Eight Islamic extremists were sentenced to death in Bangladesh for the murder of a publisher on Wednesday, as the Muslim-majority nation grapples with tensions between religious hardliners and secularists.&nbsp;

Faisal Arefin Dipan, 43, the owner of a Dhaka-based publishing house that released several atheist books, was hacked to death in October 2015 by men suspected to be members of a local jihadist group.&nbsp;

The attack was part of a wave of violence between 2013 and 2016 targeting secular activists, bloggers and atheist writers.&nbsp;

Several top Islamist political party leaders were hanged over the violence under the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.&nbsp;

Prosecutor Golam Sarwar Zakir said, the judge at Dhaka's Special Anti-Terrorism Tribunal convicted all of the eight accused men.&nbsp;

"He (the judge) said their goal was to muzzle people's voices by murdering bloggers, writers and publishers. They wanted to disrupt public security by creating panic among the people," Zakir said.&nbsp;

Two of the men are still on the loose and were sentenced in absentia, including mastermind Syed Ziaul Haque, a sacked army officer, Zakir added.&nbsp;

Haque has been charged with the killings of several secular activists.&nbsp;

A defence lawyer for the eight men said they would appeal against the sentences.&nbsp;

The Bangladesh government has set up two major anti-terrorism police units in recent years to crack down on Islamic extremists.&nbsp;

More than 100 suspected Islamists have been killed in anti-terror raids across the country and hundreds have been detained. Around half-a-dozen Islamist militant outfits have been banned.&nbsp;

Star Bangladeshi cricketer Shakib Al Hasan has become the latest target of radicals and had to be given an armed bodyguard after he was threatened for attending a Hindu ceremony in neighbouring India.

Eight Islamic extremists were sentenced to death in Bangladesh for the murder of a publisher on Wednesday, as the Muslim-majority nation grapples with tensions between religious hardliners and secularists.

Eight Islamic extremists were sentenced to death in Bangladesh for the murder of a publisher on Wednesday, as the Muslim-majority nation grapples with tensions between religious hardliners and secularists. Faisal Arefin Dipan, 43, the owner of a Dhaka-based publishing house that released several atheist books, was hacked to death in October 2015 by men suspected to be members of a local jihadist group. The attack was part of a wave of violence between 2013 and 2016 targeting secular activists, bloggers and atheist writers. Several top Islamist political party leaders were hanged over the violence under the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Prosecutor Golam Sarwar Zakir said, the judge at Dhaka's Special Anti-Terrorism Tribunal convicted all of the eight accused men. "He (the judge) said their goal was to muzzle people's voices by murdering bloggers, writers and publishers. They wanted to disrupt public security by creating panic among the people," Zakir said. Two of the men are still on the loose and were sentenced in absentia, including mastermind Syed Ziaul Haque, a sacked army officer, Zakir added. Haque has been charged with the killings of several secular activists. A defence lawyer for the eight men said they would appeal against the sentences. The Bangladesh government has set up two major anti-terrorism police units in recent years to crack down on Islamic extremists. More than 100 suspected Islamists have been killed in anti-terror raids across the country and hundreds have been detained. Around half-a-dozen Islamist militant outfits have been banned. Star Bangladeshi cricketer Shakib Al Hasan has become the latest target of radicals and had to be given an armed bodyguard after he was threatened for attending a Hindu ceremony in neighbouring India.

Eight Islamists get death in Bangladesh over publisher’s murder

Charged with breaking hate speech laws by tweeting pictures of Islamic State atrocities, French far-right leader Marine Le Pen goes on trial on Wednesday. She has slammed the case as a violation of free speech.&nbsp;

The trial comes as opinion polls show Le Pen will likely face off again against Emmanuel Macron in next year's presidential contest, after her National Rally made its strongest showing ever in the 2017 vote.&nbsp;

Le Pen shared the gruesome images in December 2015, a few weeks after Islamic State group jihadists killed 130 people in Paris attacks, in response to a journalist, who drew a comparison between IS and her party.&nbsp;

One of the pictures showed the body of James Foley, an American journalist beheaded by the Islamist militants.&nbsp;

Another showed a man in an orange jumpsuit being run over by a tank, and the third a Jordanian pilot being burned alive in a cage.&nbsp;

"Daesh is this!" Le Pen wrote in a caption, using an Arabic acronym for IS.&nbsp;

Le Pen later deleted the picture of Foley after a request from his family, saying she had been unaware of his identity.&nbsp;

In 2018, a judge charged her as well as Gilbert Collard, a National Rally colleague, who also tweeted the pictures, with circulating "violent messages that incite terrorism or pornography or seriously harm human dignity" and that can be viewed by a minor.&nbsp;

A trial was ordered last year but was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.&nbsp;

The crime is punishable by up to three years in prison and a fine of 75,000 euros ($90,000).&nbsp;

Le Pen, a lawyer by training, has said she is the victim of a political witch-hunt -- she refused an order to undergo psychiatric tests as part of the inquiry.&nbsp;

She was also stripped of her parliamentary immunity over the pictures.

Charged with breaking hate speech laws by tweeting pictures of Islamic State atrocities, French far-right leader Marine Le Pen goes on trial on Wednesday. She has slammed the case as a violation of free speech.

Charged with breaking hate speech laws by tweeting pictures of Islamic State atrocities, French far-right leader Marine Le Pen goes on trial on Wednesday. She has slammed the case as a violation of free speech. The trial comes as opinion polls show Le Pen will likely face off again against Emmanuel Macron in next year's presidential contest, after her National Rally made its strongest showing ever in the 2017 vote. Le Pen shared the gruesome images in December 2015, a few weeks after Islamic State group jihadists killed 130 people in Paris attacks, in response to a journalist, who drew a comparison between IS and her party. One of the pictures showed the body of James Foley, an American journalist beheaded by the Islamist militants. Another showed a man in an orange jumpsuit being run over by a tank, and the third a Jordanian pilot being burned alive in a cage. "Daesh is this!" Le Pen wrote in a caption, using an Arabic acronym for IS. Le Pen later deleted the picture of Foley after a request from his family, saying she had been unaware of his identity. In 2018, a judge charged her as well as Gilbert Collard, a National Rally colleague, who also tweeted the pictures, with circulating "violent messages that incite terrorism or pornography or seriously harm human dignity" and that can be viewed by a minor. A trial was ordered last year but was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. The crime is punishable by up to three years in prison and a fine of 75,000 euros ($90,000). Le Pen, a lawyer by training, has said she is the victim of a political witch-hunt -- she refused an order to undergo psychiatric tests as part of the inquiry. She was also stripped of her parliamentary immunity over the pictures.

French far-right leader Le Pen on trial for breaking hate speech laws

Just two days after receiving 300,000 vaccine doses from state-owned Chinese company Sinopharm, Peru began its coronavirus immunization programme on Tuesday.&nbsp;

The country has been hard hit by a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic sweeping Latin America.&nbsp;

It has recorded around 1.2 million cases and more than 42,000 deaths from Covid-19 among its population of 33 million.&nbsp;

Hospitals are overrun with almost 13,800 Covid patients while they have also reported a lack of oxygen to treat those with breathing problems.&nbsp;

Healthcare workers at several hospitals in the capital Lima were the first to receive the vaccine on Tuesday morning.&nbsp;

Armed forces airplanes left the capital to take vaccines to the worst-hit regions of the country, such as the jungle area of Huanuco, some 350 kilometers (220 miles) northeast of Lima.&nbsp;

Peru will receive another 700,000 doses of the Chinese vaccine on Sunday. It has agreed to purchase 38 million doses of the Sinopharm vaccine and another 20 million of the Pfizer/BioNTech one.&nbsp;

Other deals have been made to purchase 14 million AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccines and 13.2 million Covax jabs.&nbsp;

Authorities are yet to announce when immunization of the wider population will begin, but the country plans to vaccinate 26 million people.&nbsp;

The government of President Francisco Sagasti has received harsh criticism over the delays in unrolling an immunization programme compared to neighbours Chile and Bolivia.&nbsp;

Sagasti himself was vaccinated on Tuesday evening at a Lima hospital.&nbsp;

"Don't be afraid of the vaccine," he said, adding that he hoped all "Peruvians are vaccinated this year."&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Argentina announced it has approved the emergency use of the Indian-made Covishield vaccine.&nbsp;

The Covishield vaccine is essentially the same as the British developed AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine that previously received approval in late December.&nbsp;

Argentina has also approved the use of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine, having already received 820,000 doses.&nbsp;

It began its immunization programme on December 29 and has so far only used the Sputnik V vaccine.

Just two days after receiving 300,000 vaccine doses from state-owned Chinese company Sinopharm, Peru began its coronavirus immunization programme on Tuesday. The country has been hard hit by a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic sweeping Latin America.

Just two days after receiving 300,000 vaccine doses from state-owned Chinese company Sinopharm, Peru began its coronavirus immunization programme on Tuesday. The country has been hard hit by a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic sweeping Latin America. It has recorded around 1.2 million cases and more than 42,000 deaths from Covid-19 among its population of 33 million. Hospitals are overrun with almost 13,800 Covid patients while they have also reported a lack of oxygen to treat those with breathing problems. Healthcare workers at several hospitals in the capital Lima were the first to receive the vaccine on Tuesday morning. Armed forces airplanes left the capital to take vaccines to the worst-hit regions of the country, such as the jungle area of Huanuco, some 350 kilometers (220 miles) northeast of Lima. Peru will receive another 700,000 doses of the Chinese vaccine on Sunday. It has agreed to purchase 38 million doses of the Sinopharm vaccine and another 20 million of the Pfizer/BioNTech one. Other deals have been made to purchase 14 million AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccines and 13.2 million Covax jabs. Authorities are yet to announce when immunization of the wider population will begin, but the country plans to vaccinate 26 million people. The government of President Francisco Sagasti has received harsh criticism over the delays in unrolling an immunization programme compared to neighbours Chile and Bolivia. Sagasti himself was vaccinated on Tuesday evening at a Lima hospital. "Don't be afraid of the vaccine," he said, adding that he hoped all "Peruvians are vaccinated this year." Meanwhile, Argentina announced it has approved the emergency use of the Indian-made Covishield vaccine. The Covishield vaccine is essentially the same as the British developed AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine that previously received approval in late December. Argentina has also approved the use of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine, having already received 820,000 doses. It began its immunization programme on December 29 and has so far only used the Sputnik V vaccine.

Peru begins Covid inoculation, Argentina approves Covishield vaccine

To support its banned nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, North Korea has stolen more than $300 million worth of cryptocurrencies through cyberattacks in recent months, a confidential UN report said.&nbsp;

Compiled by a panel of experts monitoring sanctions on Pyongyang, the report said, the country's "total theft of virtual assets from 2019 to November 2020 is valued at approximately $316.4 million", citing a UN member state.&nbsp;

Financial institutions and exchanges were hacked to generate revenue for Pyongyang's nuclear and missile development, said the report.&nbsp;

The vast majority of the proceeds came from two thefts late last year.&nbsp;

The North is known to operate an army of thousands of well-trained hackers, who have attacked firms, institutions and researchers in South Korea and elsewhere.&nbsp;

It has also been accused of exploiting its cyber capabilities for financial gain.&nbsp;

The North is under multiple sets of international sanctions over its banned nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes, which have made rapid progress under leader Kim Jong Un.&nbsp;

A summit between Kim and then-US president Donald Trump in Hanoi in February 2019 broke down over sanctions relief and what Pyongyang would be willing to give up in return.&nbsp;

Nuclear talks have been stalled ever since, while the North showed off several new missiles at military parades in October and last month, when Kim pledged to strengthen his nuclear arsenal.&nbsp;

The UN panel said it was investigating a September 2020 hack against a cryptocurrency exchange that resulted in $281 million worth of cryptocurrencies being stolen.&nbsp;

A second cyberattack siphoned off $23 million a month later.&nbsp;

"Preliminary analysis, based on the attack vectors and subsequent efforts to launder the illicit proceeds strongly suggests links to the DPRK," the report said, using the initials for the North's official name.

To support its banned nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, North Korea has stolen more than $300 million worth of cryptocurrencies through cyberattacks in recent months, a confidential UN report said.

To support its banned nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, North Korea has stolen more than $300 million worth of cryptocurrencies through cyberattacks in recent months, a confidential UN report said. Compiled by a panel of experts monitoring sanctions on Pyongyang, the report said, the country's "total theft of virtual assets from 2019 to November 2020 is valued at approximately $316.4 million", citing a UN member state. Financial institutions and exchanges were hacked to generate revenue for Pyongyang's nuclear and missile development, said the report. The vast majority of the proceeds came from two thefts late last year. The North is known to operate an army of thousands of well-trained hackers, who have attacked firms, institutions and researchers in South Korea and elsewhere. It has also been accused of exploiting its cyber capabilities for financial gain. The North is under multiple sets of international sanctions over its banned nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes, which have made rapid progress under leader Kim Jong Un. A summit between Kim and then-US president Donald Trump in Hanoi in February 2019 broke down over sanctions relief and what Pyongyang would be willing to give up in return. Nuclear talks have been stalled ever since, while the North showed off several new missiles at military parades in October and last month, when Kim pledged to strengthen his nuclear arsenal. The UN panel said it was investigating a September 2020 hack against a cryptocurrency exchange that resulted in $281 million worth of cryptocurrencies being stolen. A second cyberattack siphoned off $23 million a month later. "Preliminary analysis, based on the attack vectors and subsequent efforts to launder the illicit proceeds strongly suggests links to the DPRK," the report said, using the initials for the North's official name.

UN: North Korea stole $300m in crypto through cyberattacks to fund nukes

After ejecting a Maori lawmaker because he refused to wear a tie, New Zealand's parliament backed down on Wednesday, allowing him to speak without an accessory he labelled a 'colonial noose'.&nbsp;

The issue flared on Tuesday when Maori Party co-leader Rawiri Waititi was ejected from the parliamentary debating chamber for not wearing the required attire during question time.&nbsp;

Waititi, who has a full-face 'te moko' tattoo and dons a black cowboy hat, argued that he was wearing legitimate Maori business attire -- a traditional pendant.&nbsp;

"This is not about ties, it's about cultural identity," he said as he left.&nbsp;

Indigenous Maori make up about 15 per cent of New Zealand's five million population but are over-represented in statistics, such as poverty and imprisonment, with many blaming injustices dating back to the days of British colonial rule.&nbsp;

Waititi said the tie row showed race relations still needed to improve in the South Pacific nation.&nbsp;

"This is a breach of the rights of indigenous peoples, we (must) have the freedom to express our cultural identity in a space like this," he said.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she had no objection to lawmakers not wearing ties but added, "there are much more important issues for all of us".&nbsp;

After strictly enforcing the dress code on Tuesday, parliamentary speaker Trevor Mallard took a more relaxed approach when a tie-less Waititi spoke on Wednesday.&nbsp;

Rather than have the Maori leader ejected, Mallard simply let him ask a question unhindered, later saying a permanent rule change was being considered.&nbsp;

Waititi was elected to parliament for the first-time last year and in his maiden speech recounted the tale of an ancestor, who was wrongly hanged by the British for murder.&nbsp;

"I will adorn myself with the treasures of my ancestors and remove the colonial noose around my neck so that I may sing my song," he said as he removed his tie.

After ejecting a Maori lawmaker because he refused to wear a tie, New Zealand's parliament backed down on Wednesday, allowing him to speak without an accessory he labelled a 'colonial noose'.

After ejecting a Maori lawmaker because he refused to wear a tie, New Zealand's parliament backed down on Wednesday, allowing him to speak without an accessory he labelled a 'colonial noose'. The issue flared on Tuesday when Maori Party co-leader Rawiri Waititi was ejected from the parliamentary debating chamber for not wearing the required attire during question time. Waititi, who has a full-face 'te moko' tattoo and dons a black cowboy hat, argued that he was wearing legitimate Maori business attire -- a traditional pendant. "This is not about ties, it's about cultural identity," he said as he left. Indigenous Maori make up about 15 per cent of New Zealand's five million population but are over-represented in statistics, such as poverty and imprisonment, with many blaming injustices dating back to the days of British colonial rule. Waititi said the tie row showed race relations still needed to improve in the South Pacific nation. "This is a breach of the rights of indigenous peoples, we (must) have the freedom to express our cultural identity in a space like this," he said. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she had no objection to lawmakers not wearing ties but added, "there are much more important issues for all of us". After strictly enforcing the dress code on Tuesday, parliamentary speaker Trevor Mallard took a more relaxed approach when a tie-less Waititi spoke on Wednesday. Rather than have the Maori leader ejected, Mallard simply let him ask a question unhindered, later saying a permanent rule change was being considered. Waititi was elected to parliament for the first-time last year and in his maiden speech recounted the tale of an ancestor, who was wrongly hanged by the British for murder. "I will adorn myself with the treasures of my ancestors and remove the colonial noose around my neck so that I may sing my song," he said as he removed his tie.

New Zealand's parliament backs down as Maori lawmaker rejects 'colonial noose'

After a video went viral on Tuesday that showed Prime Minister Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers accepting bribes before the Senate elections in 2018, former PTI lawmaker Ubaid Ullah Mayar confessed to taking bribe worth Rs 10 million.&nbsp;

Speaking to Geo News, Mayar said that he took the money on the directives of then Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak and also said, the PTI-led provincial government had paid Rs 10 million to all Members of National Assembly (MPAs).&nbsp;

He also mentioned that the bribery incident took place at the National Assembly speaker's house and it was the provincial government, which paid money to the MPAs and then made a video.&nbsp;

"At that time, Pervez Khattak had formed a committee of 17 MPAs and asked us to vote for them, paid us the money, and promised to give us party's tickets," he said, adding that he was not aware of being filmed at the time of receiving the money. &nbsp;

He also informed that he went to the high court in relation to the matter, adding that he stands by (his) statement and is 'not afraid of anyone', reported Geo News. &nbsp;

Responding to a question regarding two people from another party, who could be seen taking money in the video, Mayar said, "Khattak had promised to make them ministers if they joined the PTI, which was later fulfilled."&nbsp;

He also said that he was asked to return the money on the suspicion that he did not vote for PTI's candidate. This comes after a video of PTI lawmakers receiving bribes before the Senate elections in 2018 has surfaced on social media amid the ongoing war of words between Prime Minister Imran Khan-led government and the Opposition on the open ballot issue ahead of Senate polls. &nbsp;

According to a report by Geo News, the video showed a couple of PTI Members of National Assembly (MNAs) taking money from Mohammad Ali Bacha, former MPA of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) before the Senate elections in 2018. &nbsp;

In the video, stacks of currency are seen in the video atop a table in front of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa PTI Members of Provincial Assembly (MPAs). &nbsp;

Following the release of the video, Imran Khan has ordered the removal of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Law Minister Sultan Mohammad Khan, who had joined the PTI before the 2018 elections, according to a report by Samaa TV.&nbsp;

After a video went viral on Tuesday that showed Prime Minister Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers accepting bribes before the Senate elections in 2018, former PTI lawmaker Ubaid Ullah Mayar confessed to taking bribe worth Rs 10 million.

After a video went viral on Tuesday that showed Prime Minister Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers accepting bribes before the Senate elections in 2018, former PTI lawmaker Ubaid Ullah Mayar confessed to taking bribe worth Rs 10 million. Speaking to Geo News, Mayar said that he took the money on the directives of then Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak and also said, the PTI-led provincial government had paid Rs 10 million to all Members of National Assembly (MPAs). He also mentioned that the bribery incident took place at the National Assembly speaker's house and it was the provincial government, which paid money to the MPAs and then made a video. "At that time, Pervez Khattak had formed a committee of 17 MPAs and asked us to vote for them, paid us the money, and promised to give us party's tickets," he said, adding that he was not aware of being filmed at the time of receiving the money. He also informed that he went to the high court in relation to the matter, adding that he stands by (his) statement and is 'not afraid of anyone', reported Geo News. Responding to a question regarding two people from another party, who could be seen taking money in the video, Mayar said, "Khattak had promised to make them ministers if they joined the PTI, which was later fulfilled." He also said that he was asked to return the money on the suspicion that he did not vote for PTI's candidate. This comes after a video of PTI lawmakers receiving bribes before the Senate elections in 2018 has surfaced on social media amid the ongoing war of words between Prime Minister Imran Khan-led government and the Opposition on the open ballot issue ahead of Senate polls. According to a report by Geo News, the video showed a couple of PTI Members of National Assembly (MNAs) taking money from Mohammad Ali Bacha, former MPA of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) before the Senate elections in 2018. In the video, stacks of currency are seen in the video atop a table in front of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa PTI Members of Provincial Assembly (MPAs). Following the release of the video, Imran Khan has ordered the removal of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Law Minister Sultan Mohammad Khan, who had joined the PTI before the 2018 elections, according to a report by Samaa TV.

Ex-PTI leader admits taking Rs 10-million bribe ahead of Pak 2018 Senate polls

Kathleen Hicks has been confirmed by the US Senate on Monday (local time) as Deputy Defence Secretary. Hicks has become the first woman to be confirmed by the Senate to the post. &nbsp;

In a voice vote, senators confirmed Kathleen Hicks, giving US President Joe Biden his second Senate-confirmed Defence Department official about a week after her confirmation hearing, according to The Hill. &nbsp;

Hicks, who led President Joe Biden's transition team at the Pentagon, was a deputy undersecretary of defence under the Obama administration. Before her nomination, she led the international security programme at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.&nbsp;

Hicks's nomination garnered attention both because of the history-making aspect and because Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin pledged to empower Pentagon civilians, such as her to assuage senators concerned about him being a recently retired general, The Hill reported.&nbsp;

Austin previously has served on the board of Raytheon Technologies and agreed to recuse himself from decisions concerning the company, decisions involving the firm will fall to Hicks. During her confirmation hearing, Hicks said she supports nuclear modernisation and nuclear triad. She added that her involvement as deputy secretary will be on programmatic decisions and made clear she would defer to Austin and Biden on questions of US nuclear policy.&nbsp;

Hicks also left the door open to defence budget cuts, saying that while the country 'can afford the defence that it needs to have,' she thinks there are ways to trim the budget without sacrificing national security, The Hill reported.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the Pentagon has projected relatively flat budgets for the next few years because of external pressures, such as ballooning US debt, but progressive Democrats are expected to push for at least a 10 per cent budget cut.&nbsp;

When she is sworn in, Hicks will be the department's first Senate-confirmed female deputy Defence secretary, though Christine Fox served as acting deputy Defence secretary for six months in the Obama administration.&nbsp;

Kathleen Hicks has been confirmed by the US Senate on Monday (local time) as Deputy Defence Secretary. Hicks has become the first woman to be confirmed by the Senate to the post.

Kathleen Hicks has been confirmed by the US Senate on Monday (local time) as Deputy Defence Secretary. Hicks has become the first woman to be confirmed by the Senate to the post. In a voice vote, senators confirmed Kathleen Hicks, giving US President Joe Biden his second Senate-confirmed Defence Department official about a week after her confirmation hearing, according to The Hill. Hicks, who led President Joe Biden's transition team at the Pentagon, was a deputy undersecretary of defence under the Obama administration. Before her nomination, she led the international security programme at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies. Hicks's nomination garnered attention both because of the history-making aspect and because Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin pledged to empower Pentagon civilians, such as her to assuage senators concerned about him being a recently retired general, The Hill reported. Austin previously has served on the board of Raytheon Technologies and agreed to recuse himself from decisions concerning the company, decisions involving the firm will fall to Hicks. During her confirmation hearing, Hicks said she supports nuclear modernisation and nuclear triad. She added that her involvement as deputy secretary will be on programmatic decisions and made clear she would defer to Austin and Biden on questions of US nuclear policy. Hicks also left the door open to defence budget cuts, saying that while the country 'can afford the defence that it needs to have,' she thinks there are ways to trim the budget without sacrificing national security, The Hill reported. Meanwhile, the Pentagon has projected relatively flat budgets for the next few years because of external pressures, such as ballooning US debt, but progressive Democrats are expected to push for at least a 10 per cent budget cut. When she is sworn in, Hicks will be the department's first Senate-confirmed female deputy Defence secretary, though Christine Fox served as acting deputy Defence secretary for six months in the Obama administration.

Senate confirms Biden's pick Kathleen Hicks as Deputy Defence secy

For the second time this month, the daily new Covid-19 cases fell below 10,000, taking India's tally of cases to 1,08,47,304, while fresh fatalities remained below 100 for the fourth consecutive day, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday.&nbsp;

A total of 9,110 new infections were reported in a span of 24 hours, while the death toll increased to 1,55,158 with 78 daily new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.&nbsp;

The number of people, who have recuperated from the disease, surged to 1,05,48,521 pushing the national Covid-19 recovery rate to 97.25 per cent, while the Covid-19 case fatality rate stands at 1.43 per cent. &nbsp;

The Covid-19 active caseload remained below two lakh. There are 1,43,625 active cases of coronavirus infections in the country, which comprise 1.32 per cent of the total caseload, the data stated.&nbsp;

India's Covid-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16. It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19.&nbsp;

According to the ICMR, 20,25,87,752 samples have been tested up to February 8 with 6,87,138 samples being tested on Monday.&nbsp;

For the second time this month, the daily new Covid-19 cases fell below 10,000, taking India's tally of cases to 1,08,47,304, while fresh fatalities remained below 100 for the fourth consecutive day, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday.

For the second time this month, the daily new Covid-19 cases fell below 10,000, taking India's tally of cases to 1,08,47,304, while fresh fatalities remained below 100 for the fourth consecutive day, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday. A total of 9,110 new infections were reported in a span of 24 hours, while the death toll increased to 1,55,158 with 78 daily new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed. The number of people, who have recuperated from the disease, surged to 1,05,48,521 pushing the national Covid-19 recovery rate to 97.25 per cent, while the Covid-19 case fatality rate stands at 1.43 per cent. The Covid-19 active caseload remained below two lakh. There are 1,43,625 active cases of coronavirus infections in the country, which comprise 1.32 per cent of the total caseload, the data stated. India's Covid-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16. It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19. According to the ICMR, 20,25,87,752 samples have been tested up to February 8 with 6,87,138 samples being tested on Monday.

New COVID-19 cases in India fall below 10,000 again

The CEO and founder of Chinese telecom giant Huawei called on Tuesday for an open approach from new US President Joe Biden, after the firm was battered by sanctions imposed by Donald Trump's administration. &nbsp;

Ren Zhengfei said his 'confidence in Huawei's ability to survive has grown' despite its travails across much of the western world where it is maligned as a potential security threat. &nbsp;&nbsp;

After saying the firm's 'production capacity can be expanded', he implored the Biden White House to change tack on the company. &nbsp;

"We hope the new US administration would have an open policy for the benefit of American firms and the economic development of the United States," Ren told reporters. &nbsp;

"We still hope that we can buy large volumes of American materials, components and equipment so that we can all benefit from China's growth." &nbsp;

He was speaking during a visit to the city of Taiyuan in China’s northern coal belt for the opening of a new laboratory that develops technologies to automate parts of coal-mining and boost safety in a notoriously dangerous industry. &nbsp; &nbsp;

Founded by Ren in 1987, Huawei largely flew under the global radar for decades as it grew to become the world's largest maker of telecoms equipment and a top mobile phone producer. &nbsp;

That changed under Trump, who targeted the firm as part of an intensifying China-US trade and technology standoff. &nbsp;

Trump from 2018 imposed escalating sanctions to cut off Huawei's access to vital components, bar it from the US market, and successfully pressured allies to shun the firm's gear in their telecoms systems. &nbsp;

His administration had raised fears that China's government could potentially use 'back doors' in Huawei gear for espionage, which the company strenuously denies. &nbsp;

And the US campaign is hurting Huawei. Once a top-three smartphone supplier along with Samsung and Apple, its shipments plummeted more than 40 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2020, according to industry tracker IDC, as the supply-chain disruptions prevented it manufacturing enough phones to meet demand.&nbsp;

The CEO and founder of Chinese telecom giant Huawei called on Tuesday for an open approach from new US President Joe Biden, after the firm was battered by sanctions imposed by Donald Trump's administration.

The CEO and founder of Chinese telecom giant Huawei called on Tuesday for an open approach from new US President Joe Biden, after the firm was battered by sanctions imposed by Donald Trump's administration. Ren Zhengfei said his 'confidence in Huawei's ability to survive has grown' despite its travails across much of the western world where it is maligned as a potential security threat. After saying the firm's 'production capacity can be expanded', he implored the Biden White House to change tack on the company. "We hope the new US administration would have an open policy for the benefit of American firms and the economic development of the United States," Ren told reporters. "We still hope that we can buy large volumes of American materials, components and equipment so that we can all benefit from China's growth." He was speaking during a visit to the city of Taiyuan in China’s northern coal belt for the opening of a new laboratory that develops technologies to automate parts of coal-mining and boost safety in a notoriously dangerous industry. Founded by Ren in 1987, Huawei largely flew under the global radar for decades as it grew to become the world's largest maker of telecoms equipment and a top mobile phone producer. That changed under Trump, who targeted the firm as part of an intensifying China-US trade and technology standoff. Trump from 2018 imposed escalating sanctions to cut off Huawei's access to vital components, bar it from the US market, and successfully pressured allies to shun the firm's gear in their telecoms systems. His administration had raised fears that China's government could potentially use 'back doors' in Huawei gear for espionage, which the company strenuously denies. And the US campaign is hurting Huawei. Once a top-three smartphone supplier along with Samsung and Apple, its shipments plummeted more than 40 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2020, according to industry tracker IDC, as the supply-chain disruptions prevented it manufacturing enough phones to meet demand.

Huawei CEO hopes for 'open policy' under Biden administration

If a new book is to be believed, Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) seems to have begun during World War I. &nbsp;

In the book, author and Canadian microbiologist Jacques Pepin appeared to have traced the beginning of the AIDS epidemic to a starving World War I soldier, who captured and ate infected animals, according to different media reports.&nbsp;

The disease, which is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV), was officially designated an epidemic on June 5, 1981. Be it as an illness or a source of discrimination, the disease has greatly affected humanity.&nbsp;

Titled 'Origins of AIDS', the book says patient zero was one of 1,600 Belgian and French soldiers, who traveled to Cameroon from Leopoldville in the Belgian Congo. The soldier had got injured after killing a chimpanzee infected with something similar to the precursor to HIV - the virus that causes AIDS.&nbsp;

The book looks to correct a previous version of HIV origin, introduced in the first edition of the tome released in 2011. &nbsp;

In the earlier edition, Pepin claimed HIV was transmitted from monkeys to humans after an injured African hunter killed a beast in 1921 and was infected in the process.&nbsp;

Now, the microbiologist looks to suggest it was actually a starving WWI soldier, who captured and ate an infected chimpanzee after his regiment got stuck in a forest around Moloundou, Cameroon, without any food supplies.&nbsp;

Since the declaration of the epidemic in 1981, the disease has infected about 76 million people globally and has killed an estimated 33 million.&nbsp;

The illness is caused by the HIV virus, which jumped from primates to humans in the early-to-mid 20th century in Africa. The disease is transmitted by blood transfusions, shared needles, sexual contact, and in the uterus from mother to child.&nbsp;

If a new book is to be believed, Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) seems to have begun during World War I. In the book, author and Canadian microbiologist Jacques Pepin appeared to have traced the beginning of the AIDS epidemic to a starving World War I soldier, who captured and ate infected animals, according to different media reports.

If a new book is to be believed, Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) seems to have begun during World War I. In the book, author and Canadian microbiologist Jacques Pepin appeared to have traced the beginning of the AIDS epidemic to a starving World War I soldier, who captured and ate infected animals, according to different media reports. The disease, which is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV), was officially designated an epidemic on June 5, 1981. Be it as an illness or a source of discrimination, the disease has greatly affected humanity. Titled 'Origins of AIDS', the book says patient zero was one of 1,600 Belgian and French soldiers, who traveled to Cameroon from Leopoldville in the Belgian Congo. The soldier had got injured after killing a chimpanzee infected with something similar to the precursor to HIV - the virus that causes AIDS. The book looks to correct a previous version of HIV origin, introduced in the first edition of the tome released in 2011. In the earlier edition, Pepin claimed HIV was transmitted from monkeys to humans after an injured African hunter killed a beast in 1921 and was infected in the process. Now, the microbiologist looks to suggest it was actually a starving WWI soldier, who captured and ate an infected chimpanzee after his regiment got stuck in a forest around Moloundou, Cameroon, without any food supplies. Since the declaration of the epidemic in 1981, the disease has infected about 76 million people globally and has killed an estimated 33 million. The illness is caused by the HIV virus, which jumped from primates to humans in the early-to-mid 20th century in Africa. The disease is transmitted by blood transfusions, shared needles, sexual contact, and in the uterus from mother to child.

Book claims to date back origins of AIDS to World War I

Travellers arriving in Britain from abroad will have to take two coronavirus tests during quarantine, the government is expected to confirm on Tuesday.&nbsp;

Health Secretary Matt Hancock is due to announce that people told to isolate at home will be required to get a test two and eight days into a mandatory 10-day quarantine period.&nbsp;

The new measures, which critics say come too late to curb the spread of the virus, are aimed at halting new variants.&nbsp;

But the health ministry said Britain's response had been informed by experts leading to 'some of the toughest border regimes in the world'.&nbsp;

"Enhancing our testing regime to cover all arrivals while they isolate will provide a further level of protection and enable us to better track any new cases which might be brought into the country, and give us even more opportunities to detect new variants," a spokesman said.&nbsp;

Environment Secretary George Eustice confirmed that announcements on the new quarantine regime would be made in Parliament later on Tuesday.&nbsp;

"We have to be ever mindful of the risk of other variants entering the country," he said. &nbsp;

Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government has been under pressure to tighten rules for international travellers, following criticism the regime was too lax.&nbsp;

New mandatory hotel quarantine rules for travellers returning from dozens of countries deemed 'high risk' from Covid-19 are due to start from February 15.&nbsp;

The new rules will require all UK citizens and permanent residents returning from countries on a travel ban list to self-isolate in a government-approved facility for 10 days. &nbsp;

Other visitors from the 33 countries currently on the list, which includes all South American nations and South Africa, are currently barred from visiting Britain under virus lockdown rules.&nbsp;

Travellers arriving in Britain from abroad will have to take two coronavirus tests during quarantine, the government is expected to confirm on Tuesday. Health Secretary Matt Hancock is due to announce that people told to isolate at home will be required to get a test two and eight days into a mandatory 10-day quarantine period.

Travellers arriving in Britain from abroad will have to take two coronavirus tests during quarantine, the government is expected to confirm on Tuesday. Health Secretary Matt Hancock is due to announce that people told to isolate at home will be required to get a test two and eight days into a mandatory 10-day quarantine period. The new measures, which critics say come too late to curb the spread of the virus, are aimed at halting new variants. But the health ministry said Britain's response had been informed by experts leading to 'some of the toughest border regimes in the world'. "Enhancing our testing regime to cover all arrivals while they isolate will provide a further level of protection and enable us to better track any new cases which might be brought into the country, and give us even more opportunities to detect new variants," a spokesman said. Environment Secretary George Eustice confirmed that announcements on the new quarantine regime would be made in Parliament later on Tuesday. "We have to be ever mindful of the risk of other variants entering the country," he said. Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government has been under pressure to tighten rules for international travellers, following criticism the regime was too lax. New mandatory hotel quarantine rules for travellers returning from dozens of countries deemed 'high risk' from Covid-19 are due to start from February 15. The new rules will require all UK citizens and permanent residents returning from countries on a travel ban list to self-isolate in a government-approved facility for 10 days. Other visitors from the 33 countries currently on the list, which includes all South American nations and South Africa, are currently barred from visiting Britain under virus lockdown rules.

UK travellers may have to undergo Covid tests in quarantine

Soviet spy gadgets, such as cyanide-filled fake teeth and cigarette packs concealing cameras, are going under the hammer at a Beverly Hills auction this week.&nbsp;

Many retro espionage devices in the sale by US-based Julien's Auctions -- known for Hollywood and pop culture memorabilia -- would not be out of place in a classic James Bond movie, including microphones hidden within pens, ashtrays and porcelain plates.&nbsp;

"The people that actually created these things were the pioneers of miniaturization," said director of gallery operations Kody Frederick.&nbsp;

"Everybody now carries a camera, everybody now has a microphone," but many of the auction's spy gadgets hail from an era when cell phones were 'as big as six bricks,' Frederick said.&nbsp;

Miniature cameras fitted inside women's handbags, birdboxes, belt buckles, shoebrushes, signet rings and ties -- and used by real secret agents -- are all going on the block.&nbsp;

"People are looking to get their hands on really unique, different pieces from a time when digital didn't exist and analog was the way of life," Frederick added.&nbsp;

Following the fall of the Soviet Union, many items were discarded in Eastern Europe and eventually made their way to New York's short-lived KGB museum, which opened in January 2019 but closed last year due to the pandemic.&nbsp;

Among those for sale on this Saturday, both on-site in California and via the internet, are a fake tooth containing deadly cyanide expected to fetch up to $1,200.&nbsp;

"The tooth was designed to shatter when bitten a certain way so that captured agents could end their own lives when necessary to avoid torture or the release of compromising information," explains the auction catalog.&nbsp;

The collection also includes a replica of the 'Bulgarian umbrella' used in 1978 in London to fatally poison Bulgarian dissident Georgi Markov in one particularly infamous Cold War episode. It is estimated at between $3,000 and $5,000.&nbsp;

But other initially announced items including a lipstick tube and a pen designed to fire bullets had to be withdrawn due to California's gun laws.&nbsp;

Soviet spy gadgets, such as cyanide-filled fake teeth and cigarette packs concealing cameras, are going under the hammer at a Beverly Hills auction this week. Many retro espionage devices in the sale by US-based Julien's Auctions -- known for Hollywood and pop culture memorabilia -- would not be out of place in a classic James Bond movie, including microphones hidden within pens, ashtrays and porcelain plates.

Soviet spy gadgets, such as cyanide-filled fake teeth and cigarette packs concealing cameras, are going under the hammer at a Beverly Hills auction this week. Many retro espionage devices in the sale by US-based Julien's Auctions -- known for Hollywood and pop culture memorabilia -- would not be out of place in a classic James Bond movie, including microphones hidden within pens, ashtrays and porcelain plates. "The people that actually created these things were the pioneers of miniaturization," said director of gallery operations Kody Frederick. "Everybody now carries a camera, everybody now has a microphone," but many of the auction's spy gadgets hail from an era when cell phones were 'as big as six bricks,' Frederick said. Miniature cameras fitted inside women's handbags, birdboxes, belt buckles, shoebrushes, signet rings and ties -- and used by real secret agents -- are all going on the block. "People are looking to get their hands on really unique, different pieces from a time when digital didn't exist and analog was the way of life," Frederick added. Following the fall of the Soviet Union, many items were discarded in Eastern Europe and eventually made their way to New York's short-lived KGB museum, which opened in January 2019 but closed last year due to the pandemic. Among those for sale on this Saturday, both on-site in California and via the internet, are a fake tooth containing deadly cyanide expected to fetch up to $1,200. "The tooth was designed to shatter when bitten a certain way so that captured agents could end their own lives when necessary to avoid torture or the release of compromising information," explains the auction catalog. The collection also includes a replica of the 'Bulgarian umbrella' used in 1978 in London to fatally poison Bulgarian dissident Georgi Markov in one particularly infamous Cold War episode. It is estimated at between $3,000 and $5,000. But other initially announced items including a lipstick tube and a pen designed to fire bullets had to be withdrawn due to California's gun laws.

Soviet spy gadgets to go for sale in Beverly Hills

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Zee News Rajasthan

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Gandharv Walia

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