Twenty people have sustained injuries after a chariot fell and clashes erupted during a religious festival in Nepal's Bhaktapur.&nbsp;

'Bisket jatra', a chariot-pulling festival, started in Bhaktapur municipality, 16 km east of Kathmandu, on Saturday morning.&nbsp;

Soon after the festival was declared open a chariot fell and clashes erupted.&nbsp;

Two persons were injured as they came under the wheels of the chariot, police said, adding that some persons sustained injuries while pulling the chariot.&nbsp;

The injured have been admitted to Bhaktapur District Hospital for medical treatment.&nbsp;

Later in the night on Saturday, a clash broke out among the groups involved in the pulling of the chariot, regarding the traditional route that the chariot ought to have taken.&nbsp;

'Bisket jatra', an annual Hindu festival, this year is coinciding with the Nepalese New Year. The festival will go on till April 18.&nbsp;

Twenty people have sustained injuries after a chariot fell and clashes erupted during a religious festival in Nepal's Bhaktapur. 'Bisket jatra', a chariot-pulling festival, started in Bhaktapur municipality, 16 km east of Kathmandu, on Saturday morning.

Twenty people have sustained injuries after a chariot fell and clashes erupted during a religious festival in Nepal's Bhaktapur. 'Bisket jatra', a chariot-pulling festival, started in Bhaktapur municipality, 16 km east of Kathmandu, on Saturday morning. Soon after the festival was declared open a chariot fell and clashes erupted. Two persons were injured as they came under the wheels of the chariot, police said, adding that some persons sustained injuries while pulling the chariot. The injured have been admitted to Bhaktapur District Hospital for medical treatment. Later in the night on Saturday, a clash broke out among the groups involved in the pulling of the chariot, regarding the traditional route that the chariot ought to have taken. 'Bisket jatra', an annual Hindu festival, this year is coinciding with the Nepalese New Year. The festival will go on till April 18.

20 people hurt as chariot falls during religious fete in Nepal 

Indian Army chief Gen MM Naravane on Sunday urged the United Nations to enhance the budget for its peacekeeping missions and emphasised the need to provide appropriate logistics and improved technological support for the blue helmet missions in view of the emerging challenges. &nbsp;

Gen Naravane, who is here on a five-day official tour, delivered a keynote address on ‘Changing Nature of Global Conflicts: Role of UN Peacekeepers' during the "Army Chiefs Conclave" hosted by his Bangladeshi counterpart General Aziz Ahmed, the Indian Army's Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADG PI) tweeted.&nbsp;

Gen Naravane laid emphasis on enhanced budget for UN peacekeeping activities, Bangladesh defence ministry's Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR) directorate quoted him as saying at the conclave. &nbsp;

Bangladesh Foreign Minister A K Abdul Momen was the chief guest at the event.&nbsp;

The Indian Army chief also called for providing appropriate logistics and improved technological support for the UN blue helmet missions, pointing out their emerging challenges. He said the UN peacekeeping missions should run on a participatory basis.&nbsp;

The Bangladesh Army hosted the conclave coinciding with the celebrations of the birth centenary of the country's ‘Father of the Nation' Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the golden jubilee of its 1971 independence.&nbsp;

Force commander of UN multidimensional integrated stabilisation mission in Mali Lieutenant General Dennis Gyllensporree, force commander of UN multidimensional integrated stabilisation mission in the Central African region Lieutenant General Sidki Daniel Traore and Bhutan army's deputy chief of operation Brigadier General Darji Rinchen, among others attended the conclave.&nbsp;

Senior diplomats, security strategists and police officers also attended the seminar.&nbsp;

During the event, the Indian Army chief interacted with the senior officers of the participating nations and military observers from the other nations.&nbsp;

Momen told the conclave that the nature of peacekeeping operations in recent periods transformed both in terms of scale and scope for what "peacekeeping missions today are more than truce supervising operation".&nbsp;

The changing situation further expanded the missions' responsibility taking into account "other dimensions of peace, such as establishing rule of law, protection of human rights, protection of women and children, support to political process, managing elections, reintegration and socio-economic development," he said.&nbsp;

The conclave was held as part of a multilateral UN-mandated counter-terrorism exercise, Shantir Ogroshena (Frontrunners of Peace) that commenced on April 4. An Indian Army contingent of 30 personnel are participating along with the Royal Bhutan Army, Sri Lankan Army and Bangladesh Army in the exercise that will conclude on Monday.&nbsp;

Military observers from the US, UK, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Singapore are also attending the exercise. The aim of the exercise is to strengthen the procedures and enhance interoperability amongst neighbourhood countries to ensure robust peacekeeping operations in the region. The armies of all the participating nations shared their valuable experiences and refined their drills and procedures in peacekeeping operations.&nbsp;

The visit of Gen Naravane, who is here at the invitation of his Bangladeshi counterpart Gen Aziz Ahmed, comes less than two weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled to the neighbouring country and met the top leadership here to strengthen the strategic ties.&nbsp;

The year 2021 marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Bangladesh, the liberation of Bangladesh from Pakistan and the birth centenary of 'Bangabandhu' Mujibur Rahman. &nbsp;

Indian Army chief Gen MM Naravane on Sunday urged the United Nations to enhance the budget for its peacekeeping missions and emphasised the need to provide appropriate logistics and improved technological support for the blue helmet missions in view of the emerging challenges.

Indian Army chief Gen MM Naravane on Sunday urged the United Nations to enhance the budget for its peacekeeping missions and emphasised the need to provide appropriate logistics and improved technological support for the blue helmet missions in view of the emerging challenges. Gen Naravane, who is here on a five-day official tour, delivered a keynote address on ‘Changing Nature of Global Conflicts: Role of UN Peacekeepers' during the "Army Chiefs Conclave" hosted by his Bangladeshi counterpart General Aziz Ahmed, the Indian Army's Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADG PI) tweeted. Gen Naravane laid emphasis on enhanced budget for UN peacekeeping activities, Bangladesh defence ministry's Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR) directorate quoted him as saying at the conclave. Bangladesh Foreign Minister A K Abdul Momen was the chief guest at the event. The Indian Army chief also called for providing appropriate logistics and improved technological support for the UN blue helmet missions, pointing out their emerging challenges. He said the UN peacekeeping missions should run on a participatory basis. The Bangladesh Army hosted the conclave coinciding with the celebrations of the birth centenary of the country's ‘Father of the Nation' Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the golden jubilee of its 1971 independence. Force commander of UN multidimensional integrated stabilisation mission in Mali Lieutenant General Dennis Gyllensporree, force commander of UN multidimensional integrated stabilisation mission in the Central African region Lieutenant General Sidki Daniel Traore and Bhutan army's deputy chief of operation Brigadier General Darji Rinchen, among others attended the conclave. Senior diplomats, security strategists and police officers also attended the seminar. During the event, the Indian Army chief interacted with the senior officers of the participating nations and military observers from the other nations. Momen told the conclave that the nature of peacekeeping operations in recent periods transformed both in terms of scale and scope for what "peacekeeping missions today are more than truce supervising operation". The changing situation further expanded the missions' responsibility taking into account "other dimensions of peace, such as establishing rule of law, protection of human rights, protection of women and children, support to political process, managing elections, reintegration and socio-economic development," he said. The conclave was held as part of a multilateral UN-mandated counter-terrorism exercise, Shantir Ogroshena (Frontrunners of Peace) that commenced on April 4. An Indian Army contingent of 30 personnel are participating along with the Royal Bhutan Army, Sri Lankan Army and Bangladesh Army in the exercise that will conclude on Monday. Military observers from the US, UK, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Singapore are also attending the exercise. The aim of the exercise is to strengthen the procedures and enhance interoperability amongst neighbourhood countries to ensure robust peacekeeping operations in the region. The armies of all the participating nations shared their valuable experiences and refined their drills and procedures in peacekeeping operations. The visit of Gen Naravane, who is here at the invitation of his Bangladeshi counterpart Gen Aziz Ahmed, comes less than two weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled to the neighbouring country and met the top leadership here to strengthen the strategic ties. The year 2021 marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Bangladesh, the liberation of Bangladesh from Pakistan and the birth centenary of 'Bangabandhu' Mujibur Rahman.

Indian Army chief Gen Naravane calls for enhancing budget for UN peacekeepers 

Voters in Kyrgyzstan supported handing greater powers to the presidency in a referendum on Sunday, confirming public trust in the populist head of state Sadyr Japarov, although the turnout was low.&nbsp;

The constitutional reform will bring the political system of the Central Asian nation closer to that of its ex-Soviet neighbours, such as Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, making it easier for Japarov to push through his policies. &nbsp;

Japarov and his supporters also hope a strengthened presidency will make the country more stable after violent revolts toppled its leaders in 2005, 2010 and in 2020, when Japarov was catapulted from a prison cell and into office.&nbsp;

Preliminary Central Election Commission data based on 75% of ballots found a majority of voters - 79% - supported the reform, although total turnout was just above the 30% threshold required to make the referendum valid.&nbsp;

Kyrgyzstan borders China and is allied with Russia. &nbsp;

A poll commissioned by the United States-based International Republican Institute and published this month found Japarov was by far the most trusted politician in the country.&nbsp;

The percentage of voters, who believed Kyrgyzstan was heading in the right direction jumped from 41% last August, when Japarov’s predecessor Sooronbai Jeenbekov was in charge - to 70% in February and March, the poll data showed.&nbsp;

Japarov proposed the reform after being swept to power last October by violent protests that were triggered by the announcement of pro-Jeenbekov parties’ landslide victory in a parliamentary election.&nbsp;

A former member of parliament and senior official, Japarov had been serving a prison term for his role in the kidnapping of a regional governor as part of a political protest. His sentence has since been overturned.&nbsp;

In contrast to its neighbours, when Kyrgyzstan gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, it adopted a political system that allowed both parliament and the presidency to wield significant powers, forcing its leaders to seek the backing of broader elites.&nbsp;

"I voted against (the reform) because this is a power grab," said a 32-year-old entrepreneur, who only gave his first name, Bakyt. "All the power must not be given to one person."&nbsp;

Another businessman, Turdubek, said he believed the reform was for the better.&nbsp;

"I am no specialist in legislation, but I trust the specialists, who drafted the new constitution. They too want a better life for the people."&nbsp;

Voters in Kyrgyzstan supported handing greater powers to the presidency in a referendum on Sunday, confirming public trust in the populist head of state Sadyr Japarov, although the turnout was low.

Voters in Kyrgyzstan supported handing greater powers to the presidency in a referendum on Sunday, confirming public trust in the populist head of state Sadyr Japarov, although the turnout was low. The constitutional reform will bring the political system of the Central Asian nation closer to that of its ex-Soviet neighbours, such as Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, making it easier for Japarov to push through his policies. Japarov and his supporters also hope a strengthened presidency will make the country more stable after violent revolts toppled its leaders in 2005, 2010 and in 2020, when Japarov was catapulted from a prison cell and into office. Preliminary Central Election Commission data based on 75% of ballots found a majority of voters - 79% - supported the reform, although total turnout was just above the 30% threshold required to make the referendum valid. Kyrgyzstan borders China and is allied with Russia. A poll commissioned by the United States-based International Republican Institute and published this month found Japarov was by far the most trusted politician in the country. The percentage of voters, who believed Kyrgyzstan was heading in the right direction jumped from 41% last August, when Japarov’s predecessor Sooronbai Jeenbekov was in charge - to 70% in February and March, the poll data showed. Japarov proposed the reform after being swept to power last October by violent protests that were triggered by the announcement of pro-Jeenbekov parties’ landslide victory in a parliamentary election. A former member of parliament and senior official, Japarov had been serving a prison term for his role in the kidnapping of a regional governor as part of a political protest. His sentence has since been overturned. In contrast to its neighbours, when Kyrgyzstan gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, it adopted a political system that allowed both parliament and the presidency to wield significant powers, forcing its leaders to seek the backing of broader elites. "I voted against (the reform) because this is a power grab," said a 32-year-old entrepreneur, who only gave his first name, Bakyt. "All the power must not be given to one person." Another businessman, Turdubek, said he believed the reform was for the better. "I am no specialist in legislation, but I trust the specialists, who drafted the new constitution. They too want a better life for the people."

Kyrgyzstan referendum backs presidential rule 

Audio chat app Clubhouse has denied any breach or hack after a report said that a database containing 1.3 million scraped records of the platform's users were posted on a popular hacker forum.&nbsp;

According to a report in CyberNews on Saturday, the 'leaked' database contains a variety of user-related information from Clubhouse profiles, including user ID, name, photo URL, username, Twitter handle, Instagram handle, number of followers, number of people followed by the user, account creation date, and invited by user profile name.&nbsp;

The invite-only app, available currently only for iPhone users, called the report 'misleading and false’.&nbsp;

"Clubhouse has not been breached or hacked. The data referred to is all public profile information from our app, which anyone can access via the app or our API," Clubhouse said in a statement on Twitter.&nbsp;

The CyberNews report said that the scraped data posted on the hacker forum can be used by cybercriminals to carry out targeted phishing or other types of social engineering attacks, and that such database can also be used by threat actors to brute-force the passwords of Clubhouse profiles.&nbsp;

The news comes within a few days of an archive with data purportedly scraped from 500 million LinkedIn profiles reportedly put for sale on a popular hacker forum emerged, with another two million records leaked as a proof-of-concept sample by people behind the hack.&nbsp;

Earlier this month, another data leak report rocked social media users as personal data of nearly 533 million Facebook users, including 61 lakh Indians, remerged online after a hacker posted the details on a digital forum.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Audio chat app Clubhouse has denied any breach or hack after a report said that a database containing 1.3 million scraped records of the platform's users were posted on a popular hacker forum.

Audio chat app Clubhouse has denied any breach or hack after a report said that a database containing 1.3 million scraped records of the platform's users were posted on a popular hacker forum. According to a report in CyberNews on Saturday, the 'leaked' database contains a variety of user-related information from Clubhouse profiles, including user ID, name, photo URL, username, Twitter handle, Instagram handle, number of followers, number of people followed by the user, account creation date, and invited by user profile name. The invite-only app, available currently only for iPhone users, called the report 'misleading and false’. "Clubhouse has not been breached or hacked. The data referred to is all public profile information from our app, which anyone can access via the app or our API," Clubhouse said in a statement on Twitter. The CyberNews report said that the scraped data posted on the hacker forum can be used by cybercriminals to carry out targeted phishing or other types of social engineering attacks, and that such database can also be used by threat actors to brute-force the passwords of Clubhouse profiles. The news comes within a few days of an archive with data purportedly scraped from 500 million LinkedIn profiles reportedly put for sale on a popular hacker forum emerged, with another two million records leaked as a proof-of-concept sample by people behind the hack. Earlier this month, another data leak report rocked social media users as personal data of nearly 533 million Facebook users, including 61 lakh Indians, remerged online after a hacker posted the details on a digital forum. (With inputs from agencies)

1.3 mn scraped Clubhouse user records posted online: Report 

Google operated a secret programme, known as 'Project Bernanke’, that relied on data from past bids in the search engine giant's digital advertising exchange and allegedly gave its own ad-buying system an edge over competitors, The Wall Street Journal reported.&nbsp;

The name of the secret programme got revealed in an improperly unredacted document Google had filed as part of an anti-trust lawsuit in Texas.&nbsp;

The report on Saturday said that Google's programme was not disclosed to publishers, who sold ads through the company's ad-buying systems.&nbsp;

A federal judge has allowed Google to refile the document under seal.&nbsp;

Texas filed an anti-trust lawsuit against Google in December 2020, alleging that the company ran a digital-ad monopoly that adversely impacted both ad-industry competitors and publishers.&nbsp;

In the unredacted filing, Google wrote that data from Project Bernanke was 'comparable to data maintained by other buying tools’, according to the Journal.&nbsp;

The secret programme that Google operated allegedly gave it chance to change bids by its clients.&nbsp;

In court documents, Texas cited an internal presentation from 2013 in which Google said Project Bernanke would bring in $230 million in revenue for that year, The Verge reported.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Google operated a secret programme, known as 'Project Bernanke’, that relied on data from past bids in the search engine giant's digital advertising exchange and allegedly gave its own ad-buying system an edge over competitors, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Google operated a secret programme, known as 'Project Bernanke’, that relied on data from past bids in the search engine giant's digital advertising exchange and allegedly gave its own ad-buying system an edge over competitors, The Wall Street Journal reported. The name of the secret programme got revealed in an improperly unredacted document Google had filed as part of an anti-trust lawsuit in Texas. The report on Saturday said that Google's programme was not disclosed to publishers, who sold ads through the company's ad-buying systems. A federal judge has allowed Google to refile the document under seal. Texas filed an anti-trust lawsuit against Google in December 2020, alleging that the company ran a digital-ad monopoly that adversely impacted both ad-industry competitors and publishers. In the unredacted filing, Google wrote that data from Project Bernanke was 'comparable to data maintained by other buying tools’, according to the Journal. The secret programme that Google operated allegedly gave it chance to change bids by its clients. In court documents, Texas cited an internal presentation from 2013 in which Google said Project Bernanke would bring in $230 million in revenue for that year, The Verge reported. (With inputs from agencies)

Google ran secret project to boost its ad-buying system: Report 

After volcanic eruption, ash spreads across St Vincent in Caribbean

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II has described the death of her husband of 73 years, Prince Philip, as having left a ‘huge void in her life', their son Prince Andrew said on Sunday.&nbsp;

As he left a memorial service for his late father, the Duke of Edinburgh, who passed away aged 99 on Friday, Prince Andrew said his passing was a 'terrible loss' and the family was grateful for all the messages of support and condolence.&nbsp;

"It's a great loss. We've lost almost the grandfather of the nation," Prince Andrew, also the Duke of York, told reporters.&nbsp;

"I feel very sorry and supportive of my mother, who's feeling it more than everybody else. The Queen, as you would expect, is an incredibly stoic person and she described his passing as a miracle, and she's contemplating. She described it as having left a huge void in her life. We as a family are rallying around to support her," he said, on being asked about his mother's emotions.&nbsp;

About his late father, he added, "He was a remarkable man. I loved him as a father. He was always somebody you could go to and he would always listen."&nbsp;

Among those at the Sunday service at a chapel in Windsor Great Park was the Queen's youngest son, Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex.&nbsp;

"However, much one tries to prepare oneself for something like this it's still a dreadful shock," said Prince Edward.&nbsp;

"And we're still trying to come to terms with that. And it's very, very sad. But I have to say that the extraordinary tribute and the memories that everybody has had and been willing to share has been so fantastic," he said.&nbsp;

"It just goes to show: he might have been our father, grandfather, father-in-law, but he meant so much to so many other people," he added.&nbsp;

Prince Edward said royal staff would feel a 'very personal' loss following the Duke of Edinburgh's death and his heart goes out to them.&nbsp;

Special services of remembrance are being held across the UK on Sunday as the country observes an official week-long period of national mourning.&nbsp;

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, who is also expected to officiate at Prince Philip's funeral next Saturday, led a memorial service at Canterbury Cathedral.&nbsp;

"For the Royal Family as for every other, no words can reach into the depth of sorrow that goes into bereavement," he said.&nbsp;

In reference to Prince Philip, he said the senior royal as the longest-serving consort to a British monarch had shown 'a remarkable willingness to take the hand he was dealt in life and straightforwardly to follow its call, to search its meaning to go out and on as sent to inquire and think, to trust and to pray'.&nbsp;

Britain's period of national mourning will end after April 17, when Prince Philip's funeral will take place at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II has described the death of her husband of 73 years, Prince Philip, as having left a ‘huge void in her life', their son Prince Andrew said on Sunday.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II has described the death of her husband of 73 years, Prince Philip, as having left a ‘huge void in her life', their son Prince Andrew said on Sunday. As he left a memorial service for his late father, the Duke of Edinburgh, who passed away aged 99 on Friday, Prince Andrew said his passing was a 'terrible loss' and the family was grateful for all the messages of support and condolence. "It's a great loss. We've lost almost the grandfather of the nation," Prince Andrew, also the Duke of York, told reporters. "I feel very sorry and supportive of my mother, who's feeling it more than everybody else. The Queen, as you would expect, is an incredibly stoic person and she described his passing as a miracle, and she's contemplating. She described it as having left a huge void in her life. We as a family are rallying around to support her," he said, on being asked about his mother's emotions. About his late father, he added, "He was a remarkable man. I loved him as a father. He was always somebody you could go to and he would always listen." Among those at the Sunday service at a chapel in Windsor Great Park was the Queen's youngest son, Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex. "However, much one tries to prepare oneself for something like this it's still a dreadful shock," said Prince Edward. "And we're still trying to come to terms with that. And it's very, very sad. But I have to say that the extraordinary tribute and the memories that everybody has had and been willing to share has been so fantastic," he said. "It just goes to show: he might have been our father, grandfather, father-in-law, but he meant so much to so many other people," he added. Prince Edward said royal staff would feel a 'very personal' loss following the Duke of Edinburgh's death and his heart goes out to them. Special services of remembrance are being held across the UK on Sunday as the country observes an official week-long period of national mourning. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, who is also expected to officiate at Prince Philip's funeral next Saturday, led a memorial service at Canterbury Cathedral. "For the Royal Family as for every other, no words can reach into the depth of sorrow that goes into bereavement," he said. In reference to Prince Philip, he said the senior royal as the longest-serving consort to a British monarch had shown 'a remarkable willingness to take the hand he was dealt in life and straightforwardly to follow its call, to search its meaning to go out and on as sent to inquire and think, to trust and to pray'. Britain's period of national mourning will end after April 17, when Prince Philip's funeral will take place at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. (With inputs from agencies)

Prince Philip's death a 'huge void' for Queen: Prince Andrew

Jordan's King Abdullah and former crown prince and half-brother Prince Hamza made their first joint appearance since a rift shook the country, attending a ceremony on Sunday marking 100 years of independence.&nbsp;

State media showed the monarch and other members of the royal family laying wreaths at the memorial to the unknown soldier and tombs of royalty in the Raghdan palace in Amman.&nbsp;

Hamza pledged allegiance to King Abdullah late on Monday following mediation by the royal family, two days after the military warned him over actions that it said were undermining Jordan’s security and stability. &nbsp;

On Wednesday, in the first statement since the affair came to light, King Jordan said sedition had been quashed and Hamza was 'under my care' with his family at his palace. &nbsp;

The monarch said the crisis was ‘the most painful' because it came from both inside the royal family and outside it.&nbsp;

Hamza's absence after he appeared in a video on April 3 saying he had been ordered to stay at home and accused the country's rulers of corruption and authoritarian rule led to speculation about his whereabouts.&nbsp;

In announcing last week that the military had warned Hamza over his actions, the government said that Hamza had liaised with people linked to foreign parties seeking to destabilise Jordan and that he had been under investigation for some time.&nbsp;

Hamza had been widely expected to succeed Abdullah as Jordan’s next king, until the monarch made his own son, Prince Hussein, heir instead in 2004, in line with family tradition.&nbsp;

While Hamza and Abdullah have publicly buried the hatchet, the dramatic events of the last week exposed faultlines within a royal family that has helped shield Jordan from the turmoil that has consumed neighbouring Syria and Iraq.&nbsp;

The rift within the monarchy has shaken the country's reputation as a stable country in a volatile region.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Jordan's King Abdullah and former crown prince and half-brother Prince Hamza made their first joint appearance since a rift shook the country, attending a ceremony on Sunday marking 100 years of independence.

Jordan's King Abdullah and former crown prince and half-brother Prince Hamza made their first joint appearance since a rift shook the country, attending a ceremony on Sunday marking 100 years of independence. State media showed the monarch and other members of the royal family laying wreaths at the memorial to the unknown soldier and tombs of royalty in the Raghdan palace in Amman. Hamza pledged allegiance to King Abdullah late on Monday following mediation by the royal family, two days after the military warned him over actions that it said were undermining Jordan’s security and stability. On Wednesday, in the first statement since the affair came to light, King Jordan said sedition had been quashed and Hamza was 'under my care' with his family at his palace. The monarch said the crisis was ‘the most painful' because it came from both inside the royal family and outside it. Hamza's absence after he appeared in a video on April 3 saying he had been ordered to stay at home and accused the country's rulers of corruption and authoritarian rule led to speculation about his whereabouts. In announcing last week that the military had warned Hamza over his actions, the government said that Hamza had liaised with people linked to foreign parties seeking to destabilise Jordan and that he had been under investigation for some time. Hamza had been widely expected to succeed Abdullah as Jordan’s next king, until the monarch made his own son, Prince Hussein, heir instead in 2004, in line with family tradition. While Hamza and Abdullah have publicly buried the hatchet, the dramatic events of the last week exposed faultlines within a royal family that has helped shield Jordan from the turmoil that has consumed neighbouring Syria and Iraq. The rift within the monarchy has shaken the country's reputation as a stable country in a volatile region. (With inputs from agencies)

Jordan's King Abdullah, Prince Hamza make first joint appearance since rift

Cambodia called on US media group VICE to withdraw an article featuring newly colourised photos of the Khmer Rouge 'killing fields' victims, saying the images were an insult to the dead because some mugshots had been altered to add smiles.&nbsp;

At 1200 GMT on Sunday, the article later was no longer available on the VICE.com website.&nbsp;

In the article published on Friday, artist Matt Loughrey said his project to colourise images from the notorious Tuol Sleng prison, or S-21, aimed to humanise the 14,000 Cambodians executed and tortured there.&nbsp;

However, the article caused a backlash on social media after comparisons with the original black-and-white photos showed that some subjects were smiling only in Loughrey's colour images. The VICE article did not contain the original images.&nbsp;

"To play around by using technology to put make-up on the victims of S21 … is a very grave insult to the souls of the victims of #genocide," exiled Cambodian politician Mu Sochua wrote on Twitter.&nbsp;

Cambodia's Ministry of Culture issued a statement calling on Loughrey and VICE to remove the images.&nbsp;

"We urge researchers, artists and the public not to manipulate any historical source to respect the victims," the ministry said.&nbsp;

Loughrey, who in the VICE interview said he had worked with victims' families to restore the photos, declined to comment when contacted by reporter.&nbsp;

VICE also did not respond to a request for comment but on Sunday added an editor's note, before the article later disappeared from the site.&nbsp;

"It has been brought to our attention that the restored portraits published in this article were modified beyond colorisation. We are reviewing the article and considering further actions to correct the record," it said.&nbsp;

Youk Chhang, director of the Documentation Center of Cambodia, compared the alterations to rewriting history. An online petition demanding the article be removed gained thousands of signatures.&nbsp;

At least 1.7 million Cambodians died in the extremist Khmer Rouge’s reign of terror in Cambodia from 1975 to 1979.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Cambodia called on US media group VICE to withdraw an article featuring newly colourised photos of the Khmer Rouge 'killing fields' victims, saying the images were an insult to the dead because some mugshots had been altered to add smiles.

Cambodia called on US media group VICE to withdraw an article featuring newly colourised photos of the Khmer Rouge 'killing fields' victims, saying the images were an insult to the dead because some mugshots had been altered to add smiles. At 1200 GMT on Sunday, the article later was no longer available on the VICE.com website. In the article published on Friday, artist Matt Loughrey said his project to colourise images from the notorious Tuol Sleng prison, or S-21, aimed to humanise the 14,000 Cambodians executed and tortured there. However, the article caused a backlash on social media after comparisons with the original black-and-white photos showed that some subjects were smiling only in Loughrey's colour images. The VICE article did not contain the original images. "To play around by using technology to put make-up on the victims of S21 … is a very grave insult to the souls of the victims of #genocide," exiled Cambodian politician Mu Sochua wrote on Twitter. Cambodia's Ministry of Culture issued a statement calling on Loughrey and VICE to remove the images. "We urge researchers, artists and the public not to manipulate any historical source to respect the victims," the ministry said. Loughrey, who in the VICE interview said he had worked with victims' families to restore the photos, declined to comment when contacted by reporter. VICE also did not respond to a request for comment but on Sunday added an editor's note, before the article later disappeared from the site. "It has been brought to our attention that the restored portraits published in this article were modified beyond colorisation. We are reviewing the article and considering further actions to correct the record," it said. Youk Chhang, director of the Documentation Center of Cambodia, compared the alterations to rewriting history. An online petition demanding the article be removed gained thousands of signatures. At least 1.7 million Cambodians died in the extremist Khmer Rouge’s reign of terror in Cambodia from 1975 to 1979. (With inputs from agencies)

Cambodia condemns VICE for altered images of Khmer Rouge victims

The European Union's top diplomat said on Sunday, Russia and China were hampering a united international response to Myanmar's military coup and that the EU could offer more economic incentives if democracy returns to the country.&nbsp;

"It comes as no surprise that Russia and China are blocking the attempts of the UN Security Council, for example to impose an arms embargo," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a blog post.&nbsp;

"Geopolitical competition in Myanmar will make it very difficult to find common ground," said Borrell, who speaks on behalf of the 27 EU member states. "But we have a duty to try."&nbsp;

Borrell said security forces have killed more than 550 unarmed protesters, including 46 children, in a bloody crackdown since the military seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in a February 1 coup. &nbsp;

"The world watches in horror, as the army uses violence against its own people," he said.&nbsp;

China and Russia both have ties to Myanmar's armed forces, as the first and second largest suppliers of weapons to the country, respectively.&nbsp;

The UN Security Council last week called for the release of Suu Kyi and others detained by the military but stopped short of condemning the coup.&nbsp;

The EU is preparing fresh sanctions on individuals and companies owned by the Myanmar military. The bloc in March agreed a first set of sanctions on 11 individuals linked to the coup, including the commander-in-chief of the military.&nbsp;

While EU economic leverage in the country is relatively small, Borrell said the EU could offer to increase its economic ties with Myanmar if democracy is restored. That could include more trade and investments in sustainable development, he said.&nbsp;

EU foreign direct investment in Myanmar totalled $700 million in 2019, compared with $19 billion from China.&nbsp;

The military says it staged the coup because a November election won by Suu Kyi’s party was rigged. The election commission has dismissed the assertion.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The European Union's top diplomat said on Sunday, Russia and China were hampering a united international response to Myanmar's military coup and that the EU could offer more economic incentives if democracy returns to the country.

The European Union's top diplomat said on Sunday, Russia and China were hampering a united international response to Myanmar's military coup and that the EU could offer more economic incentives if democracy returns to the country. "It comes as no surprise that Russia and China are blocking the attempts of the UN Security Council, for example to impose an arms embargo," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a blog post. "Geopolitical competition in Myanmar will make it very difficult to find common ground," said Borrell, who speaks on behalf of the 27 EU member states. "But we have a duty to try." Borrell said security forces have killed more than 550 unarmed protesters, including 46 children, in a bloody crackdown since the military seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in a February 1 coup. "The world watches in horror, as the army uses violence against its own people," he said. China and Russia both have ties to Myanmar's armed forces, as the first and second largest suppliers of weapons to the country, respectively. The UN Security Council last week called for the release of Suu Kyi and others detained by the military but stopped short of condemning the coup. The EU is preparing fresh sanctions on individuals and companies owned by the Myanmar military. The bloc in March agreed a first set of sanctions on 11 individuals linked to the coup, including the commander-in-chief of the military. While EU economic leverage in the country is relatively small, Borrell said the EU could offer to increase its economic ties with Myanmar if democracy is restored. That could include more trade and investments in sustainable development, he said. EU foreign direct investment in Myanmar totalled $700 million in 2019, compared with $19 billion from China. The military says it staged the coup because a November election won by Suu Kyi’s party was rigged. The election commission has dismissed the assertion. (With inputs from agencies)

China, Russia undermine international Myanmar response: EU's top diplomat  

China's cyber regulator has launched a hotline to report online comments that defame the ruling Communist Party and its history, vowing to crack down on 'historical nihilists' ahead of the party's 100th anniversary in July.&nbsp;

The tip line allows people to report fellow netizens who 'distort' the party's history, attack its leadership and policies, defame national heroes and "deny the excellence of advanced socialist culture" online, said a notice posted by an arm of the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) on Friday. &nbsp;

"Some with ulterior motives ... have been spreading historical nihilistic misrepresentations online, maliciously distorting, denigrating and negating the history of the Party," said the notice. &nbsp;

"We hope that the majority of Internet users will actively play their part in supervising society ... and enthusiastically report harmful information," it said.&nbsp;

"Historical nihilism" is a phrase used in China to describe public doubt and scepticism over the Chinese Communist Party's description of past events.&nbsp;

China's internet is tightly censored and most foreign social media networks, search engines and news outlets are banned in the country.&nbsp;

Internet authorities often increase censorship and online supervision ahead of major events including historical anniversaries, political meetings and sports events.&nbsp;

The notice did not specify what punishments would be dealt to people, who are reported through the hotline, but netizens in China already face jail time and other legal punishments for posting content that is critical of the county's leadership, policies and history.&nbsp;

Legal amendments released earlier this year stipulate that people who "insult, slander of infringe upon" the memory of China's national heroes and martyrs face jail time of up to three years.&nbsp;

Last week, authorities in the eastern Chinese province of Jiangsu detained a 19-year-old man after making 'insulting' comments online about Japan's 1937 occupation of Nanjing.&nbsp;

Chinese social media sites that fail to censor critical content also face financial sanctions as well as temporary suspensions of service under current law.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

China's cyber regulator has launched a hotline to report online comments that defame the ruling Communist Party and its history, vowing to crack down on 'historical nihilists' ahead of the party's 100th anniversary in July.

China's cyber regulator has launched a hotline to report online comments that defame the ruling Communist Party and its history, vowing to crack down on 'historical nihilists' ahead of the party's 100th anniversary in July. The tip line allows people to report fellow netizens who 'distort' the party's history, attack its leadership and policies, defame national heroes and "deny the excellence of advanced socialist culture" online, said a notice posted by an arm of the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) on Friday. "Some with ulterior motives ... have been spreading historical nihilistic misrepresentations online, maliciously distorting, denigrating and negating the history of the Party," said the notice. "We hope that the majority of Internet users will actively play their part in supervising society ... and enthusiastically report harmful information," it said. "Historical nihilism" is a phrase used in China to describe public doubt and scepticism over the Chinese Communist Party's description of past events. China's internet is tightly censored and most foreign social media networks, search engines and news outlets are banned in the country. Internet authorities often increase censorship and online supervision ahead of major events including historical anniversaries, political meetings and sports events. The notice did not specify what punishments would be dealt to people, who are reported through the hotline, but netizens in China already face jail time and other legal punishments for posting content that is critical of the county's leadership, policies and history. Legal amendments released earlier this year stipulate that people who "insult, slander of infringe upon" the memory of China's national heroes and martyrs face jail time of up to three years. Last week, authorities in the eastern Chinese province of Jiangsu detained a 19-year-old man after making 'insulting' comments online about Japan's 1937 occupation of Nanjing. Chinese social media sites that fail to censor critical content also face financial sanctions as well as temporary suspensions of service under current law. (With inputs from agencies)

China launches hotline for netizens to report 'illegal' comments defaming Communist Party 

South Sudan's President Salva Kiir has appointed General Santino Deng Wol as the new head of the army, Kiir's spokesman said on Sunday, as part of a wider reshuffle within the government.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Kiir and former rebel leader Riek Machar formed a government of national unity in February last year following a 2018 peace accord that ended a bloody civil war, but the oil-rich nation remains racked by violence.&nbsp;

The director general of the security services and the deputy minister of&nbsp;defence&nbsp;were also replaced in the reshuffle, Kiir's spokesman&nbsp;Ateny&nbsp;Wek said.&nbsp;

"It was a routine reshuffle," Wek said, adding that the president had also fired the minister for presidential affairs and replaced him with a former adviser.&nbsp;

South Sudan erupted into civil war soon after securing independence from Sudan in 2011, leading to an estimated 400,000 deaths and one of the worst refugee&nbsp;crisis&nbsp;on the continent since the 1994 Rwandan genocide.&nbsp;

Despite the formation of a government of national unity in 2020, implementation of the 2018 peace accord has stalled and authorities have blocked humanitarian access to areas where conflict has restarted, a recent UN report said.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

South Sudan's President Salva Kiir has appointed General Santino Deng Wol as the new head of the army, Kiir's spokesman said on Sunday, as part of a wider reshuffle within the government.

South Sudan's President Salva Kiir has appointed General Santino Deng Wol as the new head of the army, Kiir's spokesman said on Sunday, as part of a wider reshuffle within the government. Kiir and former rebel leader Riek Machar formed a government of national unity in February last year following a 2018 peace accord that ended a bloody civil war, but the oil-rich nation remains racked by violence. The director general of the security services and the deputy minister of defence were also replaced in the reshuffle, Kiir's spokesman Ateny Wek said. "It was a routine reshuffle," Wek said, adding that the president had also fired the minister for presidential affairs and replaced him with a former adviser. South Sudan erupted into civil war soon after securing independence from Sudan in 2011, leading to an estimated 400,000 deaths and one of the worst refugee crisis on the continent since the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Despite the formation of a government of national unity in 2020, implementation of the 2018 peace accord has stalled and authorities have blocked humanitarian access to areas where conflict has restarted, a recent UN report said. (With inputs from agencies)

South Sudan’s president appoints new army chief 

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Zee News Rajasthan

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