The Philippine government summoned the Chinese ambassador to press its demand for Chinese vessels to immediately leave a reef claimed by Manila in the South China Sea and said their presence was stoking tensions, officials said on Tuesday.&nbsp;

The escalating feud between Manila and Beijing started after more than 200 Chinese vessels suspected by Philippine authorities to be operated by militias were spotted early last month at Whitsun Reef. The Philippine government demanded the vessels leave then deployed coast guard and patrol vessels to the area but China said it owns the reef and the Chinese vessels were sheltering from rough seas.&nbsp;

After summoning Ambassador Huang Xilian on Monday, Philippine Foreign Undersecretary Elizabeth Buensuceso expressed to him Manila's displeasure over the illegal lingering presence of Chinese vessels around Julian Felipe Reef, the foreign affairs department said in a statement, using the Philippine name for Whitsun Reef in the most hotly disputed Spratlys region of the busy waterway.&nbsp;

"The continuing presence of Chinese vessels around the reef is a source of regional tension," Buensuceso said.&nbsp;

She reiterated to Huang that the reef, which lies about 175 nautical miles (324 kilometres) west of the Philippine province of Palawan, is within an internationally recognised offshore zone where Manila has the exclusive right to exploit fisheries, oil, gas and other resources.&nbsp;

She also cited a 2016 ruling in an international arbitration case the Philippines brought against China that invalidated Beijing's vast claims on historical grounds to virtually all of the South China Sea under a 1982 UN Maritime treaty.&nbsp;

The Philippine military has said aerial surveillance showed some of the Chinese vessels have left the reef but more than 40 remained moored in the area in late March. It debunked China's claim that the vessels were sheltering from rough seas saying the weather has been fine around the reef.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The Philippine government summoned the Chinese ambassador to press its demand for Chinese vessels to immediately leave a reef claimed by Manila in the South China Sea and said their presence was stoking tensions, officials said on Tuesday.

The Philippine government summoned the Chinese ambassador to press its demand for Chinese vessels to immediately leave a reef claimed by Manila in the South China Sea and said their presence was stoking tensions, officials said on Tuesday. The escalating feud between Manila and Beijing started after more than 200 Chinese vessels suspected by Philippine authorities to be operated by militias were spotted early last month at Whitsun Reef. The Philippine government demanded the vessels leave then deployed coast guard and patrol vessels to the area but China said it owns the reef and the Chinese vessels were sheltering from rough seas. After summoning Ambassador Huang Xilian on Monday, Philippine Foreign Undersecretary Elizabeth Buensuceso expressed to him Manila's displeasure over the illegal lingering presence of Chinese vessels around Julian Felipe Reef, the foreign affairs department said in a statement, using the Philippine name for Whitsun Reef in the most hotly disputed Spratlys region of the busy waterway. "The continuing presence of Chinese vessels around the reef is a source of regional tension," Buensuceso said. She reiterated to Huang that the reef, which lies about 175 nautical miles (324 kilometres) west of the Philippine province of Palawan, is within an internationally recognised offshore zone where Manila has the exclusive right to exploit fisheries, oil, gas and other resources. She also cited a 2016 ruling in an international arbitration case the Philippines brought against China that invalidated Beijing's vast claims on historical grounds to virtually all of the South China Sea under a 1982 UN Maritime treaty. The Philippine military has said aerial surveillance showed some of the Chinese vessels have left the reef but more than 40 remained moored in the area in late March. It debunked China's claim that the vessels were sheltering from rough seas saying the weather has been fine around the reef. (With inputs from agencies)

Philippines summons Chinese ambassador over reef dispute in South China Sea 

NATO and the West must act quickly to prevent an escalation of violence between Ukraine and Russia, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Tuesday, saying further sanctions against Moscow and more military help to Kyiv could help. &nbsp;

"At the operational level, we need measures which will deter Russia and which will contain its aggressive intentions. This could be ... a new round of sanctions which would raise the price of Russian aggression," Kuleba told a news conference at NATO alongside NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.&nbsp;

"This could be direct support aimed at strengthening Ukraine's defence capabilities. Because we do know that Russia spares no effort to prevent third countries from cooperating with Ukraine in the defence sector. Russia is working hard to undermine our defence capabilities."&nbsp;

Meanwhile, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Tuesday that the Western alliance, and not Moscow, would decide whether Ukraine joins in the future.&nbsp;

"It is for the 30 NATO allies to decide when Ukraine is ready for membership. No one else has any right to try to meddle or to interfere in that process," Stoltenberg told a news conference alongside Kyiv's top diplomat.&nbsp;

"Russia is now trying to reestablish some kind of sphere of influence where they try to decide what neighbours can do," Stoltenberg said.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

NATO and the West must act quickly to prevent an escalation of violence between Ukraine and Russia, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Tuesday, saying further sanctions against Moscow and more military help to Kyiv could help.

NATO and the West must act quickly to prevent an escalation of violence between Ukraine and Russia, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Tuesday, saying further sanctions against Moscow and more military help to Kyiv could help. "At the operational level, we need measures which will deter Russia and which will contain its aggressive intentions. This could be ... a new round of sanctions which would raise the price of Russian aggression," Kuleba told a news conference at NATO alongside NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. "This could be direct support aimed at strengthening Ukraine's defence capabilities. Because we do know that Russia spares no effort to prevent third countries from cooperating with Ukraine in the defence sector. Russia is working hard to undermine our defence capabilities." Meanwhile, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Tuesday that the Western alliance, and not Moscow, would decide whether Ukraine joins in the future. "It is for the 30 NATO allies to decide when Ukraine is ready for membership. No one else has any right to try to meddle or to interfere in that process," Stoltenberg told a news conference alongside Kyiv's top diplomat. "Russia is now trying to reestablish some kind of sphere of influence where they try to decide what neighbours can do," Stoltenberg said. (With inputs from agencies)

Ukraine minister calls for military help, more sanctions on Russia 

Racism in United States of America is not an exception. It's the norm. Two incidents have come as a reminder of this grim reality.

The first is from the state of Virginia, where two White cops pointed guns and pepper-sprayed a Black US army officer for a missing license plate.&nbsp;This happened in December, a lawsuit has been filed now, and the second incident is from Minneapolis, where a Black man has been shot and killed by the police.

Why? For a traffic violation in any other country, these violations would lead to a fine but clearly not in the land of the free. &nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-black-american-killed-by-cops-in-minnesota-377158/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Where the colour of your skin seems to increasingly determine the severity of your crime and the timing is important here. These incidents are being reported and discussed at a time when Derek Chauvin, a White police officer, is on trial for the murder of a Black man George Floyd.&nbsp;

This is not an encounter. This is a traffic stop. This man is not a wanted criminal. He is a lieutenant in the US Army. What's his crime? A missing license plate. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Caron Nazario, a second lieutenant in the US Army and a Black and Latino American, was driving his new SUV with a temporary paper plate. He was asked to pull over by two cops. What followed was sheer racism camouflaged as obstruction of justice. The footage was shot in December but a lawsuit in the case has been filed now. &nbsp;

Nazario has sued the two cops for their behaviour. More than a thousand miles away from Virginia in the state of Minneapolis, another Black American couldn't even opt for legal recourse. He was shot and killed by police officers for a traffic violation in Minnesota. The incident took place barely 16 kilometres away from where George Floyd was killed. &nbsp;

Minnesota department of public safety commissioner John Harrington said about the police incident that later prompted the protests. "Our early report was that one officer had fired a weapon, striking the driver. The vehicle continued and eventually crashed and medical resources were then deployed to the scene to aid the people in both the vehicle that was crashed into and the original group. The driver of the vehicle was deceased."

The aftermath seems like deja vu. Hundreds of locals have descended on the streets of Minnesota.&nbsp;

There are protests, there's tear-gas and the same rallying call, 'Black lives matter'.&nbsp;

Myah, a protester, said, "Who knows if there’s gonna be a difference in this world, who knows if it’s going to be the last time that we all come together in something like this."&nbsp;

As the protests continue, the trial of Derek Chauvin over George Floyd's death is yet to reach any conclusion. It's been three weeks and jurors are still analysing the testimonies.&nbsp;

Whatever be the final verdict, the chances of it are eradicating America's virus of racism seem abysmally low.&nbsp;

Racism in United States of America is not an exception. It's the norm. Two incidents have come as a reminder of this grim reality. The first is from the state of Virginia, where two White cops pointed guns and pepper-sprayed a Black US army officer for a missing license plate.

Racism in United States of America is not an exception. It's the norm. Two incidents have come as a reminder of this grim reality. The first is from the state of Virginia, where two White cops pointed guns and pepper-sprayed a Black US army officer for a missing license plate. This happened in December, a lawsuit has been filed now, and the second incident is from Minneapolis, where a Black man has been shot and killed by the police. Why? For a traffic violation in any other country, these violations would lead to a fine but clearly not in the land of the free. Where the colour of your skin seems to increasingly determine the severity of your crime and the timing is important here. These incidents are being reported and discussed at a time when Derek Chauvin, a White police officer, is on trial for the murder of a Black man George Floyd. This is not an encounter. This is a traffic stop. This man is not a wanted criminal. He is a lieutenant in the US Army. What's his crime? A missing license plate. Caron Nazario, a second lieutenant in the US Army and a Black and Latino American, was driving his new SUV with a temporary paper plate. He was asked to pull over by two cops. What followed was sheer racism camouflaged as obstruction of justice. The footage was shot in December but a lawsuit in the case has been filed now. Nazario has sued the two cops for their behaviour. More than a thousand miles away from Virginia in the state of Minneapolis, another Black American couldn't even opt for legal recourse. He was shot and killed by police officers for a traffic violation in Minnesota. The incident took place barely 16 kilometres away from where George Floyd was killed. Minnesota department of public safety commissioner John Harrington said about the police incident that later prompted the protests. "Our early report was that one officer had fired a weapon, striking the driver. The vehicle continued and eventually crashed and medical resources were then deployed to the scene to aid the people in both the vehicle that was crashed into and the original group. The driver of the vehicle was deceased." The aftermath seems like deja vu. Hundreds of locals have descended on the streets of Minnesota. There are protests, there's tear-gas and the same rallying call, 'Black lives matter'. Myah, a protester, said, "Who knows if there’s gonna be a difference in this world, who knows if it’s going to be the last time that we all come together in something like this." As the protests continue, the trial of Derek Chauvin over George Floyd's death is yet to reach any conclusion. It's been three weeks and jurors are still analysing the testimonies. Whatever be the final verdict, the chances of it are eradicating America's virus of racism seem abysmally low.

Rising racist attacks in US raise many questions 

Nepal's last King Gyanendra Veer Vikram Singh on Sunday arrived in Uttarakhand's Haridwar to participate in the ongoing Kumbh festivities in the holy city.&nbsp;

Nepal's centuries-old monarchy was abolished in May 2008 by the parliament and replaced by a republic where the president was elected as the head of state. &nbsp;

During his visit, King Gyanendra met Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Kailashanand Giri Maharaj of Niranjani Akhara at Dakshin Kali Temple and took his blessings. He will offer prayers in the Kali temple and will also take blessings after visiting the seers.&nbsp;

King Gyanendra has arrived in Haridwar for the first time on the occasion of Kumbh. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat welcomed the arrival of King Gyanendra Veer Vikram Singh, according to Uttarakhand Chief Minister's Office (CMO).&nbsp;

In a message, CM said, "Welcome to Devbhoomi Uttarakhand and Haridwar Kumbh. You are blessed by the saints and the Ganges. Take the holy benefit of Aquarius by taking bath."&nbsp;

As a representative of CM Rawat, Director General of Information and Public Relations Department, Ranvir Singh Chauhan went to Haridwar and welcomed Gyanendra Veer Vikram Singh by offering flowers on behalf of the Chief Minister, The King thanked the Chief Minister for the gesture.&nbsp;

King Gyanendra is scheduled to join the royal procession of Niranjani Akhara tomorrow to take a bath in the Ganges and take the blessings of the saints.&nbsp;

"I would like to thank Acharya ji for inviting me here today, and I feel that this holy land is a peaceful place. And the relation between India and Nepal will grow stronger," King Gyanendra told ANI.&nbsp;

"I pray for the well-being of people at the time of the Covid-19 pandemic," he added. This year the Kumbh will be held from April 1 to 30 in Haridwar. In normal circumstances, Kumbh continues for nearly four months but this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the duration of the congregation has been curtailed to one month.&nbsp;

Nepal's last King Gyanendra Veer Vikram Singh on Sunday arrived in Uttarakhand's Haridwar to participate in the ongoing Kumbh festivities in the holy city. Nepal's centuries-old monarchy was abolished in May 2008 by the parliament and replaced by a republic where the president was elected as the head of state.

Nepal's last King Gyanendra Veer Vikram Singh on Sunday arrived in Uttarakhand's Haridwar to participate in the ongoing Kumbh festivities in the holy city. Nepal's centuries-old monarchy was abolished in May 2008 by the parliament and replaced by a republic where the president was elected as the head of state. During his visit, King Gyanendra met Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Kailashanand Giri Maharaj of Niranjani Akhara at Dakshin Kali Temple and took his blessings. He will offer prayers in the Kali temple and will also take blessings after visiting the seers. King Gyanendra has arrived in Haridwar for the first time on the occasion of Kumbh. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat welcomed the arrival of King Gyanendra Veer Vikram Singh, according to Uttarakhand Chief Minister's Office (CMO). In a message, CM said, "Welcome to Devbhoomi Uttarakhand and Haridwar Kumbh. You are blessed by the saints and the Ganges. Take the holy benefit of Aquarius by taking bath." As a representative of CM Rawat, Director General of Information and Public Relations Department, Ranvir Singh Chauhan went to Haridwar and welcomed Gyanendra Veer Vikram Singh by offering flowers on behalf of the Chief Minister, The King thanked the Chief Minister for the gesture. King Gyanendra is scheduled to join the royal procession of Niranjani Akhara tomorrow to take a bath in the Ganges and take the blessings of the saints. "I would like to thank Acharya ji for inviting me here today, and I feel that this holy land is a peaceful place. And the relation between India and Nepal will grow stronger," King Gyanendra told ANI. "I pray for the well-being of people at the time of the Covid-19 pandemic," he added. This year the Kumbh will be held from April 1 to 30 in Haridwar. In normal circumstances, Kumbh continues for nearly four months but this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the duration of the congregation has been curtailed to one month.

Nepal King reaches Haridwar to participate in Kumbh festival 

Sputnik V, the COVID-19 vaccine from Russia, has been given 'Emergency Use Authorisation' in India by a panel of experts. Meanwhile, the British government has opened an official independently-run investigation into former Prime Minister David Cameron's lobbying activities for financier Lex Greensill, The Sun newspaper reported.&nbsp;

 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/russias-sputnik-v-covid-vaccine-gets-emergency-nod-from-expert-panel-in-india-377064">Russia's Sputnik V COVID vaccine gets emergency nod in India from experts</a>

<img alt="Top 1" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d898c3a1-65b7-4cc1-a096-4549eb358806" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Top%201.PNG" />

This is the third vaccine to get a go-ahead for use after Covishield and Covaxin.

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-opens-official-investigation-into-ex-pm-camerons-lobbying-says-the-sun-377100">UK opens official investigation into ex-PM Cameron's lobbying, says The Sun</a>

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The Financial Times and Sunday Times newspapers have reported that Cameron contacted ministers directly to lobby on behalf of Greensill Capital, including sending texts to finance minister Rishi Sunak and arranging a private drink between Greensill and Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/syrian-air-force-may-have-dropped-chlorine-bomb-on-town-in-rebel-area-in-2018-says-watchdog-377084">Syrian air force may have dropped chlorine bomb on town in rebel area in 2018, says watchdog&nbsp;</a>

<img alt="Top 3" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="52609a85-fe8c-46fa-af98-8334df6e55cb" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Top%203.PNG" />

The new report by the OPCW chemical weapons watchdog's investigative arm said no one was killed when the cylinder of chlorine gas, delivered in a barrel bomb, hit the Al Talil neighbourhood in the city of Saraqib in February 2018.

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lebanese-minister-expands-claim-in-maritime-area-dispute-with-israel-377099">Lebanese minister expands claim in maritime area dispute with Israel&nbsp;</a>

<img alt="Top 4" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="21e9077e-de3b-4b62-bdfe-ab8f70d016ba" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Top%204.PNG" />

The amendment would add around 1,400 square kilometres (540.54 square miles) to the exclusive economic zone claimed by Lebanon in its original submission to the United Nations.

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-huge-fire-in-historic-factory-in-st-petersburg-377093">Russia: Huge fire in historic factory in St Petersburg</a>

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The enormous factory, founded as a cloth manufacturer in 1841, was engulfed in flames.

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-prince-harry-praises-philip-for-dedication-to-granny-377111">Prince Harry praises Philip for 'dedication to Granny'</a>

<img alt="Top 6" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="04e7c3a6-b138-4da1-a9ec-14eb5b902d76" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Top%206.PNG" />

Releasing a statement on his return to Britain from his home in the United States ahead of Philip`s funeral on Saturday, Harry said the Duke of Edinburgh had been a man of "service, honour and great humour".

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/one-person-shot-dead-in-front-of-paris-hospital-says-police-source-377106">One person shot dead in front of Paris hospital, says police source</a>&nbsp;

<img alt="Top 7" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b5ade238-ab16-4c26-a559-595abe6b4ba8" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Top%207%20A.PNG" />

The source said the injured person was now being treated inside the hospital, the Henry Dunant, which is also a Covid-19 vaccination centre. The motive for the shootings remains unknown.

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-prince-philip-reportedly-wasnt-keen-to-turn-100-can%E2%80%99t-imagine-anything-worse-377094">Prince Philip reportedly wasn't keen to turn 100: 'Can’t imagine anything worse'</a>

<img alt="Top 8 A" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="cf552730-491d-4104-999d-cac21215811a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Top%208%20A.PNG" />

The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip died two months short of his centenary birthday.

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/houthis-claim-to-attack-saudi-aramco-facilities-no-confirmation-from-riyadh-377090">Houthis claim to attack Saudi Aramco facilities; no confirmation from Riyadh</a>

<img alt="Top 9 A" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="449b784f-509b-4d84-8352-e3e540af864c" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Top%209%20A.PNG" />

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said on Twitter the group's barrage included 10 Samad-3 drones fired at refineries in the Red Sea city of Jeddah and Jubail in the Eastern Province.

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/czech-foreign-minister-to-lose-job-after-challenging-party-leader-377083">Czech foreign minister to lose job after challenging party leader</a>

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Party chief Jan Hamacek will submit a proposal to the prime minister later on Monday to dismiss Petricek, Hamacek said.

Sputnik V, the COVID-19 vaccine from Russia, has been given 'Emergency Use Authorisation' in India by a panel of experts. Meanwhile, the British government has opened an official independently-run investigation into former Prime Minister David Cameron's lobbying activities for financier Lex Greensill, The Sun newspaper reported.

Sputnik V, the COVID-19 vaccine from Russia, has been given 'Emergency Use Authorisation' in India by a panel of experts. Meanwhile, the British government has opened an official independently-run investigation into former Prime Minister David Cameron's lobbying activities for financier Lex Greensill, The Sun newspaper reported. Russia's Sputnik V COVID vaccine gets emergency nod in India from experts This is the third vaccine to get a go-ahead for use after Covishield and Covaxin. UK opens official investigation into ex-PM Cameron's lobbying, says The Sun The Financial Times and Sunday Times newspapers have reported that Cameron contacted ministers directly to lobby on behalf of Greensill Capital, including sending texts to finance minister Rishi Sunak and arranging a private drink between Greensill and Health Secretary Matt Hancock. Syrian air force may have dropped chlorine bomb on town in rebel area in 2018, says watchdog The new report by the OPCW chemical weapons watchdog's investigative arm said no one was killed when the cylinder of chlorine gas, delivered in a barrel bomb, hit the Al Talil neighbourhood in the city of Saraqib in February 2018. Lebanese minister expands claim in maritime area dispute with Israel The amendment would add around 1,400 square kilometres (540.54 square miles) to the exclusive economic zone claimed by Lebanon in its original submission to the United Nations. Russia: Huge fire in historic factory in St Petersburg The enormous factory, founded as a cloth manufacturer in 1841, was engulfed in flames. Prince Harry praises Philip for 'dedication to Granny' Releasing a statement on his return to Britain from his home in the United States ahead of Philip`s funeral on Saturday, Harry said the Duke of Edinburgh had been a man of "service, honour and great humour". One person shot dead in front of Paris hospital, says police source The source said the injured person was now being treated inside the hospital, the Henry Dunant, which is also a Covid-19 vaccination centre. The motive for the shootings remains unknown. Prince Philip reportedly wasn't keen to turn 100: 'Can’t imagine anything worse' The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip died two months short of his centenary birthday. Houthis claim to attack Saudi Aramco facilities; no confirmation from Riyadh Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said on Twitter the group's barrage included 10 Samad-3 drones fired at refineries in the Red Sea city of Jeddah and Jubail in the Eastern Province. Czech foreign minister to lose job after challenging party leader Party chief Jan Hamacek will submit a proposal to the prime minister later on Monday to dismiss Petricek, Hamacek said.

Top 10 World News: Sputnik V vaccine gets emergency nod in India, and more

One person was shot dead and another injured on Monday in front of a hospital in Paris, a police source told Reuters, adding that the attacker had then fled on a motorcycle. &nbsp;

The source said the injured person was now being treated inside the hospital, the Henry Dunant, which is also a Covid-19 vaccination centre. The motive for the shootings remains unknown.&nbsp;

BFM television said the person killed was a man and the injured person was a woman, who worked as a security official at the hospital, which is located in the upmarket 16th arrondissement.&nbsp;

The vaccination centre at the hospital was operating at the time of the shootings.&nbsp;

Television stations showed dozens of police officers securing the area.&nbsp;

One person was shot dead and another injured on Monday in front of a hospital in Paris, a police source told Reuters, adding that the attacker had then fled on a motorcycle.

One person was shot dead and another injured on Monday in front of a hospital in Paris, a police source told Reuters, adding that the attacker had then fled on a motorcycle. The source said the injured person was now being treated inside the hospital, the Henry Dunant, which is also a Covid-19 vaccination centre. The motive for the shootings remains unknown. BFM television said the person killed was a man and the injured person was a woman, who worked as a security official at the hospital, which is located in the upmarket 16th arrondissement. The vaccination centre at the hospital was operating at the time of the shootings. Television stations showed dozens of police officers securing the area.

One person shot dead in front of Paris hospital, says police source 

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement said on Monday it had fired 17 drones and two ballistic missiles at targets in Saudi Arabia, including Saudi Aramco facilities in Jubail and Jeddah.&nbsp;

There was no immediate Saudi confirmation. Saudi Aramco, the state oil firm, said when contacted by reporters that it would respond at the earliest opportunity.&nbsp;

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said on Twitter the group's barrage included 10 Samad-3 drones fired at refineries in the Red Sea city of Jeddah and Jubail in the Eastern Province.&nbsp;

Aramco's refinery in Jeddah was decommissioned in 2017 but it has a petroleum products distribution plant there that the Houthis have previously targeted.&nbsp;

Sarea said on Monday, the movement also targeted military sites in the southern Saudi cities of Khamis Mushait and Jazan. &nbsp;

The Saudi-led coalition that intervened in Yemen's war in 2015 against the Houthis said late on Sunday, it had intercepted and destroyed six armed Houthi drones. &nbsp;

The coalition entered the war after the Houthis ousted the internationally recognised government from the capital Sanaa.&nbsp;

The movement, which holds most of north Yemen, has kept up cross border attacks on Saudi Arabia and a ground offensive in Yemen's Marib region at a time when the United States and the United Nations are pushing for a ceasefire agreement.&nbsp;

Riyadh and the Yemeni government have welcomed a truce but the Houthis want the full lifting of a sea and air blockade.&nbsp;

The conflict, seen in the region as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, has killed tens of thousands of people and pushed the Arabian Peninsula nation to the brink of famine.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement said on Monday it had fired 17 drones and two ballistic missiles at targets in Saudi Arabia, including Saudi Aramco facilities in Jubail and Jeddah.

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement said on Monday it had fired 17 drones and two ballistic missiles at targets in Saudi Arabia, including Saudi Aramco facilities in Jubail and Jeddah. There was no immediate Saudi confirmation. Saudi Aramco, the state oil firm, said when contacted by reporters that it would respond at the earliest opportunity. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said on Twitter the group's barrage included 10 Samad-3 drones fired at refineries in the Red Sea city of Jeddah and Jubail in the Eastern Province. Aramco's refinery in Jeddah was decommissioned in 2017 but it has a petroleum products distribution plant there that the Houthis have previously targeted. Sarea said on Monday, the movement also targeted military sites in the southern Saudi cities of Khamis Mushait and Jazan. The Saudi-led coalition that intervened in Yemen's war in 2015 against the Houthis said late on Sunday, it had intercepted and destroyed six armed Houthi drones. The coalition entered the war after the Houthis ousted the internationally recognised government from the capital Sanaa. The movement, which holds most of north Yemen, has kept up cross border attacks on Saudi Arabia and a ground offensive in Yemen's Marib region at a time when the United States and the United Nations are pushing for a ceasefire agreement. Riyadh and the Yemeni government have welcomed a truce but the Houthis want the full lifting of a sea and air blockade. The conflict, seen in the region as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, has killed tens of thousands of people and pushed the Arabian Peninsula nation to the brink of famine. (With inputs from agencies)

Houthis claim to attack Saudi Aramco facilities; no confirmation from Riyadh 

The global chemical weapons watchdog has 'reasonable grounds to believe' that Syria's air force dropped a chlorine bomb on a residential neighbourhood in the rebel-controlled Idlib region in February 2018, a report released on Monday said.&nbsp;

There was no immediate comment from the Syrian government. Syria and its military ally Russia have consistently denied using chemical weapons during President Bashar al-Assad's decade-old conflict with rebel forces, saying any such attacks were staged by opponents to make Damascus look like the culprit.&nbsp;

The new report by the OPCW chemical weapons watchdog's investigative arm said no one was killed when the cylinder of chlorine gas, delivered in a barrel bomb, hit the Al Talil neighbourhood in the city of Saraqib in February 2018.&nbsp;

However, a dozen people were treated for symptoms consistent with chemical poisoning, including nausea, eye irritation, shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing, it said.&nbsp;

Chlorine is not an internationally banned toxin, but the use of any chemical substance in armed conflict is banned under the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention, the implementation of which is overseen by the OPCW watchdog based in The Hague.&nbsp;

A crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators by Assad in 2011 mushroomed into civil war, with Russia and Iran supporting his government and the United States, Turkey and some Arab adversaries of Damascus backing some of the many rebel groups. &nbsp;

In April 2020, the OPCW's Investigation and Identification Team (IIT) concluded that Syrian warplanes and a helicopter had dropped bombs containing chlorine and sarin nerve gas on a village in Syria's Hama region in March 2017.&nbsp;

The latest report by the IIT also implicated Syrian government forces. It concluded that "there were reasonable grounds to believe that at least one cylinder filled with chlorine was dropped from a helicopter of the Syrian Arab Air Forces, belonging to the Tiger Forces."&nbsp;

The Tiger Forces are an elite Syrian military unit generally used in offensive operations in the war, which has largely subsided with Assad having wrested back most territory with crucial Russian and Iranian support.&nbsp;

"All elements indicated the presence of Tiger Forces in the vicinity of Saraqib. They found that a helicopter was just flying above the bombed area at the moment of the gas release," a summary of the OPCW report said.&nbsp;

It said that samples collected from the scene were examined and other possible means of chlorine contamination considered, but the OPCW team said nothing was found to indicate that the incident was staged by Assad's adversaries.&nbsp;

The team identified individuals believed to be involved in the alleged attack but did not release them.&nbsp;

Between 2015 and 2017, a joint United Nations-OPCW team known as the Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM) found that Syrian government troops had used the nerve agent sarin and chlorine barrel bombs on several occasions, while Islamic State militants were found to have used mustard gas.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The global chemical weapons watchdog has 'reasonable grounds to believe' that Syria's air force dropped a chlorine bomb on a residential neighbourhood in the rebel-controlled Idlib region in February 2018, a report released on Monday said.

The global chemical weapons watchdog has 'reasonable grounds to believe' that Syria's air force dropped a chlorine bomb on a residential neighbourhood in the rebel-controlled Idlib region in February 2018, a report released on Monday said. There was no immediate comment from the Syrian government. Syria and its military ally Russia have consistently denied using chemical weapons during President Bashar al-Assad's decade-old conflict with rebel forces, saying any such attacks were staged by opponents to make Damascus look like the culprit. The new report by the OPCW chemical weapons watchdog's investigative arm said no one was killed when the cylinder of chlorine gas, delivered in a barrel bomb, hit the Al Talil neighbourhood in the city of Saraqib in February 2018. However, a dozen people were treated for symptoms consistent with chemical poisoning, including nausea, eye irritation, shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing, it said. Chlorine is not an internationally banned toxin, but the use of any chemical substance in armed conflict is banned under the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention, the implementation of which is overseen by the OPCW watchdog based in The Hague. A crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators by Assad in 2011 mushroomed into civil war, with Russia and Iran supporting his government and the United States, Turkey and some Arab adversaries of Damascus backing some of the many rebel groups. In April 2020, the OPCW's Investigation and Identification Team (IIT) concluded that Syrian warplanes and a helicopter had dropped bombs containing chlorine and sarin nerve gas on a village in Syria's Hama region in March 2017. The latest report by the IIT also implicated Syrian government forces. It concluded that "there were reasonable grounds to believe that at least one cylinder filled with chlorine was dropped from a helicopter of the Syrian Arab Air Forces, belonging to the Tiger Forces." The Tiger Forces are an elite Syrian military unit generally used in offensive operations in the war, which has largely subsided with Assad having wrested back most territory with crucial Russian and Iranian support. "All elements indicated the presence of Tiger Forces in the vicinity of Saraqib. They found that a helicopter was just flying above the bombed area at the moment of the gas release," a summary of the OPCW report said. It said that samples collected from the scene were examined and other possible means of chlorine contamination considered, but the OPCW team said nothing was found to indicate that the incident was staged by Assad's adversaries. The team identified individuals believed to be involved in the alleged attack but did not release them. Between 2015 and 2017, a joint United Nations-OPCW team known as the Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM) found that Syrian government troops had used the nerve agent sarin and chlorine barrel bombs on several occasions, while Islamic State militants were found to have used mustard gas. (With inputs from agencies)

Syrian air force may have dropped chlorine bomb on town in rebel area in 2018, says watchdog 

Czech Foreign Minister Tomas Petricek will be dismissed from his position after he lost a bid to lead his centre-left Social Democratic party (CSSD) party last week.&nbsp;

Party chief Jan Hamacek will submit a proposal to the prime minister later on Monday to dismiss Petricek, Hamacek said.&nbsp;

Petricek, the cabinet member, who most frequently warns against closer ties with Russia and China, has often clashed with pro-Russian and pro-Chinese President Milos Zeman, who had called for his dismissal.&nbsp;

He has questioned a plan to let Russian bidder participate in a tender to build a new nuclear power plant, a view shared with the country's intelligence community and parliamentary opposition. The 6 billion-euro project is the Czech Republic's biggest single public investment.&nbsp;

That opposition and his losing the challenge to Hamacek were among the reasons for his dismissal, Petricek suggested at a televised news conference.&nbsp;

The CSSD is the junior coalition party in the minority government of Prime Minister Andrej Babis. A general election is due in October in the Czech Republic, a NATO and European Union member country.&nbsp;

The current Minister of Culture, Lubomir Zaoralek, will be nominated to replace Petricek, Hamacek said. Zaoralek had held the job in the previous government.&nbsp;

During his tenure, Zaoralek took part in initiatives seen as too open towards China. In 2016, he prepared a declaration of top Czech officials assuring Beijing of good relations after a minister met in Prague with the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, to China's disapproval.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Czech Foreign Minister Tomas Petricek will be dismissed from his position after he lost a bid to lead his centre-left Social Democratic party (CSSD) party last week.

Czech Foreign Minister Tomas Petricek will be dismissed from his position after he lost a bid to lead his centre-left Social Democratic party (CSSD) party last week. Party chief Jan Hamacek will submit a proposal to the prime minister later on Monday to dismiss Petricek, Hamacek said. Petricek, the cabinet member, who most frequently warns against closer ties with Russia and China, has often clashed with pro-Russian and pro-Chinese President Milos Zeman, who had called for his dismissal. He has questioned a plan to let Russian bidder participate in a tender to build a new nuclear power plant, a view shared with the country's intelligence community and parliamentary opposition. The 6 billion-euro project is the Czech Republic's biggest single public investment. That opposition and his losing the challenge to Hamacek were among the reasons for his dismissal, Petricek suggested at a televised news conference. The CSSD is the junior coalition party in the minority government of Prime Minister Andrej Babis. A general election is due in October in the Czech Republic, a NATO and European Union member country. The current Minister of Culture, Lubomir Zaoralek, will be nominated to replace Petricek, Hamacek said. Zaoralek had held the job in the previous government. During his tenure, Zaoralek took part in initiatives seen as too open towards China. In 2016, he prepared a declaration of top Czech officials assuring Beijing of good relations after a minister met in Prague with the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, to China's disapproval. (With inputs from agencies)

Czech foreign minister to lose job after challenging party leader 

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will return to Brussels this week for discussions on Iran, Afghanistan and Russian activities directed at Ukraine, a US official said.&nbsp;

Blinken will join US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin in Brussels. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity on Saturday, did not release additional details on the trip. &nbsp;

Austin was scheduled to visit NATO headquarters in Belgium on a trip that started on Saturday and also includes Israel, Germany and Britain, the Pentagon said last week.&nbsp;

The trip by two of President Joe Biden's Cabinet members coincides with increasing tensions over Russian activities near Ukraine's eastern border, where Washington says Russia has amassed more troops than at any time since 2014, when it annexed Crimea.&nbsp;

Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine on Friday of "dangerous provocative actions" in Ukraine's eastern Donbass region.&nbsp;

Turkey, a NATO ally, said on Friday the United States would deploy two warships to the Black Sea from April 14-15.&nbsp;

Blinken first visited Brussels in March for talks with European Union and NATO allies and pledged to rebuild and revitalise trans-Atlantic alliances.&nbsp;

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will return to Brussels this week for discussions on Iran, Afghanistan and Russian activities directed at Ukraine, a US official said.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will return to Brussels this week for discussions on Iran, Afghanistan and Russian activities directed at Ukraine, a US official said. Blinken will join US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin in Brussels. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity on Saturday, did not release additional details on the trip. Austin was scheduled to visit NATO headquarters in Belgium on a trip that started on Saturday and also includes Israel, Germany and Britain, the Pentagon said last week. The trip by two of President Joe Biden's Cabinet members coincides with increasing tensions over Russian activities near Ukraine's eastern border, where Washington says Russia has amassed more troops than at any time since 2014, when it annexed Crimea. Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine on Friday of "dangerous provocative actions" in Ukraine's eastern Donbass region. Turkey, a NATO ally, said on Friday the United States would deploy two warships to the Black Sea from April 14-15. Blinken first visited Brussels in March for talks with European Union and NATO allies and pledged to rebuild and revitalise trans-Atlantic alliances.

Blinken to return to Brussels for talks on Ukraine, Afghanistan 

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday, a year after she was released from jail temporarily amidst the pandemic, according to media reports.&nbsp;

The 75-year-old Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief's samples were sent to the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, for testing on Saturday, the Dhaka Tribune newspaper quoted Public Relations Officer, Health Ministry, Maidul Islam Prodhan as saying.&nbsp;

"It came back as positive today [Sunday], which has been updated on the database of the Directorate of Health Services," he told Dhaka Tribune.&nbsp;

The newspaper reported that one of Zia's relatives, who had met her last week, had later tested positive for the coronavirus.&nbsp;

"That is why madam's [Zia] family took steps for her COVID-19 test, though she has no major symptoms," a source close to the family told the Dhaka Tribune.&nbsp;

However, BNP leaders failed to confirm Zia's diagnosis.&nbsp;

Speaking to The Daily Star, Sayrul Kabir Khan, member of BNP press wing, said, "After talking to Khaleda Zia's physician Dr Mamun, I came to know that it was a regular health check-up. We have no information about the positive COVID-19 test report."&nbsp;

Zia has served thrice as the premier of Bangladesh since 1991. Her party suffered a miserable defeat in the 2018 elections bagging only six seats in the 300-seat parliament.&nbsp;

Her conviction on "moral turpitude" charges de-barred her from contesting the polls.&nbsp;

Zia is serving a 17-year prison term in two graft cases since February 8, 2018.&nbsp;

She was sent to jail by a local court on charges of embezzling foreign donations meant for an orphanage, named after her slain husband and president Ziaur Rehman, during her premiership between 2001 and 2006.&nbsp;

Rehman, a military ruler-turned-politician, was the founder of the BNP.&nbsp;

She was convicted in another corruption case later the same year, though her party claims both cases are politically motivated. &nbsp;

In March 2020, Zia was released from jail for six months on condition that she would stay at home, amid the coronavirus outbreak. Last month, the Bangladesh government extended the suspension of the sentence for a second time by six months.&nbsp;

The coronavirus has claimed 9,661 lives, along with 678,937 confirmed cases, in Bangladesh so far.&nbsp;

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday, a year after she was released from jail temporarily amidst the pandemic, according to media reports.

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday, a year after she was released from jail temporarily amidst the pandemic, according to media reports. The 75-year-old Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief's samples were sent to the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, for testing on Saturday, the Dhaka Tribune newspaper quoted Public Relations Officer, Health Ministry, Maidul Islam Prodhan as saying. "It came back as positive today [Sunday], which has been updated on the database of the Directorate of Health Services," he told Dhaka Tribune. The newspaper reported that one of Zia's relatives, who had met her last week, had later tested positive for the coronavirus. "That is why madam's [Zia] family took steps for her COVID-19 test, though she has no major symptoms," a source close to the family told the Dhaka Tribune. However, BNP leaders failed to confirm Zia's diagnosis. Speaking to The Daily Star, Sayrul Kabir Khan, member of BNP press wing, said, "After talking to Khaleda Zia's physician Dr Mamun, I came to know that it was a regular health check-up. We have no information about the positive COVID-19 test report." Zia has served thrice as the premier of Bangladesh since 1991. Her party suffered a miserable defeat in the 2018 elections bagging only six seats in the 300-seat parliament. Her conviction on "moral turpitude" charges de-barred her from contesting the polls. Zia is serving a 17-year prison term in two graft cases since February 8, 2018. She was sent to jail by a local court on charges of embezzling foreign donations meant for an orphanage, named after her slain husband and president Ziaur Rehman, during her premiership between 2001 and 2006. Rehman, a military ruler-turned-politician, was the founder of the BNP. She was convicted in another corruption case later the same year, though her party claims both cases are politically motivated. In March 2020, Zia was released from jail for six months on condition that she would stay at home, amid the coronavirus outbreak. Last month, the Bangladesh government extended the suspension of the sentence for a second time by six months. The coronavirus has claimed 9,661 lives, along with 678,937 confirmed cases, in Bangladesh so far.

Former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia tests positive for Covid-19 

Nepal has reported 303 new cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of infections in the nation to 280,028, the health ministry said on Sunday. &nbsp;

The nation has also reported 3,040 deaths due to the contagious viral disease so far.&nbsp;

"Nepal has been witnessing a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases in the past one week. As many as 303 new cases of the novel coronavirus infections were detected across the country in the past 24 hours," the Ministry of Health and Population said in a statement.&nbsp;

For the past couple of months Nepal had witnessed very low corona infection cases, however, the cases have gone up in the last one week.&nbsp;

The new cases were detected when 3,125 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests conducted on Sunday.&nbsp;

With this, the country's COVID-19 case tally has jumped to 280,028 including 3,040 cases of fatality, the ministry said. &nbsp;

As of Sunday, Nepal's COVID-19 recovery rate stands at 97.9 per cent which is the highest among the SAARC countries.&nbsp;

There are 2,961 corona active people undergoing treatment at different isolation centres across Nepal.&nbsp;

Of the total cases so far, 274,027 people have recovered whereas 3,040 have died, the ministry said.&nbsp;

Nepal has reported 303 new cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of infections in the nation to 280,028, the health ministry said on Sunday.

Nepal has reported 303 new cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of infections in the nation to 280,028, the health ministry said on Sunday. The nation has also reported 3,040 deaths due to the contagious viral disease so far. "Nepal has been witnessing a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases in the past one week. As many as 303 new cases of the novel coronavirus infections were detected across the country in the past 24 hours," the Ministry of Health and Population said in a statement. For the past couple of months Nepal had witnessed very low corona infection cases, however, the cases have gone up in the last one week. The new cases were detected when 3,125 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests conducted on Sunday. With this, the country's COVID-19 case tally has jumped to 280,028 including 3,040 cases of fatality, the ministry said. As of Sunday, Nepal's COVID-19 recovery rate stands at 97.9 per cent which is the highest among the SAARC countries. There are 2,961 corona active people undergoing treatment at different isolation centres across Nepal. Of the total cases so far, 274,027 people have recovered whereas 3,040 have died, the ministry said.

Nepal reports 303 new cases of coronavirus: Health Ministry 

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Zee News Rajasthan

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Gandharv Walia

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