Terrorists on Saturday shot dead a civilian in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said.

They shot and critically injured Azaad Ahmad Dar at his residence in Dadoora-Kangan area of Pulwama district around 9.40 pm,?a police official said.

He said 42-year-old Dar was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to injuries.

It was not immediately known why Dar was targeted by the militants.&nbsp;

Terrorists on Saturday shot dead a civilian in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said. They shot and critically injured Azaad Ahmad Dar at his residence in Dadoora-Kangan area of Pulwama district around 9.

Terrorists on Saturday shot dead a civilian in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said. They shot and critically injured Azaad Ahmad Dar at his residence in Dadoora-Kangan area of Pulwama district around 9.40 pm,?a police official said. He said 42-year-old Dar was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to injuries. It was not immediately known why Dar was targeted by the militants.

Civilian shot dead by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama: Police

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-begins-production-of-the-first-batch-of-coronavirus-vaccine-320806">Russia begins production of the first batch of coronavirus vaccine</a>

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Russia said Saturday that it has produced the first batch of its coronavirus vaccine after President Vladimir Putin announced it had been first in the world to approve a vaccine. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-begins-production-of-the-first-batch-of-coronavirus-vaccine-320806">Read more</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/belarus-leader-lukashenko-talks-to-russian-president-putin-discusses-protests-320797" hreflang="en">Belarus leader Lukashenko talks to Russian President Putin, discusses protests</a>

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Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko discussed the protests shaking his country with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Saturday. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/belarus-leader-lukashenko-talks-to-russian-president-putin-discusses-protests-320797">Read more</a>

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israels-shift-on-annexation-sparks-right-wing-anger-320812" hreflang="en">Israel's shift on annexation sparks right-wing anger</a>

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's historic deal with the UAE won praise abroad but generated discontent from right-wing supporters and settlers over the suspension of land annexation plans. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israels-shift-on-annexation-sparks-right-wing-anger-320812">Read more</a>

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Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday&nbsp;hailed a UN Security Council vote rejecting a US bid to extend an arms embargo on the Islamic republic, saying its foe has "never been so isolated". <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-hails-un-security-council-vote-rejecting-a-us-bid-to-extend-arms-embargo-320791">Read more</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-signs-deal-for-us-troops-move-from-germany-to-poland-320795" hreflang="en">Pompeo signs deal for US troops move from Germany to Poland</a>

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US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has sealed a defence cooperation deal with Polish officials that will pave the way for the redeployment of American troops from Germany to Poland. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealands-pm-ardern-expected-to-resist-call-to-delay-vote-as-virus-flares-up-320802">Read more</a>

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Pope Francis on Saturday called for dialogue between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan on Saturday, urging them not to let a dispute over a dam on the Nile lead to conflict. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-calls-for-dialogue-between-egypt-ethiopia-and-sudan-to-resolve-nile-dam-issue-320810">Read more</a>

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<img alt="Jacinda Ardern" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f5403ae3-b450-48bc-ad4d-78b705403907" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/maxresdefault.jpg" />

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will take a call on Monday whether to go ahead with the general election on September 19. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealands-pm-ardern-expected-to-resist-call-to-delay-vote-as-virus-flares-up-320802">Read more</a>

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<img alt="VJ" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a8bbd2aa-a15e-436a-ac79-f60aa4e18509" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2861%29_6.jpg" />

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is paying tribute to veterans of the multinational World War II campaign against Japan, which formally ended 75 years ago some three months after Nazi Germany had been vanquished in Europe. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/victory-over-japan-day-boris-johnson-pays-tribute-to-world-war-ii-veterans-320815">Read more</a>

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<img alt="Mauritius" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b57a4861-e1de-4929-a7bc-d287041418fb" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/34362364b999425fa8afab19877d7040_18.jpg" />

Japanese Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said on Saturday Tokyo planned to send a team of officials from the ministry and other specialists to Mauritius to assess the damage from an oil spill. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-to-send-team-of-ministry-officials-specialists-to-mauritius-to-assist-in-oil-spill-320803">Read more</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thousands-protest-against-moon-jae-in-as-south-korea-capital-scrambles-to-curb-virus-resurgence-320787" hreflang="en">Thousands protest against Moon as Seoul scrambles to curb virus resurgence</a>

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A spike in new coronavirus cases in South Korea has prompted authorities to reimpose tighter social distancing curbs in Seoul, but that didn't stop thousands of demonstrators from protesting against President Moon Jae-in's policies. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thousands-protest-against-moon-jae-in-as-south-korea-capital-scrambles-to-curb-virus-resurgence-320787">Read more</a>

Russia begins production of the first batch of coronavirus vaccine Russia said Saturday that it has produced the first batch of its coronavirus vaccine after President Vladimir Putin announced it had been first in the world to approve a vaccine.

Russia begins production of the first batch of coronavirus vaccine Russia said Saturday that it has produced the first batch of its coronavirus vaccine after President Vladimir Putin announced it had been first in the world to approve a vaccine. Read more Belarus leader Lukashenko talks to Russian President Putin, discusses protests Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko discussed the protests shaking his country with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Saturday. Read more Israel's shift on annexation sparks right-wing anger Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's historic deal with the UAE won praise abroad but generated discontent from right-wing supporters and settlers over the suspension of land annexation plans. Read more Iran hails UN Security Council vote rejecting a US bid to extend arms embargo Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday hailed a UN Security Council vote rejecting a US bid to extend an arms embargo on the Islamic republic, saying its foe has "never been so isolated". Read more Pompeo signs deal for US troops move from Germany to Poland US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has sealed a defence cooperation deal with Polish officials that will pave the way for the redeployment of American troops from Germany to Poland. Read more Pope calls for dialogue between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan over Nile dam Pope Francis on Saturday called for dialogue between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan on Saturday, urging them not to let a dispute over a dam on the Nile lead to conflict. Read more New Zealand's PM Ardern expected to resist call to delay vote New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will take a call on Monday whether to go ahead with the general election on September 19. Read more Victory over Japan Day: Boris Johnson pays tribute to World War II veterans British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is paying tribute to veterans of the multinational World War II campaign against Japan, which formally ended 75 years ago some three months after Nazi Germany had been vanquished in Europe. Read more Mauritius oil spill: Japan to send team of ministry officials, specialists Japanese Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said on Saturday Tokyo planned to send a team of officials from the ministry and other specialists to Mauritius to assess the damage from an oil spill. Read more Thousands protest against Moon as Seoul scrambles to curb virus resurgence A spike in new coronavirus cases in South Korea has prompted authorities to reimpose tighter social distancing curbs in Seoul, but that didn't stop thousands of demonstrators from protesting against President Moon Jae-in's policies. Read more

Top 10 world news today: Russia begins vaccine production, Belarus leader talks to Putin, and more

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's historic deal with the UAE won praise abroad - but generated discontent from right-wing supporters and settlers over the suspension of land annexation plans.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's historic deal with the UAE won praise abroad - but generated discontent from right-wing supporters and settlers over the suspension of land annexation plans. "This agreement could signal a possible crisis in the relationship of Netanyahu and many of the settlers and their supporters in the Israeli right wing," said Yohanan Plesner, director of the Israel Democracy Institute, a Jerusalem think-tank. Figures on Israel's nationalist right have called for a replacement to Netanyahu. Netanyahu may have "gained a few points among centre-left voters, who like deals with the Arabs, but he lost several points with his right-wing base" whose "dream" of annexation of land has gone, said political commentator Ben Caspit, writing in Maariv newspaper. The deal announced on Thursday sees Israel pledge to suspend its planned annexation of Palestinian lands, a concession welcomed by European and some pro-Western Arab governments as a boost for hopes of peace. But Netanyahu, neck-and-neck with political rivals during the three last election campaigns, had used the issue of annexation to woo voters from the radical right and the settlers. They are fierce opponents of any return of Palestinian territories, seized by Israel in the Six-Day War of 1967. 'Bitter pill' Netanyahu's unity government had announced a strategy to annex parts of the West Bank and Jewish settlements in the Palestinian territory, including the Jordan Valley, a strategic strip along the Jordanian border. That plan was given the green light in January by US President Donald Trump. But the surprise deal with the United Arab Emirates appears to put annexation on ice; Israeli, Emirati and US leaders said they had agreed "Israel will suspend declaring sovereignty" over West Bank areas. The normalisation agreement is only Israel's third with an Arab country, after Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994. For commentator Ben Caspit, the deal was driven by opposition to annexation by members of the ruling coalition -- such as Benny Gantz and Gabi Ashkenazi. That "forced Netanyahu to recalculate", and made him look for a way to get his supporters to swallow a "bitter pill". But since Netanyahu has said annexation of parts of the West Bank is only "postponed" and that Israel had "not given up", some see it as only a matter of time before it resumes. - 'Myth has disappeared' - In Efrata, an Israeli settlement near the Palestinian city of Bethlehem, the head of the local council Oded Revivi tempered his disappointment. "All these years people thought that peace with Arab countries could not be made, as long as there was a Jewish presence in Judea and Samaria," he said, using the Jewish name for the West Bank. "We see that this myth has disappeared." Revivi, looking back over the decades since the 1967 war, believes annexation has only been paused. "It was put on hold, but nobody knows for how long," Revivi added. "We've been waiting for this for 53 years -- maybe more than 2,000 years. I'm sure it will come back to the table and much faster than you think." The nationalist right have reacted bitterly. They are angry that the deal "pauses" annexation - and thus keeps the idea alive of a viable separate Palestinian state alongside Israel. "It is tragic that Netanyahu did not seize the moment, nor have the courage to apply sovereignty even over a centimetre of the Land of Israel, but sovereignty over the territories of our homeland will come," said Naftali Bennet, leader of the radical right-wing nationalist Yamina alliance. "We cannot ignore the great dangers posed by relaunching the talks for a Palestinian state," said Bezalel Smotrich, another Yamina member, which sits in the opposition and draws much of its support from settlers. "To face the danger, the right has to present here and now an alternative" to Netanyahu's leadership, he said.

Israel's shift on annexation sparks right-wing anger

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepali counterpart KP Sharma Oli spoke on Saturday for the first time since a row broke out over a map and a disputed area of territory earlier this year between the South Asian neighbours, according to Reuters.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepali counterpart KP Sharma Oli spoke on Saturday for the first time since a row broke out over a map and a disputed area of territory earlier this year between the South Asian neighbours, according to Reuters. Oli called Modi on the occasion of India's Independence Day and congratulated him for the country's recent election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, India's external affairs ministry said in a statement. On the call, Modi "recalled the civilizational and cultural links that India and Nepal share," the ministry added. Also read: Nepal Parliament delays taking up constitutional amendment for controversial new map Nepal approved a political map of the country in June that included a region controlled by India. India rejected the map, saying it was not based on historical facts or evidence. Ties between both countries strained in May after India inaugurated an 80-km (50-mile) road from the northern state of Uttarakhand to Lipulekh on the border with the Tibet region of China, about 19 km of which passes through the area Nepal says belongs to it. In an Independence Day speech on Saturday, Modi called for peace and harmony in South Asia, adding that leaders, politicians and intellectuals should fulfil their responsibility to ensure development and progress in the region. Oli appreciated Modi's "renewed priority to neighbourhood" and "looked forward to meaningful bilateral cooperation," Nepal's foreign affairs ministry said in a statement. The leaders also discussed their efforts to curb the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, according to both the statements.

Indian and Nepali prime ministers speak for first time since map row

Pope Francis on Saturday called for dialogue between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan on Saturday, urging them not to let a dispute over a dam on the Nile lead to conflict.

Pope Francis on Saturday called for dialogue between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan on Saturday, urging them not to let a dispute over a dam on the Nile lead to conflict. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which is being built some 15 km (9 miles) from Ethiopia's border with Sudan, has become a major source of discord between the three countries. Also read: Why River Nile is bone of contention between Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia "I invite all parties involved to continue on the path of dialogue so that the eternal river will continue to be a source of life, which unites and does not divide, which nurtures friendship, prosperity and fraternity and not enmity, misunderstanding and conflict," the pontiff said. He was giving his Angelus message for Assumption Day, the most important Catholic feast dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Egypt, which fears the dam project could lead to water shortages upstream, has threatened to withdraw from the latest round of discussions. Sudan is concerned about the dam's safety.

Pope calls for dialogue between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan to resolve Nile dam issue

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will take a call on Monday whether to go ahead with the general election on September 19, with most analysts expecting her to resist opposition calls for a delay due to a flare up in coronavirus cases in the country.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will take a call on Monday whether to go ahead with the general election on September 19, with most analysts expecting her to resist opposition calls for a delay due to a flare up in coronavirus cases in the country. A country of five million people, a long way from anywhere, New Zealand has fared far better than most countries during the pandemic, but a spate of new infections forced Ardern earlier this week to lockdown Auckland, the largest city. Seven new cases were reported on Saturday. Also read: New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern puts Auckland on lockdown after four coronavirus cases detected Ardern has won praise for her decisive response to the pandemic, and opinion polls have shown her Labour Party in a winning position. Pollsters have been unable to survey voters since the latest outbreak, but analysts expected Ardern to decide to go ahead with the election next month,according to Reuters. The opposition National Party would like it delayed, they said, in the hope that Ardern loses some of her lustre once hardships caused by the lockdown begin to bite. "She is a savvy politician," said Grant Duncan, professor of politics at Massey University. "It pays for the government to have an election sooner rather than later, while the opposition wants it delayed." Forced to cancel campaign events due to restrictions on movement and crowds due to the health scare, the opposition has accused Ardern of using the pandemic to shore up support as she appears on television nearly everyday to reassure New Zealanders, while their own leaders struggle to draw audiences. Parliament is due to be dissolved on Monday, and Ardern told reporters on Friday that she would have decided by then, while giving assurances that the election commission had already planned for the vote - which must be held by Nov. 21 - to be conducted safely. (With inputs from Reuters)

New Zealand's PM Ardern expected to resist call to delay vote as virus flares up

Since 1989 Ayatollah Khamenei has maintained a firm grip on all walks of life in Iran. From the civil society to politics to the armed forces.

The word Ayatollah Khamenei is absolute for every Iranian and his decisions are beyond any scrutiny. This supreme leader has turned his position &amp; authority into something the Persian monarchs would have envied and just like the monarchs, Khamenei now wants to expand his realm of influence.&nbsp;

He wants to influence the minds of Shia Muslims across the world. The tool he is using to achieve this dream is social media.

Ayatollah Khamenei has gone on a PR overdrive on Twitter and has opened accounts in almost every language including Hindi. His Hindi tweet is is an attempt to strengthen the faith of Indian Muslims in him.

'....The incident of Ghadir is not limited to Shias in terms of its factual matrix --- it is also related to the entire Islamic world...Because the event of Ghadir is based on the real soul of Islam...'' he tweeted. &nbsp;

The event of Ghadir is considered to be of invaluable significance for Shia Muslims. It was this event which separated Muslims into two sects -- Shia and Sunni. Ayatollah Khamenei's message is aimed at encouraging a sense of supremacy among Shia Muslims especially in India where they are lesser in number in comparison to Sunnis.

This tweet was Khamenei's way of reminding the Indian government of the influence he wields on the Shia community. Iran is trying to capitalise the sentiments of Shia Muslims in India. Because Iran did something similar when the US had killed Qasem Soleimani.

Shia Muslims in India had hit the streets after Soleimani's killing. According to a diplomatic cable released by WikiLeaks in 2006 one of India's most famous Shia clerics, Maulana Kalbe Jawad was alleged to be a paid spy for Tehran. He was said to be receiving money and instructions from the Iranian embassy but these accusations are yet to be proven.&nbsp;

Iran plays a strategically significant role in the approximately 30 million strong Indian Shia community. Most Shia Muslims in India show their religious allegiance towards Iran's clerics. They are said to accept the religious command of Iran, not Saudi Arabia.

What about the Indian government? Its relations with Iran have always been good but the ties are increasingly becoming hostage to US foreign policy.

India is moving closer towards the US due to geopolitical reasons and Iran is feeling left out in the face of American sanctions.&nbsp;Khamenei's Hindi outreach could be seen as a reminder to New Delhi that if it fails the test of friendship. Tehran knows how to use the sectarian fault-lines in India to its benefit. There is more to social media posts than meets the eye.&nbsp;

Since 1989 Ayatollah Khamenei has maintained a firm grip on all walks of life in Iran. From the civil society to politics to the armed forces. The word Ayatollah Khamenei is absolute for every Iranian and his decisions are beyond any scrutiny.

Since 1989 Ayatollah Khamenei has maintained a firm grip on all walks of life in Iran. From the civil society to politics to the armed forces. The word Ayatollah Khamenei is absolute for every Iranian and his decisions are beyond any scrutiny. This supreme leader has turned his position & authority into something the Persian monarchs would have envied and just like the monarchs, Khamenei now wants to expand his realm of influence. He wants to influence the minds of Shia Muslims across the world. The tool he is using to achieve this dream is social media. Ayatollah Khamenei has gone on a PR overdrive on Twitter and has opened accounts in almost every language including Hindi. His Hindi tweet is is an attempt to strengthen the faith of Indian Muslims in him. '....The incident of Ghadir is not limited to Shias in terms of its factual matrix --- it is also related to the entire Islamic world...Because the event of Ghadir is based on the real soul of Islam...'' he tweeted. The event of Ghadir is considered to be of invaluable significance for Shia Muslims. It was this event which separated Muslims into two sects -- Shia and Sunni. Ayatollah Khamenei's message is aimed at encouraging a sense of supremacy among Shia Muslims especially in India where they are lesser in number in comparison to Sunnis. This tweet was Khamenei's way of reminding the Indian government of the influence he wields on the Shia community. Iran is trying to capitalise the sentiments of Shia Muslims in India. Because Iran did something similar when the US had killed Qasem Soleimani. Shia Muslims in India had hit the streets after Soleimani's killing. According to a diplomatic cable released by WikiLeaks in 2006 one of India's most famous Shia clerics, Maulana Kalbe Jawad was alleged to be a paid spy for Tehran. He was said to be receiving money and instructions from the Iranian embassy but these accusations are yet to be proven. Iran plays a strategically significant role in the approximately 30 million strong Indian Shia community. Most Shia Muslims in India show their religious allegiance towards Iran's clerics. They are said to accept the religious command of Iran, not Saudi Arabia. What about the Indian government? Its relations with Iran have always been good but the ties are increasingly becoming hostage to US foreign policy. India is moving closer towards the US due to geopolitical reasons and Iran is feeling left out in the face of American sanctions. Khamenei's Hindi outreach could be seen as a reminder to New Delhi that if it fails the test of friendship. Tehran knows how to use the sectarian fault-lines in India to its benefit. There is more to social media posts than meets the eye.

Ayatollah Khamenei's PR overdrive on Twitter in India

The national expert group on vaccine administration for COVID-19 met for the first time on Wednesday and delved on the procurement mechanisms for the vaccine, according to news agency PTI.

The meeting was chaired by Dr V K Paul, Member Niti Aayog along with Secretary (Ministry of Health) as co-chair. The committee also advised all the states not to chart separate pathways of procurement, according to the health ministry.

The group members discussed on broad parameters guiding the selection of COVID-19 vaccine candidates for the country and sought inputs from the standing Technical sub-committee of National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI). the report added.

The expert group deliberated on "conceptualization and implementation mechanisms for creation of a digital infrastructure for inventory management and delivery mechanism of the vaccine including tracking of vaccination process with particular focus on last mile delivery," the health ministry said.

"The group delved on the procurement mechanisms for COVID-19 vaccine, including both indigenous and international manufacturing along with guiding principles for prioritization of population groups for vaccination," the ministry said.

The expert group discussed the financial resources required for procurement of the COVID-19 vaccine and various options of financing the same.

Available options in terms of delivery platforms, cold chain and associated infrastructure for roll out of COVID-19 vaccination were also taken up.

Further, strategy and follow-up action on all possible scenarios to ensure equitable and transparent delivery of the vaccine was deliberated upon, the ministry said.

(With inputs from PTI)&nbsp;

The national expert group on vaccine administration for COVID-19 met for the first time on Wednesday and delved on the procurement mechanisms for the vaccine, according to news agency PTI.

The national expert group on vaccine administration for COVID-19 met for the first time on Wednesday and delved on the procurement mechanisms for the vaccine, according to news agency PTI. The meeting was chaired by Dr V K Paul, Member Niti Aayog along with Secretary (Ministry of Health) as co-chair. The committee also advised all the states not to chart separate pathways of procurement, according to the health ministry. The group members discussed on broad parameters guiding the selection of COVID-19 vaccine candidates for the country and sought inputs from the standing Technical sub-committee of National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI). the report added. The expert group deliberated on "conceptualization and implementation mechanisms for creation of a digital infrastructure for inventory management and delivery mechanism of the vaccine including tracking of vaccination process with particular focus on last mile delivery," the health ministry said. "The group delved on the procurement mechanisms for COVID-19 vaccine, including both indigenous and international manufacturing along with guiding principles for prioritization of population groups for vaccination," the ministry said. The expert group discussed the financial resources required for procurement of the COVID-19 vaccine and various options of financing the same. Available options in terms of delivery platforms, cold chain and associated infrastructure for roll out of COVID-19 vaccination were also taken up. Further, strategy and follow-up action on all possible scenarios to ensure equitable and transparent delivery of the vaccine was deliberated upon, the ministry said. (With inputs from PTI)

Expert group deliberates on strategy to ensure COVID-19 vaccine availability, delivery mechanism

In a few months, Islamabad will be rolling out the red carpet for the most significant visit by a foreign leader Xi Jinping. The Chinese president is planning to visit Pakistan later this year.

According to reports, the announcement has been made and the preparations have begun. Only the dates haven't been finalised. The Chinese president was scheduled to travel to Pakistan way back in June but thanks to the Wuhan virus, he could not.

This will be his second visit to Pakistan in 5 years. Xi Jinping last travelled to Islamabad in 2015. Another prime minister was in power Nawaz sharif. Nonetheless, a total of 51 CPEC projects were signed during this visit. Now Imran Khan is in power. One can only imagine the kind of deals that will be struck this time.

The&nbsp;visit comes at a time when Pakistan's ties with its other allies are at their worst. Saudi Arabia, the fiercest and foremost Muslim brother of Pakistan. The rift between Riyadh and Islamabad is widening. First, it made Pakistan repay 1 billion dollars from the 3 billion dollar cash loan it had borrowed in 2018. Chinese cheque-books helped Imran Khan pay back this EMI. But then Saudi Arabia also shut the oil tap for Pakistan --- it decided to not renew a 3.2 billion dollar 'oil on loan' provision.

What did the Imran Khan govt do in return?. It approved the most expensive cpec project to date. Last week, Pakistan gave the go-ahead for a 6.8 billion dollar project to update its railway lines under the cpec agreement. 
Saudi Arabia's apprehension and China's willingness to raise the Kashmir issue on global platforms. The Organisation of Islamic Countries has repeatedly refused to convene a meeting on Kashmir.

The OIC's de facto leader Saudi Arabia has run out of patience with Imran Khan's Kashmir obsession. This is where China has trumped the Saudis. Last week China convened a UNSC meeting to discuss Kashmir at Pakistan's behest but almost every security council member made it clear that Kashmir was not a matter for the un body to discuss.

China's attempts may have failed. It may have been embarrassed. But its relations with Pakistan haven't changed a bit. The China-Pak partnership remains as strong as ever and Xi Jinping's visit to Pakistan is an attempt to remind the world of this reality.&nbsp;

That Islamabad may be losing its friends in the Islamic world but it will forever have the support of communist China. That it will continue to get Chinese loans, Chinese projects and Chinese labourers who don't hesitate in thrashing Pakistanis over the slightest of disagreement.

In a few months, Islamabad will be rolling out the red carpet for the most significant visit by a foreign leader Xi Jinping. The Chinese president is planning to visit Pakistan later this year.

In a few months, Islamabad will be rolling out the red carpet for the most significant visit by a foreign leader Xi Jinping. The Chinese president is planning to visit Pakistan later this year. According to reports, the announcement has been made and the preparations have begun. Only the dates haven't been finalised. The Chinese president was scheduled to travel to Pakistan way back in June but thanks to the Wuhan virus, he could not. This will be his second visit to Pakistan in 5 years. Xi Jinping last travelled to Islamabad in 2015. Another prime minister was in power Nawaz sharif. Nonetheless, a total of 51 CPEC projects were signed during this visit. Now Imran Khan is in power. One can only imagine the kind of deals that will be struck this time. The visit comes at a time when Pakistan's ties with its other allies are at their worst. Saudi Arabia, the fiercest and foremost Muslim brother of Pakistan. The rift between Riyadh and Islamabad is widening. First, it made Pakistan repay 1 billion dollars from the 3 billion dollar cash loan it had borrowed in 2018. Chinese cheque-books helped Imran Khan pay back this EMI. But then Saudi Arabia also shut the oil tap for Pakistan --- it decided to not renew a 3.2 billion dollar 'oil on loan' provision. What did the Imran Khan govt do in return?. It approved the most expensive cpec project to date. Last week, Pakistan gave the go-ahead for a 6.8 billion dollar project to update its railway lines under the cpec agreement. Saudi Arabia's apprehension and China's willingness to raise the Kashmir issue on global platforms. The Organisation of Islamic Countries has repeatedly refused to convene a meeting on Kashmir. The OIC's de facto leader Saudi Arabia has run out of patience with Imran Khan's Kashmir obsession. This is where China has trumped the Saudis. Last week China convened a UNSC meeting to discuss Kashmir at Pakistan's behest but almost every security council member made it clear that Kashmir was not a matter for the un body to discuss. China's attempts may have failed. It may have been embarrassed. But its relations with Pakistan haven't changed a bit. The China-Pak partnership remains as strong as ever and Xi Jinping's visit to Pakistan is an attempt to remind the world of this reality. That Islamabad may be losing its friends in the Islamic world but it will forever have the support of communist China. That it will continue to get Chinese loans, Chinese projects and Chinese labourers who don't hesitate in thrashing Pakistanis over the slightest of disagreement.

Islamabad all set to roll out the red carpet for Chinese President Xi Jinping

China is trying to emotionally blackmail India after all its propaganda, threats and&nbsp;fake news failed. China is now using Indian expats living in China as pawns.

A video released by China's mouthpiece The Global Times says &nbsp;"...Will you divorce me if the India-China relationship becomes more complicated?....Shree asked her Chinese husband as a joke...''

Who's shree? An indian woman married to a Chinese man. Why is she worrying about a divorce?. Partly because of the growing tensions between India and China but mostly because india has banned Chinese apps. A ban which according to the Global Times has turned Shree's life upside down.

This may just be a new low in China's information warfare. The Global Times has truly outdone itself this time. It has used a private matter to push state propaganda.

An indian face to tell China's story. There are people like Shree on both sides of the border. People who are suffering due to China's aggression. People who have suffered for a long time due to China's censorship. Also, the message China is trying to send through this video is not of peace. Its a message of how vulnerable the indian diaspora in China could be --- if tensions still persist.

This is not the first time that China has dragged foreign citizens into its quarrels with other countries. Not too long ago, it was the Canadian diaspora in China which was on target.

In December 2018, the Canadian government arrested Meng Wanzhou, Huawei technologies executive on charges of fraud. She was detained upon her arrival in Vancouver. In retaliation, China arrested two Canadians -- Michael Covrig and Micheal Apavor -- on unproven charges of espionage.

The two men continue to be in a Chinese prison and China is now putting the same playbook to use in its fight with India. Now, China is dragging the Indian diaspora to send a message to New Delhi. So far, it hasn't targeted or arrested Indians living in China but the precedents the Chinese regime has set makes us all worry.

India's ban on Chinese apps is hurting Beijing's economic interests and Chinese state media is now dragging Indian citizens into its narrative which only reveals China's frustration.

China is trying to emotionally blackmail India after all its propaganda, threats and fake news failed. China is now using Indian expats living in China as pawns.

China is trying to emotionally blackmail India after all its propaganda, threats and fake news failed. China is now using Indian expats living in China as pawns. A video released by China's mouthpiece The Global Times says "...Will you divorce me if the India-China relationship becomes more complicated?....Shree asked her Chinese husband as a joke...'' Who's shree? An indian woman married to a Chinese man. Why is she worrying about a divorce?. Partly because of the growing tensions between India and China but mostly because india has banned Chinese apps. A ban which according to the Global Times has turned Shree's life upside down. This may just be a new low in China's information warfare. The Global Times has truly outdone itself this time. It has used a private matter to push state propaganda. An indian face to tell China's story. There are people like Shree on both sides of the border. People who are suffering due to China's aggression. People who have suffered for a long time due to China's censorship. Also, the message China is trying to send through this video is not of peace. Its a message of how vulnerable the indian diaspora in China could be --- if tensions still persist. This is not the first time that China has dragged foreign citizens into its quarrels with other countries. Not too long ago, it was the Canadian diaspora in China which was on target. In December 2018, the Canadian government arrested Meng Wanzhou, Huawei technologies executive on charges of fraud. She was detained upon her arrival in Vancouver. In retaliation, China arrested two Canadians -- Michael Covrig and Micheal Apavor -- on unproven charges of espionage. The two men continue to be in a Chinese prison and China is now putting the same playbook to use in its fight with India. Now, China is dragging the Indian diaspora to send a message to New Delhi. So far, it hasn't targeted or arrested Indians living in China but the precedents the Chinese regime has set makes us all worry. India's ban on Chinese apps is hurting Beijing's economic interests and Chinese state media is now dragging Indian citizens into its narrative which only reveals China's frustration.

China targets Indian diaspora in mainland after ban on Chinese apps

China's top asset manager Lai Xiaomin made 258 million dollars in bribes and had a hundred mistresses. Lai's story is extraordinary so much so, that China’s state broadcaster CCTV has made a documentary about him.

Reports say Lai had kept 300 million yuan in a bank account in his mother’s name.

Xiaomin was one of china’s four big bad asset managers and in 10 years, he used his position to solicit bribes in exchange for favours.

In his career, he worked with several key government institutions. Xiaomin served as department director with the People’s Bank of China, as well as the China banking regulatory commission. He was appointed chairman of the Huarong Asset Management company in 2012. All of these come under the Chinese government and Xiaomin represented the communist party in these departments.

In his last job, Lai was also the deputy party chief for his company's communist party wing. Those positions allowed Lai to run perhaps the biggest corruption racket in the Chinese banking system.

The scandal was revealed two years ago. Now Lai has pleaded guilty. The Chinese state has turned on Lai. The hearing in the case was held in public. Apart from tonnes of cash, Lai had a string of affairs. Reports say he had more than 100 mistresses. Many of whom received management positions at the subsidiaries of Huarong.

China claims the crackdown against Lai is a big victory against corruption but this case of the fallen banker exposes Beijing and the deep-rooted dishonesty within China’s corrupt meritocracy 
&nbsp;

China's top asset manager Lai Xiaomin made 258 million dollars in bribes and had a hundred mistresses. Lai's story is extraordinary so much so, that China’s state broadcaster CCTV has made a documentary about him.

China's top asset manager Lai Xiaomin made 258 million dollars in bribes and had a hundred mistresses. Lai's story is extraordinary so much so, that China’s state broadcaster CCTV has made a documentary about him. Reports say Lai had kept 300 million yuan in a bank account in his mother’s name. Xiaomin was one of china’s four big bad asset managers and in 10 years, he used his position to solicit bribes in exchange for favours. In his career, he worked with several key government institutions. Xiaomin served as department director with the People’s Bank of China, as well as the China banking regulatory commission. He was appointed chairman of the Huarong Asset Management company in 2012. All of these come under the Chinese government and Xiaomin represented the communist party in these departments. In his last job, Lai was also the deputy party chief for his company's communist party wing. Those positions allowed Lai to run perhaps the biggest corruption racket in the Chinese banking system. The scandal was revealed two years ago. Now Lai has pleaded guilty. The Chinese state has turned on Lai. The hearing in the case was held in public. Apart from tonnes of cash, Lai had a string of affairs. Reports say he had more than 100 mistresses. Many of whom received management positions at the subsidiaries of Huarong. China claims the crackdown against Lai is a big victory against corruption but this case of the fallen banker exposes Beijing and the deep-rooted dishonesty within China’s corrupt meritocracy

Lai Xiaomin case exposes China’s corrupt meritocracy

A total of 9,597 new COVID-19 cases and 93 deaths were reported in Andhra Pradesh in the last 24 hours, according to the state COVID nodal officer.

"In the last 24 hours, 57,148 samples are tested in Andhra Pradesh. Of which, 9,597 samples tested COVID positive. With this, total cases in AP increase to 2,54,146," stated the COVID nodal officer in a media bulletin on Wednesday.

There are 90,425 active cases, 1,61,425 patients have recovered while 2,296 have succumbed to the virus, the bulletin added.

In the last 24 hours, 93 fatalities were reported from Guntur (13), Prakasam (11), Chittoor (10), Nellore (10), Srikakulam (09), Anantapur (07), Kadapa (07), Visakhapatnam (06), East Godavari (05), Vizianagaram (05), Kurnool (04), West Godavari (04) and Krishna (02) districts of the state, as per the bulletin.&nbsp;

A total of 9,597 new COVID-19 cases and 93 deaths were reported in Andhra Pradesh in the last 24 hours, according to the state COVID nodal officer. "In the last 24 hours, 57,148 samples are tested in Andhra Pradesh.

A total of 9,597 new COVID-19 cases and 93 deaths were reported in Andhra Pradesh in the last 24 hours, according to the state COVID nodal officer. "In the last 24 hours, 57,148 samples are tested in Andhra Pradesh. Of which, 9,597 samples tested COVID positive. With this, total cases in AP increase to 2,54,146," stated the COVID nodal officer in a media bulletin on Wednesday. There are 90,425 active cases, 1,61,425 patients have recovered while 2,296 have succumbed to the virus, the bulletin added. In the last 24 hours, 93 fatalities were reported from Guntur (13), Prakasam (11), Chittoor (10), Nellore (10), Srikakulam (09), Anantapur (07), Kadapa (07), Visakhapatnam (06), East Godavari (05), Vizianagaram (05), Kurnool (04), West Godavari (04) and Krishna (02) districts of the state, as per the bulletin.

Andhra Pradesh reports 9,597 new COVID-19 cases, 93 deaths in last 24 hours

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