The foreign affairs commission of the Turkish parliament on Thursday (Nov 16) delayed a vote on Sweden's NATO membership bid, again holding up the expansion of the inter-governmental military alliance.

The foreign affairs commission of the Turkish parliament on Thursday (Nov 16) delayed a vote on Sweden's NATO membership bid, again holding up the expansion of the inter-governmental military alliance. Addressing a press conference on Thursday, commission chairperson Fuat Oktay said the commission would hold further talks and may bring back the vote next week. However, Oktay did not set a clear timeline. "For all of our lawmakers to approve Sweden's NATO membership, they need to be fully convinced. We will discuss all of these in our (next) commission meeting (on the issue)," Oktay told reporters. He also said that the commission could pass bills by a simple majority, adding it might invite the Swedish ambassador to brief lawmakers if needed and if parliament's regulations allow. The postponement comes days after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he would try to facilitate the ratification process. Why the postponement? Thursday's vote on Sweden's membership of NATO was delayed after lawmakers from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Justice and Development Party submitted a motion for postponement on the grounds that some issues needed clarification and that negotiations with Sweden had not matured enough. For ratification, the membership bill needs to be approved by the Turkish parliament's foreign affairs commission before being put to a full parliament vote, which could come days or weeks later. President Erdogan would then sign it into law to conclude the process. As Russia launched a war against Ukraine in February last year, Sweden and Finland made bids to join NATO. All 30 members of the inter-governmental military alliance have to ratify a country's membership. The process of Sweden and Finland joining NATO was held up by Turkey and Hungary. Earlier this year, Turkey and Hungary ratified Finland's bid, but both the member states have kept Sweden waiting. Now there are two reasons for the delay: > Turkey has accused Sweden of being too lenient towards groups that Ankara regards as threats to its security, including Kurdish militants and members of a network that Ankara blames for a failed coup in 2016. > Turkey has also been angered by a series of demonstrations by supporters of the banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, in Sweden as well as Quran-burning protests. The delay also comes as Turkey has been at odds with its Western allies over the ongoing war between Israel and Gaza, and its tough diplomacy over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine has also angered some allies. Turkey maintains good relations with Moscow and Kyiv, opposing Russia's invasion but also the Western sanctions on Russia. What concessions has Sweden made? During a NATO meeting in Madrid last year, Turkey struck an agreement with Sweden as well as Finland in which the two Nordic countries would lift arms embargoes and take measures against members of PKK, and the Gulen movement that Turkey holds responsible for the failed 2016 coup. Last year, Sweden reversed a ban on exporting military equipment to Turkey but did not reveal details of companies or products. In June this year, it introduced a new anti-terrorism bill that makes being a member of a terrorist organisation illegal, saying that it had upheld its part of the deal. A report by the news agency Reuters on Thursday said that in recent months, a top court in Sweden blocked the extradition of two Turks that Ankara said were Gulenists, while an appeals court upheld the conviction of a man for attempting to finance the PKK. And amid growing criticism of Turkey and other Muslim-majority countries over incidents of Quran burning, Swedish Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer said that Stockholm was examining whether it could change the law to stop people from burning the Muslim holy book in public. Finland, meanwhile, agreed last year to consider granting arms export permits to Turkey on a case-by-case basis. What is the status of Sweden's NATO bid? The Turkish parliament's foreign affairs commission will now hold further discussions on Sweden's membership bill as soon as next week. If the commission backs the bill, Turkey's full general assembly would hold a vote, possibly within days or weeks, Reuters reported. On Tuesday, the speaker of Turkey's parliament told his Swedish counterpart they were hoping to complete ratification "as soon as possible." Since submitting the bill to parliament in October, Erdogan has said he will try to facilitate ratification but added that Stockholm still had not taken enough action against Kurdish militants. From Nov 28-29, NATO foreign ministers will meet in Brussels and before these dates, Sweden's membership bid has to be approved by Turkey as well as Hungary. However, Turkey is being seen as the main roadblock to Sweden's accession. On Thursday, the US ambassador to Hungary said he had been assured by the Hungarian government that Budapest would not be the last to ratify Sweden's bid, adding he was "confident" Stockholm would soon be a NATO member. (With inputs from agencies)

Explained | With Turkey delaying Sweden's NATO bid, how has Stockholm addressed Ankara's concerns?

Joel Guerriau, a senator from France has been arrested on the suspicion of drugging a lower house MP to assault her. Speaking to the news agency AFP on Friday (Nov 17), a source said that Guerriau was arrested on Thursday after the alleged attempted assault against MP Sandrine Josso.

Joel Guerriau, a senator from France has been arrested on the suspicion of drugging a lower house MP to assault her. Speaking to the news agency AFP on Friday (Nov 17), a source said that Guerriau was arrested on Thursday after the alleged attempted assault against MP Sandrine Josso. According to prosecutors, Guerriau,66, was being held on suspicion of "administering to a person without their knowledge a substance, likely to diminish their judgement or self-control, to commit a rape or sexual assault." Josso felt ill after she accepted a drink on Tuesday night at the senator's home in Paris. Prosecutors said the two were not in an intimate relationship. Police raid senator's home and office, find ecstasy Investigators said that Josso had ecstasy in her system. A report by the RMC said that the police carried out a raid at Guerriau's home and office, and found ecstasy. On Friday, the victim and the accused faced each other during two hours of joint questioning by investigators. Josso, an MP for the centrist MoDem party, "is still in a state of shock," her lawyer Julia Minkowski, told AFP. The MP said that she was unwell after drinking a glass of champagne and had seen the senator "grabbing a small plastic bag containing something white, in a drawer in his kitchen." "She had to deploy monumental physical and intellectual forces to overcome her terror and extricate herself at the last minute from this ambush," Minkowski told the news agency. "Added to this is a feeling of betrayal and total incomprehension -- Joel Guerriau had been a friend for around ten years in whom she had complete confidence," the lawyer further said. 'Senator will face consequences if...': Minister French Environment Minister Christophe Bechu said on Friday that Guerriau would face consequences if the least of this case was true. Bechu said that chiefs of the Horizons party of which Guerriau is a member, would hold a meeting on Saturday to discuss the situation. "Of course, he won't be able to stay if there is the slightest doubt," the minister added. (With inputs from agencies)

French senator arrested for allegedly spiking MP's drink to assault her

Choose a comfortable, appropriately sized backpack to carry essentials. Look for one with padded straps and multiple compartments to distribute weight evenly. 


US e-commerce giant Amazon announced it will cut several hundred jobs at Alexa, citing a shift in business priorities.

In an internal memo, Alexa's Vice President Daniel Rausch said the company was shifting some of its efforts to better align with its business priorities, which included "maximising our resources and efforts focused on generative AI."

Alexa employees in the US and Canada have been affected by the layoffs. "We will communicate with impacted colleagues in India next week, and are following local processes in other regions," the memo added.


'Alexa did not make this decision lightly'

In the memo, Alexa's Vice President Rausch also said, "...we did not make this decision lightly."
He said the company will provide packages to leaving employees which include a separation payment, transitional health insurance benefits, and external job placement support.


All Images: Reuters, Pexels, Freepik (For representative images)

Why is Amazon Cutting jobs at Alexa?

The Turkish parliament's foreign affairs committee on Thursday (Nov 16) delayed its decision on Sweden's NATO membership bid. According to a report by the news agency Associated Press, proceedings were adjourned after lawmakers from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Justice and Development Party submitted a motion for a postponement on grounds that some issues needed clarification and that negotiations with Sweden had not matured enough.&nbsp;

It was not yet known when the committee would resume its discussions on Sweden's accession protocol or when it would reach parliament's general assembly for the last stage of the legislative process.&nbsp;

Addressing a press conference, committee Chairperson Fuat Oktay said that the Swedish ambassador might be invited to the next session to provide further information on steps his country has taken to address Turkey’s security concerns.

Sweden and Finland had applied to join NATO last year to bolster their security after Russia launched a war against Ukraine. Finland's membership of the inter-governmental military was sealed in April this year. However, Sweden's bid had been held up by Turkey and Hungary.

Turkey has accused Sweden of being too lenient towards groups that Ankara regards as threats to its security, including Kurdish militants and members of a network that Ankara blames for a failed coup in 2016.

Turkey has also been angered by a series of demonstrations by supporters of the banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, in Sweden as well as Quran-burning protests.&nbsp;

On Thursday, Turkey's Deputy Foreign Minister Burak Akcapar briefed cabinet members on the steps Sweden took to meet Ankara's security demands. According to a report by the Anadolu Agency, Akcapar said that Kurdish militants were no longer able to find a “comfortable space for movement in Sweden.

“The Swedish government and public have begun to better understand the legitimate security concerns of our country,” he added.

The delay in approving Stockholm's NATO membership also comes as Turkey has also been at odds with the West over the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

The Turkish parliament's foreign affairs committee on Thursday (Nov 16) delayed its decision on Sweden's NATO membership bid. According to a report by the news agency Associated Press, proceedings were adjourned after lawmakers from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Justice and Development Party submitted a motion for a postponement on grounds that some issues needed clarification and that negotiations with Sweden had not matured enough.

The Turkish parliament's foreign affairs committee on Thursday (Nov 16) delayed its decision on Sweden's NATO membership bid. According to a report by the news agency Associated Press, proceedings were adjourned after lawmakers from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Justice and Development Party submitted a motion for a postponement on grounds that some issues needed clarification and that negotiations with Sweden had not matured enough. It was not yet known when the committee would resume its discussions on Sweden's accession protocol or when it would reach parliament's general assembly for the last stage of the legislative process. Addressing a press conference, committee Chairperson Fuat Oktay said that the Swedish ambassador might be invited to the next session to provide further information on steps his country has taken to address Turkey’s security concerns. Sweden and Finland had applied to join NATO last year to bolster their security after Russia launched a war against Ukraine. Finland's membership of the inter-governmental military was sealed in April this year. However, Sweden's bid had been held up by Turkey and Hungary. Turkey has accused Sweden of being too lenient towards groups that Ankara regards as threats to its security, including Kurdish militants and members of a network that Ankara blames for a failed coup in 2016. Turkey has also been angered by a series of demonstrations by supporters of the banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, in Sweden as well as Quran-burning protests. On Thursday, Turkey's Deputy Foreign Minister Burak Akcapar briefed cabinet members on the steps Sweden took to meet Ankara's security demands. According to a report by the Anadolu Agency, Akcapar said that Kurdish militants were no longer able to find a “comfortable space for movement in Sweden. “The Swedish government and public have begun to better understand the legitimate security concerns of our country,” he added. The delay in approving Stockholm's NATO membership also comes as Turkey has also been at odds with the West over the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. (With inputs from agencies)

Turkish parliament delays decision on Sweden's NATO bid. Here's why

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (Nov 17) addressed the concluding session of the Voice of Global South Summit, which was held virtually. Modi said that two summits of the Global South being held in a year and the large participation sent out a big message to the world.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (Nov 17) addressed the concluding session of the Voice of Global South Summit, which was held virtually. Modi said that two summits of the Global South being held in a year and the large participation sent out a big message to the world. "The message is- Global South wants its autonomy, Global South wants its voice to be heard on Global Governance, Global South is ready to take big responsibility on global issues...India is proud that during an important forum like the G20, we got the opportunity to put the voice of the Global South on the agenda...," Modi added. "We aim to enhance capacity building across sectors in the Global South. Apart from that, we also have shared interests as far as global peace is concerned," he further said. This summit, which is the second, focused on sharing with countries of the Global South the key outcomes achieved in various G20 meetings throughout India's residence. Here's a look at the top updates: > Earlier on Friday, PM Modi addressed the inaugural session of the summit, where he said, "Geographically, the Global South has always existed, but it is getting a voice for the first time, and this is because of the joint efforts. We are over 100 countries but our priorities are similar." > During the session, the prime minister also said New Delhi believed that new technology should not widen the gap between the Global North and the Global South, adding that during the times of artificial intelligence (AI), it is important that technology should be used responsibly. "To further promote this, India will organise the Artificial Global Partnership Summit next month." > The first Voice of Global South Summit was hosted by India in January. The summit has brought together countries from Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania — collectively dubbed as Global South- to share their perspectives and priorities on a global platform. The theme for the first summit was “Unity of Voice, Unity of Purpose” and had a total of 10 sessions. #WATCH | At the Concluding Leaders Session of the Voice of Global South Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "Two summits of Global South being held in a year and a large participation in it sends out a big message to the world. The message is- Global South wants its… pic.twitter.com/QVGNUXV67b — ANI (@ANI) November 17, 2023 × > According to India's foreign ministry, the second summit was also structured into 10 sessions, and an additional eight ministerial sessions. > Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, who addressed the summit on Friday, said that the Covid pandemic, the impact of climate change and raging geopolitical tensions disrupted and underscored the fragility of global supply chains. > "These disruptions have created monumental challenges of food and energy security, cost of living and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals," Commerce Minister Goyal said. > "With respect to the global South, the first need is to identify global value chains, where each of the countries could focus on not only increasing their participation but also improving the quality of their participation by moving up the value chain," he added. > Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said that New Delhi's G20 Presidency advocated for finding solutions from within the Global South. "Our G20 priorities will be shaped in consultation with not just G20 partners, but also our fellow travellers from the Global South, whose voice often goes unheard." > Jaishankar pointed out that the New Delhi Leaders Declaration of the G20 Summit "will be remembered for bringing back the G20's focus on the real and serious concerns of the Global South. > Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, meanwhile, said that the Centre's New Education Policy (2020) can act as a template for emerging economies towards developing comprehensive strategies for human resource development. > "At the G2 Education Minister's meeting, India led the discussion of collaborative efforts to develop a resilient, equitable, inclusive and sustainable and skilling ecosystem," Pradhan said.

Indian PM Modi shares three demands of Global South at concluding session of meet

Indian entrepreneur Ashneer Grover, the former managing director of BharatPe, and his wife Madhuri Jain were stopped at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport on Thursday night (Nov 17) by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Delhi Police, media reports said.

Indian entrepreneur Ashneer Grover, the former managing director of BharatPe, and his wife Madhuri Jain were stopped at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport on Thursday night (Nov 17) by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Delhi Police, media reports said. According to a report by Livemint on Friday, Grover and Jain were travelling to New York for vacation and were stopped by the EOW amid an ongoing investigation against them for alleged fraud at BharatPe, a payments startup co-founded by Grover. Sindhu Pillai, joint commissioner of the EOW, said Grover and Jain were detained before the security check and were asked to return to their residence in Delhi and join the investigation at the EOW office at Mandir Marg next week. Earlier this week, a lookout circular (LoC) was issued against the two. Pillai said LoC was issued only to detain the couple from travelling overseas, adding they were not arrested. What is the case against Ashneer Grover? On May 11, the EOW registered a case against Grover, Jain and other family members for using company funds inappropriately, based on forged documents. Speaking to the news agency ANI, a Delhi police official said a complaint was filed by Resilient Innovations Pvt Ltd (BharatPe) in the EOW, alleging that Grover, Jain and other employees "were involved in criminal misappropriation of the company's funds on the basis of forged/fabricated documents and resultant payments to non-existent firms/vendors and HR consultancy firms without rendering any services." The complainant alleged that criminal acts committed by Grover, his wife and other employees caused a loss of around $9.7 million to the company. 'Will cooperate with authorities': Grover Sharing a post on X on Friday, Grover said he did not receive any communication or summons from the EOW since the First Information Report (FIR) in May till Friday morning. Hello ! Hello ! Kya chal raha hai India mein ? Filhaal to Ashneer stopped at airport chal raha hai janab. So facts: 1. I had not received any communication or summon from EOW since FIR in May till 8 AM today 17 morning (7 hours after returning from airport). 2. I was going to… pic.twitter.com/I0OHOXJd6F — Ashneer Grover (@Ashneer_Grover) November 17, 2023 × "I found it strange as have travelled 4 times internationally since FIR filed in May - never been a problem and I had not even been summoned once," Grover said. "Flight left in meantime anyways - EOW folks directed Immigration to let us out so that we can return home," he added. Grover also said he would as always cooperate with authorities. (With inputs from agencies)

'No drama, not a flight risk': BharatPe co-founder Ashneer Grover after being stopped at Delhi airport

The United Kingdom's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) said on Tuesday (Nov 14) that artificial intelligence (AI) posed a threat to the upcoming national election.

The United Kingdom's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) said on Tuesday (Nov 14) that artificial intelligence (AI) posed a threat to the upcoming national election. In its annual review, the NCSC said that this year saw the emergence of state-aligned actors as a new cyber threat to critical national infrastructure such as power, water and internet networks. "We live in a dangerous, volatile world. The events of the last year have demonstrated the extent to which geopolitical crises and technological change impact us all, threatening not just our traditional security but our economic security," the report said. The year 2022 saw the emergence of a new class of cyber adversaries in the form of state-aligned actors, who are often sympathetic to Russia’s further invasion of Ukraine and are ideologically, rather than financially, motivated. 'Russian actors sought to interfere in 2019 poll' "The UK government assesses that it is almost certain that Russian actors sought to interfere in the 2019 general election," NCSC said, and with the upcoming elections in the UK and the United States, "we can expect to see the integrity of our systems tested again." The centre also said that the UK and its allies could not be complacent to the threat of foreign cyber interference and attempts at influencing the democratic process. In the UK, the next general election will take place before the end of January 2025. Local and mayoral elections are scheduled in May 2024. The NCSC said that when the election happens, the process of casting a vote is completed using pencil and paper, significantly reducing the chances of a cyber actor affecting the integrity of the results. "However, the act of voting marks the end of the sprint, as a significant amount of cyber-resilience building needs to take place before this to secure the services which support our elections and the integrity of an open public discourse," it added. The government has established the Joint Election Security Preparedness Unit (JESP), which takes overall responsibility for coordinating electoral security and drives the government’s election preparedness. Threat posed by AI According to the NCSC, technologies like AI might pose from those looking to interfere or otherwise undermine trust in the UK's democratic system. It said the next election would be the first to take place against the backdrop of significant advances in AI. However, rather than presenting new risks, AI's ability to enable existing techniques posed the biggest threat. The centre gave an example- "large language models will almost certainly be used to generate fabricated content, AI-created hyperrealistic bots will make the spread of disinformation easier and the manipulation of media for use in deepfake campaigns will likely become more advanced." The NCSC also said that even though the government was committed to countering the threat from online harms, it was important for people "to be aware that the threat landscape is changing and as with any kind of new technology, alongside realising the benefits, there is always potential for misuse."

UK: Cyber security body NCSC says AI poses threat to upcoming national election

The British defence ministry has placed a new order of $24.9 million (£20 million) with BAE Systems for the supply of additional small arms munitions over the next two years, the defence company announced on Tuesday (Nov 14). According <a href="https://www.baesystems.com/en/article/uk-ministry-of-defence-invests-20m-in-small-arms-ammunition">to a statement issued </a>by BAE, "The 5.56mm and 7.62mm rounds will be produced at Radway Green, the Company’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility which offers some of the most advanced ammunition production capabilities in the world."

This announcement follows the signing of a $512 million order for the supply of vital battlefield munitions to the defence ministry in September when it exercised an option to increase a $349 million supply order announced in July.

Glynn Plant, the managing director of munitions at BAE, said on Tuesday, "The significant orders we have secured throughout the year has seen our teams increasing production rates, investing in people and new facilities and maximising shift patterns to meet this enhanced demand."

Meanwhile, the UK's Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps said that with contracts like these, the government continues to ensure that the government "replenishes and equips our forces, supporting jobs right across the UK."

On Tuesday, the company's shares shed 3.16 per cent to $13.40, on what proved to be an all-around favourable trading session for the stock market, a report by Market Watch said.

And on Monday, the defence giant reported a surge in orders that has led the company to raise its sales growth outlook for the year, a report by investing.com said. BAE saw over $36.68 billion this year, reflecting sustained confidence from its customers, the report added.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The British defence ministry has placed a new order of $24.9 million (£20 million) with BAE Systems for the supply of additional small arms munitions over the next two years, the defence company announced on Tuesday (Nov 14).

The British defence ministry has placed a new order of $24.9 million (£20 million) with BAE Systems for the supply of additional small arms munitions over the next two years, the defence company announced on Tuesday (Nov 14). According to a statement issued by BAE, "The 5.56mm and 7.62mm rounds will be produced at Radway Green, the Company’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility which offers some of the most advanced ammunition production capabilities in the world." This announcement follows the signing of a $512 million order for the supply of vital battlefield munitions to the defence ministry in September when it exercised an option to increase a $349 million supply order announced in July. Glynn Plant, the managing director of munitions at BAE, said on Tuesday, "The significant orders we have secured throughout the year has seen our teams increasing production rates, investing in people and new facilities and maximising shift patterns to meet this enhanced demand." Meanwhile, the UK's Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps said that with contracts like these, the government continues to ensure that the government "replenishes and equips our forces, supporting jobs right across the UK." On Tuesday, the company's shares shed 3.16 per cent to $13.40, on what proved to be an all-around favourable trading session for the stock market, a report by Market Watch said. And on Monday, the defence giant reported a surge in orders that has led the company to raise its sales growth outlook for the year, a report by investing.com said. BAE saw over $36.68 billion this year, reflecting sustained confidence from its customers, the report added.

UK's defence ministry places nearly $25 million order with BAE Systems

Israel-Hamas War: Kin of Israeli Hostages Start 5-day March on Netanyahu’s Residence 

A 5-day March to Demand Release of Hostages 

Families of Israeli hostages captured by Hamas have started a five-day march from Tel Aviv to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence in Jerusalem. The families will demand the government to secure release of the hostages.

On October 7, the day of the attack, Hamas terrorists took around 240 Israelis as hostages. The hostages range in age group of nine months to 85 years. It is believed that they are being held in tunnels deep under the Gaza Strip. 

Speaking to the news agency Reuters, the nephew of a 72-year-old hostage said that families felt they were not getting enough information. “We fell into the darkness. We want answers,” he said.  

Another woman whose 21-year-old son was captured said, “I demand from Benjamin Netanyahu and the cabinet to give us answers and actions.” 

Hamas Ready to Release 70 Hostages Under These Conditions 

On Nov 13, Hamas said that it was ready to release up to 70 women and children hostages in return for a five-day truce and the release of 275 Palestinian women and children held in Israeli prisons.

Netanyahu Rejects Ceasefire Unless All Hostages Freed 

Israeli PM Netanyahu has rejected the growing calls for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip unless all the Israeli hostages are freed by Hamas.


Hundreds of Kenyans braved heavy downpours to plant seedlings in Nairobi after the government declared Monday a public holiday to encourage citizens to grow 100 million trees across the country.

President William Ruto has vowed to plant 15 billion trees by 2032 in a bid to boost&nbsp;Kenya's forest cover following the worst drought to ravage the Horn of Africa region in 40 years.&nbsp;

Despite pouring rain, officials, school students and families gathered in various locations in the capital to plant seedlings.

"I have planted more than 50 trees today. I think this is a powerful and necessary initiative for the planet specially after experiencing a dramatic drought in&nbsp;Kenya&nbsp;for several consecutive seasons," government official Joan Kirika told AFP.

"I hope we keep celebrating this day annually, not necessarily as a holiday but a yearly reminder to care about the environment and think about the planet."

Ruto has cast himself as a climate change campaigner, but has faced criticism from environmentalists over his decision in July to lift a nearly six-year moratorium on logging.

He has defended the move, saying it would create jobs, and adding that it was "foolishness" to let mature trees rot while sawmills were importing timber.

A Kenyan court last month barred the government from lifting the logging ban but allowed the felling of several thousand hectares of mature forest.

In 2018, a government taskforce said the felling of indigenous trees in&nbsp;Kenya's forests was "rampant" and warned 5,000 hectares (around 12,350 acres) a year were being cleared.

Forestry and logging contributed 1.6 percent to&nbsp;Kenya's economy last year, according to government statistics, which also said the total forest cover was 8.8 percent in 2022.

Kenya's timber industry employs 50,000 people directly and 300,000 indirectly, according to the government, and the decision to lift the ban came as the economy reels from unemployment and high inflation.

Hundreds of Kenyans braved heavy downpours to plant seedlings in Nairobi after the government declared Monday a public holiday to encourage citizens to grow 100 million trees across the country.

Hundreds of Kenyans braved heavy downpours to plant seedlings in Nairobi after the government declared Monday a public holiday to encourage citizens to grow 100 million trees across the country. President William Ruto has vowed to plant 15 billion trees by 2032 in a bid to boost Kenya's forest cover following the worst drought to ravage the Horn of Africa region in 40 years. Despite pouring rain, officials, school students and families gathered in various locations in the capital to plant seedlings. "I have planted more than 50 trees today. I think this is a powerful and necessary initiative for the planet specially after experiencing a dramatic drought in Kenya for several consecutive seasons," government official Joan Kirika told AFP. "I hope we keep celebrating this day annually, not necessarily as a holiday but a yearly reminder to care about the environment and think about the planet." Ruto has cast himself as a climate change campaigner, but has faced criticism from environmentalists over his decision in July to lift a nearly six-year moratorium on logging. He has defended the move, saying it would create jobs, and adding that it was "foolishness" to let mature trees rot while sawmills were importing timber. A Kenyan court last month barred the government from lifting the logging ban but allowed the felling of several thousand hectares of mature forest. In 2018, a government taskforce said the felling of indigenous trees in Kenya's forests was "rampant" and warned 5,000 hectares (around 12,350 acres) a year were being cleared. Forestry and logging contributed 1.6 percent to Kenya's economy last year, according to government statistics, which also said the total forest cover was 8.8 percent in 2022. Kenya's timber industry employs 50,000 people directly and 300,000 indirectly, according to the government, and the decision to lift the ban came as the economy reels from unemployment and high inflation.

Kenyans brave heavy rain to plant trees as public holiday declared to achieve 100mn sapling goal

A dinner menu for first-class passengers onboard the RMS Titanic was sold for $103,000 (£84,000) at an auction. According to a report by the news agency AFP on Sunday (Nov 12), the menu was for a meal served on April 11, 1912. It is decorated with a red White Star Line burgee but the original gilt lettering is no longer visible. The menu was sold last Saturday at Henry Aldridge &amp; Son auction house in Wiltshire, southwest England.

AFP reported that this is believed to be the only surviving copy of a first-class April 11 dinner menu and was discovered in a photo album belonging to late Canadian amateur historian Len Stephenson.

Over 1,500 passengers and crew died when the vessel sank after hitting an iceberg on the evening of April 14, 1912.

Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge said that the menu showed signs of water immersion having been partially erased, the reverse of the menu also clearly displays further evidence of this.

"This would point to the menu having been subjected to the icy North Atlantic waters on the morning of April 15 either having left the ship with a survivor who was exposed to those cold sea waters or recovered on the person of one of those lost," Aldridge added.

Other items sold in the auction included a Swiss-made pocket watch recovered from passenger Sinai Kantor, which sold for $1,19,000 and a tartan-patterned deck blanket likely used during the rescue operation that&nbsp;fetched over $117,000.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

A dinner menu for first-class passengers onboard the RMS Titanic was sold for $103,000 (£84,000) at an auction. According to a report by the news agency AFP on Sunday (Nov 12), the menu was for a meal served on April 11, 1912.

A dinner menu for first-class passengers onboard the RMS Titanic was sold for $103,000 (£84,000) at an auction. According to a report by the news agency AFP on Sunday (Nov 12), the menu was for a meal served on April 11, 1912. It is decorated with a red White Star Line burgee but the original gilt lettering is no longer visible. The menu was sold last Saturday at Henry Aldridge & Son auction house in Wiltshire, southwest England. AFP reported that this is believed to be the only surviving copy of a first-class April 11 dinner menu and was discovered in a photo album belonging to late Canadian amateur historian Len Stephenson. Over 1,500 passengers and crew died when the vessel sank after hitting an iceberg on the evening of April 14, 1912. Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge said that the menu showed signs of water immersion having been partially erased, the reverse of the menu also clearly displays further evidence of this. "This would point to the menu having been subjected to the icy North Atlantic waters on the morning of April 15 either having left the ship with a survivor who was exposed to those cold sea waters or recovered on the person of one of those lost," Aldridge added. Other items sold in the auction included a Swiss-made pocket watch recovered from passenger Sinai Kantor, which sold for $1,19,000 and a tartan-patterned deck blanket likely used during the rescue operation that fetched over $117,000. (With inputs from agencies)

Dinner menu for first-class passengers onboard Titanic auctioned for $103,000

The Iraqi Supreme Court on Tuesday (Nov 14) terminated the tenure of parliament speaker Mohammed Halbousi, the news agency Reuters reported citing state media. In a video shared by his office, Halbousi said the court's decision was strange and implied that it violated the constitution and undermined national stability. "We are surprised by the issuance of such decisions, we are surprised by their lack of respect for the constitution," he said.

The Supreme Court's decision was related to the court case brought against the parliament speaker earlier this year. The ruling is final and not subject to appeal. Halbousi's ouster comes just over a month before Iraq holds elections for provincial councils that last happened a decade back.&nbsp;

Halbousi, 42, was first elected as speaker in 2018 and then re-elected four years later. An engineer by profession, he worked as a US contractor after the US invaded Iraq in 2003. Reuters reported that Halbousi cultivated good relations with Shi'ites and Kurds who helped his rise to power.

Speaking to Reuters, independent lawmaker Amer al-Fayiz said that lawmakers gathered for a regular parliamentary session Halbousi was in the chamber at the time that the decision (to end his tenure) was issued.&nbsp;

On hearing of the decision, Halbousi exited the chamber, Fayiz said.

Deputy speaker Mohsen al-Mandalawi, a Shi'ite, takes over as interim speaker until a new speaker is elected.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Iraqi Supreme Court on Tuesday (Nov 14) terminated the tenure of parliament speaker Mohammed Halbousi, the news agency Reuters reported citing state media. In a video shared by his office, Halbousi said the court's decision was strange and implied that it violated the constitution and undermined national stability.

The Iraqi Supreme Court on Tuesday (Nov 14) terminated the tenure of parliament speaker Mohammed Halbousi, the news agency Reuters reported citing state media. In a video shared by his office, Halbousi said the court's decision was strange and implied that it violated the constitution and undermined national stability. "We are surprised by the issuance of such decisions, we are surprised by their lack of respect for the constitution," he said. The Supreme Court's decision was related to the court case brought against the parliament speaker earlier this year. The ruling is final and not subject to appeal. Halbousi's ouster comes just over a month before Iraq holds elections for provincial councils that last happened a decade back. Halbousi, 42, was first elected as speaker in 2018 and then re-elected four years later. An engineer by profession, he worked as a US contractor after the US invaded Iraq in 2003. Reuters reported that Halbousi cultivated good relations with Shi'ites and Kurds who helped his rise to power. Speaking to Reuters, independent lawmaker Amer al-Fayiz said that lawmakers gathered for a regular parliamentary session Halbousi was in the chamber at the time that the decision (to end his tenure) was issued. On hearing of the decision, Halbousi exited the chamber, Fayiz said. Deputy speaker Mohsen al-Mandalawi, a Shi'ite, takes over as interim speaker until a new speaker is elected. (With inputs from agencies)

Iraqi Supreme Court terminates tenure of parliament speaker Mohammed Halbousi

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Zee News Rajasthan

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Harshit Sabarwal

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