Israel's ambassador to the United States said on Tuesday that Hamas militants tried to disrupt Israel's Iron Dome rocket defense system from a Gaza building housing The Associated Press and other news outlets, prompting the Israeli air force to destroy the high rise last month.

The AP said it has not seen evidence to support the claim. Ambassador Gilad Erdan issued his statement a day after meeting the AP's president and chief executive, Gary Pruitt, and Ian Phillips, vice president for international news, at the AP's New York headquarters.

The Israeli air force bombed the 12-story al-Jalaa tower on May 15, roughly an hour after ordering all occupants to evacuate. No one was injured, but the building was destroyed. The building was home to offices belonging to the AP, the Al Jazeera satellite channel as well as dozens of families.

The airstrike came during an 11-day war between Israel and Gaza's ruling Hamas militant group. In a statement on Twitter, Erdan said he told AP executives that the building was used by Hamas to disrupt the Iron Dome, which intercepted hundreds of incoming rockets fired by the militant group during the fighting.

Erdan said the airstrike did not intentionally target journalists. "AP is one of the most important news agencies in the world and Israel does not suspect its employees were aware a covert Hamas unit was using the building in this way," he said.

"I reaffirmed that Israel upholds the importance of press freedom and strives to ensure the safety of journalists wherever they are reporting. Israel is willing to assist AP in rebuilding its offices and operations in Gaza,"&nbsp;he added.

"The meeting with Erdan was a positive and constructive conversation," the AP said in a statement. The agency expressed its appreciation for his pledges to help rebuild an AP bureau in Gaza. The AP renewed its call to see evidence backing Israel's claim that Hamas militants were operating in the building.

"Israeli authorities maintain that the building housing our bureau was destroyed because of a Hamas presence that posed an urgent threat," the AP said. "We have yet to receive evidence to support these claims. AP continues to call for the full release of any evidence the Israelis have so that the facts are public."

The AP has repeatedly urged Israel to share any evidence supporting its claims of Hamas activity in the building. It also has urged an independent investigation into the incident.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Israel's ambassador to the United States said on Tuesday that Hamas militants tried to disrupt Israel's Iron Dome rocket defense system from a Gaza building housing The Associated Press and other news outlets, prompting the Israeli air force to destroy the high rise last month.

Israel's ambassador to the United States said on Tuesday that Hamas militants tried to disrupt Israel's Iron Dome rocket defense system from a Gaza building housing The Associated Press and other news outlets, prompting the Israeli air force to destroy the high rise last month. The AP said it has not seen evidence to support the claim. Ambassador Gilad Erdan issued his statement a day after meeting the AP's president and chief executive, Gary Pruitt, and Ian Phillips, vice president for international news, at the AP's New York headquarters. The Israeli air force bombed the 12-story al-Jalaa tower on May 15, roughly an hour after ordering all occupants to evacuate. No one was injured, but the building was destroyed. The building was home to offices belonging to the AP, the Al Jazeera satellite channel as well as dozens of families. The airstrike came during an 11-day war between Israel and Gaza's ruling Hamas militant group. In a statement on Twitter, Erdan said he told AP executives that the building was used by Hamas to disrupt the Iron Dome, which intercepted hundreds of incoming rockets fired by the militant group during the fighting. Erdan said the airstrike did not intentionally target journalists. "AP is one of the most important news agencies in the world and Israel does not suspect its employees were aware a covert Hamas unit was using the building in this way," he said. "I reaffirmed that Israel upholds the importance of press freedom and strives to ensure the safety of journalists wherever they are reporting. Israel is willing to assist AP in rebuilding its offices and operations in Gaza," he added. "The meeting with Erdan was a positive and constructive conversation," the AP said in a statement. The agency expressed its appreciation for his pledges to help rebuild an AP bureau in Gaza. The AP renewed its call to see evidence backing Israel's claim that Hamas militants were operating in the building. "Israeli authorities maintain that the building housing our bureau was destroyed because of a Hamas presence that posed an urgent threat," the AP said. "We have yet to receive evidence to support these claims. AP continues to call for the full release of any evidence the Israelis have so that the facts are public." The AP has repeatedly urged Israel to share any evidence supporting its claims of Hamas activity in the building. It also has urged an independent investigation into the incident. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel says Hamas tried to disrupt Iron Dome, AP seeks proof

China is the single nation that militarily, economically, diplomatically and politically has the ability to try to disturb the rules-based order that the United States, its friends and allies strongly defend, US Secretary of State Tony Blinken has said.

He also said that China is both the most consequential and most complicated relationship the US has. "It (China) is the single nation state that militarily, economically, diplomatically, politically has the ability to try to up the rules-based order that we strongly defend because it's advanced our own security and prosperity for so many years," Blinken told lawmakers during a Congressional hearing on Tuesday.

Testifying before the Senate Appropriations Committee during the hearing on the 2022 Budget Request for the State Department, Blinken said the US-China relationship has increasing adversarial aspects to it.

"It certainly has competitive ones. And it still has some cooperative ones as well. But the common denominator is to approach each of those aspects of the relationship from a position of strength. I think that strength starts with a few things," he said.

Blinken said that it starts with alliances and partnerships. "This is a unique strategic asset for us, something that China does not enjoy. That's why we're working to revitalise those alliances and partnerships. It includes our engagement in international organisations and international life because when we pull back, China fills in and starts to shape the rules and set the norms," he said.

"It absolutely includes our military and our deterrent capability. As you know, better than I, some years ago we started to shift resources to the Asia Pacific, including about 60 per cent of our Navy. Continue to take the steps necessary to make sure we have a strong deterrent," Blinken said.

Finally, it involves making the right investments in ourselves, he said. "Investments in our technology, investments in our workers, investments in innovation and research and development, all of those elements together or how we approach China from a position of strength," Blinken said.

Responding to a question, the secretary of state said that China is making more investments in its nuclear programme and seeks to build its arsenal. "This is something that I think we need to engage because it presents a growing challenge. So, this is something that we're focused on. We're working on it," he said.

Blinken said that the foundational piece of ties with China has to be approaching it from a position of strength. The elements of that strength are strong alliances and partnerships.

"That is a strategic asset for us that China doesn't have. When we are working and speaking collectively with others who are aggrieved by China's practices in one area or another, we are much stronger. We're much more effective just in the economic realm, to cite one example," he said.

"Alone, we're about 20 per cent, 25 per cent of the world GDP. When we're working in concert with other democracies, we are 50 per cent or 60 per cent of the world GDP. It's a lot harder for China to ignore. So, alliances and partnerships, that's a critical piece," Blinken said.

Second is actually leaning in an engaging in these very imperfect international institutions, he said.&nbsp;"The challenge there is that these institutions tend to set the rules, the standards, the norms. When we pull back, China fills in, and it has a stronger hand in setting the rules on new technologies, for example leaning. We are leaning in, making sure with our allies and partners that we're present," he said.

"Third, what you've just done or are on the verge of doing, I think this afternoon, with this very important legislation that is making the right investments in ourselves, and our technology, in research and development, in our workers, that is fundamentally our greatest source of strength when it comes to competing and dealing effectively with China," Blinken said.

He said, of course, "our military, our deterrent capacity, all of those things have to be married together."&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

China is the single nation that militarily, economically, diplomatically and politically has the ability to try to disturb the rules-based order that the United States, its friends and allies strongly defend, US Secretary of State Tony Blinken has said.

China is the single nation that militarily, economically, diplomatically and politically has the ability to try to disturb the rules-based order that the United States, its friends and allies strongly defend, US Secretary of State Tony Blinken has said. He also said that China is both the most consequential and most complicated relationship the US has. "It (China) is the single nation state that militarily, economically, diplomatically, politically has the ability to try to up the rules-based order that we strongly defend because it's advanced our own security and prosperity for so many years," Blinken told lawmakers during a Congressional hearing on Tuesday. Testifying before the Senate Appropriations Committee during the hearing on the 2022 Budget Request for the State Department, Blinken said the US-China relationship has increasing adversarial aspects to it. "It certainly has competitive ones. And it still has some cooperative ones as well. But the common denominator is to approach each of those aspects of the relationship from a position of strength. I think that strength starts with a few things," he said. Blinken said that it starts with alliances and partnerships. "This is a unique strategic asset for us, something that China does not enjoy. That's why we're working to revitalise those alliances and partnerships. It includes our engagement in international organisations and international life because when we pull back, China fills in and starts to shape the rules and set the norms," he said. "It absolutely includes our military and our deterrent capability. As you know, better than I, some years ago we started to shift resources to the Asia Pacific, including about 60 per cent of our Navy. Continue to take the steps necessary to make sure we have a strong deterrent," Blinken said. Finally, it involves making the right investments in ourselves, he said. "Investments in our technology, investments in our workers, investments in innovation and research and development, all of those elements together or how we approach China from a position of strength," Blinken said. Responding to a question, the secretary of state said that China is making more investments in its nuclear programme and seeks to build its arsenal. "This is something that I think we need to engage because it presents a growing challenge. So, this is something that we're focused on. We're working on it," he said. Blinken said that the foundational piece of ties with China has to be approaching it from a position of strength. The elements of that strength are strong alliances and partnerships. "That is a strategic asset for us that China doesn't have. When we are working and speaking collectively with others who are aggrieved by China's practices in one area or another, we are much stronger. We're much more effective just in the economic realm, to cite one example," he said. "Alone, we're about 20 per cent, 25 per cent of the world GDP. When we're working in concert with other democracies, we are 50 per cent or 60 per cent of the world GDP. It's a lot harder for China to ignore. So, alliances and partnerships, that's a critical piece," Blinken said. Second is actually leaning in an engaging in these very imperfect international institutions, he said. "The challenge there is that these institutions tend to set the rules, the standards, the norms. When we pull back, China fills in, and it has a stronger hand in setting the rules on new technologies, for example leaning. We are leaning in, making sure with our allies and partners that we're present," he said. "Third, what you've just done or are on the verge of doing, I think this afternoon, with this very important legislation that is making the right investments in ourselves, and our technology, in research and development, in our workers, that is fundamentally our greatest source of strength when it comes to competing and dealing effectively with China," Blinken said. He said, of course, "our military, our deterrent capacity, all of those things have to be married together." (With inputs from agencies)

China has ability to try to disturb rules-based order that US, allies defend: Blinken 

At least 10 people were killed and 16 others injured in an armed attack on staff members of a British-American charity in Afghanistan that has been clearing land mines in the country for decades, officials said Wednesday.

Tariq Arian, a spokesperson for the Interior Ministry, blamed the Taliban for the attack, which occurred late Tuesday at a demining camp in the northeastern province of Baghlan and targeted employees of the HALO Trust. He said the victims were all Afghan citizens, and the wounded were transferred to hospitals.

Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesperson for the Taliban, denied any involvement and said that the area where the “horrifying” attack had taken place was not under the militant group’s control. He added in a post on Twitter: “We condemn attacks on the defenseless &amp;amp; view it as brutality. We have normal relations with NGOs, our Mujahidin will never carry out such brutal acts.”

The HALO Trust condemned the attack in a statement Wednesday. It said that 110 men from local communities had been carrying out humanitarian work at the demining camp during the attack by an “unknown armed group.”

Tolo News, a news network in Afghanistan, published footage on Twitter that it said showed people injured in the attack being taken on stretchers to a public hospital in Pul-e-Khumri, a city about 140 miles north of Kabul, the capital.

Baghlan province is one of the places where the Taliban have been attacking in recent weeks as they have seized control of territory and military outposts in several parts of the country. One attack on a security depot there in late May killed eight territorial army soldiers and wounded 10 others.

The Taliban’s advances coincide with the withdrawal of United States troops and their NATO allies from the country, a process that is expected to end by early to mid-July. Officials in the Biden administration, which is eager to prevent the country’s cities from falling to the Taliban, are debating whether U.S. warplanes should provide air support to Afghan forces.

Washington’s peace envoy to Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, finished a four-day visit to Kabul on Tuesday. Khalilzad is an Afghan-born American diplomat who led negotiations before the Trump administration’s February 2020 peace deal with the Taliban, which laid out the conditions and timeline for the U.S. withdrawal.

The U.S. Embassy in Kabul said in a statement Wednesday that American leaders met their Afghan counterparts in the city this week and “agreed that maintaining political unity was essential during this period of transition.”

The HALO Trust, a British charity with an American affiliate registered in Washington, began working in Afghanistan in 1988. Its field teams clear land mines, dispose of unexploded ordnance found in bombs and bullets, and build facilities to store guns and other weapons safely. The group has programs in 26 countries and territories, including in Iraq, where it began working in 2018.

The HALO program in Afghanistan, which started months before the Soviet Army pulled out of the country in 1989, employs more than 2,600 local staff members and remains the group’s largest operation in the world. HALO says on its website that over the past 30 years, it has worked with the Afghan government to make nearly 80% of the country’s recorded minefields and battlefields safe.

Still, the group says, an area of Afghanistan as large as Chicago still needs to be cleared.

Diana, Princess of Wales, called attention to HALO’s work in 1997, when she walked through a live minefield in Angola — once home to one of the most heated Cold War conflicts in Africa — to highlight the danger of mines around the world.

Diana’s youngest son, Prince Harry, retraced her steps in 2019 during a trip through the continent with his wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and their son. HALO said at the time that it had cleared about 100,000 mines in Angola since Diana’s visit.

At least 10 people were killed and 16 others injured in an armed attack on staff members of a British-American charity in Afghanistan that has been clearing land mines in the country for decades, officials said Wednesday.

At least 10 people were killed and 16 others injured in an armed attack on staff members of a British-American charity in Afghanistan that has been clearing land mines in the country for decades, officials said Wednesday. Tariq Arian, a spokesperson for the Interior Ministry, blamed the Taliban for the attack, which occurred late Tuesday at a demining camp in the northeastern province of Baghlan and targeted employees of the HALO Trust. He said the victims were all Afghan citizens, and the wounded were transferred to hospitals. Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesperson for the Taliban, denied any involvement and said that the area where the “horrifying” attack had taken place was not under the militant group’s control. He added in a post on Twitter: “We condemn attacks on the defenseless &amp; view it as brutality. We have normal relations with NGOs, our Mujahidin will never carry out such brutal acts.” The HALO Trust condemned the attack in a statement Wednesday. It said that 110 men from local communities had been carrying out humanitarian work at the demining camp during the attack by an “unknown armed group.” Tolo News, a news network in Afghanistan, published footage on Twitter that it said showed people injured in the attack being taken on stretchers to a public hospital in Pul-e-Khumri, a city about 140 miles north of Kabul, the capital. Baghlan province is one of the places where the Taliban have been attacking in recent weeks as they have seized control of territory and military outposts in several parts of the country. One attack on a security depot there in late May killed eight territorial army soldiers and wounded 10 others. The Taliban’s advances coincide with the withdrawal of United States troops and their NATO allies from the country, a process that is expected to end by early to mid-July. Officials in the Biden administration, which is eager to prevent the country’s cities from falling to the Taliban, are debating whether U.S. warplanes should provide air support to Afghan forces. Washington’s peace envoy to Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, finished a four-day visit to Kabul on Tuesday. Khalilzad is an Afghan-born American diplomat who led negotiations before the Trump administration’s February 2020 peace deal with the Taliban, which laid out the conditions and timeline for the U.S. withdrawal. The U.S. Embassy in Kabul said in a statement Wednesday that American leaders met their Afghan counterparts in the city this week and “agreed that maintaining political unity was essential during this period of transition.” The HALO Trust, a British charity with an American affiliate registered in Washington, began working in Afghanistan in 1988. Its field teams clear land mines, dispose of unexploded ordnance found in bombs and bullets, and build facilities to store guns and other weapons safely. The group has programs in 26 countries and territories, including in Iraq, where it began working in 2018. The HALO program in Afghanistan, which started months before the Soviet Army pulled out of the country in 1989, employs more than 2,600 local staff members and remains the group’s largest operation in the world. HALO says on its website that over the past 30 years, it has worked with the Afghan government to make nearly 80% of the country’s recorded minefields and battlefields safe. Still, the group says, an area of Afghanistan as large as Chicago still needs to be cleared. Diana, Princess of Wales, called attention to HALO’s work in 1997, when she walked through a live minefield in Angola — once home to one of the most heated Cold War conflicts in Africa — to highlight the danger of mines around the world. Diana’s youngest son, Prince Harry, retraced her steps in 2019 during a trip through the continent with his wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and their son. HALO said at the time that it had cleared about 100,000 mines in Angola since Diana’s visit.

Attack in Afghanistan kills 10 from charity that clears land mines

European Union lawmakers on Wednesday endorsed a new travel certificate that will allow people to move between European countries without having to quarantine or undergo extra coronavirus tests, paving the way for the pass to start in time for summer.

The widely awaited certificate is aimed at saving Europe's travel industry and prime tourist sites from another disastrous vacation season. Key travel destinations like Greece have led the drive to have the certificate, which will have both paper and digital forms, rapidly introduced.

Several EU countries have already begun using the system, including Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Greece and Poland.

Right now, travelling in the EU's 27 nations is a trial for tourists and airlines alike. Countries have various COVID-19 traffic-light systems, where those in green are considered safe and those in red to be avoided.

But each nation is applying different rules and standards, making travel confusing for all. The new regulations governing the vaccine certificates were adopted in two votes at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.

Rules for EU citizens were passed 546 to 93, with 51 abstentions. Those for people from outside the bloc passed 553 to 91, with 46 abstentions. The vote must still be rubber-stamped by EU nations, but that's likely a formality. It means that beginning July 1 for 12 months, all EU countries must recognise the vaccine certificate.

They will be issued free and certify that a person has either been fully vaccinated against the virus, has recently tested negative or has recovered from the disease. The rules will not be heavily enforced for 6 weeks to allow countries to prepare.

The passes will be issued by individual nations, not from a centralised European system. They will contain a QR code with advanced security features. Personal data will not be shared with other countries.

Spanish Socialist lawmaker Juan Fernando Lopez Aguilar, who chaperoned the votes through parliament, said, "EU states are encouraged to refrain from imposing further restrictions, unless strictly necessary and proportionate."

People coming from outside the EU, the overwhelming majority of whom should be vaccinated to enter, will be able to get a certificate if they can convince authorities in the EU country they enter that they qualify for one.

European Union lawmakers on Wednesday endorsed a new travel certificate that will allow people to move between European countries without having to quarantine or undergo extra coronavirus tests, paving the way for the pass to start in time for summer.

European Union lawmakers on Wednesday endorsed a new travel certificate that will allow people to move between European countries without having to quarantine or undergo extra coronavirus tests, paving the way for the pass to start in time for summer. The widely awaited certificate is aimed at saving Europe's travel industry and prime tourist sites from another disastrous vacation season. Key travel destinations like Greece have led the drive to have the certificate, which will have both paper and digital forms, rapidly introduced. Several EU countries have already begun using the system, including Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Greece and Poland. Right now, travelling in the EU's 27 nations is a trial for tourists and airlines alike. Countries have various COVID-19 traffic-light systems, where those in green are considered safe and those in red to be avoided. But each nation is applying different rules and standards, making travel confusing for all. The new regulations governing the vaccine certificates were adopted in two votes at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France. Rules for EU citizens were passed 546 to 93, with 51 abstentions. Those for people from outside the bloc passed 553 to 91, with 46 abstentions. The vote must still be rubber-stamped by EU nations, but that's likely a formality. It means that beginning July 1 for 12 months, all EU countries must recognise the vaccine certificate. They will be issued free and certify that a person has either been fully vaccinated against the virus, has recently tested negative or has recovered from the disease. The rules will not be heavily enforced for 6 weeks to allow countries to prepare. The passes will be issued by individual nations, not from a centralised European system. They will contain a QR code with advanced security features. Personal data will not be shared with other countries. Spanish Socialist lawmaker Juan Fernando Lopez Aguilar, who chaperoned the votes through parliament, said, "EU states are encouraged to refrain from imposing further restrictions, unless strictly necessary and proportionate." People coming from outside the EU, the overwhelming majority of whom should be vaccinated to enter, will be able to get a certificate if they can convince authorities in the EU country they enter that they qualify for one.

EU lawmakers OK virus pass, boosting summer travel hopes

Iran's president angrily defended himself on Wednesday after coming under harsh attack during a presidential election debate the night before, saying his critics' 'love for power causes memory loss'.

Hassan Rouhani, the relatively moderate cleric, who has been Iran's civilian leader for eight years, is now term limited from seeking office again.

During Iran's second presidential debate on Tuesday, hard-liners repeatedly mocked the Rouhani administration's 'hope' campaign that surrounded its now-tattered 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.

Rouhani made a point to target them during his televised Cabinet meeting, his tone moving between an angry attack to a mocking tone. His signature nuclear deal, which saw Iran eager to limit its atomic programme in exchange for sanctions relief, fell apart after then-President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew America from the accord in 2018.

That has worsened Iran's already-anemic economy by largely stopping its international oil sales, hiking inflation and weakening its rial currency. "In the debates, it was clarified that only the administration suffers from problems and the parts (of government) are blameless," Rouhani said, his remarks likely targeting hard-line judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi, widely believed to be the contest's front-runner.

Rouhani went on to criticise hard-liners on women's rights and the censorship of the internet in Iran, two issues former Central Bank chief Abdolnasser Hemmati focused on Raisi during the three-hour debate.

While Hemmati has tried to distance himself from Rouhani, he's widely perceived as the candidate representing the president's administration. "Nobody dares to say that he supports blocking internet," Rouhani mockingly said.

Rouhani went onto say that hard-liners, who for years criticised the nuclear deal, should be put on the spot about whether they want sanctions relief through a return to the accord. "Say you do not want to return to the deal if you have such an idea," he said.

Raisi, a favourite of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Tuesday discussed the need to 'remove oppressive sanctions',&nbsp;suggesting he'd back returning to the nuclear deal.

The election comes amid tensions with the West as negotiations continue to try and resuscitate the nuclear deal. Iranian authorities hope to boost turnout in the June 18 poll, held by officials as a sign of confidence in the theocracy since the country's 1979 Islamic Revolution.

The state-linked Iranian Student Polling Agency has projected a 38% turnout from the country's 59 million eligible voters, which would be a historic low amid a lack of enthusiasm by voters and the coronavirus pandemic.&nbsp;

Iran's president angrily defended himself on Wednesday after coming under harsh attack during a presidential election debate the night before, saying his critics' 'love for power causes memory loss'.

Iran's president angrily defended himself on Wednesday after coming under harsh attack during a presidential election debate the night before, saying his critics' 'love for power causes memory loss'. Hassan Rouhani, the relatively moderate cleric, who has been Iran's civilian leader for eight years, is now term limited from seeking office again. During Iran's second presidential debate on Tuesday, hard-liners repeatedly mocked the Rouhani administration's 'hope' campaign that surrounded its now-tattered 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. Rouhani made a point to target them during his televised Cabinet meeting, his tone moving between an angry attack to a mocking tone. His signature nuclear deal, which saw Iran eager to limit its atomic programme in exchange for sanctions relief, fell apart after then-President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew America from the accord in 2018. That has worsened Iran's already-anemic economy by largely stopping its international oil sales, hiking inflation and weakening its rial currency. "In the debates, it was clarified that only the administration suffers from problems and the parts (of government) are blameless," Rouhani said, his remarks likely targeting hard-line judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi, widely believed to be the contest's front-runner. Rouhani went on to criticise hard-liners on women's rights and the censorship of the internet in Iran, two issues former Central Bank chief Abdolnasser Hemmati focused on Raisi during the three-hour debate. While Hemmati has tried to distance himself from Rouhani, he's widely perceived as the candidate representing the president's administration. "Nobody dares to say that he supports blocking internet," Rouhani mockingly said. Rouhani went onto say that hard-liners, who for years criticised the nuclear deal, should be put on the spot about whether they want sanctions relief through a return to the accord. "Say you do not want to return to the deal if you have such an idea," he said. Raisi, a favourite of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Tuesday discussed the need to 'remove oppressive sanctions', suggesting he'd back returning to the nuclear deal. The election comes amid tensions with the West as negotiations continue to try and resuscitate the nuclear deal. Iranian authorities hope to boost turnout in the June 18 poll, held by officials as a sign of confidence in the theocracy since the country's 1979 Islamic Revolution. The state-linked Iranian Student Polling Agency has projected a 38% turnout from the country's 59 million eligible voters, which would be a historic low amid a lack of enthusiasm by voters and the coronavirus pandemic.

Outgoing Iran president, a debate target, defends his record

A former pharmacist in Wisconsin, who purposefully ruined more than 500 doses of COVID-19 vaccine, was sentenced to three years in prison on Tuesday.

Steven Brandenburg, 46, of Grafton, pleaded guilty in February to two felony counts of attempting to tamper with a consumer product. He had admitted to intentionally removing the doses manufactured by Moderna from a refrigerator for hours at Aurora Medical Center in Grafton, located just north of Milwaukee.

In a statement before receiving his sentence, Brandenburg said he felt 'great shame' and accepted responsibility for his actions. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported he apologised to his co-workers, family and the community.

Aurora destroyed most of the tampered doses, but not before 57 people received inoculations from the supply. Those doses are believed to have still been effective, but weeks of uncertainty created a storm of anger, anxiety and anguish among the recipients, according to court documents.

Prosecutors asked for a sentence of three years and five months. Brandenburg faced a maximum penalty of 10 years of imprisonment at $250,000 in fines for each felony count.

Brandenburg is an admitted conspiracy theorist, who believes he is a prophet and vaccines are a product of the devil. He also professed a belief that the Earth is flat and the 9/11 terrorist attacks were faked.

Brandenburg also secretly substituted saline for flu vaccine that he was mandated to receive and persuaded several co-workers to secretly swap saline for their flu vaccine as well, according to court filings.

(With inputs from agencies)

A former pharmacist in Wisconsin, who purposefully ruined more than 500 doses of COVID-19 vaccine, was sentenced to three years in prison on Tuesday. Steven Brandenburg, 46, of Grafton, pleaded guilty in February to two felony counts of attempting to tamper with a consumer product.

A former pharmacist in Wisconsin, who purposefully ruined more than 500 doses of COVID-19 vaccine, was sentenced to three years in prison on Tuesday. Steven Brandenburg, 46, of Grafton, pleaded guilty in February to two felony counts of attempting to tamper with a consumer product. He had admitted to intentionally removing the doses manufactured by Moderna from a refrigerator for hours at Aurora Medical Center in Grafton, located just north of Milwaukee. In a statement before receiving his sentence, Brandenburg said he felt 'great shame' and accepted responsibility for his actions. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported he apologised to his co-workers, family and the community. Aurora destroyed most of the tampered doses, but not before 57 people received inoculations from the supply. Those doses are believed to have still been effective, but weeks of uncertainty created a storm of anger, anxiety and anguish among the recipients, according to court documents. Prosecutors asked for a sentence of three years and five months. Brandenburg faced a maximum penalty of 10 years of imprisonment at $250,000 in fines for each felony count. Brandenburg is an admitted conspiracy theorist, who believes he is a prophet and vaccines are a product of the devil. He also professed a belief that the Earth is flat and the 9/11 terrorist attacks were faked. Brandenburg also secretly substituted saline for flu vaccine that he was mandated to receive and persuaded several co-workers to secretly swap saline for their flu vaccine as well, according to court filings. (With inputs from agencies)

Former US pharmacist gets prison for ruining Covid vaccine

We bring to you the biggest stories of the day so far.&nbsp;From&nbsp;UK urging EU to show 'common sense' in post-Brexit talks, to&nbsp;UNGA president-elect Abdulla Shahid thanking India for support. Also, Israel says Hamas tried to disrupt Iron Dome.

We have it all.&nbsp;Please click on the headline to read the full story.

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-has-ability-to-try-to-disturb-rules-based-order-us-its-allies-defend-blinken-390264">'China has ability to try to disturb rules-based order, US, allies defend'</a>

<img alt="Br1" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c69fa80a-415b-4ff9-a6f3-dc3f30baa150" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Brie1.JPG" />

China is the single nation that militarily, economically, diplomatically and politically has the ability to try to disturb the rules-based order that the United States, its friends and allies strongly defend, US Secretary of State Tony Blinken has said.

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/shot-down-missiles-fired-by-israel-activated-air-defence-syria-390247">Shot down missiles fired by Israel, activated air defence: Syria</a>

<img alt="Br2" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d6baf437-afdd-456d-99a0-7f39d52f6332" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Brie2.JPG" />

Syria's military sites were struck by Israeli missiles again on Tuesday night, according to Syrian media.

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/unga-president-elect-abdulla-shahid-thanks-india-for-support-says-top-focus-on-covid-19-containment-390246">UNGA Prez Abdulla Shahid thanks India for support; says top focus on COVID-19</a>

<img alt="Br3" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="cfc7ae38-d0fd-489d-bca5-9c198c313107" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Brie3.JPG" />

In his first-ever interview since his massive victory for the post of President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly or UNGA, Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid has listed dealing with the COVID crisis, UN reforms among his 5 key priorities.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-says-hamas-tried-to-disrupt-iron-dome-ap-seeks-proof-390248">Israel says Hamas tried to disrupt Iron Dome, AP seeks proof</a>

<img alt="Br4" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="71f89aa4-a6c7-4a45-8c3c-ece5dbad62c2" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Brie4.JPG" />

Israel's ambassador to the United States said on Tuesday that Hamas militants tried to disrupt Israel's Iron Dome rocket defence system from a Gaza building housing The Associated Press and other news outlets, prompting the Israeli air force to destroy the high rise last month.

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-urges-eu-to-show-common-sense-in-post-brexit-talks-390255">UK urges EU to show 'common sense' in post-Brexit talks</a>

<img alt="Br5" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="88829a9c-7c8e-43ad-ba19-d3afc61921c0" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Brie5.JPG" />

The UK's chief negotiator called on the European Union to show 'pragmatism and common sense', instead of threatening to retaliate, as the two sides meet to resolve differences over the deal that was supposed to keep trade flowing after Brexit.

&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/videos/us-senate-passes-massive-tech-and-manufacturing-bill-to-compete-with-china-390273">US Senate passes massive tech and manufacturing bill to compete with China</a>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://13.235.153.162/videos/us-senate-passes-massive-tech-and-manufacturing-bill-to-compete-with-china-390273/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

We bring to you the biggest stories of the day so far. From UK urging EU to show 'common sense' in post-Brexit talks, to UNGA president-elect Abdulla Shahid thanking India for support.

We bring to you the biggest stories of the day so far. From UK urging EU to show 'common sense' in post-Brexit talks, to UNGA president-elect Abdulla Shahid thanking India for support. Also, Israel says Hamas tried to disrupt Iron Dome. We have it all. Please click on the headline to read the full story. 'China has ability to try to disturb rules-based order, US, allies defend' China is the single nation that militarily, economically, diplomatically and politically has the ability to try to disturb the rules-based order that the United States, its friends and allies strongly defend, US Secretary of State Tony Blinken has said. Shot down missiles fired by Israel, activated air defence: Syria Syria's military sites were struck by Israeli missiles again on Tuesday night, according to Syrian media. UNGA Prez Abdulla Shahid thanks India for support; says top focus on COVID-19 In his first-ever interview since his massive victory for the post of President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly or UNGA, Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid has listed dealing with the COVID crisis, UN reforms among his 5 key priorities. Israel says Hamas tried to disrupt Iron Dome, AP seeks proof Israel's ambassador to the United States said on Tuesday that Hamas militants tried to disrupt Israel's Iron Dome rocket defence system from a Gaza building housing The Associated Press and other news outlets, prompting the Israeli air force to destroy the high rise last month. UK urges EU to show 'common sense' in post-Brexit talks The UK's chief negotiator called on the European Union to show 'pragmatism and common sense', instead of threatening to retaliate, as the two sides meet to resolve differences over the deal that was supposed to keep trade flowing after Brexit. Watch: US Senate passes massive tech and manufacturing bill to compete with China ×

Morning news brief: China has ability to try to disturb rules-based order and more

Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said on Wednesday he aimed to hold talks with Australia's foreign and defence ministers on strengthening bilateral cooperation to raise the two countries' security ties to new levels. 
 
Motegi made the comment at the start of a meeting, via video conferencing, between foreign and defence ministers from Japan and Australia. 
 
Meanwhile, Japan and Australia said on Wednesday they had 'serious concerns' about reported human rights abuses against Uyghur and other Muslim minorities in China's Xinjiang region.

In a joint statement, they also expressed concern about recent moves that they said weakened Hong Kong's democratic institutions, and grave concerns about the ongoing crisis in Myanmar.

The meeting, between the foreign and defence ministers of both nations, took place via video conferencing.

Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said on Wednesday he aimed to hold talks with Australia's foreign and defence ministers on strengthening bilateral cooperation to raise the two countries' security ties to new levels.

Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said on Wednesday he aimed to hold talks with Australia's foreign and defence ministers on strengthening bilateral cooperation to raise the two countries' security ties to new levels. Motegi made the comment at the start of a meeting, via video conferencing, between foreign and defence ministers from Japan and Australia. Meanwhile, Japan and Australia said on Wednesday they had 'serious concerns' about reported human rights abuses against Uyghur and other Muslim minorities in China's Xinjiang region. In a joint statement, they also expressed concern about recent moves that they said weakened Hong Kong's democratic institutions, and grave concerns about the ongoing crisis in Myanmar. The meeting, between the foreign and defence ministers of both nations, took place via video conferencing.

Japan minister says aims to raise security ties with Australia to new levels

Israeli officials said on Tuesday they would allow a right-wing march in Jerusalem's Old City to go ahead next week under certain conditions, a day after police barred the event's route fearing it would rekindle conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza. 
 
Several right-wing Israeli groups had planned a flag-waving procession through the walled Old City's Damascus Gate and into its Muslim quarter on Thursday, drawing warnings from Gaza's rulers Hamas of renewed hostilities should it proceed. 
 
The far-right groups cancelled the Thursday march after police denied them a permit. But following a meeting of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet on Tuesday, his office said ministers had agreed the march could be held next week if organisers and police reached agreement. The principal issue is the route. 
 
"The parade will take place this coming Tuesday (June 15) in a format to be agreed between the police and the parade's organisers," a statement from Netanyahu's office said. 
 
Netanyahu faces an end to his long hold on power on Sunday when the country's legislature is scheduled to vote on approving a government of diverse parties that came together to unseat him. 
 
If that vote is successful, it will be up to prime minister-hopeful Naftali Bennett and his partner opposition leader Yair Lapid to decide whether to proceed with the march. 
 
Tal Schneider, a leading political reporter in Israel, said on Twitter: "The flag parade has been postponed to June 15, two days after the government is sworn in, meaning it will be Naftali Bennett`s headache." 
 
Tensions are likely to remain high in Jerusalem whether or not the march goes ahead. Protests have flared in the East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah, where Palestinian families face possible eviction after an Israeli court accepted Jewish settler land claims. 
 
Far-right lawmaker Itamar Ben-Gvir rejected the march's postponement as a 'surrender to Hamas',&nbsp;saying on Twitter he would still "arrive on Thursday in the Old City of Jerusalem and march with Israeli flags." 
 
An original march on May 10 was re-routed at the last minute as tensions in Jerusalem led Hamas to fire rockets towards the holy city. Israel responded with air strikes, and the most serious cross-border fighting with Hamas in years raged for 11 days before a fragile ceasefire was reached. 
 
Israel annexed East Jerusalem, in a move that has not won international recognition, after capturing the area in the 1967 Middle East war. It considers all of Jerusalem its capital. 
 
Palestinians want East Jerusalem to be the capital of a state they seek to establish in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Israeli officials said on Tuesday they would allow a right-wing march in Jerusalem's Old City to go ahead next week under certain conditions, a day after police barred the event's route fearing it would rekindle conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza.

Israeli officials said on Tuesday they would allow a right-wing march in Jerusalem's Old City to go ahead next week under certain conditions, a day after police barred the event's route fearing it would rekindle conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza. Several right-wing Israeli groups had planned a flag-waving procession through the walled Old City's Damascus Gate and into its Muslim quarter on Thursday, drawing warnings from Gaza's rulers Hamas of renewed hostilities should it proceed. The far-right groups cancelled the Thursday march after police denied them a permit. But following a meeting of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet on Tuesday, his office said ministers had agreed the march could be held next week if organisers and police reached agreement. The principal issue is the route. "The parade will take place this coming Tuesday (June 15) in a format to be agreed between the police and the parade's organisers," a statement from Netanyahu's office said. Netanyahu faces an end to his long hold on power on Sunday when the country's legislature is scheduled to vote on approving a government of diverse parties that came together to unseat him. If that vote is successful, it will be up to prime minister-hopeful Naftali Bennett and his partner opposition leader Yair Lapid to decide whether to proceed with the march. Tal Schneider, a leading political reporter in Israel, said on Twitter: "The flag parade has been postponed to June 15, two days after the government is sworn in, meaning it will be Naftali Bennett`s headache." Tensions are likely to remain high in Jerusalem whether or not the march goes ahead. Protests have flared in the East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah, where Palestinian families face possible eviction after an Israeli court accepted Jewish settler land claims. Far-right lawmaker Itamar Ben-Gvir rejected the march's postponement as a 'surrender to Hamas', saying on Twitter he would still "arrive on Thursday in the Old City of Jerusalem and march with Israeli flags." An original march on May 10 was re-routed at the last minute as tensions in Jerusalem led Hamas to fire rockets towards the holy city. Israel responded with air strikes, and the most serious cross-border fighting with Hamas in years raged for 11 days before a fragile ceasefire was reached. Israel annexed East Jerusalem, in a move that has not won international recognition, after capturing the area in the 1967 Middle East war. It considers all of Jerusalem its capital. Palestinians want East Jerusalem to be the capital of a state they seek to establish in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel says right-wing march can be held next week in Jerusalem Old City

The US&nbsp;policy chief for the Indo-Pacific said on Tuesday that Washington aims to work with Japan, New Zealand, Australia and others to assist island nations in the Pacific, a region of increasing strategic competition with China. 
 
Five Pacific island nations announced in February they would start withdrawing from the Pacific Island Forum, the region's main political grouping after a fractious leadership vote.&nbsp; 
 
White House Indo-Pacific coordinator Kurt Campbell said the United States wanted to work with others to reconvene the forum, after what he termed a 'schism',&nbsp;to enable future bilateral and institutional engagement. 
 
"These are islands which we have enormous historical moral and strategic interests in, and then sometimes we forget that," Campbell told an online event hosted by the Center for a New American Security think thank. 
 
"And increasingly, again this is an arena of competition both in terms of values, their role at the United Nations, their health challenges, climate change their potential role militarily, healthy fishing stocks, just down the list. 
 
"So one of the things that we are looking to do over the course of the next little while, working closely with allies like Australia, New Zealand, Japan and others, is to convene with Pacific island nations to talk about arenas of common purpose," he said. 
 
Campbell said the aim would be to make progress in areas such as fisheries and coastguard activity and in delivery of support and assistance, including vaccines. 
 
He said the region faced enormous challenges dealing with poverty, disease, and climate change and helping to meet those was difficult given their small disparate populations. 
 
"But for the United States, again this is another area where we must step up our game." 
 
The sparsely populated South Pacific island countries have in recent years become battlegrounds for influence between China and the United States and its allies. 
 
Most of the island nation governments have been facing severe economic headwinds due to their heavy reliance on international tourism, an industry that abruptly shut last year due to the coronavirus pandemic. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

The US policy chief for the Indo-Pacific said on Tuesday that Washington aims to work with Japan, New Zealand, Australia and others to assist island nations in the Pacific, a region of increasing strategic competition with China.

The US policy chief for the Indo-Pacific said on Tuesday that Washington aims to work with Japan, New Zealand, Australia and others to assist island nations in the Pacific, a region of increasing strategic competition with China. Five Pacific island nations announced in February they would start withdrawing from the Pacific Island Forum, the region's main political grouping after a fractious leadership vote. White House Indo-Pacific coordinator Kurt Campbell said the United States wanted to work with others to reconvene the forum, after what he termed a 'schism', to enable future bilateral and institutional engagement. "These are islands which we have enormous historical moral and strategic interests in, and then sometimes we forget that," Campbell told an online event hosted by the Center for a New American Security think thank. "And increasingly, again this is an arena of competition both in terms of values, their role at the United Nations, their health challenges, climate change their potential role militarily, healthy fishing stocks, just down the list. "So one of the things that we are looking to do over the course of the next little while, working closely with allies like Australia, New Zealand, Japan and others, is to convene with Pacific island nations to talk about arenas of common purpose," he said. Campbell said the aim would be to make progress in areas such as fisheries and coastguard activity and in delivery of support and assistance, including vaccines. He said the region faced enormous challenges dealing with poverty, disease, and climate change and helping to meet those was difficult given their small disparate populations. "But for the United States, again this is another area where we must step up our game." The sparsely populated South Pacific island countries have in recent years become battlegrounds for influence between China and the United States and its allies. Most of the island nation governments have been facing severe economic headwinds due to their heavy reliance on international tourism, an industry that abruptly shut last year due to the coronavirus pandemic. (With inputs from agencies)

US says to work with allies to help Pacific islands amid China rivalry

India reported 92,596 fresh COVID-19 cases, taking the infection tally to 2,90,89,069, while the number of active cases dropped to 12,31,415, according to the Union Health Ministry's data updated on Wednesday.

The daily infections remained below 1,00,000 for the second straight day.&nbsp;The death toll due to COVID-19 reached 3,53,528 with 2,219 more fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.

The number of active cases has reduced to 12,31,415, comprising 4.23 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has improved to 94.55 per cent.

A net decline of 72,287 cases has been recorded in the COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.&nbsp;Also, 19,85,967 tests were conducted on Tuesday, taking the total cumulative tests conducted so far for detection of COVID-19 in the country to 37,01,93,563, while the daily positivity rate was recorded at 4.66 per cent. It has been less than 10 per cent for 16 consecutive days, the ministry said.

The weekly positivity rate was recorded at 5.66 per cent.&nbsp;Recoveries continue to outnumber daily new cases for 27 consecutive days.&nbsp;The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 2,75,04,126, while the case fatality rate has increased to 1.22 per cent, the data stated.

Cumulatively, 23,90,58,360 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered so far under the nationwide vaccination drive.&nbsp;

The 2,219 new fatalities include 702 from Maharashtra, 409 from Tamil Nadu, 179 from Karnataka and 124 from Kerala.&nbsp;A total of 3,53,528 deaths have been reported so far in the country, including 1,01,172 from Maharashtra, 32,099 from Karnataka, 27,765 from Tamil Nadu, 24,668 from Delhi, 21,425 from Uttar Pradesh, 16,460 from West Bengal, 15,219 from Punjab and 13,257 from Chhattisgarh.

The Health Ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities. 
"Our figures are being reconciled with the Indian Council of Medical Research," the ministry said on its website, adding that state-wise distribution of figures is subject to further verification and reconciliation.

India reported 92,596 fresh COVID-19 cases, taking the infection tally to 2,90,89,069, while the number of active cases dropped to 12,31,415, according to the Union Health Ministry's data updated on Wednesday.

India reported 92,596 fresh COVID-19 cases, taking the infection tally to 2,90,89,069, while the number of active cases dropped to 12,31,415, according to the Union Health Ministry's data updated on Wednesday. The daily infections remained below 1,00,000 for the second straight day. The death toll due to COVID-19 reached 3,53,528 with 2,219 more fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed. The number of active cases has reduced to 12,31,415, comprising 4.23 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has improved to 94.55 per cent. A net decline of 72,287 cases has been recorded in the COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours. Also, 19,85,967 tests were conducted on Tuesday, taking the total cumulative tests conducted so far for detection of COVID-19 in the country to 37,01,93,563, while the daily positivity rate was recorded at 4.66 per cent. It has been less than 10 per cent for 16 consecutive days, the ministry said. The weekly positivity rate was recorded at 5.66 per cent. Recoveries continue to outnumber daily new cases for 27 consecutive days. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 2,75,04,126, while the case fatality rate has increased to 1.22 per cent, the data stated. Cumulatively, 23,90,58,360 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered so far under the nationwide vaccination drive. The 2,219 new fatalities include 702 from Maharashtra, 409 from Tamil Nadu, 179 from Karnataka and 124 from Kerala. A total of 3,53,528 deaths have been reported so far in the country, including 1,01,172 from Maharashtra, 32,099 from Karnataka, 27,765 from Tamil Nadu, 24,668 from Delhi, 21,425 from Uttar Pradesh, 16,460 from West Bengal, 15,219 from Punjab and 13,257 from Chhattisgarh. The Health Ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities. "Our figures are being reconciled with the Indian Council of Medical Research," the ministry said on its website, adding that state-wise distribution of figures is subject to further verification and reconciliation.

India reports 92,596 fresh Covid infections; active case tally drops to 12,31,415

The Myanmar junta's foreign minister had defended its plan for restoring democracy, state media reported on Tuesday, after a meeting at which Southeast Asian counterparts pressed the army to implement a regional agreement meant to end turmoil. 
 
The junta has paid little heed to demands from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to respect a 'consensus' agreed in late April to end violence and hold political talks with its opponents. 
 
Southeast foreign ministers expressed disappointment at the meeting in China on Monday at the 'very slow' progress made by Myanmar on its proposal for ending the turmoil since the army overthrew elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi on February&nbsp;1. 
 
State media cited junta-appointed foreign minister Wunna Maung Lwin as telling the ASEAN-China foreign ministers' meeting that the military had made progress on its own five-step roadmap for the country unveiled after its coup. 
 
"The minister apprised the meeting that the only way to ensure the democratic system that is disciplined and genuine was through the five-point future programme that was declared in February," the Global New Light of Myanmar reported. 
 
The minister had said that most of these points had been met including preventative COVID-19 measures and setting up a new election commission to into alleged fraud during a November election swept by Suu Kyi's party, the paper said. 
 
The military defended its seizure of power after a decade of tentative steps towards democracy saying the old election commission had ignored its complaints of fraud. 
 
The junta has failed to impose control since ousting Suu Kyi, who is among more than 4,500 people detained since the coup. 
 
The security forces have killed at least 849 protesters, a rights group says, though the army disputes that figure, and insurgencies in several regions have flared.

Alarmed by the turmoil, several members of ASEAN have called for the release of political detainees, an end to the violence and for Myanmar's rivals to hold talks on ending the crisis - calls reflected in the ASEAN 'consensus'. 
 
But in the only reference to the ASEAN proposal, the Myanmar minister was cited as saying "discussions were made cordially" on it during a visit last week by two ASEAN envoys - who had also called for the release of political prisoners. 
 
Opponents of the junta have shown increasing frustration at ASEAN's inability to press the junta and its failure to include other political stakeholders, particularly the ousted government. The junta has branded its opponents 'terrorists'. 
 
China's state-run Global Times newspaper has quoted junta Min Aung Hlaing leader as telling the Chinese ambassador that Myanmar was willing to coordinate implementation of the consensus. 
 
After Monday's meeting, Indonesia's Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said Chinese help would be 'highly appreciated as this will contribute to achieving a peaceful solution'. 
 
A shadow government formed by anti-coup opponents criticised China's embassy in Myanmar for calling the junta chief the 'leader' of Myanmar on a posting on its website.

The Myanmar junta's foreign minister had defended its plan for restoring democracy, state media reported on Tuesday, after a meeting at which Southeast Asian counterparts pressed the army to implement a regional agreement meant to end turmoil.

The Myanmar junta's foreign minister had defended its plan for restoring democracy, state media reported on Tuesday, after a meeting at which Southeast Asian counterparts pressed the army to implement a regional agreement meant to end turmoil. The junta has paid little heed to demands from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to respect a 'consensus' agreed in late April to end violence and hold political talks with its opponents. Southeast foreign ministers expressed disappointment at the meeting in China on Monday at the 'very slow' progress made by Myanmar on its proposal for ending the turmoil since the army overthrew elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1. State media cited junta-appointed foreign minister Wunna Maung Lwin as telling the ASEAN-China foreign ministers' meeting that the military had made progress on its own five-step roadmap for the country unveiled after its coup. "The minister apprised the meeting that the only way to ensure the democratic system that is disciplined and genuine was through the five-point future programme that was declared in February," the Global New Light of Myanmar reported. The minister had said that most of these points had been met including preventative COVID-19 measures and setting up a new election commission to into alleged fraud during a November election swept by Suu Kyi's party, the paper said. The military defended its seizure of power after a decade of tentative steps towards democracy saying the old election commission had ignored its complaints of fraud. The junta has failed to impose control since ousting Suu Kyi, who is among more than 4,500 people detained since the coup. The security forces have killed at least 849 protesters, a rights group says, though the army disputes that figure, and insurgencies in several regions have flared. Alarmed by the turmoil, several members of ASEAN have called for the release of political detainees, an end to the violence and for Myanmar's rivals to hold talks on ending the crisis - calls reflected in the ASEAN 'consensus'. But in the only reference to the ASEAN proposal, the Myanmar minister was cited as saying "discussions were made cordially" on it during a visit last week by two ASEAN envoys - who had also called for the release of political prisoners. Opponents of the junta have shown increasing frustration at ASEAN's inability to press the junta and its failure to include other political stakeholders, particularly the ousted government. The junta has branded its opponents 'terrorists'. China's state-run Global Times newspaper has quoted junta Min Aung Hlaing leader as telling the Chinese ambassador that Myanmar was willing to coordinate implementation of the consensus. After Monday's meeting, Indonesia's Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said Chinese help would be 'highly appreciated as this will contribute to achieving a peaceful solution'. A shadow government formed by anti-coup opponents criticised China's embassy in Myanmar for calling the junta chief the 'leader' of Myanmar on a posting on its website.

Myanmar junta defends response to crisis amid Southeast Asian criticism

Author

Zee News Rajasthan

Editor

Gandharv Walia

Home

Live Tv

Latest

World

India

Business

Entertainment

Sports

Opinions

Videos

Photos

Gravitas

Lifestyle

Science

Tech

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