Seven terrorists have been killed in five major operations across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir in last 24 hours. Yesterday, five Indian army soldiers including a JCO were killed in a gunfight in the Shahdara area near the boundary of Poonch-Rajouri districts yesterday.&nbsp;

In two operations in South Kashmir's Shopian district, 5 terrorists were killed by security forces in a joint operation. Earlier, Two terrorists were killed in two different operations in Anantnag and Bandipora districts.&nbsp;

"Two unidentified terrorists have been killed. Search operation is going on," said Vijay Kumar, Inspector General of Kashmir.

"Three terrorists of LeT (TRF) were killed another operation in Shopian. Out of the three terrorists who were killed, one has been identified as Mukhtar Shah of Ganderbal, who shifted to Shopian after killing a street hawker named Virendra Paswan who was from Bihar. Incriminating materials including arms &amp; ammunition have been recovered," he added.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-police-arrest-suspected-pakistani-terrorist-ak-47-recovered-420129">Indian Police arrest suspected Pakistani terrorist; AK-47 recovered</a>

The security forces have intensified search operations across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. This comes after the 7 civilians were killed in the Kashmir valley in 7 incidents recently.&nbsp;

"Over 500 people have been detained by security forces in connection to the recent civilian killings. Raids and search operations across the valley continue," say sources.

The operation that started yesterday in the Poonch district and later spread to Rajouri district still continues after 24 hours. Five soldiers were killed in the gunfight in the same operation yesterday.&nbsp;

"During the conduct of the operation, terrorists brought down a heavy volume of fire on army troops leading to fatal injuries to one JCO and four soldiers. The gallant JCO and soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty are: Nb Subedar Jaswinder Singh, SM Nk Mandeep Singh, Sep Gajjan Singh, Sep Saraj Singh and Sep Vaisakh H.'' said Lt Col Devender Anand, PRO Defence.&nbsp;

The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has been put on high security alert.&nbsp;

Seven terrorists have been killed in five major operations across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir in last 24 hours. Yesterday, five Indian army soldiers including a JCO were killed in a gunfight in the Shahdara area near the boundary of Poonch-Rajouri districts yesterday.

Seven terrorists have been killed in five major operations across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir in last 24 hours. Yesterday, five Indian army soldiers including a JCO were killed in a gunfight in the Shahdara area near the boundary of Poonch-Rajouri districts yesterday. In two operations in South Kashmir's Shopian district, 5 terrorists were killed by security forces in a joint operation. Earlier, Two terrorists were killed in two different operations in Anantnag and Bandipora districts. "Two unidentified terrorists have been killed. Search operation is going on," said Vijay Kumar, Inspector General of Kashmir. "Three terrorists of LeT (TRF) were killed another operation in Shopian. Out of the three terrorists who were killed, one has been identified as Mukhtar Shah of Ganderbal, who shifted to Shopian after killing a street hawker named Virendra Paswan who was from Bihar. Incriminating materials including arms & ammunition have been recovered," he added. Also Read | Indian Police arrest suspected Pakistani terrorist; AK-47 recovered The security forces have intensified search operations across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. This comes after the 7 civilians were killed in the Kashmir valley in 7 incidents recently. "Over 500 people have been detained by security forces in connection to the recent civilian killings. Raids and search operations across the valley continue," say sources. The operation that started yesterday in the Poonch district and later spread to Rajouri district still continues after 24 hours. Five soldiers were killed in the gunfight in the same operation yesterday. "During the conduct of the operation, terrorists brought down a heavy volume of fire on army troops leading to fatal injuries to one JCO and four soldiers. The gallant JCO and soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty are: Nb Subedar Jaswinder Singh, SM Nk Mandeep Singh, Sep Gajjan Singh, Sep Saraj Singh and Sep Vaisakh H.'' said Lt Col Devender Anand, PRO Defence. The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has been put on high security alert.

Jammu and Kashmir: Seven terrorists killed in five operations in 24 hours

On July 28, Diana Toebbe posted a Facebook message looking for a babysitter to take care of her children early on the coming Saturday morning for five to six hours.

Later the post, visible only to friends, was updated with the word “*FOUND*.” And on that Saturday, Toebbe accompanied her husband, Jonathan, to south-central Pennsylvania.

Unbeknown to Diana Toebbe, she and her husband were being watched by the FBI as they left their home in Annapolis, Maryland. And the bureau’s agents continued to watch in Pennsylvania as Jonathan Toebbe removed from his shorts pocket a 32-gigabyte memory card hidden in a sealed Band-Aid wrapper, which he then, according to court papers, placed in a container set up by an undercover FBI operative.

The Toebbes, accused by the U.S. government of trying to sell some of America’s most closely guarded submarine propulsion secrets to a foreign government, are scheduled to appear in federal court in West Virginia on Tuesday. They will face charges related to violating the Atomic Energy Act’s prohibition on sharing nuclear know-how.

For now, the big questions surrounding the couple — what country they are accused of trying to sell the nuclear secrets to and what motivated them to take the risk — remain unanswered.

Jonathan Toebbe was described by acquaintances as a diligent and organized graduate student in nuclear physics who was commissioned in the Navy as an officer and expert in submarine propulsion. He continued as a civilian in the Navy after finishing his military service, considered by some a plum assignment for the most talented nuclear physicists.

Diana Toebbe was a 10-year veteran of the Key School, a progressive private school in Annapolis, where she taught history and English. There, according to parents, she was prone to talking about her doctorate in anthropology from Emory University and her love of knitting. She was a respected adviser, both formally and informally, at the school.

“You could just tell she was insanely smart,” said Craig Martien, 20, a 2019 graduate of Key School who worked closely with Toebbe on the yearbook and an after-school anthropology club. “She was very friendly and down-to-earth, and I got along with her very well.”

When Martien went off to Williams College, he brought along a toy squid that Toebbe had knitted. Like other Key graduates, Martien described her as a strong feminist and very liberal.

She was taken aback by the election of Donald Trump in 2016, he said, and mentioned several times that she was considering moving to Australia.

“She said she couldn’t stand the current state of politics and actually had found some job opportunities over there,” he said.

On social media platforms, Diana Toebbe shared photos of her dogs, her children, meals cooking on the stove, a family vacation and selfies — ordinary scenes of an ordinary life, one far different from the amateur cloak-and-dagger act portrayed in the FBI affidavit.

Having made contact with the as-yet undisclosed other country about providing submarine secrets, the Toebbes were reluctant to expose themselves in an in-person meeting, according to the narrative laid out in court documents by the FBI. But their apparent desire for cryptocurrency payments led them to agree to the undercover operative’s demand they deposit information in a dead drop location — a decision that ultimately exposed their identity to the FBI.

Evidence in the court documents suggests the foreign country the Toebbes allegedly tried to sell the information to was an ally, or at least something of a partner, since it cooperated with the FBI as the sting operation unfolded. While some experts speculated France could have been the target, French officials said they were not involved in the incident.

The hearing Tuesday will be short. So far as the government knows, neither Jonathan nor Diana Toebbe has a lawyer. Prosecutors asked the court Monday to hold Jonathan Toebbe rather than granting him bail, saying he could face life in prison and was a flight threat. The magistrate judge could also set a hearing date for the couple’s continued detention.

Public records searches turned up no signs of financial distress that could provide a motivation for them to try to sell U.S. secrets.

Yet the FBI affidavit portrayed the couple as willing to take risks for the promise of payments in a cryptocurrency called Monero.

In February, FBI agents, posing as a representative of the foreign country, proposed an in-person meeting. The response, which was signed “Alice,” a common place-holder name in military cryptography, wrote that “face to face meetings are very risky for me, as I am sure you understand,” according to the affidavit. The writer then proposed passing information electronically in exchange for $100,000 in the cryptocurrency.

“Please remember I am risking my life for your benefit and I have taken the first step. Please help me trust you fully,” the note to the undercover FBI agents read.

The FBI agents then pressed for a neutral drop location. The response came a few days later: “I am concerned that using a dead drop location your friend prepares makes me very vulnerable,” the note from “Alice” said, according to the affidavit. “If other interested parties are observing the location, I will be unable to detect them. I am not a professional, and do not have a team supporting me.”

The note went on to propose that the writer would choose a drop location for the encrypted files. The FBI agents responded that they would give first $10,000 then $20,000 in cryptocurrency at a drop location of their choosing.

“I am sorry to be so stubborn and untrusting, but I cannot agree to go to a location of your choosing,” the response from “Alice” said. “I must consider the possibility that l am communicating with an adversary who has intercepted my first message and is attempting to expose me.”

The writer next proposed that the country provide reassurance by sending a signal from its complex in Washington over Memorial Day weekend.

Writing from an encrypted Proton mail account, “Alice” said the signal had been received and agreed to drop the material at the location chosen by the undercover operative — a mistake in tradecraft, some experts said.

“It was somewhat surprising that someone who has studied submarine warfare follows the FBI’s direction to surface for these supposedly clandestine drop-offs,” said Michael Atkinson, a former inspector general for the intelligence community.

The willingness on the part of the country to convey the unspecified signal suggests its cooperation with the United States throughout the investigation. Atkinson said it was very unusual for a foreign country to allow its embassy or other facility to be used to send a signal to a suspect being pursued by the FBI.

Atkinson, now a partner at the law firm Crowell &amp; Moring, said a similar false flag operation by the FBI involving a government scientist trying to sell secrets to an ally resulted in a prison sentence of 13 years after a plea bargain.

At the Key School, where Diana Toebbe taught, and in their Annapolis neighborhood, colleagues, students and neighbors tried to process the arrest of the couple and the accusations against them.

Luke Koerschner, 20, a 2019 Key School graduate now at Michigan State University, was in Toebbe’s advisory group for four years. He described her as “very friendly and welcoming,” an outgoing teacher who loved to cheer on her students in the school’s cornhole tournaments.

Matthew Nespole, head of the Key School, said he was “shocked and appalled” to learn of the charges against the Toebbes and that the school “supports the administration of justice by the FBI and NCIS, and will cooperate with the investigation.” The Key School placed Diana Toebbe on leave indefinitely.

On July 28, Diana Toebbe posted a Facebook message looking for a babysitter to take care of her children early on the coming Saturday morning for five to six hours.

On July 28, Diana Toebbe posted a Facebook message looking for a babysitter to take care of her children early on the coming Saturday morning for five to six hours. Later the post, visible only to friends, was updated with the word “*FOUND*.” And on that Saturday, Toebbe accompanied her husband, Jonathan, to south-central Pennsylvania. Unbeknown to Diana Toebbe, she and her husband were being watched by the FBI as they left their home in Annapolis, Maryland. And the bureau’s agents continued to watch in Pennsylvania as Jonathan Toebbe removed from his shorts pocket a 32-gigabyte memory card hidden in a sealed Band-Aid wrapper, which he then, according to court papers, placed in a container set up by an undercover FBI operative. The Toebbes, accused by the U.S. government of trying to sell some of America’s most closely guarded submarine propulsion secrets to a foreign government, are scheduled to appear in federal court in West Virginia on Tuesday. They will face charges related to violating the Atomic Energy Act’s prohibition on sharing nuclear know-how. For now, the big questions surrounding the couple — what country they are accused of trying to sell the nuclear secrets to and what motivated them to take the risk — remain unanswered. Jonathan Toebbe was described by acquaintances as a diligent and organized graduate student in nuclear physics who was commissioned in the Navy as an officer and expert in submarine propulsion. He continued as a civilian in the Navy after finishing his military service, considered by some a plum assignment for the most talented nuclear physicists. Diana Toebbe was a 10-year veteran of the Key School, a progressive private school in Annapolis, where she taught history and English. There, according to parents, she was prone to talking about her doctorate in anthropology from Emory University and her love of knitting. She was a respected adviser, both formally and informally, at the school. “You could just tell she was insanely smart,” said Craig Martien, 20, a 2019 graduate of Key School who worked closely with Toebbe on the yearbook and an after-school anthropology club. “She was very friendly and down-to-earth, and I got along with her very well.” When Martien went off to Williams College, he brought along a toy squid that Toebbe had knitted. Like other Key graduates, Martien described her as a strong feminist and very liberal. She was taken aback by the election of Donald Trump in 2016, he said, and mentioned several times that she was considering moving to Australia. “She said she couldn’t stand the current state of politics and actually had found some job opportunities over there,” he said. On social media platforms, Diana Toebbe shared photos of her dogs, her children, meals cooking on the stove, a family vacation and selfies — ordinary scenes of an ordinary life, one far different from the amateur cloak-and-dagger act portrayed in the FBI affidavit. Having made contact with the as-yet undisclosed other country about providing submarine secrets, the Toebbes were reluctant to expose themselves in an in-person meeting, according to the narrative laid out in court documents by the FBI. But their apparent desire for cryptocurrency payments led them to agree to the undercover operative’s demand they deposit information in a dead drop location — a decision that ultimately exposed their identity to the FBI. Evidence in the court documents suggests the foreign country the Toebbes allegedly tried to sell the information to was an ally, or at least something of a partner, since it cooperated with the FBI as the sting operation unfolded. While some experts speculated France could have been the target, French officials said they were not involved in the incident. The hearing Tuesday will be short. So far as the government knows, neither Jonathan nor Diana Toebbe has a lawyer. Prosecutors asked the court Monday to hold Jonathan Toebbe rather than granting him bail, saying he could face life in prison and was a flight threat. The magistrate judge could also set a hearing date for the couple’s continued detention. Public records searches turned up no signs of financial distress that could provide a motivation for them to try to sell U.S. secrets. Yet the FBI affidavit portrayed the couple as willing to take risks for the promise of payments in a cryptocurrency called Monero. In February, FBI agents, posing as a representative of the foreign country, proposed an in-person meeting. The response, which was signed “Alice,” a common place-holder name in military cryptography, wrote that “face to face meetings are very risky for me, as I am sure you understand,” according to the affidavit. The writer then proposed passing information electronically in exchange for $100,000 in the cryptocurrency. “Please remember I am risking my life for your benefit and I have taken the first step. Please help me trust you fully,” the note to the undercover FBI agents read. The FBI agents then pressed for a neutral drop location. The response came a few days later: “I am concerned that using a dead drop location your friend prepares makes me very vulnerable,” the note from “Alice” said, according to the affidavit. “If other interested parties are observing the location, I will be unable to detect them. I am not a professional, and do not have a team supporting me.” The note went on to propose that the writer would choose a drop location for the encrypted files. The FBI agents responded that they would give first $10,000 then $20,000 in cryptocurrency at a drop location of their choosing. “I am sorry to be so stubborn and untrusting, but I cannot agree to go to a location of your choosing,” the response from “Alice” said. “I must consider the possibility that l am communicating with an adversary who has intercepted my first message and is attempting to expose me.” The writer next proposed that the country provide reassurance by sending a signal from its complex in Washington over Memorial Day weekend. Writing from an encrypted Proton mail account, “Alice” said the signal had been received and agreed to drop the material at the location chosen by the undercover operative — a mistake in tradecraft, some experts said. “It was somewhat surprising that someone who has studied submarine warfare follows the FBI’s direction to surface for these supposedly clandestine drop-offs,” said Michael Atkinson, a former inspector general for the intelligence community. The willingness on the part of the country to convey the unspecified signal suggests its cooperation with the United States throughout the investigation. Atkinson said it was very unusual for a foreign country to allow its embassy or other facility to be used to send a signal to a suspect being pursued by the FBI. Atkinson, now a partner at the law firm Crowell & Moring, said a similar false flag operation by the FBI involving a government scientist trying to sell secrets to an ally resulted in a prison sentence of 13 years after a plea bargain. At the Key School, where Diana Toebbe taught, and in their Annapolis neighborhood, colleagues, students and neighbors tried to process the arrest of the couple and the accusations against them. Luke Koerschner, 20, a 2019 Key School graduate now at Michigan State University, was in Toebbe’s advisory group for four years. He described her as “very friendly and welcoming,” an outgoing teacher who loved to cheer on her students in the school’s cornhole tournaments. Matthew Nespole, head of the Key School, said he was “shocked and appalled” to learn of the charges against the Toebbes and that the school “supports the administration of justice by the FBI and NCIS, and will cooperate with the investigation.” The Key School placed Diana Toebbe on leave indefinitely.

A babysitter and a band-aid wrapper: Inside the submarine spy case

China has rejected calls by World Health Organisation (WHO) for inspection of bat caves and animal breeding farms aimed at further investigation into origins of COVID pandemic, said a report.

Washington Post said that WHO wanted to carry out investigations in Enshi, six-hour drive from Wuhan which was world's first major epicentre of coronavirus outbreak.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/China-xi-jinping-crackdown-evergrande-mao-zedong-mistake-repeat-419919">Opinion | Is China's Xi Jinping repeating Mao's mistake?</a>

China has repeatedly resisted calls for a thorough international investigation into origins of COVID pandemic within its borders. A WHO has already made observations while in China but there were strict restrictions on movement of the members. At the end of their investigation, the team had stressed the need for more observations.

In August, US intelligence agencies told US President Joe Biden that coronavirus was not a biological weapon but may have been caused due to natural transmission or due to a lab leak.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/after-talks-fail-to-resolve-issues-at-lac-china-pins-blame-on-india-419801">After talks fail to resolve issues at LAC, China pins blame on India</a>

China has vehemently denied allegations that coronavirus originated there

The animal farms around Wuhan came into focus when it became known that animals from these farms were sold in the wet markets of Wuhan when such a sale was not permitted under the law.

China has rejected calls by World Health Organisation (WHO) for inspection of bat caves and animal breeding farms aimed at further investigation into origins of COVID pandemic, said a report.

China has rejected calls by World Health Organisation (WHO) for inspection of bat caves and animal breeding farms aimed at further investigation into origins of COVID pandemic, said a report. Washington Post said that WHO wanted to carry out investigations in Enshi, six-hour drive from Wuhan which was world's first major epicentre of coronavirus outbreak. Also Read: Opinion | Is China's Xi Jinping repeating Mao's mistake? China has repeatedly resisted calls for a thorough international investigation into origins of COVID pandemic within its borders. A WHO has already made observations while in China but there were strict restrictions on movement of the members. At the end of their investigation, the team had stressed the need for more observations. In August, US intelligence agencies told US President Joe Biden that coronavirus was not a biological weapon but may have been caused due to natural transmission or due to a lab leak. Also Read | After talks fail to resolve issues at LAC, China pins blame on India China has vehemently denied allegations that coronavirus originated there The animal farms around Wuhan came into focus when it became known that animals from these farms were sold in the wet markets of Wuhan when such a sale was not permitted under the law.

China rejects WHO calls for inspection of bat caves, animal farms: Report

International Monetary Fund's board on Monday reaffirmed its confidence in scandal hit Kristalina Georgieva, the Bulgarian economist.

Georgieva was quite in a soup after September 16 publication of the findings of an investigation carried out at the request of the ethics committee of the World Bank, where Georgieva had previously held a senior role.

The investigation by law firm WilmerHale concluded that Georgieva had manipulated data in favor of China while at the global body, which she has denied.

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Drawn out uncertainty over whether Georgieva would keep her job ended Monday when the IMF board said it "reaffirms its full confidence in the Managing Director's leadership and ability to continue to effectively carry out her duties."

"The Executive Board considered that the information presented in the course of its review did not conclusively demonstrate that the Managing Director played an improper role regarding the Doing Business 2018 Report when she was CEO of the World Bank," its statement read.

The board added it would "meet to consider possible additional steps to ensure the strength of institutional safeguards."

WilmerHale's controversial findings center on the drafting of the 2018 and 2020 editions of the World Bank report that ranks countries according to their ease of doing business.

The push came while bank leadership was engaged in sensitive negotiations with Beijing over increasing the bank's lending capital.

(With inputs from agencies)

International Monetary Fund's board on Monday reaffirmed its confidence in scandal hit Kristalina Georgieva, the Bulgarian economist. Georgieva was quite in a soup after September 16 publication of the findings of an investigation carried out at the request of the ethics committee of the World Bank, where Georgieva had previously held a senior role.

International Monetary Fund's board on Monday reaffirmed its confidence in scandal hit Kristalina Georgieva, the Bulgarian economist. Georgieva was quite in a soup after September 16 publication of the findings of an investigation carried out at the request of the ethics committee of the World Bank, where Georgieva had previously held a senior role. The investigation by law firm WilmerHale concluded that Georgieva had manipulated data in favor of China while at the global body, which she has denied. × Drawn out uncertainty over whether Georgieva would keep her job ended Monday when the IMF board said it "reaffirms its full confidence in the Managing Director's leadership and ability to continue to effectively carry out her duties." "The Executive Board considered that the information presented in the course of its review did not conclusively demonstrate that the Managing Director played an improper role regarding the Doing Business 2018 Report when she was CEO of the World Bank," its statement read. The board added it would "meet to consider possible additional steps to ensure the strength of institutional safeguards." WilmerHale's controversial findings center on the drafting of the 2018 and 2020 editions of the World Bank report that ranks countries according to their ease of doing business. The push came while bank leadership was engaged in sensitive negotiations with Beijing over increasing the bank's lending capital. (With inputs from agencies)

Kristalina Georgieva to remain IMF chief, gets support from board

Squid Game has become a phenomenon. The riveting Korean drama has become somewhat like a renaissance for the genre&nbsp;that has a fanbase all over the world. Well yes, BTS and Psy have been making major waves in&nbsp;music but Korean drama still commanded a niche audience.

Squid Game has changed that. The weird, at times whimsical series shocks you, keeps you on the edge of the seat and even makes you cry at times.

Amid all this, viewers have been able to pinpoint an aspect which, though not a dampner, may put Squid Game in the list of series depicting South Asians in a stereotypical light.

The character in question is Abdul Ali (A&nbsp;Pakistani played by Indian actor Anupam Tripathi).

Ali has a dishevelled appearance. Works in a factory. Has migrated to Korea to earn more money. He is not a man who you would call confident. He bows to other Korean characters again and again. Though this appears to be out of respect, it has hints of subservience.

To his credit, several characters tell him to stop calling them 'Sir' and to just use their actual names to address them. But Ali faces questions from another character that in effect enquires 'Do you even have a Korean visa?'

Ali's presence is a delight for a South Asian eye (and ear) as he occasionally breaks into Urdu/Hindi, that too in a Korean series. This may be a temporary relief for viewers who don't prefer subtitle-heavy viewing.

But Ali is expendable, he can be easily manipulated. He can be tricked easily. He is poor, heavily in debt and sight of money makes him bow repeatedly to other Korean characters.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-squid-games-anupam-tripathi-on-series-success-i-was-not-prepared-419548">Squid Game's Anupam Tripathi on series success: I was not prepared</a>

It cannot be denied that there may be people fitting this description across Indian subcontinent. But continued representation of this ethnicity in such a light remains a persistent issue. This, even when South Asians or people with such a heritage have conquered heights globally. US Vice-President Kamala Harris is the latest example.

After all these years,&nbsp;depiction of South Asians in popular media is still far from reality.

Such a representation is not new.

Take Apu from The Simpsons

<img alt="Apu The Simpsons" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1ce97a6a-6003-46c4-897b-232ab6d8f68e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Apu.JPG" />

(Image: Twitter)

The convenience store owner (voice by Hank Azaria himself) has a thick Indian accent. Has a habit of saying "Thank you. Come again" even in normal conversations outside his store. He and his wife have 'octuplets', eight children, apparently a dig at India's population crisis. The character has been in the cartoon series that has gone on for decades and assumed an iconic status.

Hank Azaria recently apologised for depicting Apu in such a way.

Raj from The Big Bang Theory

<img alt="The Big Bang Theory Raj Kunal Nayyar" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="67f47e30-d97b-4f14-8210-0b05c32188a6" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_8T9TD.jpg" />

(Actor Kunal Nayyar who played Raj in The Big Bang Theory)

The genius astrophysicist cannot talk to women without drinking alcohol. He is too too shy. He definitely is part of the main cast but focus is often on other characters. Raj is almost never a main player in the scheme of things. Raj is rich, is a master of his own life. But still faces a comment about him being from 'whichever third world country' in an episode.

Kingo from the Eternals

<img alt="Kumail Nanjiani Kingo" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c2fae692-94ff-47ed-a80a-ae586c685e75" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_1IL74I.jpg" />

Kumail Nanjiani hit headlines again when he was roped in to play Kingo in Marvel's Eternals. Yes, he is a cosmic being with incredible power at his disposal. But what is his day job? A Bollywood actor, who appears to take part in run-of-the-mill song-and-dance routing that 'Bollywood' has left behind decades ago.

Asok (From comic strip Dilbert)

<img alt="Asok. Dilbert" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bfb117a6-9d64-4afd-a9f3-8c86ebeb6f52" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/asok.JPG" />

(Image: Instagram)

Dilbert has a massive fan base among those who appreciate subtle, dry, office humour. Asok is a graduate from the Indian Institute of Technology. His IQ far exceeds that of his co-workers. He has a weird power of incinerating anyone just by thinking about it.

But he is robotic. Has a flat expression.

Time to quickly move on to wrestling

Jinder Mahal

<img alt="Jinder Mahal WWE" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="de1bed58-7b17-4171-adc9-5e91942050d9" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Jinder%20Mahal.JPG" />

(Image: Instagram)

Name of the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) star itself begs the question, do Indians really have such&nbsp;names? Or this has been a&nbsp;manufactured one just to sound&nbsp;recognisable to Americans who associate India only with the Taj Mahal?

Maybe, just maybe, Priyanka Chopra is the only exception to all this. Though she can't be called a Hollywood A-lister yet, roles offered to her till now have not conformed to 'typical' image of an Indian woman prevalent in American minds.

Communities surely have peculiarities and even eccentricities. Problem arises when one is constantly depicted based on decades-old, worn out views no longer reflecting reality to its fullest extent. Things are not all bad, the perception is changing. But everyone is too tired to repeatedly point out that more needs to be done.

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

Squid Game has become a phenomenon. The riveting Korean drama has become somewhat like a renaissance for the genre that has a fanbase all over the world. Well yes, BTS and Psy have been making major waves in music but Korean drama still commanded a niche audience.

Squid Game has become a phenomenon. The riveting Korean drama has become somewhat like a renaissance for the genre that has a fanbase all over the world. Well yes, BTS and Psy have been making major waves in music but Korean drama still commanded a niche audience. Squid Game has changed that. The weird, at times whimsical series shocks you, keeps you on the edge of the seat and even makes you cry at times. Amid all this, viewers have been able to pinpoint an aspect which, though not a dampner, may put Squid Game in the list of series depicting South Asians in a stereotypical light. The character in question is Abdul Ali (A Pakistani played by Indian actor Anupam Tripathi). Ali has a dishevelled appearance. Works in a factory. Has migrated to Korea to earn more money. He is not a man who you would call confident. He bows to other Korean characters again and again. Though this appears to be out of respect, it has hints of subservience. To his credit, several characters tell him to stop calling them 'Sir' and to just use their actual names to address them. But Ali faces questions from another character that in effect enquires 'Do you even have a Korean visa?' Ali's presence is a delight for a South Asian eye (and ear) as he occasionally breaks into Urdu/Hindi, that too in a Korean series. This may be a temporary relief for viewers who don't prefer subtitle-heavy viewing. But Ali is expendable, he can be easily manipulated. He can be tricked easily. He is poor, heavily in debt and sight of money makes him bow repeatedly to other Korean characters. Also Read | Squid Game's Anupam Tripathi on series success: I was not prepared It cannot be denied that there may be people fitting this description across Indian subcontinent. But continued representation of this ethnicity in such a light remains a persistent issue. This, even when South Asians or people with such a heritage have conquered heights globally. US Vice-President Kamala Harris is the latest example. After all these years, depiction of South Asians in popular media is still far from reality. Such a representation is not new. Take Apu from The Simpsons (Image: Twitter) The convenience store owner (voice by Hank Azaria himself) has a thick Indian accent. Has a habit of saying "Thank you. Come again" even in normal conversations outside his store. He and his wife have 'octuplets', eight children, apparently a dig at India's population crisis. The character has been in the cartoon series that has gone on for decades and assumed an iconic status. Hank Azaria recently apologised for depicting Apu in such a way. Raj from The Big Bang Theory (Actor Kunal Nayyar who played Raj in The Big Bang Theory) The genius astrophysicist cannot talk to women without drinking alcohol. He is too too shy. He definitely is part of the main cast but focus is often on other characters. Raj is almost never a main player in the scheme of things. Raj is rich, is a master of his own life. But still faces a comment about him being from 'whichever third world country' in an episode. Kingo from the Eternals Kumail Nanjiani hit headlines again when he was roped in to play Kingo in Marvel's Eternals. Yes, he is a cosmic being with incredible power at his disposal. But what is his day job? A Bollywood actor, who appears to take part in run-of-the-mill song-and-dance routing that 'Bollywood' has left behind decades ago. Asok (From comic strip Dilbert) (Image: Instagram) Dilbert has a massive fan base among those who appreciate subtle, dry, office humour. Asok is a graduate from the Indian Institute of Technology. His IQ far exceeds that of his co-workers. He has a weird power of incinerating anyone just by thinking about it. But he is robotic. Has a flat expression. Time to quickly move on to wrestling Jinder Mahal (Image: Instagram) Name of the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) star itself begs the question, do Indians really have such names? Or this has been a manufactured one just to sound recognisable to Americans who associate India only with the Taj Mahal? Maybe, just maybe, Priyanka Chopra is the only exception to all this. Though she can't be called a Hollywood A-lister yet, roles offered to her till now have not conformed to 'typical' image of an Indian woman prevalent in American minds. Communities surely have peculiarities and even eccentricities. Problem arises when one is constantly depicted based on decades-old, worn out views no longer reflecting reality to its fullest extent. Things are not all bad, the perception is changing. But everyone is too tired to repeatedly point out that more needs to be done. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

Opinion | Squid Game reignites debate on stereotypical representation of South Asians

China is in a crackdown mode. From tech to education to real-estate, even gaming has not escaped the reach of the Communist Party of China (CCP). Though the entire and clearest picture as to why the state has resorted to such measures is yet to fully come to light, media reports are rife with claims from experts around the world who say that this is an attempt by the Chinese state to rein in 'out of control' sectors and assert its primacy in China's internal affairs.

Billions of dollars have been wiped out from the wealth of Chinese business tycoons like Jack Ma and their companies. The crackdown in many sectors has investors, both within and outside China, worrying about their money stuck in Chinese financial system. The government, till now, appears in no mood to stop.

But when you play with economy too much, the game comes back to bite you as it has been already seen in the Mao era.

In this particular example, Mao did not play with economy as much as he apparently satisfied his urge to show the country that he is the man who can successfully implement sweeping reforms.

The hasty, unscientific decision

Mao Zedong in his Great Leap Forward in the 1950s, announced major, sweeping campaigns with an aim to modernise China and improve Chinese life. It was viewed that sparrows were an obstacle to development as they ate foodgrains.

In 1958, Mao appealed the Chinese to undertake a massive campaign to eliminate the bird that in his view was keeping China from fully achieving its potential.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/chinas-evergrande-crisis-a-global-financial-crisis-in-the-making-414669">China's Evergrande crisis: A global financial crisis in the making</a>

Large number of people were mobilised for this. They destroyed sparrow nests, shot the birds down from the sky, set up traps, even beat drums to stop sparrows from landing so that they would die by exhaustion. The scale of this operation was massive.

Exact numbers are not known but even if it is considered that one person killed one sparrow, it would come to more than 600 million birds having been killed!

The effects of such a hasty and unscientific decision were apparent immediately in the following year.

Sparrows did not just eat foodgrains. They also ate insects that destroyed the crops. As sparrows effectively vanished from the Chinese skies, it caused massive increase in the number of insects like locusts who brought devastation to Chinese agriculture. With its natural predator gone, the insects were free to destroy crops at will.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/hong-kong-stock-exchange-halts-trading-of-evergrande-shares-418036">Hong Kong Stock Exchange halts trading of Evergrande shares</a>

The result was death of millions of Chinese people due to shortage of food or other domino effects that had killing of sparrows as their cause. Official Chinese estimates say that 15 million people died. But some scholars say that the number was between 45 and 78 million.

Current crackdown similar to Mao's?

Chinese President Xi Jinping's crackdown may have come at a time when China is not a primitive nation but one capable of challenging reigning superpower, but effects of the sweeping decisions are more than apparent.

Take <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/chinas-evergrande-crisis-a-global-financial-crisis-in-the-making-414669">Evergrande crisis</a> for example.

The prominent real estate group in China is tottering on the brink of collapse. It has a debt upwards of USD 300 billion, far greater than the company's actual value. Evergrande failed to pay interest to bondholders at least two times recently. This has sent a major scare among investors worldwide.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/evergrande-investors-in-dark-as-no-news-on-interest-payment-emerges-415591">Evergrande investors in dark as no news on interest payment emerges</a>

The recent warning bells from China's real estate sector followed country's crackdown on excessive borrowing by real estate companies. Though the intention may be to discipline the sector, collapse of a major firm can have a disastrous effect across Chinese economy and have a spillover in global economy. The crackdown is already causing loan losses at banks and pain in credit markets. They are wary eyes on the fate of Evergrande.

Real estate sector forms a quarter of China's economy. A major rumble in this sector can shake the economy that invests heavily in US economy. It is too well known that when US economy sneezes, global markets go down with high fever.

Chinese way of decision-making may necessitate an iron fist and sweeping decisions. But will China make the same mistake twice is something that is being actively observed.

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

China is in a crackdown mode. From tech to education to real-estate, even gaming has not escaped the reach of the Communist Party of China (CCP). Though the entire and clearest picture as to why the state has resorted to such measures is yet to fully come to light, media reports are rife with claims from experts around the world who say that this is an attempt by the Chinese state to rein in 'out of control' sectors and assert its primacy in China's internal affairs.

China is in a crackdown mode. From tech to education to real-estate, even gaming has not escaped the reach of the Communist Party of China (CCP). Though the entire and clearest picture as to why the state has resorted to such measures is yet to fully come to light, media reports are rife with claims from experts around the world who say that this is an attempt by the Chinese state to rein in 'out of control' sectors and assert its primacy in China's internal affairs. Billions of dollars have been wiped out from the wealth of Chinese business tycoons like Jack Ma and their companies. The crackdown in many sectors has investors, both within and outside China, worrying about their money stuck in Chinese financial system. The government, till now, appears in no mood to stop. But when you play with economy too much, the game comes back to bite you as it has been already seen in the Mao era. In this particular example, Mao did not play with economy as much as he apparently satisfied his urge to show the country that he is the man who can successfully implement sweeping reforms. The hasty, unscientific decision Mao Zedong in his Great Leap Forward in the 1950s, announced major, sweeping campaigns with an aim to modernise China and improve Chinese life. It was viewed that sparrows were an obstacle to development as they ate foodgrains. In 1958, Mao appealed the Chinese to undertake a massive campaign to eliminate the bird that in his view was keeping China from fully achieving its potential. Also Read | China's Evergrande crisis: A global financial crisis in the making Large number of people were mobilised for this. They destroyed sparrow nests, shot the birds down from the sky, set up traps, even beat drums to stop sparrows from landing so that they would die by exhaustion. The scale of this operation was massive. Exact numbers are not known but even if it is considered that one person killed one sparrow, it would come to more than 600 million birds having been killed! The effects of such a hasty and unscientific decision were apparent immediately in the following year. Sparrows did not just eat foodgrains. They also ate insects that destroyed the crops. As sparrows effectively vanished from the Chinese skies, it caused massive increase in the number of insects like locusts who brought devastation to Chinese agriculture. With its natural predator gone, the insects were free to destroy crops at will. Also Read | Hong Kong Stock Exchange halts trading of Evergrande shares The result was death of millions of Chinese people due to shortage of food or other domino effects that had killing of sparrows as their cause. Official Chinese estimates say that 15 million people died. But some scholars say that the number was between 45 and 78 million. Current crackdown similar to Mao's? Chinese President Xi Jinping's crackdown may have come at a time when China is not a primitive nation but one capable of challenging reigning superpower, but effects of the sweeping decisions are more than apparent. Take Evergrande crisis for example. The prominent real estate group in China is tottering on the brink of collapse. It has a debt upwards of USD 300 billion, far greater than the company's actual value. Evergrande failed to pay interest to bondholders at least two times recently. This has sent a major scare among investors worldwide. Also Read | Evergrande investors in dark as no news on interest payment emerges The recent warning bells from China's real estate sector followed country's crackdown on excessive borrowing by real estate companies. Though the intention may be to discipline the sector, collapse of a major firm can have a disastrous effect across Chinese economy and have a spillover in global economy. The crackdown is already causing loan losses at banks and pain in credit markets. They are wary eyes on the fate of Evergrande. Real estate sector forms a quarter of China's economy. A major rumble in this sector can shake the economy that invests heavily in US economy. It is too well known that when US economy sneezes, global markets go down with high fever. Chinese way of decision-making may necessitate an iron fist and sweeping decisions. But will China make the same mistake twice is something that is being actively observed. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

Opinion | Is China's Xi Jinping repeating Mao's mistake?

Earth and Venus are somewhat similar planets when it comes to size. But there are vast differences. Earth is moderate and supports life while Venus is quite literally hellish. It is the hottest planet in the solar system with surface temperature of 475 degrees Celcius.

The early solar system was a violent place. There were huge collisions between space rocks. Some of them grew in size because of that and became planet. Both, Earth and Venus underwent this violent process.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-posts-video-of-moon-parade-with-saturn-in-background-419171">NASA posts video of 'moon parade' with Saturn in background</a>

Now a study has said that there were some space rocks that grazed the Earth but collided with Venus. So what was hit-and-run for Earth was a full-blown collision for Venus. In other words, these huge space rocks 'bounced off' the early Earth and collided with early Venus often becoming part of the planet.

The study has been published in Planetary Journal Science.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/what-is-the-significance-of-change-5-less-than-2-billion-years-old-lunar-samples-419140">What is the significance of Chang'e-5 less than 2 billion years old lunar samples?</a>

The scientists carrying out the study analysed 4000 computer simulations. In these simulations, Mars-sized protoplanets were crashing with early Earth and Venus. The researchers found that about half of the space rocks just grazed the Earth and about half of these collided with Venus. Grazing the Earth slowed down the speed of these protoplanets because of which they were able to collide and stick with Venus.

Such studies hold potential to shed more light on why there is (literally) world of a difference between Earth and Venus, planets with similar mass and almost similar orbit around the Sun.

Earth and Venus are somewhat similar planets when it comes to size. But there are vast differences. Earth is moderate and supports life while Venus is quite literally hellish.

Earth and Venus are somewhat similar planets when it comes to size. But there are vast differences. Earth is moderate and supports life while Venus is quite literally hellish. It is the hottest planet in the solar system with surface temperature of 475 degrees Celcius. The early solar system was a violent place. There were huge collisions between space rocks. Some of them grew in size because of that and became planet. Both, Earth and Venus underwent this violent process. Also Read | NASA posts video of 'moon parade' with Saturn in background Now a study has said that there were some space rocks that grazed the Earth but collided with Venus. So what was hit-and-run for Earth was a full-blown collision for Venus. In other words, these huge space rocks 'bounced off' the early Earth and collided with early Venus often becoming part of the planet. The study has been published in Planetary Journal Science. Also Read | What is the significance of Chang'e-5 less than 2 billion years old lunar samples? The scientists carrying out the study analysed 4000 computer simulations. In these simulations, Mars-sized protoplanets were crashing with early Earth and Venus. The researchers found that about half of the space rocks just grazed the Earth and about half of these collided with Venus. Grazing the Earth slowed down the speed of these protoplanets because of which they were able to collide and stick with Venus. Such studies hold potential to shed more light on why there is (literally) world of a difference between Earth and Venus, planets with similar mass and almost similar orbit around the Sun.

Space rocks bounced off Earth before collision with Venus: Study

Congress disposed of a looming global economic catastrophe this week by doing what it does best: not much.

After weeks of a market-threatening partisan stare-down, Senate leaders struck a not-so-grand bargain that raised the debt ceiling into early December, just two short months away. If history is any guide, lawmakers will then engage in the exact same fight all over again — and may even end up with yet another Band-Aid solution.

That kick-the-can-ever-so-slightly-down-the-road debt deal followed the House’s nonconsideration last week of a bipartisan infrastructure bill after a promised vote. The delay meant blowing through a Sept. 30 deadline to keep federal highway programs funded, but not to worry: Congress bought itself a whole month with a temporary 30-day patch that will give Democrats more time to resolve deep differences among them over a huge social safety net measure that may or may not come together by Oct. 31.

It all unfolded just as Congress narrowly averted a governmentwide shutdown by just hours last week, passing a temporary bill to fund federal agencies through Dec. 2 to give itself more time to haggle over the 12 annual spending bills. That fight will inevitably collide with the battle over the debt limit, the big social policy bill and the infrastructure legislation.

Congress is headed toward more cliffs than Wile E. Coyote.

The House and Senate have a long history of putting off pressing matters until the very last minute, making difficult decisions and casting tough votes only when it is finally and completely unavoidable.

But this current Congress seems particularly paralyzed, given ideological differences among Democrats holding the barest of majorities and entrenched opposition from Republicans who are fixated on next year’s elections and see a little legislative chaos as their return ticket to the majority.

“Washington Democrats are proving they cannot deliver,” Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. and the minority leader, declared Thursday on the Senate floor, omitting the fact that he was doing everything in his power to make sure that they did not.

The result is that, rather than strike compromises on pressing issues, lawmakers have grown accustomed to agreeing to disagree, skirting politically difficult decisions and choosing a date in the future when they will be forced to try again, often with the same outcome. No household or business could operate that way, but for Congress, lurching from crisis to crisis is a way of life.

On the plus side for senators, the debt ceiling agreement preserved the Columbus Day recess, which includes a Republican retreat scheduled for next week in Florida and other travel planned by senators. But Christmas is in real trouble.

The debt deal surfaced because McConnell began to fear that he might have taken his debt-limit intransigence too far, straying a bit too close to the edge of a particularly daunting cliff.

He feared that the two Democratic holdouts in favor of the filibuster — Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz. — would finally cave to pressure from the rest of their party to approve an exception to the filibuster rules for raising the legal cap on federal borrowing if confronted with an imminent fiscal disaster.

And everyone on Capitol Hill knows that a carve-out for one kind of legislation will ultimately become an avenue for every kind of legislation. McConnell, who is also very enamored of the filibuster, knew he had to head off that possibility at all costs.

“His No. 1 priority is to protect his instrument of obstruction,” said Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md.

Things are so bad that even the bare-bones debt agreement barely came together. Top lawmakers and their aides spent hours haggling over it, and Republicans struggled to gain commitments from their members to clear the way for a vote.

Most Republicans did not want to be anywhere near the debt-ceiling increase that has come under attack from former President Donald Trump, making it politically radioactive in their eyes. For a time, Republicans were not sure they could produce the minimum 10 votes from their side to move it along procedurally.

Take Rep. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D. Approached by reporters, Cramer launched into extended praise of the short-term debt limit increase proffered by McConnell. He called it elegant, lauding the Senate leader’s craftiness in preserving the filibuster and depriving Democrats of a potent political argument against his party. It also averted a potential calamitous default. But Cramer still would not vote to allow it to move forward.

“I don’t think I will,” he said.

In the end, 11 Republicans, including retiring members with nothing to lose and members of the leadership, bit the bullet and sent the bill forward. It ultimately passed with only Democratic votes and still must be approved by the House before it hits President Joe Biden’s desk. The action is expected next week, mere days before a projected default.

Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., who is retiring and was one of the 11, spoke for many when he muttered in the hallway, “Can’t explain anything in this place.”

The dysfunction was evidently contagious. Even the subway that ferries lawmakers, staff, media and visitors between the Capitol and the Senate office buildings broke down Thursday, trapping a couple of luckless riders for a brief period. It, too, had reached its limit.

The underlying debt fight is over whether Democrats will raise the debt ceiling through regular procedures or via a more convoluted budget process, a technical distinction so fine that it is surely indistinguishable to virtually every American not intimately familiar with the Budget Control Act.

“I don't think they understand it a bit,” said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, of members of the public. “It is confusing for people who work here.”

“The debt ceiling debate is absurd with a capital A,” said Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., who leads the Finance Committee.

But it does have political implications for both parties, hence the inability of Congress to collect itself and perform a function that used to be routine and bipartisan and that all members of Congress understand needs to happen.

But Republicans want Democrats to own the debt and then hammer them on it in next year’s midterms; Democrats want Republicans to take responsibility for spending during the Trump era, when Republicans controlled Congress, and to avoid the hammering they are certain to get.

“I have no words to describe how ridiculous it is that the debt ceiling has become a political tool,” said Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M. “I just hope we don’t get to the point where Republicans actually push us over the limit and people’s retirements disappear in order for them to sober up.”

Congress disposed of a looming global economic catastrophe this week by doing what it does best: not much. After weeks of a market-threatening partisan stare-down, Senate leaders struck a not-so-grand bargain that raised the debt ceiling into early December, just two short months away.

Congress disposed of a looming global economic catastrophe this week by doing what it does best: not much. After weeks of a market-threatening partisan stare-down, Senate leaders struck a not-so-grand bargain that raised the debt ceiling into early December, just two short months away. If history is any guide, lawmakers will then engage in the exact same fight all over again — and may even end up with yet another Band-Aid solution. That kick-the-can-ever-so-slightly-down-the-road debt deal followed the House’s nonconsideration last week of a bipartisan infrastructure bill after a promised vote. The delay meant blowing through a Sept. 30 deadline to keep federal highway programs funded, but not to worry: Congress bought itself a whole month with a temporary 30-day patch that will give Democrats more time to resolve deep differences among them over a huge social safety net measure that may or may not come together by Oct. 31. It all unfolded just as Congress narrowly averted a governmentwide shutdown by just hours last week, passing a temporary bill to fund federal agencies through Dec. 2 to give itself more time to haggle over the 12 annual spending bills. That fight will inevitably collide with the battle over the debt limit, the big social policy bill and the infrastructure legislation. Congress is headed toward more cliffs than Wile E. Coyote. The House and Senate have a long history of putting off pressing matters until the very last minute, making difficult decisions and casting tough votes only when it is finally and completely unavoidable. But this current Congress seems particularly paralyzed, given ideological differences among Democrats holding the barest of majorities and entrenched opposition from Republicans who are fixated on next year’s elections and see a little legislative chaos as their return ticket to the majority. “Washington Democrats are proving they cannot deliver,” Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. and the minority leader, declared Thursday on the Senate floor, omitting the fact that he was doing everything in his power to make sure that they did not. The result is that, rather than strike compromises on pressing issues, lawmakers have grown accustomed to agreeing to disagree, skirting politically difficult decisions and choosing a date in the future when they will be forced to try again, often with the same outcome. No household or business could operate that way, but for Congress, lurching from crisis to crisis is a way of life. On the plus side for senators, the debt ceiling agreement preserved the Columbus Day recess, which includes a Republican retreat scheduled for next week in Florida and other travel planned by senators. But Christmas is in real trouble. The debt deal surfaced because McConnell began to fear that he might have taken his debt-limit intransigence too far, straying a bit too close to the edge of a particularly daunting cliff. He feared that the two Democratic holdouts in favor of the filibuster — Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz. — would finally cave to pressure from the rest of their party to approve an exception to the filibuster rules for raising the legal cap on federal borrowing if confronted with an imminent fiscal disaster. And everyone on Capitol Hill knows that a carve-out for one kind of legislation will ultimately become an avenue for every kind of legislation. McConnell, who is also very enamored of the filibuster, knew he had to head off that possibility at all costs. “His No. 1 priority is to protect his instrument of obstruction,” said Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md. Things are so bad that even the bare-bones debt agreement barely came together. Top lawmakers and their aides spent hours haggling over it, and Republicans struggled to gain commitments from their members to clear the way for a vote. Most Republicans did not want to be anywhere near the debt-ceiling increase that has come under attack from former President Donald Trump, making it politically radioactive in their eyes. For a time, Republicans were not sure they could produce the minimum 10 votes from their side to move it along procedurally. Take Rep. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D. Approached by reporters, Cramer launched into extended praise of the short-term debt limit increase proffered by McConnell. He called it elegant, lauding the Senate leader’s craftiness in preserving the filibuster and depriving Democrats of a potent political argument against his party. It also averted a potential calamitous default. But Cramer still would not vote to allow it to move forward. “I don’t think I will,” he said. In the end, 11 Republicans, including retiring members with nothing to lose and members of the leadership, bit the bullet and sent the bill forward. It ultimately passed with only Democratic votes and still must be approved by the House before it hits President Joe Biden’s desk. The action is expected next week, mere days before a projected default. Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., who is retiring and was one of the 11, spoke for many when he muttered in the hallway, “Can’t explain anything in this place.” The dysfunction was evidently contagious. Even the subway that ferries lawmakers, staff, media and visitors between the Capitol and the Senate office buildings broke down Thursday, trapping a couple of luckless riders for a brief period. It, too, had reached its limit. The underlying debt fight is over whether Democrats will raise the debt ceiling through regular procedures or via a more convoluted budget process, a technical distinction so fine that it is surely indistinguishable to virtually every American not intimately familiar with the Budget Control Act. “I don't think they understand it a bit,” said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, of members of the public. “It is confusing for people who work here.” “The debt ceiling debate is absurd with a capital A,” said Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., who leads the Finance Committee. But it does have political implications for both parties, hence the inability of Congress to collect itself and perform a function that used to be routine and bipartisan and that all members of Congress understand needs to happen. But Republicans want Democrats to own the debt and then hammer them on it in next year’s midterms; Democrats want Republicans to take responsibility for spending during the Trump era, when Republicans controlled Congress, and to avoid the hammering they are certain to get. “I have no words to describe how ridiculous it is that the debt ceiling has become a political tool,” said Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M. “I just hope we don’t get to the point where Republicans actually push us over the limit and people’s retirements disappear in order for them to sober up.”

Lurching from crisis to crisis, Congress is addicted to cliffs

Think your life is hell? All the life's misery burning you to the core and you craving for escape from all the agony? Think about a planet that literally has to bear rain of blazing hot liquid iron.

WASP-76b is the appropriately named planet that has to suffer such a fate. It's a gas giant. It was discovered in 2016. It is 640 lightyears away from us.

The planet is tidally locked. That means one side of the planet always faces its sun and the&nbsp;other side experiences perpetual night.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-posts-video-of-moon-parade-with-saturn-in-background-419171">NASA posts video of 'moon parade' with Saturn in background</a>

The temperature on the dark side is upwards of 1000 degrees Celsius while that on day side goes beyond 2000 degrees Celsius. For comparison, consider Venus, the hottest planet in the solar system. The surface temperature on Venus is 471 degrees Celsius. Way lower that what this gas giant has to bear.

Super high temperatures means that iron vapourises on the day side of WASP-76b and falls as hellish rain on the night side.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/what-is-the-significance-of-change-5-less-than-2-billion-years-old-lunar-samples-419140">What is the significance of Chang'e-5 less than 2 billion years old lunar samples?</a>

Now, as if this was not enough, scientists have found ionised calcium in the atmosphere of the planet. This means that WASP-76b's atmosphere may be more intense than we previously thought. The scientists say that upper layers of the atmosphere of this planet may be hotter than expected.

The study has been published in peer-reviewed journal The Astrophysical Journal Letters.

Think your life is hell? All the life's misery burning you to the core and you craving for escape from all the agony? Think about a planet that literally has to bear rain of blazing hot liquid iron.

Think your life is hell? All the life's misery burning you to the core and you craving for escape from all the agony? Think about a planet that literally has to bear rain of blazing hot liquid iron. WASP-76b is the appropriately named planet that has to suffer such a fate. It's a gas giant. It was discovered in 2016. It is 640 lightyears away from us. The planet is tidally locked. That means one side of the planet always faces its sun and the other side experiences perpetual night. Also Read | NASA posts video of 'moon parade' with Saturn in background The temperature on the dark side is upwards of 1000 degrees Celsius while that on day side goes beyond 2000 degrees Celsius. For comparison, consider Venus, the hottest planet in the solar system. The surface temperature on Venus is 471 degrees Celsius. Way lower that what this gas giant has to bear. Super high temperatures means that iron vapourises on the day side of WASP-76b and falls as hellish rain on the night side. Also Read | What is the significance of Chang'e-5 less than 2 billion years old lunar samples? Now, as if this was not enough, scientists have found ionised calcium in the atmosphere of the planet. This means that WASP-76b's atmosphere may be more intense than we previously thought. The scientists say that upper layers of the atmosphere of this planet may be hotter than expected. The study has been published in peer-reviewed journal The Astrophysical Journal Letters.

Hot, liquid iron rains on this planet and temperature can hit 2k mark

India and Denmark on Saturday inked four agreements and decided to further co-operation in "Green strategic partnership for the Green transition". Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after his bilateral talks with his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen said that that last year both the countries took a historic step to establish a `Green Strategic Partnership` which has been a fine example of our far-reaching approach towards the environment.

"This partnership is an example of how by collective effort and through technology, we can work for green growth while preserving the environment. Today we also reviewed the progress made under this partnership, and reiterated our commitment to increasing cooperation on climate change in the times to come," he said.

Watch | Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen visits Rashtrapati Bhavan

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He noted that Denmark had become member of international Solar Alliance. He described this as a new dimension in India-Denmark friendship.

He also said that both countries took a decision today to expand the scope of cooperation, adding new dimensions to it and initiated a new partnership in the field of health.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kim-davy-extradition-india-denmark-stress-on-letting-law-take-its-own-course-419473">Kim Davy extradition: India-Denmark stress on letting law take its own course</a>

"In order to increase the agricultural productivity and income of farmers in India, we have also decided to cooperate in agriculture related technology. Under this, work will be done on the technologies of many areas like food safety, cold chain, food processing, fertilizers, fisheries, aquaculture, we will also cooperate in areas such as Smart Water Resource Management, `Waste to Best`, and efficient supply chains," Modi further said adding that a new partnership in the health sector has also initiated.

PM Modi said he and Frederiksen held in-depth, useful discussions on many regional and global issues. PM Modi expressed his gratitude to Denmark for support India has been getting from them on various international fora.

Modi also expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to host the next India-Nordic Summit, and for inviting him to visit Denmark.

Thanking PM Modi for accepting her invitation to visit Denmark, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that he was an inspiration for the rest of the world for setting an ambitious target to provide clean water for over one million households and renewable energy.

(With inputs from agencies)

India and Denmark on Saturday inked four agreements and decided to further co-operation in "Green strategic partnership for the Green transition". Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after his bilateral talks with his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen said that that last year both the countries took a historic step to establish a `Green Strategic Partnership` which has been a fine example of our far-reaching approach towards the environment.

India and Denmark on Saturday inked four agreements and decided to further co-operation in "Green strategic partnership for the Green transition". Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after his bilateral talks with his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen said that that last year both the countries took a historic step to establish a `Green Strategic Partnership` which has been a fine example of our far-reaching approach towards the environment. "This partnership is an example of how by collective effort and through technology, we can work for green growth while preserving the environment. Today we also reviewed the progress made under this partnership, and reiterated our commitment to increasing cooperation on climate change in the times to come," he said. Watch | Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen visits Rashtrapati Bhavan × He noted that Denmark had become member of international Solar Alliance. He described this as a new dimension in India-Denmark friendship. He also said that both countries took a decision today to expand the scope of cooperation, adding new dimensions to it and initiated a new partnership in the field of health. Also Read | Kim Davy extradition: India-Denmark stress on letting law take its own course "In order to increase the agricultural productivity and income of farmers in India, we have also decided to cooperate in agriculture related technology. Under this, work will be done on the technologies of many areas like food safety, cold chain, food processing, fertilizers, fisheries, aquaculture, we will also cooperate in areas such as Smart Water Resource Management, `Waste to Best`, and efficient supply chains," Modi further said adding that a new partnership in the health sector has also initiated. PM Modi said he and Frederiksen held in-depth, useful discussions on many regional and global issues. PM Modi expressed his gratitude to Denmark for support India has been getting from them on various international fora. Modi also expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to host the next India-Nordic Summit, and for inviting him to visit Denmark. Thanking PM Modi for accepting her invitation to visit Denmark, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that he was an inspiration for the rest of the world for setting an ambitious target to provide clean water for over one million households and renewable energy. (With inputs from agencies)

India-Denmark strike four agreements, stress on 'Green strategic partnership'

US President Joe Biden has signed a law that will provide financial support to US officials suffering from the mysterious 'Havana Syndrome'. As per the Havana act, &nbsp;there will be financial compensation for members of the State Department and CIA who suffer brain injury. In other news, Poland appears to have taken a softer stand in its spat with the European Union (EU). Polish foreign ministry said on Saturday that the country would respect European laws. Read this and more in Top 10 World News.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-signs-law-to-support-victims-of-havana-syndrome-419398">Biden signs law to support victims of 'Havana Syndrome'</a> 
 
As per the Havana act, there will be financial compensation for members of the State Department and CIA who suffer brain injury.

<img alt="Biden" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1f07c72-8dbe-4f63-9ac7-fb4039439bed" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Biden_12.JPG" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/poland-eu-spat-will-respect-european-law-says-polish-foreign-ministry-419484">Poland-EU spat: Will respect European law, says Polish foreign ministry</a>

Spat between Poland and the European Union has raised fears of 'Polexit', exit of Poland from the EU that has recently seen Brexit

<img alt="Poland EU" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3be78186-c79b-4acc-a1d1-234c067004e6" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Poland%20EU.JPG" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/czech-republic-polls-pm-andrej-babis-projected-to-lose-office-419488">Czech Republic polls: PM Andrej Babis projected to lose office</a> 
 
Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis is seeking second term in the office. However he faces public charges like mismanagement of Covid pandemic, conflict of interest.

<img alt="Czech" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fef10e28-46aa-4066-af86-323acc912562" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Czech_0.JPG" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/mass-funerals-take-place-in-kunduz-a-day-after-mosque-suicide-attack-419422">Mass funerals take place in Kunduz a day after mosque suicide attack</a> 
 
Bodies were seen getting buried in a mass grave in Kunduz. At the mosque, piles of blood-stained sandles and carpets were seen

<img alt="Afghan" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9273ddc8-07ed-4bd9-9cf4-3728d8c38232" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Afghan_2.JPG" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lebanon-loses-electricity-as-2-power-stations-face-shut-down-amid-fuel-crisis-419481">Lebanon loses electricity as 2 power stations face shut down amid fuel crisis</a> 
 
Due to fuel shortage, Lebanon's two major power stations have shut down. It has resulted in power outages in several parts of the country

<img alt="Lebanon" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="de68e721-ecc9-42d6-8a0c-e290c4c81714" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Lebanon_1.JPG" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/former-iranian-president-bani-sadr-passes-away-in-paris-419470">Former Iranian President Bani-Sadr passes away in Paris &nbsp;</a>

At the age of 88, the Iran's first president after the 1979 Islamic revolution, Abolhassan Bani-Sadr, passed away. The leader died at the Pitie-Salpetriere hospital in Paris following a prolonged illness. In February 1980, Bani-Sadr had emerged from obscurity to become Iran's first president with the help of the Islamic clergy. After a power struggle with clerics, the leader fled the following year to France. He spent the rest of his life in the country

<img alt="Iran" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0cad668e-8a3b-4afb-b337-4b40053d3ca9" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Iran_11.JPG" />

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-normal-singapore-expands-quarantine-free-travel-to-adapt-to-covid-19-419401">'New normal': Singapore expands quarantine-free travel to adapt to COVID-19</a> 
 
From October 19, fully vaccinated people from eight countries, including Britain, France, Spain and the United States, will be able to enter the island without quarantining if they pass their COVID-19 tests, said the government.

<img alt="Singapore" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6e2be240-36f6-4a74-b3d5-beb7c1f0aacf" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Singapore.JPG" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mali-france-tensions-spurs-debate-over-foreign-influence-419400">Mali-France tensions spurs debate over foreign influence</a>

Tensions were already raised over French plans to scale back its military presence across the jihadist-ridden Sahel -- and over two coups in Mali in little over a year

<img alt="Mali France" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6a120004-672e-4290-a761-e93647d7a8d5" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Macron_3.JPG" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/chinese-embassy-defends-firm-after-lanka-junks-organic-fertiliser-over-harmful-bacteria-concerns-419428">Chinese Embassy defends firm after Lanka junks organic fertiliser over harmful bacteria concerns</a> 
 
The embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Sri Lanka has issued a clarification in row over the organic fertilizer provided by the country's firm, Qingdao Seawin Biotech Group, containing harmful bacteria. It said, the hasty conclusion made by Sri Lanka National Plant Quarantine Services lacks scientific basis. The decision made by the authorities to reject Seawin’s organic fertiliser based on the report is questionable, it added

<img alt="China" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4f789766-a9b0-48d3-9c87-45bf410f17ed" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Sri%20lanka.JPG" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistans-former-defense-ministers-son-buys-mansion-worth-209-million-419361">Afghanistan's former defense minister's son buys mansion worth $20.9 million</a> 
 
Labelled as the 'ethnic Pashtun refugee' who was born in Afghanistan in 1977, the man is believed to be the president of AD Capital Group, a Miami-based firm.

US President Joe Biden has signed a law that will provide financial support to US officials suffering from the mysterious 'Havana Syndrome'. As per the Havana act, there will be financial compensation for members of the State Department and CIA who suffer brain injury.

US President Joe Biden has signed a law that will provide financial support to US officials suffering from the mysterious 'Havana Syndrome'. As per the Havana act, there will be financial compensation for members of the State Department and CIA who suffer brain injury. In other news, Poland appears to have taken a softer stand in its spat with the European Union (EU). Polish foreign ministry said on Saturday that the country would respect European laws. Read this and more in Top 10 World News. Biden signs law to support victims of 'Havana Syndrome' As per the Havana act, there will be financial compensation for members of the State Department and CIA who suffer brain injury. Poland-EU spat: Will respect European law, says Polish foreign ministry Spat between Poland and the European Union has raised fears of 'Polexit', exit of Poland from the EU that has recently seen Brexit Czech Republic polls: PM Andrej Babis projected to lose office Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis is seeking second term in the office. However he faces public charges like mismanagement of Covid pandemic, conflict of interest. Mass funerals take place in Kunduz a day after mosque suicide attack Bodies were seen getting buried in a mass grave in Kunduz. At the mosque, piles of blood-stained sandles and carpets were seen Lebanon loses electricity as 2 power stations face shut down amid fuel crisis Due to fuel shortage, Lebanon's two major power stations have shut down. It has resulted in power outages in several parts of the country Former Iranian President Bani-Sadr passes away in Paris At the age of 88, the Iran's first president after the 1979 Islamic revolution, Abolhassan Bani-Sadr, passed away. The leader died at the Pitie-Salpetriere hospital in Paris following a prolonged illness. In February 1980, Bani-Sadr had emerged from obscurity to become Iran's first president with the help of the Islamic clergy. After a power struggle with clerics, the leader fled the following year to France. He spent the rest of his life in the country 'New normal': Singapore expands quarantine-free travel to adapt to COVID-19 From October 19, fully vaccinated people from eight countries, including Britain, France, Spain and the United States, will be able to enter the island without quarantining if they pass their COVID-19 tests, said the government. Mali-France tensions spurs debate over foreign influence Tensions were already raised over French plans to scale back its military presence across the jihadist-ridden Sahel -- and over two coups in Mali in little over a year Chinese Embassy defends firm after Lanka junks organic fertiliser over harmful bacteria concerns The embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Sri Lanka has issued a clarification in row over the organic fertilizer provided by the country's firm, Qingdao Seawin Biotech Group, containing harmful bacteria. It said, the hasty conclusion made by Sri Lanka National Plant Quarantine Services lacks scientific basis. The decision made by the authorities to reject Seawin’s organic fertiliser based on the report is questionable, it added Afghanistan's former defense minister's son buys mansion worth $20.9 million Labelled as the 'ethnic Pashtun refugee' who was born in Afghanistan in 1977, the man is believed to be the president of AD Capital Group, a Miami-based firm.

Top 10 World News: Biden signs law on 'Havana Syndrome, EU-Poland spat, and more

Partial results and projections of Czech Republic's parliamentary elections indicated that Prime Minister Andrej Babis' ANO party and allies were on the path to defeat. This gives massive boost to country's centre-right and liberal opposition.

Prime Minister Babis is seeking second term amid criticism that he mismanaged Covid pandemic stoked fast-rising debt with handouts and tended to his own business interests in office. Babis denies all accusations.

The two opposition groups were seen on track to win 104 seats in 200-member lower house, &nbsp;claiming a combined majority despite a narrow election lead held by ANO, Czech Television calculations based on 89% of voting districts showed on Saturday.

The two-day election had ended at midday.

The coalitions refuse to work with Babis over what they say are his unacceptable conflicts of interest related to the business empire he created before entering politics.

Babis, 67, has promised to continue raising public sector wages and pensions, hoping to shore up the basis of his popular support. He also stepped up his anti-migrant remarks and pledged to avoid ceding powers to the European Union.

ANO'S partners

President Milos Zeman has said he would give Babis the first try to form a government if ANO wins the most votes.

But if Together and Pirates/Mayors stick to their pledge not to work with ANO, he could have no mathematical chance to form a majority, based on the partial results.

Babis's big-spending policies, maintained despite a broad recovery from the pandemic, mark a break from traditional Czech fiscal prudence. Debt is set to be among the fastest growing in the EU, albeit from a low base.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Partial results and projections of Czech Republic's parliamentary elections indicated that Prime Minister Andrej Babis' ANO party and allies were on the path to defeat.

Partial results and projections of Czech Republic's parliamentary elections indicated that Prime Minister Andrej Babis' ANO party and allies were on the path to defeat. This gives massive boost to country's centre-right and liberal opposition. Prime Minister Babis is seeking second term amid criticism that he mismanaged Covid pandemic stoked fast-rising debt with handouts and tended to his own business interests in office. Babis denies all accusations. The two opposition groups were seen on track to win 104 seats in 200-member lower house, claiming a combined majority despite a narrow election lead held by ANO, Czech Television calculations based on 89% of voting districts showed on Saturday. The two-day election had ended at midday. The coalitions refuse to work with Babis over what they say are his unacceptable conflicts of interest related to the business empire he created before entering politics. Babis, 67, has promised to continue raising public sector wages and pensions, hoping to shore up the basis of his popular support. He also stepped up his anti-migrant remarks and pledged to avoid ceding powers to the European Union. ANO'S partners President Milos Zeman has said he would give Babis the first try to form a government if ANO wins the most votes. But if Together and Pirates/Mayors stick to their pledge not to work with ANO, he could have no mathematical chance to form a majority, based on the partial results. Babis's big-spending policies, maintained despite a broad recovery from the pandemic, mark a break from traditional Czech fiscal prudence. Debt is set to be among the fastest growing in the EU, albeit from a low base. (With inputs from agencies)

Czech Republic polls: PM Andrej Babis projected to lose office

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