Argentina is protesting against femicide, a term, which broadly means the intentional killing of females. &nbsp;

Protests are on across Argentina after a 19-year-old was stabbed to death by her former boyfriend. The man happens to be a police officer. He has now been arrested but the 19-year-old's victim's mother- wants her daughter's murderer to live. &nbsp;

Protesters wrapped in plastic, sign near protesters that reads 'stop’ in Spanish. These visuals tell a disturbing tale. &nbsp;

Protests began following the murder of a 19-year-old Ursula Bahillo near Buenos Aires. Bahillo was stabbed to death. Her body was found with 30 stab wounds. Her neck, back, torso- all scarred with injuries. In the dock is her former boyfriend. &nbsp;

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Reports say he is a 25-year-old provincial police officer. Ursula had earlier reported him for violence. The man was issued a restraining order. He has now been arrested. A tougher preventive action, may have kept Ursula alive. &nbsp;

Protesters have gathered holding up placards with a photo of femicide victim. &nbsp;

The 19-year-old's death has also sparked fear. A banner says in Spanish that "We march because we are alive but we do not know until when." &nbsp;

Several protesters have chanted voices against police, holding banner in Spanish "who protects us from the police?" &nbsp;

30 women were murdered in Argentina in January. 12% of these murders were committed by former or current members of the security forces.&nbsp;

Argentina reported 50 femicides during a two-month lockdown. The number was a 10-year-high.&nbsp;

12 women are killed every day in latin America because of their gender. The region is home to 14 of 25 countries with the highest rates of femicide. This is according to the United Nations. &nbsp;

Reports say a vast majority of the femicides go unprosecuted. Ursula Bahillo's mother Patricia Nassutti says she wants her daughter's murderer to live. &nbsp;

Nassutti said, “What I need is for him to live so that he can pay his sentence with life and not with death because it would be much easier for him to die.” &nbsp;&nbsp;

The grieving mother met Argentina's president Alberto Fernandez, who promised that justice will be delivered to her.&nbsp;

Argentina is protesting against femicide, a term, which broadly means the intentional killing of females. Protests are on across Argentina after a 19-year-old was stabbed to death by her former boyfriend.

Argentina is protesting against femicide, a term, which broadly means the intentional killing of females. Protests are on across Argentina after a 19-year-old was stabbed to death by her former boyfriend. The man happens to be a police officer. He has now been arrested but the 19-year-old's victim's mother- wants her daughter's murderer to live. Protesters wrapped in plastic, sign near protesters that reads 'stop’ in Spanish. These visuals tell a disturbing tale. Protests began following the murder of a 19-year-old Ursula Bahillo near Buenos Aires. Bahillo was stabbed to death. Her body was found with 30 stab wounds. Her neck, back, torso- all scarred with injuries. In the dock is her former boyfriend. × Reports say he is a 25-year-old provincial police officer. Ursula had earlier reported him for violence. The man was issued a restraining order. He has now been arrested. A tougher preventive action, may have kept Ursula alive. Protesters have gathered holding up placards with a photo of femicide victim. The 19-year-old's death has also sparked fear. A banner says in Spanish that "We march because we are alive but we do not know until when." Several protesters have chanted voices against police, holding banner in Spanish "who protects us from the police?" 30 women were murdered in Argentina in January. 12% of these murders were committed by former or current members of the security forces. Argentina reported 50 femicides during a two-month lockdown. The number was a 10-year-high. 12 women are killed every day in latin America because of their gender. The region is home to 14 of 25 countries with the highest rates of femicide. This is according to the United Nations. Reports say a vast majority of the femicides go unprosecuted. Ursula Bahillo's mother Patricia Nassutti says she wants her daughter's murderer to live. Nassutti said, “What I need is for him to live so that he can pay his sentence with life and not with death because it would be much easier for him to die.” The grieving mother met Argentina's president Alberto Fernandez, who promised that justice will be delivered to her.

Argentina protests against femicide

Sri Lanka has decided to re-acquire 99 oil tanks, which were leased out to Indian Oil for 30 years in 2003. The Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka says the reports are incorrect but there's a pattern.&nbsp;

Recently, Sri Lanka halted a port project involving India and Japan. US withdrew its aid offer because Colombo wasn't using the funds. While Chinese investments are being steadily approved. &nbsp;

Reports say India was supposed to upgrade and commission the world war era tanks. But talks remained stalled for more than a decade. Then in 2015, discussions revived when Prime Minister Modi visited Sri Lanka. By 2017, the two sides had a roadmap but the project never really took off.&nbsp;

The Indian High Commission issued a statement on Thursday, claiming that there is no truth in these reports. Indian diplomats say both sides will explore ways to jointly develop and operate the facility.&nbsp;

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Last month, Colombo had scrapped a trilateral agreement with India and Japan. This was for the development of the eastern container terminal at the Colombo Port.&nbsp;

Apparently, the project had received strong opposition from trade unions across Sri Lanka. This is despite the fact that Colombo was supposed to hold the majority stake.&nbsp;

It's not just Indian projects that Sri Lanka is scrapping. Even the United States suffered a setback this year. It withdrew $480 million in infrastructure aid to Colombo because Sri Lanka said it wasn't keen on using it. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The only country that seems to be getting a red-carpet welcome in Colombo is China. Within weeks of rejecting US aid, the Sri Lankan cabinet cleared a Chinese energy project. It is quite close to Indian borders.&nbsp;

A Chinese company has won the contract to set up hybrid wind and solar energy projects off the northern Jaffna peninsula on three islands, which are barely 50 kilometers away from the Tamil Nadu coast.&nbsp;

Reports say India had lodged a strong protest with Sri Lanka. It happened days before the Colombo Port deal was cancelled.&nbsp;

The Chinese seems to be deepening their influence in Sri Lanka under the Rajapaksa Government.&nbsp;

Before the energy deal, they secured several major projects. It includes a $13 billion city on Sri Lanka's sea front, a new Chinese factory in Hambantota, a $300 million tire plan for the Shandong Haohua tire, a $one billion road from Colombo to Kandy and $300 million coal-based power plant in Norochcholai. Colombo has given green-light to all these projects and pushed itself further under Chinese debt. &nbsp;&nbsp;

India hasn't given up though. Reports say India has offered a grant of $12 million to displace the Chinese company for the energy project off the Jaffna peninsula. A group of Tamil parties have also voiced their opposition to Chinese involvement.&nbsp;

Sri Lanka has decided to re-acquire 99 oil tanks, which were leased out to Indian Oil for 30 years in 2003. The Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka says the reports are incorrect but there's a pattern.

Sri Lanka has decided to re-acquire 99 oil tanks, which were leased out to Indian Oil for 30 years in 2003. The Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka says the reports are incorrect but there's a pattern. Recently, Sri Lanka halted a port project involving India and Japan. US withdrew its aid offer because Colombo wasn't using the funds. While Chinese investments are being steadily approved. Reports say India was supposed to upgrade and commission the world war era tanks. But talks remained stalled for more than a decade. Then in 2015, discussions revived when Prime Minister Modi visited Sri Lanka. By 2017, the two sides had a roadmap but the project never really took off. The Indian High Commission issued a statement on Thursday, claiming that there is no truth in these reports. Indian diplomats say both sides will explore ways to jointly develop and operate the facility. × Last month, Colombo had scrapped a trilateral agreement with India and Japan. This was for the development of the eastern container terminal at the Colombo Port. Apparently, the project had received strong opposition from trade unions across Sri Lanka. This is despite the fact that Colombo was supposed to hold the majority stake. It's not just Indian projects that Sri Lanka is scrapping. Even the United States suffered a setback this year. It withdrew $480 million in infrastructure aid to Colombo because Sri Lanka said it wasn't keen on using it. The only country that seems to be getting a red-carpet welcome in Colombo is China. Within weeks of rejecting US aid, the Sri Lankan cabinet cleared a Chinese energy project. It is quite close to Indian borders. A Chinese company has won the contract to set up hybrid wind and solar energy projects off the northern Jaffna peninsula on three islands, which are barely 50 kilometers away from the Tamil Nadu coast. Reports say India had lodged a strong protest with Sri Lanka. It happened days before the Colombo Port deal was cancelled. The Chinese seems to be deepening their influence in Sri Lanka under the Rajapaksa Government. Before the energy deal, they secured several major projects. It includes a $13 billion city on Sri Lanka's sea front, a new Chinese factory in Hambantota, a $300 million tire plan for the Shandong Haohua tire, a $one billion road from Colombo to Kandy and $300 million coal-based power plant in Norochcholai. Colombo has given green-light to all these projects and pushed itself further under Chinese debt. India hasn't given up though. Reports say India has offered a grant of $12 million to displace the Chinese company for the energy project off the Jaffna peninsula. A group of Tamil parties have also voiced their opposition to Chinese involvement.

Is Sri Lanka falling to Chinese debt trap?

The US House of Representatives on Thursday reintroduced a bill that would ban imports from China's Xinjiang region unless it is certified they are not produced with forced labour and allow further sanctions against Chinese officials responsible for abuses against Muslims.&nbsp;

"We have watched in horror as the Chinese government first created, and then expanded a system of extrajudicial mass internment camps targeting Uyghurs and Muslim minorities. We now know the entire XUAR economy is built upon a foundation of forced labour and repression," said Representative Jim McGovern.&nbsp;

According to the Massachusetts Congressman, the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act would create a 'rebuttable presumption' that any goods made in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) are made with forced labour and prohibited from entering the United States unless 'clear and convincing' evidence is shown to the contrary.&nbsp;

"Many US, international, and Chinese corporations are complicit in the exploitation of forced labour and these products continue to make their way into global supply chains and our country. It is long past time for Congress to act," McGovern added.&nbsp;

Representative Chris Smith from New Jersey, a Republican, said that the US cannot be silent.&nbsp;

"Congress must hold the Chinese government accountable and give a strong voice to the millions of Muslim Uyghurs, who are victims of genocide, rape, torture, forced marriages, reeducation camps, and other gross violations of human rights. Chinese authorities had the audacity to deny the existence of mass internment camps and portray them as vocational training centres," he said.&nbsp;

The bill would prohibit all imports from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) of China unless the Commissioner of US Customs and Border Protection can certify that the goods being imported to the US are not produced, either wholly or in part, with forced labour and the Commissioner submits to Congress a report outlining such a determination.&nbsp;

The US House of Representatives on Thursday reintroduced a bill that would ban imports from China's Xinjiang region unless it is certified they are not produced with forced labour and allow further sanctions against Chinese officials responsible for abuses against Muslims.

The US House of Representatives on Thursday reintroduced a bill that would ban imports from China's Xinjiang region unless it is certified they are not produced with forced labour and allow further sanctions against Chinese officials responsible for abuses against Muslims. "We have watched in horror as the Chinese government first created, and then expanded a system of extrajudicial mass internment camps targeting Uyghurs and Muslim minorities. We now know the entire XUAR economy is built upon a foundation of forced labour and repression," said Representative Jim McGovern. According to the Massachusetts Congressman, the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act would create a 'rebuttable presumption' that any goods made in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) are made with forced labour and prohibited from entering the United States unless 'clear and convincing' evidence is shown to the contrary. "Many US, international, and Chinese corporations are complicit in the exploitation of forced labour and these products continue to make their way into global supply chains and our country. It is long past time for Congress to act," McGovern added. Representative Chris Smith from New Jersey, a Republican, said that the US cannot be silent. "Congress must hold the Chinese government accountable and give a strong voice to the millions of Muslim Uyghurs, who are victims of genocide, rape, torture, forced marriages, reeducation camps, and other gross violations of human rights. Chinese authorities had the audacity to deny the existence of mass internment camps and portray them as vocational training centres," he said. The bill would prohibit all imports from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) of China unless the Commissioner of US Customs and Border Protection can certify that the goods being imported to the US are not produced, either wholly or in part, with forced labour and the Commissioner submits to Congress a report outlining such a determination.

US House reintroduces bill to ban goods from China's Xinjiang

A total of six US police officers have been suspended with pay and another 29 have been put under investigation over their conduct during the riots on Capitol Hill on January 6, according to a police department spokesperson.&nbsp;

"Acting Chief Yogananda Pittman has directed that any member of her department whose behaviour is not in keeping with the Department's Rules of Conduct will face appropriate discipline," said police spokesperson John Stolnis, as quoted by CNN.&nbsp;

Last month, CNN had reported that the Capitol police were investigating at least 10 officers, while two were suspended. &nbsp;

According to Tim Ryan, a member of the House of Representatives, one of the suspended officers took a selfie with a protester, while another officer was wearing a hat with then President Donald Trump's slogan 'Make America Great Again'. &nbsp;

On Tuesday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the US Congress would establish a special commission to probe Capitol Hill attack. On January 6, a group of then US President Donald Trump's supports stormed the US Capitol building.&nbsp;

The unrest took place after Trump urged his supporters to protest what he claims is a stolen presidential election. Five people, four protesters and a police officer, were killed in the riots. &nbsp;

The last time, the Capitol was stormed was when British troops marched into Washington and set fire to the building in 1814. The deadly attack prompted the House Democrats to move to impeach Trump. The Senate trial that ended this weekend acquitted Trump.&nbsp;

A total of six US police officers have been suspended with pay and another 29 have been put under investigation over their conduct during the riots on Capitol Hill on January 6, according to a police department spokesperson.

A total of six US police officers have been suspended with pay and another 29 have been put under investigation over their conduct during the riots on Capitol Hill on January 6, according to a police department spokesperson. "Acting Chief Yogananda Pittman has directed that any member of her department whose behaviour is not in keeping with the Department's Rules of Conduct will face appropriate discipline," said police spokesperson John Stolnis, as quoted by CNN. Last month, CNN had reported that the Capitol police were investigating at least 10 officers, while two were suspended. According to Tim Ryan, a member of the House of Representatives, one of the suspended officers took a selfie with a protester, while another officer was wearing a hat with then President Donald Trump's slogan 'Make America Great Again'. On Tuesday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the US Congress would establish a special commission to probe Capitol Hill attack. On January 6, a group of then US President Donald Trump's supports stormed the US Capitol building. The unrest took place after Trump urged his supporters to protest what he claims is a stolen presidential election. Five people, four protesters and a police officer, were killed in the riots. The last time, the Capitol was stormed was when British troops marched into Washington and set fire to the building in 1814. The deadly attack prompted the House Democrats to move to impeach Trump. The Senate trial that ended this weekend acquitted Trump.

Six cops suspended for misconduct during Capitol Hill riots

Cooling water levels have fallen in two reactors at the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant since a powerful earthquake hit the area last weekend, indicating possible additional damage, its operator said on Friday.&nbsp;

New damage could further complicate the plant's already difficult decommissioning process, which is expected to take decades.&nbsp;

Tokyo Electric Power Co spokesman Keisuke Matsuo said the drop in water levels in the unit one and three reactors indicates that the existing damage to their primary containment chambers was worsened by Saturday's magnitude 7.3 quake, allowing more water to leak.&nbsp;

The leaked water is believed to have remained inside the reactor buildings and there is no sign of any outside impact, he said.&nbsp;

In 2011, a powerful magnitude 9.1 earthquake and tsunami damaged the Fukushima plant's cooling systems, causing three reactor cores to melt and nuclear fuel to fall to the bottom of their primary containment vessels.&nbsp;

TEPCO will monitor the water and temperatures at the bottom of the containment vessels, Matsuo said.&nbsp;

Since the 2011 disaster, cooling water has been escaping constantly from the damaged primary containment vessels into the basements of the reactor buildings.&nbsp;

To make up for the loss, additional cooling water has been pumped into the reactors to cool the melted fuel remaining inside them. The recent decline in the water levels indicates that more water than before is leaking out, TEPCO said.&nbsp;

More than 180 people received mostly minor injuries from Saturday's earthquake, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency. The quake also triggered landslides, damaged homes and a high-speed train line, and caused widespread power and water supply disruptions.&nbsp;

TEPCO initially reported that there was no abnormality at the plant from Saturday's quake.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the Tokyo High Court on Friday held the government as well as TEPCO accountable for the 2011 nuclear disaster, ordering both to pay about 280 million yen (USD 2.6 million) in compensation to more than 40 plaintiffs forced to evacuate to Chiba, near Tokyo, for their lost livelihoods and homes.&nbsp;

Friday's decision reverses an earlier ruling by the Chiba district court that excluded the government from responsibility. Judge Yukio Shirai said the government could have foreseen the risk of a massive tsunami and taken measures after a long-term assessment in 2002 of seismic activities.&nbsp;

Cooling water levels have fallen in two reactors at the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant since a powerful earthquake hit the area last weekend, indicating possible additional damage, its operator said on Friday.

Cooling water levels have fallen in two reactors at the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant since a powerful earthquake hit the area last weekend, indicating possible additional damage, its operator said on Friday. New damage could further complicate the plant's already difficult decommissioning process, which is expected to take decades. Tokyo Electric Power Co spokesman Keisuke Matsuo said the drop in water levels in the unit one and three reactors indicates that the existing damage to their primary containment chambers was worsened by Saturday's magnitude 7.3 quake, allowing more water to leak. The leaked water is believed to have remained inside the reactor buildings and there is no sign of any outside impact, he said. In 2011, a powerful magnitude 9.1 earthquake and tsunami damaged the Fukushima plant's cooling systems, causing three reactor cores to melt and nuclear fuel to fall to the bottom of their primary containment vessels. TEPCO will monitor the water and temperatures at the bottom of the containment vessels, Matsuo said. Since the 2011 disaster, cooling water has been escaping constantly from the damaged primary containment vessels into the basements of the reactor buildings. To make up for the loss, additional cooling water has been pumped into the reactors to cool the melted fuel remaining inside them. The recent decline in the water levels indicates that more water than before is leaking out, TEPCO said. More than 180 people received mostly minor injuries from Saturday's earthquake, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency. The quake also triggered landslides, damaged homes and a high-speed train line, and caused widespread power and water supply disruptions. TEPCO initially reported that there was no abnormality at the plant from Saturday's quake. Meanwhile, the Tokyo High Court on Friday held the government as well as TEPCO accountable for the 2011 nuclear disaster, ordering both to pay about 280 million yen (USD 2.6 million) in compensation to more than 40 plaintiffs forced to evacuate to Chiba, near Tokyo, for their lost livelihoods and homes. Friday's decision reverses an earlier ruling by the Chiba district court that excluded the government from responsibility. Judge Yukio Shirai said the government could have foreseen the risk of a massive tsunami and taken measures after a long-term assessment in 2002 of seismic activities.

Water leaks indicate new damage at Fukushima nuclear plant

Only three of 45 short-finned pilot whales survived the mass stranding on Friday in shallow waters on Indonesia's Madura Island off the northeastern coast of Java, officials said.&nbsp;

The three whales were pushed back to the sea by volunteers and local authorities along the Modung beach in East Java province.&nbsp;

East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa said authorities are investigating the cause of death while the carcasses will be buried around the coast.&nbsp;

The volunteers, who are helping them to get back to the ocean, said that some whales got back to the coast again as their mothers are still stranded at the beach, Parawansa said.&nbsp;

According to data from Whale Stranding Indonesia, there were 59 beaching incidents in the country last year, most of them dugongs and spinner dolphins. &nbsp;

Meanwhile, Israeli officials have said that a dead whale has washed up on a beach south of Tel Aviv.&nbsp;

David Halfon of the Nature and Parks Authority said on Thursday that the animal was a fin whale calf about half the size of an adult, which can grow to more than 20 meters (about 66 feet) long.&nbsp;

He and other officials said it wasn't clear what caused the death, but they said the water nearby is polluted, including with tar.&nbsp;

It's a very sad event, Halfon said of the whale's death and appearance in the Nitzanim Reserve.&nbsp;

Aviad Scheinin of the Morris Kahn Marine Research Station said a team will take samples from the animal to try to determine a cause of death.&nbsp;

Shaul Goldstein, CEO of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, said a tar pollution incident was plaguing area waters in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.&nbsp;

He called for an investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the pollution. A similar whale washed up dead in the area in 2016.&nbsp;

Only three of 45 short-finned pilot whales survived the mass stranding on Friday in shallow waters on Indonesia's Madura Island off the northeastern coast of Java, officials said.

Only three of 45 short-finned pilot whales survived the mass stranding on Friday in shallow waters on Indonesia's Madura Island off the northeastern coast of Java, officials said. The three whales were pushed back to the sea by volunteers and local authorities along the Modung beach in East Java province. East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa said authorities are investigating the cause of death while the carcasses will be buried around the coast. The volunteers, who are helping them to get back to the ocean, said that some whales got back to the coast again as their mothers are still stranded at the beach, Parawansa said. According to data from Whale Stranding Indonesia, there were 59 beaching incidents in the country last year, most of them dugongs and spinner dolphins. Meanwhile, Israeli officials have said that a dead whale has washed up on a beach south of Tel Aviv. David Halfon of the Nature and Parks Authority said on Thursday that the animal was a fin whale calf about half the size of an adult, which can grow to more than 20 meters (about 66 feet) long. He and other officials said it wasn't clear what caused the death, but they said the water nearby is polluted, including with tar. It's a very sad event, Halfon said of the whale's death and appearance in the Nitzanim Reserve. Aviad Scheinin of the Morris Kahn Marine Research Station said a team will take samples from the animal to try to determine a cause of death. Shaul Goldstein, CEO of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, said a tar pollution incident was plaguing area waters in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. He called for an investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the pollution. A similar whale washed up dead in the area in 2016.

Only 3 of 45 pilot whales survive mass stranding in Indonesia

The prosecutor investigating last year's massive blast in Beirut was formally notified on Friday that he would no longer lead an enquiry into last year's deadly port explosion, state-run Lebanon's National News Agency reported.&nbsp;

Thursday's decision by the country's highest court to remove Investigating Judge Fadi Sawwan came after legal challenges by senior officials he had accused of negligence that led to the blast, considered one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in history.&nbsp;

The agency said Sawwan was officially informed about the Court of Cassation's decision after he arrived at his office in Beirut on Friday morning. The court called for a new investigating judge to be appointed to lead the probe, nearly six months after it started.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/heavy-snowfall-hits-syria-lebanon-israel-in-winter-storm-364344">Heavy snowfall hits Syria, Lebanon, Israel in winter storm</a>

The move angered families of the victims of the August 4 blast, some of whom held a protest in Beirut on Thursday. More sit-ins are planned for Friday. The families of the victims said Sawwan was removed as a result of political pressure.&nbsp;

The development is likely to further delay the investigation into the horrific explosion that killed 211 people, wounded over 6,000 and damaged much of Beirut. Families of the victims and survivors have accused the ruling political class of corruption and negligence that led to the explosion of ammonium nitrate, a highly explosive material used in fertilizers that had been stored in the port for years.&nbsp;

The explosion has been one of the most traumatic national experiences the Lebanese have faced. Family members of those killed are sceptical that any investigation into the explosion can be transparent and independent in a country where a culture of impunity has prevailed for decades.&nbsp;

Judge Sawwan had accused and summoned for questioning Lebanon's caretaker prime minister and three former ministers on suspicion of negligence that led to the deadly explosion.&nbsp;

The prosecutor investigating last year's massive blast in Beirut was formally notified on Friday that he would no longer lead an enquiry into last year's deadly port explosion, state-run Lebanon's National News Agency reported.

The prosecutor investigating last year's massive blast in Beirut was formally notified on Friday that he would no longer lead an enquiry into last year's deadly port explosion, state-run Lebanon's National News Agency reported. Thursday's decision by the country's highest court to remove Investigating Judge Fadi Sawwan came after legal challenges by senior officials he had accused of negligence that led to the blast, considered one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in history. The agency said Sawwan was officially informed about the Court of Cassation's decision after he arrived at his office in Beirut on Friday morning. The court called for a new investigating judge to be appointed to lead the probe, nearly six months after it started. Also Read: Heavy snowfall hits Syria, Lebanon, Israel in winter storm The move angered families of the victims of the August 4 blast, some of whom held a protest in Beirut on Thursday. More sit-ins are planned for Friday. The families of the victims said Sawwan was removed as a result of political pressure. The development is likely to further delay the investigation into the horrific explosion that killed 211 people, wounded over 6,000 and damaged much of Beirut. Families of the victims and survivors have accused the ruling political class of corruption and negligence that led to the explosion of ammonium nitrate, a highly explosive material used in fertilizers that had been stored in the port for years. The explosion has been one of the most traumatic national experiences the Lebanese have faced. Family members of those killed are sceptical that any investigation into the explosion can be transparent and independent in a country where a culture of impunity has prevailed for decades. Judge Sawwan had accused and summoned for questioning Lebanon's caretaker prime minister and three former ministers on suspicion of negligence that led to the deadly explosion.

Lebanese port blast investigator removed formally

The United States says it has decided to de-link its suspension of millions of dollars of aid to Ethiopia from that country's dispute with Egypt over a massive hydroelectric dam project.&nbsp;

But the State Department early on Friday said that does not mean all the roughly USD 272 million in security and development assistance will immediately start to flow, and it depends on more recent 'developments', an apparent reference to the deadly conflict in Ethiopia's Tigray region.&nbsp;

The State Department said humanitarian assistance remains exempt from the aid suspension.&nbsp;

It said it has informed Ethiopia's government. A spokeswoman for Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed did not immediately respond to a request for comment.&nbsp;

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&nbsp;

Ethiopians were furious after former President Donald Trump last year directed the suspension of aid to their country in a rare example of his direct involvement in an African issue.&nbsp;

Ethiopia had left a US-led attempt to mediate the dispute with Egypt, alleging bias.&nbsp;

Trump also caused an uproar by saying downstream Egypt would blow up the dam project that Cairo considers an existential threat.&nbsp;

Ethiopia asserts that the US $4.6 billion Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam that it has nearly completed on the Blue Nile River is essential for development and the pulling of millions of people out of poverty. Egypt says it threatens its water supply.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-affirms-support-for-normalisation-of-ties-between-israel-arab-nations-364613">Biden affirms support for normalisation of ties between Israel, Arab nations</a>

Ethiopia is now under pressure from the US and others including the European Union and United Nations over the deadly fighting in its northern Tigray region, where some six million people have been largely cut off from the world since fighting began in November between Ethiopian and allied forces and Tigray ones.&nbsp;

Witness accounts have emerged of massacres, people beginning to starve to death and the presence of thousands of soldiers from neighbouring Eritrea, which Ethiopia's government has denied.&nbsp;

The US has said Eritrean soldiers should immediately leave Ethiopia. And earlier this week, a State Department spokesperson said we remain gravely concerned by the widespread humanitarian suffering and reported human rights abuses in the Tigray region.&nbsp;

The spokesperson urged an immediate end to the fighting in Tigray, full and unhindered humanitarian access, an independent investigation into the human rights violations and abuses and for those responsible to be held accountable.

The United States says it has decided to de-link its suspension of millions of dollars of aid to Ethiopia from that country's dispute with Egypt over a massive hydroelectric dam project.

The United States says it has decided to de-link its suspension of millions of dollars of aid to Ethiopia from that country's dispute with Egypt over a massive hydroelectric dam project. But the State Department early on Friday said that does not mean all the roughly USD 272 million in security and development assistance will immediately start to flow, and it depends on more recent 'developments', an apparent reference to the deadly conflict in Ethiopia's Tigray region. The State Department said humanitarian assistance remains exempt from the aid suspension. It said it has informed Ethiopia's government. A spokeswoman for Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed did not immediately respond to a request for comment. × Ethiopians were furious after former President Donald Trump last year directed the suspension of aid to their country in a rare example of his direct involvement in an African issue. Ethiopia had left a US-led attempt to mediate the dispute with Egypt, alleging bias. Trump also caused an uproar by saying downstream Egypt would blow up the dam project that Cairo considers an existential threat. Ethiopia asserts that the US $4.6 billion Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam that it has nearly completed on the Blue Nile River is essential for development and the pulling of millions of people out of poverty. Egypt says it threatens its water supply. Also Read: Biden affirms support for normalisation of ties between Israel, Arab nations Ethiopia is now under pressure from the US and others including the European Union and United Nations over the deadly fighting in its northern Tigray region, where some six million people have been largely cut off from the world since fighting began in November between Ethiopian and allied forces and Tigray ones. Witness accounts have emerged of massacres, people beginning to starve to death and the presence of thousands of soldiers from neighbouring Eritrea, which Ethiopia's government has denied. The US has said Eritrean soldiers should immediately leave Ethiopia. And earlier this week, a State Department spokesperson said we remain gravely concerned by the widespread humanitarian suffering and reported human rights abuses in the Tigray region. The spokesperson urged an immediate end to the fighting in Tigray, full and unhindered humanitarian access, an independent investigation into the human rights violations and abuses and for those responsible to be held accountable.

US: Aid pause to Ethiopia no longer linked to dam dispute

Malaysia's top court ruled on Friday that a popular online news portal was guilty of contempt for publishing readers' comments that criticised the judiciary, a landmark case slammed by media groups as a clampdown on press freedom.&nbsp;

Attorney General Idrus Harun filed the charges against Malaysiakini and its editor-in-chief Steven Gan over comments made by five readers on the portal last year that he said undermined public confidence in the judiciary.&nbsp;

A seven-member panel in the federal court ruled 6-1 that Malaysiakini was liable for third-party comments but exonerated Gan. It fined Malaysiakini 500,000 ringgit (USD 123,685).&nbsp;

Gan warned the ruling could restrict discussion of issues of public interest.&nbsp;

It will affect not just Malaysiakini. The decision will place an undue burden on media organisations, companies and millions of social media users... It has a chilling effect on freedom of expression in Malaysia," he told reporters.&nbsp;

In an environment where we have a vibrant social media today, it is imperative we explain, we illuminate, we educate... Instead of trying to punish media organisations like Malaysiakini," he said.&nbsp;

Gan also said the hefty fine, more than double what prosecutors sought, was unfair and an attempt to perhaps not just punish us but to shut us down.&nbsp;

Prosecutors have said the portal should be held responsible for publishing the comments. But defence lawyers argued there was no intent of mischief, as the portal was unaware of the comments and had immediately removed them after it was notified by police.&nbsp;

Center for Independent Journalism, a media watchdog, tweeted on Friday that it stands in solidarity with Malaysiakini and strongly condemns efforts by the state to intimidate and threaten media freedom and independence.&nbsp;

Amnesty International Malaysia said it was deeply alarmed by the unprecedented ruling.&nbsp;

Malaysia's top court ruled on Friday that a popular online news portal was guilty of contempt for publishing readers' comments that criticised the judiciary, a landmark case slammed by media groups as a clampdown on press freedom.

Malaysia's top court ruled on Friday that a popular online news portal was guilty of contempt for publishing readers' comments that criticised the judiciary, a landmark case slammed by media groups as a clampdown on press freedom. Attorney General Idrus Harun filed the charges against Malaysiakini and its editor-in-chief Steven Gan over comments made by five readers on the portal last year that he said undermined public confidence in the judiciary. A seven-member panel in the federal court ruled 6-1 that Malaysiakini was liable for third-party comments but exonerated Gan. It fined Malaysiakini 500,000 ringgit (USD 123,685). Gan warned the ruling could restrict discussion of issues of public interest. It will affect not just Malaysiakini. The decision will place an undue burden on media organisations, companies and millions of social media users... It has a chilling effect on freedom of expression in Malaysia," he told reporters. In an environment where we have a vibrant social media today, it is imperative we explain, we illuminate, we educate... Instead of trying to punish media organisations like Malaysiakini," he said. Gan also said the hefty fine, more than double what prosecutors sought, was unfair and an attempt to perhaps not just punish us but to shut us down. Prosecutors have said the portal should be held responsible for publishing the comments. But defence lawyers argued there was no intent of mischief, as the portal was unaware of the comments and had immediately removed them after it was notified by police. Center for Independent Journalism, a media watchdog, tweeted on Friday that it stands in solidarity with Malaysiakini and strongly condemns efforts by the state to intimidate and threaten media freedom and independence. Amnesty International Malaysia said it was deeply alarmed by the unprecedented ruling.

Court finds news portal guilty of contempt over readers' comments in Malaysia

Some of the world's wealthiest countries are promising to share coronavirus vaccines with the poorest, but details of when and how many remain scarce as leaders of the Group of Seven economic powers hold their first meeting of 2021 on Friday.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain, which holds the G-7 presidency this year, is meeting virtually with the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Japan and the United States to discuss international challenges, chief among them the pandemic that has killed almost 2.5 million people around the world.&nbsp;

Wealthy nations have snapped up hundreds of millions of doses of vaccines against the virus, while some countries in the developing world have little or none.&nbsp;

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Johnson, whose country has had almost 120,000 coronavirus deaths, will promise to give the majority of any future surplus vaccines to the UN-backed COVAX effort to vaccinate the world's most vulnerable people, and will encourage other G-7 countries to do the same, the British government said.&nbsp;

But Foreign Office Minister James Cleverly said it was difficult to say with any kind of certainty when or how much Britain could donate.&nbsp;

We're not really able to give with certainty either a timescale or the numbers involved, he told the BBC.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-story-of-vaccine-haves-and-have-nots-364633">The story of vaccine haves and have nots</a>

Anti-poverty group the One Campaign said Britain's promise was not enough.&nbsp;

The virus won't wait on us to be ready before it mutates, so we need to get these vaccines around the world as quickly as possible, said Romilly Greenhill, the group's UK director.&nbsp;

French President Emmanuel Macron gave a firmer target, saying Europe and the US should allocate up to five per cent of their current Covid-19 vaccine supplies to the poorest countries very fast, so that people on the ground see it happening.&nbsp;

Some of the world's wealthiest countries are promising to share coronavirus vaccines with the poorest, but details of when and how many remain scarce as leaders of the Group of Seven economic powers hold their first meeting of 2021 on Friday.

Some of the world's wealthiest countries are promising to share coronavirus vaccines with the poorest, but details of when and how many remain scarce as leaders of the Group of Seven economic powers hold their first meeting of 2021 on Friday. Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain, which holds the G-7 presidency this year, is meeting virtually with the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Japan and the United States to discuss international challenges, chief among them the pandemic that has killed almost 2.5 million people around the world. Wealthy nations have snapped up hundreds of millions of doses of vaccines against the virus, while some countries in the developing world have little or none. × Johnson, whose country has had almost 120,000 coronavirus deaths, will promise to give the majority of any future surplus vaccines to the UN-backed COVAX effort to vaccinate the world's most vulnerable people, and will encourage other G-7 countries to do the same, the British government said. But Foreign Office Minister James Cleverly said it was difficult to say with any kind of certainty when or how much Britain could donate. We're not really able to give with certainty either a timescale or the numbers involved, he told the BBC. Also Read: The story of vaccine haves and have nots Anti-poverty group the One Campaign said Britain's promise was not enough. The virus won't wait on us to be ready before it mutates, so we need to get these vaccines around the world as quickly as possible, said Romilly Greenhill, the group's UK director. French President Emmanuel Macron gave a firmer target, saying Europe and the US should allocate up to five per cent of their current Covid-19 vaccine supplies to the poorest countries very fast, so that people on the ground see it happening.

Britain vows to ‘share’ vaccines with poor nations as G-7 meets

More than four years after ending its controversial one-child policy, China is considering additional measures to increase its flagging birthrate.&nbsp;

For decades, China enforced strict controls on additional births in the name of preserving scarce resources for its burgeoning economy. But its plunging birthrate is now seen as a major threat to economic progress and social stability.&nbsp;

On Thursday, the National Health Commission issued a statement saying it will conduct research to further stimulate birth potential.&nbsp;

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It said the initiative will focus first on northeastern China, the country's former industrial heartland that has seen a major population decline as young people and families depart for better opportunities elsewhere.&nbsp;

Authorities said this week that registered new births fell 15.3 per cent last year to just 10 million.&nbsp;

China abandoned its one-child policy in 2016 to allow families to have an additional child. However, the move had only a temporary effect on the birthrate, with many couples citing the high cost of raising children and other economic and social barriers in deciding not to have more children.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-china-standoff-disengagement-complete-at-pangong-tso-lake-commander-level-talks-on-saturday-364704">India-China disengagement complete at Pangong lake</a>

Experts have been calling for further reforms because of economic concerns and the problem of an aging population.&nbsp;

China had a population of 1.34 billion in 2010 with an annual growth rate of 0.57 per cent, down from 1.07 per cent a decade earlier, statistics bureau data show. The latest census was conducted in the second half of last year and the results have not yet been released.&nbsp;

A UN report says India is projected to overtake China as the world's most populous country by 2027.&nbsp;

More than four years after ending its controversial one-child policy, China is considering additional measures to increase its flagging birthrate. For decades, China enforced strict controls on additional births in the name of preserving scarce resources for its burgeoning economy.

More than four years after ending its controversial one-child policy, China is considering additional measures to increase its flagging birthrate. For decades, China enforced strict controls on additional births in the name of preserving scarce resources for its burgeoning economy. But its plunging birthrate is now seen as a major threat to economic progress and social stability. On Thursday, the National Health Commission issued a statement saying it will conduct research to further stimulate birth potential. × It said the initiative will focus first on northeastern China, the country's former industrial heartland that has seen a major population decline as young people and families depart for better opportunities elsewhere. Authorities said this week that registered new births fell 15.3 per cent last year to just 10 million. China abandoned its one-child policy in 2016 to allow families to have an additional child. However, the move had only a temporary effect on the birthrate, with many couples citing the high cost of raising children and other economic and social barriers in deciding not to have more children. Also Read: India-China disengagement complete at Pangong lake Experts have been calling for further reforms because of economic concerns and the problem of an aging population. China had a population of 1.34 billion in 2010 with an annual growth rate of 0.57 per cent, down from 1.07 per cent a decade earlier, statistics bureau data show. The latest census was conducted in the second half of last year and the results have not yet been released. A UN report says India is projected to overtake China as the world's most populous country by 2027.

China looks for measures to lift flagging birthrate

Nearly a month after coming to office, President Joe Biden on Wednesday (local time) spoke to Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the first time since the inauguration and reiterated the United States' support for the recent normalisation of relations between Israel and countries in the Arab and Muslim world.&nbsp;

During the telephonic conversation, Biden affirmed his personal history of steadfast commitment to Israel's security and conveyed his intent to strengthen all aspects of the US-Israel partnership, including strong defence cooperation, according to an official statement issued by the White House.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-charges-three-north-korean-hackers-in-13-billion-theft-spree-364574">US charges three North Korean hackers in $1.3 billion theft spree</a>

Netanyahu was the first leader in the Middle East to get a call from Biden, according to The Jerusalem Post. During the interaction, both leaders discussed the importance of continued close consultation on regional security issues, including Iran.&nbsp;

"Biden underscored the importance of working to advance peace throughout the region, including between Israelis and Palestinians," the statement said.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bidens-us-immigration-reform-bill-to-be-unveiled-on-thursday-364547">Biden's US immigration reform bill to be unveiled on Thursday</a>

Both leaders also affirmed their shared interest in continued strategic cooperation to confront the many challenges facing the region.&nbsp;

Following the interaction, Biden tweeted, "I spoke today with Israeli PM Netanyahu and affirmed the United States' steadfast commitment to our ally Israel's security. Our teams are in constant touch to strengthen US-Israel strategic cooperation on all regional security issues, including Iran." &nbsp;

Last year on December 16, US President Donald Trump had presided over the signing ceremony at the White House to establish the foundation of the peace agreements between Israel, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. &nbsp;

Nearly a month after coming to office, President Joe Biden on Wednesday (local time) spoke to Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the first time since the inauguration and reiterated the United States' support for the recent normalisation of relations between Israel and countries in the Arab and Muslim world.

Nearly a month after coming to office, President Joe Biden on Wednesday (local time) spoke to Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the first time since the inauguration and reiterated the United States' support for the recent normalisation of relations between Israel and countries in the Arab and Muslim world. During the telephonic conversation, Biden affirmed his personal history of steadfast commitment to Israel's security and conveyed his intent to strengthen all aspects of the US-Israel partnership, including strong defence cooperation, according to an official statement issued by the White House. Also Read: US charges three North Korean hackers in $1.3 billion theft spree Netanyahu was the first leader in the Middle East to get a call from Biden, according to The Jerusalem Post. During the interaction, both leaders discussed the importance of continued close consultation on regional security issues, including Iran. "Biden underscored the importance of working to advance peace throughout the region, including between Israelis and Palestinians," the statement said. Also Read: Biden's US immigration reform bill to be unveiled on Thursday Both leaders also affirmed their shared interest in continued strategic cooperation to confront the many challenges facing the region. Following the interaction, Biden tweeted, "I spoke today with Israeli PM Netanyahu and affirmed the United States' steadfast commitment to our ally Israel's security. Our teams are in constant touch to strengthen US-Israel strategic cooperation on all regional security issues, including Iran." Last year on December 16, US President Donald Trump had presided over the signing ceremony at the White House to establish the foundation of the peace agreements between Israel, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.

Biden affirms support for normalisation of ties between Israel, Arab nations

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