Apple almost touched market value of USD 3 trillion on Monday. Apple has had a stunning run over the past decade that has turned it into world's most valuable company.

The company’s shares fell just over 2% on Monday to close at $175.74, reversing earlier gains that saw them approach the $182.86 price needed to record a $3 trillion market value.

Apple’s stock rose about 11% last week, extending its more than 30% year-to-date gain as investors remain confident that flush consumers will continue to pay top dollar for iPhones, MacBooks and services such as Apple TV and Apple Music.

The iPhone maker's march from $2 trillion to near $3 trillion in market value took 16 months, as it led a group of megacap tech companies such as Google-parent Alphabet Inc and Amazon.com Inc that benefited from people and businesses relying heavily on technology during the pandemic.

By comparison, Apple's move from $1 trillion to $2 trillion took two years.

"It's now one of the more richly valued companies in the market, which shows the dominance of U.S. technology in the world and how confident investors are that it will remain in Apple’s hands," said Brian Frank, a portfolio manager at Frank Capital who sold his long-standing position in Apple in 2019 as the stock's valuation rose. "It seems like the stock has priced in every possible good outcome."

Among new revenue lines that investors expect are a possible Apple Car, alongside growth in service categories such as apps and TV that still remain well below the 65% of the company's revenues generated by sales of iPhones, said Daniel Morgan, senior portfolio manager at Synovus Trust Company.

Eclipsing the $3 trillion milestone would add another feather in the cap for Chief Executive Tim Cook, who took over after Steve Jobs resigned in 2011, and oversaw the company's expansion into new products and markets.

"Tim Cook has done an amazing job over the past decade, taking Apple's share price up over 1,400%," OANDA analyst Edward Moya said.

Apple shares have returned 22% per year since the 1990s, while the S&amp;P 500 has returned less than 9% annually in the same period.

(With inputs from agencies)

Apple almost touched market value of USD 3 trillion on Monday. Apple has had a stunning run over the past decade that has turned it into world's most valuable company.

Apple almost touched market value of USD 3 trillion on Monday. Apple has had a stunning run over the past decade that has turned it into world's most valuable company. The company’s shares fell just over 2% on Monday to close at $175.74, reversing earlier gains that saw them approach the $182.86 price needed to record a $3 trillion market value. Apple’s stock rose about 11% last week, extending its more than 30% year-to-date gain as investors remain confident that flush consumers will continue to pay top dollar for iPhones, MacBooks and services such as Apple TV and Apple Music. The iPhone maker's march from $2 trillion to near $3 trillion in market value took 16 months, as it led a group of megacap tech companies such as Google-parent Alphabet Inc and Amazon.com Inc that benefited from people and businesses relying heavily on technology during the pandemic. By comparison, Apple's move from $1 trillion to $2 trillion took two years. "It's now one of the more richly valued companies in the market, which shows the dominance of U.S. technology in the world and how confident investors are that it will remain in Apple’s hands," said Brian Frank, a portfolio manager at Frank Capital who sold his long-standing position in Apple in 2019 as the stock's valuation rose. "It seems like the stock has priced in every possible good outcome." Among new revenue lines that investors expect are a possible Apple Car, alongside growth in service categories such as apps and TV that still remain well below the 65% of the company's revenues generated by sales of iPhones, said Daniel Morgan, senior portfolio manager at Synovus Trust Company. Eclipsing the $3 trillion milestone would add another feather in the cap for Chief Executive Tim Cook, who took over after Steve Jobs resigned in 2011, and oversaw the company's expansion into new products and markets. "Tim Cook has done an amazing job over the past decade, taking Apple's share price up over 1,400%," OANDA analyst Edward Moya said. Apple shares have returned 22% per year since the 1990s, while the S&P 500 has returned less than 9% annually in the same period. (With inputs from agencies)

Apple approaches USD 3 trillion market value mark

Russia has vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution which sought to formally link climate change and global security challenges. The resolution was supported by a majority of UN member states.

The draft-resolution, backed by Niger and Ireland called on UN Secretary General Antonio&nbsp;Guterres to "integrate climate-related security risk as a central component into comprehensive conflict-prevention strategies."

Twelve out of 15 members of the security council supported it. India voted against the resolution while China abstained.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndiainUNSC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndiainUNSC</a> 
 
Today, India🇮🇳 voted against a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UNSC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UNSC</a> draft resolution that attempted to securitize climate action and undermine the hard-won consensual agreements in Glasgow. 
 
Watch Explanation of Vote by Permanent Representative <a href="https://twitter.com/ambtstirumurti?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ambtstirumurti</a> ⤵️ <a href="https://t.co/jXMLA7lHnM">pic.twitter.com/jXMLA7lHnM</a>
— India at UN, NY (@IndiaUNNewYork) <a href="https://twitter.com/IndiaUNNewYork/status/1470423621290106897?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2021</a></blockquote>
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"India had no option but to vote against" the resolution&nbsp;India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations TS Tirumurti said.

He, however, said that there should be no confusion about India's determination to combat climate change and it "will always support real climate action and serious climate justice."

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-votes-against-unsc-draft-resolution-which-sought-to-securitise-climate-action-436687">India votes against UNSC draft resolution which sought to 'securitise' climate action</a>

"We will always speak up for the interests of the developing world, including Africa and the Sahel region. And we will do so at the right place, the UNFCCC," he said.

He also asserted that developed countries must provide climate finance of USD 1 trillion at the earliest, saying it is necessary that climate finance be tracked with the same diligence as climate mitigation.

"The developed countries have fallen well short of their promises," he added.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russia has vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution which sought to formally link climate change and global security challenges. The resolution was supported by a majority of UN member states.

Russia has vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution which sought to formally link climate change and global security challenges. The resolution was supported by a majority of UN member states. The draft-resolution, backed by Niger and Ireland called on UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to "integrate climate-related security risk as a central component into comprehensive conflict-prevention strategies." Twelve out of 15 members of the security council supported it. India voted against the resolution while China abstained. #IndiainUNSC Today, India🇮🇳 voted against a #UNSC draft resolution that attempted to securitize climate action and undermine the hard-won consensual agreements in Glasgow. Watch Explanation of Vote by Permanent Representative @ambtstirumurti ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/jXMLA7lHnM — India at UN, NY (@IndiaUNNewYork) December 13, 2021 × "India had no option but to vote against" the resolution India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations TS Tirumurti said. He, however, said that there should be no confusion about India's determination to combat climate change and it "will always support real climate action and serious climate justice." Also Read | India votes against UNSC draft resolution which sought to 'securitise' climate action "We will always speak up for the interests of the developing world, including Africa and the Sahel region. And we will do so at the right place, the UNFCCC," he said. He also asserted that developed countries must provide climate finance of USD 1 trillion at the earliest, saying it is necessary that climate finance be tracked with the same diligence as climate mitigation. "The developed countries have fallen well short of their promises," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia vetoes UN resolution linking climate change to security threats

Gwadar in Pakistan, where a port is being developed by China, has become the centre of a massive, resolute protest against Chinese presence in the country.

The locals and even those not from the city have gathered in Gwadar to oppose Chinese presence in Balochistan, the province where Gwadar is located.

The largely peaceful protest rallies where tens of thousands of men, women and children participated, had been going on for last 29 days.

Balochistan is resource-rich but least developed Pakistani province. The region has also seen pro-independence elements and an insurgency against the Pakistani state flourish over the years.

What are protests in Gwadar about?&nbsp;

There is resentment among locals against Chinese presence. China is developing the port and is also involved in infrastructure projects. Locals have been saying for long that jobs in these vital projects are being offered to outside labour and locals are left without employment. Locals allege that they are being marginalised.

What is the 'trawler mafia?'

Another issue that has angered people in Gwadar is that of Chinese fishing trawlers.

Fishing is the main occupation for many in the port city. But the local fishermen allege that the 'trawler mafia' is looting the marine resources. The fishermen had held protests in June this year against licenses being granted to Chinese fishing vessels in sea near Gwadar.

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یہ ہے وہ ٹرالرمافیا جو گوادر سے روزگار چھین رہا ہے 
آپ ڈیڑھ منٹ کی یہ ویڈیو دیکھیں کہ کیسے گوادر کے حق روزگار پر ڈاکہ ڈالا جا رہا ہے، سمندری حیات کی نسل کشی ہو رہی ہے 
اس ظلم کے خاتمے کا ہم مطالبہ کر رہے ہیں۔ یقین دہانی کروائی جاتی ہے، علمدرآمد نہیں<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%DB%8C%D9%88%D9%85_%DB%8C%DA%A9%D8%AC%DB%81%D8%AA%DB%8C_%D8%A8%D9%84%D9%88%DA%86%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86_%DA%AF%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#یوم_یکجہتی_بلوچستان_گوادر</a> <a href="https://t.co/WDVj9YVD9z">pic.twitter.com/WDVj9YVD9z</a>
— Maulana Hidayat ur Rehman Baloch (@MHidayatRehman) <a href="https://twitter.com/MHidayatRehman/status/1470010548301582337?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2021</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

Local fisherfolk have already given up some of their regular fishing spots due to development work of the port. Now the unequal competition with Chinese trawlers has added to their difficulty.

People are also protesting against unnecessary checkpoints on main roads, severe shortage of water and electricity.

Who is co-ordinating the protests?

The protesters have rallied under Gwadar Ko Huqooq Do Tehreek (Rights to Gwadar movement). Interestingly, a Jamat-e-Islami leader Maulana Rehman is leading the protest. Jamat-e-Islami is seen as traditional ally of Pakistan's all-powerful military establishment.

Why is Gwadar important for China?

Gwadar forms important node in China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a multibillion-dollar project that is the flaghship of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Gwadar will be connected to China's Xinjiang province through network of roads and raliroad in Pakistan. China has undertaken these projects as well.

China lacks direct access to Arabian Sea. It will be able to do so via Gwadar. Chinese goods, and even oil supplies will then be able to bypass sea lanes in Indian Ocean dominated by Indian Navy and other powers.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/gwadar-protests-pakistan-pm-imran-khan-promises-strong-action-against-illegal-fishing-trawlers-436371">Gwadar protests: Pakistan PM Imran Khan promises 'strong action' against illegal fishing trawlers</a>

India opposes CPEC and holds it illegal as some of the projects have proposed to be implemented in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir.

What is different about Gwadar protests this time?

The first thing is how huge they are. The second difference is the diversity of participation. Women have turned up for protests as well. In conservative society of Balochistan, this is being seen as an indication that all sections of the society are angry about Chinese presence.

How has Pakistan government reacted to Gwadar protests?

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has assured 'strong action against illegal fishing'.

"I have taken notice of the very legitimate demands of the hardworking fishermen of Gwadar. Will be taking strong action against illegal fishing by trawlers &amp; will also speak to CM Balochistan," he tweeted on Sunday.

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I have taken notice of the very legitimate demands of the hardworking fishermen of Gwadar. Will be taking strong action against illegal fishing by trawlers &amp; will also speak to CM Balochistan.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1469912226521878529?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2021</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

Gwadar in Pakistan, where a port is being developed by China, has become the centre of a massive, resolute protest against Chinese presence in the country. The locals and even those not from the city have gathered in Gwadar to oppose Chinese presence in Balochistan, the province where Gwadar is located.

Gwadar in Pakistan, where a port is being developed by China, has become the centre of a massive, resolute protest against Chinese presence in the country. The locals and even those not from the city have gathered in Gwadar to oppose Chinese presence in Balochistan, the province where Gwadar is located. The largely peaceful protest rallies where tens of thousands of men, women and children participated, had been going on for last 29 days. Balochistan is resource-rich but least developed Pakistani province. The region has also seen pro-independence elements and an insurgency against the Pakistani state flourish over the years. What are protests in Gwadar about? There is resentment among locals against Chinese presence. China is developing the port and is also involved in infrastructure projects. Locals have been saying for long that jobs in these vital projects are being offered to outside labour and locals are left without employment. Locals allege that they are being marginalised. What is the 'trawler mafia?' Another issue that has angered people in Gwadar is that of Chinese fishing trawlers. Fishing is the main occupation for many in the port city. But the local fishermen allege that the 'trawler mafia' is looting the marine resources. The fishermen had held protests in June this year against licenses being granted to Chinese fishing vessels in sea near Gwadar. یہ ہے وہ ٹرالرمافیا جو گوادر سے روزگار چھین رہا ہے آپ ڈیڑھ منٹ کی یہ ویڈیو دیکھیں کہ کیسے گوادر کے حق روزگار پر ڈاکہ ڈالا جا رہا ہے، سمندری حیات کی نسل کشی ہو رہی ہے اس ظلم کے خاتمے کا ہم مطالبہ کر رہے ہیں۔ یقین دہانی کروائی جاتی ہے، علمدرآمد نہیں#یوم_یکجہتی_بلوچستان_گوادر pic.twitter.com/WDVj9YVD9z — Maulana Hidayat ur Rehman Baloch (@MHidayatRehman) December 12, 2021 × Local fisherfolk have already given up some of their regular fishing spots due to development work of the port. Now the unequal competition with Chinese trawlers has added to their difficulty. People are also protesting against unnecessary checkpoints on main roads, severe shortage of water and electricity. Who is co-ordinating the protests? The protesters have rallied under Gwadar Ko Huqooq Do Tehreek (Rights to Gwadar movement). Interestingly, a Jamat-e-Islami leader Maulana Rehman is leading the protest. Jamat-e-Islami is seen as traditional ally of Pakistan's all-powerful military establishment. Why is Gwadar important for China? Gwadar forms important node in China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a multibillion-dollar project that is the flaghship of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Gwadar will be connected to China's Xinjiang province through network of roads and raliroad in Pakistan. China has undertaken these projects as well. China lacks direct access to Arabian Sea. It will be able to do so via Gwadar. Chinese goods, and even oil supplies will then be able to bypass sea lanes in Indian Ocean dominated by Indian Navy and other powers. Also Read | Gwadar protests: Pakistan PM Imran Khan promises 'strong action' against illegal fishing trawlers India opposes CPEC and holds it illegal as some of the projects have proposed to be implemented in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir. What is different about Gwadar protests this time? The first thing is how huge they are. The second difference is the diversity of participation. Women have turned up for protests as well. In conservative society of Balochistan, this is being seen as an indication that all sections of the society are angry about Chinese presence. How has Pakistan government reacted to Gwadar protests? Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has assured 'strong action against illegal fishing'. "I have taken notice of the very legitimate demands of the hardworking fishermen of Gwadar. Will be taking strong action against illegal fishing by trawlers & will also speak to CM Balochistan," he tweeted on Sunday. I have taken notice of the very legitimate demands of the hardworking fishermen of Gwadar. Will be taking strong action against illegal fishing by trawlers & will also speak to CM Balochistan. — Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) December 12, 2021 ×

Why are people in Pakistan's Gwadar protesting against the Chinese? Here is what we know

Health authorities in Denmark said on Monday that third dose of Covid vaccine will soon be offered to citizens over 40 in order to curb spread of Omicron variant.&nbsp;

"Due to the new and more contagious Omicron variant the Danish Health Authority has decided to push the third jab for everyone aged 40 and above, so they get the vaccine four and half months after the second jab," the health authority said in a statement.

By reducing the interval of the doses, "we will be able to enter the winter with better protection for those at increased risk of severe disease and increased immunity in the population," director Soren Brostrom said.

European Medicines Agenmcy (EMA) said last week that a third dose was 'safe and effective' as soon as three months after the initial vaccine course.

Denmark also recorded a record number of new cases of Covid-19 on Monday, with 7,799 confirmed infections in the previous 24 hours.&nbsp; 
Over a week, the number of cases is also at its highest since the start of the pandemic at 46,189 cases, a jump of more than 50 percent compared to the previous week, according to data from Danish health authorities compiled by AFP.

Danish health authorities on Monday also said they expect the new strain, which was first detected in South Africa last month, to become dominant in the capital Copenhagen from this week.

The UK announced on Sunday evening that it would accelerate the rollout of booster doses, opening them up to all over-18s before next year.&nbsp;

Denmark is second worldwide only to Britain in confirmed cases of Omicron, with both countries having extensive sequencing of samples to detect variants quickly.

As of Monday, 3,473 cases of Omicron had been identified in the Nordic country of 5.8 million people, where 80.6 percent of the population over five years old has already received two doses of the vaccine.

(With inputs from agencies)

Health authorities in Denmark said on Monday that third dose of Covid vaccine will soon be offered to citizens over 40 in order to curb spread of Omicron variant.

Health authorities in Denmark said on Monday that third dose of Covid vaccine will soon be offered to citizens over 40 in order to curb spread of Omicron variant. "Due to the new and more contagious Omicron variant the Danish Health Authority has decided to push the third jab for everyone aged 40 and above, so they get the vaccine four and half months after the second jab," the health authority said in a statement. By reducing the interval of the doses, "we will be able to enter the winter with better protection for those at increased risk of severe disease and increased immunity in the population," director Soren Brostrom said. European Medicines Agenmcy (EMA) said last week that a third dose was 'safe and effective' as soon as three months after the initial vaccine course. Denmark also recorded a record number of new cases of Covid-19 on Monday, with 7,799 confirmed infections in the previous 24 hours. Over a week, the number of cases is also at its highest since the start of the pandemic at 46,189 cases, a jump of more than 50 percent compared to the previous week, according to data from Danish health authorities compiled by AFP. Danish health authorities on Monday also said they expect the new strain, which was first detected in South Africa last month, to become dominant in the capital Copenhagen from this week. The UK announced on Sunday evening that it would accelerate the rollout of booster doses, opening them up to all over-18s before next year. Denmark is second worldwide only to Britain in confirmed cases of Omicron, with both countries having extensive sequencing of samples to detect variants quickly. As of Monday, 3,473 cases of Omicron had been identified in the Nordic country of 5.8 million people, where 80.6 percent of the population over five years old has already received two doses of the vaccine. (With inputs from agencies)

Denmark mulls third Covid vaccine dose to combat Omicron

Russia on Monday said that it may be forced to deploy nuclear missiles in Europe as a reaction to what it perceives as NATO's plan to do the same.&nbsp;

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told Russia's RIA news agency in an interview that Moscow would have to take the step if NATO refused to engage with it on preventing such an escalation.

The comments may heighten tensions as West sees Russia to be preparing for an invasion in Ukraine. The US and its allies are warning Moscow against it.&nbsp;

Missiles that Russia has threatened to deploy are Intermediate nuclear missiles.

Intermediate-range nuclear forces (INF) in Europe were banned under a 1987 treaty agreed between Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and U.S. President Ronald Reagan in what was hailed at the time as a major easing of Cold War tensions. Washington quit the pact in 2019 after complaining for years of alleged Russian violations.

Ryabkov said there were "indirect indications" that NATO was moving closer to re-deploying INF, including its restoration last month of the 56th Artillery Command which operated nuclear-capable Pershing missiles during the Cold War.

'COMPLETE LACK OF TRUST'

"Lack of progress towards a political and diplomatic solution to this problem will lead to our response being of a military and technical military nature," he said.

"That is, it will be a confrontation, this will the next round, the appearance of such resources on our side. Right now there aren't any, we have a unilateral moratorium. We call for NATO and the U.S. to join this moratorium."

NATO says there will be no new US missiles in Europe and it is ready to deter new Russian missiles with a "measured" response that would only involve conventional weapons.

But Ryabkov said Russia had a "complete lack of trust" in NATO.

"They don't permit themselves to do anything that could somehow increase our security - they believe they can act as they need, to their advantage, and we simply have to swallow all this and deal with it. This is not going to continue."

Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Joe Biden held two hours of talks last week on the Ukraine crisis and Moscow's demand for what it calls legally binding security guarantees from the West.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russia on Monday said that it may be forced to deploy nuclear missiles in Europe as a reaction to what it perceives as NATO's plan to do the same. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told Russia's RIA news agency in an interview that Moscow would have to take the step if NATO refused to engage with it on preventing such an escalation.

Russia on Monday said that it may be forced to deploy nuclear missiles in Europe as a reaction to what it perceives as NATO's plan to do the same. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told Russia's RIA news agency in an interview that Moscow would have to take the step if NATO refused to engage with it on preventing such an escalation. The comments may heighten tensions as West sees Russia to be preparing for an invasion in Ukraine. The US and its allies are warning Moscow against it. Missiles that Russia has threatened to deploy are Intermediate nuclear missiles. Intermediate-range nuclear forces (INF) in Europe were banned under a 1987 treaty agreed between Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and U.S. President Ronald Reagan in what was hailed at the time as a major easing of Cold War tensions. Washington quit the pact in 2019 after complaining for years of alleged Russian violations. Ryabkov said there were "indirect indications" that NATO was moving closer to re-deploying INF, including its restoration last month of the 56th Artillery Command which operated nuclear-capable Pershing missiles during the Cold War. 'COMPLETE LACK OF TRUST' "Lack of progress towards a political and diplomatic solution to this problem will lead to our response being of a military and technical military nature," he said. "That is, it will be a confrontation, this will the next round, the appearance of such resources on our side. Right now there aren't any, we have a unilateral moratorium. We call for NATO and the U.S. to join this moratorium." NATO says there will be no new US missiles in Europe and it is ready to deter new Russian missiles with a "measured" response that would only involve conventional weapons. But Ryabkov said Russia had a "complete lack of trust" in NATO. "They don't permit themselves to do anything that could somehow increase our security - they believe they can act as they need, to their advantage, and we simply have to swallow all this and deal with it. This is not going to continue." Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Joe Biden held two hours of talks last week on the Ukraine crisis and Moscow's demand for what it calls legally binding security guarantees from the West. (With inputs from agencies)

May deploy nuclear missiles in Europe, says Russia

Exercise benefits us all. There is no surer way to good health. Of course modern medicine has made progress and lot of things previously unachievable are well within our grasp, but exercise retains its primacy. A dedicated person can reap benefits that will last lifetime.

But there are many among us who are not able to exercise due to variety of reasons. Disability can be a factor, old age can be another. Such factors may keep an individual from gaining benefits of exercise.

But modern medicine has come to our aid again. Scientist have made a discovery that may develop into manufacture of an 'exercise pill' that will improve health of eyes and brain at least. This will be especially useful for those who have physical disabilities.

Researchers from Australian National University (ANU) have identified molecular signals that are sent to brain, the Central nervous System and eyes when we exercise.

These signals are reportedly beneficial for brain health and that of eyes.

Associate Professor Riccardo Natoli, Head of Clear Vision Research at ANU thinks that these molecular signals can be bottled up and taken just like a vitamin pill.

“The beneficial messages being sent to the central nervous system during exercise are packaged up in what are known as lipid particles. We are essentially prescribing the molecular message of exercise to those who physically aren’t able to,” he was quoted as saying by SciTechDaily.

Exercise benefits us all. There is no surer way to good health. Of course modern medicine has made progress and lot of things previously unachievable are well within our grasp, but exercise retains its primacy.

Exercise benefits us all. There is no surer way to good health. Of course modern medicine has made progress and lot of things previously unachievable are well within our grasp, but exercise retains its primacy. A dedicated person can reap benefits that will last lifetime. But there are many among us who are not able to exercise due to variety of reasons. Disability can be a factor, old age can be another. Such factors may keep an individual from gaining benefits of exercise. But modern medicine has come to our aid again. Scientist have made a discovery that may develop into manufacture of an 'exercise pill' that will improve health of eyes and brain at least. This will be especially useful for those who have physical disabilities. Researchers from Australian National University (ANU) have identified molecular signals that are sent to brain, the Central nervous System and eyes when we exercise. These signals are reportedly beneficial for brain health and that of eyes. Associate Professor Riccardo Natoli, Head of Clear Vision Research at ANU thinks that these molecular signals can be bottled up and taken just like a vitamin pill. “The beneficial messages being sent to the central nervous system during exercise are packaged up in what are known as lipid particles. We are essentially prescribing the molecular message of exercise to those who physically aren’t able to,” he was quoted as saying by SciTechDaily.

This 'Exercise in a Pill' can be ray of hope for those incapable of physical activity

South Korean President Moon Jae-in has said that his country, along with the US, China and North Korea, has agreed to declare 'in principle' formal end to Korean war. North and South Korea, at least on paper are still at war with each other. The actual war that resulted in division of the Korean peninsula was fought between 1950-53.

Moon Jae-in was speaking at press conference alongside Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in Canberra. Moon Jae-in is on tour of Australia.

The South Korean President conceded that talks to end the Korean war were not moving ahead as they should due to North Korea's objections over present day 'hostility' from the US.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-koreans-are-starving-but-theyre-forced-to-pay-for-candies-for-kim-jong-uns-birthday-433475">North Koreans are starving, but they're forced to pay for candies for Kim Jong-Un's birthday</a>

“And because of that, we are not able to sit down for a negotiation on the declarations between South and North Korea, and those between North Korea and United States,” he said as quoted by The Guardian.

“And we hope that talks will be initiated. We are making efforts towards that.”

The Korean war fought almost seven decades ago did not end in peace treaty but an armistice. This makes the war technically still on.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/now-south-korea-to-test-facial-recognition-tech-to-track-covid-19-cases-436553">Now, South Korea to test facial recognition tech to track Covid-19 cases</a>

Calling the armistice 'unstable', Moon Jae-in said that a formal end to the Korean war would be a step towards achieving peace on the peninsula. It would also be a breakthrough for negotiations over North Korean nuclear program.

Just hours after Moon Jae-in's statements, South Korea's unification minister, Lee In-young said that a formal end to Korean war would be a “turning point for a new phase for peace”.

(With inputs from agencies)

South Korean President Moon Jae-in has said that his country, along with the US, China and North Korea, has agreed to declare 'in principle' formal end to Korean war.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in has said that his country, along with the US, China and North Korea, has agreed to declare 'in principle' formal end to Korean war. North and South Korea, at least on paper are still at war with each other. The actual war that resulted in division of the Korean peninsula was fought between 1950-53. Moon Jae-in was speaking at press conference alongside Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in Canberra. Moon Jae-in is on tour of Australia. The South Korean President conceded that talks to end the Korean war were not moving ahead as they should due to North Korea's objections over present day 'hostility' from the US. Also Read | North Koreans are starving, but they're forced to pay for candies for Kim Jong-Un's birthday “And because of that, we are not able to sit down for a negotiation on the declarations between South and North Korea, and those between North Korea and United States,” he said as quoted by The Guardian. “And we hope that talks will be initiated. We are making efforts towards that.” The Korean war fought almost seven decades ago did not end in peace treaty but an armistice. This makes the war technically still on. Also Read | Now, South Korea to test facial recognition tech to track Covid-19 cases Calling the armistice 'unstable', Moon Jae-in said that a formal end to the Korean war would be a step towards achieving peace on the peninsula. It would also be a breakthrough for negotiations over North Korean nuclear program. Just hours after Moon Jae-in's statements, South Korea's unification minister, Lee In-young said that a formal end to Korean war would be a “turning point for a new phase for peace”. (With inputs from agencies)

South and North Korea agree 'in principle' to end Korean war, says Moon Jae-in 

Pro-democracy Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai was handed a fresh sentence of 13 months in prison for taking part in a banned Tiananmen vigil. Hong Kong traditionally holds large&nbsp;vigils each year as remembrance of June 4, 1989 crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Beijing's Tiananmen Square. However, Hong Kong authorities have been denying permissions to such vigils for last two years citing coronavirus restrictions.

Critics say that pandemic is being used as an excuse to deny permission to hold vigil.

Other pro-democracy activists along with Jimmy Lai were handed jail terms.

The sentencing is the latest blow to the city’s democracy movement, which has seen dozens of activists arrested, jailed or flee the Chinese-ruled territory since Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law last year.

Judge Amanda Woodcock said the defendants "ignored and belittled a genuine public health crisis" and "wrongly and arrogantly believed" in commemorating June 4 rather than protecting the health of the community.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-reports-cases-of-a-new-more-transmissible-delta-strain-sub-lineage-ay4-436525">China reports cases of a new, more transmissible Delta strain, 'sub-lineage AY.4'</a>

Media tycoon Jimmy Lai, 74, who is already in jail, barrister Chow Hang Tung, 36, and activist Gwyneth Ho, 31, received sentences of 13, 12 and 6 months, respectively. They were found guilty by the court last Thursday.

The three, the highest profile of the eight, had pleaded not guilty to all charges.

"If commemorate (sic) those who died because of injustice is a crime, then inflict on me that crime and let me suffer the punishment of this crime, so I may share the burden and glory of those young men and women who shed their blood on June 4th to proclaim truth, justice and goodness," Lai said in a mitigation letter, handwritten in prison, ahead of sentencing.

Chow, in her mitigation said: "If those in power had wished to kill the movement with prosecution and imprisonment, they shall be sorely disappointed. Indeed what they have done is breathe new life into the movement, rallying a new generation to this long struggle for truth, justice and democracy."

Five others who had pleaded guilty, including Lee Cheuk-yan, leader of the now-disbanded vigil organiser Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements in China, were sentenced to between just over 4 months and 14 months.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australias-defence-minister-says-chinas-response-to-aukus-deal-was-irrational-436390">Australia's defence minister says China’s response to AUKUS deal was ‘irrational'</a>

"If there was a provocateur, it is the regime that fired at its own people," an emotional Lee, who received the highest sentence of 14 months, told the court on Nov. 17.

"If I must go to jail to affirm my will, then so be it."

All sentences will be served concurrently with any the defendants are already facing in other cases.

Sixteen other activists are already serving sentences of 4-10 months related to the 2020 vigil. Two democracy campaigners facing similar charges over the vigil, Nathan Law and Sunny Cheung, have fled Hong Kong.

After mass pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong in 2019, the global financial hub has taken a swift authoritarian turn with Beijing's imposition of a sweeping national security law last year impacting many aspects of life in the city.

(With inputs from agencies)

Pro-democracy Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai was handed a fresh sentence of 13 months in prison for taking part in a banned Tiananmen vigil. Hong Kong traditionally holds large vigils each year as remembrance of June 4, 1989 crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Beijing's Tiananmen Square.

Pro-democracy Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai was handed a fresh sentence of 13 months in prison for taking part in a banned Tiananmen vigil. Hong Kong traditionally holds large vigils each year as remembrance of June 4, 1989 crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Beijing's Tiananmen Square. However, Hong Kong authorities have been denying permissions to such vigils for last two years citing coronavirus restrictions. Critics say that pandemic is being used as an excuse to deny permission to hold vigil. Other pro-democracy activists along with Jimmy Lai were handed jail terms. The sentencing is the latest blow to the city’s democracy movement, which has seen dozens of activists arrested, jailed or flee the Chinese-ruled territory since Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law last year. Judge Amanda Woodcock said the defendants "ignored and belittled a genuine public health crisis" and "wrongly and arrogantly believed" in commemorating June 4 rather than protecting the health of the community. Also Read | China reports cases of a new, more transmissible Delta strain, 'sub-lineage AY.4' Media tycoon Jimmy Lai, 74, who is already in jail, barrister Chow Hang Tung, 36, and activist Gwyneth Ho, 31, received sentences of 13, 12 and 6 months, respectively. They were found guilty by the court last Thursday. The three, the highest profile of the eight, had pleaded not guilty to all charges. "If commemorate (sic) those who died because of injustice is a crime, then inflict on me that crime and let me suffer the punishment of this crime, so I may share the burden and glory of those young men and women who shed their blood on June 4th to proclaim truth, justice and goodness," Lai said in a mitigation letter, handwritten in prison, ahead of sentencing. Chow, in her mitigation said: "If those in power had wished to kill the movement with prosecution and imprisonment, they shall be sorely disappointed. Indeed what they have done is breathe new life into the movement, rallying a new generation to this long struggle for truth, justice and democracy." Five others who had pleaded guilty, including Lee Cheuk-yan, leader of the now-disbanded vigil organiser Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements in China, were sentenced to between just over 4 months and 14 months. Also Read | Australia's defence minister says China’s response to AUKUS deal was ‘irrational' "If there was a provocateur, it is the regime that fired at its own people," an emotional Lee, who received the highest sentence of 14 months, told the court on Nov. 17. "If I must go to jail to affirm my will, then so be it." All sentences will be served concurrently with any the defendants are already facing in other cases. Sixteen other activists are already serving sentences of 4-10 months related to the 2020 vigil. Two democracy campaigners facing similar charges over the vigil, Nathan Law and Sunny Cheung, have fled Hong Kong. After mass pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong in 2019, the global financial hub has taken a swift authoritarian turn with Beijing's imposition of a sweeping national security law last year impacting many aspects of life in the city. (With inputs from agencies)

Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai sentenced to 13 months in prison

Hubble Space Telescope is fully functional again. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has been able to take care of the glitches and the aging space telescope's instruments are online again.

In October this year, Hubble had developed a glitch with synchronisation of its internal communication. Because of this, all four of its science instruments went offline.

The first instrument to come online was Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) on November 7. At the time, remaining instruments went in a 'Safe Mode' for protection.

But earlier this week the space telscope became fully functional.

"The team will continue work on developing and testing changes to instrument software that would allow them to conduct science operations even if they encounter several lost synchronization messages in the future," said NASA.

Hubble is due to get a software update this month. This software update will be for Cosmic Origins Spectrograph instrument of the space telescope.

NASA said in a statement that other instruments of the telescope will also receive software update in coming months.

Hubble will soon be joined by another powerful telescope, the James Webb Space Telescope. The Webb telescope is going to be launched soon. While Hubble has been able to bring important images of the universe to Earth in last few decades, James Webb Space Telescope, equipped with the latest technology, is expected to be humanity's much-improved eye in the sky.

Hubble Space Telescope is fully functional again. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has been able to take care of the glitches and the aging space telescope's instruments are online again.

Hubble Space Telescope is fully functional again. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has been able to take care of the glitches and the aging space telescope's instruments are online again. In October this year, Hubble had developed a glitch with synchronisation of its internal communication. Because of this, all four of its science instruments went offline. The first instrument to come online was Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) on November 7. At the time, remaining instruments went in a 'Safe Mode' for protection. But earlier this week the space telscope became fully functional. "The team will continue work on developing and testing changes to instrument software that would allow them to conduct science operations even if they encounter several lost synchronization messages in the future," said NASA. Hubble is due to get a software update this month. This software update will be for Cosmic Origins Spectrograph instrument of the space telescope. NASA said in a statement that other instruments of the telescope will also receive software update in coming months. Hubble will soon be joined by another powerful telescope, the James Webb Space Telescope. The Webb telescope is going to be launched soon. While Hubble has been able to bring important images of the universe to Earth in last few decades, James Webb Space Telescope, equipped with the latest technology, is expected to be humanity's much-improved eye in the sky.

Hubble Space Telescope is fully functional again

Ruling on US government's appeal opposing a previous order against extradition of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange is due to come on Friday.

Court listings for the Royal Courts of Justice in London published on Thursday said a judgment in the long-running case will be handed down at 1015 GMT on Friday.

USA wants to put 50-year-old Julian Assange on trial for leaking thousands of classified military documents about US war in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The extradition was blocked in January this year. The grounds for blocking extradition were Assange potentially being a suicide risk if he was removed to the United States and held in isolation.

But lawyers for the US government in October argued the original judge had not given sufficient weight to other expert testimony about Assange's mental state.

They have also sought to assure the court he would not be held in a federal supermax prison, and would receive appropriate treatment.

The case has become a cause celebre for free speech with Assange's supporters arguing WikiLeaks has the same rights as other media to publish secret material in the public interest.&nbsp;

Assange himself has been in custody since 2019, despite having served a previous sentence for breaching bail conditions in a separate case.

The maverick publisher spent seven years at Ecuador's embassy in London to avoid being removed to Sweden to face sexual assault allegations that were later dropped.

While at the South American country's mission, he fathered two children with his partner, Stella Moris, a member of his legal team.

(With inputs from agencies)

Ruling on US government's appeal opposing a previous order against extradition of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange is due to come on Friday. Court listings for the Royal Courts of Justice in London published on Thursday said a judgment in the long-running case will be handed down at 1015 GMT on Friday.

Ruling on US government's appeal opposing a previous order against extradition of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange is due to come on Friday. Court listings for the Royal Courts of Justice in London published on Thursday said a judgment in the long-running case will be handed down at 1015 GMT on Friday. USA wants to put 50-year-old Julian Assange on trial for leaking thousands of classified military documents about US war in Iraq and Afghanistan. The extradition was blocked in January this year. The grounds for blocking extradition were Assange potentially being a suicide risk if he was removed to the United States and held in isolation. But lawyers for the US government in October argued the original judge had not given sufficient weight to other expert testimony about Assange's mental state. They have also sought to assure the court he would not be held in a federal supermax prison, and would receive appropriate treatment. The case has become a cause celebre for free speech with Assange's supporters arguing WikiLeaks has the same rights as other media to publish secret material in the public interest. Assange himself has been in custody since 2019, despite having served a previous sentence for breaching bail conditions in a separate case. The maverick publisher spent seven years at Ecuador's embassy in London to avoid being removed to Sweden to face sexual assault allegations that were later dropped. While at the South American country's mission, he fathered two children with his partner, Stella Moris, a member of his legal team. (With inputs from agencies)

Julian Assange extradition appeal ruling to come on Friday

Mark Meadows, the former chief of staff for President Donald Trump, filed suit Wednesday against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol in an attempt to persuade a federal judge to block the committee’s subpoenas.

Meadows’ suit came hours after the committee said it would move forward with a criminal contempt of Congress referral against Meadows after he refused to appear for a scheduled deposition.

His lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington, accuses the committee of issuing “two overly broad and unduly burdensome subpoenas” against him, including one sent to Verizon for his phone and text data.

“Mr. Meadows faces the harm of both being illegally coerced into violating the Constitution,” his lawsuit contends. It asks a judge to declare the subpoenas “unlawful and unenforceable,” and claims the inquiries violate his constitutional rights to free speech and privacy.

The committee did not immediately announce a date for its vote on the contempt referral against Meadows, which is all but certain to be approved and sent to the full House, where lawmakers are likely to pass it, formally recommending that the Justice Department prosecute Meadows. It would be the third time the committee has moved to hold a recalcitrant witness in criminal contempt.

“The select committee is left with no choice but to advance contempt proceedings and recommend that the body in which Mr. Meadows once served refer him for criminal prosecution,” Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., chair of the committee, wrote to Meadows’ lawyer, George Terwilliger.

In a statement Wednesday night, Thompson and Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., the committee’s vice chair, said that Meadows’ “flawed lawsuit won’t succeed at slowing down the select committee’s investigation or stopping us from getting the information we’re seeking.”

The committee has now interviewed more than 275 witnesses and obtained tens of thousands of documents. Those cooperating include some members of former Vice President Mike Pence’s inner circle, including Marc Short, his former chief of staff. But several high-profile witnesses are stonewalling the panel, in line with a directive from Trump.

Meadows joins Trump in suing the committee to try to block its investigation. The former president is battling in court to prevent the release of documents requested by the committee that he says are subject to executive privilege, although the Biden administration has refused to assert that claim.

Meadows, who has turned over thousands of pages of documents to the committee, informed the panel Tuesday that he was no longer willing to sit for a deposition that had been scheduled for Wednesday, reversing a deal he had reached with the panel just last week to be interviewed by its investigators. The leaders of the committee immediately threatened to charge Meadows, a former congressman from North Carolina, with contempt of Congress if he did not appear.

Thompson said Meadows had provided some useful information to the committee, including a November email that discussed appointing an alternate slate of electors to keep Trump in power and a Jan. 5 message about putting the National Guard on standby.

Meadows also turned over to the committee his text messages with a member of Congress in which the lawmaker acknowledged that a plan to object to President Joe Biden’s victory would be “highly controversial,” to which Meadows responded, “I love it.” And he furnished text exchanges about the need for Trump to issue a public statement Jan. 6 aimed at persuading the mob marauding through the Capitol in his name to stand down.

But Meadows also informed the committee that he had turned in the cellphone he used on Jan. 6 to his service provider and that he was withholding some 1,000 text messages connected with the device, Thompson said, prompting additional questions and the need for more cooperation and a deposition.

“There is no legitimate legal basis for Mr. Meadows to refuse to cooperate with the select committee and answer questions about the documents he produced, the personal devices and accounts he used, the events he wrote about in his newly released book and, among other things, his other public statements,” Thompson wrote.

The committee recently sent a flurry of subpoenas to telecommunications companies seeking the data of dozens of individuals, including Meadows, prompting his lawyer to object to a request he said sought “intensely personal communications” with no relevance to any legitimate investigation.

“The Verizon subpoena seeks Mr. Meadows’ cellphone metadata, despite the fact that he has already provided the select committee with his responsive text messages, emails, and the metadata,” his lawsuit states.

The subpoenas, which follow records preservation demands sent to 35 technology and social media companies in August, do not seek the content of any communications but simply the dates and times of when the calls and messages took place, according to a committee aide.

The House voted in October to recommend that another of Trump’s associates, Steve Bannon, be charged with criminal contempt of Congress for refusing to cooperate with the investigation. A federal grand jury subsequently indicted him on two counts that could carry a total of up to two years behind bars. A judge on Tuesday set a July 18 trial date for Bannon, meaning that the select committee will most likely have to wait the better part of a year, if not longer, for a resolution of his case and any potential cooperation from him.

The committee has also recommended a contempt charge against Jeffrey Clark, a former Justice Department lawyer who participated in Trump’s efforts to invalidate the 2020 election results, for refusing to cooperate with its inquiry. The panel is waiting to complete that referral until it can determine how much information Clark is willing to provide during a deposition scheduled for Dec. 16. Clark has said he will invoke his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.

Another potential witness, John Eastman, a lawyer who wrote a memo that some in both parties have likened to a blueprint for a coup to keep Trump in power, has also indicated that he plans to invoke the Fifth Amendment in response to the committee’s subpoena.

A third witness, political operative Roger Stone, told the committee this week that he, too, planned to invoke his right against self-incrimination in defying a subpoena, declining to sit for an interview or produce documents.

“Given that the select committee’s demand for documents is overbroad, overreaching and far too wide-ranging to be deemed anything other than a fishing expedition, Mr. Stone has a constitutional right to decline to respond,” his lawyer, Grant J. Smith, wrote to the panel.

Mark Meadows, the former chief of staff for President Donald Trump, filed suit Wednesday against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the House committee investigating the Jan.

Mark Meadows, the former chief of staff for President Donald Trump, filed suit Wednesday against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol in an attempt to persuade a federal judge to block the committee’s subpoenas. Meadows’ suit came hours after the committee said it would move forward with a criminal contempt of Congress referral against Meadows after he refused to appear for a scheduled deposition. His lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington, accuses the committee of issuing “two overly broad and unduly burdensome subpoenas” against him, including one sent to Verizon for his phone and text data. “Mr. Meadows faces the harm of both being illegally coerced into violating the Constitution,” his lawsuit contends. It asks a judge to declare the subpoenas “unlawful and unenforceable,” and claims the inquiries violate his constitutional rights to free speech and privacy. The committee did not immediately announce a date for its vote on the contempt referral against Meadows, which is all but certain to be approved and sent to the full House, where lawmakers are likely to pass it, formally recommending that the Justice Department prosecute Meadows. It would be the third time the committee has moved to hold a recalcitrant witness in criminal contempt. “The select committee is left with no choice but to advance contempt proceedings and recommend that the body in which Mr. Meadows once served refer him for criminal prosecution,” Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., chair of the committee, wrote to Meadows’ lawyer, George Terwilliger. In a statement Wednesday night, Thompson and Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., the committee’s vice chair, said that Meadows’ “flawed lawsuit won’t succeed at slowing down the select committee’s investigation or stopping us from getting the information we’re seeking.” The committee has now interviewed more than 275 witnesses and obtained tens of thousands of documents. Those cooperating include some members of former Vice President Mike Pence’s inner circle, including Marc Short, his former chief of staff. But several high-profile witnesses are stonewalling the panel, in line with a directive from Trump. Meadows joins Trump in suing the committee to try to block its investigation. The former president is battling in court to prevent the release of documents requested by the committee that he says are subject to executive privilege, although the Biden administration has refused to assert that claim. Meadows, who has turned over thousands of pages of documents to the committee, informed the panel Tuesday that he was no longer willing to sit for a deposition that had been scheduled for Wednesday, reversing a deal he had reached with the panel just last week to be interviewed by its investigators. The leaders of the committee immediately threatened to charge Meadows, a former congressman from North Carolina, with contempt of Congress if he did not appear. Thompson said Meadows had provided some useful information to the committee, including a November email that discussed appointing an alternate slate of electors to keep Trump in power and a Jan. 5 message about putting the National Guard on standby. Meadows also turned over to the committee his text messages with a member of Congress in which the lawmaker acknowledged that a plan to object to President Joe Biden’s victory would be “highly controversial,” to which Meadows responded, “I love it.” And he furnished text exchanges about the need for Trump to issue a public statement Jan. 6 aimed at persuading the mob marauding through the Capitol in his name to stand down. But Meadows also informed the committee that he had turned in the cellphone he used on Jan. 6 to his service provider and that he was withholding some 1,000 text messages connected with the device, Thompson said, prompting additional questions and the need for more cooperation and a deposition. “There is no legitimate legal basis for Mr. Meadows to refuse to cooperate with the select committee and answer questions about the documents he produced, the personal devices and accounts he used, the events he wrote about in his newly released book and, among other things, his other public statements,” Thompson wrote. The committee recently sent a flurry of subpoenas to telecommunications companies seeking the data of dozens of individuals, including Meadows, prompting his lawyer to object to a request he said sought “intensely personal communications” with no relevance to any legitimate investigation. “The Verizon subpoena seeks Mr. Meadows’ cellphone metadata, despite the fact that he has already provided the select committee with his responsive text messages, emails, and the metadata,” his lawsuit states. The subpoenas, which follow records preservation demands sent to 35 technology and social media companies in August, do not seek the content of any communications but simply the dates and times of when the calls and messages took place, according to a committee aide. The House voted in October to recommend that another of Trump’s associates, Steve Bannon, be charged with criminal contempt of Congress for refusing to cooperate with the investigation. A federal grand jury subsequently indicted him on two counts that could carry a total of up to two years behind bars. A judge on Tuesday set a July 18 trial date for Bannon, meaning that the select committee will most likely have to wait the better part of a year, if not longer, for a resolution of his case and any potential cooperation from him. The committee has also recommended a contempt charge against Jeffrey Clark, a former Justice Department lawyer who participated in Trump’s efforts to invalidate the 2020 election results, for refusing to cooperate with its inquiry. The panel is waiting to complete that referral until it can determine how much information Clark is willing to provide during a deposition scheduled for Dec. 16. Clark has said he will invoke his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. Another potential witness, John Eastman, a lawyer who wrote a memo that some in both parties have likened to a blueprint for a coup to keep Trump in power, has also indicated that he plans to invoke the Fifth Amendment in response to the committee’s subpoena. A third witness, political operative Roger Stone, told the committee this week that he, too, planned to invoke his right against self-incrimination in defying a subpoena, declining to sit for an interview or produce documents. “Given that the select committee’s demand for documents is overbroad, overreaching and far too wide-ranging to be deemed anything other than a fishing expedition, Mr. Stone has a constitutional right to decline to respond,” his lawyer, Grant J. Smith, wrote to the panel.

Meadows sues Pelosi in bid to block Jan. 6 committee subpoena

Four university lecturers in Morocco on Tuesday appeared in court facing allegations of trading good grades for sexual favours.

A fifth lecturer faces more serious charges of indecent assault and battery. The lecturer is due to appear before a judge on Wednesday.

The scandal erupted in September, when Moroccan media picked up social media leaks of messages purportedly exchanged between the lecturers and students.

Four of the accused, all of whom teach at Hassan I University in Settat near Casablanca, face charges of "incitement to debauchery", gender discrimination and violence against women, said AFP citing source.

As per Moroccan media, the trial was adjourned till December 14.

Three of the defendants are in detention.

In recent years a string of high-profile sexual harassment scandals have shaken Moroccan universities, but most have not resulted in trials, let alone convictions.

Rights groups say sexual violence is widespread in Morocco but that pressures from a conservative society mean women are reluctant to report sexual violence for fear of reprisals or damage to their family reputation.

In 2018, after years of heated debates, the law was changed to allow perpetrators of "harassment, aggression, sexual exploitation or ill-treatment" to be punished with prison terms.

But some argue that the law still fails to protect women from widespread sexual violence.

(With inputs from agencies)

Four university lecturers in Morocco on Tuesday appeared in court facing allegations of trading good grades for sexual favours. A fifth lecturer faces more serious charges of indecent assault and battery.

Four university lecturers in Morocco on Tuesday appeared in court facing allegations of trading good grades for sexual favours. A fifth lecturer faces more serious charges of indecent assault and battery. The lecturer is due to appear before a judge on Wednesday. The scandal erupted in September, when Moroccan media picked up social media leaks of messages purportedly exchanged between the lecturers and students. Four of the accused, all of whom teach at Hassan I University in Settat near Casablanca, face charges of "incitement to debauchery", gender discrimination and violence against women, said AFP citing source. As per Moroccan media, the trial was adjourned till December 14. Three of the defendants are in detention. In recent years a string of high-profile sexual harassment scandals have shaken Moroccan universities, but most have not resulted in trials, let alone convictions. Rights groups say sexual violence is widespread in Morocco but that pressures from a conservative society mean women are reluctant to report sexual violence for fear of reprisals or damage to their family reputation. In 2018, after years of heated debates, the law was changed to allow perpetrators of "harassment, aggression, sexual exploitation or ill-treatment" to be punished with prison terms. But some argue that the law still fails to protect women from widespread sexual violence. (With inputs from agencies)

'Sex for good marks' cases bring Moroccan lecturers in court

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