Representatives of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations met with Myanmar's junta leader on Friday, six weeks after an emergency regional summit on the coup in the country drew promises of progress towards a solution but produced no tangible results.

State broadcaster MRTV showed Senior Gen&nbsp;Min Aung Hlaing meeting with Brunei Second Foreign Minister Erywan Yusof and ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi, but provided only a broad outline of their discussions.

Earlier this week, an Indonesian diplomat said the delegation's purpose was to seek Myanmar's approval of an ASEAN special envoy for the crisis, who is yet to be named. He said the choice of the envoy involved both sides, making progress slow.

Friday's meeting received a cool response from members of Myanmar's opposition shadow government. The National Unity Government said at a rare online news conference that ASEAN should meet with them as well, not just the military. "Any discussions, any meeting about the future of the people of Myanmar must include the people of Myanmar, (their) voices must be heard," said spokesperson Sa Sa.

The appointment of an ASEAN envoy was one of five points agreed at the regional summit in Jakarta in April, which Min Aung Hlaing attended over the objection of opponents, who said the invitation legitimised his power grab.

Shortly afterwards, a spokesperson for the military government said it would only allow the envoy to visit after it had achieved security and stability in the country.

The military ousted the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1, saying her party's landslide victory in elections last November resulted from massive voter fraud. It has not produced credible evidence to back its claim.

Security forces have brutally suppressed widespread popular protests against the military takeover, firing live ammunition into crowds and carrying out waves of arrests. As of Friday, 845 people have been killed in the crackdown, according to the independent Assistance Association of Political Prisoners.

UN&nbsp;Spokesman Stephane Dujarric in New York highlighted the impact of violence on public health workers. He said there have been at least 212 reported attacks on patients, health workers, ambulances and health care facilities, resulting in at least 14 deaths and 51 injuries since the coup.

"Our colleagues on the ground stress that hospitals are, and must remain, a place of sanctuary and unequivocal neutrality so that patients can seek care and health professionals can provide care safely and without fear," he said.

The Jakarta summit also reached an agreement to immediately end the violence and start a dialogue between the contending parties with the help of the special envoy. Brunei is taking the lead in negotiating with the Myanmar junta because it currently holds ASEAN's rotating chairmanship.

ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. In the online news conference, Sa Sa also said the number of people's militias taking up arms against the military government is set to rise rapidly in response to what he called a 'reign of terror'.&nbsp;

"Many more forces will appear in the coming months," he said. "It will be out of control. That's why we say to the international community to help us to stop this coup. We need stability in Myanmar."&nbsp;

In recent weeks, civilian armed groups have appeared in several regions of the country, often using homemade weapons or old hunting rifles to engage the army and police, with some success. Some groups of pro-democracy activists have fled to the jungles to receive combat training from battle-hardened ethnic armed groups, who have been fighting for greater autonomy for decades.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Representatives of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations met with Myanmar's junta leader on Friday, six weeks after an emergency regional summit on the coup in the country drew promises of progress towards a solution but produced no tangible results.

Representatives of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations met with Myanmar's junta leader on Friday, six weeks after an emergency regional summit on the coup in the country drew promises of progress towards a solution but produced no tangible results. State broadcaster MRTV showed Senior Gen Min Aung Hlaing meeting with Brunei Second Foreign Minister Erywan Yusof and ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi, but provided only a broad outline of their discussions. Earlier this week, an Indonesian diplomat said the delegation's purpose was to seek Myanmar's approval of an ASEAN special envoy for the crisis, who is yet to be named. He said the choice of the envoy involved both sides, making progress slow. Friday's meeting received a cool response from members of Myanmar's opposition shadow government. The National Unity Government said at a rare online news conference that ASEAN should meet with them as well, not just the military. "Any discussions, any meeting about the future of the people of Myanmar must include the people of Myanmar, (their) voices must be heard," said spokesperson Sa Sa. The appointment of an ASEAN envoy was one of five points agreed at the regional summit in Jakarta in April, which Min Aung Hlaing attended over the objection of opponents, who said the invitation legitimised his power grab. Shortly afterwards, a spokesperson for the military government said it would only allow the envoy to visit after it had achieved security and stability in the country. The military ousted the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1, saying her party's landslide victory in elections last November resulted from massive voter fraud. It has not produced credible evidence to back its claim. Security forces have brutally suppressed widespread popular protests against the military takeover, firing live ammunition into crowds and carrying out waves of arrests. As of Friday, 845 people have been killed in the crackdown, according to the independent Assistance Association of Political Prisoners. UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric in New York highlighted the impact of violence on public health workers. He said there have been at least 212 reported attacks on patients, health workers, ambulances and health care facilities, resulting in at least 14 deaths and 51 injuries since the coup. "Our colleagues on the ground stress that hospitals are, and must remain, a place of sanctuary and unequivocal neutrality so that patients can seek care and health professionals can provide care safely and without fear," he said. The Jakarta summit also reached an agreement to immediately end the violence and start a dialogue between the contending parties with the help of the special envoy. Brunei is taking the lead in negotiating with the Myanmar junta because it currently holds ASEAN's rotating chairmanship. ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. In the online news conference, Sa Sa also said the number of people's militias taking up arms against the military government is set to rise rapidly in response to what he called a 'reign of terror'. "Many more forces will appear in the coming months," he said. "It will be out of control. That's why we say to the international community to help us to stop this coup. We need stability in Myanmar." In recent weeks, civilian armed groups have appeared in several regions of the country, often using homemade weapons or old hunting rifles to engage the army and police, with some success. Some groups of pro-democracy activists have fled to the jungles to receive combat training from battle-hardened ethnic armed groups, who have been fighting for greater autonomy for decades. (With inputs from agencies)

ASEAN envoys meet Myanmar junta leader to press for dialogue

A flight from Los Angeles to Nashville was diverted to New Mexico on Friday afternoon after a passenger tried to break into the cockpit, Delta Air Lines said.

The 'unruly'&nbsp;man made the unsuccessful attempt on the locked cockpit aboard Delta Air Lines Flight 386 but other passengers and crew managed to detain him, the airline said.

Video taken aboard the plane shows the zip-tied and shoeless man surrounded by passengers and crew members as he repeats over and over again: "Stop this plane!"

He finally was picked up and hauled to the back of the plane, which was diverted to Albuquerque International Sunport. "The plane landed safely and the passenger was removed by police and the FBI. He is in custody now," Delta said in a statement.

No one was injured, and the FBI is investigating the incident. Frank Fisher, spokesman for the FBI in Albuquerque, confirmed that the agency had responded to a report of a plane diverted to the city's airport but said there had been no threat to the public. He said no other information was immediately available.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

A flight from Los Angeles to Nashville was diverted to New Mexico on Friday afternoon after a passenger tried to break into the cockpit, Delta Air Lines said. The 'unruly' man made the unsuccessful attempt on the locked cockpit aboard Delta Air Lines Flight 386 but other passengers and crew managed to detain him, the airline said.

A flight from Los Angeles to Nashville was diverted to New Mexico on Friday afternoon after a passenger tried to break into the cockpit, Delta Air Lines said. The 'unruly' man made the unsuccessful attempt on the locked cockpit aboard Delta Air Lines Flight 386 but other passengers and crew managed to detain him, the airline said. Video taken aboard the plane shows the zip-tied and shoeless man surrounded by passengers and crew members as he repeats over and over again: "Stop this plane!" He finally was picked up and hauled to the back of the plane, which was diverted to Albuquerque International Sunport. "The plane landed safely and the passenger was removed by police and the FBI. He is in custody now," Delta said in a statement. No one was injured, and the FBI is investigating the incident. Frank Fisher, spokesman for the FBI in Albuquerque, confirmed that the agency had responded to a report of a plane diverted to the city's airport but said there had been no threat to the public. He said no other information was immediately available. (With inputs from agencies)

Unruly passenger forces LA-to-Nashville flight diversion

The United States announced on Friday, more than $266 million in additional humanitarian aid for Afghanistan, intended mainly for its <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> response, as foreign troops continue their withdrawal from the country.

"As the United States withdraws military forces from Afghanistan, our enduring commitment is clear," top US diplomat Antony Blinken said.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/lot-of-fear-in-pakistan-pm-imran-khan-on-troop-pullout-in-afghanistan-389538">'Lot of fear' in Pakistan, PM Imran Khan on troop pullout in Afghanistan</a>

"We remain engaged through our full diplomatic, economic and assistance toolkit to support the peaceful, stable future the Afghan people want and deserve."

The aid is intended for areas such as protective equipment, shelter, food and health and hygiene services related to the Covid pandemic. It also provides for "protection needs for the most vulnerable Afghans," including at-risk women and girls.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/as-us-troops-leave-afghanistan-lawmakers-fear-dark-future-for-women-380965">As US troops leave Afghanistan, lawmakers fear dark future for women</a>

The $266.5 million, made up of $157.5 million from American aid agency USAID and $109 million from the State Department, brings total US humanitarian aid to Afghanistan in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 to $543 million.

Washington has still not made a decision on whether to evacuate Afghan interpreters, who worked with the US military, now fearing for their lives as foreign troops pull out.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/first-doses-of-covid-19-vaccine-arrive-in-afghanistan-from-india-361940">First doses of COVID-19 vaccine arrive in Afghanistan from India</a>

Twenty members of Congress on Friday appealed to President Joe Biden in an open letter on Friday to "immediately" evacuate the more than 18,000 interpreters and their families, who have filed for visas to come to the United States.

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/afghans-who-helped-us-fear-being-left-behind-and-reprisals-by-taiwan-385647/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe>

Each application "takes an average of 800+ days, and we plan to withdraw in less than 100 days," the bipartisan elected officials say in the letter.

No American entity "has the ability or authority to protect them in Afghanistan after our withdrawal. It would be a moral failure to transfer the responsibility to protect our Afghan partners onto the shoulders of the Afghan Government."

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/children-risk-generational-catastrophe-from-covid-19-watchdog-389109">Children risk 'generational catastrophe' from COVID-19: Watchdog</a>

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said on Friday the White House had not ordered the military to evacuate the interpreters.

"We're aware of some congressional interest in this," he said, "but nothing has changed since last time we talked about this."

The United States announced on Friday, more than $266 million in additional humanitarian aid for Afghanistan, intended mainly for its COVID-19 response, as foreign troops continue their withdrawal from the country.

The United States announced on Friday, more than $266 million in additional humanitarian aid for Afghanistan, intended mainly for its COVID-19 response, as foreign troops continue their withdrawal from the country. "As the United States withdraws military forces from Afghanistan, our enduring commitment is clear," top US diplomat Antony Blinken said. Also Read | 'Lot of fear' in Pakistan, PM Imran Khan on troop pullout in Afghanistan "We remain engaged through our full diplomatic, economic and assistance toolkit to support the peaceful, stable future the Afghan people want and deserve." The aid is intended for areas such as protective equipment, shelter, food and health and hygiene services related to the Covid pandemic. It also provides for "protection needs for the most vulnerable Afghans," including at-risk women and girls. Also Read | As US troops leave Afghanistan, lawmakers fear dark future for women The $266.5 million, made up of $157.5 million from American aid agency USAID and $109 million from the State Department, brings total US humanitarian aid to Afghanistan in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 to $543 million. Washington has still not made a decision on whether to evacuate Afghan interpreters, who worked with the US military, now fearing for their lives as foreign troops pull out. Also Read | First doses of COVID-19 vaccine arrive in Afghanistan from India Twenty members of Congress on Friday appealed to President Joe Biden in an open letter on Friday to "immediately" evacuate the more than 18,000 interpreters and their families, who have filed for visas to come to the United States. Each application "takes an average of 800+ days, and we plan to withdraw in less than 100 days," the bipartisan elected officials say in the letter. No American entity "has the ability or authority to protect them in Afghanistan after our withdrawal. It would be a moral failure to transfer the responsibility to protect our Afghan partners onto the shoulders of the Afghan Government." Also Read | Children risk 'generational catastrophe' from COVID-19: Watchdog Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said on Friday the White House had not ordered the military to evacuate the interpreters. "We're aware of some congressional interest in this," he said, "but nothing has changed since last time we talked about this."

US sending $266.5 million in aid to Afghanistan for Covid response

Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard on Friday slammed the secretary general of the Organisation of American States (OAS) ahead of mid-term elections this weekend, prompting a terse response from the head of the Washington-based association. 
 
During a news conference, Ebrard was asked to explain what role the OAS would play monitoring Sunday's elections, which will be the biggest in Mexico's history and will determine, who controls Congress for the rest of the administration. 
 
Ebrard responded that the OAS had clearance to send observers, but criticised Secretary-General Luis Almagro. 
 
"The performance of the current OAS secretary-general, Mr&nbsp;Almagro, has been one of the worst in history," Ebrard said. "He has acted, repeatedly, without consulting the member states... He acts as if he were autonomous." 
 
Ebrard repeated Mexico's criticism of the OAS's role in Bolivian elections in 2019, when then-president Evo Morales resigned under pressure from the armed forces after a presidential vote that the OAS said was rigged in his favour. 
 
Ebrard accused the OAS of 'practically fomenting a coup' in Bolivia and said his government would be watching that it and other election observers respected Mexican law. Mexico granted asylum to Morales after he fled Bolivia. 
 
Later on Friday, Almagro hit back in an interview with Colombian news channel NTN24, making reference to the collapse last month of a rail overpass in Mexico City on a metro line built when Ebrard was mayor of the capital from 2006 to 2012. 
 
"I'm a nice person, and I hope that no other structure that he built as mayor of Mexico City collapses," the Uruguayan said when asked about Ebrard's remarks. 
 
Almagro also expressed his solidarity with victims of the accident, which killed 26 people. 
 
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has said his foreign policy is guided by the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. 
 
Critics say he has departed from that position when dealing with fellow Latin American leftists like Morales. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard on Friday slammed the secretary general of the Organisation of American States (OAS) ahead of mid-term elections this weekend, prompting a terse response from the head of the Washington-based association.

Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard on Friday slammed the secretary general of the Organisation of American States (OAS) ahead of mid-term elections this weekend, prompting a terse response from the head of the Washington-based association. During a news conference, Ebrard was asked to explain what role the OAS would play monitoring Sunday's elections, which will be the biggest in Mexico's history and will determine, who controls Congress for the rest of the administration. Ebrard responded that the OAS had clearance to send observers, but criticised Secretary-General Luis Almagro. "The performance of the current OAS secretary-general, Mr Almagro, has been one of the worst in history," Ebrard said. "He has acted, repeatedly, without consulting the member states... He acts as if he were autonomous." Ebrard repeated Mexico's criticism of the OAS's role in Bolivian elections in 2019, when then-president Evo Morales resigned under pressure from the armed forces after a presidential vote that the OAS said was rigged in his favour. Ebrard accused the OAS of 'practically fomenting a coup' in Bolivia and said his government would be watching that it and other election observers respected Mexican law. Mexico granted asylum to Morales after he fled Bolivia. Later on Friday, Almagro hit back in an interview with Colombian news channel NTN24, making reference to the collapse last month of a rail overpass in Mexico City on a metro line built when Ebrard was mayor of the capital from 2006 to 2012. "I'm a nice person, and I hope that no other structure that he built as mayor of Mexico City collapses," the Uruguayan said when asked about Ebrard's remarks. Almagro also expressed his solidarity with victims of the accident, which killed 26 people. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has said his foreign policy is guided by the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. Critics say he has departed from that position when dealing with fellow Latin American leftists like Morales. (With inputs from agencies)

Mexico's foreign minister blasts OAS chief ahead of election

Forty years ago this month the first men began dying of a mysterious disease in California that would later be identified as&nbsp;AIDS.

It would go on to claim millions of lives across the world.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/surge-in-deaths-due-to-hiv-tuberculosis-and-malaria-amid-coronavirus-pandemic-study-313145">Surge in deaths due to HIV, tuberculosis and malaria amid coronavirus pandemic: Study</a>

Here is a look at the discovery and the fight against the deadly condition.

1981: First alert&nbsp;

In June 1981 US epidemiologists report five cases of a rare form of pneumonia in gay men from California, some of whom have died. Unusual versions of skin cancer are identified in others.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hivaids-vaccine-why-dont-we-have-one-after-37-years-when-we-have-several-for-covid-19-after-a-few-months-385776">HIV/AIDS vaccine: Why don’t we have one after 37 years, when we have several for COVID-19 after a few months?</a>

It is the first alert about Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), still unknown and unnamed.&nbsp;

Doctors identify "opportunistic infections" among injected drug users late in the year and in haemophiliacs and Haitian residents in the United States (mid-1982).

The term&nbsp;AIDS&nbsp;appears for the first time in 1982.

1983: Identifying&nbsp;HIV

In January 1983 researchers in France, Francoise Barre-Sinoussi and Jean-Claude Chermann, working under Luc Montagnier, identify the virus that "might be" responsible for&nbsp;AIDS.&nbsp;It is dubbed LAV.

The following year, US specialist Robert Gallo is said to have found the "probable" cause of&nbsp;AIDS, the retrovirus HTLV-III.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/argentina-second-person-known-to-be-naturally-cured-of-hiv-raises-hopes-for-millions-370742">Argentina: Second person known to be naturally cured of HIV raises hopes for millions</a>

The two viruses turn out to be one and the same, and in May 1986 it becomes officially known as the human immunodeficiency virus or&nbsp;HIV.

Barre-Sinoussi and Montagnier win a Nobel prize in 2008 for their discovery.

1987: Anti-retroviral treatment&nbsp;

In March 1987, the first anti-retroviral treatment known as AZT is authorized in the US. It is expensive and has many side effects.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/new-trials-for-potential-hiv-vaccine-show-optimistic-results-375864">New trials for potential HIV vaccine show optimistic results</a>

The World Health Organization (WHO) declares December 1, 1988, the first World&nbsp;AIDS&nbsp;Day, to raise awareness. By June the following year, the number of&nbsp;AIDS&nbsp;cases worldwide is estimated at more than 150,000.

The early 1990s: Falling stars

US actor Rock Hudson is the first high-profile&nbsp;AIDS&nbsp;death in October 1985. A host of other stars succumb to the disease, including British singer and Queen frontman Freddie Mercury (November 1991) and the legendary Russian dancer and choreographer Rudolf Nureyev (January 1993).

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hiv-self-test-prices-to-be-slashed-in-half-in-135-countries-381086">HIV self-test prices to be slashed in half in 135 countries</a>

In 1994,&nbsp;AIDS&nbsp;becomes the leading cause of death among Americans aged between 25 and 44.&nbsp;

1995-96: New approach&nbsp;

A new class of drugs signals the start of combinations of different anti-retroviral therapies.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-in-tell-all-interview-billy-porter-reveals-hes-had-hiv-since-14-years-386150">In tell-all interview, Billy Porter reveals he's had HIV since 14 years</a>

Called tri-therapies, they provide the first effective treatment for&nbsp;HIV&nbsp;although they are not a cure and remain costly.

1996 is the first year in which the number of&nbsp;AIDS&nbsp;deaths declines in the US.

1999: 50 million infections&nbsp;

A report released by WHO and the Joint United Nations Programme on&nbsp;AIDS&nbsp;(UNAIDS) in November 1999 estimates the number of people infected with&nbsp;HIV&nbsp;since it first appeared at 50 million, of whom 16 million have died.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/how-can-she-have-hiv-pakistan-town-struggles-with-surge-in-infections-223487">'How can she have HIV?': Pakistan town struggles with surge in infections</a>

Africa is the hardest-hit continent, with 12.2 million cases.

2003: Life-saving PEPFAR

In February 2003, US President George W. Bush launches the President's Emergency Plan for&nbsp;AIDS&nbsp;Relief, or PEPFAR, to combat the spread of&nbsp;AIDS&nbsp;in 15 of the hardest-hit areas of Africa and the Caribbean.

With an initial budget of $15 billion over its first five years, PEPFAR had by 2018 committed $70 billion to the&nbsp;AIDS&nbsp;response.

2009: The 'Berlin Patient'

The first known patient cured of&nbsp;HIV&nbsp;is announced. The "Berlin Patient," later named American Timothy Brown, underwent two transplants of bone marrow containing a mutation of a gene that blocks&nbsp;HIV&nbsp;from attacking host cells.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-berlin-patient-first-person-to-be-cured-of-hiv-dies-due-to-cancer-331454">'The Berlin patient' - First person to be cured of HIV dies due to cancer</a>

He underwent total body irradiation to treat leukaemia and nearly did not survive the process.

2012:&nbsp;HIV&nbsp;'shield'

In July 2012 the first-ever daily pill to help prevent&nbsp;HIV&nbsp;infection is approved by US regulators. Truvada is pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, taken by high-risk people who are&nbsp;HIV-negative in order to prevent them from being infected.

2017: Treatment spreads

For the first time ever, more than half of the global population living with&nbsp;HIV&nbsp;are receiving antiretroviral treatment, UNAIDS reports.

2019: The 'London Patient'

The second patient with sustained&nbsp;HIV&nbsp;suppression is reported after undergoing a transplant of stem cells with the same mutation as in the Berlin case.&nbsp;

Regular testing has confirmed that the patient's viral load remained undetectable for 19 months and counting.

2021: Vaccine hopes

Success in producing an anti-Covid vaccine in 2020 fuels hopes that a breakthrough in securing a shot against&nbsp;HIV&nbsp;might finally be in the offing.

Moderna in January announced it has started phase one clinical trials of flu and&nbsp;HIV&nbsp;vaccines using its messenger RNA technique.

There are 37.6 million people living with&nbsp;HIV&nbsp;globally, according to UNAIDS in its latest annual figures for 2020. Since the start of the epidemic 34.7 million have died from&nbsp;AIDS-related illnesses.&nbsp;

Forty years ago this month the first men began dying of a mysterious disease in California that would later be identified as AIDS. It would go on to claim millions of lives across the world.

Forty years ago this month the first men began dying of a mysterious disease in California that would later be identified as AIDS. It would go on to claim millions of lives across the world. Also Read | Surge in deaths due to HIV, tuberculosis and malaria amid coronavirus pandemic: Study Here is a look at the discovery and the fight against the deadly condition. 1981: First alert In June 1981 US epidemiologists report five cases of a rare form of pneumonia in gay men from California, some of whom have died. Unusual versions of skin cancer are identified in others. Also Read | HIV/AIDS vaccine: Why don’t we have one after 37 years, when we have several for COVID-19 after a few months? It is the first alert about Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), still unknown and unnamed. Doctors identify "opportunistic infections" among injected drug users late in the year and in haemophiliacs and Haitian residents in the United States (mid-1982). The term AIDS appears for the first time in 1982. 1983: Identifying HIV In January 1983 researchers in France, Francoise Barre-Sinoussi and Jean-Claude Chermann, working under Luc Montagnier, identify the virus that "might be" responsible for AIDS. It is dubbed LAV. The following year, US specialist Robert Gallo is said to have found the "probable" cause of AIDS, the retrovirus HTLV-III. Also Read | Argentina: Second person known to be naturally cured of HIV raises hopes for millions The two viruses turn out to be one and the same, and in May 1986 it becomes officially known as the human immunodeficiency virus or HIV. Barre-Sinoussi and Montagnier win a Nobel prize in 2008 for their discovery. 1987: Anti-retroviral treatment In March 1987, the first anti-retroviral treatment known as AZT is authorized in the US. It is expensive and has many side effects. Also Read | New trials for potential HIV vaccine show optimistic results The World Health Organization (WHO) declares December 1, 1988, the first World AIDS Day, to raise awareness. By June the following year, the number of AIDS cases worldwide is estimated at more than 150,000. The early 1990s: Falling stars US actor Rock Hudson is the first high-profile AIDS death in October 1985. A host of other stars succumb to the disease, including British singer and Queen frontman Freddie Mercury (November 1991) and the legendary Russian dancer and choreographer Rudolf Nureyev (January 1993). Also Read | HIV self-test prices to be slashed in half in 135 countries In 1994, AIDS becomes the leading cause of death among Americans aged between 25 and 44. 1995-96: New approach A new class of drugs signals the start of combinations of different anti-retroviral therapies. Also Read | In tell-all interview, Billy Porter reveals he's had HIV since 14 years Called tri-therapies, they provide the first effective treatment for HIV although they are not a cure and remain costly. 1996 is the first year in which the number of AIDS deaths declines in the US. 1999: 50 million infections A report released by WHO and the Joint United Nations Programme on AIDS (UNAIDS) in November 1999 estimates the number of people infected with HIV since it first appeared at 50 million, of whom 16 million have died. Also Read | 'How can she have HIV?': Pakistan town struggles with surge in infections Africa is the hardest-hit continent, with 12.2 million cases. 2003: Life-saving PEPFAR In February 2003, US President George W. Bush launches the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, to combat the spread of AIDS in 15 of the hardest-hit areas of Africa and the Caribbean. With an initial budget of $15 billion over its first five years, PEPFAR had by 2018 committed $70 billion to the AIDS response. 2009: The 'Berlin Patient' The first known patient cured of HIV is announced. The "Berlin Patient," later named American Timothy Brown, underwent two transplants of bone marrow containing a mutation of a gene that blocks HIV from attacking host cells. Also Read | 'The Berlin patient' - First person to be cured of HIV dies due to cancer He underwent total body irradiation to treat leukaemia and nearly did not survive the process. 2012: HIV 'shield' In July 2012 the first-ever daily pill to help prevent HIV infection is approved by US regulators. Truvada is pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, taken by high-risk people who are HIV-negative in order to prevent them from being infected. 2017: Treatment spreads For the first time ever, more than half of the global population living with HIV are receiving antiretroviral treatment, UNAIDS reports. 2019: The 'London Patient' The second patient with sustained HIV suppression is reported after undergoing a transplant of stem cells with the same mutation as in the Berlin case. Regular testing has confirmed that the patient's viral load remained undetectable for 19 months and counting. 2021: Vaccine hopes Success in producing an anti-Covid vaccine in 2020 fuels hopes that a breakthrough in securing a shot against HIV might finally be in the offing. Moderna in January announced it has started phase one clinical trials of flu and HIV vaccines using its messenger RNA technique. There are 37.6 million people living with HIV globally, according to UNAIDS in its latest annual figures for 2020. Since the start of the epidemic 34.7 million have died from AIDS-related illnesses.

Four decades of AIDS: A Timeline

A faction of the key Madhesi Janata Samajwadi Party has joined the Nepal Cabinet on Friday, a move which is likely to strengthen the minority government being led by beleaguered Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli.

Oli has also expanded his Cabinet with the inclusion of eight ministers and two ministers of state from the Madhes-based JSP, according to sources of the party.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-pm-reorganises-cabinet-appoints-three-deputy-prime-ministers-389537">Nepal PM reorganises cabinet, appoints three deputy Prime Ministers</a>

A ceremony to administer the oath of office and secrecy to the newly-appointed ministers is expected to take place soon.

Rajendra Mahato has led the team with the portfolio of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development, according to JSP sources.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-sc-sends-all-petitions-against-house-dissolution-to-constitutional-bench-387824">Nepal SC sends all petitions against House dissolution to Constitutional Bench</a>

Other members of the Cabinet include Sharad Singh Bhandari, Laxman Lal Karna, Anil Kumar Jha, Chanda Chaudhary, Ekwal Miya, Bimal Shreevastav and Uma Shanker Argariya.

Similarly, Renuka Gurung and Chandra Kanta Chaudhary have been appointed ministers of state.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/political-developments-in-nepal-an-internal-matter-says-india-387525">Political developments in Nepal an internal matter, says India</a>&nbsp;

However, the Upendra Yadav-led faction of the JSP has joined the opposition alliance led by the Nepali Congress and the CPN-Maoist Centre to protest against Prime Minister Oli's move to dissolve the House of Representatives for the second time and announce mid-term polls.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nepal-pm-oli-dissolves-parliament-declared-fresh-elections-386744/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Madhesi parties in Nepal claim to be representing the cause of Madhesis, who are inhabitants of the Terai region. The community shares strong cultural and family bonds with India.

The Opposition parties have filed a petition against Oli's move to dissolve the House in the Supreme Court.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-president-calls-on-parties-to-form-new-government-386529">Nepal President calls on parties to form new government</a>

Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari dissolved the 275-member House of Representatives on May 22 for the second time in five months and announced snap elections on November 12 and November 19 on the advice of Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli, heading a minority government.

As many as 146 members of the dissolved House, including Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, who had staked a claim to form the new government under Article 76 (5) of the Constitution, have also filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking reinstatement of the House.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-president-dissolves-parliament-new-election-in-november-386646">Nepal president dissolves parliament, new election in November</a>

President Bhandari rejected the separate bids of both Prime Minister Oli and the Opposition alliance's claims to form a new government, saying the "claims were insufficient."

Earlier on December 20, the president dissolved Parliament and called snap polls on April 30 and May 10. However, two months later, Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana-led Constitutional Bench on February 23 overturned the decision and reinstated the House of Representatives.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-calls-new-elections-amid-pandemic-crisis-386958">Nepal calls new elections amid pandemic crisis</a>

Nepal plunged into a political crisis on December 20, last year after President Bhandari dissolved the House at the recommendation of Prime Minister Oli, amidst a tussle for power within the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP). 
Oli's move to dissolve the House sparked protests from a large section of the NCP led by his rival Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda'.

A faction of the key Madhesi Janata Samajwadi Party has joined the Nepal Cabinet on Friday, a move which is likely to strengthen the minority government being led by beleaguered Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli.

A faction of the key Madhesi Janata Samajwadi Party has joined the Nepal Cabinet on Friday, a move which is likely to strengthen the minority government being led by beleaguered Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli. Oli has also expanded his Cabinet with the inclusion of eight ministers and two ministers of state from the Madhes-based JSP, according to sources of the party. Also Read | Nepal PM reorganises cabinet, appoints three deputy Prime Ministers A ceremony to administer the oath of office and secrecy to the newly-appointed ministers is expected to take place soon. Rajendra Mahato has led the team with the portfolio of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development, according to JSP sources. Also Read | Nepal SC sends all petitions against House dissolution to Constitutional Bench Other members of the Cabinet include Sharad Singh Bhandari, Laxman Lal Karna, Anil Kumar Jha, Chanda Chaudhary, Ekwal Miya, Bimal Shreevastav and Uma Shanker Argariya. Similarly, Renuka Gurung and Chandra Kanta Chaudhary have been appointed ministers of state. Also Read | Political developments in Nepal an internal matter, says India However, the Upendra Yadav-led faction of the JSP has joined the opposition alliance led by the Nepali Congress and the CPN-Maoist Centre to protest against Prime Minister Oli's move to dissolve the House of Representatives for the second time and announce mid-term polls. Madhesi parties in Nepal claim to be representing the cause of Madhesis, who are inhabitants of the Terai region. The community shares strong cultural and family bonds with India. The Opposition parties have filed a petition against Oli's move to dissolve the House in the Supreme Court. Also Read | Nepal President calls on parties to form new government Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari dissolved the 275-member House of Representatives on May 22 for the second time in five months and announced snap elections on November 12 and November 19 on the advice of Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli, heading a minority government. As many as 146 members of the dissolved House, including Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, who had staked a claim to form the new government under Article 76 (5) of the Constitution, have also filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking reinstatement of the House. Also Read | Nepal president dissolves parliament, new election in November President Bhandari rejected the separate bids of both Prime Minister Oli and the Opposition alliance's claims to form a new government, saying the "claims were insufficient." Earlier on December 20, the president dissolved Parliament and called snap polls on April 30 and May 10. However, two months later, Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana-led Constitutional Bench on February 23 overturned the decision and reinstated the House of Representatives. Also Read | Nepal calls new elections amid pandemic crisis Nepal plunged into a political crisis on December 20, last year after President Bhandari dissolved the House at the recommendation of Prime Minister Oli, amidst a tussle for power within the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP). Oli's move to dissolve the House sparked protests from a large section of the NCP led by his rival Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda'.

Cracks appear in key Madhesi party as dissidents switch sides to join Nepal PM Oli's Cabinet

The first non-fungible token (NFT) ever created,&nbsp;the origin of a craze that is sweeping the art market,&nbsp;has gone on sale at Sotheby's.

"Quantum" is an octagon-shaped animation by New York artist Kevin McCoy.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/artist-paks-creations-fetch-168-million-in-first-nft-sale-at-sothebys-377689">Artist Pak's creations fetch $16.8 million in first NFT sale at Sotheby's</a>

It became the first work to be associated with an NFT-type certificate of ownership in May 2014, three years before the term NFT was coined.

An NFT is a digital object such as a drawing, animation, piece of music, photo, or video with a certificate of authenticity created by blockchain technology. &nbsp;It cannot be forged or otherwise manipulated.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/edward-snowdens-nft-artwork-sells-for-over-54-mn-378159">Edward Snowden's NFT artwork sells for over $5.4 mn</a>&nbsp;

Sotheby's has no pre-sale estimate for "Quantum", which had already reached $140,000 on Friday, a day after it went on sale. The sale ends on June 10.

"In 10 years looking back, if in fact these are to grow, this piece can represent and symbolize the start of something that is quite revolutionary and very impactful," said Max Moore, vice president of contemporary art at Sotheby's in New York.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/twitter-ceo-jack-dorseys-first-tweet-sold-for-29-million-as-nft-372474">Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey's first Tweet sold for $2.9 million as NFT</a>

NFT exchanges happen in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin on specialist sites. Traditional auction houses are seeking to capitalize on the new phenomenon.

"I fell in love with Bitcoin in early 2013 and just got really interested in that world," said McCoy, a 54-year-old multimedia artist.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/nfts-are-neither-miracles-nor-scams-374760">NFTs are neither miracles nor scams</a>

He is a pioneer of NFTs that currently generate several hundred million dollars in transactions every month.

McCoy even helped design his own platform for the exchange of certified digital objects: Monograph, which is no longer active.

"There was a lot of misunderstanding at the time," McCoy recalled, saying the mainstream art world struggled to understand the cryptocurrency world, which had itself had little appreciation of art.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nft-digital-artwork-by-humanoid-robot-sophia-to-go-on-auction-in-a-worlds-first-372309/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

He says the craze is only just beginning but refuses to consider how huge it may become.

"The Sotheby's thing is... a big test to see what happens as far as that goes. Honestly, I don't have any expectations," McCoy added.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bid-for-first-tweet-of-twitter-co-founder-jack-dorsey-reaches-usd-25-million-368677">Bid for first tweet of Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey reaches USD 2.5 million</a>&nbsp;

The NFT boom is being fueled by&nbsp;early investors in cryptocurrencies who became millionaires.

In March, Christie's sold an NFT for $69.3 million.

Sotheby's &nbsp;held its first NFT auction in April. During the "Quantum" sale it is also selling a virtual character called Alice who will be able to interact with her future owner using artificial intelligence.

The first non-fungible token (NFT) ever created, the origin of a craze that is sweeping the art market, has gone on sale at Sotheby's. "Quantum" is an octagon-shaped animation by New York artist Kevin McCoy.

The first non-fungible token (NFT) ever created, the origin of a craze that is sweeping the art market, has gone on sale at Sotheby's. "Quantum" is an octagon-shaped animation by New York artist Kevin McCoy. Also Read | Artist Pak's creations fetch $16.8 million in first NFT sale at Sotheby's It became the first work to be associated with an NFT-type certificate of ownership in May 2014, three years before the term NFT was coined. An NFT is a digital object such as a drawing, animation, piece of music, photo, or video with a certificate of authenticity created by blockchain technology. It cannot be forged or otherwise manipulated. Also Read | Edward Snowden's NFT artwork sells for over $5.4 mn Sotheby's has no pre-sale estimate for "Quantum", which had already reached $140,000 on Friday, a day after it went on sale. The sale ends on June 10. "In 10 years looking back, if in fact these are to grow, this piece can represent and symbolize the start of something that is quite revolutionary and very impactful," said Max Moore, vice president of contemporary art at Sotheby's in New York. Also Read | Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey's first Tweet sold for $2.9 million as NFT NFT exchanges happen in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin on specialist sites. Traditional auction houses are seeking to capitalize on the new phenomenon. "I fell in love with Bitcoin in early 2013 and just got really interested in that world," said McCoy, a 54-year-old multimedia artist. Also Read | NFTs are neither miracles nor scams He is a pioneer of NFTs that currently generate several hundred million dollars in transactions every month. McCoy even helped design his own platform for the exchange of certified digital objects: Monograph, which is no longer active. "There was a lot of misunderstanding at the time," McCoy recalled, saying the mainstream art world struggled to understand the cryptocurrency world, which had itself had little appreciation of art. He says the craze is only just beginning but refuses to consider how huge it may become. "The Sotheby's thing is... a big test to see what happens as far as that goes. Honestly, I don't have any expectations," McCoy added. Also Read | Bid for first tweet of Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey reaches USD 2.5 million The NFT boom is being fueled by early investors in cryptocurrencies who became millionaires. In March, Christie's sold an NFT for $69.3 million. Sotheby's held its first NFT auction in April. During the "Quantum" sale it is also selling a virtual character called Alice who will be able to interact with her future owner using artificial intelligence.

Sotheby's sells first NFT that sparked a craze

A US judge overturned California's three-decade-old ban on assault weapons Friday in a move swiftly condemned by the state's governor Gavin Newsom as gun-related homicides surge across America.

In a 94-page decision, federal Judge Roger T Benitez described California's assault weapons ban,&nbsp;in place in 1989, as unconstitutional&nbsp;and defended the right of Americans to own semi-automatic rifles.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rinse-and-repeat-what-the-hell-is-wrong-with-us-asks-california-governor-after-yet-another-mass-shooting-387807">Rinse and repeat, what the hell is wrong with us, asks California governor after yet another mass shooting</a>

"Like the Swiss Army Knife, the popular AR-15 rifle is a perfect combination of home defense weapon and homeland defense equipment," he wrote.

"Guns and ammunition in the hands of criminals, tyrants and terrorists are dangerous; guns in the hands of lawabiding responsible citizens are better," he argued.

Benitez said he would give the state 30 days to appeal the decision, which Governor Newson said posed a "direct threat to public safety" and which he vowed to challenge.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/how-do-we-stop-the-parade-of-gun-deaths-375309">How do we stop the parade of gun deaths?</a>

"We're not backing down from this fight, and we'll continue pushing for common sense gun laws that will save lives," he said in a statement.

The decision comes as gun violence surges across the United States, and just over a week after a disgruntled, heavily-armed California public transit worker shot and killed nine people.

A search this week of the shooter's home, which was set ablaze shortly before the attack, turned up 12 guns, around 22,000 rounds of ammunition and suspected Molotov cocktails.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/california-school-shooter-used-kit-gun-authorities-263791">California school shooter used 'kit gun': Authorities</a>

Mass shootings have also taken place in Florida, Indiana, California, Colorado and Georgia, in a surge in violence that President Joe Biden has branded an "epidemic."

The US Supreme Court is also due to hear a challenge backed by the gun lobby to a New York law that restricts the carrying of firearms outside the home.

It will be the first major case involving the Second Amendment constitutional right to bear arms heard by the nation's highest court in more than a decade.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/justice-barretts-vote-could-tilt-the-supreme-court-on-gun-rights-346526">Justice Barrett’s vote could tilt the Supreme Court on gun rights</a>

While the coronavirus pandemic slowed workplace violence as more people stayed home, it also saw record gun sales.

In March last year, the number of weekly federal background checks on gun buyers surpassed one million for the first time, The New York Times reported.

A US judge overturned California's three-decade-old ban on assault weapons Friday in a move swiftly condemned by the state's governor Gavin Newsom as gun-related homicides surge across America.

A US judge overturned California's three-decade-old ban on assault weapons Friday in a move swiftly condemned by the state's governor Gavin Newsom as gun-related homicides surge across America. In a 94-page decision, federal Judge Roger T Benitez described California's assault weapons ban, in place in 1989, as unconstitutional and defended the right of Americans to own semi-automatic rifles. Also Read | Rinse and repeat, what the hell is wrong with us, asks California governor after yet another mass shooting "Like the Swiss Army Knife, the popular AR-15 rifle is a perfect combination of home defense weapon and homeland defense equipment," he wrote. "Guns and ammunition in the hands of criminals, tyrants and terrorists are dangerous; guns in the hands of lawabiding responsible citizens are better," he argued. Benitez said he would give the state 30 days to appeal the decision, which Governor Newson said posed a "direct threat to public safety" and which he vowed to challenge. Also Read | How do we stop the parade of gun deaths? "We're not backing down from this fight, and we'll continue pushing for common sense gun laws that will save lives," he said in a statement. The decision comes as gun violence surges across the United States, and just over a week after a disgruntled, heavily-armed California public transit worker shot and killed nine people. A search this week of the shooter's home, which was set ablaze shortly before the attack, turned up 12 guns, around 22,000 rounds of ammunition and suspected Molotov cocktails. Also Read | California school shooter used 'kit gun': Authorities Mass shootings have also taken place in Florida, Indiana, California, Colorado and Georgia, in a surge in violence that President Joe Biden has branded an "epidemic." The US Supreme Court is also due to hear a challenge backed by the gun lobby to a New York law that restricts the carrying of firearms outside the home. It will be the first major case involving the Second Amendment constitutional right to bear arms heard by the nation's highest court in more than a decade. Also Read | Justice Barrett’s vote could tilt the Supreme Court on gun rights While the coronavirus pandemic slowed workplace violence as more people stayed home, it also saw record gun sales. In March last year, the number of weekly federal background checks on gun buyers surpassed one million for the first time, The New York Times reported.

US judge overturns California assault weapons ban

At least three people were killed in Myanmar's Ayeyarwady river delta region on Saturday as the military junta's forces clashed with villagers, local media and residents said, while fighting was also reported in northern and eastern Myanmar. 
 
The army has struggled to impose control since the army returned to power on February&nbsp;1, overthrowing elected leader Aug San Suu Kyi after a decade of democratic reforms had opened up the once isolated Southeast Asian state. 
 
Anti-junta protests take place daily in many parts of a country that has been paralysed by strikes, while conflicts with ethnic army groups that oppose the junta have flared in Myanmar`s borderlands. 
 
On Saturday, clashes spread to the Ayeyarwady region, an important rice growing area that has large populations of both the Bamar majority ethnic group, from which much of the army draws much of its strength, and the Karen minority. 
 
Clashes broke out before dawn at Kyonpyaw, some 150 km (100 miles) northwest of Yangon, when soldiers came to arrest a man suspected of harbouring weapons and were met by a bomb blast, a resident told Reuters. 
 
"The people in the village only have crossbows and there are a lot of casualties on the people`s side," said the resident, who asked not to be identified for fear of retribution. Khit Thit Media and BBC Burmese language news said three people had been killed. 
 
Reuters was unable to reach a junta spokesman for comment on that or reports of fighting elsewhere in Myanmar. 
 
The anti-junta Shwegu People`s Defence Force said it had attacked a police station in northern Shwegu late on Friday together with the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), one of around two dozen ethnic armies and which has been fighting for decades. 
 
Reuters was unable to reach the KIA for comment. 
 
In eastern Myanmar, the MBPDF (Mobye People's Defence Force) said it had clashed with the army on Friday afternoon. It said four 'terrorist soldiers' had been killed. 
 
Despite the turmoil, Myanmar`s army has shown little sign of heeding calls from its opponents to restore democracy. This week the junta received its first high-profile foreign visitors - the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross and envoys from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). 
 
Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing met on Friday with ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi and Erywan Yusof, the second minister for foreign affairs for ASEAN chair Brunei, army-run Myawaddy TV reported. 
 
At least 845 people have been killed by security forces and more than 4,500 jailed, according to an activist group. The junta disputes those figures. 
 
The Special Advisory Council for Myanmar, a group of independent international experts, said it was crucial that the ASEAN envoys also meet protest leaders, members of a parallel opposition government, elected lawmakers and Suu Kyi`s party. 
 
"Failure to meet with all relevant parties risks lending legitimacy to the junta and undermines the enormous effort and sacrifice made by the people of Myanmar to resist the junta’s violent and unlawful attempt to seize power," it said.

At least three people were killed in Myanmar's Ayeyarwady river delta region on Saturday as the military junta's forces clashed with villagers, local media and residents said, while fighting was also reported in northern and eastern Myanmar.

At least three people were killed in Myanmar's Ayeyarwady river delta region on Saturday as the military junta's forces clashed with villagers, local media and residents said, while fighting was also reported in northern and eastern Myanmar. The army has struggled to impose control since the army returned to power on February 1, overthrowing elected leader Aug San Suu Kyi after a decade of democratic reforms had opened up the once isolated Southeast Asian state. Anti-junta protests take place daily in many parts of a country that has been paralysed by strikes, while conflicts with ethnic army groups that oppose the junta have flared in Myanmar`s borderlands. On Saturday, clashes spread to the Ayeyarwady region, an important rice growing area that has large populations of both the Bamar majority ethnic group, from which much of the army draws much of its strength, and the Karen minority. Clashes broke out before dawn at Kyonpyaw, some 150 km (100 miles) northwest of Yangon, when soldiers came to arrest a man suspected of harbouring weapons and were met by a bomb blast, a resident told Reuters. "The people in the village only have crossbows and there are a lot of casualties on the people`s side," said the resident, who asked not to be identified for fear of retribution. Khit Thit Media and BBC Burmese language news said three people had been killed. Reuters was unable to reach a junta spokesman for comment on that or reports of fighting elsewhere in Myanmar. The anti-junta Shwegu People`s Defence Force said it had attacked a police station in northern Shwegu late on Friday together with the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), one of around two dozen ethnic armies and which has been fighting for decades. Reuters was unable to reach the KIA for comment. In eastern Myanmar, the MBPDF (Mobye People's Defence Force) said it had clashed with the army on Friday afternoon. It said four 'terrorist soldiers' had been killed. Despite the turmoil, Myanmar`s army has shown little sign of heeding calls from its opponents to restore democracy. This week the junta received its first high-profile foreign visitors - the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross and envoys from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing met on Friday with ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi and Erywan Yusof, the second minister for foreign affairs for ASEAN chair Brunei, army-run Myawaddy TV reported. At least 845 people have been killed by security forces and more than 4,500 jailed, according to an activist group. The junta disputes those figures. The Special Advisory Council for Myanmar, a group of independent international experts, said it was crucial that the ASEAN envoys also meet protest leaders, members of a parallel opposition government, elected lawmakers and Suu Kyi`s party. "Failure to meet with all relevant parties risks lending legitimacy to the junta and undermines the enormous effort and sacrifice made by the people of Myanmar to resist the junta’s violent and unlawful attempt to seize power," it said.

Clashes spread to Myanmar's Ayeyarwady delta, several killed

The 200,000 COVID-19 vaccines gifted by India for all UN peacekeepers are 'already being put to use' and a number of these Blue Helmets have already been vaccinated, spokesperson for UN chief Antonio Guterres has said.

"The Indian Government' had offered us '200,000 doses' and a number of peacekeepers are already, as far as I know, being vaccinated," Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General, told reporters at the daily press briefing on Friday in response to a question on vaccination of UN peacekeepers.

"So, on the Indian vaccines, those, which I think were&nbsp;AstraZeneca, those were 200,000. They're already being put to use," he said. India, one of the largest troop-contributing countries to UN peacekeeping missions, gifted 200,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines for UN peacekeepers across all UN missions.

As of March 31 this year, there are 87,889 personnel serving in 12 peacekeeping operations around the world. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had announced in February that India will gift vaccine doses for UN peacekeepers.

"Keeping in mind the UN Peacekeepers, who operate in such difficult circumstances, we would like to announce today a gift of 200,000 doses for them," Jaishankar had said, while addressing the UN Security Council open debate on the implementation of resolution 2532 (2020) on the cessation of hostilities in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Quoting the Bhagavad Gita, Jaishankar had said, "Do your work with the welfare of others always in mind."

The 200,000 doses essentially meant that it would be possible to administer the required double doses of COVID vaccines to all UN peacekeepers across missions.

The AstraZeneca vaccines had left Mumbai via Qatar Airways on March 27.&nbsp;The shipment went to Copenhagen, where it was safely stored in a facility, re-packaged and quickly distributed to all peacekeeping missions for the peacekeepers.

The 200,000 COVID-19 vaccines gifted by India for all UN peacekeepers are 'already being put to use' and a number of these Blue Helmets have already been vaccinated, spokesperson for UN chief Antonio Guterres has said.

The 200,000 COVID-19 vaccines gifted by India for all UN peacekeepers are 'already being put to use' and a number of these Blue Helmets have already been vaccinated, spokesperson for UN chief Antonio Guterres has said. "The Indian Government' had offered us '200,000 doses' and a number of peacekeepers are already, as far as I know, being vaccinated," Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General, told reporters at the daily press briefing on Friday in response to a question on vaccination of UN peacekeepers. "So, on the Indian vaccines, those, which I think were AstraZeneca, those were 200,000. They're already being put to use," he said. India, one of the largest troop-contributing countries to UN peacekeeping missions, gifted 200,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines for UN peacekeepers across all UN missions. As of March 31 this year, there are 87,889 personnel serving in 12 peacekeeping operations around the world. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had announced in February that India will gift vaccine doses for UN peacekeepers. "Keeping in mind the UN Peacekeepers, who operate in such difficult circumstances, we would like to announce today a gift of 200,000 doses for them," Jaishankar had said, while addressing the UN Security Council open debate on the implementation of resolution 2532 (2020) on the cessation of hostilities in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Quoting the Bhagavad Gita, Jaishankar had said, "Do your work with the welfare of others always in mind." The 200,000 doses essentially meant that it would be possible to administer the required double doses of COVID vaccines to all UN peacekeepers across missions. The AstraZeneca vaccines had left Mumbai via Qatar Airways on March 27. The shipment went to Copenhagen, where it was safely stored in a facility, re-packaged and quickly distributed to all peacekeeping missions for the peacekeepers.

200,000 COVID-19 vaccines given by India for UN peacekeepers are already being put to use: UN spokesperson

Taliban insurgents show no sign of reducing the level of violence in Afghanistan to facilitate peace negotiations with the government, and appear to be trying to strengthen their military position as leverage, with the unprecedented violence of 2020 carrying into 2021, UN experts said in a new report circulated on Friday.

The panel of experts said the Taliban are reported to be responsible for the great majority of assassinations that have become a feature of the violence in Afghanistan, targeting government officials, women, human rights defenders and journalists among others.

These attacks 'appear to be undertaken with the objective of weakening the capacity of the government and intimidating civil society,' it said.

In the 22-page report to the UN&nbsp;Security Council, the panel said the withdrawal of US&nbsp;and NATO forces by September&nbsp;11, the anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, 'will challenge Afghan forces by limiting aerial operations with fewer drones and radar and surveillance capabilities, less logistical support and artillery, as well as a disruption in training.'

The Taliban were ousted from power in Afghanistan in 2001 by a US-led coalition for harbouring Osama bin Laden, the architect of the September 11 attacks. A peace deal that Washington brokered with the Taliban and signed in February 2020 was aimed at bringing American troops home and ending more than four decades of relentless wars following the 1979 Afghan invasion by forces from the former Soviet Union.

Negotiations between the Taliban and Afghan representatives began last September in Doha, Qatar and continued earlier this year. But the Taliban announced on April 13, a day before President Joe Biden's announcement that all US troops would leave by September 11, that it would not take part in any conference intended to decide the future of Afghanistan until all foreign troops were gone.

The UN experts, who monitor sanctions against the Taliban, predicted more violence in the run-up to their departure. "Taliban rhetoric and reports of active Taliban preparations for the spring fighting season indicate the group is likely to increase military operations for 2021, whether or not a spring offensive is announced," they said.

The experts also questioned how Afghan forces would fare without coalition support. "Afghan forces have successfully reversed many Taliban gains with the assistance of international coalition close air support, but have done so with heavy casualty rates," they said.

"It remains to be seen how Afghan forces will perform without it." The panel of experts painted a grim picture of the violence in Afghanistan, which had been expected to decrease in 2020 but instead soared to the highest level ever recorded by the United Nations in the country, more than 25,000 incidents, a 10% increase over 2019.

Violence surged as the Doha talks began, the experts said, and incident rates in the usually calmer winter were higher than those in the spring or summer of 2020.

"Unprecedented violence over the winter carried into 2021, with 7,177 security incidents recorded countrywide between January&nbsp;1 and March 31, representing a 61 per cent increase over the same period in 2020," they said.

The panel said the number of Taliban fighters remains robust, with estimates ranging from about 58,000 to 100,000. The panel said many sources its members spoke to, which include governments, believe the Taliban used the 2020 fighting season 'to further strengthen strangleholds around several provincial capitals, seeking to shape future military operations when levels of departing foreign troops are no longer able to respond'.

While no one claimed responsibility for most assassinations, the experts said it is widely believed that approximately 85 per cent of them were carried out by the Taliban. The UN recorded an increase in reported assassinations from 780 in 2019 to 996 in 2020, the report said.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Taliban insurgents show no sign of reducing the level of violence in Afghanistan to facilitate peace negotiations with the government, and appear to be trying to strengthen their military position as leverage, with the unprecedented violence of 2020 carrying into 2021, UN experts said in a new report circulated on Friday.

Taliban insurgents show no sign of reducing the level of violence in Afghanistan to facilitate peace negotiations with the government, and appear to be trying to strengthen their military position as leverage, with the unprecedented violence of 2020 carrying into 2021, UN experts said in a new report circulated on Friday. The panel of experts said the Taliban are reported to be responsible for the great majority of assassinations that have become a feature of the violence in Afghanistan, targeting government officials, women, human rights defenders and journalists among others. These attacks 'appear to be undertaken with the objective of weakening the capacity of the government and intimidating civil society,' it said. In the 22-page report to the UN Security Council, the panel said the withdrawal of US and NATO forces by September 11, the anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, 'will challenge Afghan forces by limiting aerial operations with fewer drones and radar and surveillance capabilities, less logistical support and artillery, as well as a disruption in training.' The Taliban were ousted from power in Afghanistan in 2001 by a US-led coalition for harbouring Osama bin Laden, the architect of the September 11 attacks. A peace deal that Washington brokered with the Taliban and signed in February 2020 was aimed at bringing American troops home and ending more than four decades of relentless wars following the 1979 Afghan invasion by forces from the former Soviet Union. Negotiations between the Taliban and Afghan representatives began last September in Doha, Qatar and continued earlier this year. But the Taliban announced on April 13, a day before President Joe Biden's announcement that all US troops would leave by September 11, that it would not take part in any conference intended to decide the future of Afghanistan until all foreign troops were gone. The UN experts, who monitor sanctions against the Taliban, predicted more violence in the run-up to their departure. "Taliban rhetoric and reports of active Taliban preparations for the spring fighting season indicate the group is likely to increase military operations for 2021, whether or not a spring offensive is announced," they said. The experts also questioned how Afghan forces would fare without coalition support. "Afghan forces have successfully reversed many Taliban gains with the assistance of international coalition close air support, but have done so with heavy casualty rates," they said. "It remains to be seen how Afghan forces will perform without it." The panel of experts painted a grim picture of the violence in Afghanistan, which had been expected to decrease in 2020 but instead soared to the highest level ever recorded by the United Nations in the country, more than 25,000 incidents, a 10% increase over 2019. Violence surged as the Doha talks began, the experts said, and incident rates in the usually calmer winter were higher than those in the spring or summer of 2020. "Unprecedented violence over the winter carried into 2021, with 7,177 security incidents recorded countrywide between January 1 and March 31, representing a 61 per cent increase over the same period in 2020," they said. The panel said the number of Taliban fighters remains robust, with estimates ranging from about 58,000 to 100,000. The panel said many sources its members spoke to, which include governments, believe the Taliban used the 2020 fighting season 'to further strengthen strangleholds around several provincial capitals, seeking to shape future military operations when levels of departing foreign troops are no longer able to respond'. While no one claimed responsibility for most assassinations, the experts said it is widely believed that approximately 85 per cent of them were carried out by the Taliban. The UN recorded an increase in reported assassinations from 780 in 2019 to 996 in 2020, the report said. (With inputs from agencies)

UN: Unprecedented Taliban violence in 2020 carries into 2021

1,65,00,572&nbsp;COVID-19 vaccine doses are still available with states and union territories, the Union health ministry said on Saturday.

So far, over 240 million doses have been provided to the states and UTs, it said in a statement. The total consumption, including wastage, stands at 22,65,08,508 doses, according to data available at 8 am on Saturday, the ministry said.

"1,65,00,572&nbsp;COVID-19 vaccine doses are still available with the states/UTs to be administered," it said. So far, 24,30,09,080 vaccine doses have been provided free of cost to the states and UTs by the government of India and through the direct state procurement category, it said.

1,65,00,572 COVID-19 vaccine doses are still available with states and union territories, the Union health ministry said on Saturday. So far, over 240 million doses have been provided to the states and UTs, it said in a statement.

1,65,00,572 COVID-19 vaccine doses are still available with states and union territories, the Union health ministry said on Saturday. So far, over 240 million doses have been provided to the states and UTs, it said in a statement. The total consumption, including wastage, stands at 22,65,08,508 doses, according to data available at 8 am on Saturday, the ministry said. "1,65,00,572 COVID-19 vaccine doses are still available with the states/UTs to be administered," it said. So far, 24,30,09,080 vaccine doses have been provided free of cost to the states and UTs by the government of India and through the direct state procurement category, it said.

States, UTs have 1,65,00,572 COVID-19 vaccine doses: Centre

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