Four NGOs announced on Monday they have filed a criminal complaint in Sweden against members of the Syrian regime, including President Bashar al-Assad, over chemical weapons attacks in 2013 and 2017. &nbsp;

In the complaint filed with Swedish police, the Syrian Centre for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM), Civil Rights Defenders, Syrian Archive (SA) and the Open Society Justice Initiative (OSJI) accuse the Damascus regime of chemical attacks using sarin gas, in Khan Shaykhun in 2017 and Ghouta in 2013.&nbsp;

Sarin gas is illegal under the international Chemicals Weapons Convention. &nbsp;

The complaint includes testimonies from victims and survivors of the attacks as well as "hundreds of documentary evidence items, including photos and videos," and analysis of the Syrian military command structure. &nbsp;

"Ultimately, the purpose of the complaint is that those responsible for these chemical weapons attacks be brought to justice"," Aida Samani, legal adviser at Civil Rights Defenders, told AFP. &nbsp;

"What we are hoping for is that they will open an investigation... and detain those suspected of these acts in their absence," Samani added. &nbsp;

Samani explained that such a decision would mean Swedish prosecutors could issue a European arrest warrant to apprehend the suspects should they enter Europe. &nbsp;

According to a summary of the complaint reviewed by AFP, over a dozen individuals were named as suspected perpetrators, including President Bashar al-Assad in both cases. &nbsp;

Syrian Defence Minister Ali Abdullah Ayyoub was linked to the Khan Shaykhun attack and Bashar al-Assad's brother Maher Al-Assad was linked to the Ghouta attack. &nbsp;

Other high-ranking members of the regime and Syrian military, as well as military personnel believed to be directly involved in the attacks, were listed. &nbsp;

Four NGOs announced on Monday they have filed a criminal complaint in Sweden against members of the Syrian regime, including President Bashar al-Assad, over chemical weapons attacks in 2013 and 2017.

Four NGOs announced on Monday they have filed a criminal complaint in Sweden against members of the Syrian regime, including President Bashar al-Assad, over chemical weapons attacks in 2013 and 2017. In the complaint filed with Swedish police, the Syrian Centre for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM), Civil Rights Defenders, Syrian Archive (SA) and the Open Society Justice Initiative (OSJI) accuse the Damascus regime of chemical attacks using sarin gas, in Khan Shaykhun in 2017 and Ghouta in 2013. Sarin gas is illegal under the international Chemicals Weapons Convention. The complaint includes testimonies from victims and survivors of the attacks as well as "hundreds of documentary evidence items, including photos and videos," and analysis of the Syrian military command structure. "Ultimately, the purpose of the complaint is that those responsible for these chemical weapons attacks be brought to justice"," Aida Samani, legal adviser at Civil Rights Defenders, told AFP. "What we are hoping for is that they will open an investigation... and detain those suspected of these acts in their absence," Samani added. Samani explained that such a decision would mean Swedish prosecutors could issue a European arrest warrant to apprehend the suspects should they enter Europe. According to a summary of the complaint reviewed by AFP, over a dozen individuals were named as suspected perpetrators, including President Bashar al-Assad in both cases. Syrian Defence Minister Ali Abdullah Ayyoub was linked to the Khan Shaykhun attack and Bashar al-Assad's brother Maher Al-Assad was linked to the Ghouta attack. Other high-ranking members of the regime and Syrian military, as well as military personnel believed to be directly involved in the attacks, were listed.

NGOs file case in Sweden over Syrian chemical attacks  

World powers urged the global chemical weapons watchdog on Tuesday to hit Syria with unprecedented sanctions for alleged toxic gas attacks and for failing to declare its arsenal.&nbsp;

Syria faces the loss of its 'rights and privileges' at the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) after a probe found it had carried out three attacks in 2017.&nbsp;

The regulator's 193 member states are expected to vote on Wednesday on a proposal by France, backed by 46 countries, that would include freezing Syria's voting rights at the Netherlands-based body.&nbsp;

Syria and its ally Russia dismissed the sanctions threat, accusing Western powers of using the Hague-based OPCW as a 'propaganda tool' to undermine Damascus in its ten-year civil war.&nbsp;

"We cannot let this tragedy go on for another decade," French OPCW ambassador Luis Vassy told the watchdog.&nbsp;

"We find ourselves in an exceptional situation, which demands that we take action accordingly."&nbsp;

It would be the first time a country had faced such punishment in the history of the OPCW, which was founded nearly a quarter of a century ago to rid the world of chemical weapons.&nbsp;

The regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad agreed in 2013 to join the OPCW and give up all chemical weapons, following a suspected sarin nerve gas attack that killed 1,400 people in the Damascus suburb of Ghouta.&nbsp;

But an OPCW investigation found in April last year that the Syrian air force was responsible for three attacks on the village of Lataminah in 2017 using sarin and chlorine gas.&nbsp;

Damascus then failed to adhere to a 90-day deadline to declare the weapons used in the attacks, reveal its remaining stocks and comply with OPCW inspections.&nbsp;

France in response submitted the motion calling for Syria to be punished.&nbsp;

Pressure mounted on Damascus last week after a second OPCW investigation found a Syrian helicopter dropped a chlorine bomb on the rebel-held town of Saraqib in 2018.&nbsp;

OPCW Director General Fernando Arias said on Tuesday that Syria's responses to questions about its chemical weapons still "cannot be considered accurate and complete" despite years of inspections.&nbsp;

In the most recent example, the OPCW had opened a new inquiry after Damascus gave "insufficient" explanations for the discovery of chemicals in September 2020 at a site where it had denied making toxic arms.&nbsp;

The UN recently said Damascus has for years not replied to a series of 19 questions about its weapons installations.&nbsp;

World powers urged the global chemical weapons watchdog on Tuesday to hit Syria with unprecedented sanctions for alleged toxic gas attacks and for failing to declare its arsenal.

World powers urged the global chemical weapons watchdog on Tuesday to hit Syria with unprecedented sanctions for alleged toxic gas attacks and for failing to declare its arsenal. Syria faces the loss of its 'rights and privileges' at the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) after a probe found it had carried out three attacks in 2017. The regulator's 193 member states are expected to vote on Wednesday on a proposal by France, backed by 46 countries, that would include freezing Syria's voting rights at the Netherlands-based body. Syria and its ally Russia dismissed the sanctions threat, accusing Western powers of using the Hague-based OPCW as a 'propaganda tool' to undermine Damascus in its ten-year civil war. "We cannot let this tragedy go on for another decade," French OPCW ambassador Luis Vassy told the watchdog. "We find ourselves in an exceptional situation, which demands that we take action accordingly." It would be the first time a country had faced such punishment in the history of the OPCW, which was founded nearly a quarter of a century ago to rid the world of chemical weapons. The regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad agreed in 2013 to join the OPCW and give up all chemical weapons, following a suspected sarin nerve gas attack that killed 1,400 people in the Damascus suburb of Ghouta. But an OPCW investigation found in April last year that the Syrian air force was responsible for three attacks on the village of Lataminah in 2017 using sarin and chlorine gas. Damascus then failed to adhere to a 90-day deadline to declare the weapons used in the attacks, reveal its remaining stocks and comply with OPCW inspections. France in response submitted the motion calling for Syria to be punished. Pressure mounted on Damascus last week after a second OPCW investigation found a Syrian helicopter dropped a chlorine bomb on the rebel-held town of Saraqib in 2018. OPCW Director General Fernando Arias said on Tuesday that Syria's responses to questions about its chemical weapons still "cannot be considered accurate and complete" despite years of inspections. In the most recent example, the OPCW had opened a new inquiry after Damascus gave "insufficient" explanations for the discovery of chemicals in September 2020 at a site where it had denied making toxic arms. The UN recently said Damascus has for years not replied to a series of 19 questions about its weapons installations.

Chemical weapons watchdog weighs Syria sanctions 

Sri Lanka's Catholic church will observe a two-minute silence on Wednesday morning to mark the second anniversary of the deadly Easter Sunday attacks in 2019 that killed 258 people, including 11 Indians.&nbsp;

Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, the Archbishop of Colombo, has requested people to observe a two-minute silence at 8.45 am on Wednesday in memory of the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks.&nbsp;

Nine suicide bombers belonging to local Islamist extremist group National Thawheed Jamaat (NTJ) linked to ISIS carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three churches and as many luxury hotels on April 21, 2019, killing 258 people, including 11 Indians.&nbsp;

Cardinal Ranjith said that two main memorial services would be held at the St Anthony's Church in Colombo and the St Sebastian's Church in Negombo, the two of the three churches devastated by the suicide attacks two years ago.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Cardinal Ranjith, who will be presiding the memorial service at the St Anthony's Church, said that it was at 8.45 am on April 21, 2019 when the first suicide bomber targeted a church.&nbsp;

The police said there will be a special security cover to all churches throughout the island nation.&nbsp;

"All provincial police stations have been directed to provide appropriate security tomorrow during the memorial events," police spokesman senior deputy inspector general Ajith Rohana said.&nbsp;

The Muslim Council of Sri Lanka (MCSL) has also called upon all Sri Lankans to support and join the call of the Archbishop of Colombo in observing the two-minute silence.&nbsp;

"We also call upon Muslims to make supplications for these victims in this holy month of Ramadan," said the MCSL statement issued by Vice President Hilmy Ahamed.&nbsp;

It also urged the Government to hasten a thorough investigation on the Easter Sunday attacks and bring the real perpetrators to justice without relying on anecdotal evidence.&nbsp;

"The Muslim community condemns the suicide bombers as Islam totally forbids killing of innocents even during a war; hence the Muslim community denied an Islamic funeral for the suicide bombers,” the statement added.&nbsp;

The MCSL said the Muslim community has been targeted by some in a hate campaign for the carnage of a few, who called themselves Muslims.&nbsp;

Cardinal Ranjith has vowed to take drastic action if the real culprits were not dealt with by the second anniversary of the attacks on April 21.&nbsp;

Sri Lanka's Catholic church will observe a two-minute silence on Wednesday morning to mark the second anniversary of the deadly Easter Sunday attacks in 2019 that killed 258 people, including 11 Indians.

Sri Lanka's Catholic church will observe a two-minute silence on Wednesday morning to mark the second anniversary of the deadly Easter Sunday attacks in 2019 that killed 258 people, including 11 Indians. Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, the Archbishop of Colombo, has requested people to observe a two-minute silence at 8.45 am on Wednesday in memory of the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks. Nine suicide bombers belonging to local Islamist extremist group National Thawheed Jamaat (NTJ) linked to ISIS carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three churches and as many luxury hotels on April 21, 2019, killing 258 people, including 11 Indians. Cardinal Ranjith said that two main memorial services would be held at the St Anthony's Church in Colombo and the St Sebastian's Church in Negombo, the two of the three churches devastated by the suicide attacks two years ago. Cardinal Ranjith, who will be presiding the memorial service at the St Anthony's Church, said that it was at 8.45 am on April 21, 2019 when the first suicide bomber targeted a church. The police said there will be a special security cover to all churches throughout the island nation. "All provincial police stations have been directed to provide appropriate security tomorrow during the memorial events," police spokesman senior deputy inspector general Ajith Rohana said. The Muslim Council of Sri Lanka (MCSL) has also called upon all Sri Lankans to support and join the call of the Archbishop of Colombo in observing the two-minute silence. "We also call upon Muslims to make supplications for these victims in this holy month of Ramadan," said the MCSL statement issued by Vice President Hilmy Ahamed. It also urged the Government to hasten a thorough investigation on the Easter Sunday attacks and bring the real perpetrators to justice without relying on anecdotal evidence. "The Muslim community condemns the suicide bombers as Islam totally forbids killing of innocents even during a war; hence the Muslim community denied an Islamic funeral for the suicide bombers,” the statement added. The MCSL said the Muslim community has been targeted by some in a hate campaign for the carnage of a few, who called themselves Muslims. Cardinal Ranjith has vowed to take drastic action if the real culprits were not dealt with by the second anniversary of the attacks on April 21.

Sri Lanka's Catholic Church to observe two-minute silence on Easter attacks’ second anniversary  

A resolution was tabled in the lower house of the Parliament on Tuesday for the expulsion of the French ambassador from Pakistan over the issue of blasphemous cartoons being published in the European country.&nbsp;

Amjad Ali Khan of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party presented the resolution in the National Assembly with Speaker Asad Qaiser in the chair.&nbsp;

Technically, it was not an official document as it was moved by a member in his private capacity but it was accepted for discussion.&nbsp;

The resolution condemned the publication of blasphemous caricatures by French magazine Charlie Hebdo in September last year and expressed regret over the French's president 'encouragement of the elements hurting the sentiments of the hundreds of millions of Muslims in the name of freedom of expression'.&nbsp;

"The House condemns the publication of insulting sketches by the controversial French magazine Charlie Hebdo and Muslims around the world had also expressed outrage at the publication of the sketches," the resolution added.&nbsp;

It stated that a debate should be held in the House on the expulsion of the French ambassador from Pakistan over the issue of caricatures.&nbsp;

"This House also demands that the state should decide matters of international relations and no person, group or party can exert unnecessary illegal pressure," according to the resolution.&nbsp;

It also said that all European countries in general and France in particular should be made aware of the seriousness of this issue of blasphemy. The resolution said that the issue should be raised collectively on international forums while discussing the issue with all Muslim countries.&nbsp;

The main Opposition Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) attended the session but the Pakistan People's Party boycotted it.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

A resolution was tabled in the lower house of the Parliament on Tuesday for the expulsion of the French ambassador from Pakistan over the issue of blasphemous cartoons being published in the European country.

A resolution was tabled in the lower house of the Parliament on Tuesday for the expulsion of the French ambassador from Pakistan over the issue of blasphemous cartoons being published in the European country. Amjad Ali Khan of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party presented the resolution in the National Assembly with Speaker Asad Qaiser in the chair. Technically, it was not an official document as it was moved by a member in his private capacity but it was accepted for discussion. The resolution condemned the publication of blasphemous caricatures by French magazine Charlie Hebdo in September last year and expressed regret over the French's president 'encouragement of the elements hurting the sentiments of the hundreds of millions of Muslims in the name of freedom of expression'. "The House condemns the publication of insulting sketches by the controversial French magazine Charlie Hebdo and Muslims around the world had also expressed outrage at the publication of the sketches," the resolution added. It stated that a debate should be held in the House on the expulsion of the French ambassador from Pakistan over the issue of caricatures. "This House also demands that the state should decide matters of international relations and no person, group or party can exert unnecessary illegal pressure," according to the resolution. It also said that all European countries in general and France in particular should be made aware of the seriousness of this issue of blasphemy. The resolution said that the issue should be raised collectively on international forums while discussing the issue with all Muslim countries. The main Opposition Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) attended the session but the Pakistan People's Party boycotted it. (With inputs from agencies)

Resolution seeking French ambassador’s expulsion tabled in Pak Parliament  

The United States continues to have a dialogue with Pakistan on issues related to terrorism along the border with Afghanistan, the Pentagon has said.&nbsp;

"We continue to have a dialogue with Pakistan about terrorist issues along that border with Afghanistan. I think it's helpful to remind that they too have suffered from terrorist attacks inside their country," Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby told reporters at a news conference here.&nbsp;

Responding to a question, Kirby said President Joe Biden is clear on withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan by September 22.&nbsp;

"The president was clear. We are removing US forces from Afghanistan and will maintain the sufficient counter terrorism capabilities we need to detect and prevent threats to our homeland that could emanate from Afghanistan,” Kirby said.&nbsp;

Once the US leaves Afghanistan, he said, they expect the sovereignty of Afghanistan to be respected.&nbsp;

He was responding to a question on reports that Beijing is considering sending a peacekeeping force to Afghanistan once the US pulls out, which will be deployed at the neighbouring province it has with Afghanistan across that 44-mile border.&nbsp;

"We certainly wouldn't speak for another nation and obviously, we would call on all of Afghanistan's neighbours to respect its sovereignty and to respect its territory integrity as well," he said.&nbsp;

"If there's a legitimate terrorism threat that's emanating from Afghanistan to work in accordance with international law and with the Afghan government to address that, but we want Afghanistan's sovereignty to be respected," he asserted.&nbsp;

The US, he said, is removing all military personnel from Afghanistan.&nbsp;

"We will remove them by early September. All of them with the exception of what's going to be required to protect the diplomatic mission in Afghanistan," he said.&nbsp;

"So I know of no discussions with government in Kabul about reinserting counterterrorism forces inside Afghanistan. As the (Defence) Secretary made clear in Brussels last week, we will maintain a sufficient counterterrorism capability in the region to deal with emanating threats from Afghanistan, threats to our homeland from terrorist groups, but the president's direction was crystal clear."&nbsp;

"All US military personnel with that exception are going to be leaving Afghanistan by the early fall," he said.&nbsp;

Kirby insisted that there's no plans to reintroduce American boots on the ground in Afghanistan. &nbsp;

"We have robust counterterrorism capabilities all around the world, and I think as he also - you heard him say in Brussels there's not a part of the Earth that we can't hit if we need to hit it, but there are no plans and no discussions about reintroducing American combat forces on the ground in Afghanistan," he said. &nbsp;

The United States continues to have a dialogue with Pakistan on issues related to terrorism along the border with Afghanistan, the Pentagon has said. "We continue to have a dialogue with Pakistan about terrorist issues along that border with Afghanistan.

The United States continues to have a dialogue with Pakistan on issues related to terrorism along the border with Afghanistan, the Pentagon has said. "We continue to have a dialogue with Pakistan about terrorist issues along that border with Afghanistan. I think it's helpful to remind that they too have suffered from terrorist attacks inside their country," Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby told reporters at a news conference here. Responding to a question, Kirby said President Joe Biden is clear on withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan by September 22. "The president was clear. We are removing US forces from Afghanistan and will maintain the sufficient counter terrorism capabilities we need to detect and prevent threats to our homeland that could emanate from Afghanistan,” Kirby said. Once the US leaves Afghanistan, he said, they expect the sovereignty of Afghanistan to be respected. He was responding to a question on reports that Beijing is considering sending a peacekeeping force to Afghanistan once the US pulls out, which will be deployed at the neighbouring province it has with Afghanistan across that 44-mile border. "We certainly wouldn't speak for another nation and obviously, we would call on all of Afghanistan's neighbours to respect its sovereignty and to respect its territory integrity as well," he said. "If there's a legitimate terrorism threat that's emanating from Afghanistan to work in accordance with international law and with the Afghan government to address that, but we want Afghanistan's sovereignty to be respected," he asserted. The US, he said, is removing all military personnel from Afghanistan. "We will remove them by early September. All of them with the exception of what's going to be required to protect the diplomatic mission in Afghanistan," he said. "So I know of no discussions with government in Kabul about reinserting counterterrorism forces inside Afghanistan. As the (Defence) Secretary made clear in Brussels last week, we will maintain a sufficient counterterrorism capability in the region to deal with emanating threats from Afghanistan, threats to our homeland from terrorist groups, but the president's direction was crystal clear." "All US military personnel with that exception are going to be leaving Afghanistan by the early fall," he said. Kirby insisted that there's no plans to reintroduce American boots on the ground in Afghanistan. "We have robust counterterrorism capabilities all around the world, and I think as he also - you heard him say in Brussels there's not a part of the Earth that we can't hit if we need to hit it, but there are no plans and no discussions about reintroducing American combat forces on the ground in Afghanistan," he said.

US continues to have dialogue with Pakistan on terrorism along Afghanistan border: Pentagon  

Asserting that China and India are to be a factor in the regional prosperity, Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani has said it is 'a moment of choice' for neighbouring Pakistan as all its calculations have been 'wrong' so far.&nbsp;

Ghani, in an interview to CNN's Fareed Zakaria&nbsp;which aired on Sunday, said that verbally, the leaders of Pakistan all fortunately acknowledge that they do not want the Taliban government in Afghanistan, that they would like to see a peaceful, stable, democratic government in the war-torn country.&nbsp;

"We are key to their prosperity. The rate of growth in Afghanistan could enhance by two per cent in a stable and connected Afghanistan, we have to work together.”&nbsp;

"So, there are two options.&nbsp;Connect to Central Asia through us, share in the joint prosperity through the partnership for peace, gain international credibility and support that they're all in need of, or opt for chaos," he said.&nbsp;

The country that would be most damaged by insecurity or a renewed civil war in Afghanistan is Pakistan, and in that case, it would be a lose proposition, Ghani said.&nbsp;

"It's a moment of choice for Pakistan. All its calculations have been wrong," the Afghanistan president said.&nbsp;

Afghanistan has in the past accused Pakistan of providing safe havens for terror groups that target its territory, especially the Afghan Taliban, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and the Haqqani group.&nbsp;

Responding to a question, Ghani said that China is not an interventionist power.&nbsp;

"It does not want to get engaged with military or proxy wars, and Pakistan in terms of its foreign policy obviously is hedging between China and other countries, because it is still, its reliance on the rest of the region is quite significant. Pakistan can become an anchor of regional stability if it opts for peace in regional cooperation," he said.&nbsp;

The discourse of Pakistan has changed, he said, adding that there was a security conference in Islamabad where the talk was really significantly about harmony and cooperation.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Asserting that China and India are to be a factor in the regional prosperity, Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani has said it is 'a moment of choice' for neighbouring Pakistan as all its calculations have been 'wrong' so far.

Asserting that China and India are to be a factor in the regional prosperity, Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani has said it is 'a moment of choice' for neighbouring Pakistan as all its calculations have been 'wrong' so far. Ghani, in an interview to CNN's Fareed Zakaria which aired on Sunday, said that verbally, the leaders of Pakistan all fortunately acknowledge that they do not want the Taliban government in Afghanistan, that they would like to see a peaceful, stable, democratic government in the war-torn country. "We are key to their prosperity. The rate of growth in Afghanistan could enhance by two per cent in a stable and connected Afghanistan, we have to work together.” "So, there are two options. Connect to Central Asia through us, share in the joint prosperity through the partnership for peace, gain international credibility and support that they're all in need of, or opt for chaos," he said. The country that would be most damaged by insecurity or a renewed civil war in Afghanistan is Pakistan, and in that case, it would be a lose proposition, Ghani said. "It's a moment of choice for Pakistan. All its calculations have been wrong," the Afghanistan president said. Afghanistan has in the past accused Pakistan of providing safe havens for terror groups that target its territory, especially the Afghan Taliban, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and the Haqqani group. Responding to a question, Ghani said that China is not an interventionist power. "It does not want to get engaged with military or proxy wars, and Pakistan in terms of its foreign policy obviously is hedging between China and other countries, because it is still, its reliance on the rest of the region is quite significant. Pakistan can become an anchor of regional stability if it opts for peace in regional cooperation," he said. The discourse of Pakistan has changed, he said, adding that there was a security conference in Islamabad where the talk was really significantly about harmony and cooperation. (With inputs from agencies)

Afghan Prez: India, China factor in regional prosperity; moment of choice for Pak  

Nepal's former king Gyanendra Shah and former queen Komal Shah have tested positive for the coronavirus on their return from India after participating in the religious event Maha Kumbh at Haridwar, according to a media report on Tuesday.&nbsp;

The 73-year-old former king and 70-year-old former queen recently returned from India, where they had taken a holy dip at Haridwar's Har Ki Pauri during the Maha Kumbh, a religious congregation of Hindu seers and devotees, according to the Health Ministry.&nbsp;

Their samples for the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test were confirmed positive for the Covid-19 infection, The Himalayan Times reported.&nbsp;

According to the report, hundreds of people had gathered at the airport in Kathmandu to welcome the former king and queen during their arrival back home.&nbsp;

The authorities have also initiated a contact tracing to test anyone, who came in contact with the royal couple.&nbsp;

Shah was crowned as the king of Nepal in 2001 after his elder brother Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev and his family were killed in a massacre at the Royal Palace.&nbsp;

An investigation blamed Birendra's son Dipendra, who was among the dead, for the massacre.&nbsp;

Shah stepped down in 2008, after a popular revolt forced him to abdicate, and the centuries-old monarchy was abolished, turning the country into a republic by the Constituent Assembly.&nbsp;

He became deeply unpopular when he seized direct control of the nation in 2005, claiming mainstream parties had failed to tackle the deadly Maoist insurgency.&nbsp;

He has kept a low-profile and has occasionally made public appearances.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week appealed to the sadhus to observe the remaining duration of the Kumbh only in a symbolic manner in view of the coronavirus pandemic.&nbsp;

The Maha Kumbh formally began in Haridwar on April 1 with several restrictions imposed on devotees coming to attend the event amid rising cases of Covid-19 in various states including Uttarakhand.&nbsp;

A negative Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test report not older than 72 hours before arrival was made mandatory for devotees gathering for the event.&nbsp;

It was for the first time in the history of the grand religious congregation held on the banks of the Ganga in Haridwar once in 12 years that its duration was curtailed to just one month due to the pandemic.&nbsp;

In normal circumstances, the Maha Kumbh is held for nearly four months. Its last edition was held in Haridwar from January 14 to April 28 in 2010. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Nepal's former king Gyanendra Shah and former queen Komal Shah have tested positive for the coronavirus on their return from India after participating in the religious event Maha Kumbh at Haridwar, according to a media report on Tuesday.

Nepal's former king Gyanendra Shah and former queen Komal Shah have tested positive for the coronavirus on their return from India after participating in the religious event Maha Kumbh at Haridwar, according to a media report on Tuesday. The 73-year-old former king and 70-year-old former queen recently returned from India, where they had taken a holy dip at Haridwar's Har Ki Pauri during the Maha Kumbh, a religious congregation of Hindu seers and devotees, according to the Health Ministry. Their samples for the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test were confirmed positive for the Covid-19 infection, The Himalayan Times reported. According to the report, hundreds of people had gathered at the airport in Kathmandu to welcome the former king and queen during their arrival back home. The authorities have also initiated a contact tracing to test anyone, who came in contact with the royal couple. Shah was crowned as the king of Nepal in 2001 after his elder brother Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev and his family were killed in a massacre at the Royal Palace. An investigation blamed Birendra's son Dipendra, who was among the dead, for the massacre. Shah stepped down in 2008, after a popular revolt forced him to abdicate, and the centuries-old monarchy was abolished, turning the country into a republic by the Constituent Assembly. He became deeply unpopular when he seized direct control of the nation in 2005, claiming mainstream parties had failed to tackle the deadly Maoist insurgency. He has kept a low-profile and has occasionally made public appearances. Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week appealed to the sadhus to observe the remaining duration of the Kumbh only in a symbolic manner in view of the coronavirus pandemic. The Maha Kumbh formally began in Haridwar on April 1 with several restrictions imposed on devotees coming to attend the event amid rising cases of Covid-19 in various states including Uttarakhand. A negative Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test report not older than 72 hours before arrival was made mandatory for devotees gathering for the event. It was for the first time in the history of the grand religious congregation held on the banks of the Ganga in Haridwar once in 12 years that its duration was curtailed to just one month due to the pandemic. In normal circumstances, the Maha Kumbh is held for nearly four months. Its last edition was held in Haridwar from January 14 to April 28 in 2010. (With inputs from agencies)

Nepal's ex-king Gyanendra, queen Komal test COVID-19 positive after attending Kumbh mela in India  

Former US president Donald Trump has urged his successor Joe Biden to reinstate the travel ban on certain Muslim countries in order to keep the country safe from radical Islamic terrorism. &nbsp;

"If Joe Biden wants to keep our country safe from radical Islamic terrorism, he should reinstitute the foreign country travel ban and all of the vetting requirements on those seeking admission that go with it, along with the refugee restrictions I successfully put in place," Trump said in a statement on Monday. &nbsp;

"Terrorists operate all over the world and recruit online. To keep terrorism and extremism out of our country, we need to have smart, commonsense rules in place so we don't repeat the many immigration mistakes made by Europe and the USA prior to ‘Trump'," said the former US president. &nbsp;

Trump had imposed a ban on travel from several Muslim-majority countries including Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. However, Biden lifted the ban after assuming office. &nbsp; &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Former US president Donald Trump has urged his successor Joe Biden to reinstate the travel ban on certain Muslim countries in order to keep the country safe from radical Islamic terrorism.

Former US president Donald Trump has urged his successor Joe Biden to reinstate the travel ban on certain Muslim countries in order to keep the country safe from radical Islamic terrorism. "If Joe Biden wants to keep our country safe from radical Islamic terrorism, he should reinstitute the foreign country travel ban and all of the vetting requirements on those seeking admission that go with it, along with the refugee restrictions I successfully put in place," Trump said in a statement on Monday. "Terrorists operate all over the world and recruit online. To keep terrorism and extremism out of our country, we need to have smart, commonsense rules in place so we don't repeat the many immigration mistakes made by Europe and the USA prior to ‘Trump'," said the former US president. Trump had imposed a ban on travel from several Muslim-majority countries including Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. However, Biden lifted the ban after assuming office. (With inputs from agencies)

Trump asks Biden to reinstate travel ban, to keep US safe from radical Islamic terrorism

Europe's drug regulator was expected to rule on Tuesday on the safety of the Johnson &amp; Johnson Covid-19 vaccine after fears it could be linked to extremely rare blood clots, while India said it will make shots available to all adults as it battles a terrifying wave of infections.&nbsp;

The United States is also expected to announce its decision on the single-shot J&amp;J vaccine by Friday, as nations around the world try to accelerate their rollouts and revive their pandemic-ravaged economies.&nbsp;

The European Medicines Agency was due to hold a press conference from Amsterdam on Tuesday, after reviewing four cases, one fatal, of rare blood clots reported among people, who got the J&amp;J shot.&nbsp;

But the number of reported clots were 'extremely small' compared with the 4.5 million J&amp;J shots administered worldwide, the EMA has said.&nbsp;

That comparison echoes the comments by top US pandemic advisor Anthony Fauci, who described the clots as 'an extraordinarily rare event'.&nbsp;

Fauci said on Sunday, he believed the US would resume use of the jab, possibly with some restrictions or warnings.&nbsp;

The J&amp;J vaccine concerns follow similar reports of blood clots in a very small number of people, who received the AstraZeneca shot.&nbsp;

The EMA described those clots as a 'very rare' side effect, stressing that the AstraZeneca jab's benefits outweigh the risks.&nbsp;

The leaders of Europe are keen to accelerate vaccinations and expand availability after facing intense criticism over a sluggish rollout and with the public desperate for a return to some degree of normality.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Europe's drug regulator was expected to rule on Tuesday on the safety of the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine after fears it could be linked to extremely rare blood clots, while India said it will make shots available to all adults as it battles a terrifying wave of infections.

Europe's drug regulator was expected to rule on Tuesday on the safety of the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine after fears it could be linked to extremely rare blood clots, while India said it will make shots available to all adults as it battles a terrifying wave of infections. The United States is also expected to announce its decision on the single-shot J&J vaccine by Friday, as nations around the world try to accelerate their rollouts and revive their pandemic-ravaged economies. The European Medicines Agency was due to hold a press conference from Amsterdam on Tuesday, after reviewing four cases, one fatal, of rare blood clots reported among people, who got the J&J shot. But the number of reported clots were 'extremely small' compared with the 4.5 million J&J shots administered worldwide, the EMA has said. That comparison echoes the comments by top US pandemic advisor Anthony Fauci, who described the clots as 'an extraordinarily rare event'. Fauci said on Sunday, he believed the US would resume use of the jab, possibly with some restrictions or warnings. The J&J vaccine concerns follow similar reports of blood clots in a very small number of people, who received the AstraZeneca shot. The EMA described those clots as a 'very rare' side effect, stressing that the AstraZeneca jab's benefits outweigh the risks. The leaders of Europe are keen to accelerate vaccinations and expand availability after facing intense criticism over a sluggish rollout and with the public desperate for a return to some degree of normality. (With inputs from agencies)

EU to rule on Johnson & Johnson vaccine’s safety  

At least 53 passengers on a flight from New Delhi to Hong Kong have tested positive for coronavirus, authorities said on Tuesday, as the Chinese financial hub introduced an emergency ban on arrivals from India over a new wave of cases.&nbsp;

The passengers flew into Hong Kong on a flight run by Indian operator Vistara on April 4. &nbsp;

The positive tests are significant as Hong Kong is regularly recording fewer daily cases than the total detected on the flight since it brought a fourth wave under control in January.&nbsp;

Authorities have now imposed a two-week ban on all flights from India, Pakistan and the Philippines that began on Monday, categorising the countries as 'extremely high risk' after detecting the N501Y mutant Covid-19 strain for the first time in the local community.&nbsp;

India is battling skyrocketing infections, with hospitals running out of beds and the government forced to reimpose economically painful restrictions.&nbsp;

Its capital, New Delhi, went into lockdown from Monday night as officials scramble to get the surging cases under control.&nbsp;

The Vistara aircraft can hold 188 passengers but Hong Kong authorities did not announce how many it had been carrying.&nbsp;

The positive coronavirus results surfaced while the arrivals were undergoing Hong Kong's mandatory three-week quarantine period, one of the strictest entry regimes in the world.&nbsp;

All travellers flying into the territory from 25 places deemed high risk including Britain, South Africa, India, Pakistan and the United States must also provide a negative test within the 72 hours prior to departure.&nbsp;

Several coronavirus cases have also been detected on flights arriving in Hong Kong from Mumbai, authorities said.&nbsp;

Densely populated Hong Kong was one of the first places to be hit by the coronavirus, but the tough entry conditions, strict social distancing measures and universal mask wearing have helped keep infections to just over 11,700 with 209 deaths.&nbsp;

Around 9.8 per cent of the city's 7.5 million population have been vaccinated so far.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

At least 53 passengers on a flight from New Delhi to Hong Kong have tested positive for coronavirus, authorities said on Tuesday, as the Chinese financial hub introduced an emergency ban on arrivals from India over a new wave of cases.

At least 53 passengers on a flight from New Delhi to Hong Kong have tested positive for coronavirus, authorities said on Tuesday, as the Chinese financial hub introduced an emergency ban on arrivals from India over a new wave of cases. The passengers flew into Hong Kong on a flight run by Indian operator Vistara on April 4. The positive tests are significant as Hong Kong is regularly recording fewer daily cases than the total detected on the flight since it brought a fourth wave under control in January. Authorities have now imposed a two-week ban on all flights from India, Pakistan and the Philippines that began on Monday, categorising the countries as 'extremely high risk' after detecting the N501Y mutant Covid-19 strain for the first time in the local community. India is battling skyrocketing infections, with hospitals running out of beds and the government forced to reimpose economically painful restrictions. Its capital, New Delhi, went into lockdown from Monday night as officials scramble to get the surging cases under control. The Vistara aircraft can hold 188 passengers but Hong Kong authorities did not announce how many it had been carrying. The positive coronavirus results surfaced while the arrivals were undergoing Hong Kong's mandatory three-week quarantine period, one of the strictest entry regimes in the world. All travellers flying into the territory from 25 places deemed high risk including Britain, South Africa, India, Pakistan and the United States must also provide a negative test within the 72 hours prior to departure. Several coronavirus cases have also been detected on flights arriving in Hong Kong from Mumbai, authorities said. Densely populated Hong Kong was one of the first places to be hit by the coronavirus, but the tough entry conditions, strict social distancing measures and universal mask wearing have helped keep infections to just over 11,700 with 209 deaths. Around 9.8 per cent of the city's 7.5 million population have been vaccinated so far. (With inputs from agencies)

Scores test positive for Covid-19 on India flight to Hong Kong 

Russian President Vladimir Putin will deliver a speech on Thursday at an online climate change summit hosted by US President Joe Biden, the Kremlin said, despite a deep crisis in relations between Moscow and Washington.&nbsp;

Putin's attendance signals he is still open to dialogue with the United States even though the two countries have imposed new sanctions on each other in the past few days. He has yet to accept or decline a separate invitation from Biden to a bilateral summit.&nbsp;

Biden has invited 40 world leaders to the climate summit, part of his effort to make the fight against global warming a top priority.&nbsp;

Putin, in his speech, will "outline Russia's approaches in the context of forging broad international cooperation aimed at overcoming the negative effects of global climate change," the Kremlin said.&nbsp;

Washington imposed new sanctions on Russia on last Thursday for alleged malign activity including interfering in last year's US election, cyber hacking and bullying neighbouring Ukraine.&nbsp;

Russia denied the accusations and retaliated with sanctions of its own the following day.&nbsp;

The United States has warned Russia, there will be further consequences if Alexei Navalny, an opposition politician, who has been on hunger strike in prison for nearly three weeks, were to die. Russia has said it is ready to impose more 'painful' measures against Washington if tensions escalate further.&nbsp;

Relations slumped to a new post-Cold War low last month after Biden said he thought Putin was a 'killer' and Moscow recalled its ambassador to Washington for consultations.&nbsp;

Russian President Vladimir Putin will deliver a speech on Thursday at an online climate change summit hosted by US President Joe Biden, the Kremlin said, despite a deep crisis in relations between Moscow and Washington.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will deliver a speech on Thursday at an online climate change summit hosted by US President Joe Biden, the Kremlin said, despite a deep crisis in relations between Moscow and Washington. Putin's attendance signals he is still open to dialogue with the United States even though the two countries have imposed new sanctions on each other in the past few days. He has yet to accept or decline a separate invitation from Biden to a bilateral summit. Biden has invited 40 world leaders to the climate summit, part of his effort to make the fight against global warming a top priority. Putin, in his speech, will "outline Russia's approaches in the context of forging broad international cooperation aimed at overcoming the negative effects of global climate change," the Kremlin said. Washington imposed new sanctions on Russia on last Thursday for alleged malign activity including interfering in last year's US election, cyber hacking and bullying neighbouring Ukraine. Russia denied the accusations and retaliated with sanctions of its own the following day. The United States has warned Russia, there will be further consequences if Alexei Navalny, an opposition politician, who has been on hunger strike in prison for nearly three weeks, were to die. Russia has said it is ready to impose more 'painful' measures against Washington if tensions escalate further. Relations slumped to a new post-Cold War low last month after Biden said he thought Putin was a 'killer' and Moscow recalled its ambassador to Washington for consultations.

Putin to address Biden's climate summit despite crisis in US-Russia ties 

South African firefighters contained a wildfire along Cape Town's Table Mountain on Monday more than 24 hours after it began, damaging historical sites and forcing people to evacuate their homes and schools to close. &nbsp;

Winds of up to 45 kilometres per hour put water-bombing helicopters out of action and more than 250 firefighters were tackling fast-spreading flare-ups from the ground only. &nbsp;

Officials believe the blaze may have been started deliberately and a suspect was detained on Sunday evening. They also said it was one of the most damaging cultural heritage fires ever.&nbsp;

"With regards to the damage to historical buildings, it is quite substantial," said Arlene Wehr, the incident commander at the city's fire services, at a media briefing.&nbsp;

City of Cape Town mayor, Dan Plato, described the fire, which has so far destroyed more than 400 hectares of vegetation in the Table Mountain National Park, as one of the biggest in the city's recent history.&nbsp;

The fire started early on Sunday morning on the slopes of Devils' Peak, another part of Cape Town's mountainous backdrop, forcing University of Cape Town students to evacuate residences as runaway flames set several campus buildings ablaze, including a library housing historic books and scripts.&nbsp;

Other properties damaged includes the popular hikers' restaurant at Rhodes memorial and the thatch-roofed Mostert Mill, built around 1796 and South Africa's oldest working mill.&nbsp;

"It is not only the historic buildings themselves that have been lost, but their contents and collections," said the Cape Town Heritage Trust in a statement. &nbsp;

Two firefighters sustained burn wounds and were hospitalised for treatment, officials said, as a change in wind direction saw the fire spread rapidly towards the city bowl overnight.&nbsp;

All schools in the Vredehoek area were asked to evacuate, a disaster management spokeswoman said, adding that homes used to accommodate travelling cabinet ministers in Walmer Estate were also being cleared. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

South African firefighters contained a wildfire along Cape Town's Table Mountain on Monday more than 24 hours after it began, damaging historical sites and forcing people to evacuate their homes and schools to close.

South African firefighters contained a wildfire along Cape Town's Table Mountain on Monday more than 24 hours after it began, damaging historical sites and forcing people to evacuate their homes and schools to close. Winds of up to 45 kilometres per hour put water-bombing helicopters out of action and more than 250 firefighters were tackling fast-spreading flare-ups from the ground only. Officials believe the blaze may have been started deliberately and a suspect was detained on Sunday evening. They also said it was one of the most damaging cultural heritage fires ever. "With regards to the damage to historical buildings, it is quite substantial," said Arlene Wehr, the incident commander at the city's fire services, at a media briefing. City of Cape Town mayor, Dan Plato, described the fire, which has so far destroyed more than 400 hectares of vegetation in the Table Mountain National Park, as one of the biggest in the city's recent history. The fire started early on Sunday morning on the slopes of Devils' Peak, another part of Cape Town's mountainous backdrop, forcing University of Cape Town students to evacuate residences as runaway flames set several campus buildings ablaze, including a library housing historic books and scripts. Other properties damaged includes the popular hikers' restaurant at Rhodes memorial and the thatch-roofed Mostert Mill, built around 1796 and South Africa's oldest working mill. "It is not only the historic buildings themselves that have been lost, but their contents and collections," said the Cape Town Heritage Trust in a statement. Two firefighters sustained burn wounds and were hospitalised for treatment, officials said, as a change in wind direction saw the fire spread rapidly towards the city bowl overnight. All schools in the Vredehoek area were asked to evacuate, a disaster management spokeswoman said, adding that homes used to accommodate travelling cabinet ministers in Walmer Estate were also being cleared. (With inputs from agencies)

Firefighters contain windswept blaze on Table Mountain in South Africa 

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