India is considering offering young Kashmiri militants an escape from a life of violence by temporarily resettling them in more peaceful parts of the country, according to the top military commander in the Kashmir Valley.

India is considering offering young Kashmiri militants an escape from a life of violence by temporarily resettling them in more peaceful parts of the country, according to the top military commander in the Kashmir Valley. Lieutenant General BS Raju revealed the plan for a new scheme to offer a way out of militancy during a telephone interview from his headquarters in Srinagar, Kashmir's main city. He told recommendations had been submitted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government and that the plan, while not finalised, was in an advanced stage. "These are young boys who need to be taken care of for a period of time," Raju said, adding that could involve temporarily settling them outside of Muslim-majority Kashmir. Past efforts to persuade fighters to put down their guns have had mixed success. But Raju said the military had recommended the scheme take a longer-term approach to rehabilitate ex-militants. "The bottom line is that it will have a structure that will help and give confidence to the people who are opting to surrender," Raju said. More than 50,000 people have died during more than three decades of an insurgency that New Delhi accuses neighbouring Pakistan of fuelling, by using militant groups to wage a proxy-war across the disputed border dividing the Himalayan region. India has flooded the valley with security forces - about 200,000 military and paramilitary troops are deployed there. And Raju said militant attacks have dropped by nearly 40% compared to last year. Around 180 active Last August, Prime Minister Modi changed the political landscape by taking away Jammu & Kashmir's status as India's only Muslim majority state, splitting it into two federally-controlled territories and removing the special privileges afforded to Kashmiris. Promising a concerted effort to develop the region economically, Modi said the move was needed to integrate Kashmir more fully with the rest of the country, but critics said it would further alienate Kashmiris. Pakistan, which maintains a long-standing territorial claim on Kashmir though it denies accusations that it materially helps the militants, has denounced Modi's action. Since the start of the year, Indian security forces have killed around 135 militants, most of them recruited locally. The military estimates that there are currently around 180 militants operating with various groups active in the valley, Raju said. Some 70 local Kashmiris are reckoned to have been recruited by these groups since the start of the year, about a dozen less than during the same period a year ago. "We wish that this should drop further, and finally cease altogether," Raju said. Currently, most surrenders are conducted in line with a 2004 policy that provides a lump sum payout of 150,000 Indian rupees ($2,000), a small monthly stipend, free vocational training and cash payments for weapons handed over. The New Delhi-based South Asia Terrorism Portal estimated that more than 400 insurgents have surrendered since 2004, but after 2007 the numbers came down to a trickle, with only two dozen men giving up arms in the last three years. Kuldeep Khoda, a former Kashmir police chief, said the scheme had partly failed because the vocational training provided by the government was inadequate. "If you ask me very frankly, there was hardly any training being given. They were just kept there for a few months," he said. "It was just a formality which was being completed."

India considers resettling Kashmiri youth who give up arms

Air India Express on Wednesday said 85 passengers injured in the plane crash in Kozhikode have been discharged from hospitals after "obtaining complete fitness".

Moreover, the airline said its contract service provider Kenyon International arrived at Kozhikode on Monday and has started the process of "search and retrieval" of the baggage belonging to the crew and passengers who were in the aircraft.

The US-based company is conducting its process with the help of Air India officials, it added. Air India Express is a wholly owned subsidiary of national carrier Air India.

"We will ensure that all the baggage retrieved is handed over to the passengers and family in due course, after the cleaning and sanitisation process," the airline noted.

The Air India Express flight from Dubai with 190 people on board, including a six-member crew, overshot the tabletop runway during landing at the Kozhikode airport in heavy rain on Friday night.

It fell into a valley 35 feet below and broke into pieces, killing 18 people including the two pilots.

Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri had said on Saturday that 149 people have been admitted to hospitals, 23 discharged, while three were critically injured in the plane crash.

The injured passengers of IX-1344 flight are being treated at various hospitals of Kozhikode, the airline said.

"As on date, 85 injured passengers have been discharged from various hospitals after obtaining their complete fitness," it added.

Air India Express has only B737 aircraft in its fleet.

The airline had said on Sunday the mortal remains of 16 passengers killed in the plane crash have been handed over to their families, and added that authorities were investigating the accident.&nbsp;

Air India Express on Wednesday said 85 passengers injured in the plane crash in Kozhikode have been discharged from hospitals after "obtaining complete fitness".

Air India Express on Wednesday said 85 passengers injured in the plane crash in Kozhikode have been discharged from hospitals after "obtaining complete fitness". Moreover, the airline said its contract service provider Kenyon International arrived at Kozhikode on Monday and has started the process of "search and retrieval" of the baggage belonging to the crew and passengers who were in the aircraft. The US-based company is conducting its process with the help of Air India officials, it added. Air India Express is a wholly owned subsidiary of national carrier Air India. "We will ensure that all the baggage retrieved is handed over to the passengers and family in due course, after the cleaning and sanitisation process," the airline noted. The Air India Express flight from Dubai with 190 people on board, including a six-member crew, overshot the tabletop runway during landing at the Kozhikode airport in heavy rain on Friday night. It fell into a valley 35 feet below and broke into pieces, killing 18 people including the two pilots. Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri had said on Saturday that 149 people have been admitted to hospitals, 23 discharged, while three were critically injured in the plane crash. The injured passengers of IX-1344 flight are being treated at various hospitals of Kozhikode, the airline said. "As on date, 85 injured passengers have been discharged from various hospitals after obtaining their complete fitness," it added. Air India Express has only B737 aircraft in its fleet. The airline had said on Sunday the mortal remains of 16 passengers killed in the plane crash have been handed over to their families, and added that authorities were investigating the accident.

Kozhikode plane crash: 85 injured passengers discharged from hospitals, says AI Express

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took extensive review meetings of the defence ministry departments dealing with indigenous defence production and development before the release of the negative import list by the government under which 101 items and equipment have been banned for procurement from abroad, reported ANI.

A few days ago, the Defence Ministry issued a list of 101 items compiled by the Department of Military Affairs including big-ticket items like submarines, artillery guns and assault rifles which would not be imported from abroad in a phased manner in the next two to three years.

"The Prime Minister took an extensive review of the Department of Defence Production and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in the last fortnight to know about the work being done by them and what all capabilities have they developed over these years," the ANI report said quoting government sources.

During separate review meetings in the Prime Minister`s Office, details were presented to the Modi about the different projects and major work done by them for increasing indigenization in the military hardware being used by the armed forces for their different operational requirements, the sources said.

During the meetings held in presence of senior bureaucrats including Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar, the Prime Minister also sought to know the status of the preparation of the negative imports list which was announced in May this year during the COVID-19 lockdown period as measures to boost indigenous production in the military sector, the sources said.

The Prime Minister was briefed by the Chief of Defence Staff on the status of the list and also how there would be a frequent review of the list and more items would be added to it, the sources said. The complaints and suggestions of private sector industry were also mentioned during the meetings, the sources added.

(With inputs from ANI)&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took extensive review meetings of the defence ministry departments dealing with indigenous defence production and development before the release of the negative import list by the government under which 101 items and equipment have been banned for procurement from abroad, reported ANI.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took extensive review meetings of the defence ministry departments dealing with indigenous defence production and development before the release of the negative import list by the government under which 101 items and equipment have been banned for procurement from abroad, reported ANI. A few days ago, the Defence Ministry issued a list of 101 items compiled by the Department of Military Affairs including big-ticket items like submarines, artillery guns and assault rifles which would not be imported from abroad in a phased manner in the next two to three years. "The Prime Minister took an extensive review of the Department of Defence Production and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in the last fortnight to know about the work being done by them and what all capabilities have they developed over these years," the ANI report said quoting government sources. During separate review meetings in the Prime Minister`s Office, details were presented to the Modi about the different projects and major work done by them for increasing indigenization in the military hardware being used by the armed forces for their different operational requirements, the sources said. During the meetings held in presence of senior bureaucrats including Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar, the Prime Minister also sought to know the status of the preparation of the negative imports list which was announced in May this year during the COVID-19 lockdown period as measures to boost indigenous production in the military sector, the sources said. The Prime Minister was briefed by the Chief of Defence Staff on the status of the list and also how there would be a frequent review of the list and more items would be added to it, the sources said. The complaints and suggestions of private sector industry were also mentioned during the meetings, the sources added. (With inputs from ANI)

PM Modi reviewed indigenous defence capabilities before release of negative import list

Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been accused of delivering two near-identical speeches to mark the anniversaries of the attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. A plagiarism detection app found that Abe’s speech in Nagasaki on Sunday duplicated 93% of a speech he had delivered in Hiroshima three days earlier, a major newspaper in Japan Mainichi Shimbun reported.

Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been accused of delivering two near-identical speeches to mark the anniversaries of the attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. A plagiarism detection app found that Abe’s speech in Nagasaki on Sunday duplicated 93% of a speech he had delivered in Hiroshima three days earlier, a major newspaper in Japan Mainichi Shimbun reported. The English-language versions of the speeches on Abe’s official website also show a high degree of duplication, according to The Guardian. The opening paragraph mentions each city’s name, and continues: “I reverently express my sincere condolences to the souls of the great number of atomic bomb victims. I also extend my heartfelt sympathy to those still suffering even now from the after-effects of the atomic bomb.” Aside from the ceremony titles, the passages match word for word. Also read | Japan faces WW2 anniversary in shadow of coronavirus Abe did, however, use different wording when referring to how each city had rebuilt in the years after Japan’s wartime defeat. An estimated 140,000 people died immediately and in the months after the Hiroshima bombing on 6 August 1945, while 74,000 died during and after the attack on Nagasaki three days later. Apart from the cities’ names, the statements’ closing paragraphs used the same wording, with Abe voicing hope for a world “without nuclear weapons”. Also read: 'Unspeakable horror': The tale of attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki The apparent decision not to tailor the statements to each city’s experience angered survivors of the bombings, who are known as hibakusha, the Guardian report added. “It’s the same every year,” Koichi Kawano, head of a hibakusha liaison council in Nagasaki, told the Mainichi Shimbun. “He talks gibberish and leaves, as if to say, ‘There you go. Goodbye.’ He just changed the word ‘Hiroshima’ to ‘Nagasaki.’ He’s looking down on A-bomb survivors.”

Japan PM's near-identical speeches in Hiroshima and Nagasaki spark anger

China said on Wednesday that US&nbsp;Health Secretary Alex Azar has performed the "worst in the world" in controlling the novel coronavirus, rejecting criticism of China made by Azar during a three-day trip to Taiwan this week.

Azar attacked China's response to the coronavirus pandemic on Tuesday saying that if such an outbreak had emerged in Taiwan or the United States it could have been "snuffed out easily".

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a regular briefing the epidemic in the United States was "out of control" and the blame lay with Azar.

"He ignored millions of Americans suffering from the virus and went to Taiwan to put on a political show," Zhao said.

"His behaviour proves once again that in the eyes of US&nbsp;politicians, American lives mean nothing when compared with their selfish political gains," he said.

Azar was the highest-level US&nbsp;official visit to Taiwan in four decades and it came after a sharp deterioration of relations between the United States and China over a range of issues including trade, Hong Kong and the coronavirus.

The Trump administration has repeatedly criticised China for trying to cover up the coronavirus outbreak, first identified in the central Chinese city of Wuhan late last year, and prevaricating on information sharing.

China denies the accusations.

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that his relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping had soured over the outbreak, and that they had not spoken in a long time.&nbsp;

China condemned his trip.

China considers Taiwan a breakaway province and has vowed to bring it under its rule, by force if necessary. Zhao said on Wednesday that Beijing condemns any official ties between the US&nbsp;and self-governed Taiwan.

The United States has the highest number of coronavirus infections and deaths in the world and Trump has come under scathing attack from critics at home for not taking what he calls the "China virus" seriously enough.

China has reported 84,737 confirmed cases with 4,634 deaths.

Taiwan has been praised by health experts for its early and effective steps to control the outbreak, with only 480 infections and seven deaths. 
&nbsp;

China said on Wednesday that US Health Secretary Alex Azar has performed the "worst in the world" in controlling the novel coronavirus, rejecting criticism of China made by Azar during a three-day trip to Taiwan this week.

China said on Wednesday that US Health Secretary Alex Azar has performed the "worst in the world" in controlling the novel coronavirus, rejecting criticism of China made by Azar during a three-day trip to Taiwan this week. Azar attacked China's response to the coronavirus pandemic on Tuesday saying that if such an outbreak had emerged in Taiwan or the United States it could have been "snuffed out easily". Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a regular briefing the epidemic in the United States was "out of control" and the blame lay with Azar. "He ignored millions of Americans suffering from the virus and went to Taiwan to put on a political show," Zhao said. "His behaviour proves once again that in the eyes of US politicians, American lives mean nothing when compared with their selfish political gains," he said. Azar was the highest-level US official visit to Taiwan in four decades and it came after a sharp deterioration of relations between the United States and China over a range of issues including trade, Hong Kong and the coronavirus. The Trump administration has repeatedly criticised China for trying to cover up the coronavirus outbreak, first identified in the central Chinese city of Wuhan late last year, and prevaricating on information sharing. China denies the accusations. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that his relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping had soured over the outbreak, and that they had not spoken in a long time. China condemned his trip. China considers Taiwan a breakaway province and has vowed to bring it under its rule, by force if necessary. Zhao said on Wednesday that Beijing condemns any official ties between the US and self-governed Taiwan. The United States has the highest number of coronavirus infections and deaths in the world and Trump has come under scathing attack from critics at home for not taking what he calls the "China virus" seriously enough. China has reported 84,737 confirmed cases with 4,634 deaths. Taiwan has been praised by health experts for its early and effective steps to control the outbreak, with only 480 infections and seven deaths.

China denounces US health chief's criticism over virus as 'political show'

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Tuesday banned the use of wide-body aircraft at the Kozhikode airport during the monsoon season.

"As a means of abundant caution, we have stopped them from coming to Calicut till the Monsoon season," the country`s aviation watchdog said in a statement.

Earlier&nbsp;an Air India Express flight carrying 190 passengers including 10 infants had skidded while landing at Karipur airport in Kozhikode on August 7.

As many as 18 people, including the two pilots, had lost their lives following the accident.

According to the Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday, 23 passengers, among those hospitalised after the accident, were in a critical condition and three have been put on a ventilator, while 81 others were recovering.

Earlier, Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri had said that an inquiry has been ordered under the Aircraft Act, black boxes of flight IX-1344 have been recovered and added that the findings of this investigation will be made public.&nbsp;

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Tuesday banned the use of wide-body aircraft at the Kozhikode airport during the monsoon season. "As a means of abundant caution, we have stopped them from coming to Calicut till the Monsoon season," the country`s aviation watchdog said in a statement.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Tuesday banned the use of wide-body aircraft at the Kozhikode airport during the monsoon season. "As a means of abundant caution, we have stopped them from coming to Calicut till the Monsoon season," the country`s aviation watchdog said in a statement. Earlier an Air India Express flight carrying 190 passengers including 10 infants had skidded while landing at Karipur airport in Kozhikode on August 7. As many as 18 people, including the two pilots, had lost their lives following the accident. According to the Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday, 23 passengers, among those hospitalised after the accident, were in a critical condition and three have been put on a ventilator, while 81 others were recovering. Earlier, Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri had said that an inquiry has been ordered under the Aircraft Act, black boxes of flight IX-1344 have been recovered and added that the findings of this investigation will be made public.

DGCA bans use of wide-body aircraft at Kozhikode airport during monsoon after crash

Hong Kong-based media tycoon Jimmy Lai was arrested for allegedly violating the Hong Kong Security Law.&nbsp; 71-years-old Lai has been accused of colluding with foreign forces. Lai is one of Hong Kong' most prominent pro-democracy voices and his tabloid The Apple Daily routinely questions the leadership in Hong Kong and mainland China.

In the past, Lai was sent rotten animal entrails on mail. China called him a traitor and the black hand behind last year's protests before vaguely-worded Hong Kong Security Law was introduced June 10 and exactly 2 months later, it made the most high-profile arrest under the law. Support poured in for Lai and The Apple Daily from across the world.&nbsp;

US Secretary of state Mike Pompeo said Lai's arrest is further proof that the Chinese Communist Party has 'eviscerated Hong Kong's freedom and eroded the rights of its people'. Canada said that Hong Kong leadership must uphold all human rights &amp; fundamental freedoms, including media freedom &amp; freedom of speech.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that Lai's arrest was evidence of how the national security law is being used as a pretext to silence opposition. In India, WION began a campaign in support of Hong Kong's democracy.

How did Hong Kong react to Lai's arrest?

In a way, Beijing had never expected. China wanted to scare people by arresting Lai. It wanted to set an example that if you speak about democracy, or speak against the mainland you will end up arrested like&nbsp;Lai. China also wanted to keep Hongkongers from to keep away from pro-democracy papers like The Apple Daily.

China's move backfired. Apple Daily became Hong Kong's biggest media house overnight. Its stocks jumped 1400% in the last 2 days. The Apple Daily stood strong in the face of its owner's arrest. The tabloid increased its number of copies. Instead of printing around 70,000 copies, it printed 500,000 copies today. People queued up in front of the newspaper stands to buy them. Hongkongers showed their support for Lai and The Apple Daily buy picking up hundreds of copies.

Jimmy Lai was released on bail this evening. The entire episode blew up on China's face and the dragon is now staring at rather un-nerving implications.

Lai's arrest has become a rallying point for a bigger protest. China just proved its critics right by abusing the security law. Lai has become the global face of Hong Kong's resistance to China. &nbsp;Back in Hong Kong, the 71-year-old was already extremely popular, now he has become a hero. Experts say he has become the face of Hong Kong protests. Lai's is a rag to riches story.

He was born at Guangdong in China. He fled to Hong Kong at the age of 12 and toiled in shops and taught himself English and today, he is the owner of a clothing empire and a media house. Hongkongers are already referring to him as a freedom fighter. The moment Hong Kong put up a united front in support of Jimmy Lai, China was forced to release him on bail.&nbsp; China wanted to set an example by arresting Jimmy Lai

WION stands with The Apple Daily. Join us in our campaign.

Hong Kong-based media tycoon Jimmy Lai was arrested for allegedly violating the Hong Kong Security Law. 71-years-old Lai has been accused of colluding with foreign forces.

Hong Kong-based media tycoon Jimmy Lai was arrested for allegedly violating the Hong Kong Security Law. 71-years-old Lai has been accused of colluding with foreign forces. Lai is one of Hong Kong' most prominent pro-democracy voices and his tabloid The Apple Daily routinely questions the leadership in Hong Kong and mainland China. In the past, Lai was sent rotten animal entrails on mail. China called him a traitor and the black hand behind last year's protests before vaguely-worded Hong Kong Security Law was introduced June 10 and exactly 2 months later, it made the most high-profile arrest under the law. Support poured in for Lai and The Apple Daily from across the world. US Secretary of state Mike Pompeo said Lai's arrest is further proof that the Chinese Communist Party has 'eviscerated Hong Kong's freedom and eroded the rights of its people'. Canada said that Hong Kong leadership must uphold all human rights & fundamental freedoms, including media freedom & freedom of speech. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that Lai's arrest was evidence of how the national security law is being used as a pretext to silence opposition. In India, WION began a campaign in support of Hong Kong's democracy. How did Hong Kong react to Lai's arrest? In a way, Beijing had never expected. China wanted to scare people by arresting Lai. It wanted to set an example that if you speak about democracy, or speak against the mainland you will end up arrested like Lai. China also wanted to keep Hongkongers from to keep away from pro-democracy papers like The Apple Daily. China's move backfired. Apple Daily became Hong Kong's biggest media house overnight. Its stocks jumped 1400% in the last 2 days. The Apple Daily stood strong in the face of its owner's arrest. The tabloid increased its number of copies. Instead of printing around 70,000 copies, it printed 500,000 copies today. People queued up in front of the newspaper stands to buy them. Hongkongers showed their support for Lai and The Apple Daily buy picking up hundreds of copies. Jimmy Lai was released on bail this evening. The entire episode blew up on China's face and the dragon is now staring at rather un-nerving implications. Lai's arrest has become a rallying point for a bigger protest. China just proved its critics right by abusing the security law. Lai has become the global face of Hong Kong's resistance to China. Back in Hong Kong, the 71-year-old was already extremely popular, now he has become a hero. Experts say he has become the face of Hong Kong protests. Lai's is a rag to riches story. He was born at Guangdong in China. He fled to Hong Kong at the age of 12 and toiled in shops and taught himself English and today, he is the owner of a clothing empire and a media house. Hongkongers are already referring to him as a freedom fighter. The moment Hong Kong put up a united front in support of Jimmy Lai, China was forced to release him on bail. China wanted to set an example by arresting Jimmy Lai WION stands with The Apple Daily. Join us in our campaign.

How arrest of Hong Kong's media tycoon Jimmy Lai back fired

Andhra Pradesh's COVID-19 tally jumped to&nbsp;2,44,549 on Tuesday as 9,024 fresh cases were added to the tally, while 87 more deaths pushed the overall toll to 2,203.

According to the latest bulletin 9,113 patients were discharged from hospitals in the state after recovering from the disease.

More positive cases were detected in rapid antigen tests as compared to RT-PCR, TruNat and other tests in the last 24 hours in the state.

In all, 30,908 rapid antigen tests were conducted, of which 5,132 turned positive, according to the bulletin.

The other 27,407 tests turned out 3,892 positive cases.

The infection positivity rate rose further to 9.43 per cent after a total of 25,92,619 tests were completed till date, the bulletin said.

Andhra Pradesh now has 87,597 active COVID-19 cases after 1,54,749 people recovered.

East Godavari and Kurnool districts contributed to the bulk of the new cases with 1,372 and 1,138 respectively. 
Anantapuramu was behind with 959.

Anantapuramu reported 13 deaths, Chittoor 12, Guntur nine and Prakasam and Visakhapatnam seven each in the last 24 hours.&nbsp;

Andhra Pradesh's COVID-19 tally jumped to 2,44,549 on Tuesday as 9,024 fresh cases were added to the tally, while 87 more deaths pushed the overall toll to 2,203.

Andhra Pradesh's COVID-19 tally jumped to 2,44,549 on Tuesday as 9,024 fresh cases were added to the tally, while 87 more deaths pushed the overall toll to 2,203. According to the latest bulletin 9,113 patients were discharged from hospitals in the state after recovering from the disease. More positive cases were detected in rapid antigen tests as compared to RT-PCR, TruNat and other tests in the last 24 hours in the state. In all, 30,908 rapid antigen tests were conducted, of which 5,132 turned positive, according to the bulletin. The other 27,407 tests turned out 3,892 positive cases. The infection positivity rate rose further to 9.43 per cent after a total of 25,92,619 tests were completed till date, the bulletin said. Andhra Pradesh now has 87,597 active COVID-19 cases after 1,54,749 people recovered. East Godavari and Kurnool districts contributed to the bulk of the new cases with 1,372 and 1,138 respectively. Anantapuramu was behind with 959. Anantapuramu reported 13 deaths, Chittoor 12, Guntur nine and Prakasam and Visakhapatnam seven each in the last 24 hours.

9,024 fresh COVID-19 cases in Andhra Pradesh, 87 deaths

Xi Jinping knows how to get his way. At home, loyalists help the Chinese president keep his grip on power.

Abroad China tames countries through the debt trap. Back in July, Nepal decided to ground six Chinese planes. The Nepal airlines had bought them back in 2012 but it can no longer afford to keep the Chinese planes in the air.

Because they are a big headache. Reportedly Nepal had struck a deal with China, because it was promised a gift. The agreement was simple. Nepal will buy six planes from China and China will give away two more planes as gifts. Now, WION has learnt that the agreement wasn’t so simple after all. It was a deal that only helped the dragon. The agreement was signed in 2012 under prime minister Baburam Bhattarai.

Nepal bought these planes through Chinese funding. 60 per cent of the funding came from china’s Exim bank. The remaining 40 per cent was in the form of a grant or subsidy from China. The value of the deal 6.6 billion Nepali rupees. That’s more than fifty million dollars as of today.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://wionews.com/videos/gravitas-how-china-trapped-nepal-with-a-airplane-deal-319575/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The term of the loan was 20 years and an interest rate of 1.5 per cent. Now, Chinese planes are grounded and Nepal is stuck with a liability.

The operating costs and insurance of the plane are too high. The spares are unavailable and when you do get them they are costly. The spares are sold at a markup of 50 to 70 per cent. Training pilots to fly Chinese planes is costly too.

50 per cent more than what airlines usually pay. So the Nepal airlines had no option, but to ground these planes.

However, there is no clarity on what happens to the Chinese loan.

Will the airline still have to pay the instalments? Can it return the planes?

These questions need to be answered by the Nepali government. 
&nbsp;

Xi Jinping knows how to get his way. At home, loyalists help the Chinese president keep his grip on power. Abroad China tames countries through the debt trap. Back in July, Nepal decided to ground six Chinese planes.

Xi Jinping knows how to get his way. At home, loyalists help the Chinese president keep his grip on power. Abroad China tames countries through the debt trap. Back in July, Nepal decided to ground six Chinese planes. The Nepal airlines had bought them back in 2012 but it can no longer afford to keep the Chinese planes in the air. Because they are a big headache. Reportedly Nepal had struck a deal with China, because it was promised a gift. The agreement was simple. Nepal will buy six planes from China and China will give away two more planes as gifts. Now, WION has learnt that the agreement wasn’t so simple after all. It was a deal that only helped the dragon. The agreement was signed in 2012 under prime minister Baburam Bhattarai. Nepal bought these planes through Chinese funding. 60 per cent of the funding came from china’s Exim bank. The remaining 40 per cent was in the form of a grant or subsidy from China. The value of the deal 6.6 billion Nepali rupees. That’s more than fifty million dollars as of today. The term of the loan was 20 years and an interest rate of 1.5 per cent. Now, Chinese planes are grounded and Nepal is stuck with a liability. The operating costs and insurance of the plane are too high. The spares are unavailable and when you do get them they are costly. The spares are sold at a markup of 50 to 70 per cent. Training pilots to fly Chinese planes is costly too. 50 per cent more than what airlines usually pay. So the Nepal airlines had no option, but to ground these planes. However, there is no clarity on what happens to the Chinese loan. Will the airline still have to pay the instalments? Can it return the planes? These questions need to be answered by the Nepali government.

Chinese planes are proving to be a big headache for Nepal

Chinese air force jets briefly crossed the mid-line of the&nbsp;Taiwan&nbsp;Strait on Monday and were tracked by&nbsp;Taiwanese missiles,&nbsp;Taiwan's government said, as US&nbsp;health chief Alex Azar visited the island to offer President Donald Trump's support.

The aircraft were tracked by land-based&nbsp;Taiwanese anti-aircraft missiles and were "driven out" by patrolling&nbsp;Taiwanese aircraft, the air force said in a statement released by the defence ministry.

Azar arrived in&nbsp;Taiwan&nbsp;on Sunday, the highest-level US&nbsp;official to visit in four decades. Azar's viist&nbsp;is the highest-level US&nbsp;Official visit to Taiwan in decades.

Azar is visiting to strengthen economic and public-health cooperation with&nbsp;Taiwan&nbsp;and support its international role in fighting the novel coronavirus.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://wionews.com/videos/gravitas-why-a-top-american-official-is-visiting-taiwan-319577/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"Taiwan's response to COVID-19 has been among the most successful in the world, and that is a tribute to the open, transparent, democratic nature of&nbsp;Taiwan's society and culture," he told Tsai.

Taking Beijing's one-China policy head on, Azar said, "This visit represents an acknowledgement of the US and Taiwan's deep friendship and partnership across security, economics, health care, and democratic, open, transparent values". 
&nbsp; 
Taiwan has been successful in containing the wuhan virus pandemic.

Azar's visit comes at a time when&nbsp;US-China relation have hit a rock bottom. Both countries are slapping each other with sanctions. There is an ongoing trade war and a blamegame over the Wuhan virus pandemic.

Chinese air force jets briefly crossed the mid-line of the Taiwan Strait on Monday and were tracked by Taiwanese missiles, Taiwan's government said, as US health chief Alex Azar visited the island to offer President Donald Trump's support.

Chinese air force jets briefly crossed the mid-line of the Taiwan Strait on Monday and were tracked by Taiwanese missiles, Taiwan's government said, as US health chief Alex Azar visited the island to offer President Donald Trump's support. The aircraft were tracked by land-based Taiwanese anti-aircraft missiles and were "driven out" by patrolling Taiwanese aircraft, the air force said in a statement released by the defence ministry. Azar arrived in Taiwan on Sunday, the highest-level US official to visit in four decades. Azar's viist is the highest-level US Official visit to Taiwan in decades. Azar is visiting to strengthen economic and public-health cooperation with Taiwan and support its international role in fighting the novel coronavirus. "Taiwan's response to COVID-19 has been among the most successful in the world, and that is a tribute to the open, transparent, democratic nature of Taiwan's society and culture," he told Tsai. Taking Beijing's one-China policy head on, Azar said, "This visit represents an acknowledgement of the US and Taiwan's deep friendship and partnership across security, economics, health care, and democratic, open, transparent values". Taiwan has been successful in containing the wuhan virus pandemic. Azar's visit comes at a time when US-China relation have hit a rock bottom. Both countries are slapping each other with sanctions. There is an ongoing trade war and a blamegame over the Wuhan virus pandemic.

China sends fighter jets as US health chief visits Taiwan

Congress leader Sachin Pilot, who returned to Jaipur today, was greeted by his enthusiastic supporters with chants of "I love you" and `Sachin Pilot zindabad` as he returned to the state after a month-long political crisis in Rajasthan.

Congress leader Sachin Pilot, who returned to Jaipur today, was greeted by his enthusiastic supporters with chants of "I love you" and `Sachin Pilot zindabad` as he returned to the state after a month-long political crisis in Rajasthan. Pilot, walked amidst the throng of his supporters with folded hands, bowed and waved to them as he reached his residence in Jaipur, driving down from Delhi this afternoon. The former deputy chief minister of Rajasthan, Pilot had met Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in Delhi yesterday. I have not made any demands with the party. I am an MLA and a Congress worker, I will do whatever party asks me to do: Sachin Pilot on the possibility of getting Deputy CM post again https://t.co/LPzczDPflP — ANI (@ANI) August 11, 2020 × A three-member committee formed for redressal of the issues raised by him and some MLAs of the party against Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot led government. Earlier he said that he has not demanded any post and had only raised issues related to governance, functioning, and respect of party workers. "I am sad the way sedition notice was given and was withdrawn 25 days later. We went to court. Several cases were registered. These actions could have been avoided. I raised my issues. There should not be vendetta politics. I have not placed any demand for any post. I am ready to fulfill responsibilities given by the party," Pilot told reporters. "We never said anything against our party leadership, party, its ideology, and government. We raised our points on functioning and governance and I think we have full right to raise these issues," he said. "We have cleared our stand that we will remain in Congress. My politics is based on truth and principles. Even today I have no greed for any post. Posts come and go," he added. (With inputs from ANI)

Back in Jaipur, Pilot greeted with chants of 'I love you' by supporters

Former President Pranab Mukherjee's health continues to remain critical, the Army Hospital in Delhi said on Tuesday. He tested positive for coronavirus when he went to the hospital yesterday for another procedure.

Former President Pranab Mukherjee's health continues to remain critical, the Army Hospital in Delhi said on Tuesday. He tested positive for coronavirus when he went to the hospital yesterday for another procedure. Later, he underwent a brain surgery for the removal of a clot. "The former President who underwent lifesaving emergency surgery for brain clot on 10 August 2020 has not shown any improvement and his health status has worsened. He remains on ventilatory support," the army hospital said in a statement this evening. The former President yesterday tweeted before the surgery, asking all who came in contact with him to self-isolate and get a coronavirus test. "On a visit to the hospital for a separate procedure, I have tested positive for COVID19 today. I request the people who came in contact with me in the last week, to please self-isolate and get tested for COVID-19," his tweet read.

Pranab Mukherjee continues to remain critical, says Army's R&R hospital

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