Pope Francis made a suggestion on Sunday and told the faithful to take a break and switch off from the stresses of modern life. This was his first public appearance post his hospitalisation.

"Let us put a halt to the frantic running around dictated by our agendas. Let us learn how to take a break, to turn off the mobile phone," Pope Francis said in his weekly address from a window overlooking St. Peter's Square.

84-year-old Pope Francis underwent a surgery on July 4. This was the first time that the Pope had faced significant health concern during his eight-year papacy.

Hundreds of people were gathered in the sunny square and cheered when he appeared at the open window.

As is often the case, at the end of his address the pope mentioned some of the events dominating world headlines.

He urged an end to the recent public unrest in South Africa and called for peace and dialogue in Cuba after unprecedented, protests rocked the Communist-run country.

"I am also close to the dear people of Cuba in these difficult times, in particular to the families who especially suffer," Francis said to cheers.

He also referred to catastrophic floods in recent days in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands, which have killed more than 180 people.

(With inputs from agencies)

Pope Francis made a suggestion on Sunday and told the faithful to take a break and switch off from the stresses of modern life. This was his first public appearance post his hospitalisation.

Pope Francis made a suggestion on Sunday and told the faithful to take a break and switch off from the stresses of modern life. This was his first public appearance post his hospitalisation. "Let us put a halt to the frantic running around dictated by our agendas. Let us learn how to take a break, to turn off the mobile phone," Pope Francis said in his weekly address from a window overlooking St. Peter's Square. 84-year-old Pope Francis underwent a surgery on July 4. This was the first time that the Pope had faced significant health concern during his eight-year papacy. Hundreds of people were gathered in the sunny square and cheered when he appeared at the open window. As is often the case, at the end of his address the pope mentioned some of the events dominating world headlines. He urged an end to the recent public unrest in South Africa and called for peace and dialogue in Cuba after unprecedented, protests rocked the Communist-run country. "I am also close to the dear people of Cuba in these difficult times, in particular to the families who especially suffer," Francis said to cheers. He also referred to catastrophic floods in recent days in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands, which have killed more than 180 people. (With inputs from agencies)

Learn to switch off, says Pope Francis after successful surgery

Southern Germany was hit by flash floods on Sunday. This resulted in at least one casualty. There have been more than 180 deaths in Europe so far.

The Berchtesgadener Land district in Bavaria, which borders Austria, became the latest region to be hit by record rainfall and ensuing floods. Sunday's death brought Germany's death toll to 156 in its worst natural disaster in almost six decades, and the European toll to 183.

Ahrweiler district has been the worst-hit due to the floods. About 110 people have been killed. Police say that more bodies are expected to be found there as the floodwaters recede.

The European floods, which began on Wednesday, have mainly hit the German states of Rhineland Palatinate, North Rhine-Westphalia as well as parts of Belgium. Entire communities have been cut off, without power or communications.

At least 45 people have died in North Rhine-Westphalia. Death toll in Belgium is at 27.

Finance Minister Olaf Scholz told weekly newspaper Bild am Sonntag that the German government will be readying more than 300 million Euros (USD 354 million) in immediate relief and billions of Euros to fix collapsed houses, streets and bridges&nbsp;

"There is huge damage and that much is clear: those who lost their businesses, their houses, cannot stem the losses alone," he said.

There could also be a 10,000 euro short-term relief payment for small businesses affected by the impact of the floods as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, Economy Minister Peter Altmaier told the paper.

Scientists have long said that climate change will lead to heavier downpours. But determining its role in these relentless rainfalls will take several weeks to research at least, scientists said on Friday.

(With inputs from agencies)

Southern Germany was hit by flash floods on Sunday. This resulted in at least one casualty. There have been more than 180 deaths in Europe so far. The Berchtesgadener Land district in Bavaria, which borders Austria, became the latest region to be hit by record rainfall and ensuing floods.

Southern Germany was hit by flash floods on Sunday. This resulted in at least one casualty. There have been more than 180 deaths in Europe so far. The Berchtesgadener Land district in Bavaria, which borders Austria, became the latest region to be hit by record rainfall and ensuing floods. Sunday's death brought Germany's death toll to 156 in its worst natural disaster in almost six decades, and the European toll to 183. Ahrweiler district has been the worst-hit due to the floods. About 110 people have been killed. Police say that more bodies are expected to be found there as the floodwaters recede. The European floods, which began on Wednesday, have mainly hit the German states of Rhineland Palatinate, North Rhine-Westphalia as well as parts of Belgium. Entire communities have been cut off, without power or communications. At least 45 people have died in North Rhine-Westphalia. Death toll in Belgium is at 27. Finance Minister Olaf Scholz told weekly newspaper Bild am Sonntag that the German government will be readying more than 300 million Euros (USD 354 million) in immediate relief and billions of Euros to fix collapsed houses, streets and bridges "There is huge damage and that much is clear: those who lost their businesses, their houses, cannot stem the losses alone," he said. There could also be a 10,000 euro short-term relief payment for small businesses affected by the impact of the floods as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, Economy Minister Peter Altmaier told the paper. Scientists have long said that climate change will lead to heavier downpours. But determining its role in these relentless rainfalls will take several weeks to research at least, scientists said on Friday. (With inputs from agencies)

Germany: Floods hit Bavaria, European death toll at 183

Six months into the Biden administration, Senate Democrats are expressing a cautious optimism that the party can keep control of the chamber in the 2022 midterm elections, enjoying large fundraising hauls in marquee races as they plot to exploit Republican retirements in key battlegrounds and a divisive series of unsettled GOP primaries.

Swing-state Democratic incumbents, like Sens. Raphael Warnock of Georgia and Mark Kelly of Arizona, restocked their war chests with multimillion-dollar sums ($7.2 million and $6 million, respectively), according to new financial filings this past week. That gives them an early financial head start in two key states where Republicans’ disagreements over former President Donald Trump’s refusal to accept his loss in 2020 are threatening to distract and fracture the party.

But Democratic officials are all too aware of the foreboding political history they confront: that in a president’s first midterms, the party occupying the White House typically loses seats — often in bunches. For now, Democrats hold power by only the narrowest of margins in a 50-50 split Senate, with Vice President Kamala Harris serving as the tiebreaker to push through President Joe Biden’s expansive agenda on the economy, the pandemic and infrastructure.

The midterms are still more than 15 months away, but the ability to enact policy throughout Biden’s first term hinges heavily on his party’s ability to hold the Senate and House.

Four Senate Democratic incumbents are up for reelection in swing states next year — making them prime targets for Republican gains. But in none of those four states — New Hampshire, Nevada, Arizona and Georgia — has a dominant Republican candidate emerged to consolidate support from the party’s divergent wings.

Out of office and banished from social media, Trump continues to insist on putting his imprint on the party with rallies and regular missives imposing an agenda of rewarding loyalists and exacting retribution against perceived enemies. That does not align with Senate Republican strategists who are focused singularly on retaking the majority and honing messages against the Democrats who now fully control Washington.

“The only way we win these races is with top-notch candidates,” said Alex Conant, a Republican strategist who used to work on Senate races. “Are Republicans able to recruit top-notch candidates in the Trump era?”

Of the seven contests that political handicappers consider most competitive in 2022, all but one are in states that Biden carried last year.

“We’re running in Biden country,” said Matt Canter, a Democratic pollster involved in Senate races. “That doesn’t make any of these races easy. But we’re running in Biden country.”

The campaign filings this past week provided an early financial snapshot of the state of play in the Senate battlefield, where the total costs could easily top $1 billion.

Other than the Senate majority leader, Chuck Schumer, the top fundraiser among all senators in the past three months was Tim Scott, R-S.C. Scott collected $9.6 million in the months after his State of the Union response, an eye-opening sum that has stoked questions about his 2024 ambitions.

But critical races remain unsettled for Republicans. The party is still trying to find compelling Senate candidates in several states, with Chris Sununu, the governor of New Hampshire, considered the highest priority for recruitment to challenge Sen. Maggie Hassan, a Democrat who raised $3.25 million in the past three months. A bevy of Republican senators have lobbied Sununu to enter the race, and Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., who leads the National Republican Senatorial Committee, went so far as to ask activists at a conservative conference last week to “call Chris Sununu” and urge him to run.

“If he does, we will win,” Scott said.

Scott has similarly pursued the former attorney general of Nevada, Adam Laxalt, saying last month that he expected Laxalt to run against Sen. Catherine Cortez-Masto, the Democratic incumbent.

The unexpected retirements of Republican senators in Pennsylvania and North Carolina have opened seats and opportunities for Democrats in those swing states, but the path to victory is complicated. In both, Democrats must navigate competitive primaries that pit candidates who represent disparate elements of the party’s racial and ideological coalition against one another: Black and white; moderate and progressive; urban, suburban and more rural.

In Pennsylvania, the Democratic lieutenant governor, John Fetterman, has emerged as one of the strongest fundraising newcomers, taking in $2.5 million in the quarter. Val Arkoosh, a county commissioner in a Philadelphia suburb, raised $1 million, and Malcolm Kenyatta, a state legislator seeking to become the nation’s first openly gay Black senator, raised $500,000. Rep. Conor Lamb, a moderate from outside Pittsburgh, is also considering a run.

In Wisconsin, a third Republican incumbent, Sen. Ron Johnson, has wavered for months over whether he will seek a third term. Johnson raised only $1.2 million in the last quarter, just enough to carry on but not quite enough to dispel questions about his intentions.

Whether or not Johnson runs, Wisconsin is among the top Democratic targets in 2022 because Biden carried it narrowly in 2020.

Perhaps nothing has better predicted the outcome of Senate races in recent cycles than a state’s presidential preferences.

In Florida, national Democrats have all but anointed Rep. Val Demings, a Black former police chief in Orlando who was vetted by the Biden team for vice president, in a state that has repeatedly proved just out of reach.

Demings raised $4.6 million in her first three weeks, topping Sen. Marco Rubio, the Republican incumbent, who raised $4 million over three months. (Demings spent more than $2.2 million on digital ads raising that sum, records show.)

Two other GOP retirements in redder states, Ohio and Missouri, have further destabilized the Republican map, providing at least a modicum of opportunity for Democrats in Trump territory. Republicans face heated primaries in both states.

In Ohio, the Republican candidates include the former party chair, Jane Timken; the former state treasurer, Josh Mandel, who has run for Senate before; bestselling author J.D. Vance; and two business executives, Bernie Moreno and Mike Gibbons.

The leading Democrat is Rep. Tim Ryan, a moderate who ran briefly for president in 2020 and who entered July with $2.5 million in the bank.

In Missouri, the early efforts to woo Trump have been plentiful, and that includes spending at his Florida resort.

Two potential candidates have trekked to Mar-a-Lago for fundraisers or to meet with the former president, including Reps. Billy Long and Jason Smith. Long reported spending $28,633.20 at the club, filings show; Smith, who also attended a colleague’s fundraiser Thursday at Trump’s Bedminster property in New Jersey, according to a person familiar with the matter, paid $4,198.59 to Mar-a-Lago.

“I’m expecting someone to start flying over Bedminster with a banner at some point,” said one Republican strategist involved in Senate races, who requested anonymity because, he said half-jokingly, it could end up being one of his candidates buying the banner.

The biggest name in Missouri is Eric Greitens, the former governor who resigned after accusations of abuse by a woman with whom he had an extramarital affair. He raised less than $450,000. Among his fundraisers is Kimberly Guilfoyle, the girlfriend of Donald Trump Jr., and his campaign also made payments to Mar-a-Lago.

Three other Republicans in the race outraised Greitens: Rep. Vicky Hartzler, Attorney General Eric Schmitt and Mark McCloskey, the man best known for waving his gun outside his St. Louis home as protesters marched last year. Some national Republican strategists are worried that if Greitens survives a crowded primary, he could prove toxic even in a heavily Republican state.

Scott has pledged to remain neutral in party primaries, but Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., the minority leader, has long preferred promoting candidates he believes can win in November.

“The only thing I care about is electability,” McConnell told Politico this year.

With Scott on the sidelines, a McConnell-aligned super political action committee, the Senate Leadership Fund, is expected to do most of the intervening.

Trump, who is often at cross-purposes with McConnell, has appeared especially engaged in the Arizona and Georgia races, largely because of his own narrow losses there. He has publicly urged former football player Herschel Walker to run in Georgia — Walker has not committed to a campaign — and attacked the Republican governor of Arizona, Doug Ducey, even after Ducey has said he is not running for Senate. Some Republican operatives continue to hope to tug Ducey into the race.

Trump delivered one early Senate endorsement in North Carolina, to Rep. Ted Budd, who raised $953,000, which is less than the $1.25 million that former Gov. Pat McCrory pulled in. Some Republicans see McCrory as the stronger potential nominee because of his track record of winning statewide.

In Alaska, Kelly Tshibaka is running as a pro-Trump primary challenger to Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who voted to convict Trump after his second impeachment. Murkowski, who has not formally said if she is running again, raised more than double Tshibaka in the most recent quarter, $1.15 million to $544,000.

In Alabama, Trump gave another early endorsement to Rep. Mo Brooks and recently attacked one of his rivals, Katie Britt, who is the former chief of staff of the retiring incumbent, Sen. Richard Shelby. Britt entered the race in June, but she outraised Brooks, $2.2 million to $824,000. A third candidate, Lynda Blanchard, is a former Trump-appointed ambassador who has lent her campaign $5 million.

Brooks won over Trump for being among the earliest and most vocal objectors to Biden’s victory. The photo splashed across Brooks’ Senate website is him speaking at the Jan. 6 rally that preceded the riot at the Capitol. In his recent filing, one of Brooks’ larger expenses was a $25,799 tab at Mar-a-Lago.

“The map tilts slightly toward the Democrats just based on the seats that are up,” said Brian Walsh, a Republican strategist who has worked on Senate races. “But the political environment is the big unknown, and the landscape can shift quickly.”

Six months into the Biden administration, Senate Democrats are expressing a cautious optimism that the party can keep control of the chamber in the 2022 midterm elections, enjoying large fundraising hauls in marquee races as they plot to exploit Republican retirements in key battlegrounds and a divisive series of unsettled GOP primaries.

Six months into the Biden administration, Senate Democrats are expressing a cautious optimism that the party can keep control of the chamber in the 2022 midterm elections, enjoying large fundraising hauls in marquee races as they plot to exploit Republican retirements in key battlegrounds and a divisive series of unsettled GOP primaries. Swing-state Democratic incumbents, like Sens. Raphael Warnock of Georgia and Mark Kelly of Arizona, restocked their war chests with multimillion-dollar sums ($7.2 million and $6 million, respectively), according to new financial filings this past week. That gives them an early financial head start in two key states where Republicans’ disagreements over former President Donald Trump’s refusal to accept his loss in 2020 are threatening to distract and fracture the party. But Democratic officials are all too aware of the foreboding political history they confront: that in a president’s first midterms, the party occupying the White House typically loses seats — often in bunches. For now, Democrats hold power by only the narrowest of margins in a 50-50 split Senate, with Vice President Kamala Harris serving as the tiebreaker to push through President Joe Biden’s expansive agenda on the economy, the pandemic and infrastructure. The midterms are still more than 15 months away, but the ability to enact policy throughout Biden’s first term hinges heavily on his party’s ability to hold the Senate and House. Four Senate Democratic incumbents are up for reelection in swing states next year — making them prime targets for Republican gains. But in none of those four states — New Hampshire, Nevada, Arizona and Georgia — has a dominant Republican candidate emerged to consolidate support from the party’s divergent wings. Out of office and banished from social media, Trump continues to insist on putting his imprint on the party with rallies and regular missives imposing an agenda of rewarding loyalists and exacting retribution against perceived enemies. That does not align with Senate Republican strategists who are focused singularly on retaking the majority and honing messages against the Democrats who now fully control Washington. “The only way we win these races is with top-notch candidates,” said Alex Conant, a Republican strategist who used to work on Senate races. “Are Republicans able to recruit top-notch candidates in the Trump era?” Of the seven contests that political handicappers consider most competitive in 2022, all but one are in states that Biden carried last year. “We’re running in Biden country,” said Matt Canter, a Democratic pollster involved in Senate races. “That doesn’t make any of these races easy. But we’re running in Biden country.” The campaign filings this past week provided an early financial snapshot of the state of play in the Senate battlefield, where the total costs could easily top $1 billion. Other than the Senate majority leader, Chuck Schumer, the top fundraiser among all senators in the past three months was Tim Scott, R-S.C. Scott collected $9.6 million in the months after his State of the Union response, an eye-opening sum that has stoked questions about his 2024 ambitions. But critical races remain unsettled for Republicans. The party is still trying to find compelling Senate candidates in several states, with Chris Sununu, the governor of New Hampshire, considered the highest priority for recruitment to challenge Sen. Maggie Hassan, a Democrat who raised $3.25 million in the past three months. A bevy of Republican senators have lobbied Sununu to enter the race, and Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., who leads the National Republican Senatorial Committee, went so far as to ask activists at a conservative conference last week to “call Chris Sununu” and urge him to run. “If he does, we will win,” Scott said. Scott has similarly pursued the former attorney general of Nevada, Adam Laxalt, saying last month that he expected Laxalt to run against Sen. Catherine Cortez-Masto, the Democratic incumbent. The unexpected retirements of Republican senators in Pennsylvania and North Carolina have opened seats and opportunities for Democrats in those swing states, but the path to victory is complicated. In both, Democrats must navigate competitive primaries that pit candidates who represent disparate elements of the party’s racial and ideological coalition against one another: Black and white; moderate and progressive; urban, suburban and more rural. In Pennsylvania, the Democratic lieutenant governor, John Fetterman, has emerged as one of the strongest fundraising newcomers, taking in $2.5 million in the quarter. Val Arkoosh, a county commissioner in a Philadelphia suburb, raised $1 million, and Malcolm Kenyatta, a state legislator seeking to become the nation’s first openly gay Black senator, raised $500,000. Rep. Conor Lamb, a moderate from outside Pittsburgh, is also considering a run. In Wisconsin, a third Republican incumbent, Sen. Ron Johnson, has wavered for months over whether he will seek a third term. Johnson raised only $1.2 million in the last quarter, just enough to carry on but not quite enough to dispel questions about his intentions. Whether or not Johnson runs, Wisconsin is among the top Democratic targets in 2022 because Biden carried it narrowly in 2020. Perhaps nothing has better predicted the outcome of Senate races in recent cycles than a state’s presidential preferences. In Florida, national Democrats have all but anointed Rep. Val Demings, a Black former police chief in Orlando who was vetted by the Biden team for vice president, in a state that has repeatedly proved just out of reach. Demings raised $4.6 million in her first three weeks, topping Sen. Marco Rubio, the Republican incumbent, who raised $4 million over three months. (Demings spent more than $2.2 million on digital ads raising that sum, records show.) Two other GOP retirements in redder states, Ohio and Missouri, have further destabilized the Republican map, providing at least a modicum of opportunity for Democrats in Trump territory. Republicans face heated primaries in both states. In Ohio, the Republican candidates include the former party chair, Jane Timken; the former state treasurer, Josh Mandel, who has run for Senate before; bestselling author J.D. Vance; and two business executives, Bernie Moreno and Mike Gibbons. The leading Democrat is Rep. Tim Ryan, a moderate who ran briefly for president in 2020 and who entered July with $2.5 million in the bank. In Missouri, the early efforts to woo Trump have been plentiful, and that includes spending at his Florida resort. Two potential candidates have trekked to Mar-a-Lago for fundraisers or to meet with the former president, including Reps. Billy Long and Jason Smith. Long reported spending $28,633.20 at the club, filings show; Smith, who also attended a colleague’s fundraiser Thursday at Trump’s Bedminster property in New Jersey, according to a person familiar with the matter, paid $4,198.59 to Mar-a-Lago. “I’m expecting someone to start flying over Bedminster with a banner at some point,” said one Republican strategist involved in Senate races, who requested anonymity because, he said half-jokingly, it could end up being one of his candidates buying the banner. The biggest name in Missouri is Eric Greitens, the former governor who resigned after accusations of abuse by a woman with whom he had an extramarital affair. He raised less than $450,000. Among his fundraisers is Kimberly Guilfoyle, the girlfriend of Donald Trump Jr., and his campaign also made payments to Mar-a-Lago. Three other Republicans in the race outraised Greitens: Rep. Vicky Hartzler, Attorney General Eric Schmitt and Mark McCloskey, the man best known for waving his gun outside his St. Louis home as protesters marched last year. Some national Republican strategists are worried that if Greitens survives a crowded primary, he could prove toxic even in a heavily Republican state. Scott has pledged to remain neutral in party primaries, but Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., the minority leader, has long preferred promoting candidates he believes can win in November. “The only thing I care about is electability,” McConnell told Politico this year. With Scott on the sidelines, a McConnell-aligned super political action committee, the Senate Leadership Fund, is expected to do most of the intervening. Trump, who is often at cross-purposes with McConnell, has appeared especially engaged in the Arizona and Georgia races, largely because of his own narrow losses there. He has publicly urged former football player Herschel Walker to run in Georgia — Walker has not committed to a campaign — and attacked the Republican governor of Arizona, Doug Ducey, even after Ducey has said he is not running for Senate. Some Republican operatives continue to hope to tug Ducey into the race. Trump delivered one early Senate endorsement in North Carolina, to Rep. Ted Budd, who raised $953,000, which is less than the $1.25 million that former Gov. Pat McCrory pulled in. Some Republicans see McCrory as the stronger potential nominee because of his track record of winning statewide. In Alaska, Kelly Tshibaka is running as a pro-Trump primary challenger to Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who voted to convict Trump after his second impeachment. Murkowski, who has not formally said if she is running again, raised more than double Tshibaka in the most recent quarter, $1.15 million to $544,000. In Alabama, Trump gave another early endorsement to Rep. Mo Brooks and recently attacked one of his rivals, Katie Britt, who is the former chief of staff of the retiring incumbent, Sen. Richard Shelby. Britt entered the race in June, but she outraised Brooks, $2.2 million to $824,000. A third candidate, Lynda Blanchard, is a former Trump-appointed ambassador who has lent her campaign $5 million. Brooks won over Trump for being among the earliest and most vocal objectors to Biden’s victory. The photo splashed across Brooks’ Senate website is him speaking at the Jan. 6 rally that preceded the riot at the Capitol. In his recent filing, one of Brooks’ larger expenses was a $25,799 tab at Mar-a-Lago. “The map tilts slightly toward the Democrats just based on the seats that are up,” said Brian Walsh, a Republican strategist who has worked on Senate races. “But the political environment is the big unknown, and the landscape can shift quickly.”

Democrats see edge in early Senate map as Trump casts big shadow

Wildfires are scorching vast areas of drought-hit western United States and Canad and firefighting resources are being severely stretched, authorities said on Saturday.

2,200 firefighters are struggling to control the vast Bootleg Fire that's raging in southern Oregon near the border with California. Some firefighters were forced to retreat.

California has vowed to send firefighters to help in Oregon. California itself is hit by wildfires.

And Canada was bringing in some 100 firefighters from Mexico to bolster their exhausted counterparts in northwestern Ontario, provincial authorities announced.

The Bootleg Fire, by far the biggest active blaze in the US, is covering 274,000 acres. It is an area larger than New York City. The fire remains just seven per cent controlled, as per Inciweb website.

"(The) fire remains very active with significant acreage increases due to hot, dry, and breezy conditions," the official site said.

It has destroyed at least 20 homes.

Authorities said the huge blaze had generated ominous and dangerous "fire clouds" reaching miles in the air, able to spawn huge outbreaks of dry lightning and "fire tornadoes."&nbsp;

Firefighter commander Rob Allen noted that the fire's 200-mile (320-kilometer) perimeter is "an enormous amount of line to build and hold."

"We are continuing to use every resource, from dozers to air tankers," he said Friday.

"We have had record heat, and just all the worst possible conditions at one time," Suzanne Flory, a US Forest Service spokesperson, told the Oregonian newspaper.

Meantime, dangerous dry lightning storms were forecast in California.

(With inputs from agencies)

Wildfires are scorching vast areas of drought-hit western United States and Canad and firefighting resources are being severely stretched, authorities said on Saturday.

Wildfires are scorching vast areas of drought-hit western United States and Canad and firefighting resources are being severely stretched, authorities said on Saturday. 2,200 firefighters are struggling to control the vast Bootleg Fire that's raging in southern Oregon near the border with California. Some firefighters were forced to retreat. California has vowed to send firefighters to help in Oregon. California itself is hit by wildfires. And Canada was bringing in some 100 firefighters from Mexico to bolster their exhausted counterparts in northwestern Ontario, provincial authorities announced. The Bootleg Fire, by far the biggest active blaze in the US, is covering 274,000 acres. It is an area larger than New York City. The fire remains just seven per cent controlled, as per Inciweb website. "(The) fire remains very active with significant acreage increases due to hot, dry, and breezy conditions," the official site said. It has destroyed at least 20 homes. Authorities said the huge blaze had generated ominous and dangerous "fire clouds" reaching miles in the air, able to spawn huge outbreaks of dry lightning and "fire tornadoes." Firefighter commander Rob Allen noted that the fire's 200-mile (320-kilometer) perimeter is "an enormous amount of line to build and hold." "We are continuing to use every resource, from dozers to air tankers," he said Friday. "We have had record heat, and just all the worst possible conditions at one time," Suzanne Flory, a US Forest Service spokesperson, told the Oregonian newspaper. Meantime, dangerous dry lightning storms were forecast in California. (With inputs from agencies)

Wildfires in US, Canada stretch firefighter resources

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is due to visit flood-ravaged western Germany on Sunday. Worst rainfall in living memory has caused huge destruction and lef more that 130 people dead as per regional officials.

AFP quoted a spokeswoman for regional interior ministry to say that Merkel will travel to the hard-hit town of Schuld in Rhineland-Palatinate state.

The visit is set to take place in the afternoon, the spokeswoman said.

Merkel has already termed the flooding a national "tragedy" and has promised support from federal government.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier toured the town of Erftstadt in the western state of North-Rhine Westphalia on Saturday, to survey the damage from a massive landslide caused by the extreme weather.

The main candidates in the race to succeed Merkel at September's general election have all travelled to the stricken areas in recent days.

Merkel's visit has been delayed because she only returned on Friday from a high-profile trip to Washington, her last official visit as chancellor.

Speaking alongside US President Joe Biden at the White House on Thursday, Merkel said her "heart goes out to all of those who in this catastrophe lost their loved ones".

(With inputs from agencies)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is due to visit flood-ravaged western Germany on Sunday. Worst rainfall in living memory has caused huge destruction and lef more that 130 people dead as per regional officials.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is due to visit flood-ravaged western Germany on Sunday. Worst rainfall in living memory has caused huge destruction and lef more that 130 people dead as per regional officials. AFP quoted a spokeswoman for regional interior ministry to say that Merkel will travel to the hard-hit town of Schuld in Rhineland-Palatinate state. The visit is set to take place in the afternoon, the spokeswoman said. Merkel has already termed the flooding a national "tragedy" and has promised support from federal government. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier toured the town of Erftstadt in the western state of North-Rhine Westphalia on Saturday, to survey the damage from a massive landslide caused by the extreme weather. The main candidates in the race to succeed Merkel at September's general election have all travelled to the stricken areas in recent days. Merkel's visit has been delayed because she only returned on Friday from a high-profile trip to Washington, her last official visit as chancellor. Speaking alongside US President Joe Biden at the White House on Thursday, Merkel said her "heart goes out to all of those who in this catastrophe lost their loved ones". (With inputs from agencies)

Angela Merkel to visit flood-hit western Germany on Sunday

Protecting the integrity of sport at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, is a top priority for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) thus the IOC Executive Board (EB) was updated on Saturday about the measures put in place for Games time -- aimed at both preventing and dealing swiftly with competition manipulation.Sports betting on all Olympic competitions have been monitored since the Olympic Games in Beijing 2008, and Tokyo 2020 will be no exception.&nbsp;

The Olympic Movement Unit on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions (OM Unit PMC), with its partners -- namely Sportradar, the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA), the Global Lottery Monitoring System (GLMS), major regulating authorities, and a large number of private sports betting companies from around the world -- will monitor sports betting on all Olympic competitions at this summer`s Olympic Games.The IOC will retain a direct link with all International Federations (IFs) in order to flag any breach of the Olympic Movement Code on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions (OM Code PMC). It is equipped to carry out a preliminary investigation and assist with the set-up of a Disciplinary Commission if necessary. In addition, the IOC will cooperate closely with various law enforcement authorities to address any cases where collective and joint follow-up is appropriate and necessary.

Paquerette Girard Zappelli, IOC Chief Ethics, and Compliance Officer said in a release: "During the last years, we have been working with Tokyo 2020, international police forces, and national authorities to set up the necessary processes and coordinate actions for Games time. &nbsp;As a sports organisation, the IOC can deal with disciplinary matters related to the Olympic Games, and we will have in place a dedicated Disciplinary Commission for cases of competition manipulation and other integrity breaches. For all criminal and security matters, we will of course rely on the Japanese authorities and their jurisdiction."

Following PyeongChang 2018, this is the second Games edition where all the measures outlined will be overseen by the dedicated OM Unit PMC, set up by the IOC in 2017 and an integral part of the IOC Ethics and Compliance Office. This Unit oversees the implementation of the Olympic Movement Code on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions, which forms part of the Olympic Charter. It aims to provide sports organisations with harmonised regulations to protect all competitions from the risk of manipulation and support them to develop effective activities against the threat.

Protecting the integrity of sport at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, is a top priority for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) thus the IOC Executive Board (EB) was updated on Saturday about the measures put in place for Games time -- aimed at both preventing and dealing swiftly with competition manipulation.

Protecting the integrity of sport at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, is a top priority for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) thus the IOC Executive Board (EB) was updated on Saturday about the measures put in place for Games time -- aimed at both preventing and dealing swiftly with competition manipulation.Sports betting on all Olympic competitions have been monitored since the Olympic Games in Beijing 2008, and Tokyo 2020 will be no exception. The Olympic Movement Unit on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions (OM Unit PMC), with its partners -- namely Sportradar, the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA), the Global Lottery Monitoring System (GLMS), major regulating authorities, and a large number of private sports betting companies from around the world -- will monitor sports betting on all Olympic competitions at this summer`s Olympic Games.The IOC will retain a direct link with all International Federations (IFs) in order to flag any breach of the Olympic Movement Code on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions (OM Code PMC). It is equipped to carry out a preliminary investigation and assist with the set-up of a Disciplinary Commission if necessary. In addition, the IOC will cooperate closely with various law enforcement authorities to address any cases where collective and joint follow-up is appropriate and necessary. Paquerette Girard Zappelli, IOC Chief Ethics, and Compliance Officer said in a release: "During the last years, we have been working with Tokyo 2020, international police forces, and national authorities to set up the necessary processes and coordinate actions for Games time. As a sports organisation, the IOC can deal with disciplinary matters related to the Olympic Games, and we will have in place a dedicated Disciplinary Commission for cases of competition manipulation and other integrity breaches. For all criminal and security matters, we will of course rely on the Japanese authorities and their jurisdiction." Following PyeongChang 2018, this is the second Games edition where all the measures outlined will be overseen by the dedicated OM Unit PMC, set up by the IOC in 2017 and an integral part of the IOC Ethics and Compliance Office. This Unit oversees the implementation of the Olympic Movement Code on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions, which forms part of the Olympic Charter. It aims to provide sports organisations with harmonised regulations to protect all competitions from the risk of manipulation and support them to develop effective activities against the threat.

Tokyo 2020: IOC to monitor sports betting on all Olympic competitions

AC Milan on Saturday announced the signing of Olivier Jonathan Giroud on a permanent transfer from Chelsea FC."The French striker will be wearing the number 9 jersey," the club said in an official statement.

Born in Chambery (France) on September 30, 1986, Olivier Giroud spent his youth career with Grenoble and made his first-team debut in 2005.After playing for Istres and Tours, Giroud moved to Ligue 1 club Montpellier, where he scored 39 goals in 85 appearances in two years and where he won the league in 2011/12.

In the summer of 2012, he moved to Arsenal, with whom he scored 105 goals in 253 games, winning 3 FA Cups and 3 Community Shields.In Januray 2018, Giroud moved to Chelsea FC, with whom he scored 39 goals in 119 appearances, winning one Champions League, one Europa League and one FA Cup.

Giroud made his debut with the France senior squad in November 2011, scoring 46 goals in 110 appearances and winning the World Cup in 2018.&nbsp;

AC Milan on Saturday announced the signing of Olivier Jonathan Giroud on a permanent transfer from Chelsea FC."The French striker will be wearing the number 9 jersey," the club said in an official statement.

AC Milan on Saturday announced the signing of Olivier Jonathan Giroud on a permanent transfer from Chelsea FC."The French striker will be wearing the number 9 jersey," the club said in an official statement. Born in Chambery (France) on September 30, 1986, Olivier Giroud spent his youth career with Grenoble and made his first-team debut in 2005.After playing for Istres and Tours, Giroud moved to Ligue 1 club Montpellier, where he scored 39 goals in 85 appearances in two years and where he won the league in 2011/12. In the summer of 2012, he moved to Arsenal, with whom he scored 105 goals in 253 games, winning 3 FA Cups and 3 Community Shields.In Januray 2018, Giroud moved to Chelsea FC, with whom he scored 39 goals in 119 appearances, winning one Champions League, one Europa League and one FA Cup. Giroud made his debut with the France senior squad in November 2011, scoring 46 goals in 110 appearances and winning the World Cup in 2018.

AC Milan sign Olivier Giroud from Chelsea

After the latest meeting of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board (EB), IOC President Thomas Bach highlighted the successful implementation of the COVID-19 countermeasures outlined in the key stakeholder Playbooks and promised to bring the vibe of the world into the venues of Tokyo Olympics.

During the meeting, the IOC EB was informed by Tokyo 2020 that, between July 1 and 16, around 15,000 athletes, officials, and representatives from the media and other stakeholders had arrived in Tokyo. Only 15 had tested positive on their arrival or during a screening test, accounting for 0.1 per cent of arrivals so far.

Details were also shared about a state-of-the-art virtual audio experience that will be used in all venues. This will see sounds from individual sports from past Games broadcast through audio systems to create the effect of spectators despite their absence, providing strong, emotional connections with athletes.

Speaking about this, the IOC President said in a release: "We will make every effort to bring the vibe of the world into the venues. Billions of people around the world will follow the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 via rights-holding broadcasters and other digital and media platforms. These will be the most followed Games in Olympic history."

Further updates from the Tokyo 2020 organisers emphasised their Games readiness. This was illustrated through the full opening of the Olympic Village, International Broadcast Centre (IBC), and Main Press Centre (MPC) earlier this week, venues moving into operational mode, and the knowledge that athletes are making their final preparations.As part of measures to manage the COVID-19 situation, the Organising Committee highlighted the decision made earlier this month that no spectators will be allowed to attend Tokyo 2020 events.&nbsp;

To mitigate the impact of this, the IOC shared details of its plans to connect billions of fans to this year`s Games through unprecedented broadcast coverage and digital innovations. These include the use of digital, real-time live cheer maps, fan videos that will be broadcast in venues, and the possibility for athletes to speak to close family and friends directly after they have competed.

After the latest meeting of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board (EB), IOC President Thomas Bach highlighted the successful implementation of the COVID-19 countermeasures outlined in the key stakeholder Playbooks and promised to bring the vibe of the world into the venues of Tokyo Olympics.

After the latest meeting of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board (EB), IOC President Thomas Bach highlighted the successful implementation of the COVID-19 countermeasures outlined in the key stakeholder Playbooks and promised to bring the vibe of the world into the venues of Tokyo Olympics. During the meeting, the IOC EB was informed by Tokyo 2020 that, between July 1 and 16, around 15,000 athletes, officials, and representatives from the media and other stakeholders had arrived in Tokyo. Only 15 had tested positive on their arrival or during a screening test, accounting for 0.1 per cent of arrivals so far. Details were also shared about a state-of-the-art virtual audio experience that will be used in all venues. This will see sounds from individual sports from past Games broadcast through audio systems to create the effect of spectators despite their absence, providing strong, emotional connections with athletes. Speaking about this, the IOC President said in a release: "We will make every effort to bring the vibe of the world into the venues. Billions of people around the world will follow the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 via rights-holding broadcasters and other digital and media platforms. These will be the most followed Games in Olympic history." Further updates from the Tokyo 2020 organisers emphasised their Games readiness. This was illustrated through the full opening of the Olympic Village, International Broadcast Centre (IBC), and Main Press Centre (MPC) earlier this week, venues moving into operational mode, and the knowledge that athletes are making their final preparations.As part of measures to manage the COVID-19 situation, the Organising Committee highlighted the decision made earlier this month that no spectators will be allowed to attend Tokyo 2020 events. To mitigate the impact of this, the IOC shared details of its plans to connect billions of fans to this year`s Games through unprecedented broadcast coverage and digital innovations. These include the use of digital, real-time live cheer maps, fan videos that will be broadcast in venues, and the possibility for athletes to speak to close family and friends directly after they have competed.

Will make every effort to bring vibes of the world to Tokyo 2020 venues: IOC President Bach

South African Louis Oosthuizen takes a two-shot lead into the British Open third round which started in bright sunshine at Royal St George`s on Saturday.

Oosthuizen, the 2010 Open champion, carded rounds of 64 and 65 to move to 11 under par, two clear of American Collin Morikawa and three ahead of American Jordan Spieth.

Oosthuizen and Morikawa were due to tee off at 1555 local time (1445 GMT).

American world number one Dustin Johnson, his compatriot Scottie Scheffler and South African Dylan Frittelli will start on seven under par with U.S. Open champion Jon Rahm and four-times major winner Brooks Koepka in a group of players on five under.

Among the early starters, Northern Ireland`s Rory McIlroy, a four-times major champion, took advantage of the benign conditions to pick up five birdies on the front nine and move to four under par.

Bryson DeChambeau made a double-bogey six at the ninth hole and although he collected two birdies on the back nine, the long-hitting American signed for a 72 to drop back to three over par.

South African Louis Oosthuizen takes a two-shot lead into the British Open third round which started in bright sunshine at Royal St George`s on Saturday. Oosthuizen, the 2010 Open champion, carded rounds of 64 and 65 to move to 11 under par, two clear of American Collin Morikawa and three ahead of American Jordan Spieth.

South African Louis Oosthuizen takes a two-shot lead into the British Open third round which started in bright sunshine at Royal St George`s on Saturday. Oosthuizen, the 2010 Open champion, carded rounds of 64 and 65 to move to 11 under par, two clear of American Collin Morikawa and three ahead of American Jordan Spieth. Oosthuizen and Morikawa were due to tee off at 1555 local time (1445 GMT). American world number one Dustin Johnson, his compatriot Scottie Scheffler and South African Dylan Frittelli will start on seven under par with U.S. Open champion Jon Rahm and four-times major winner Brooks Koepka in a group of players on five under. Among the early starters, Northern Ireland`s Rory McIlroy, a four-times major champion, took advantage of the benign conditions to pick up five birdies on the front nine and move to four under par. Bryson DeChambeau made a double-bogey six at the ninth hole and although he collected two birdies on the back nine, the long-hitting American signed for a 72 to drop back to three over par.

Golf: Oosthuizen leads British Open as third round gets underway

Afghan politicians met Taliban representatives in Qatar on Saturday (July 17). Both sides called for peace even as fighting went on in Afghanistan between Taliban and Afghan government. As US-led international forces began their withdrawal May onwards, Taliban has been aggressively launching offensives, taking districts and border crossing and encircling provincial capitals.

In Doha, negotiators have been meeting since September but they have failed to make sizeable progress. Foreign troops are to exit completely from Afghanistan by September 11.&nbsp;

In southern Kandahar, Taliban has seized Spin Boldak, an area that borders Pakistan. However, the Afghan government claimed that it had regained control of the border crossing.

Reuters journalist Danish Siddiqui was killed on Friday (July 16) while covering a clash between Afghan security forces and Taliban fighters in the area.

Officials on the Pakistan side of the border said the crossing had opened on Saturday, allowing hundreds of Afghans stranded in Pakistan during the fighting to return.

More than 2,000 people were displaced in Kandahar this month, according to the United Nations' humanitarian agency, and Kandahar's provincial governor on Friday evening declared a curfew in Kandahar city at night due to the fighting.

The U.N. refugee agency estimates 270,000 Afghans have been displaced inside the country since January, bringing the number of people forced from their homes to more than 3.5 million.

(With inputs from agencies)

Afghan politicians met Taliban representatives in Qatar on Saturday (July 17). Both sides called for peace even as fighting went on in Afghanistan between Taliban and Afghan government.

Afghan politicians met Taliban representatives in Qatar on Saturday (July 17). Both sides called for peace even as fighting went on in Afghanistan between Taliban and Afghan government. As US-led international forces began their withdrawal May onwards, Taliban has been aggressively launching offensives, taking districts and border crossing and encircling provincial capitals. In Doha, negotiators have been meeting since September but they have failed to make sizeable progress. Foreign troops are to exit completely from Afghanistan by September 11. In southern Kandahar, Taliban has seized Spin Boldak, an area that borders Pakistan. However, the Afghan government claimed that it had regained control of the border crossing. Reuters journalist Danish Siddiqui was killed on Friday (July 16) while covering a clash between Afghan security forces and Taliban fighters in the area. Officials on the Pakistan side of the border said the crossing had opened on Saturday, allowing hundreds of Afghans stranded in Pakistan during the fighting to return. More than 2,000 people were displaced in Kandahar this month, according to the United Nations' humanitarian agency, and Kandahar's provincial governor on Friday evening declared a curfew in Kandahar city at night due to the fighting. The U.N. refugee agency estimates 270,000 Afghans have been displaced inside the country since January, bringing the number of people forced from their homes to more than 3.5 million. (With inputs from agencies)

Afghan politicians, Taliban meet in Doha

Pakistan on Saturday allowed "up to 4,000 Afghans" into Afghanistan through its border. The strategic town across the border in Afghanistan is held by Taliban. AFP quoted a border official as saying that the move was taken on "humanitarian grounds".

Pakistan partially opened its southern crossing on Saturday. Thousands of Afghans were left stranded in the Pakistani town of Chaman after militants captured Spin Boldak from Kabul's forces on Wednesday.

"We have opened the Chaman border... allowing crowds of up to 4,000 Afghans including women and children to cross over to Afghanistan to celebrate Eid al-Adha with their families, purely on humanitarian grounds," a border official, who did not want to be named, told AFP.

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People would be allowed to cross until the evening, with the possibility the border would open again tomorrow, the official added.

Muhammad Tayyab, a local paramilitary official, said the decision was taken because of "relative calm on the other side", but said the crossing would remain closed to trade.

An AFP photographer said the gates were rushed by families as soon as they opened.

Qudratullah, 30, who lives in neighbouring Kandahar province in Afghanistan was returning after taking his father to Karachi for a heart bypass three months ago.

"I have to come back (to Pakistan) for a routine check-up of my father, but let's see if I am able to come back or not," he said.&nbsp;

Muhammad Khan, 50, who works as a labourer in Quetta, said he had been waiting at the border trying to reach Afghanistan for the Muslim holiday Eid.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/taliban-denies-role-in-indian-photojournalist-danish-siddiquis-death-report-398624">Taliban denies role in Indian photojournalist Danish Siddiqui’s death: Report&nbsp;</a>

"I will definitely try to come back after Eid because there is unemployment in Afghanistan and I will not be able to get any job there," he said.

Afghan forces on Friday launched an operation to try and take back control of Spin Boldak.

Following fierce skirmishes, dozens of wounded Taliban fighters were brought across the border and were being treated at a Pakistan hospital, an AFP correspondent at the scene reported.

On Saturday, the Taliban's white flags could still be seen flying over the crossing.

(With inputs from agencies)

Pakistan on Saturday allowed "up to 4,000 Afghans" into Afghanistan through its border. The strategic town across the border in Afghanistan is held by Taliban. AFP quoted a border official as saying that the move was taken on "humanitarian grounds".

Pakistan on Saturday allowed "up to 4,000 Afghans" into Afghanistan through its border. The strategic town across the border in Afghanistan is held by Taliban. AFP quoted a border official as saying that the move was taken on "humanitarian grounds". Pakistan partially opened its southern crossing on Saturday. Thousands of Afghans were left stranded in the Pakistani town of Chaman after militants captured Spin Boldak from Kabul's forces on Wednesday. "We have opened the Chaman border... allowing crowds of up to 4,000 Afghans including women and children to cross over to Afghanistan to celebrate Eid al-Adha with their families, purely on humanitarian grounds," a border official, who did not want to be named, told AFP. × People would be allowed to cross until the evening, with the possibility the border would open again tomorrow, the official added. Muhammad Tayyab, a local paramilitary official, said the decision was taken because of "relative calm on the other side", but said the crossing would remain closed to trade. An AFP photographer said the gates were rushed by families as soon as they opened. Qudratullah, 30, who lives in neighbouring Kandahar province in Afghanistan was returning after taking his father to Karachi for a heart bypass three months ago. "I have to come back (to Pakistan) for a routine check-up of my father, but let's see if I am able to come back or not," he said. Muhammad Khan, 50, who works as a labourer in Quetta, said he had been waiting at the border trying to reach Afghanistan for the Muslim holiday Eid. Also Read: Taliban denies role in Indian photojournalist Danish Siddiqui’s death: Report "I will definitely try to come back after Eid because there is unemployment in Afghanistan and I will not be able to get any job there," he said. Afghan forces on Friday launched an operation to try and take back control of Spin Boldak. Following fierce skirmishes, dozens of wounded Taliban fighters were brought across the border and were being treated at a Pakistan hospital, an AFP correspondent at the scene reported. On Saturday, the Taliban's white flags could still be seen flying over the crossing. (With inputs from agencies)

Pakistan allows thousands to cross into Afghanistan through border

European Council President Charles Michel said on Saturday that the European Union supported international efforts to ease tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Both countries fought a war last year over Nagorno-Karabakh region.

On a visit to Yerevan, Michel expressed "the European Union's support for the Minsk Group" -- which consists of French, Russian and US diplomats -- as mediators to the longstanding territorial dispute.&nbsp;

The war between Azerbaijan and Armenia claimed 6500 lives. It ended with a Russian-brokered ceasefire. Armenia had to cede territory it had controlled for decades.&nbsp;

Since May, tensions are running high again. Armenia has accused Azerbaijan military of crossing its southern border. Both countries have reported occasional shootouts along their shared border

The European Council's President called on the Minsk Group "to assume its responsibilities and address different topics" of the post-conflict settlement.

The Minsk Group has been largely inactive since the ceasefire as Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev had insisted "the Karabakh conflict has been resolved for good" and has rejected Yerevan's calls to negotiate on the region's political status.&nbsp;

Populated by ethnic Armenians, Karabakh is internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan.

Ethnic Armenian separatists in Nagorno-Karabakh broke away from Azerbaijan as the Soviet Union collapsed, and the ensuing conflict has claimed around 30,000 lives.

Yerevan was the first leg of Michel's regional tour of the South Caucasus. He is due to meet Aliyev in Baku on Sunday and to hold Monday talks with the leaders of Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine in Georgia's Black Sea city of Batumi.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

European Council President Charles Michel said on Saturday that the European Union supported international efforts to ease tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

European Council President Charles Michel said on Saturday that the European Union supported international efforts to ease tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Both countries fought a war last year over Nagorno-Karabakh region. On a visit to Yerevan, Michel expressed "the European Union's support for the Minsk Group" -- which consists of French, Russian and US diplomats -- as mediators to the longstanding territorial dispute. The war between Azerbaijan and Armenia claimed 6500 lives. It ended with a Russian-brokered ceasefire. Armenia had to cede territory it had controlled for decades. Since May, tensions are running high again. Armenia has accused Azerbaijan military of crossing its southern border. Both countries have reported occasional shootouts along their shared border The European Council's President called on the Minsk Group "to assume its responsibilities and address different topics" of the post-conflict settlement. The Minsk Group has been largely inactive since the ceasefire as Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev had insisted "the Karabakh conflict has been resolved for good" and has rejected Yerevan's calls to negotiate on the region's political status. Populated by ethnic Armenians, Karabakh is internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan. Ethnic Armenian separatists in Nagorno-Karabakh broke away from Azerbaijan as the Soviet Union collapsed, and the ensuing conflict has claimed around 30,000 lives. Yerevan was the first leg of Michel's regional tour of the South Caucasus. He is due to meet Aliyev in Baku on Sunday and to hold Monday talks with the leaders of Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine in Georgia's Black Sea city of Batumi. (With inputs from agencies)

EU backs international mediation in Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict

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