US Special Counsel Jack Smith, who was investigating former president Donald Trump over the Capitol Hill riot, obtained a search warrant for his Twitter account, as per an appeals court opinion on Wednesday (August 9).

US Special Counsel Jack Smith, who was investigating former president Donald Trump over the Capitol Hill riot, obtained a search warrant for his Twitter account, as per an appeals court opinion on Wednesday (August 9). The search warrant was obtained in January this year and Twitter, which is now rebranded X, delayed complying. The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit affirmed the federal judge's decision to hold Twitter in contempt and fine it $350,000. The ruling stated that Twitter raised First Amendment concerns about a nondisclosure order issued over the warrant, as it wanted to notify Trump about it. "Under the circumstances, the court did not abuse its discretion when it ultimately held Twitter in contempt and imposed a $350,000 sanction," the ruling said. The court's opinion did not identify which judge held Twitter in contempt. 'They secretly attacked my Twitter account': Trump hits out at DOJ On Wednesday, Trump lashed out at the Department of Justice (DOJ) by saying that it secretly attacked his Twitter account. "Just found out that Crooked Joe Biden’s DOJ secretly attacked my Twitter account, making it a point not to let me know about this major “hit” on my civil rights," Trump said in a post on his social media platform Truth Social on Wednesday. × "My Political Opponent is going CRAZY trying to infringe on my Campaign for President. Nothing like this has ever happened before. Does the First Amendment still exist? Did Deranged Jack Smith tell the Unselects to DESTROY & DELETE all evidence? These are DARK DAYS IN AMERICA!" the former president added. The search warrant According to a report by CNN, the search warrant sought “data and records related” to Trump’s Twitter account, and ultimately, the platform was allowed to share some information about the search warrant with the former president. Twitter and Special Counsel Smith's office had spent several months litigating the question of whether the former president should be told about the search warrant. While Trump's tweets are publicly viewable, the company also holds non-public information on accounts like direct messages, drafts of tweets, location data and the type of device used to send tweets. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US special counsel got search warrant for Trump's Twitter account in Capitol riot probe

United States President Joe Biden on Wednesday (August 9) signed an executive order that would prohibit American investments in China in sensitive technologies such as computer chips and require government notification in other tech sectors.

United States President Joe Biden on Wednesday (August 9) signed an executive order that would prohibit American investments in China in sensitive technologies such as computer chips and require government notification in other tech sectors. On Thursday, the Chinese government said it was gravely concerned about the order and that it reserves the right to take measures. In a letter to Congress, President Biden said that he was declaring a national emergency to deal with the threat of advancement by countries like China "in sensitive technologies and products critical to the military, intelligence, surveillance or cyber-enabled capabilities." The executive order is expected to be implemented next year. "The Order directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a program to prohibit or require notification of certain types of outbound investments by United States persons into certain entities located in or subject to the jurisdiction of a country of concern, and certain other entities owned by persons of a country of concern, involved in specific categories of advanced technologies and products," an official statement from the Treasury said on Wednesday. "In an Annex to the Order, the President identified the People’s Republic of China, along with the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau, as a country of concern," the statement added. Who's targeted in the executive order? The executive order authorises the US Treasury Secretary to prohibit or restrict American investments in three sectors: semiconductors and microelectronics, quantum information technologies and certain artificial intelligence (AI) systems. The Biden administration said the restrictions would apply to "narrow subsets" of the three areas but did not elaborate. "Among other things, Treasury seeks input on the sub-sets of national security technologies and products related to semiconductors, quantum information technology, and artificial intelligence systems," another statement from the Treasury read. The statement said that the US benefits from an open investment climate and the new measure would not change that. "It is narrowly targeted at investments in highly sensitive technologies and products for the purposes of protecting US national security," it added. The order aims to prevent American capital and expertise from helping China develop technologies that could support its military modernisation and undermine US national security. The measure targets private equity, venture capital, joint ventures and greenfield investments. "This narrowly targeted action will complement our existing export control and inbound investment screening tools, and protect our national security while maintaining our longstanding commitment to open investment," the statement also said. Regulations to only affect future investments The White House said Biden consulted allies on the plan and incorporated feedback from the Group of Seven (G7) nations. On Wednesday, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said, "For too long, American money has helped fuel the Chinese military’s rise. Today the United States is taking a strategic first step to ensure American investment does not go to fund Chinese military advancement." The US Treasury pointed out that the regulations would only affect future investments and not the existing ones. Officials insisted the prohibitions were intended to address the most acute national security risks and not to separate the two countries' highly independent economies. However, the Republican party said the executive order was rife with loopholes and was not aggressive enough. Exemptions expected The US Treasury said that it anticipates exempting "certain transactions, including potentially those in publicly traded instruments and intracompany transfers from US parents to subsidiaries." "Treasury welcomes comments and views from a wide range of stakeholders on all aspects of how the Secretary should implement this new program. Treasury will take this input into account as it develops draft regulations, including refining the definitions of key terms, setting forth the notification requirements, and establishing the penalty and enforcement processes for violations, among other things," Wednesday's statement further said. How has China reacted to the executive order? China's commerce ministry said on Thursday that the executive order affected the normal operation and decision-making of enterprises, and undermines the international economic and trade order. The ministry said it hoped that Washington would respect the laws of the market economy and the principle of fair competition and refrain from "artificially hindering global economic and trade exchanges and cooperation, or set up obstacles for the recovery of the world economy". The foreign ministry said that Beijing was "strongly dissatisfied" with and "resolutely" opposes Washington's insistence on introducing investment restrictions on China, having also lodged solemn representations with the US. China urged the US to fulfil Biden's promise of no intention to decouple from China or obstruct China's economic development, the ministry added. Meanwhile, a spokesperson from the Chinese embassy told Reuters on Thursday the White House had not heeded "China’s repeated expression of deep concerns" about the plan. Pointing out that more than 70,000 American companies do business in China, the spokesperson said that the restrictions would hurt both Chinese and American businesses, interfere with normal cooperation and reduce investor confidence in the US. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Explained: US President Biden orders ban on certain US tech investments in China. Who's targeted?

The World Bank said on Tuesday (August 8) that it was pausing new public finance projects in Uganda over the government's adoption of a widely criticised bill that criminalises same-sex conduct.

The World Bank said on Tuesday (August 8) that it was pausing new public finance projects in Uganda over the government's adoption of a widely criticised bill that criminalises same-sex conduct. In a statement, the World Bank said that Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Act fundamentally contradicts the global development lender's core values. No new public financing would be presented to the bank's board of directors for approval for the time being, the statement added. "Our goal is to protect sexual and gender minorities from discrimination and exclusion in the projects we finance," the statement also said, adding it was in discussion with the Ugandan authorities over the issue. What is Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Act? In May, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni signed the Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2023- which criminalises same-sex conduct, including potentially a death penalty for those convicted of “aggravated homosexuality." The act calls for life imprisonment for anyone convicted of homosexuality. Same-sex relations have been illegal in Uganda but the new act goes further. According to Human Rights Watch (HRW), the act violates "multiple fundamental rights guaranteed under Uganda’s constitution and breaks commitments made by the government as a signatory to a number of international human rights agreements." United States President Joe Biden, meanwhile, called Kampala's decision "a tragic violation" of human rights and said Washington would evaluate the implications of the law "on all aspects of US engagement with Uganda." "We are considering additional steps, including the application of sanctions and restriction of entry into the United States against anyone involved in serious human rights abuses or corruption," President said on May 29. In a joint statement, the American flagship HIV/AIDS programme PEPFAR, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) said the law put Uganda’s anti-HIV fight "in grave jeopardy." World Bank's decision follows pressure from rights groups, US Congress The World Bank's decision to halt new loans for Uganda came after pressure from human rights organisations and members of the US Congress to take a tougher line with Kampala over the act. In late July, several members of the US Congress called on World Bank President Ajay Banga to "immediately postpone and suspend all current and future lending to Uganda" until the law was struck down. Following the passage of the act, the US State Department updated its travel advisory, telling citizens to "reconsider travel to Uganda due to crime, terrorism, and anti-LGBTQI+ legislation." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

World Bank halts approval for new finance projects in Uganda over anti-LGBTQ law

Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Wednesday (August 9) that Russian forces shot down two combat drones headed for the capital. Taking to Telegram, mayor Sobyanin said one drone was downed in the Domodedovo area on the southern outskirts of Moscow, while the second was shot down in the Minsk highway area, west of the capital.

Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Wednesday (August 9) that Russian forces shot down two combat drones headed for the capital. Taking to Telegram, mayor Sobyanin said one drone was downed in the Domodedovo area on the southern outskirts of Moscow, while the second was shot down in the Minsk highway area, west of the capital. "Two combat drones' attempt to fly into the city was recorded. Both were shot down by air defence," Sobyanin said without naming an attacker. "At the moment, there is no information about victims of the fall of the wreckage," the mayor also said, adding, emergency services were on the ground. The surging drone attacks in Moscow Wednesday's incident is the latest in a series of surge in drone attacks targetting Moscow. On Monday, the Russian government claimed to have shot down a Ukrainian drone southwest of Moscow. The incident in the Kaluga region, less than 200 kilometres (125 miles) from Moscow, "affected neither people nor infrastructure", regional governor Vladislav Shapsha wrote on Telegram. This comes after the defence ministry said it downed seven drones near Kaluga. And last Sunday, another drone targeting the Russian capital was shot down. Last month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that the ongoing war was coming to Russia, with the country's "symbolic centres and military bases" becoming targets. "Gradually, the war is returning to the territory of Russia — to its symbolic centres and military bases, and this is an inevitable, natural and absolutely fair process," Zelensky said on July 30 during a visit to the western city of Ivano-Frankivsk. “Ukraine is getting stronger,” he added, warning, however, that the country should prepare for a new attack on energy infrastructure in winter. The Ukrainian president's remarks came after three drones were shot down in Moscow. Nine killed after Russian missiles strike Pokrovsk twice Meanwhile, the Ukrainian government said that Russian missiles struck the eastern city of Pokrovsk twice on Monday night, killing nine people, injuring scores and destroying apartments and a popular hotel. A total of 82 people were injured in the attack. "Everyone is provided with the necessary assistance. There are two children among the wounded," President Zelensky said in his evening address. And on Tuesday, Russian-installed Donetsk Mayor Alexei Kulemzin accused Ukraine in a social media post of shelling the city of Donetsk, killing three people and injuring 10 others. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Russia: Moscow mayor says military shot down two drones headed for capital

Russia on Wednesday (August 9) shot down two drones headed for Moscow, the latest in a series of a surge in drone attacks targeting the capital city. Mayor Sobyanin said one drone was downed in the Domodedovo area on the southern outskirts of Moscow, while the second was shot down in the Minsk highway area, west of the capital.&nbsp;

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will step down from the top post on Wednesday and the reins will be handed over to an interim set-up. “Tomorrow [Wednesday] my government completes its term and [after] meeting constitutional norms, we will hand over the reins to the interim set-up,” Sharif said on Tuesday.&nbsp;

In other news, New York authorities have taken measures to return stolen antiquities valued at almost $3.5 million to Italy. The move aims to reshape the city's image as a prominent global hub for the illegal trade of artworks.

Click on the headlines to read more:

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-moscow-mayor-says-military-shoots-down-two-drones-headed-for-capital-623672">Russia: Moscow mayor says military shoots down two drones headed for capital</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/08/09/372065-2023-08-01t064242z2lynxmpej70124rtroptp4ukraine-crisis-moscow-drones.JPG?imwidth=1920" />

Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Wednesday (August 9) that Russian forces shot down two combat drones headed for the capital. Taking to Telegram, mayor Sobyanin said one drone was downed in the Domodedovo area on the southern outskirts of Moscow, while the second was shot down in the Minsk highway area, west of the capital.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-politics-braces-for-change-as-national-assembly-set-to-dissolve-on-august-9-623681">Pakistan politics braces for change as National Assembly set to dissolve on August 9</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/08/09/372068-untitled-design-2023-08-09t081456755.png?imwidth=1920" />

Pakistan's National Assembly is all set to be dissolved on August 9 or Wednesday midnight, marking the end of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's government. With this, Shehbaz is likely to step down from his prime ministerial position.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-york-returns-stolen-artefacts-worth-35mn-to-italy-in-effort-to-combat-illicit-art-trade-623669">New York returns stolen artefacts worth $3.5mn to Italy in effort to combat illicit art trade</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/08/09/372064-the-battle-for-kyiv-2023-08-09t075336387.jpg?imwidth=1920" />

In a significant step towards combating the illicit art trade, New York authorities have taken measures to return stolen antiquities valued at almost $3.5 million to Italy.&nbsp;This move aims to reshape the city's image as a prominent global hub for the illegal trade of artworks.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/world-bank-halts-approval-for-new-finance-projects-in-uganda-over-anti-lgbtq-law-623693">World Bank halts approval for new finance projects in Uganda over anti-LGBTQ law</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/08/09/372073-pexels-anete-lusina-5721294.jpg?imwidth=1920" />

The World Bank said on Tuesday (August 8) that it was pausing new public finance projects in Uganda over the government's adoption of a widely criticised bill that criminalises same-sex conduct.&nbsp;

Watch | New York returns stolen artefacts worth $3.5mn to Italy in effort to combat illicit art trade

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Russia on Wednesday (August 9) shot down two drones headed for Moscow, the latest in a series of a surge in drone attacks targeting the capital city. Mayor Sobyanin said one drone was downed in the Domodedovo area on the southern outskirts of Moscow, while the second was shot down in the Minsk highway area, west of the capital.

Russia on Wednesday (August 9) shot down two drones headed for Moscow, the latest in a series of a surge in drone attacks targeting the capital city. Mayor Sobyanin said one drone was downed in the Domodedovo area on the southern outskirts of Moscow, while the second was shot down in the Minsk highway area, west of the capital. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will step down from the top post on Wednesday and the reins will be handed over to an interim set-up. “Tomorrow [Wednesday] my government completes its term and [after] meeting constitutional norms, we will hand over the reins to the interim set-up,” Sharif said on Tuesday. In other news, New York authorities have taken measures to return stolen antiquities valued at almost $3.5 million to Italy. The move aims to reshape the city's image as a prominent global hub for the illegal trade of artworks. Click on the headlines to read more: Russia: Moscow mayor says military shoots down two drones headed for capital Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Wednesday (August 9) that Russian forces shot down two combat drones headed for the capital. Taking to Telegram, mayor Sobyanin said one drone was downed in the Domodedovo area on the southern outskirts of Moscow, while the second was shot down in the Minsk highway area, west of the capital. Pakistan politics braces for change as National Assembly set to dissolve on August 9 Pakistan's National Assembly is all set to be dissolved on August 9 or Wednesday midnight, marking the end of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's government. With this, Shehbaz is likely to step down from his prime ministerial position. New York returns stolen artefacts worth $3.5mn to Italy in effort to combat illicit art trade In a significant step towards combating the illicit art trade, New York authorities have taken measures to return stolen antiquities valued at almost $3.5 million to Italy. This move aims to reshape the city's image as a prominent global hub for the illegal trade of artworks. World Bank halts approval for new finance projects in Uganda over anti-LGBTQ law The World Bank said on Tuesday (August 8) that it was pausing new public finance projects in Uganda over the government's adoption of a widely criticised bill that criminalises same-sex conduct. Watch | New York returns stolen artefacts worth $3.5mn to Italy in effort to combat illicit art trade ×

Morning brief: Russia shoots down 2 drones headed for Moscow, Pak National Assembly set to dissolve today

The US Secret Service has told President Joe Biden the name of the person who brought cocaine into the White House last month, according to a report by Soldier of Fortune last Sunday (August 6). A white substance was discovered in the White House library on July 2. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/discovery-of-cocaine-in-white-house-library-prompts-secret-service-investigation-611984">An investigation was launched</a> and a preliminary field test conducted on this substance yielded positive results for cocaine.

The investigation was closed on July 13 due to lack of evidence.&nbsp;

<h2>'Biden knows who the person is'</h2>

However, citing three security sources, the Soldier of Fortune report said that investigators are aware of who brought cocaine (into the White House) and so does President Biden. “If you want the name, ask Joe Biden. He knows who it is," one of the sources told the magazine.

The magazine directly messaged Biden about the claims. "Three trusted sources tell me the Secret Service gave you the name of the person who brought the cocaine into the Executive Mansion. Is this true; and if so, can you please confirm the name? If you know the name and are not revealing it, please explain why," the magazine's publisher Susan Katz Keating messaged Biden.&nbsp;

However, the message bounced back as undelivered, the report added.

<h3>WION cannot independently verify the claims of the mentioned magazine.&nbsp;</h3>

When cocaine was found inside the White House premises, observers speculated the drug belonged to President Biden's son Hunter, the report said. However, another security source told the magazine, “It was someone within the Biden family orbit, and it wasn’t Hunter.”

On July 7, Representative James Comer, chairman of the House Oversight Committee, asked Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to provide “a staff-level briefing” on the cocaine issue.

The presence of illegal drugs in the White House is unacceptable and a shameful moment in the White House’s history. According to a senior law-enforcement official, the cocaine was found in a storage facility that is “routinely used by White House staff and guests to store cell phones,” Comer <a href="https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/White-House-Secret-Service-Letter-Briefing-request-070723.pdf">said in his letter </a>to Cheatle.&nbsp;

"This alarming development requires the Committee to assess White House security practices and determine whose failures led to an evacuation of the building and finding of the illegal substance," the letter also said.&nbsp;

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The US Secret Service has told President Joe Biden the name of the person who brought cocaine into the White House last month, according to a report by Soldier of Fortune last Sunday (August 6).

The US Secret Service has told President Joe Biden the name of the person who brought cocaine into the White House last month, according to a report by Soldier of Fortune last Sunday (August 6). A white substance was discovered in the White House library on July 2. An investigation was launched and a preliminary field test conducted on this substance yielded positive results for cocaine. The investigation was closed on July 13 due to lack of evidence. 'Biden knows who the person is' However, citing three security sources, the Soldier of Fortune report said that investigators are aware of who brought cocaine (into the White House) and so does President Biden. “If you want the name, ask Joe Biden. He knows who it is," one of the sources told the magazine. The magazine directly messaged Biden about the claims. "Three trusted sources tell me the Secret Service gave you the name of the person who brought the cocaine into the Executive Mansion. Is this true; and if so, can you please confirm the name? If you know the name and are not revealing it, please explain why," the magazine's publisher Susan Katz Keating messaged Biden. However, the message bounced back as undelivered, the report added. WION cannot independently verify the claims of the mentioned magazine. When cocaine was found inside the White House premises, observers speculated the drug belonged to President Biden's son Hunter, the report said. However, another security source told the magazine, “It was someone within the Biden family orbit, and it wasn’t Hunter.” On July 7, Representative James Comer, chairman of the House Oversight Committee, asked Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to provide “a staff-level briefing” on the cocaine issue. The presence of illegal drugs in the White House is unacceptable and a shameful moment in the White House’s history. According to a senior law-enforcement official, the cocaine was found in a storage facility that is “routinely used by White House staff and guests to store cell phones,” Comer said in his letter to Cheatle. "This alarming development requires the Committee to assess White House security practices and determine whose failures led to an evacuation of the building and finding of the illegal substance," the letter also said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Secret Service has informed Biden about the person who brought cocaine into White House, says report

A study has said that less than 5,000 steps a day would be needed to stay fit and healthy. Citing a study from the Medical University of Lodz in Poland and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, a report from BBC said an analysis of over 226,000 people across the world showed that 4,000 steps were enough to start reducing the risk of dying prematurely of any cause.

A study has said that less than 5,000 steps a day would be needed to stay fit and healthy. Citing a study from the Medical University of Lodz in Poland and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, a report from BBC said an analysis of over 226,000 people across the world showed that 4,000 steps were enough to start reducing the risk of dying prematurely of any cause. Just more than 2,300 steps are enough to benefit the heart and blood vessels. However, researchers said the more steps are taken, the more health benefits are seen. The study also said that every extra step beyond 4,000 reduced the risk of dying early by 15% up to 20,000 steps. 'Lifestyle changes effective in reducing cardiovascular risk' Maciej Banach, a professor from the Medical University of Lodz, said that while the number of advanced drugs for treatment was growing, they were not the only answer. Banach said that people should emphasise that lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise, which was a main factor of the study, "might be at least as, or even more, effective in reducing cardiovascular risk and prolonging lives." Honey Fine, an instructor for global fitness company Barry, highlighted the problems that come from sitting down too much. Speaking to the BBC, Fine said too much sitting can slow down metabolism and affect muscle growth and strength, which can cause aches and pains. "Sitting down for too long can also cause all sorts of back problems, we find this a lot with people with office jobs, that their backs are constantly put in a stressed compressed position which causes a lot more problems later on in life," Fine added. She went on to explain the importance of non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT), which is everything that people do that uses energy and burns calories. Fine said that tasks including standing, carrying shopping, and washing the floors make people more active and help them to burn calories more efficiently. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

How many steps a day are needed to stay healthy? Study gives the answer

A 20-year-old man from India's southern Hyderabad city died after falling from the terrace of a building in the early hours of Monday (August 7) while he was secretly meeting his girlfriend over a pizza date.

A 20-year-old man from India's southern Hyderabad city died after falling from the terrace of a building in the early hours of Monday (August 7) while he was secretly meeting his girlfriend over a pizza date. According to a report by the news agency IANS on Tuesday (August 8), the police said that Mohammed Shoaib had gone to his girlfriend's residence in Hyderabad's Borabanda area to meet her over a pizza date. While Shoaib and his girlfriend were meeting on the terrace, they heard the footsteps of a person. Fearing that the person was his girlfriend's father, Shoaib tried to hide in one corner of the terrace. He was holding cables passing by. However, the 20-year-old slipped and fell down. Police launch investigation As per the IANS report, Shoaib worked at a bakery. He was shifted to the Osmania General Hospital, where he died. The police said he sustained severe head injuries in the fall. An investigation has been launched and the police are finding out if Shoaib fell accidentally or jumped off the building. A report by NDTV said that the victim's father has filed a complaint with the police alleging foul play. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

India: Man who went to girlfriend's home on date falls to death while trying to hide from her father

Niger's military junta defied a Sunday (August 6) deadline from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to reinstate ousted president Mohamed Bazoum or face a possible military intervention.

Niger's military junta defied a Sunday (August 6) deadline from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to reinstate ousted president Mohamed Bazoum or face a possible military intervention. Last week, defence chiefs of the ECOWAS drew up a plan for the possible use of force to reverse the July 26 coup in Niger, including how and when to deploy forces. With the junta defying the deadline, Niger's regional and Western allies have announced a series of sanctions against the country. The junta denied a joint delegation from West African states, the African Union (AU), and the United Nations (UN) permission to enter Niger, resisting pressure from the United States and the UN to come to the negotiating table. Meanwhile, ECOWAS heads of state are preparing for a summit to discuss their standoff with the junta. What sanctions have been imposed? According to a report by the news agency Reuters, the sanctions could lead to a default on Niger's debt repayments. ECOWAS and UEMOA impose stringent sanctions The report said that the ECOWAS and the West African Monetary and Economic Union (UEMOA) have imposed some of the most stringent sanctions on the country. The bloc suspended all commercial transactions with Niger, froze its state assets in the regional central bank, froze assets of the state and state enterprises in commercial banks, and suspended all financial assistance with regional development banks. The report added a planned $51 million bond issuance by Niger in the West African regional debt market was cancelled by the regional central bank following the imposition of sanctions. The government had planned to raise $834 million from the regional debt market this year. West Africa's regional central bank, the BCEAO, shut down its branches in the country, citing risks to operations. European Union The European Union (EU), which is one of Niger's biggest contributors, suspended its financial support and cooperation on security. The EU had allocated $554 million from its budget to improve governance, education and sustainable growth in Niger over 2021-2024. France suspends development aid, budget support France, which is another major partner of Niger, suspended development aid and budget support. The Reuters report said the development aid for the country was around $130 million in 2022 and expected to be slightly higher this year. US pauses assistance programmes, presses junta to reinstate govt The United States has paused assistance programmes to Niger valued at more than $100 million following the coup, pressing the junta to reinstate the military government. The US had previously warned the coup could lead to the suspension of all cooperation. As per the Reuters report, Washington has provided nearly $138 million in humanitarian assistance so far this year. World Bank The World Bank suspended disbursements until further notice, except for private-sector partnerships which it said will continue with caution. Niger has one of the largest World Bank portfolios in Africa, amounting to $4.5 billion, and it also received $600 million in direct budget support from the lender between 2022 and 2023. Canada and Netherlands Canada suspended direct development assistance to Niger. The Netherlands, on the other hand, temporarily suspended its direct cooperation with the government following the coup. The Dutch government had been supporting development and security programmes in Niger. Military coup hampering UN's humanitarian efforts A UN official said on Tuesday that the military coup is hampering the UN's humanitarian efforts in Niger as border and airspace closures have cut off supplies of medicine and food. Louise Aubin, the UN humanitarian chief in Niger, warned that aid agencies have been scrambling to eke out depleting stocks just as regional sanctions potentially increase the number of people in need. "The risk is that we start running out of assistance materials to be able to help out people - I'm talking about simple things that are so life-saving," Aubin told Reuters and listed food, vaccines, and cash as areas of concern. "Some people will soon be feeling the pinch of this ... More than the 4.3 million people we had planned on supporting through emergency humanitarian assistance, we might see that number growing and growing fast," Aubin added. The UN official further said flights operated within Niger by the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) were disrupted but not suspended by the junta's decision to close its airspace. But that and the closure of land borders under sanctions imposed by the ECOWAS meant the outlook for replenishing stocks in Niger was uncertain, she said. "The risk is that we start running out of assistance materials to be able to help out people. I'm talking about simple things that are so life-saving, I'm talking about vaccines, I'm talking about food but I'm also talking about cash. This is one way for us to be able to empower people to be able to access what they really need, but without cash flows in the country, some people will soon be feeling the pinch of this," the UN also said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Explained: What are the sanctions Niger is facing following the July 26 coup?

The Israeli army said on Sunday (August 6) that it has killed three Palestinian militants in West Bank, adding its forces operated to prevent an immediate threat.

The Israeli army said on Sunday (August 6) that it has killed three Palestinian militants in West Bank, adding its forces operated to prevent an immediate threat. According to a statement, the army said one of the militants was a "leading military operative" from the Jenin refugee camp. "A vehicle carrying a squad of terrorists from the Jenin refugee camp was identified while on its way to carry out an attack," the statement said. Soldiers opened fire and killed the three passengers, including the suspected squad leader, 26-year-old Nayef Abu Swiess, the statement added. Abu Swiess was "involved in military action against Israeli security forces and advancing military activity directed by terrorists in the Gaza Strip," the statement further said. Confirming the deaths, the Palestinian health ministry said the three young men were killed by occupation bullets in the incident near the town of Arraba in the Jenin area. Speaking to the news agency AFP, Jenin Kamal Abu Al-Roub said the army took the car and the bodies. PM Netanyahu praises troops for killing militants Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the troops for killing the militants who he said were on their way to attack Israeli citizens. "We will continue to take action -- everywhere and at any moment -- against those who seek to attack us," Prime Minister Netanyahu said in a statement. This incident is the latest in a series of attacks by Palestinians on Israeli targets, as well as violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinian communities and repeated Israeli army raids. AFP reported that mourners were seen laying flowers at the site where the Palestinians were killed. Islamic Jihad vows response Later on Sunday, the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad vowed to respond to the latest killings. "The enemy will soon see that its foolish actions and terror will be met with a strong response by the resistance," it said in a statement. Hamas, meanwhile, said, "Our Palestinian people and their courageous resistance will not let the occupation's aggression pass without a price." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Israeli army says it killed 3 Palestinian militants in West Bank; Islamic Jihad vows response

Former United States president Donald Trump said on Sunday (August 6) that he would be asking for the recusal of the judge in the 2020 US presidential election case “on very powerful grounds.

Former United States president Donald Trump said on Sunday (August 6) that he would be asking for the recusal of the judge in the 2020 US presidential election case “on very powerful grounds.” The case has been assigned to US District Judge Tanya Chutkan. According to a report by NBC, Chutkan is the only federal judge in Washington DC who has delivered sentences against defendants in cases related to the January 6 Capitol riot that are longer than the sentences that the Department of Justice (DOJ) asked for. Taking to his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said, "There is no way I can get a fair trial with the judge ''assigned" to the ridiculous freedom of speech/fair elections case. Everybody knows this, and so does she." × "We will be immediately asking for recusal of this judge on very powerful grounds, and likewise for venue change, out of DC," the former president added. The case The 2020 election case alleges that Trump illegally conspired to overturn his poll loss to President Joe Biden. On Tuesday, Trump was indicted for his attempts to overturn the election. The four-count, 45-page indictment charges Trump[ with conspiring to defraud the US by preventing Congress from certifying Democrat Joe Biden's victory and depriving voters of their right to a fair election. Also read | Who is Tanya Chutkan? Jamaica-born hardline judge assigned to Trump's election case According to prosecutors, Trump pushed fraud claims he knew to be untrue, pressured state and federal officials, and incited a violent assault on the Capitol in an attempt to undermine American democracy and cling to power. Trump's remarks on Sunday come a day after Judge Chutkan gave the former president's team time till Monday to respond to prosecutors’ request for a protective order. According to a report by CNBC, the order would prevent Trump and his legal team from sharing discovery materials with the public. The former president's lawyers asked for more time to prepare their response, which Chutkan denied. 'I'm being indicted because...': Trump Trump has pleaded not guilty to the charges. On Saturday, he told a crowd of Republicans that he was "being indicted because they're afraid of all of us." "Every time the radical left Democrats do this and the Marxist, Communist, fascists indict me — I consider it a great badge of honour because I'm being indicted for you. I am being indicted for you. I don't like that deal so much, by the way. I don't like that deal. But that's okay," Trump said in his first major political event after pleading not guilty to the charges. Now I'm being indicted for you are being indicted because of what we've done. And I'm being indicted because they're afraid of all of us, because we have a movement that's never been seen in the history of our country, Make America Great Again," he added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US election case: Trump calls for recusal of judge 'on very powerful grounds'

Pakistan's Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said on Saturday (August 5) that the general elections in the country, due later this year, will be based on a new census, indicating the vote could be delayed.

Pakistan's Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said on Saturday (August 5) that the general elections in the country, due later this year, will be based on a new census, indicating the vote could be delayed. Speaking to Geo News, Law Minister Tarar said it could take about four months to complete the census and draw new constituency boundaries. Tarar said the decision was taken at a meeting of the Council of Common Interest, which included representatives from federal and provincial governments. "It was a consensus decision to hold elections under the new census," he added. Also read | Toshakhana case: Ex-Pakistan PM Imran Khan arrested after being found guilty, sentenced to three years in jail The minister's announcement has fuelled fears among opposition parties that a caretaker administration to be set up to oversee the vote could mean polling day is pushed back by months. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's tenure expires on August 12, and the caretaker government will take over from him to hold the elections in a maximum of three months. This would mean that the elections should ideally be held in November. But the minister's announcement is an indication that the vote could be delayed. '...going to make things very complicated': Former poll body official Speaking to the news agency Reuters on Saturday, Kunwar Dilshad, a former top official of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), said that the law minister's announcement would mean that the elections due by November at the latest could be delayed by several months. "It is going to make things very complicated," Dilshad said, adding the new census means new constituency boundaries will be needed across the country. The former ECP official also said that it is not possible to complete that process and hold the election within the constitutionally required deadline, meaning the election cannot be held before February next year. At present, the census shows that Pakistan's population has risen to 241.49 million. However, new constituency boundaries must be drawn up. Prime Minister Sharif proposed dissolving parliament on August 9, three days before his term expires. This would mean the ECP has 90 days to hold the vote against 60 days if parliament were dissolved on August 12 at the end of its full five-year term. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Pakistan general election to be delayed by new census

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