude it has stored on oil tankers in recent months, according to data intelligence firm Kpler, in what may be a preparation for a restart to exports. Some of those tankers are already in Asia, historically the biggest market for Iran’s oil. "We currently estimate around 78 million barrels of oil and condensate are stored on water and this compares against only 41 million barrels at the same time last year," said Homayoun Falakshahi, a senior analyst at Kpler. "A lot of tankers are already parked close to East Asian markets, so it could be a question of days," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Iran stores more oil on tankers as it counts days to enter markets

The Australian government has rejected plans for a $36 billion wind, solar and hydrogen project in a remote area of Western Australia, leaving what would have been one of the world's largest green energy projects in limbo for now. 
 
In a decision dated June 15, published on the environment department's website, Environment Minister Sussan Ley ruled that the project, the Asian Renewable Energy Hub (AREH), 'will have clearly unacceptable impacts' on internationally recognised wetlands and migratory bird species. 
 
The AREH project, located in the state's Pilbara region, was designed to initially build 15 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy capacity, eventually to be expanded to 26 GW and produce green hydrogen and ammonia for export. 
 
The government had awarded the project fast-track approval status last September, touting the jobs, clean energy for local industry and large-scale export opportunity that it would bring. AREH is being developed by privately owned InterContinental Energy, renewables developer CWP Energy Asia, top global wind turbine maker Vestas and a Macquarie Group fund. 
 
The environment minister cited the expansion plan in the rejection decision. The project's original plan won environmental approval last December. 
 
The proposed enlargement came with a port facility for ammonia; a town that would be home to 8,000 people including project workers; expanded solar arrays; ammonia, hydrogen and desalination plants and storage facilities; and a pipeline route for transporting ammonia, seawater and brine through wetlands. 
 
"We are now working to understand the minister's concerns, and will engage further with the minister and her department as we continue to work on the detailed design and engineering aspects of the project," the AREH consortium said in a statement. The project, on the drawing board since 2014, originally planned to generate wind and solar power and transmit it via an undersea cable to Asia, but last year changed plans, aiming to use clean power to split water to produce hydrogen and ammonia for export. 
 
Australia's Clean Energy Council on Monday said it expects the government will work with AREH to assess and address any environmental impacts. "If the government is to be taken seriously on developing a hydrogen economy, companies prioritising genuinely zero emissions projects should be assisted to reach a final investment decision," said Dan Gocher, climate and environment director at the Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

The Australian government has rejected plans for a $36 billion wind, solar and hydrogen project in a remote area of Western Australia, leaving what would have been one of the world's largest green energy projects in limbo for now.

The Australian government has rejected plans for a $36 billion wind, solar and hydrogen project in a remote area of Western Australia, leaving what would have been one of the world's largest green energy projects in limbo for now. In a decision dated June 15, published on the environment department's website, Environment Minister Sussan Ley ruled that the project, the Asian Renewable Energy Hub (AREH), 'will have clearly unacceptable impacts' on internationally recognised wetlands and migratory bird species. The AREH project, located in the state's Pilbara region, was designed to initially build 15 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy capacity, eventually to be expanded to 26 GW and produce green hydrogen and ammonia for export. The government had awarded the project fast-track approval status last September, touting the jobs, clean energy for local industry and large-scale export opportunity that it would bring. AREH is being developed by privately owned InterContinental Energy, renewables developer CWP Energy Asia, top global wind turbine maker Vestas and a Macquarie Group fund. The environment minister cited the expansion plan in the rejection decision. The project's original plan won environmental approval last December. The proposed enlargement came with a port facility for ammonia; a town that would be home to 8,000 people including project workers; expanded solar arrays; ammonia, hydrogen and desalination plants and storage facilities; and a pipeline route for transporting ammonia, seawater and brine through wetlands. "We are now working to understand the minister's concerns, and will engage further with the minister and her department as we continue to work on the detailed design and engineering aspects of the project," the AREH consortium said in a statement. The project, on the drawing board since 2014, originally planned to generate wind and solar power and transmit it via an undersea cable to Asia, but last year changed plans, aiming to use clean power to split water to produce hydrogen and ammonia for export. Australia's Clean Energy Council on Monday said it expects the government will work with AREH to assess and address any environmental impacts. "If the government is to be taken seriously on developing a hydrogen economy, companies prioritising genuinely zero emissions projects should be assisted to reach a final investment decision," said Dan Gocher, climate and environment director at the Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility. (With inputs from agencies)

Australia rejects $36 billion wind, solar, hydrogen project

Hong Kong pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily will be forced to shut 'in a matter of days' after authorities froze the company's assets under a sweeping national security law, an adviser to jailed owner Jimmy Lai told Reuters on Monday. 
 
Following are some comments from Hong Kong residents and others in reaction to the news. Residents declined to give their full names due to the sensitivity of the matter:

Kathleen Carroll, chair of the board of the committee to protect journalists, which handed Lai the 2021 Gwen Ifill Press Freedom Award on Monday, said&nbsp;"Jimmy Lai is not just a champion of a free press, he is a press freedom warrior. He fights for the right of his Apple News organisation to publish freely, even as China and its backers in Hong Kong use every tool to quash them.We look forward to the day when we can present that award to him in person." 
 
Li, 53, management industry, said, "It's very painful to see Hong Kong become like this. Whatever you do, you could be in jail. Everyone has to hold on. Hopefully, Hong Kong could go back to the way we knew it. 
 
"Of course, it's pitiful. Hong Kong has lost its free voice. I hope they will have another way to continue. Hong Kong needs the voice of truth." 
 
Lau, 72, former office worker, said,&nbsp;"Its news are so fake. This newspaper should have closed down a while ago. During the riot, it portrayed rioters as heroes." Apart from negative news (against the government), it doesn't have much else. It uses huge pictures and headlines to fill the pages. It will be better for security in Hong Kong." 
 
Wong, 52, former legal professional, said,&nbsp;"You can disagree with what it says, but you can't oppress it. Hong Kong's freedom of speech and freedom of the press are facing huge restrictions. As a Hong Konger, I feel very sad."

Hong Kong pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily will be forced to shut 'in a matter of days' after authorities froze the company's assets under a sweeping national security law, an adviser to jailed owner Jimmy Lai told Reuters on Monday.

Hong Kong pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily will be forced to shut 'in a matter of days' after authorities froze the company's assets under a sweeping national security law, an adviser to jailed owner Jimmy Lai told Reuters on Monday. Following are some comments from Hong Kong residents and others in reaction to the news. Residents declined to give their full names due to the sensitivity of the matter: Kathleen Carroll, chair of the board of the committee to protect journalists, which handed Lai the 2021 Gwen Ifill Press Freedom Award on Monday, said "Jimmy Lai is not just a champion of a free press, he is a press freedom warrior. He fights for the right of his Apple News organisation to publish freely, even as China and its backers in Hong Kong use every tool to quash them.We look forward to the day when we can present that award to him in person." Li, 53, management industry, said, "It's very painful to see Hong Kong become like this. Whatever you do, you could be in jail. Everyone has to hold on. Hopefully, Hong Kong could go back to the way we knew it. "Of course, it's pitiful. Hong Kong has lost its free voice. I hope they will have another way to continue. Hong Kong needs the voice of truth." Lau, 72, former office worker, said, "Its news are so fake. This newspaper should have closed down a while ago. During the riot, it portrayed rioters as heroes." Apart from negative news (against the government), it doesn't have much else. It uses huge pictures and headlines to fill the pages. It will be better for security in Hong Kong." Wong, 52, former legal professional, said, "You can disagree with what it says, but you can't oppress it. Hong Kong's freedom of speech and freedom of the press are facing huge restrictions. As a Hong Konger, I feel very sad."

Apple Daily reportedly plans to shut down, Hong Kongers say they will miss it

A German trade union called on workers at seven Amazon warehouses to go on strike on Monday for several days to coincide with the global Prime Day promotion. 
 
Verdi said it was organising the three-day strike as part of a long-running battle with the US&nbsp;tech giant in Germany over better pay and working conditions. 
 
"The workers in the mail order centres have to cope with the rush of customers and don't get a cent more for the additionally intensified workload," said Verdi representative Orhan Akman in a statement. 
 
Germany is Amazon's biggest market after the United States, and the Verdi union has been organising strikes at Amazon in the country since 2013 to protest low pay and poor conditions. 
 
An Amazon spokesperson said the company offers excellent pay and benefits. It has said during past calls for strikes over 90% of employees in the logistic centres worked as normal. 
 
Earlier this month, Amazon said it will guarantee an entry-level wage at its German warehouses of 12 euros ($14.25) an hour from July, which will rise to at least 12.50 euros per hour from autumn 2022. 
 
Amazon holds Prime Day to boost summer sales. The member-only discounts are an important way Amazon markets Prime, a fast-shipping and media-streaming service that incentivises subscribers to do more shopping on Amazon. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

A German trade union called on workers at seven Amazon warehouses to go on strike on Monday for several days to coincide with the global Prime Day promotion. Verdi said it was organising the three-day strike as part of a long-running battle with the US tech giant in Germany over better pay and working conditions.

A German trade union called on workers at seven Amazon warehouses to go on strike on Monday for several days to coincide with the global Prime Day promotion. Verdi said it was organising the three-day strike as part of a long-running battle with the US tech giant in Germany over better pay and working conditions. "The workers in the mail order centres have to cope with the rush of customers and don't get a cent more for the additionally intensified workload," said Verdi representative Orhan Akman in a statement. Germany is Amazon's biggest market after the United States, and the Verdi union has been organising strikes at Amazon in the country since 2013 to protest low pay and poor conditions. An Amazon spokesperson said the company offers excellent pay and benefits. It has said during past calls for strikes over 90% of employees in the logistic centres worked as normal. Earlier this month, Amazon said it will guarantee an entry-level wage at its German warehouses of 12 euros ($14.25) an hour from July, which will rise to at least 12.50 euros per hour from autumn 2022. Amazon holds Prime Day to boost summer sales. The member-only discounts are an important way Amazon markets Prime, a fast-shipping and media-streaming service that incentivises subscribers to do more shopping on Amazon. (With inputs from agencies)

German union calls for Amazon workers to strike on 'Prime Day'

The first round results of France's regional elections marked a form of failure for President Emmanuel Macron's party, said Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin on Monday, although he added it was too soon to draw conclusions for the 2022 Presidential vote. 
 
France's far right performed worse than predicted in Sunday's regional elections, exit polls showed, and the centre-right made a comeback while the vote as a whole was impacted by a high abstention rate. 
 
Asked on France 2 television if Sunday's results were a failure for Macron's party, Darmanin replied: "Of course." 
 
"Democracy means sometimes losing elections. The Presidential majority faced an important hurdle...let us not draw quick conclusions regarding the Presidential elections," he added. 
 
Darmanin also said that Sunday's record low turnout was 'a defeat for all of us' as 'abstention is a message. The French people are telling politicians they do not trust them.' 
 
"No-one can be happy when there is a 70% abstention rate, rising to over 80% among young people," he added. 
 
An IPSOS exit poll showed the centre-right Les Republicains winning 27.2% of the national vote, ahead of the far right on 19.3%, followed by the Green party, the Socialist Party and Macron's La Republique en Marche on 11.2%. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

The first round results of France's regional elections marked a form of failure for President Emmanuel Macron's party, said Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin on Monday, although he added it was too soon to draw conclusions for the 2022 Presidential vote.

The first round results of France's regional elections marked a form of failure for President Emmanuel Macron's party, said Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin on Monday, although he added it was too soon to draw conclusions for the 2022 Presidential vote. France's far right performed worse than predicted in Sunday's regional elections, exit polls showed, and the centre-right made a comeback while the vote as a whole was impacted by a high abstention rate. Asked on France 2 television if Sunday's results were a failure for Macron's party, Darmanin replied: "Of course." "Democracy means sometimes losing elections. The Presidential majority faced an important hurdle...let us not draw quick conclusions regarding the Presidential elections," he added. Darmanin also said that Sunday's record low turnout was 'a defeat for all of us' as 'abstention is a message. The French people are telling politicians they do not trust them.' "No-one can be happy when there is a 70% abstention rate, rising to over 80% among young people," he added. An IPSOS exit poll showed the centre-right Les Republicains winning 27.2% of the national vote, ahead of the far right on 19.3%, followed by the Green party, the Socialist Party and Macron's La Republique en Marche on 11.2%. (With inputs from agencies)

French regional vote marks failure for Macron's party: Interior minister

The US&nbsp;special representative for North Korea, Sung Kim, said on Monday, he looks forward to a positive response on dialogue from North Korea, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported. 
 
Sung Kim is in South Korea for a five-day visit, with no word of any planned efforts to contact the North.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/denuclearisation-is-the-goal-biden-moon-express-willingness-for-dialogue-with-north-korea-386632">'Denuclearisation is the goal': Biden, Moon express willingness for dialogue with North Korea</a>

Earlier, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had said his country needs to prepare for 'both dialogue and confrontation' with the United States under President Joe Biden, state media had reported.

At a plenary meeting of the central committee of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, Kim outlined his strategy for relations with Washington, and the 'policy tendency of the newly emerged US administration', the Korean Central News Agency said.

Kim 'stressed the need to get prepared for both dialogue and confrontation, especially to get fully prepared for confrontation to protect the dignity of our state' and reliably guarantee a 'peaceful environment', KCNA reported.

The North Korean leader "called for sharply and promptly reacting to and coping with the fast-changing situation and concentrating efforts on taking stable control of the situation on the Korean peninsula", the agency said.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-accuses-the-us-of-using-spurious-diplomacy-to-cover-up-hostile-acts-382073">North Korea accuses the US of using 'spurious' diplomacy to 'cover up hostile acts'</a>

Pyongyang had already accused Biden of pursuing a 'hostile policy' and saying it was a 'big blunder' for the veteran Democrat to say he would deal with the threat posed by the North's nuclear programme 'through diplomacy as well as stern deterrence'.

In 2019, the North said Biden should be 'beaten to death with a stick'.

(With inputs from agencies)

The US special representative for North Korea, Sung Kim, said on Monday, he looks forward to a positive response on dialogue from North Korea, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported.

The US special representative for North Korea, Sung Kim, said on Monday, he looks forward to a positive response on dialogue from North Korea, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported. Sung Kim is in South Korea for a five-day visit, with no word of any planned efforts to contact the North. Also read | 'Denuclearisation is the goal': Biden, Moon express willingness for dialogue with North Korea Earlier, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had said his country needs to prepare for 'both dialogue and confrontation' with the United States under President Joe Biden, state media had reported. At a plenary meeting of the central committee of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, Kim outlined his strategy for relations with Washington, and the 'policy tendency of the newly emerged US administration', the Korean Central News Agency said. Kim 'stressed the need to get prepared for both dialogue and confrontation, especially to get fully prepared for confrontation to protect the dignity of our state' and reliably guarantee a 'peaceful environment', KCNA reported. The North Korean leader "called for sharply and promptly reacting to and coping with the fast-changing situation and concentrating efforts on taking stable control of the situation on the Korean peninsula", the agency said. Also read | North Korea accuses the US of using 'spurious' diplomacy to 'cover up hostile acts' Pyongyang had already accused Biden of pursuing a 'hostile policy' and saying it was a 'big blunder' for the veteran Democrat to say he would deal with the threat posed by the North's nuclear programme 'through diplomacy as well as stern deterrence'. In 2019, the North said Biden should be 'beaten to death with a stick'. (With inputs from agencies)

US nuclear envoy says looking forward to positive response on dialogue from N Korea: Report

Germany's antitrust watchdog said on Monday it had launched an investigation into whether Apple was exploiting its market dominance, following similar proceedings into US&nbsp;tech rivals Facebook, Amazon and Google. 
 
Based on new competition law rules specifically intended for large digital companies, Germany's Federal Cartel Office (FCO) said it would assess whether Apple has a 'paramount significance across markets' in a first step. 
 
"Based on this first proceeding, the (FCO) intends to assess in more detail specific practices of Apple in a possible further proceeding. In this regard, the authority has received various complaints relating to potentially anti-competitive practices." 
 
The FCO said one complaint came from an association in the advertising and media industry and was aimed at Apple restricting user tracking with the introduction of its iOS 14.5 operating system. 
 
An Apple spokesperson said: "We look forward to discussing our approach with the FCO and having an open dialogue about any of their concerns."

Germany's antitrust watchdog said on Monday it had launched an investigation into whether Apple was exploiting its market dominance, following similar proceedings into US tech rivals Facebook, Amazon and Google.

Germany's antitrust watchdog said on Monday it had launched an investigation into whether Apple was exploiting its market dominance, following similar proceedings into US tech rivals Facebook, Amazon and Google. Based on new competition law rules specifically intended for large digital companies, Germany's Federal Cartel Office (FCO) said it would assess whether Apple has a 'paramount significance across markets' in a first step. "Based on this first proceeding, the (FCO) intends to assess in more detail specific practices of Apple in a possible further proceeding. In this regard, the authority has received various complaints relating to potentially anti-competitive practices." The FCO said one complaint came from an association in the advertising and media industry and was aimed at Apple restricting user tracking with the introduction of its iOS 14.5 operating system. An Apple spokesperson said: "We look forward to discussing our approach with the FCO and having an open dialogue about any of their concerns."

German antitrust watchdog launches investigation into Apple

A 35-day manhunt in Belgium that involved helicopters, armored vehicles, 400 soldiers and police officers, as well as reinforcements from Germany and the Netherlands, culminated Sunday in the discovery of a body believed to be that of a missing soldier with links to the far right.

The body was found in a forest where the soldier, Jürgen Conings, 46, disappeared more than a month ago after threatening the government and virologists responsible for the country’s response to the coronavirus, the federal prosecutor said. At the time, the soldier was armed with four rocket launchers, a submachine gun and a semi-automatic pistol that he had taken from an army depot.

The prosecutor said an initial investigation indicated the body belonged to Conings, a shooting instructor who in February was classified as a high-level threat to national security. He appears to have shot himself, authorities said.

In a letter to his girlfriend around the time he disappeared on May 17, Conings wrote that he would not give up without a fight.

“The so-called political elite and now virologists decide how you and I should live,” he wrote. The virologists and the government “have taken everything away from us,” he said. “I don’t care if I die or not.”

The soldier’s disappearance came at a time of frustration in Belgium over pandemic restrictions and the economic damage from them. The country has had a relatively large number of COVID-19 deaths per capita and has imposed one of the longest lockdowns in Europe.

The far-right camp in Belgium has used the pandemic to inflame public anger at the government. Reports from state security agencies warned as early as last spring of “the emergence of various right-wing extremist individuals and groups spreading conspiracy theories” about COVID-19.

Conings’ links to far-right extremists were under investigation by the federal prosecutor.

Before the soldier disappeared, he went to the house of Marc Van Ranst, a top virologist active in Belgium’s COVID-19 response, and waited outside for him to return home from work. But Van Ranst had taken his first afternoon off in 16 months and was already home.

It was not the first time Conings had threatened Van Ranst, a well-known public health figure in Belgium. Van Ranst had also drawn the ire of the far right for speaking out against racism and xenophobia.

After the soldier went missing, Belgian authorities placed Van Ranst and his family in a safe location. When the body was discovered Sunday, Van Ranst, who was celebrating his 56th birthday in hiding, told the local news media that he hoped to “get back to normal life soon.”

Although he said he had little sympathy for Conings, he expressed condolences to the soldier’s family.

Conings joined the military at 18. But after making racist comments and threats, he lost his security clearance last year and was demoted, Belgian authorities said.

Even though the security services listed the soldier as a “potentially dangerous extremist,” Belgium’s defense minister said in a parliamentary hearing that Conings had an access card to an ammunition depot after his demotion.

Belgium is divided linguistically and politically between the wealthy Dutch-speaking region of Flanders in the north and the poorer French-speaking Wallonia in the south. Each has its own government and political landscape, and centrist politicians face pressure from the far left and the far right.

The challenge is particularly prominent in Flanders, which is home to Conings and Van Ranst as well as two right-wing parties. One of them, Vlaams Belang, a Flemish ultranationalist, anti-immigration party, has gained significant support in recent years.

After Conings’ disappearance, 45,000 people joined a Facebook group called “All united behind Jürgen,” before Facebook blocked it. On Telegram, the encrypted messaging app, about 3,300 users have been exchanging messages of solidarity in a group called “As one man behind Jürgen!”

But when the Facebook group called for demonstrations in support of Conings near his hometown a week later, only about 350 people turned up.

The long, unsuccessful manhunt had become the source of bitter jokes in a country roughly the size of the state of Maryland. Last week, police discovered a backpack containing ammunition they believe belonged to Conings.

“That place had been searched before, but the backpack was possibly overlooked then,” the federal prosecutor’s office told local media.

A 35-day manhunt in Belgium that involved helicopters, armored vehicles, 400 soldiers and police officers, as well as reinforcements from Germany and the Netherlands, culminated Sunday in the discovery of a body believed to be that of a missing soldier with links to the far right.

A 35-day manhunt in Belgium that involved helicopters, armored vehicles, 400 soldiers and police officers, as well as reinforcements from Germany and the Netherlands, culminated Sunday in the discovery of a body believed to be that of a missing soldier with links to the far right. The body was found in a forest where the soldier, Jürgen Conings, 46, disappeared more than a month ago after threatening the government and virologists responsible for the country’s response to the coronavirus, the federal prosecutor said. At the time, the soldier was armed with four rocket launchers, a submachine gun and a semi-automatic pistol that he had taken from an army depot. The prosecutor said an initial investigation indicated the body belonged to Conings, a shooting instructor who in February was classified as a high-level threat to national security. He appears to have shot himself, authorities said. In a letter to his girlfriend around the time he disappeared on May 17, Conings wrote that he would not give up without a fight. “The so-called political elite and now virologists decide how you and I should live,” he wrote. The virologists and the government “have taken everything away from us,” he said. “I don’t care if I die or not.” The soldier’s disappearance came at a time of frustration in Belgium over pandemic restrictions and the economic damage from them. The country has had a relatively large number of COVID-19 deaths per capita and has imposed one of the longest lockdowns in Europe. The far-right camp in Belgium has used the pandemic to inflame public anger at the government. Reports from state security agencies warned as early as last spring of “the emergence of various right-wing extremist individuals and groups spreading conspiracy theories” about COVID-19. Conings’ links to far-right extremists were under investigation by the federal prosecutor. Before the soldier disappeared, he went to the house of Marc Van Ranst, a top virologist active in Belgium’s COVID-19 response, and waited outside for him to return home from work. But Van Ranst had taken his first afternoon off in 16 months and was already home. It was not the first time Conings had threatened Van Ranst, a well-known public health figure in Belgium. Van Ranst had also drawn the ire of the far right for speaking out against racism and xenophobia. After the soldier went missing, Belgian authorities placed Van Ranst and his family in a safe location. When the body was discovered Sunday, Van Ranst, who was celebrating his 56th birthday in hiding, told the local news media that he hoped to “get back to normal life soon.” Although he said he had little sympathy for Conings, he expressed condolences to the soldier’s family. Conings joined the military at 18. But after making racist comments and threats, he lost his security clearance last year and was demoted, Belgian authorities said. Even though the security services listed the soldier as a “potentially dangerous extremist,” Belgium’s defense minister said in a parliamentary hearing that Conings had an access card to an ammunition depot after his demotion. Belgium is divided linguistically and politically between the wealthy Dutch-speaking region of Flanders in the north and the poorer French-speaking Wallonia in the south. Each has its own government and political landscape, and centrist politicians face pressure from the far left and the far right. The challenge is particularly prominent in Flanders, which is home to Conings and Van Ranst as well as two right-wing parties. One of them, Vlaams Belang, a Flemish ultranationalist, anti-immigration party, has gained significant support in recent years. After Conings’ disappearance, 45,000 people joined a Facebook group called “All united behind Jürgen,” before Facebook blocked it. On Telegram, the encrypted messaging app, about 3,300 users have been exchanging messages of solidarity in a group called “As one man behind Jürgen!” But when the Facebook group called for demonstrations in support of Conings near his hometown a week later, only about 350 people turned up. The long, unsuccessful manhunt had become the source of bitter jokes in a country roughly the size of the state of Maryland. Last week, police discovered a backpack containing ammunition they believe belonged to Conings. “That place had been searched before, but the backpack was possibly overlooked then,” the federal prosecutor’s office told local media.

After 35-day manhunt for missing far-right soldier, body is found in Belgium

Prime Minister Stefan Lofven looked destined to be the first Swedish premier to be ousted by parliament on Monday after his government's weekend efforts to broker a deal to win back the support of the Left Party fell through. 
 
That would leave Lofven with one week to either resign or call snap elections, unseen in Sweden since 1958. In either case, national elections set for September next year would proceed as planned. 
 
"It is looking like we will have a historic day in parliament," national daily Dagens Nyheter said on its front page. 
 
Lofven secured a second term in 2018 only after months of negotiations following an election in which the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats made big gains to redraw the political map. 
 
A former union boss known for his negotiating skills, Lofven has since led a fragile minority government of Social Democrats and Greens, supported by former political rivals the Centre Party and the Liberals. 
 
While not part of any formal agreement, the government has also needed the tacit backing of the Left Party. That changed last week after the government signaled it would move to ease rent control for new-build apartments, a red flag for the Left.&nbsp; 
 
The formerly communist Left Party demanded that the government withdraw any such plans. 
 
While the Social Democrats and the party's partners took steps to placate the Left over the weekend, the last-gasp moves appeared to have failed to stave off the political crisis. 
 
The motion of no confidence called by the fiercely nationalist Sweden Democrats, set to be voted by parliament at about 0800 GMT, now looks all but certain to gather the votes needed to oust Lofven. 
 
Economists have said they do not expect the political uncertainty to weigh on the economy, given the strict fiscal rules under which the country operates.

Prime Minister Stefan Lofven looked destined to be the first Swedish premier to be ousted by parliament on Monday after his government's weekend efforts to broker a deal to win back the support of the Left Party fell through.

Prime Minister Stefan Lofven looked destined to be the first Swedish premier to be ousted by parliament on Monday after his government's weekend efforts to broker a deal to win back the support of the Left Party fell through. That would leave Lofven with one week to either resign or call snap elections, unseen in Sweden since 1958. In either case, national elections set for September next year would proceed as planned. "It is looking like we will have a historic day in parliament," national daily Dagens Nyheter said on its front page. Lofven secured a second term in 2018 only after months of negotiations following an election in which the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats made big gains to redraw the political map. A former union boss known for his negotiating skills, Lofven has since led a fragile minority government of Social Democrats and Greens, supported by former political rivals the Centre Party and the Liberals. While not part of any formal agreement, the government has also needed the tacit backing of the Left Party. That changed last week after the government signaled it would move to ease rent control for new-build apartments, a red flag for the Left. The formerly communist Left Party demanded that the government withdraw any such plans. While the Social Democrats and the party's partners took steps to placate the Left over the weekend, the last-gasp moves appeared to have failed to stave off the political crisis. The motion of no confidence called by the fiercely nationalist Sweden Democrats, set to be voted by parliament at about 0800 GMT, now looks all but certain to gather the votes needed to oust Lofven. Economists have said they do not expect the political uncertainty to weigh on the economy, given the strict fiscal rules under which the country operates.

Swedish PM on the brink as parliament readies Monday no-confidence vote

The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen destroyed a drone launched by Iran-aligned Houthi movement towards the southern Saudi city of Khamis Mushait, Saudi state TV reported. 
 
On Saturday, Saudi air defences had intercepted 17 armed drones the coalition said were launched by Houthis towards the kingdom. 
 
Earlier, Saudi Arabian state media said that the kingdom's air defences destroyed 10 drones launched by Houthi rebels. The media reports quoted Saudi Arabia-led military coalition.

The official Saudi Press Agency reported that seven of the drones targetted regions in southern Saudi Arabia.&nbsp;

Three targeted the Khamis Mushait region, also in the south and home to military installations, it said.

"The interception operations were successful," the coalition said in a statement, adding that the drones were packed with explosives and seven were knocked out in Yemeni air space.

Meanwhile, Iran-backed Houthi rebels tweeted that one drone was launched towards King Khaled air base in Khamis Mushait.

These developments come as diplomatic push by the United Nations, the US to secure Yemen ceasefire have failed.

The outgoing UN envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths on Tuesday told the Security Council his own efforts over the past three years to end the war have been 'in vain'.

"It is with deep regret that I report today that the parties have not overcome their differences," said Griffiths.

Yemen has been devastated by a civil war between the Saudi-backed government and the Iran-backed Houthis since 2014, and millions of civilians are on the brink of famine, according to the UN.

The Saudi-led coalition has controlled Yemen's airspace since it launched a military campaign in 2015 to prop up the country's internationally recognised government.

The Houthis have repeatedly demanded the re-opening of Sanaa airport before any ceasefire.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen destroyed a drone launched by Iran-aligned Houthi movement towards the southern Saudi city of Khamis Mushait, Saudi state TV reported.

The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen destroyed a drone launched by Iran-aligned Houthi movement towards the southern Saudi city of Khamis Mushait, Saudi state TV reported. On Saturday, Saudi air defences had intercepted 17 armed drones the coalition said were launched by Houthis towards the kingdom. Earlier, Saudi Arabian state media said that the kingdom's air defences destroyed 10 drones launched by Houthi rebels. The media reports quoted Saudi Arabia-led military coalition. The official Saudi Press Agency reported that seven of the drones targetted regions in southern Saudi Arabia. Three targeted the Khamis Mushait region, also in the south and home to military installations, it said. "The interception operations were successful," the coalition said in a statement, adding that the drones were packed with explosives and seven were knocked out in Yemeni air space. Meanwhile, Iran-backed Houthi rebels tweeted that one drone was launched towards King Khaled air base in Khamis Mushait. These developments come as diplomatic push by the United Nations, the US to secure Yemen ceasefire have failed. The outgoing UN envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths on Tuesday told the Security Council his own efforts over the past three years to end the war have been 'in vain'. "It is with deep regret that I report today that the parties have not overcome their differences," said Griffiths. Yemen has been devastated by a civil war between the Saudi-backed government and the Iran-backed Houthis since 2014, and millions of civilians are on the brink of famine, according to the UN. The Saudi-led coalition has controlled Yemen's airspace since it launched a military campaign in 2015 to prop up the country's internationally recognised government. The Houthis have repeatedly demanded the re-opening of Sanaa airport before any ceasefire. (With inputs from agencies)

Saudi-led coalition destroys drone fired by Yemen's Houthis: State TV

Germany's liberal Free Democrats (FDP) will not join a coalition led by the ecologist Greens after an election in September, mass-selling Bild daily reported on Monday, citing party sources. 
 
The decision would make it more difficult for the Greens, who are expected to come second in the election behind Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives, to try to form a government after the vote. 
 
The Greens are running about 8 points behind the conservatives and polling at about 20%. 
 
The conservatives and Greens could seek to form a coalition after the election but may find it difficult to bridge differences on whether to raise taxes to fund a transition to a carbon-neutral economy and ramp up investments in digital infrastructure and schools. 
 
The conservatives argue that tax hikes would harm the economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. 
 
Opinion polls show the Greens would have a majority in parliament with the FDP and centre-left Social Democrats (SPD), who are polling on about 13% and 16%, respectively. 
 
The FDP are the conservatives' preferred ruling partners but the two parties are unlikely to win enough votes for a parliamentary majority given that the conservative bloc is on 28%. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Germany's liberal Free Democrats (FDP) will not join a coalition led by the ecologist Greens after an election in September, mass-selling Bild daily reported on Monday, citing party sources.

Germany's liberal Free Democrats (FDP) will not join a coalition led by the ecologist Greens after an election in September, mass-selling Bild daily reported on Monday, citing party sources. The decision would make it more difficult for the Greens, who are expected to come second in the election behind Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives, to try to form a government after the vote. The Greens are running about 8 points behind the conservatives and polling at about 20%. The conservatives and Greens could seek to form a coalition after the election but may find it difficult to bridge differences on whether to raise taxes to fund a transition to a carbon-neutral economy and ramp up investments in digital infrastructure and schools. The conservatives argue that tax hikes would harm the economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. Opinion polls show the Greens would have a majority in parliament with the FDP and centre-left Social Democrats (SPD), who are polling on about 13% and 16%, respectively. The FDP are the conservatives' preferred ruling partners but the two parties are unlikely to win enough votes for a parliamentary majority given that the conservative bloc is on 28%. (With inputs from agencies)

German liberal FDP rules out coalition with Greens after election: Report

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