Myanmar teenager Mya Thwate Thwate Khaing, who was supposed to be celebrating her 20th birthday on Thursday, was determined to protest coup when she was shot by police.&nbsp;

Instead, she is now fighting for her life in a hospital in the capital Naypyitaw after she was shot in the head when police cracked down on a protest against the military coup. A hunt is also on by the Facebook and Twitter users to find the shooter.&nbsp;

Myanmar’s army seized power on February 1 and detained elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, ending a long transition towards democracy and bringing tens of thousands of demonstrators onto the streets.&nbsp;

The shooting of the teenager - the first known serious casualty of the protests - has roused anger across the nation and rallied support for the anti-coup movement, many of whose members are part of a Generation Z, who say they refuse to allow another generation to experience military rule.&nbsp;

Mya Thwate Thwate Khaing, a 19-year-old grocery store worker, had traveled with her sisters from a nearby village to Naypyitaw, the army-built capital in the center of the country, for a protest on Tuesday. It was one of dozens in towns and cities across the country.&nbsp;

Police quashed the peaceful protest with water cannon and gunfire. The teenager was struck in the back of the head with a live round as she was fleeing. A doctor from the hospital said, she had lost significant brain function and was not likely to survive.&nbsp;

The shooting has caused outrage across the country and recalled the long history of bloody crackdowns on protest by the security forces in Myanmar. &nbsp;

Protesters draped a massive portrait of her from a bridge in downtown Yangon, the commercial capital, on Wednesday. “Let’s together oppose the dictator who kills the people”, the banner read.

Myanmar teenager Mya Thwate Thwate Khaing, who was supposed to be celebrating her 20th birthday on Thursday, was determined to protest coup when she was shot by police.

Myanmar teenager Mya Thwate Thwate Khaing, who was supposed to be celebrating her 20th birthday on Thursday, was determined to protest coup when she was shot by police. Instead, she is now fighting for her life in a hospital in the capital Naypyitaw after she was shot in the head when police cracked down on a protest against the military coup. A hunt is also on by the Facebook and Twitter users to find the shooter. Myanmar’s army seized power on February 1 and detained elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, ending a long transition towards democracy and bringing tens of thousands of demonstrators onto the streets. The shooting of the teenager - the first known serious casualty of the protests - has roused anger across the nation and rallied support for the anti-coup movement, many of whose members are part of a Generation Z, who say they refuse to allow another generation to experience military rule. Mya Thwate Thwate Khaing, a 19-year-old grocery store worker, had traveled with her sisters from a nearby village to Naypyitaw, the army-built capital in the center of the country, for a protest on Tuesday. It was one of dozens in towns and cities across the country. Police quashed the peaceful protest with water cannon and gunfire. The teenager was struck in the back of the head with a live round as she was fleeing. A doctor from the hospital said, she had lost significant brain function and was not likely to survive. The shooting has caused outrage across the country and recalled the long history of bloody crackdowns on protest by the security forces in Myanmar. Protesters draped a massive portrait of her from a bridge in downtown Yangon, the commercial capital, on Wednesday. “Let’s together oppose the dictator who kills the people”, the banner read.

Face of protest in Myanmar: Social media users launch hunt for girl’s shooter

In an appeal hearing to begin on Thursday, Denmark's top court will be asked to decide if coughing at someone while shouting 'corona' constitutes threatening behaviour. &nbsp;

The 20-year-old defendant in the case was arrested in March, when the country was under a full coronavirus lockdown, after subjecting police to what prosecutors called the 'ruthless and thoughtless' actions during a routine traffic stop. He subsequently tested negative for Covid-19.&nbsp;

First acquitted in a local court, he was later convicted of the offence at Denmark's Western High Court and, at his Supreme Court appeal against that conviction, prosecutors are seeking jail term of three to five months. The Supreme Court is expected to give its verdict in the coughing case on February 18.&nbsp;

Other similar incidents of coughing directed at police were reported in Denmark last year, in part a reflection of simmering public discontent in some quarters against the government's handling of the Covid-19 crisis.&nbsp;

The government, which says it follows a 'precautionary principle' in managing the virus, enjoyed almost unequivocal public support for swift action against Covid-19 early last year.&nbsp;

But opposition parties have begun to question what some consider an overly cautious approach as infection rates fall, and 30 per cent of Danes now think, the government's measures are too far-reaching, according to a recent Aarhus University study.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen this week said lifting the lockdown required 'complete epidemic control'.&nbsp;

In recent months, thousands have taken to the streets in protests, some violent, calling for authorities to ease lockdown curbs which they say limit their freedom and are crippling businesses.&nbsp;

Virologists, health authorities and the government have defended the current curbs - which have locked down most of the county apart from essential shops - as vital to contain more infectious coronavirus variants, notably ones first identified in Britain and South Africa, that have reached Denmark.

In an appeal hearing to begin on Thursday, Denmark's top court will be asked to decide if coughing at someone while shouting 'corona' constitutes threatening behaviour.

In an appeal hearing to begin on Thursday, Denmark's top court will be asked to decide if coughing at someone while shouting 'corona' constitutes threatening behaviour. The 20-year-old defendant in the case was arrested in March, when the country was under a full coronavirus lockdown, after subjecting police to what prosecutors called the 'ruthless and thoughtless' actions during a routine traffic stop. He subsequently tested negative for Covid-19. First acquitted in a local court, he was later convicted of the offence at Denmark's Western High Court and, at his Supreme Court appeal against that conviction, prosecutors are seeking jail term of three to five months. The Supreme Court is expected to give its verdict in the coughing case on February 18. Other similar incidents of coughing directed at police were reported in Denmark last year, in part a reflection of simmering public discontent in some quarters against the government's handling of the Covid-19 crisis. The government, which says it follows a 'precautionary principle' in managing the virus, enjoyed almost unequivocal public support for swift action against Covid-19 early last year. But opposition parties have begun to question what some consider an overly cautious approach as infection rates fall, and 30 per cent of Danes now think, the government's measures are too far-reaching, according to a recent Aarhus University study. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen this week said lifting the lockdown required 'complete epidemic control'. In recent months, thousands have taken to the streets in protests, some violent, calling for authorities to ease lockdown curbs which they say limit their freedom and are crippling businesses. Virologists, health authorities and the government have defended the current curbs - which have locked down most of the county apart from essential shops - as vital to contain more infectious coronavirus variants, notably ones first identified in Britain and South Africa, that have reached Denmark.

Danish top court to decide if coughing a crime in pandemic

In the latest clashes to mark the country's political crisis, Haitian police fired tear gas on hundreds of protesters, who were marching against President Jovenel Moise, in Port-au-Prince on Wednesday, and attacked journalists covering the demonstration. &nbsp;

The protesters accuse Moise of illegally extending his term in office. Moise says it lasts until February 2022 -- but the opposition argues it should have ended last weekend, in a standoff over disputed elections. &nbsp;

Police moved to violently clear the demonstration, and on several occasions were seen directly targeting clearly identified members of the press. &nbsp;

"Their job is to shoot the activists, throwing gas on all the press," said protester Senat Andre Dufot. &nbsp;&nbsp;

"We all noticed that they put a tear gas canister in the back of the pickup of the TV Pacific car," he said, referring to a Haitian media outlet vehicle, while clutching a copy of the country's constitution in his hand. &nbsp;&nbsp;

In a statement, the Association of Haitian Journalists then called on the Haitian National Police authorities to conduct an investigation to identify the perpetrators of these abuses so that they can be held accountable for their actions. &nbsp;

Officials loyal to Moise claimed on Sunday they had foiled an attempt to murder him and overthrow the government in a coup. Police arrested 23 people, including Haitian Supreme Court judge Yvickel Dieujuste Dabresil, accusing them of an 'attempted coup’. &nbsp;

And on Tuesday, Moise tried to force out three judges, including Dabresil, who were proposed as potential interim national leaders to replace him. &nbsp;

Dabresil was released on Wednesday from prison on the outskirts of the Haitian capital but remains under judicial supervision, according to his lawyers. However, human rights activist Marie-Yolene Gilles of the Je Klere Foundation later said the judge remained in prison. &nbsp;

"When there are opponents fighting, the best way to eliminate them was to accuse them of fomenting a coup," another protester, Ebens Cadet, said on Wednesday. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The decree appeared to be contrary to the constitution and Haitian law. &nbsp;

The United States had backed Moise's stance, and he appears to have retained control of the Caribbean island nation. &nbsp;

But in a statement on Twitter posted on Tuesday, the US embassy in Port-au-Prince said it was "deeply concerned about any actions that risk damaging Haiti's democratic institutions."

In the latest clashes to mark the country's political crisis, Haitian police fired tear gas on hundreds of protesters, who were marching against President Jovenel Moise, in Port-au-Prince on Wednesday, and attacked journalists covering the demonstration.

In the latest clashes to mark the country's political crisis, Haitian police fired tear gas on hundreds of protesters, who were marching against President Jovenel Moise, in Port-au-Prince on Wednesday, and attacked journalists covering the demonstration. The protesters accuse Moise of illegally extending his term in office. Moise says it lasts until February 2022 -- but the opposition argues it should have ended last weekend, in a standoff over disputed elections. Police moved to violently clear the demonstration, and on several occasions were seen directly targeting clearly identified members of the press. "Their job is to shoot the activists, throwing gas on all the press," said protester Senat Andre Dufot. "We all noticed that they put a tear gas canister in the back of the pickup of the TV Pacific car," he said, referring to a Haitian media outlet vehicle, while clutching a copy of the country's constitution in his hand. In a statement, the Association of Haitian Journalists then called on the Haitian National Police authorities to conduct an investigation to identify the perpetrators of these abuses so that they can be held accountable for their actions. Officials loyal to Moise claimed on Sunday they had foiled an attempt to murder him and overthrow the government in a coup. Police arrested 23 people, including Haitian Supreme Court judge Yvickel Dieujuste Dabresil, accusing them of an 'attempted coup’. And on Tuesday, Moise tried to force out three judges, including Dabresil, who were proposed as potential interim national leaders to replace him. Dabresil was released on Wednesday from prison on the outskirts of the Haitian capital but remains under judicial supervision, according to his lawyers. However, human rights activist Marie-Yolene Gilles of the Je Klere Foundation later said the judge remained in prison. "When there are opponents fighting, the best way to eliminate them was to accuse them of fomenting a coup," another protester, Ebens Cadet, said on Wednesday. The decree appeared to be contrary to the constitution and Haitian law. The United States had backed Moise's stance, and he appears to have retained control of the Caribbean island nation. But in a statement on Twitter posted on Tuesday, the US embassy in Port-au-Prince said it was "deeply concerned about any actions that risk damaging Haiti's democratic institutions."

Cops shoot tear gas on protesters in Haiti

Ukraine has banned coronavirus vaccines produced by rival Russia despite struggles to launch its vaccination campaign.&nbsp;

A resolution passed by the government on February 8 and posted on its website on Wednesday banned the registration of vaccines from 'aggressor states', a designation Ukraine has applied to Russia since 2015.&nbsp;

Ukraine's pro-Western leadership has repeatedly rejected calls from pro-Moscow politicians to approve Russia's Sputnik V jab, denouncing the vaccine as a geopolitical tool.&nbsp;

Ukraine has been fighting separatists backed by Russia in its Donetsk and Lugansk regions since 2014 following Moscow's annexation of the Crimean Peninsula.&nbsp;

The ban on Russian vaccines came despite criticism of President Volodymyr Zelensky for failing to source Western-made jabs. Not a single dose of any vaccine has yet arrived in the ex-Soviet country.&nbsp;

Zelensky said this week that Ukraine, one of the poorest countries in Europe, would begin the first phase of the vaccination campaign later this month.&nbsp;

The country of some 40 million is awaiting delivery of eight million doses promised under the United Nations' Covax programme and up to five million doses of the Chinese CoronaVac jab.&nbsp;

It has also secured 12 million doses of vaccines developed by AstraZeneca and Novavax, but that is still not enough to meet the country's needs.&nbsp;

On Wednesday, Ukraine said it launched an investigation into the country's purchasing of coronavirus vaccines, highlighting the country's struggle to end systemic graft.&nbsp;

Sputnik V has, meanwhile, been rolled out in the breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine that are controlled by Kremlin-backed separatists.&nbsp;

Ukraine has recorded more than 1.2 million coronavirus cases and more than 24,000 deaths.&nbsp;

Ukraine has banned coronavirus vaccines produced by rival Russia despite struggles to launch its vaccination campaign. A resolution passed by the government on February 8 and posted on its website on Wednesday banned the registration of vaccines from 'aggressor states', a designation Ukraine has applied to Russia since 2015.

Ukraine has banned coronavirus vaccines produced by rival Russia despite struggles to launch its vaccination campaign. A resolution passed by the government on February 8 and posted on its website on Wednesday banned the registration of vaccines from 'aggressor states', a designation Ukraine has applied to Russia since 2015. Ukraine's pro-Western leadership has repeatedly rejected calls from pro-Moscow politicians to approve Russia's Sputnik V jab, denouncing the vaccine as a geopolitical tool. Ukraine has been fighting separatists backed by Russia in its Donetsk and Lugansk regions since 2014 following Moscow's annexation of the Crimean Peninsula. The ban on Russian vaccines came despite criticism of President Volodymyr Zelensky for failing to source Western-made jabs. Not a single dose of any vaccine has yet arrived in the ex-Soviet country. Zelensky said this week that Ukraine, one of the poorest countries in Europe, would begin the first phase of the vaccination campaign later this month. The country of some 40 million is awaiting delivery of eight million doses promised under the United Nations' Covax programme and up to five million doses of the Chinese CoronaVac jab. It has also secured 12 million doses of vaccines developed by AstraZeneca and Novavax, but that is still not enough to meet the country's needs. On Wednesday, Ukraine said it launched an investigation into the country's purchasing of coronavirus vaccines, highlighting the country's struggle to end systemic graft. Sputnik V has, meanwhile, been rolled out in the breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine that are controlled by Kremlin-backed separatists. Ukraine has recorded more than 1.2 million coronavirus cases and more than 24,000 deaths.

Ukraine bans Covid-19 vaccines from 'aggressor' Russia

For most of the world, 2020 will go down in the record books as one of the worst years in global history.&nbsp;

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, nearly two million people died, tens of millions lost their jobs and countless faced unprecedented disruption to their daily lives. But it was also a very profitable year for the elite few financial executives betting on the health of the global economy.&nbsp;

In total, the world’s top 15 hedge fund managers earnt $23.2bn (£16.9bn) collectively last year. It is more than the gross domestic product of Iceland or Zambia.&nbsp;

According to a Bloomberg analysis of regulatory filings, Chase Coleman III, the best performing hedge fund manager and Tiger Global Management (TGM) founder, was reported to have made $3bn in performance management fees and gains on personal investment in the fund.&nbsp;

According to the International Monetary Fund, Coleman’s personal pay in 2020 was more than the GDP of dozens of countries including Gambia, Bhutan and Eritrea. &nbsp;

It seems to be the biggest single year’s pay for anyone since another hedge fund manager, John Paulson, made $5bn in 2010, betting on the recovery of the economy after the financial crisis.&nbsp;

According to estimates by Forbes magazine, Coleman’s $3bn adds to the $4.5bn fortune, he had already amassed. It had ranked him as the 458th richest person in the world.&nbsp;

By investing heavily in tech stocks including PayPal, Google-owner Alphabet, the fitness bike company Peloton and the remote-working winners, Zoom and Slack, Coleman and his TGM fund made a lot of money. Coleman was also an early investor in Facebook, which made his fund nearly $1bn.&nbsp;

For most of the world, 2020 will go down in the record books as one of the worst years in global history. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, nearly two million people died, tens of millions lost their jobs and countless faced unprecedented disruption to their daily lives.

For most of the world, 2020 will go down in the record books as one of the worst years in global history. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, nearly two million people died, tens of millions lost their jobs and countless faced unprecedented disruption to their daily lives. But it was also a very profitable year for the elite few financial executives betting on the health of the global economy. In total, the world’s top 15 hedge fund managers earnt $23.2bn (£16.9bn) collectively last year. It is more than the gross domestic product of Iceland or Zambia. According to a Bloomberg analysis of regulatory filings, Chase Coleman III, the best performing hedge fund manager and Tiger Global Management (TGM) founder, was reported to have made $3bn in performance management fees and gains on personal investment in the fund. According to the International Monetary Fund, Coleman’s personal pay in 2020 was more than the GDP of dozens of countries including Gambia, Bhutan and Eritrea. It seems to be the biggest single year’s pay for anyone since another hedge fund manager, John Paulson, made $5bn in 2010, betting on the recovery of the economy after the financial crisis. According to estimates by Forbes magazine, Coleman’s $3bn adds to the $4.5bn fortune, he had already amassed. It had ranked him as the 458th richest person in the world. By investing heavily in tech stocks including PayPal, Google-owner Alphabet, the fitness bike company Peloton and the remote-working winners, Zoom and Slack, Coleman and his TGM fund made a lot of money. Coleman was also an early investor in Facebook, which made his fund nearly $1bn.

Top 15 hedge fund managers earn $23.2bn in 2020, more than Iceland’s GDP

Appearing to reject an offer by Turkey to avoid sanctions, the United States renewed its call on Ankara to get rid of an advanced Russian air defense system on Wednesday. &nbsp;

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar in an interview this week proposed a compromise in which the NATO ally does not fully deploy the S-400s, which Russia originally built to target Western jets. &nbsp;

"Our policy vis-a-vis the S-400s has not changed," State Department spokesman Ned Price said, when asked about the Turkish proposal. &nbsp;

"Russian S-400s are incompatible with NATO equipment, they threaten the security of NATO technology and they are inconsistent with Turkey's commitments as a NATO ally," he told reporters. &nbsp;

“We have and continue to urge Turkey not to retain this system." &nbsp;

Akar drew a parallel to historic rival Greece, which bought Russia's older S-300 system after Turkish threats to attack Cyprus but did not make them fully operational. &nbsp;

US officials downplayed the parallel, saying the S-400 was a more advanced system. &nbsp;

Turkey went ahead with the purchase despite warnings from the United States, which under former president Donald Trump booted Ankara from the F-35 fighter jet programme and imposed sanctions on Turkey's military procurement agency. &nbsp;

President Joe Biden before the election vowed to toughen the US stance on Turkey's president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whom he has described as an autocrat. &nbsp;

The Biden administration has already spoken out on its concerns over detentions and homophobic comments as Turkish authorities crack down on student demonstrators. &nbsp;

Appearing to reject an offer by Turkey to avoid sanctions, the United States renewed its call on Ankara to get rid of an advanced Russian air defense system on Wednesday.

Appearing to reject an offer by Turkey to avoid sanctions, the United States renewed its call on Ankara to get rid of an advanced Russian air defense system on Wednesday. Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar in an interview this week proposed a compromise in which the NATO ally does not fully deploy the S-400s, which Russia originally built to target Western jets. "Our policy vis-a-vis the S-400s has not changed," State Department spokesman Ned Price said, when asked about the Turkish proposal. "Russian S-400s are incompatible with NATO equipment, they threaten the security of NATO technology and they are inconsistent with Turkey's commitments as a NATO ally," he told reporters. “We have and continue to urge Turkey not to retain this system." Akar drew a parallel to historic rival Greece, which bought Russia's older S-300 system after Turkish threats to attack Cyprus but did not make them fully operational. US officials downplayed the parallel, saying the S-400 was a more advanced system. Turkey went ahead with the purchase despite warnings from the United States, which under former president Donald Trump booted Ankara from the F-35 fighter jet programme and imposed sanctions on Turkey's military procurement agency. President Joe Biden before the election vowed to toughen the US stance on Turkey's president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whom he has described as an autocrat. The Biden administration has already spoken out on its concerns over detentions and homophobic comments as Turkish authorities crack down on student demonstrators.

Dump Russian missile system, US tells Turkey again

After more than 17,000 years of silence and decades forgotten in a French museum, a shell fashioned into a horn by our prehistoric ancestors has been played again as a result of new research published on Wednesday. &nbsp;

Scientists believe the ancient conch, from a species of large sea snail still present in the Atlantic and North Sea, is the oldest wind instrument of its type yet found. &nbsp;

The shell was unearthed in 1931 at an archaeological dig in the Pyrenees near the mouth of the Marsoulas Cave, whose walls are painted with the artwork of Magdalenian people living there at the end of the last ice age. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Scientists initially thought it bore no trace of human modification, assuming it was a type of ceremonial drinking cup. &nbsp;

It was taken to the Museum of Natural History in Toulouse and forgotten. &nbsp; &nbsp;

But a new examination using modern technology found not only that it had been altered, but that it could still hold a note.&nbsp;

Or three, as it turned out. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Played by a musician, it had tones close to C, C sharp and D. And it boomed at a resounding 100 decibels a metre from the conch. &nbsp; &nbsp;

"This sound is a link, a direct link with Magdalenian people," said Carole Fritz, lead author of the study and a senior scientist at the French National Centre for Scientific Research. &nbsp;&nbsp;

She said it was "very important because you have the sea in the cave", adding the shell was from the Atlantic, some 200 kilometres from the cave. &nbsp;

Instruments older than the conch have been found -- flutes whittled from the bones of large birds like swans and eagles -- but the researchers said this was the oldest shell horn, symbolising the importance of the ocean to Magdalenian people. &nbsp;

The study, published in Science Advances, said radio-carbon dating of items at the cave suggest it was occupied around 18,000 years ago.&nbsp;

After more than 17,000 years of silence and decades forgotten in a French museum, a shell fashioned into a horn by our prehistoric ancestors has been played again as a result of new research published on Wednesday.

After more than 17,000 years of silence and decades forgotten in a French museum, a shell fashioned into a horn by our prehistoric ancestors has been played again as a result of new research published on Wednesday. Scientists believe the ancient conch, from a species of large sea snail still present in the Atlantic and North Sea, is the oldest wind instrument of its type yet found. The shell was unearthed in 1931 at an archaeological dig in the Pyrenees near the mouth of the Marsoulas Cave, whose walls are painted with the artwork of Magdalenian people living there at the end of the last ice age. Scientists initially thought it bore no trace of human modification, assuming it was a type of ceremonial drinking cup. It was taken to the Museum of Natural History in Toulouse and forgotten. But a new examination using modern technology found not only that it had been altered, but that it could still hold a note. Or three, as it turned out. Played by a musician, it had tones close to C, C sharp and D. And it boomed at a resounding 100 decibels a metre from the conch. "This sound is a link, a direct link with Magdalenian people," said Carole Fritz, lead author of the study and a senior scientist at the French National Centre for Scientific Research. She said it was "very important because you have the sea in the cave", adding the shell was from the Atlantic, some 200 kilometres from the cave. Instruments older than the conch have been found -- flutes whittled from the bones of large birds like swans and eagles -- but the researchers said this was the oldest shell horn, symbolising the importance of the ocean to Magdalenian people. The study, published in Science Advances, said radio-carbon dating of items at the cave suggest it was occupied around 18,000 years ago.

Oldest shell horn played for first time after 17,000 years

Poor maintenance and subsequent failure of the protection system in the national grid led to one of the worst power outages faced by Pakistan last week, the Dawn reported on Monday.&nbsp;

The newspaper reported that senior officers held detailed discussions after many cities and towns across Pakistan plunged into darkness on Saturday night, following a major technical fault in the country's power generation and distribution system.&nbsp;

The officials admitted that the blackout had exposed the mismanagement on the part of the government in running the entire power sector of the country on an ad hoc basis, it said.&nbsp;

The chief executive officers of all the three key companies concerned, the Central Power Generation Company-Guddu, the National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC) and the National Power Control Centre (NPCC), have been working on ad hoc or acting charge basis for years.&nbsp;

The Central Power Generation Company (CPGC) runs the Guddu Power Station where the initial technical fault was reported to have taken place, leading to Karachi, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Islamabad, Multan and other places facing the blackout.&nbsp;

The NTDC operates the country's national grid, whose protection system should have reacted to the Guddu station's tripping and isolated the fault. It’s system, meant to stop the transmission frequency from dropping, apparently did not work resulting in the cascading closure of all the power plants across the country in a matter of seconds.&nbsp;

The NPCC monitors the flow of electricity from power plants to various distribution companies (Discos). It has to manage supply systems for proper load and frequency balancing.&nbsp;

Even the Discos are working without regular chief executive officers for more than two and a half years, the newspaper said.&nbsp;

The NTDC is without a regular chief executive officer since July 2017 while NPCC has not seen a full-time CEO for more than a decade. The NPCC chief, working on a temporary basis, was hired last year from the private sector.&nbsp;

Poor maintenance and subsequent failure of the protection system in the national grid led to one of the worst power outages faced by Pakistan last week, the Dawn reported on Monday.

Poor maintenance and subsequent failure of the protection system in the national grid led to one of the worst power outages faced by Pakistan last week, the Dawn reported on Monday. The newspaper reported that senior officers held detailed discussions after many cities and towns across Pakistan plunged into darkness on Saturday night, following a major technical fault in the country's power generation and distribution system. The officials admitted that the blackout had exposed the mismanagement on the part of the government in running the entire power sector of the country on an ad hoc basis, it said. The chief executive officers of all the three key companies concerned, the Central Power Generation Company-Guddu, the National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC) and the National Power Control Centre (NPCC), have been working on ad hoc or acting charge basis for years. The Central Power Generation Company (CPGC) runs the Guddu Power Station where the initial technical fault was reported to have taken place, leading to Karachi, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Islamabad, Multan and other places facing the blackout. The NTDC operates the country's national grid, whose protection system should have reacted to the Guddu station's tripping and isolated the fault. It’s system, meant to stop the transmission frequency from dropping, apparently did not work resulting in the cascading closure of all the power plants across the country in a matter of seconds. The NPCC monitors the flow of electricity from power plants to various distribution companies (Discos). It has to manage supply systems for proper load and frequency balancing. Even the Discos are working without regular chief executive officers for more than two and a half years, the newspaper said. The NTDC is without a regular chief executive officer since July 2017 while NPCC has not seen a full-time CEO for more than a decade. The NPCC chief, working on a temporary basis, was hired last year from the private sector.

Failure of safeguards led to power outage in Pakistan

In a week, Libya has rescued more than 1,500 would-be migrants off its west coast, a non-governmental organisation said.&nbsp;

"The Libyan coastguard has conducted several rescue operations from a week ago until (Wednesday) and rescued about 1,500 people," Adel al-Idrissi from the International Rescue Committee said.&nbsp;

On Wednesday alone, 240 African migrants were rescued from two boats off the port city of Al-Khums, said Lieutenant-Colonel Mohammed Abdel Aali of the coastguard.&nbsp;

"We encountered difficulties in getting the (migrants from the first boat) on board, but the second group showed less opposition," he said.&nbsp;

Migrants intercepted off the Libyan coast object to being returned to the country, preferring to wait for humanitarian rescue ships.&nbsp;

Despite unabated violence in Libya since the fall of Moamer Kadhafi's regime in 2011, the country remains an important transit point for migrants fleeing instability in other parts of Africa and the Middle East and seeking to reach Europe.&nbsp;

International agencies frequently denounce the return to Libya of migrants intercepted at sea due to the chaotic situation in the country and poor conditions in detention centres.&nbsp;

Veronica Alfonsi, a spokeswoman for the Spanish aid ship Open Arms, confirmed on Wednesday that around 200 people had been returned to Libya.&nbsp;

"Men, women and children taken back to Libya against their will," the charity's founder Oscar Camps said on Twitter.&nbsp;

More than 1,200 migrants and asylum-seekers died while crossing the Mediterranean in 2020, according to the International Organization for Migration.

In a week, Libya has rescued more than 1,500 would-be migrants off its west coast, a non-governmental organisation said. "The Libyan coastguard has conducted several rescue operations from a week ago until (Wednesday) and rescued about 1,500 people," Adel al-Idrissi from the International Rescue Committee said.

In a week, Libya has rescued more than 1,500 would-be migrants off its west coast, a non-governmental organisation said. "The Libyan coastguard has conducted several rescue operations from a week ago until (Wednesday) and rescued about 1,500 people," Adel al-Idrissi from the International Rescue Committee said. On Wednesday alone, 240 African migrants were rescued from two boats off the port city of Al-Khums, said Lieutenant-Colonel Mohammed Abdel Aali of the coastguard. "We encountered difficulties in getting the (migrants from the first boat) on board, but the second group showed less opposition," he said. Migrants intercepted off the Libyan coast object to being returned to the country, preferring to wait for humanitarian rescue ships. Despite unabated violence in Libya since the fall of Moamer Kadhafi's regime in 2011, the country remains an important transit point for migrants fleeing instability in other parts of Africa and the Middle East and seeking to reach Europe. International agencies frequently denounce the return to Libya of migrants intercepted at sea due to the chaotic situation in the country and poor conditions in detention centres. Veronica Alfonsi, a spokeswoman for the Spanish aid ship Open Arms, confirmed on Wednesday that around 200 people had been returned to Libya. "Men, women and children taken back to Libya against their will," the charity's founder Oscar Camps said on Twitter. More than 1,200 migrants and asylum-seekers died while crossing the Mediterranean in 2020, according to the International Organization for Migration.

Over 1,500 migrants ‘rescued’ off Libya coast in week

President Joe Biden's administration has asked a US federal court to pause proceedings aimed at banning TikTok to allow for a fresh review of the national security threat from the popular Chinese-owned video app.&nbsp;

The filing in a federal appeals court said the new administration had begun a review and would not for the moment press for a ban of the mobile app as sought by former president Donald Trump.&nbsp;

The filing said the Commerce Department 'plans to conduct an evaluation of the underlying record justifying those prohibitions' sought by the previous administration of Donald Trump, which claimed TikTok posed a national security threat because of its links to the Chinese government.&nbsp;

After the new review, the administration 'will then be better positioned to determine whether the national security threat' from TikTok.&nbsp;

"The Department of Commerce remains committed to a robust defense of national security as well as ensuring the viability of our economy and preserving individual rights and data privacy," the filing said.&nbsp;

The Trump administration move to ban downloads of TikTok and its presence on online networks had been stalled amid legal challenges.&nbsp;

In a related development, the Wall Street Journal reported the Biden administration has also put on hold a plan to force the sale of TikTok to American investors.&nbsp;

The Journal, citing unnamed sources, said the Biden White House had indefinitely shelved the plan to require the sale of TikTok, owned by China's ByteDance, to US tech giant Oracle with Walmart as a partner.&nbsp;

The Journal said the new administration is in the midst of a review of data security and ways to prevent the information TikTok collects on American users from being accessed by the Chinese government, but that there would be no imminent move to force the sale.

President Joe Biden's administration has asked a US federal court to pause proceedings aimed at banning TikTok to allow for a fresh review of the national security threat from the popular Chinese-owned video app.

President Joe Biden's administration has asked a US federal court to pause proceedings aimed at banning TikTok to allow for a fresh review of the national security threat from the popular Chinese-owned video app. The filing in a federal appeals court said the new administration had begun a review and would not for the moment press for a ban of the mobile app as sought by former president Donald Trump. The filing said the Commerce Department 'plans to conduct an evaluation of the underlying record justifying those prohibitions' sought by the previous administration of Donald Trump, which claimed TikTok posed a national security threat because of its links to the Chinese government. After the new review, the administration 'will then be better positioned to determine whether the national security threat' from TikTok. "The Department of Commerce remains committed to a robust defense of national security as well as ensuring the viability of our economy and preserving individual rights and data privacy," the filing said. The Trump administration move to ban downloads of TikTok and its presence on online networks had been stalled amid legal challenges. In a related development, the Wall Street Journal reported the Biden administration has also put on hold a plan to force the sale of TikTok to American investors. The Journal, citing unnamed sources, said the Biden White House had indefinitely shelved the plan to require the sale of TikTok, owned by China's ByteDance, to US tech giant Oracle with Walmart as a partner. The Journal said the new administration is in the midst of a review of data security and ways to prevent the information TikTok collects on American users from being accessed by the Chinese government, but that there would be no imminent move to force the sale.

Biden team asks court to pause move to ban TikTok as US reviews security

Come Valentine's Day, lovers across Bangkok will be heartbroken as city officials have declared on Wednesday that all of the Thai capital's 50 districts will be banned from issuing marriage licenses. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The holiday, immensely popular across the kingdom, is also typically considered an auspicious day for couples to tie the knot resulting in large queues at marriage registration offices across the city. &nbsp;

The most popular district is Bang Rak, which translates as 'district of love' in Thai. &nbsp;

But the hopes of eager-to-wed couples have been dashed. &nbsp;

"Bangkok's 50 district offices will refrain from providing marriage license registration service on this Valentine's Day," Thailand's Public Relations Department said on Twitter. &nbsp;&nbsp;

"The cancellation aims to prevent the spread of #Covid19." &nbsp;&nbsp;

The announcement also said Chinese New Year festival, which usually involves a raucous parade in Bangkok's Chinatown, will not go on. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Last year, Bang Rak district had scores of couples dressed in matching outfits or formal wear lining up before dawn to register for licenses, helped by pink-shirted civil servants wearing 'love' headbands. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Little fanfare has been made among the city's malls and businesses compared to previous years, though that hasn't stopped some restaurants for punting out Valentine's Day-themed meal offerings. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Burger King Thailand has debuted 'Black and Pink burgers' for Valentine's Day, featuring a pink salmon patty with rose-colour buns. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Last year, Thailand was faring well in handling the pandemic but infections have climbed to more than 23,000 cases after a new wave hit in December. &nbsp;

This has led to a partial lockdown in Bangkok, with authorities banning bars and alcohol sales in restaurants.

Come Valentine's Day, lovers across Bangkok will be heartbroken as city officials have declared on Wednesday that all of the Thai capital's 50 districts will be banned from issuing marriage licenses.

Come Valentine's Day, lovers across Bangkok will be heartbroken as city officials have declared on Wednesday that all of the Thai capital's 50 districts will be banned from issuing marriage licenses. The holiday, immensely popular across the kingdom, is also typically considered an auspicious day for couples to tie the knot resulting in large queues at marriage registration offices across the city. The most popular district is Bang Rak, which translates as 'district of love' in Thai. But the hopes of eager-to-wed couples have been dashed. "Bangkok's 50 district offices will refrain from providing marriage license registration service on this Valentine's Day," Thailand's Public Relations Department said on Twitter. "The cancellation aims to prevent the spread of #Covid19." The announcement also said Chinese New Year festival, which usually involves a raucous parade in Bangkok's Chinatown, will not go on. Last year, Bang Rak district had scores of couples dressed in matching outfits or formal wear lining up before dawn to register for licenses, helped by pink-shirted civil servants wearing 'love' headbands. Little fanfare has been made among the city's malls and businesses compared to previous years, though that hasn't stopped some restaurants for punting out Valentine's Day-themed meal offerings. Burger King Thailand has debuted 'Black and Pink burgers' for Valentine's Day, featuring a pink salmon patty with rose-colour buns. Last year, Thailand was faring well in handling the pandemic but infections have climbed to more than 23,000 cases after a new wave hit in December. This has led to a partial lockdown in Bangkok, with authorities banning bars and alcohol sales in restaurants.

Covid Cupid shoots down Valentine's Day marriages in Bangkok

After Russia rebuffed his attempts to renew a dialogue, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Tuesday, he will propose the bloc's 27 member states to impose sanctions on Moscow. &nbsp; &nbsp;

"It will be for the member states to decide the next step, but yes, this could include sanctions and I will put forward concrete proposals," Borrell told lawmakers at the European Parliament. &nbsp;&nbsp;

A number of eastern European countries have called for punitive measures to be slapped on Russia over the jailing of top Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny and a crackdown on protesters. &nbsp;&nbsp;

EU foreign ministers are set to discuss the issue at their next meeting on February 22. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Borrell addressed legislators after a chastening visit to Russia last week, during which the Kremlin expelled three European diplomats. &nbsp;

Despite opposition from some capitals, the former Spanish minister insisted on making the trip to confront the Kremlin over Navalny and sound it out over cooperation on other issues. &nbsp;&nbsp;

"I had no illusion before the visit, I am even more worried after," Borrell told lawmakers. &nbsp;&nbsp;

"One thing became clear, there is no intention on the Russian side to engage in a constructive discussion if we address human rights and political freedom." &nbsp;&nbsp;

Borrell has drawn flak for his performance during the visit -- the first by a top EU envoy to Moscow since 2017 -- as he failed to counter a slew of criticism from counterpart Sergei Lavrov at a press conference. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Dozens of lawmakers signed a letter calling for his resignation over the 'humiliating' trip. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The EU's relations with Moscow have been in the doldrums since the Kremlin annexed Crimea in 2014 and began fuelling the war in Ukraine. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The bloc hit six senior Russian officials with asset freezes and visa bans in October over the poisoning of Navalny with a nerve agent. &nbsp;

Navalny has accused the President Vladimir Putin of ordering the attack -- something the Kremlin has repeatedly denied. &nbsp;

Putin's most prominent domestic opponent was sentenced to almost three years in jail after returning to Russia last month following treatment in Germany.

After Russia rebuffed his attempts to renew a dialogue, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Tuesday, he will propose the bloc's 27 member states to impose sanctions on Moscow.

After Russia rebuffed his attempts to renew a dialogue, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Tuesday, he will propose the bloc's 27 member states to impose sanctions on Moscow. "It will be for the member states to decide the next step, but yes, this could include sanctions and I will put forward concrete proposals," Borrell told lawmakers at the European Parliament. A number of eastern European countries have called for punitive measures to be slapped on Russia over the jailing of top Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny and a crackdown on protesters. EU foreign ministers are set to discuss the issue at their next meeting on February 22. Borrell addressed legislators after a chastening visit to Russia last week, during which the Kremlin expelled three European diplomats. Despite opposition from some capitals, the former Spanish minister insisted on making the trip to confront the Kremlin over Navalny and sound it out over cooperation on other issues. "I had no illusion before the visit, I am even more worried after," Borrell told lawmakers. "One thing became clear, there is no intention on the Russian side to engage in a constructive discussion if we address human rights and political freedom." Borrell has drawn flak for his performance during the visit -- the first by a top EU envoy to Moscow since 2017 -- as he failed to counter a slew of criticism from counterpart Sergei Lavrov at a press conference. Dozens of lawmakers signed a letter calling for his resignation over the 'humiliating' trip. The EU's relations with Moscow have been in the doldrums since the Kremlin annexed Crimea in 2014 and began fuelling the war in Ukraine. The bloc hit six senior Russian officials with asset freezes and visa bans in October over the poisoning of Navalny with a nerve agent. Navalny has accused the President Vladimir Putin of ordering the attack -- something the Kremlin has repeatedly denied. Putin's most prominent domestic opponent was sentenced to almost three years in jail after returning to Russia last month following treatment in Germany.

Borrell to propose EU leaders to impose sanctions on Russia

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.