As many as 57 members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) have supported India's proposal for Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) waiver on Covid-19 vaccines, said Union Minister of Railways Piyush Goyal on Thursday.&nbsp;

Speaking at the sixth edition of the International Conference on Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Industry - 'India 2021 and India Medical Devices 2021' via video conferencing, the Union Minister invoked to make next decade, the decade of India.&nbsp;

He further said that India along with South Africa is at the forefront, in a proposal introduced in October 2020, before the WTO in the TRIPS council, for a waiver during Covid-19 to allow more countries to get equitable access to medicines. "We now have 57 WTO members supporting us," he said.&nbsp;

Calling upon the pharmaceutical industry to show a big heart across the world and support the TRIPS waiver that India proposed at WTO, he said that this will help the entire world come out of the pandemic much faster.&nbsp;

The minister said that the proposal has put the developed world under pressure, who are trying to protect the interests of some pharmaceutical companies.&nbsp;

"India has seen golden period for healthcare in last few years. Can we make next decade, the decade of India, where we decide that between 2021 and 2030, entire world should be following Indian standards?," said the Union Minister.&nbsp;

Talking over the achievements of the Indian pharma industry during the Covid-19 pandemic and the speed with which they produced the vaccines, he stated that "The pharmaceutical industry is the class example of the glass half full. You have done wonderful work. The nation and world will always be indebted to the Indian Pharma Industry, often called the 'Pharmacy of the World'. But I could even call it 'Health Capital of World'."&nbsp;

"And more so, the contribution that Indian Pharma companies provided to the world. Also, because I can see, that very soon given collective efforts of the industry, all the stakeholders, the minister and his ministry and the entire Government of India support and the blessings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi put a very very bright future for your industry," he added.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been lauded by the global leaders as India continues to lead in assisting countries with vaccines.&nbsp;

"Can we take it upon ourselves that this is going to be defining decade both for the pharma industry and the country as move forward to truly achieve the rightful place of India in the comity of nations?" asked Goyal.&nbsp;

More than 25 nations across the world have already received Made-in-India vaccines and 49 more countries will be supplied in the coming days, ranging from Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean to Africa, South-East Asia and the Pacific Islands, he announced.&nbsp;

As many as 57 members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) have supported India's proposal for Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) waiver on Covid-19 vaccines, said Union Minister of Railways Piyush Goyal on Thursday.

As many as 57 members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) have supported India's proposal for Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) waiver on Covid-19 vaccines, said Union Minister of Railways Piyush Goyal on Thursday. Speaking at the sixth edition of the International Conference on Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Industry - 'India 2021 and India Medical Devices 2021' via video conferencing, the Union Minister invoked to make next decade, the decade of India. He further said that India along with South Africa is at the forefront, in a proposal introduced in October 2020, before the WTO in the TRIPS council, for a waiver during Covid-19 to allow more countries to get equitable access to medicines. "We now have 57 WTO members supporting us," he said. Calling upon the pharmaceutical industry to show a big heart across the world and support the TRIPS waiver that India proposed at WTO, he said that this will help the entire world come out of the pandemic much faster. The minister said that the proposal has put the developed world under pressure, who are trying to protect the interests of some pharmaceutical companies. "India has seen golden period for healthcare in last few years. Can we make next decade, the decade of India, where we decide that between 2021 and 2030, entire world should be following Indian standards?," said the Union Minister. Talking over the achievements of the Indian pharma industry during the Covid-19 pandemic and the speed with which they produced the vaccines, he stated that "The pharmaceutical industry is the class example of the glass half full. You have done wonderful work. The nation and world will always be indebted to the Indian Pharma Industry, often called the 'Pharmacy of the World'. But I could even call it 'Health Capital of World'." "And more so, the contribution that Indian Pharma companies provided to the world. Also, because I can see, that very soon given collective efforts of the industry, all the stakeholders, the minister and his ministry and the entire Government of India support and the blessings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi put a very very bright future for your industry," he added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been lauded by the global leaders as India continues to lead in assisting countries with vaccines. "Can we take it upon ourselves that this is going to be defining decade both for the pharma industry and the country as move forward to truly achieve the rightful place of India in the comity of nations?" asked Goyal. More than 25 nations across the world have already received Made-in-India vaccines and 49 more countries will be supplied in the coming days, ranging from Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean to Africa, South-East Asia and the Pacific Islands, he announced.

India's TRIPS waiver proposal at WTO gets a boost, secures support of 57 nations

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Bahrain's Crown Prince Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa on Thursday discussed the Gulf state's possible involvement in establishing a vaccine plant in Israel, Netanyahu's office said.&nbsp;

The two leaders also discussed a possible visit by Netanyahu to Bahrain once coronavirus restrictions would allow it, it said in a statement.&nbsp;

"The Bahraini regent also stated that he was interested in examining the possibility of Bahrain joining an investment in a vaccine manufacturing plant that is planned to be established in Israel together with other countries," the statement said.&nbsp;

Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates formalised ties with Israel on September 15, in a US-sponsored deal forged in part over shared concerns about Iran. The deal angered the Palestinians, who have long demanded statehood before any such regional rapprochement.&nbsp;

Netanyahu, who is seeking re-election on March 23, said on Wednesday he was in talks with the heads of Pfizer and Moderna to open facilities in Israel. Neither company responded to Reuters requests for comment.&nbsp;

Israel has been importing Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Inc Covid-19 vaccines.&nbsp;

Israel expects trade with Bahrain to be around $220 million in 2021, not including possible defence and tourism deals.&nbsp;

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Bahrain's Crown Prince Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa on Thursday discussed the Gulf state's possible involvement in establishing a vaccine plant in Israel, Netanyahu's office said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Bahrain's Crown Prince Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa on Thursday discussed the Gulf state's possible involvement in establishing a vaccine plant in Israel, Netanyahu's office said. The two leaders also discussed a possible visit by Netanyahu to Bahrain once coronavirus restrictions would allow it, it said in a statement. "The Bahraini regent also stated that he was interested in examining the possibility of Bahrain joining an investment in a vaccine manufacturing plant that is planned to be established in Israel together with other countries," the statement said. Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates formalised ties with Israel on September 15, in a US-sponsored deal forged in part over shared concerns about Iran. The deal angered the Palestinians, who have long demanded statehood before any such regional rapprochement. Netanyahu, who is seeking re-election on March 23, said on Wednesday he was in talks with the heads of Pfizer and Moderna to open facilities in Israel. Neither company responded to Reuters requests for comment. Israel has been importing Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Inc Covid-19 vaccines. Israel expects trade with Bahrain to be around $220 million in 2021, not including possible defence and tourism deals.

Israel, Bahrain leaders discuss vaccine plant, Netanyahu visit to Gulf state

German authorities carried out raids at several locations in Berlin and Brandenburg on Thursday after banning a Berlin Salafist Muslim group, police said.&nbsp;

Berlin's senate department for interior affairs on Thursday said it banned a 'jihad-salafist' association Jama'atu Berlin, also known as Tauhid Berlin, and that police had undertaken the raids, without giving further details.&nbsp;

German newspaper Tagesspiegel said the group glorified 'Islamic State' fighting on the internet and called for the killing of Jews, adding that criminal proceedings were pending against some of its members.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/german-court-sentences-is-recruiter-to-10-year-jail-for-planning-attack-366008">German court sentences IS recruiter to 10-year jail for planning attack</a>

The newspaper added that the group had contact with Anis Amri, a failed Tunisian asylum seeker with Islamist links, who hijacked a truck and drove it into a Christmas market in Berlin, killing 12 people in 2016.&nbsp;

Salafists - strict Sunni Muslims - include peaceful private people, activists seeking the implementation of Sharia law and militants advocating violence to establish states they might regard as representing true Islam.&nbsp;

The number of Salafists had risen in Germany to an all-time high of 12,150 in 2019, Germany's domestic intelligence said in its annual report last year, listing them among 'Islamist extremists'.&nbsp;

It said the number of Salafists had more than tripled since 2011 and that the Salafist scene in Germany was going through a consolidation stage, adding that followers were keeping a low profile in public.&nbsp;

German authorities carried out raids at several locations in Berlin and Brandenburg on Thursday after banning a Berlin Salafist Muslim group, police said. Berlin's senate department for interior affairs on Thursday said it banned a 'jihad-salafist' association Jama'atu Berlin, also known as Tauhid Berlin, and that police had undertaken the raids, without giving further details.

German authorities carried out raids at several locations in Berlin and Brandenburg on Thursday after banning a Berlin Salafist Muslim group, police said. Berlin's senate department for interior affairs on Thursday said it banned a 'jihad-salafist' association Jama'atu Berlin, also known as Tauhid Berlin, and that police had undertaken the raids, without giving further details. German newspaper Tagesspiegel said the group glorified 'Islamic State' fighting on the internet and called for the killing of Jews, adding that criminal proceedings were pending against some of its members. Also Read: German court sentences IS recruiter to 10-year jail for planning attack The newspaper added that the group had contact with Anis Amri, a failed Tunisian asylum seeker with Islamist links, who hijacked a truck and drove it into a Christmas market in Berlin, killing 12 people in 2016. Salafists - strict Sunni Muslims - include peaceful private people, activists seeking the implementation of Sharia law and militants advocating violence to establish states they might regard as representing true Islam. The number of Salafists had risen in Germany to an all-time high of 12,150 in 2019, Germany's domestic intelligence said in its annual report last year, listing them among 'Islamist extremists'. It said the number of Salafists had more than tripled since 2011 and that the Salafist scene in Germany was going through a consolidation stage, adding that followers were keeping a low profile in public.

Germany bans Salafist Muslim group, raids several locations

The Japanese government is considering halting new assistance projects to Myanmar, where a military coup d'etat has taken place, Sputnik reported citing sources.&nbsp;

Earlier in February, Japan joined the Group of Seven advanced economics in condemning the coup and calling for the restoration of the civilian government in Myanmar.&nbsp;

Tokyo called for the release of Myanmar's state counsellor, Aung San Suu Kyi, President Win Myint and other officials, who were placed under house arrest.&nbsp;

The Kyodo news agency on Thursday reported that despite condemning the coup, Japan, as a major donor to Myanmar, plans to continue emergency assistance offered through international organisations and NGOs in such areas as combating the Covid-19 pandemic.&nbsp;

On February 1, Myanmar's military seized power in the country, announcing a one-year state of emergency and vowing to take action against alleged voter fraud during the November 8 general election, which was won by the NLD party.&nbsp;

Myanmar's state counsellor, as well as the president and other top officials, who were members of the ruling NLD party, were detained and accused of election fraud.&nbsp;

Protests have been held across Myanmar since the military took over in which dozens of protesters have been injured and four people killed.&nbsp;

The Japanese government is considering halting new assistance projects to Myanmar, where a military coup d'etat has taken place, Sputnik reported citing sources.

The Japanese government is considering halting new assistance projects to Myanmar, where a military coup d'etat has taken place, Sputnik reported citing sources. Earlier in February, Japan joined the Group of Seven advanced economics in condemning the coup and calling for the restoration of the civilian government in Myanmar. Tokyo called for the release of Myanmar's state counsellor, Aung San Suu Kyi, President Win Myint and other officials, who were placed under house arrest. The Kyodo news agency on Thursday reported that despite condemning the coup, Japan, as a major donor to Myanmar, plans to continue emergency assistance offered through international organisations and NGOs in such areas as combating the Covid-19 pandemic. On February 1, Myanmar's military seized power in the country, announcing a one-year state of emergency and vowing to take action against alleged voter fraud during the November 8 general election, which was won by the NLD party. Myanmar's state counsellor, as well as the president and other top officials, who were members of the ruling NLD party, were detained and accused of election fraud. Protests have been held across Myanmar since the military took over in which dozens of protesters have been injured and four people killed.

After coup, Japan mulls halting new assistance projects to Myanmar

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar met his Uzbekistan counterpart Abdulaziz Kamilov on Thursday and discussed various bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest.&nbsp;

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement that during Kamilov's two-day visit to New Delhi on February 24 and 25, both sides took stock of various aspects of bilateral cooperation between India and Uzbekistan.&nbsp;

"They positively assessed the progress on the outcomes of the India-Uzbekistan Virtual Summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held on December 11, 2020. Both countries have been actively cooperating in the regional and multilateral formats including the UN, Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the India-Central Asia Dialogue," the statement said.&nbsp;

Foreign Minister Kamilov extended an invitation for participation in an international conference on regional connectivity being organised by Uzbekistan in Tashkent on July 15-16, 2021, MEA said.&nbsp;

The MEA also said that both Ministers also discussed the evolving situation in Afghanistan and noted the importance of a stable and peaceful Afghanistan for regional peace, stability and security. &nbsp;

Earlier, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was on a two-day visit to Mauritius, where he offered prayers at the holy Ganga Talao. "Offered prayers at the holy Ganga Talao this morning. Grateful to FM Alan Ganoo, Culture Minister Avinash Teeluck and Agriculture Minister Maneesh Gobin for joining me," Jaishankar said in a tweet. &nbsp;

This was the last leg of his two-nation tour. Earlier, he visited the Maldives. India and Mauritius had on Monday signed free trade agreement along with five key pacts. This was the first such agreement with an African country. The agreement was signed during the visit of the External Affairs Minister to the island nation. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Jaishankar, who addressed the media with the Prime Minister of Mauritius, said India is privileged to have entered the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) with Mauritius.&nbsp;

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar met his Uzbekistan counterpart Abdulaziz Kamilov on Thursday and discussed various bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest.

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar met his Uzbekistan counterpart Abdulaziz Kamilov on Thursday and discussed various bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement that during Kamilov's two-day visit to New Delhi on February 24 and 25, both sides took stock of various aspects of bilateral cooperation between India and Uzbekistan. "They positively assessed the progress on the outcomes of the India-Uzbekistan Virtual Summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held on December 11, 2020. Both countries have been actively cooperating in the regional and multilateral formats including the UN, Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the India-Central Asia Dialogue," the statement said. Foreign Minister Kamilov extended an invitation for participation in an international conference on regional connectivity being organised by Uzbekistan in Tashkent on July 15-16, 2021, MEA said. The MEA also said that both Ministers also discussed the evolving situation in Afghanistan and noted the importance of a stable and peaceful Afghanistan for regional peace, stability and security. Earlier, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was on a two-day visit to Mauritius, where he offered prayers at the holy Ganga Talao. "Offered prayers at the holy Ganga Talao this morning. Grateful to FM Alan Ganoo, Culture Minister Avinash Teeluck and Agriculture Minister Maneesh Gobin for joining me," Jaishankar said in a tweet. This was the last leg of his two-nation tour. Earlier, he visited the Maldives. India and Mauritius had on Monday signed free trade agreement along with five key pacts. This was the first such agreement with an African country. The agreement was signed during the visit of the External Affairs Minister to the island nation. Jaishankar, who addressed the media with the Prime Minister of Mauritius, said India is privileged to have entered the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) with Mauritius.

Jaishankar meets Uzbekistan counterpart, discusses issues of mutual interest

Imran Khan is on a two-day visit to Sri Lanka. His first visit to the island nation since becoming prime minister. On day one, they focused on boosting bilateral relations, expanding trade ties and attracting more investments but as the day ended, it became amply clear that Khan only wanted a new platform to push his anti-India agenda. Alongside, he also did some good PR for Pakistan's iron-brother China.&nbsp;

Imran Khan reached the residence of Sri Lankan prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa for dinner. A lavish banquet was held at Temple Trees. Imran Khan was visibly delighted with the reception. It followed one-on-one meetings and delegation-level-talks. Finally, a joint press briefing by the two prime ministers was held.&nbsp;

Imran Khan started by talking about inequality and why organisations like the United Nations need to look after countries that have been severely hit by the coronavirus. &nbsp;

Day one was about pleading for help and day two was about pushing propaganda for both Pakistan and China. Imran Khan attended a trade and investment conference and he admired China's rise. How China is helping Pakistan rise? He even invited Sri Lanka to join China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Then, it was the turn of Kashmir. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Knowing Khan would bring up Kashmir, Sri Lanka cancelled Khan's address to Parliament. Undeterred, he used a trade conference to talk about Kashmir. "My dream for the subcontinent is that we resolve our differences and our differences is only one, it’s the Kashmir issue. All we want is to resolve according to the UNSC resolution and this can only be resolved through dialogue," said Imran Khan, prime minister, Pakistan.&nbsp;

'Solve it through dialogue' is being said by the prime minister of a country that pursues terror as state policy. A country that pushes terrorists into the Kashmir valley. &nbsp;

Imran Khan should have instead raised the issue of forced cremations in Sri Lanka. Muslims and Christians, who died due to the coronavirus are being denied burials under Sri Lanka's new policy.&nbsp;

Every deceased man or woman, irrespective of their religion has to be cremated. The Islamic world is appalled at this as they are calling it an extension of Sri Lanka's persecution of Muslims. Imran Khan, who calls himself a leader of the Muslim world, chose to remain silent on it. Just like he does on the Uighur issue with China.&nbsp;

On February 15, Amnesty International wrote a letter to Imran Khan requesting him to take up the issue of forced cremations with Sri Lanka during his visit. It says 'honourable prime minister, we urge you to raise the issue of forced cremations at the highest levels possible during the visit to Sri Lanka'.&nbsp;

But he ignored it. Khan is looking forward to boost bilateral ties and the only point where he chose to embarrass his hosts was when he raised Kashmir. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Colombo must have prevailed later, because there was no mention of Kashmir in the joint statement as India is watching closely. It's an old relationship.&nbsp;

Pakistan is Sri Lanka's biggest trading partner in the region after India.&nbsp;

Pakistan is also trying to use its ancient Buddhist connections to promote cultural ties with Sri Lanka but the bedrock of this relationship is defence. Over the past three decades, Colombo has relied on Islamabad for military supplies. Lankan soldiers train in Pakistan. &nbsp;

Earlier this month, Sri Lanka also participated in Pakistan's multi-naval exercise, curiously named Aman, &nbsp;meaning peace, and of course, there's the old link of the president, Gotabaya Rajapaksa. As a young army officer in the 1970s, he went to Pakistan for an officers training course. &nbsp;

There's history, there's diplomacy, there's common interests and there's a common creditor in China to bind Sri Lanka and Pakistan. With the Rajapaksas in power, Sri Lanka was never going to be easy to navigate for New Delhi.&nbsp;

Imran Khan is on a two-day visit to Sri Lanka. His first visit to the island nation since becoming prime minister. On day one, they focused on boosting bilateral relations, expanding trade ties and attracting more investments but as the day ended, it became amply clear that Khan only wanted a new platform to push his anti-India agenda.

Imran Khan is on a two-day visit to Sri Lanka. His first visit to the island nation since becoming prime minister. On day one, they focused on boosting bilateral relations, expanding trade ties and attracting more investments but as the day ended, it became amply clear that Khan only wanted a new platform to push his anti-India agenda. Alongside, he also did some good PR for Pakistan's iron-brother China. Imran Khan reached the residence of Sri Lankan prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa for dinner. A lavish banquet was held at Temple Trees. Imran Khan was visibly delighted with the reception. It followed one-on-one meetings and delegation-level-talks. Finally, a joint press briefing by the two prime ministers was held. Imran Khan started by talking about inequality and why organisations like the United Nations need to look after countries that have been severely hit by the coronavirus. Day one was about pleading for help and day two was about pushing propaganda for both Pakistan and China. Imran Khan attended a trade and investment conference and he admired China's rise. How China is helping Pakistan rise? He even invited Sri Lanka to join China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Then, it was the turn of Kashmir. Knowing Khan would bring up Kashmir, Sri Lanka cancelled Khan's address to Parliament. Undeterred, he used a trade conference to talk about Kashmir. "My dream for the subcontinent is that we resolve our differences and our differences is only one, it’s the Kashmir issue. All we want is to resolve according to the UNSC resolution and this can only be resolved through dialogue," said Imran Khan, prime minister, Pakistan. 'Solve it through dialogue' is being said by the prime minister of a country that pursues terror as state policy. A country that pushes terrorists into the Kashmir valley. Imran Khan should have instead raised the issue of forced cremations in Sri Lanka. Muslims and Christians, who died due to the coronavirus are being denied burials under Sri Lanka's new policy. Every deceased man or woman, irrespective of their religion has to be cremated. The Islamic world is appalled at this as they are calling it an extension of Sri Lanka's persecution of Muslims. Imran Khan, who calls himself a leader of the Muslim world, chose to remain silent on it. Just like he does on the Uighur issue with China. On February 15, Amnesty International wrote a letter to Imran Khan requesting him to take up the issue of forced cremations with Sri Lanka during his visit. It says 'honourable prime minister, we urge you to raise the issue of forced cremations at the highest levels possible during the visit to Sri Lanka'. But he ignored it. Khan is looking forward to boost bilateral ties and the only point where he chose to embarrass his hosts was when he raised Kashmir. Colombo must have prevailed later, because there was no mention of Kashmir in the joint statement as India is watching closely. It's an old relationship. Pakistan is Sri Lanka's biggest trading partner in the region after India. Pakistan is also trying to use its ancient Buddhist connections to promote cultural ties with Sri Lanka but the bedrock of this relationship is defence. Over the past three decades, Colombo has relied on Islamabad for military supplies. Lankan soldiers train in Pakistan. Earlier this month, Sri Lanka also participated in Pakistan's multi-naval exercise, curiously named Aman, meaning peace, and of course, there's the old link of the president, Gotabaya Rajapaksa. As a young army officer in the 1970s, he went to Pakistan for an officers training course. There's history, there's diplomacy, there's common interests and there's a common creditor in China to bind Sri Lanka and Pakistan. With the Rajapaksas in power, Sri Lanka was never going to be easy to navigate for New Delhi.

Imran Khan pushes anti-India agenda on two-day Sri Lanka visit

United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has tabled a resolution expressing concerns about the forced cremation policy for coronavirus victims in Sri Lanka.&nbsp;

The government does not allow Muslims and Christians to be buried and they must all be cremated. Because it fears the buried victims will contaminate the soil with the virus. There is no scientific basis for it. &nbsp;

The UNHRC says this policy goes against the belief of minorities. 11 per cent of Sri Lankan population follows Islam. They have been demanding an end to forced cremations.&nbsp;

The resolution also calls upon Colombo to hold human rights abusers to account. At least 25 military officers accused of war crimes have been pardoned by the Rajapaksa government. The resolution urges Sri Lanka to bring them to justice. The Lankan govt has called the resolution politically motivated and Sri Lanka, a victim of an unprecedented propaganda campaign. &nbsp;

Meanwhile, in probe of Easter Bombings, where Sri Lanka witnessed one of the worst terror attacks in recent history on an easter Sunday around 21 months ago. Suicide bombers killed at least 253 people and some 500 others were injured. There were at least six coordinated blasts, targeting churches and top-end hotels, mostly in Colombo. A presidential commission investigated the attacks and now, the report has come out. There are a total of 10 conclusions. Two of them have raised eyebrows. &nbsp;

First, the commission has recommended criminal charges against the former President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena. It says there's evidence to prove criminal liability on his part and the second targets the former prime minister of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe. It accuses him of a lax approach towards Islamic extremism. It says this was one of the primary reasons for the failure of the security apparatus.&nbsp;

United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has tabled a resolution expressing concerns about the forced cremation policy for coronavirus victims in Sri Lanka. The government does not allow Muslims and Christians to be buried and they must all be cremated.

United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has tabled a resolution expressing concerns about the forced cremation policy for coronavirus victims in Sri Lanka. The government does not allow Muslims and Christians to be buried and they must all be cremated. Because it fears the buried victims will contaminate the soil with the virus. There is no scientific basis for it. The UNHRC says this policy goes against the belief of minorities. 11 per cent of Sri Lankan population follows Islam. They have been demanding an end to forced cremations. The resolution also calls upon Colombo to hold human rights abusers to account. At least 25 military officers accused of war crimes have been pardoned by the Rajapaksa government. The resolution urges Sri Lanka to bring them to justice. The Lankan govt has called the resolution politically motivated and Sri Lanka, a victim of an unprecedented propaganda campaign. Meanwhile, in probe of Easter Bombings, where Sri Lanka witnessed one of the worst terror attacks in recent history on an easter Sunday around 21 months ago. Suicide bombers killed at least 253 people and some 500 others were injured. There were at least six coordinated blasts, targeting churches and top-end hotels, mostly in Colombo. A presidential commission investigated the attacks and now, the report has come out. There are a total of 10 conclusions. Two of them have raised eyebrows. First, the commission has recommended criminal charges against the former President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena. It says there's evidence to prove criminal liability on his part and the second targets the former prime minister of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe. It accuses him of a lax approach towards Islamic extremism. It says this was one of the primary reasons for the failure of the security apparatus.

UNHRC resolution accuses Sri Lanka of human rights violations

A German court sentenced a former member of President Bashar al-Assad's security services to 4-1/2 years in prison on Wednesday for abetting the torture of civilians, the first such verdict for crimes against humanity in the 10-year-old Syrian civil war.&nbsp;

The higher regional court in the western city of Koblenz said Eyad A had arrested at least 30 anti-government protesters at the start of the conflict in 2011 and sent them to an intelligence facility where he knew detainees were tortured.&nbsp;

The verdict gives hope to the 800,000 Syrians in Germany, who say they were tortured in government facilities after attempts to establish an international tribunal for Syria failed.&nbsp;

"This is an important step forward in the process of securing accountability for the Syrian government's systematic use of torture against civilians," said Steve Kostas, a lawyer with the Open Society Foundation's Justice Initiative, which is representing Syrian plaintiffs.&nbsp;

The Assad government denies it tortures prisoners.&nbsp;

Eyad A's lawyers asked for an acquittal, saying he had carried out the arrests in and around Damascus under duress by his superiors. He asked the court to consider him a witness in broader legal efforts against the Syrian government.&nbsp;

Handcuffed and wearing a burgundy track suit, Eyad A, who arrived in Germany in 2018 and was granted asylum, covered his face with a paper document as policemen walked him to a glass cubicle to await the verdict.&nbsp;

He remained stoic and did not appear surprised as the verdict was read out, said two Syrian lawyers at the court.&nbsp;

The case against him was mainly based on evidence of his work for the intelligence service that he had given to German immigration authorities and police when he applied for asylum.&nbsp;

A German court sentenced a former member of President Bashar al-Assad's security services to 4-1/2 years in prison on Wednesday for abetting the torture of civilians, the first such verdict for crimes against humanity in the 10-year-old Syrian civil war.

A German court sentenced a former member of President Bashar al-Assad's security services to 4-1/2 years in prison on Wednesday for abetting the torture of civilians, the first such verdict for crimes against humanity in the 10-year-old Syrian civil war. The higher regional court in the western city of Koblenz said Eyad A had arrested at least 30 anti-government protesters at the start of the conflict in 2011 and sent them to an intelligence facility where he knew detainees were tortured. The verdict gives hope to the 800,000 Syrians in Germany, who say they were tortured in government facilities after attempts to establish an international tribunal for Syria failed. "This is an important step forward in the process of securing accountability for the Syrian government's systematic use of torture against civilians," said Steve Kostas, a lawyer with the Open Society Foundation's Justice Initiative, which is representing Syrian plaintiffs. The Assad government denies it tortures prisoners. Eyad A's lawyers asked for an acquittal, saying he had carried out the arrests in and around Damascus under duress by his superiors. He asked the court to consider him a witness in broader legal efforts against the Syrian government. Handcuffed and wearing a burgundy track suit, Eyad A, who arrived in Germany in 2018 and was granted asylum, covered his face with a paper document as policemen walked him to a glass cubicle to await the verdict. He remained stoic and did not appear surprised as the verdict was read out, said two Syrian lawyers at the court. The case against him was mainly based on evidence of his work for the intelligence service that he had given to German immigration authorities and police when he applied for asylum.

German court issues guilty verdict in first Syria torture trial

A Tunisian court on Wednesday set bail for media mogul and former presidential candidate Nabil Karoui at 10 million dinars ($3.7 million) as he awaits trial on corruption charges that he denies, the court spokesman Mohsen Dali said.&nbsp;

Karoui, the owner of Nessma television channel and head of the Heart of Tunisia political party, the second largest in parliament, was detained in December for a second time for alleged money laundering and tax fraud.&nbsp;

In 2019, Karoui beat most candidates to reach a run-off for the presidency despite spending most of the campaign behind bars. He ultimately lost in a landslide to President Kais Saied.&nbsp;

His Heart of Tunisia party, which came second only to the moderate Islamist Ennahda in a parliamentary election the same year, has joined with it in giving narrow majority support to Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi's government, which has been locked in a power struggle with the president.&nbsp;

Karoui's critics regard him as a corrupt populist wrongfully using his television station and a charity he owns for personal political gain. His supporters view him as a champion of Tunisia's poor and regard his detention as politically motivated.&nbsp;

Tunisia, the only country to emerge with an intact democracy from the 'Arab Spring' revolts a decade ago, has since been plagued by political turmoil and economic hardship.&nbsp;

A Tunisian court on Wednesday set bail for media mogul and former presidential candidate Nabil Karoui at 10 million dinars ($3.7 million) as he awaits trial on corruption charges that he denies, the court spokesman Mohsen Dali said.

A Tunisian court on Wednesday set bail for media mogul and former presidential candidate Nabil Karoui at 10 million dinars ($3.7 million) as he awaits trial on corruption charges that he denies, the court spokesman Mohsen Dali said. Karoui, the owner of Nessma television channel and head of the Heart of Tunisia political party, the second largest in parliament, was detained in December for a second time for alleged money laundering and tax fraud. In 2019, Karoui beat most candidates to reach a run-off for the presidency despite spending most of the campaign behind bars. He ultimately lost in a landslide to President Kais Saied. His Heart of Tunisia party, which came second only to the moderate Islamist Ennahda in a parliamentary election the same year, has joined with it in giving narrow majority support to Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi's government, which has been locked in a power struggle with the president. Karoui's critics regard him as a corrupt populist wrongfully using his television station and a charity he owns for personal political gain. His supporters view him as a champion of Tunisia's poor and regard his detention as politically motivated. Tunisia, the only country to emerge with an intact democracy from the 'Arab Spring' revolts a decade ago, has since been plagued by political turmoil and economic hardship.

Tunisian court sets bail for media mogul Nabil Karoui at $3.7 million

A German court on Wednesday sentenced an Iraqi preacher to more than 10 years in prison after finding him guilty of taking part in planning an attack in Germany and collecting funds and fighters for the Islamic State militant group.&nbsp;

Prosecutors accused the 40-year-old preacher, identified as Ahmad Abdulaziz Abdullah A in court documents, of recruiting at least seven individuals, who ended up travelling to the Middle East where they fought alongside IS.&nbsp;

Two of the men he recruited are believed to have killed more than 150 Iraqi soldiers in suicide bombings.&nbsp;

The Higher Regional Court in the northern city of Celle sentenced him to 10-and-a-half years in prison. Three members of the Islamist network he had set up were handed prison terms ranging from four to eight years.&nbsp;

The main suspect, known by the nickname Abu Walaa, which in Arabic means Father of Loyalty, and the three others were arrested in November 2016 in raids in the states of Lower Saxony and North-Rhine Westphalia.&nbsp;

Abu Walaa sat quietly on the stand in court wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, a white T-Shirt and a face mask that covered parts of this long black beard as he waited for the verdict and sentencing behind a glass cubicle.&nbsp;

The defendants had chosen to remain silent during the trial and did not enter pleas.&nbsp;

Originally an offshoot of al Qaeda, Islamic State took large parts of Iraq and Syria from 2014, imposing a hardline rule with public beheadings and attacks by supporters abroad.&nbsp;

It was defeated by a US-led military coalition, which in 2019 captured the group's last territory in Syria.&nbsp;

The men had held religious lessons during which potential recruits were handed radical Islamic material, prosecutors said.&nbsp;

Prosecutors believe Abu Walaa preached at the Fussilet Mosque in Berlin, which was attended by a failed asylum seeker, who killed 12 people at a Christmas market in the German capital last year.&nbsp;

A German court on Wednesday sentenced an Iraqi preacher to more than 10 years in prison after finding him guilty of taking part in planning an attack in Germany and collecting funds and fighters for the Islamic State militant group.

A German court on Wednesday sentenced an Iraqi preacher to more than 10 years in prison after finding him guilty of taking part in planning an attack in Germany and collecting funds and fighters for the Islamic State militant group. Prosecutors accused the 40-year-old preacher, identified as Ahmad Abdulaziz Abdullah A in court documents, of recruiting at least seven individuals, who ended up travelling to the Middle East where they fought alongside IS. Two of the men he recruited are believed to have killed more than 150 Iraqi soldiers in suicide bombings. The Higher Regional Court in the northern city of Celle sentenced him to 10-and-a-half years in prison. Three members of the Islamist network he had set up were handed prison terms ranging from four to eight years. The main suspect, known by the nickname Abu Walaa, which in Arabic means Father of Loyalty, and the three others were arrested in November 2016 in raids in the states of Lower Saxony and North-Rhine Westphalia. Abu Walaa sat quietly on the stand in court wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, a white T-Shirt and a face mask that covered parts of this long black beard as he waited for the verdict and sentencing behind a glass cubicle. The defendants had chosen to remain silent during the trial and did not enter pleas. Originally an offshoot of al Qaeda, Islamic State took large parts of Iraq and Syria from 2014, imposing a hardline rule with public beheadings and attacks by supporters abroad. It was defeated by a US-led military coalition, which in 2019 captured the group's last territory in Syria. The men had held religious lessons during which potential recruits were handed radical Islamic material, prosecutors said. Prosecutors believe Abu Walaa preached at the Fussilet Mosque in Berlin, which was attended by a failed asylum seeker, who killed 12 people at a Christmas market in the German capital last year.

German court sentences IS recruiter to 10-year jail for planning attack

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is on his two-day visit to Mauritius, offered prayers at the holy Ganga Talao on Wednesday morning.&nbsp;

"Offered prayers at the holy Ganga Talao this morning. Grateful to FM Alan Ganoo, Culture Minister Avinash Teeluck and Agriculture Minister Maneesh Gobin for joining me," Jaishankar said in a tweet.&nbsp;

This was the last leg of his two-nation tour. Earlier, he had visited the Maldives. India and Mauritius had on Monday signed free trade agreement along with five key pacts. This is the first such agreement with an African country. The agreement was signed during the visit of the External Affairs Minister to the island nation. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-signs-fta-with-mauritius-extends-100-million-defence-line-of-credit-365504">India signs FTA with Mauritius, extends $100 million defence line of credit</a>

Jaishankar, who addressed the media with the Prime Minister of Mauritius, said India is privileged to have entered the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) with Mauritius.&nbsp;

The CECPA is far-reaching and should unleash new and expanded opportunities in trade, goods and services, said Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth on Monday.&nbsp;

"The Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement is the first of its kind, signed by India with an African country. It is far-reaching and should unleash new and expanded opportunities in trade, goods and services, investment, economic cooperation and technical assistance," said Jugnauth while speaking at the India-Mauritius joint statement along with Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar.&nbsp;

During their meet, the two leaders reiterated the call for peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region and highlighted the 'converging views' of New Delhi and Port Louis on a rules-based international order.&nbsp;

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is on his two-day visit to Mauritius, offered prayers at the holy Ganga Talao on Wednesday morning. "Offered prayers at the holy Ganga Talao this morning.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is on his two-day visit to Mauritius, offered prayers at the holy Ganga Talao on Wednesday morning. "Offered prayers at the holy Ganga Talao this morning. Grateful to FM Alan Ganoo, Culture Minister Avinash Teeluck and Agriculture Minister Maneesh Gobin for joining me," Jaishankar said in a tweet. This was the last leg of his two-nation tour. Earlier, he had visited the Maldives. India and Mauritius had on Monday signed free trade agreement along with five key pacts. This is the first such agreement with an African country. The agreement was signed during the visit of the External Affairs Minister to the island nation. Also Read: India signs FTA with Mauritius, extends $100 million defence line of credit Jaishankar, who addressed the media with the Prime Minister of Mauritius, said India is privileged to have entered the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) with Mauritius. The CECPA is far-reaching and should unleash new and expanded opportunities in trade, goods and services, said Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth on Monday. "The Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement is the first of its kind, signed by India with an African country. It is far-reaching and should unleash new and expanded opportunities in trade, goods and services, investment, economic cooperation and technical assistance," said Jugnauth while speaking at the India-Mauritius joint statement along with Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar. During their meet, the two leaders reiterated the call for peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region and highlighted the 'converging views' of New Delhi and Port Louis on a rules-based international order.

Jaishankar offers prayers at holy Ganga Talao in Mauritius

Pakistan's Awami National Party (ANP) has demanded the government to ensure the safe return of persons, who have forcibly disappeared, including Asad Khan Achakzai, a spokesman of ANP Balochistan.&nbsp;

According to a report by Dawn, the ANP held protests across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa against the enforced disappearances of people in different provinces and demanded the government to ensure safe return of the missing persons.&nbsp;

The Peshawar rally was led by Ghulam Ahmad Bilour, Samar Haroon Bilour, Abidullah Yousufzai and other leaders of the party. The families of the missing persons also participated in the rally demanding the safe return of their dear ones.&nbsp;

Speakers on the occasion said that relatives of the missing people were left with the only option to hold demonstrations because the government was least bothered to take practical steps for their return, Dawn reported.&nbsp;

Among the missing persons is Asad Khan Achakzai, a spokesman of ANP Balochistan. He has been missing for five months. The News International quoted the ANP leaders as saying that the missing supporters of the party should be produced in a court of law if they were wanted by police in any unlawful activity.&nbsp;

"We demand the government to take urgent steps for the presentation of the people in courts of law for trial," said Ghulam Ahmad Bilour.&nbsp;

While addressing the rally in Charsadda ANP provincial president Aimal Wali Khan said that the "mothers and sisters of missing persons were wandering on roads but nobody gave heed to their requests".&nbsp;

He pointed that according to the available data over 6,000 people are missing across the country, of which 23 were forcibly disappeared in January.&nbsp;

In Mardan, ANP senior vice-president and former chief minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti said that "it would be criminal negligence if they remained silent over the issue of missing persons".&nbsp;

The protest rallies were also held in Kurram tribal district, Malakand and several other parts of the province seeking recovery of missing persons.&nbsp;

Enforced disappearances have been a long stain on Pakistan's human rights record. Despite the pledges of successive governments to criminalise the practice, there has been a very slow movement on legislation, which is equal to nothing, while people continue to be forcibly disappeared with impunity. &nbsp;

Pakistan's Awami National Party (ANP) has demanded the government to ensure the safe return of persons, who have forcibly disappeared, including Asad Khan Achakzai, a spokesman of ANP Balochistan.

Pakistan's Awami National Party (ANP) has demanded the government to ensure the safe return of persons, who have forcibly disappeared, including Asad Khan Achakzai, a spokesman of ANP Balochistan. According to a report by Dawn, the ANP held protests across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa against the enforced disappearances of people in different provinces and demanded the government to ensure safe return of the missing persons. The Peshawar rally was led by Ghulam Ahmad Bilour, Samar Haroon Bilour, Abidullah Yousufzai and other leaders of the party. The families of the missing persons also participated in the rally demanding the safe return of their dear ones. Speakers on the occasion said that relatives of the missing people were left with the only option to hold demonstrations because the government was least bothered to take practical steps for their return, Dawn reported. Among the missing persons is Asad Khan Achakzai, a spokesman of ANP Balochistan. He has been missing for five months. The News International quoted the ANP leaders as saying that the missing supporters of the party should be produced in a court of law if they were wanted by police in any unlawful activity. "We demand the government to take urgent steps for the presentation of the people in courts of law for trial," said Ghulam Ahmad Bilour. While addressing the rally in Charsadda ANP provincial president Aimal Wali Khan said that the "mothers and sisters of missing persons were wandering on roads but nobody gave heed to their requests". He pointed that according to the available data over 6,000 people are missing across the country, of which 23 were forcibly disappeared in January. In Mardan, ANP senior vice-president and former chief minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti said that "it would be criminal negligence if they remained silent over the issue of missing persons". The protest rallies were also held in Kurram tribal district, Malakand and several other parts of the province seeking recovery of missing persons. Enforced disappearances have been a long stain on Pakistan's human rights record. Despite the pledges of successive governments to criminalise the practice, there has been a very slow movement on legislation, which is equal to nothing, while people continue to be forcibly disappeared with impunity.

ANP holds protests demanding safe return of missing persons across Pakistan

Author

Zee News Rajasthan

Editor

Gandharv Walia

Home

Live Tv

Latest

World

India

Business

Entertainment

Sports

Opinions

Videos

Photos

Gravitas

Lifestyle

Science

Tech

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