At a time when the entire country is battling the oxygen crunch, the Gurugram administration has been working round-the-clock to tide over the crisis and its efforts have paid off as 11 new plants would be set up soon in the district. 
 
Five oxygen plants are being installed in Gurugram in collaboration with Maruti Suzuki India Ltd (MSIL). 
 
An oxygen plant has already been set up in the General Hospital in Gurugram`s sector-10 while other plants are being installed at ESI hospital Sector-9, Manesar, Sohna and Pataudi sub-division hospitals. 
 
Also, 2 to 3 oxygen plants will be operational within the next four-five days while the remaining two plants will come up soon. 
 
This was revealed by the Gurugram Deputy Commissioner Yash Garg during a virtual COVID-19 management review meeting chaired by Union Minister of State for Statistics and Gurugram Lok Sabha MP Rao Inderjit Singh.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/what-is-black-fungus-or-mucormycosis-symptoms-and-treatment-384366">What is 'Black Fungus' or 'Mucormycosis'?: Symptoms and treatment</a> 
 
In the meeting, the arrangements made for black fungus, Covid management, oxygen supply, oxygen plant, vaccination, new hospital building and the construction of a medical college in Gurugram were discussed, according to an official statement of the district administration. 
 
During the meeting, Garg informed that the Gurugram district has a surplus of oxygen stock.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/black-fungus-number-of-cases-in-india-symptoms-precaution-386601">Black fungus: Number of cases in India, symptoms &amp; precaution</a> 
 
"At present, about 85 metric tonnes of oxygen stock is available in Gurugram and an oxygen refilled tanker has been kept on standby for any emergency. Also, under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, the administration has approached various companies for oxygen plant installations. 
 
Besides, the oxygen plant has 1,000 litres per minute capacity at the Covid Care Centre built at Tau Devi Lal Stadium. An another oxygen plant is is being prepared by the Honda company at a covid care centre situated in Shikohpur village of Gurugram," Garg said.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/new-epidemic-on-rise-indian-states-with-highest-number-of-black-fungus-cases-386443">New epidemic on rise: Indian states with highest number of Black Fungus cases</a>

He added that the district administration is shaking four such oxygen plants where approximately 1200 cylinders will be filled every day with this 60 per cent to 70 per cent of oxygen requirements of small hospitals in Gurugram will be fulfilled. 
 
"In the next 2 to 3 months, 11 oxygen plants will be prepared in Gurugram district. Around 20 metric tonnes of oxygen from Bhiwadi in Rajasthan based oxygen plant are being given mainly to 6 big hospitals, including Artemis, Fortis, Max, Medanta, Metro Hospital and Park Hospital," Garg said, adding that three oxygen plant will also be installed in Nuh and Rewari district

At a time when the entire country is battling the oxygen crunch, the Gurugram administration has been working round-the-clock to tide over the crisis and its efforts have paid off as 11 new plants would be set up soon in the district.

At a time when the entire country is battling the oxygen crunch, the Gurugram administration has been working round-the-clock to tide over the crisis and its efforts have paid off as 11 new plants would be set up soon in the district. Five oxygen plants are being installed in Gurugram in collaboration with Maruti Suzuki India Ltd (MSIL). An oxygen plant has already been set up in the General Hospital in Gurugram`s sector-10 while other plants are being installed at ESI hospital Sector-9, Manesar, Sohna and Pataudi sub-division hospitals. Also, 2 to 3 oxygen plants will be operational within the next four-five days while the remaining two plants will come up soon. This was revealed by the Gurugram Deputy Commissioner Yash Garg during a virtual COVID-19 management review meeting chaired by Union Minister of State for Statistics and Gurugram Lok Sabha MP Rao Inderjit Singh. Also Read | What is 'Black Fungus' or 'Mucormycosis'?: Symptoms and treatment In the meeting, the arrangements made for black fungus, Covid management, oxygen supply, oxygen plant, vaccination, new hospital building and the construction of a medical college in Gurugram were discussed, according to an official statement of the district administration. During the meeting, Garg informed that the Gurugram district has a surplus of oxygen stock. Also Read | Black fungus: Number of cases in India, symptoms & precaution "At present, about 85 metric tonnes of oxygen stock is available in Gurugram and an oxygen refilled tanker has been kept on standby for any emergency. Also, under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, the administration has approached various companies for oxygen plant installations. Besides, the oxygen plant has 1,000 litres per minute capacity at the Covid Care Centre built at Tau Devi Lal Stadium. An another oxygen plant is is being prepared by the Honda company at a covid care centre situated in Shikohpur village of Gurugram," Garg said. Also Read | New epidemic on rise: Indian states with highest number of Black Fungus cases He added that the district administration is shaking four such oxygen plants where approximately 1200 cylinders will be filled every day with this 60 per cent to 70 per cent of oxygen requirements of small hospitals in Gurugram will be fulfilled. "In the next 2 to 3 months, 11 oxygen plants will be prepared in Gurugram district. Around 20 metric tonnes of oxygen from Bhiwadi in Rajasthan based oxygen plant are being given mainly to 6 big hospitals, including Artemis, Fortis, Max, Medanta, Metro Hospital and Park Hospital," Garg said, adding that three oxygen plant will also be installed in Nuh and Rewari district

11 oxygen plants soon to come up in Gurugram

The "deadly and highly infectious" nature of the second wave of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> and "unpreparedness" of the national capital's health infrastructure forced citizens to visit hospitals in neighbouring states, the Delhi High Court said and rejected the Delhi government's argument that such patients should seek medical relief from the state where they are getting treatment.

"This submission of respondent 1 (Delhi government) has been noted only to be rejected.... It is a matter of public knowledge that the deadly, highly infectious nature of the second wave of COVID-19 and the unpreparedness of the health infrastructure in the city had compelled many desperate citizens of the NCT of Delhi, like the petitioner's father, to seek admission/medical attention at hospitals in the neighbouring states," Justice Rekha Palli said.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-delhi-cm-arvind-kejriwal-ruffles-diplomatic-feathers-with-a-tweet-on-covid-19-singapore-variant-385961">India: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal ruffles diplomatic feathers with a tweet on COVID-19 'Singapore variant'</a>

The observation by the high court came during the hearing of a Delhi citizen's plea seeking Liposomal Amphotericin B Injection /Amphonex-50, used in treatment of black fungus, for his father who is admitted in a hospital in Gurugram. 
The Delhi government, during the hearing, told the court that since the petitioner's father was not being treated in a hospital in the national capital, he should seek the medicine from the authorities concerned in Haryana.

Rejecting the contention of the Delhi government, the court said that in the instant case the petitioner's father was being treated for COVID-19 for over a month and since the medicine he was seeking would determine recovery of the patient, "there is definite urgency in the matter".

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-reports-259591-new-covid-19-cases-4209-deaths-386414">India reports 2,59,591 new COVID-19 cases, 4,209 deaths</a>

"I am, therefore, of the view that it would be in the interest of justice to direct the respondent 1 to take a compassionate view towards the petitioner's request and, if at all possible, to provide his father with the necessary medicine for his treatment, at least for the next few days," Justice Palli said.

The court also issued notice to the governments of Delhi and Haryana and the Centre, asking for their stand on the plea by May 25, the next date of hearing.

The "deadly and highly infectious" nature of the second wave of COVID-19 and "unpreparedness" of the national capital's health infrastructure forced citizens to visit hospitals in neighbouring states, the Delhi High Court said and rejected the Delhi government's argument that such patients should seek medical relief from the state where they are getting treatment.

The "deadly and highly infectious" nature of the second wave of COVID-19 and "unpreparedness" of the national capital's health infrastructure forced citizens to visit hospitals in neighbouring states, the Delhi High Court said and rejected the Delhi government's argument that such patients should seek medical relief from the state where they are getting treatment. "This submission of respondent 1 (Delhi government) has been noted only to be rejected.... It is a matter of public knowledge that the deadly, highly infectious nature of the second wave of COVID-19 and the unpreparedness of the health infrastructure in the city had compelled many desperate citizens of the NCT of Delhi, like the petitioner's father, to seek admission/medical attention at hospitals in the neighbouring states," Justice Rekha Palli said. Also Read | India: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal ruffles diplomatic feathers with a tweet on COVID-19 'Singapore variant' The observation by the high court came during the hearing of a Delhi citizen's plea seeking Liposomal Amphotericin B Injection /Amphonex-50, used in treatment of black fungus, for his father who is admitted in a hospital in Gurugram. The Delhi government, during the hearing, told the court that since the petitioner's father was not being treated in a hospital in the national capital, he should seek the medicine from the authorities concerned in Haryana. Rejecting the contention of the Delhi government, the court said that in the instant case the petitioner's father was being treated for COVID-19 for over a month and since the medicine he was seeking would determine recovery of the patient, "there is definite urgency in the matter". Also Read | India reports 2,59,591 new COVID-19 cases, 4,209 deaths "I am, therefore, of the view that it would be in the interest of justice to direct the respondent 1 to take a compassionate view towards the petitioner's request and, if at all possible, to provide his father with the necessary medicine for his treatment, at least for the next few days," Justice Palli said. The court also issued notice to the governments of Delhi and Haryana and the Centre, asking for their stand on the plea by May 25, the next date of hearing.

Unprepared health infra in Delhi forced people to visit hospitals in neighbouring states: HC

German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned against show of racist or anti-Semitic behaviour ahead of weekend pr-Palestinian rallies. German cities have seen pro-Palestinian rallies as the 11-day conflict raged on in West Asia between Israel and Palestinians.

"Those who bear hatred towards Jews in the street, those who incite racial hatred put themselves outside our Basic Law," Merkel declared in her weekly podcast.

"Such acts must be punished severely," she insisted.

German police made about 60 arrests last Saturday. Around 100 officers were hurt during the pro-Palestinian rallies in Berlin.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ceasefire-between-israel-and-gaza-holds-as-egyptian-mediators-eye-long-term-peace-386713">Ceasefire between Israel and Gaza holds as Egyptian mediators eye long-term peace</a>

Some participants at marches in towns across Germany shouted anti-Semitic slogans, which Merkel blasted as "unacceptable". Others burned Israeli flags and in one case stoned the entrance to a synagogue.

Merkel noted that Germany's constitution "guarantees the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.&nbsp; 
But it offers no place for attacks on people of a different confession, no place for violence, racism or denigration" of others and their beliefs.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned against show of racist or anti-Semitic behaviour ahead of weekend pr-Palestinian rallies. German cities have seen pro-Palestinian rallies as the 11-day conflict raged on in West Asia between Israel and Palestinians.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned against show of racist or anti-Semitic behaviour ahead of weekend pr-Palestinian rallies. German cities have seen pro-Palestinian rallies as the 11-day conflict raged on in West Asia between Israel and Palestinians. "Those who bear hatred towards Jews in the street, those who incite racial hatred put themselves outside our Basic Law," Merkel declared in her weekly podcast. "Such acts must be punished severely," she insisted. German police made about 60 arrests last Saturday. Around 100 officers were hurt during the pro-Palestinian rallies in Berlin. Also Read | Ceasefire between Israel and Gaza holds as Egyptian mediators eye long-term peace Some participants at marches in towns across Germany shouted anti-Semitic slogans, which Merkel blasted as "unacceptable". Others burned Israeli flags and in one case stoned the entrance to a synagogue. Merkel noted that Germany's constitution "guarantees the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. But it offers no place for attacks on people of a different confession, no place for violence, racism or denigration" of others and their beliefs. (With inputs from agencies)

Ahead of pro-Palestinian protests, Merkel warns on anti-Semitism

The approved release of three detainees locked up in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for nearly two decades has raised expectations that President Joe Biden might try to close the notorious US military prison.

A high-level review board on May 17 signed off on the release of the oldest of the 40 so-called detainees still at Guantanamo, 73-year-old Pakistani businessman Saifullah Paracha, as well as two others.

Despite being arrested and secretly rendered to the US military prison on the Caribbean island between 2001 and 2003, the three were never charged, like most of the others still there.

Tarred by accusations of extra-legal imprisonment, denial of rights and torture, Guantanamo has been a human rights shame for Washington since it was opened in January 2002 as a "War on Terror" prison for people suspected of connections to the September 11, 2001 attacks by Al-Qaeda.&nbsp;

Within a few years, the United States had seized around 780 people, most on slim evidence of Al-Qaeda ties, and taken them to Guantanamo as war prisoners. Many underwent torture in secret CIA locations before their transfer to the prison.

Only a dozen have been shown to have strong connections to 9/11 or other attacks.

Political liability

Biden was vice president when the then-president Barack Obama ordered the prison closed two days after taking office in 2009, with the idea that those tied to 9/11 would be tried in US civilian courts.

But the idea was deeply unpopular and Congress blocked it.

Instead, Obama over eight years quietly freed hundreds of prisoners after the Guantanamo Periodic Review Board (PRB) cleared them.

That process ground to a halt when Donald Trump took office in 2017.

Now, President Biden has inherited an expensive, legally dubious and, for many, embarrassing camp still holding 40 men that could outlast the two-decade war in Afghanistan sparked by 9/11.

Asked in April if Biden will close the base, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki replied that he "remains committed" to doing so.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joe-biden-aims-to-close-down-guantanamo-prison-white-house-spokeswoman-363280">Joe Biden aims to close down Guantanamo prison: White House spokeswoman</a>

"I feel confident that the Biden administration is going forward to clear out Guantanamo to the extent that is possible," said Shelby Sullivan-Bennis, attorney for Paracha after he was cleared for release.

Stuck in limbo 

Rights groups say Biden needs to act firmly.&nbsp;

"President Biden cannot have true credibility advocating for other countries to respect human rights if he does not prioritize closing Guantanamo," said Daphne Eviatar of Amnesty International.

Of the 40 men still there, nine have been cleared for release. Six cleared under Obama saw their transfers frozen by Trump.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/guantanamo-detainee-abu-zubaydah-to-file-complaint-with-un-agency-381799">Guantanamo detainee Abu Zubaydah to file complaint with UN agency</a>

Twelve, including Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, called the architect of the 9/11 attacks, are in the slow-moving military tribunal system. Just two have been convicted over nearly two decades.

The other 19 are in limbo: they haven't been charged, or granted release by the PRB.&nbsp;

Shayana Kadidal of the Center for Constitutional Rights, which has represented several detainees, says Biden will not likely make Obama's political mistake of going public with his intention to clear out the prison.

Instead, he can just let the PRB do its work. Kadidal said the recent transfer approvals suggest the board is now prone to approving the last, most difficult cases, many with psychiatric disorders and having experienced abuse in the hands of the CIA.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pentagon-pauses-plan-to-give-covid-19-vaccine-to-prisoners-at-guantanamo-bay-360368">Pentagon pauses plan to give COVID-19 vaccine to prisoners at Guantanamo Bay</a>

"To me, that says that there's been a little bit of an attitude shift, and a very laudable one, on the part of the PRB," he said.

But other barriers to closure remain. Biden has yet to restaff the State Department's special envoy office handling repatriations, closed by Trump.

More challenging is what to do with the 12 in the military tribunals system. Six, including Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, face charges that carry the death penalty.

Better than federal prisons

Their cases have moved exceedingly slowly, stalled by procedural challenges often relating to their mistreatment and denial of US constitutional rights, and by changes of judges and lawyers on both sides.

Biden could seek to have them moved to the US mainland and put in federal criminal courts, but Kadidal said that remains fraught with political dangers.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-vows-to-keep-guantanamo-bay-prison-open-31282">Trump vows to keep Guantanamo Bay prison open</a>

Civilian courts could expose more torture and denial of fundamental rights that judges and jurors might sympathize with.

Some in the Pentagon bureaucracy also want to keep Guantanamo open for future conflicts, too, Kadidal said.&nbsp;

And lawyers for the detainees themselves possibly see that stalling the military tribunals and lodging appeals is preferable to reaching verdicts that could mean execution.

"These guys could die natural deaths down there. They're in better conditions than what you would get in a federal terrorism facility," said Kadidal.

"The status quo of no trial happening, and being at Gitmo, is in some ways preferable to what you might experience otherwise."

The approved release of three detainees locked up in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for nearly two decades has raised expectations that President Joe Biden might try to close the notorious US military prison.

The approved release of three detainees locked up in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for nearly two decades has raised expectations that President Joe Biden might try to close the notorious US military prison. A high-level review board on May 17 signed off on the release of the oldest of the 40 so-called detainees still at Guantanamo, 73-year-old Pakistani businessman Saifullah Paracha, as well as two others. Despite being arrested and secretly rendered to the US military prison on the Caribbean island between 2001 and 2003, the three were never charged, like most of the others still there. Tarred by accusations of extra-legal imprisonment, denial of rights and torture, Guantanamo has been a human rights shame for Washington since it was opened in January 2002 as a "War on Terror" prison for people suspected of connections to the September 11, 2001 attacks by Al-Qaeda. Within a few years, the United States had seized around 780 people, most on slim evidence of Al-Qaeda ties, and taken them to Guantanamo as war prisoners. Many underwent torture in secret CIA locations before their transfer to the prison. Only a dozen have been shown to have strong connections to 9/11 or other attacks. Political liability Biden was vice president when the then-president Barack Obama ordered the prison closed two days after taking office in 2009, with the idea that those tied to 9/11 would be tried in US civilian courts. But the idea was deeply unpopular and Congress blocked it. Instead, Obama over eight years quietly freed hundreds of prisoners after the Guantanamo Periodic Review Board (PRB) cleared them. That process ground to a halt when Donald Trump took office in 2017. Now, President Biden has inherited an expensive, legally dubious and, for many, embarrassing camp still holding 40 men that could outlast the two-decade war in Afghanistan sparked by 9/11. Asked in April if Biden will close the base, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki replied that he "remains committed" to doing so. Also Read | Joe Biden aims to close down Guantanamo prison: White House spokeswoman "I feel confident that the Biden administration is going forward to clear out Guantanamo to the extent that is possible," said Shelby Sullivan-Bennis, attorney for Paracha after he was cleared for release. Stuck in limbo Rights groups say Biden needs to act firmly. "President Biden cannot have true credibility advocating for other countries to respect human rights if he does not prioritize closing Guantanamo," said Daphne Eviatar of Amnesty International. Of the 40 men still there, nine have been cleared for release. Six cleared under Obama saw their transfers frozen by Trump. Also Read | Guantanamo detainee Abu Zubaydah to file complaint with UN agency Twelve, including Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, called the architect of the 9/11 attacks, are in the slow-moving military tribunal system. Just two have been convicted over nearly two decades. The other 19 are in limbo: they haven't been charged, or granted release by the PRB. Shayana Kadidal of the Center for Constitutional Rights, which has represented several detainees, says Biden will not likely make Obama's political mistake of going public with his intention to clear out the prison. Instead, he can just let the PRB do its work. Kadidal said the recent transfer approvals suggest the board is now prone to approving the last, most difficult cases, many with psychiatric disorders and having experienced abuse in the hands of the CIA. Also Read | Pentagon pauses plan to give COVID-19 vaccine to prisoners at Guantanamo Bay "To me, that says that there's been a little bit of an attitude shift, and a very laudable one, on the part of the PRB," he said. But other barriers to closure remain. Biden has yet to restaff the State Department's special envoy office handling repatriations, closed by Trump. More challenging is what to do with the 12 in the military tribunals system. Six, including Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, face charges that carry the death penalty. Better than federal prisons Their cases have moved exceedingly slowly, stalled by procedural challenges often relating to their mistreatment and denial of US constitutional rights, and by changes of judges and lawyers on both sides. Biden could seek to have them moved to the US mainland and put in federal criminal courts, but Kadidal said that remains fraught with political dangers. Also Read | Trump vows to keep Guantanamo Bay prison open Civilian courts could expose more torture and denial of fundamental rights that judges and jurors might sympathize with. Some in the Pentagon bureaucracy also want to keep Guantanamo open for future conflicts, too, Kadidal said. And lawyers for the detainees themselves possibly see that stalling the military tribunals and lodging appeals is preferable to reaching verdicts that could mean execution. "These guys could die natural deaths down there. They're in better conditions than what you would get in a federal terrorism facility," said Kadidal. "The status quo of no trial happening, and being at Gitmo, is in some ways preferable to what you might experience otherwise."

Will Biden close Guantanamo 'War on Terror' prison?

Nigeria's&nbsp;top-ranking&nbsp;army&nbsp;commander&nbsp;Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru and other officers were&nbsp;killed&nbsp;on Friday when their plane crashed in bad weather in the country's north, officials said.

Chief of&nbsp;Army&nbsp;Staff Attahiru was only appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari in January as part of a shakeup of the&nbsp;top&nbsp;military command to better fight surging violence and a more than decade-long jihadist insurgency.

Attahiru died as news also emerged that&nbsp;Nigeria's Boko Haram jihadist leader Abubakar Shekau had himself been seriously wounded or possibly&nbsp;killed&nbsp;after clashes with a rival Islamic State-allied faction.

President Buhari, a former general first elected in 2015, has been under increasing pressure from allies and critics alike over his government's handling of mounting security problems in Africa's most populous country.

In a statement, Buhari said the&nbsp;crash&nbsp;"was one mortal blow to our underbelly, at a time our armed forces are poised to end the security challenges facing the country".

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eleven-soldiers-killed-in-attack-in-nigeria-376443">Eleven soldiers killed in attack in Nigeria</a>

The&nbsp;army&nbsp;spokesman said on Twitter that ten other officers including the plane's crew also died in the&nbsp;crash&nbsp;in northern Kaduna state.

The incident occurred as the plane was landing at the Kaduna International Airport "due to inclement weather," the armed forces said in a statement.

Jihadist rivalries

Nigeria's military has been battling an Islamist insurgency in the northeast since 2009, a conflict that has&nbsp;killed&nbsp;more than 40,000 and displaced around two million more.

Attahiru had once been in charge of leading the frontline offensive against Boko Haram's&nbsp;commander&nbsp;Shekau in the northeast in 2017.

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Local intelligence sources said Shekau had been seriously wounded this week when IS-allied rival jihadists attacked his stronghold in the Sambisa forest in the northeastern state of Borno.

Sources said Shekau was wounded when he shot himself to try to evade capture after militants from the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) surrounded him following a series of battles between the rival groups.

Nigeria&nbsp;news outlets have been filled with unconfirmed reports about the death of the man who made international headlines in 2014 when his fighters kidnapped nearly 300 schoolgirls from the remote town of Chibok.

One intelligence source said on Friday Shekau had already died from his wounds in Nainawa village on Thursday, though that was not confirmed by authorities.

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"He was buried in the night in an unmarked grave to avoid exhumation by either the Nigerian military or rival jihadists," the local intelligence source said.

The Boko Haram leader has been reported&nbsp;killed&nbsp;several times since the conflict began, only to reappear later.

Nigeria's&nbsp;army&nbsp;has said it was still investigating the reports and neither ISWAP or Boko Haram have issued any statements about the Sambisa attack or Shekau's whereabouts.

But analysts said his loss would be a huge blow to his Boko Haram faction and potentially allow ISWAP to consolidate its territorial control in&nbsp;Nigeria's northeast.

ISWAP has emerged as the dominant force in&nbsp;Nigeria's conflict, showing a sustained ability to carry out complex attacks on the military and recently overrunning several&nbsp;army&nbsp;bases.

Nigeria's top-ranking army commander Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru and other officers were killed on Friday when their plane crashed in bad weather in the country's north, officials said.

Nigeria's top-ranking army commander Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru and other officers were killed on Friday when their plane crashed in bad weather in the country's north, officials said. Chief of Army Staff Attahiru was only appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari in January as part of a shakeup of the top military command to better fight surging violence and a more than decade-long jihadist insurgency. Attahiru died as news also emerged that Nigeria's Boko Haram jihadist leader Abubakar Shekau had himself been seriously wounded or possibly killed after clashes with a rival Islamic State-allied faction. President Buhari, a former general first elected in 2015, has been under increasing pressure from allies and critics alike over his government's handling of mounting security problems in Africa's most populous country. In a statement, Buhari said the crash "was one mortal blow to our underbelly, at a time our armed forces are poised to end the security challenges facing the country". Also Read | Eleven soldiers killed in attack in Nigeria The army spokesman said on Twitter that ten other officers including the plane's crew also died in the crash in northern Kaduna state. The incident occurred as the plane was landing at the Kaduna International Airport "due to inclement weather," the armed forces said in a statement. Jihadist rivalries Nigeria's military has been battling an Islamist insurgency in the northeast since 2009, a conflict that has killed more than 40,000 and displaced around two million more. Attahiru had once been in charge of leading the frontline offensive against Boko Haram's commander Shekau in the northeast in 2017. Also Read | Nigeria police arrest protesters at symbolic Lagos tollgate Local intelligence sources said Shekau had been seriously wounded this week when IS-allied rival jihadists attacked his stronghold in the Sambisa forest in the northeastern state of Borno. Sources said Shekau was wounded when he shot himself to try to evade capture after militants from the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) surrounded him following a series of battles between the rival groups. Nigeria news outlets have been filled with unconfirmed reports about the death of the man who made international headlines in 2014 when his fighters kidnapped nearly 300 schoolgirls from the remote town of Chibok. One intelligence source said on Friday Shekau had already died from his wounds in Nainawa village on Thursday, though that was not confirmed by authorities. Also Read | Nigeria faces China's ecological, financial drain "He was buried in the night in an unmarked grave to avoid exhumation by either the Nigerian military or rival jihadists," the local intelligence source said. The Boko Haram leader has been reported killed several times since the conflict began, only to reappear later. Nigeria's army has said it was still investigating the reports and neither ISWAP or Boko Haram have issued any statements about the Sambisa attack or Shekau's whereabouts. But analysts said his loss would be a huge blow to his Boko Haram faction and potentially allow ISWAP to consolidate its territorial control in Nigeria's northeast. ISWAP has emerged as the dominant force in Nigeria's conflict, showing a sustained ability to carry out complex attacks on the military and recently overrunning several army bases.

Nigeria's top army commander killed in air crash

Head of French armed forces on Saturday slammed a United Nations report into air strikes in Mali that killed 19 civilians. He said that the report was biased delegitimised the operations of the French-led Barkhane force there

"Very clearly this (report) comprises an attack on the French army, the Barkhane operation (and) on the legitimacy of our engagements," General Francois Lecointre told French daily Le Figaro in an interview published Saturday.

Lecointre said the UN report published in March into the January 3 air strike, which said French forces had killed 19 civilians during wedding party celebrations near the village of Bounti in central Mali, contained "errors" and "bias".

France's defence ministry, the French military and Mali's government have backed the army's account of an attack which they insist targeted jihadists in a planned and targeted operation against an "armed terrorist group", while denying there was a wedding.

Paris has criticised the UN report, with the defence ministry saying previously that it "contrasts unverifiable local testimonies and unsubstantiated hypotheses with a robust intelligence method used by the French armed forces".

Lecointre told Le Figaro he saw the UN criticism as a blow to the French-led mission to stabilise conflict-wracked Mali, where thousands of lives have been lost and hundreds and thousands displaced by jihadist violence since 2012.

"I think we shall in future be systematically confronted by this kind of attempt which seeks to hamper us, to discredit us, to delegitimise our action and set local people against our action," the general complained.

France, which has some 5,000 troops in the region under its Barkhane operation, which spans five countries in the Sahel -- Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger. The mission, headquartered in Chad, was launched after France intervened to fend off a jihadist advance in Mali in 2013.

Without such cooperation "this region will become a zone of chaos," the general warned.

With France the former colonial power in the region, Lecointre said there was "less risk" Paris would be open to any accusation of flexing neo-colonialist muscle if it received wider European support in its mission to stabilise the region.

"It is necessary to share the effort between (EU) member states to be stronger," he concluded, describing the European Union as "a global actor, as opposed to NATO, which is a military alliance".

Several other European countries -- Sweden, Italy, the Czech Republic and Estonia -- have special forces on the ground in the Sahel alongside France as part of Operation Takuba.

Lecointre predicted that European forces would still be present in the region in a decade's time, "probably more than they are today".&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Head of French armed forces on Saturday slammed a United Nations report into air strikes in Mali that killed 19 civilians. He said that the report was biased delegitimised the operations of the French-led Barkhane force there "Very clearly this (report) comprises an attack on the French army, the Barkhane operation (and) on the legitimacy of our engagements," General Francois Lecointre told French daily Le Figaro in an interview published Saturday.

Head of French armed forces on Saturday slammed a United Nations report into air strikes in Mali that killed 19 civilians. He said that the report was biased delegitimised the operations of the French-led Barkhane force there "Very clearly this (report) comprises an attack on the French army, the Barkhane operation (and) on the legitimacy of our engagements," General Francois Lecointre told French daily Le Figaro in an interview published Saturday. Lecointre said the UN report published in March into the January 3 air strike, which said French forces had killed 19 civilians during wedding party celebrations near the village of Bounti in central Mali, contained "errors" and "bias". France's defence ministry, the French military and Mali's government have backed the army's account of an attack which they insist targeted jihadists in a planned and targeted operation against an "armed terrorist group", while denying there was a wedding. Paris has criticised the UN report, with the defence ministry saying previously that it "contrasts unverifiable local testimonies and unsubstantiated hypotheses with a robust intelligence method used by the French armed forces". Lecointre told Le Figaro he saw the UN criticism as a blow to the French-led mission to stabilise conflict-wracked Mali, where thousands of lives have been lost and hundreds and thousands displaced by jihadist violence since 2012. "I think we shall in future be systematically confronted by this kind of attempt which seeks to hamper us, to discredit us, to delegitimise our action and set local people against our action," the general complained. France, which has some 5,000 troops in the region under its Barkhane operation, which spans five countries in the Sahel -- Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger. The mission, headquartered in Chad, was launched after France intervened to fend off a jihadist advance in Mali in 2013. Without such cooperation "this region will become a zone of chaos," the general warned. With France the former colonial power in the region, Lecointre said there was "less risk" Paris would be open to any accusation of flexing neo-colonialist muscle if it received wider European support in its mission to stabilise the region. "It is necessary to share the effort between (EU) member states to be stronger," he concluded, describing the European Union as "a global actor, as opposed to NATO, which is a military alliance". Several other European countries -- Sweden, Italy, the Czech Republic and Estonia -- have special forces on the ground in the Sahel alongside France as part of Operation Takuba. Lecointre predicted that European forces would still be present in the region in a decade's time, "probably more than they are today". (With inputs from agencies)

France army chief protests UN 'bias' in report over Mali strikes

Animal rights protesters on Saturday blockaded four British distribution centres for fast-food chain McDonald's, demanding they become fully plant-based by 2025.

The Animal Rebellion group said they intended to block the distribution sites in Hemel Hempstead, Basingstoke, Coventry and Greater Manchester -- all in England -- for at least 24 hours.

"We are in the middle of a climate and ecological emergency and we are still consuming huge quantities of meat on a scale that is just not sustainable for our planet," a protester in Coventry said in a video posted on Twitter.

McDonald's confirmed that its distribution centres were currently facing disruption.&nbsp;

"We are assessing the impact on deliveries to our restaurants and to menu items. We apologise to our customers for any disappointment caused," said a spokesperson.

Coventry police said they "recognise the right to a peaceful protest, however there are safety concerns as the sole entrance and exit point to the distribution site has been blocked and this is causing significant disruption to businesses, which we are taking seriously."

Animal rights protesters on Saturday blockaded four British distribution centres for fast-food chain McDonald's, demanding they become fully plant-based by 2025.

Animal rights protesters on Saturday blockaded four British distribution centres for fast-food chain McDonald's, demanding they become fully plant-based by 2025. The Animal Rebellion group said they intended to block the distribution sites in Hemel Hempstead, Basingstoke, Coventry and Greater Manchester -- all in England -- for at least 24 hours. "We are in the middle of a climate and ecological emergency and we are still consuming huge quantities of meat on a scale that is just not sustainable for our planet," a protester in Coventry said in a video posted on Twitter. McDonald's confirmed that its distribution centres were currently facing disruption. "We are assessing the impact on deliveries to our restaurants and to menu items. We apologise to our customers for any disappointment caused," said a spokesperson. Coventry police said they "recognise the right to a peaceful protest, however there are safety concerns as the sole entrance and exit point to the distribution site has been blocked and this is causing significant disruption to businesses, which we are taking seriously."

Animal rights group blocks UK McDonald's sites

It has been through a series of name changes and much scientific and political discussion, but the "EU digital Covid certificate" comes into use on July 1.

How will it use data on coronavirus vaccinations, tests and immunity to usher in a return to summer tourism and non-essential travel across the European Union?&nbsp;

What does the certificate record?

Often colloquially referred to during planning as a "vaccine passport", then as a green pass and now a certificate, the digital pass is designed to be recognised and readable by authorities across the European Union.

It will demonstrate whether a bearer has been vaccinated against <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a>, has been recently tested or has acquired immunity from previously contracting the disease and recovering. &nbsp;

Member states have not agreed to a common standard on when a PCR or lateral flow Covid test must have been performed to remain valid,&nbsp;the rule varies between 24 and 72 hours ahead of arrival.

To prove acquired immunity, a PCR test from the time of the infection can be produced, but the protection is only considered to last for 180 days, and member states may individually decide on a shorter period.&nbsp;

Antibody testing is not yet judged sufficiently reliable to demonstrate acquired immunity, but this will be reviewed within four months of the regulation going into effect.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/want-to-party-you-might-need-a-vaccine-passport-383688">Want to party? You might need a ‘vaccine passport.’</a>

Which vaccines are accepted?

EU members will be asked to allow entry to travellers who have received the required doses of one of the four vaccines that have been approved by the European Medicines Agency: Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson &amp; Johnson. &nbsp;

Member states can also choose, but are not required, to approve entry for those who received jabs from a vaccine approved in some member states, such as Russia's Sputnik V, which is used by EU member Hungary.

They can also choose to recognise other vaccines approved by the World Health Organization, such as China's Sinopharm.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coming-soon-the-vaccine-passport-362262">Coming soon: The ‘Vaccine Passport’</a>

What does it look like?

If asked to produce a certificate, a traveller can present authorities with a QR code, on the screen of a smartphone or tablet, for example, or printed on paper.

The design contains a unique digital signature which connects a reader to the traveller's Covid data. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Member states will decide individually whether these data are connected to their own national track-and-trace programme, or whether to maintain a separate app.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-you-need-a-vaccine-passport-in-california-378867">Will you need a vaccine passport in California?</a>

What about privacy?

The text adopted by the EU member states provides that the certificate only contain the data "strictly necessary" to oversee safe travel and that the app respect Europe's GDPR personal data protection laws.

The data are not transmitted between countries, only the key that allows the certificate's authenticity needs to be transferred. Data are not retained by the countries of arrival or transit once verified. &nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-set-to-let-vaccinated-us-tourists-visit-this-summer-380444">EU set to let vaccinated US tourists visit this summer</a>

Can we escape quarantine?

In principle, travellers with a Covid certificate will no longer have to remain in quarantine once they arrive in another EU member state, but exceptions are possible.

If the epidemic situation in the country or region of departure worsens rapidly or if a dangerous or untested new variant of the virus emerges, measures can be applied. &nbsp;

If a member state wishes to impose such emergency controls, they must inform their partners 48 hours in advance and travellers can consult the "Re-open EU" website to track rule changes. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-set-to-let-vaccinated-us-tourists-visit-this-summer-380444">EU set to let vaccinated US tourists visit this summer</a>

Is it useful for more than travel?

The EU law concerns European free-movement rules, but individual member states can decide whether they want to use the certificate to control access to other events, such as concerts and festivals, under the terms of national laws.

What about kids?

Vaccination will not be rolled out for children and adolescents in most EU members in time for summer holiday travel, and they may have to undergo testing prior to travelling even if their parents have the certificate.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/what-is-a-vaccine-passport-all-you-need-to-know-369934/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Which countries are involved?

The certificate system will apply to the 27 member states of the European Union plus their neighbours Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein.

So far, successful tests of the EU data portal have been carried out in 18 of these countries.

The EU legislation governing the certificate comes into force on July 1 and initially lasts for 12 months.&nbsp;

But there will be a six-week transition period for countries that are not yet ready to implement the certificate under the EU model. During this period other EU members should accept their national vaccine records if they include the same data.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-launches-digital-certificate-precursor-to-virus-passport-369104">China launches digital certificate, precursor to 'virus passport'</a>

What about the world beyond?

Several EU member states are keen to start receiving visitors from countries like Britain, Switzerland and the United States that are outside the scope of the EU certificate.

Talks are underway with the World Health Organization and air transport associations on how to make systems of certification mutually recognised and interoperable. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

It has been through a series of name changes and much scientific and political discussion, but the "EU digital Covid certificate" comes into use on July 1. How will it use data on coronavirus vaccinations, tests and immunity to usher in a return to summer tourism and non-essential travel across the European Union?

It has been through a series of name changes and much scientific and political discussion, but the "EU digital Covid certificate" comes into use on July 1. How will it use data on coronavirus vaccinations, tests and immunity to usher in a return to summer tourism and non-essential travel across the European Union? What does the certificate record? Often colloquially referred to during planning as a "vaccine passport", then as a green pass and now a certificate, the digital pass is designed to be recognised and readable by authorities across the European Union. It will demonstrate whether a bearer has been vaccinated against COVID-19, has been recently tested or has acquired immunity from previously contracting the disease and recovering. Member states have not agreed to a common standard on when a PCR or lateral flow Covid test must have been performed to remain valid, the rule varies between 24 and 72 hours ahead of arrival. To prove acquired immunity, a PCR test from the time of the infection can be produced, but the protection is only considered to last for 180 days, and member states may individually decide on a shorter period. Antibody testing is not yet judged sufficiently reliable to demonstrate acquired immunity, but this will be reviewed within four months of the regulation going into effect. Also Read | Want to party? You might need a ‘vaccine passport.’ Which vaccines are accepted? EU members will be asked to allow entry to travellers who have received the required doses of one of the four vaccines that have been approved by the European Medicines Agency: Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson. Member states can also choose, but are not required, to approve entry for those who received jabs from a vaccine approved in some member states, such as Russia's Sputnik V, which is used by EU member Hungary. They can also choose to recognise other vaccines approved by the World Health Organization, such as China's Sinopharm. Also Read | Coming soon: The ‘Vaccine Passport’ What does it look like? If asked to produce a certificate, a traveller can present authorities with a QR code, on the screen of a smartphone or tablet, for example, or printed on paper. The design contains a unique digital signature which connects a reader to the traveller's Covid data. Member states will decide individually whether these data are connected to their own national track-and-trace programme, or whether to maintain a separate app. Also Read | Will you need a vaccine passport in California? What about privacy? The text adopted by the EU member states provides that the certificate only contain the data "strictly necessary" to oversee safe travel and that the app respect Europe's GDPR personal data protection laws. The data are not transmitted between countries, only the key that allows the certificate's authenticity needs to be transferred. Data are not retained by the countries of arrival or transit once verified. Also Read | EU set to let vaccinated US tourists visit this summer Can we escape quarantine? In principle, travellers with a Covid certificate will no longer have to remain in quarantine once they arrive in another EU member state, but exceptions are possible. If the epidemic situation in the country or region of departure worsens rapidly or if a dangerous or untested new variant of the virus emerges, measures can be applied. If a member state wishes to impose such emergency controls, they must inform their partners 48 hours in advance and travellers can consult the "Re-open EU" website to track rule changes. Also Read | EU set to let vaccinated US tourists visit this summer Is it useful for more than travel? The EU law concerns European free-movement rules, but individual member states can decide whether they want to use the certificate to control access to other events, such as concerts and festivals, under the terms of national laws. What about kids? Vaccination will not be rolled out for children and adolescents in most EU members in time for summer holiday travel, and they may have to undergo testing prior to travelling even if their parents have the certificate. Which countries are involved? The certificate system will apply to the 27 member states of the European Union plus their neighbours Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein. So far, successful tests of the EU data portal have been carried out in 18 of these countries. The EU legislation governing the certificate comes into force on July 1 and initially lasts for 12 months. But there will be a six-week transition period for countries that are not yet ready to implement the certificate under the EU model. During this period other EU members should accept their national vaccine records if they include the same data. Also Read | China launches digital certificate, precursor to 'virus passport' What about the world beyond? Several EU member states are keen to start receiving visitors from countries like Britain, Switzerland and the United States that are outside the scope of the EU certificate. Talks are underway with the World Health Organization and air transport associations on how to make systems of certification mutually recognised and interoperable.

Vaccine Passport: The European Covid certificate, a user's guide

Dutch police on Saturday ruled out terrorism angle in the spate of stabbing they were investigating. The stabbings caused one death and four injuries. A 29-year-old man was arrested in Amsterdam after the stabbing attack that took place late on Friday. The attack took place in the capital's museum quarter. There are many restaurants and bars in this area.

"The police is conducting an extensive investigation into the various incidents and the circumstances," Amsterdam police said in a statement.

"The investigation team led by the Public Prosecution Service is keeping all options open, but at the moment has no direct indications that there is a terrorist motive."

The Netherlands' terror threat level remained unchanged, as per broadcaster RTL Nieuws.

Police said they were initially called to a report of one stabbing, but "on the spot it became clear that four other stabbing incidents had taken place in the immediate vicinity, a total of five victims."

"One of the victims died on the spot, the four other victims were taken to hospital," police said.

Emergency services rushed to the scene and two medical helicopters landed in a park next to the famed Van Gogh museum and Rijksmuseum.

At the time of the stabbings, the restaurants in the area were closed due to coronavirus restrictions.

The Netherlands has suffered a number of terror attacks in past years including the stabbing of two US tourists at Amsterdam railway station in 2018 by an Afghan man who was later jailed.

But there has also been a recent rash of crime in the capital, including an armed robbery on a cash van in Amsterdam earlier this week in which a suspect was killed after a high-speed chase with police.

(With inputs from agencies)

Dutch police on Saturday ruled out terrorism angle in the spate of stabbing they were investigating. The stabbings caused one death and four injuries. A 29-year-old man was arrested in Amsterdam after the stabbing attack that took place late on Friday.

Dutch police on Saturday ruled out terrorism angle in the spate of stabbing they were investigating. The stabbings caused one death and four injuries. A 29-year-old man was arrested in Amsterdam after the stabbing attack that took place late on Friday. The attack took place in the capital's museum quarter. There are many restaurants and bars in this area. "The police is conducting an extensive investigation into the various incidents and the circumstances," Amsterdam police said in a statement. "The investigation team led by the Public Prosecution Service is keeping all options open, but at the moment has no direct indications that there is a terrorist motive." The Netherlands' terror threat level remained unchanged, as per broadcaster RTL Nieuws. Police said they were initially called to a report of one stabbing, but "on the spot it became clear that four other stabbing incidents had taken place in the immediate vicinity, a total of five victims." "One of the victims died on the spot, the four other victims were taken to hospital," police said. Emergency services rushed to the scene and two medical helicopters landed in a park next to the famed Van Gogh museum and Rijksmuseum. At the time of the stabbings, the restaurants in the area were closed due to coronavirus restrictions. The Netherlands has suffered a number of terror attacks in past years including the stabbing of two US tourists at Amsterdam railway station in 2018 by an Afghan man who was later jailed. But there has also been a recent rash of crime in the capital, including an armed robbery on a cash van in Amsterdam earlier this week in which a suspect was killed after a high-speed chase with police. (With inputs from agencies)

Amsterdam stabbings: No terror link seen, say police

United Nations envoy for Libya, Jan Kubis on Friday told Security Council that progress on issues such as the withdrawal of foreign mercenaries and reopening the road connecting the country's east with its west had "stalled". Kubis was speaking to the Council via video. He warned that the delays could undermine a ceasefire agreement between the country's warring sides.&nbsp;

"Progress on key issues such as the reopening of the coastal road between Sirte and Misrata and the start of the withdrawal of foreign mercenaries, fighters and foreign forces has stalled," he said.

"Further delays in reopening the road work against efforts to build trust between the two sides and could undermine efforts to advance the implementation of the ceasefire agreement, to advance the political transition," he said.

US ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield also criticized the lack of political progress.&nbsp;

"It's time for the Libyan leadership to clarify the constitutional basis for the election (planned for December 24), pass the required legislation and ensure elections are not delayed," she said, calling for progress before July 1.

Kubis also said the continued presence of foreign fighters and armed groups "is a significant threat not just to Libya security, but to the region as a whole."

He said it was "critical" to ensure "an orderly departure" and disarm them.&nbsp;

Thomas-Greenfield agreed, saying that "external actors involved in the conflict must cease their military interference and begin to withdraw from Libya immediately."

"There is no room for interpretation here. All means all," she continued.&nbsp;

According to the UN, more than 20,000 foreign mercenaries and military personnel are still in Libya. They include Turkish, Russian, Sudanese and Chadian mercenaries.

Unlike the Russian mercenaries who supported the authorities in the east of the country, Turkey says its troops sent to Tripoli were sent under a bilateral agreement with the government, implying that they are not affected by a request for foreign troops to leave.&nbsp;

The fear that armed groups will leave Libya to deploy in the region was again raised by several Security Council members, who recalled the recent destabilization in Chad that led to the death of its president Idriss Deby.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

United Nations envoy for Libya, Jan Kubis on Friday told Security Council that progress on issues such as the withdrawal of foreign mercenaries and reopening the road connecting the country's east with its west had "stalled".

United Nations envoy for Libya, Jan Kubis on Friday told Security Council that progress on issues such as the withdrawal of foreign mercenaries and reopening the road connecting the country's east with its west had "stalled". Kubis was speaking to the Council via video. He warned that the delays could undermine a ceasefire agreement between the country's warring sides. "Progress on key issues such as the reopening of the coastal road between Sirte and Misrata and the start of the withdrawal of foreign mercenaries, fighters and foreign forces has stalled," he said. "Further delays in reopening the road work against efforts to build trust between the two sides and could undermine efforts to advance the implementation of the ceasefire agreement, to advance the political transition," he said. US ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield also criticized the lack of political progress. "It's time for the Libyan leadership to clarify the constitutional basis for the election (planned for December 24), pass the required legislation and ensure elections are not delayed," she said, calling for progress before July 1. Kubis also said the continued presence of foreign fighters and armed groups "is a significant threat not just to Libya security, but to the region as a whole." He said it was "critical" to ensure "an orderly departure" and disarm them. Thomas-Greenfield agreed, saying that "external actors involved in the conflict must cease their military interference and begin to withdraw from Libya immediately." "There is no room for interpretation here. All means all," she continued. According to the UN, more than 20,000 foreign mercenaries and military personnel are still in Libya. They include Turkish, Russian, Sudanese and Chadian mercenaries. Unlike the Russian mercenaries who supported the authorities in the east of the country, Turkey says its troops sent to Tripoli were sent under a bilateral agreement with the government, implying that they are not affected by a request for foreign troops to leave. The fear that armed groups will leave Libya to deploy in the region was again raised by several Security Council members, who recalled the recent destabilization in Chad that led to the death of its president Idriss Deby. (With inputs from agencies)

Progress in Libya 'stalled', says UN

Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Mexico President ruled out asking country's central bank chief to serve for another term. The president said that he would replace him with an economist with "a social dimension."

Alejandro Diaz de Leon's stint at the helm of the Bank of Mexico is due to finish at the end of this year.

His replacement "is going to be an economist with a social dimension, very in favor of the moral economy," said Lopez Obrador, a left-wing populist who often rails against neoliberalism.

Obrador has already appointed two of the five members of the central bank's governing board -- former banking executive Jonathan Heath and academic Gerardo Esquivel, who was part of his election campaign team.

Diaz de Leon, who has a master's degree from the Yale School of Management, took the reins of the central bank in December 2017, tasked with taming inflation.

He has overseen a series of interest rate cuts since the start of the coronavirus pandemic last year in an attempt to steer Latin America's second-largest economy out of a major slump.

(With inputs from agencies)

Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Mexico President ruled out asking country's central bank chief to serve for another term. The president said that he would replace him with an economist with "a social dimension.

Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Mexico President ruled out asking country's central bank chief to serve for another term. The president said that he would replace him with an economist with "a social dimension." Alejandro Diaz de Leon's stint at the helm of the Bank of Mexico is due to finish at the end of this year. His replacement "is going to be an economist with a social dimension, very in favor of the moral economy," said Lopez Obrador, a left-wing populist who often rails against neoliberalism. Obrador has already appointed two of the five members of the central bank's governing board -- former banking executive Jonathan Heath and academic Gerardo Esquivel, who was part of his election campaign team. Diaz de Leon, who has a master's degree from the Yale School of Management, took the reins of the central bank in December 2017, tasked with taming inflation. He has overseen a series of interest rate cuts since the start of the coronavirus pandemic last year in an attempt to steer Latin America's second-largest economy out of a major slump. (With inputs from agencies)

No new term for central bank chief, says Mexico president

Underdogs sometimes beat overwhelming odds to challenge the bigger power. For them, spirit matters more than strength. A similar scene is unfolding in Indo-Pacific.

Indo-Pacific is home to dozens of small islands. They don't have standing armies or state-of-the-art weapons. But what they lack in strength, they make up for in spirit.

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One such island is Samoa. The 2,800 sq km island is home to 200,000 people. It's a small self-sufficient country. But its location has attracted big powers including China. It wants to convert these islands into its outposts.

Step one in this direction was chequebook diplomacy.

China is Samoa's single largest creditor. It accounts for 40 per cent of their debt. That's 160 million dollars.

Step two, was building strategic assets.

For this, China courted Samoa's long-serving Prime Minister Tuilaepa Malielegaoi. This is a man who once said that Pacific countries only had themselves to blame for China's debt traps. So he was more than happy to welcome the Chinese.

Under his leadership, Beijing bagged a 100 million dollar port project in Samoa. China was all set to conduct a feasibility study for the port.

But that's when the pandemic struck. So China had to wait for the borders to reopen.

Karma or coincidence, but China's own Wuhan virus tripped them up in Samoa. The port project was never popular to begin with. And with Samoa's economy taking a beating last year, public opinion shifted.

This shift was clearly seen in the parliamentary elections in April. The pro-China prime minister was ousted. He has been replaced by opposition leader Fiame Naomi Mata'afa. She is expected to take charge on Friday.&nbsp;

Samoa's new leader is a fighter. She is the first woman to hold the office. She comes from Samoan political royalty. Her father was the country's first prime minister. And she will need all this pedigree for the path she is on.

Because Fiame Mataafa has decided to take on the Chinese. She has promised to cancel the new port project.

"Samoa is a small country. Our seaports and our airports cater for our needs. It's very difficult to imagine that we would need the scale that's being proposed under this particular project when there are more pressing projects that the government needs to give priority to," she said in a recent interview.

Samoa's new prime minister has seen through China's designs.

Beijing is an expert at convincing countries to build things they don't actually need. Sea ports, air ports, roads, trading terminals.

Most of these are just debt instruments. Once the payments are due China will swoop in to take ownership. To avoid this, Samoa is looking to diversify its relationship. The new prime minister is promising to build better relations with the United States to counterbalance China.

Samoa is not alone in standing up to Beijing. Last month, it was Palau, another tiny Pacific island. Their president says he doesn't even answer phone calls from Beijing.

More countries need to take this stand. But they are scared of a reprisal from China. This is where the democratic alliance comes in.

Pacific islands drifted closer to China because they had no option. To counter this influence, the likes of US, India and Australia must do what China is doing but without the debt trap.

The underdogs are willing to fight. All they need is some good crowd support.

Underdogs sometimes beat overwhelming odds to challenge the bigger power. For them, spirit matters more than strength. A similar scene is unfolding in Indo-Pacific.

Underdogs sometimes beat overwhelming odds to challenge the bigger power. For them, spirit matters more than strength. A similar scene is unfolding in Indo-Pacific. Indo-Pacific is home to dozens of small islands. They don't have standing armies or state-of-the-art weapons. But what they lack in strength, they make up for in spirit. × One such island is Samoa. The 2,800 sq km island is home to 200,000 people. It's a small self-sufficient country. But its location has attracted big powers including China. It wants to convert these islands into its outposts. Step one in this direction was chequebook diplomacy. China is Samoa's single largest creditor. It accounts for 40 per cent of their debt. That's 160 million dollars. Step two, was building strategic assets. For this, China courted Samoa's long-serving Prime Minister Tuilaepa Malielegaoi. This is a man who once said that Pacific countries only had themselves to blame for China's debt traps. So he was more than happy to welcome the Chinese. Under his leadership, Beijing bagged a 100 million dollar port project in Samoa. China was all set to conduct a feasibility study for the port. But that's when the pandemic struck. So China had to wait for the borders to reopen. Karma or coincidence, but China's own Wuhan virus tripped them up in Samoa. The port project was never popular to begin with. And with Samoa's economy taking a beating last year, public opinion shifted. This shift was clearly seen in the parliamentary elections in April. The pro-China prime minister was ousted. He has been replaced by opposition leader Fiame Naomi Mata'afa. She is expected to take charge on Friday. Samoa's new leader is a fighter. She is the first woman to hold the office. She comes from Samoan political royalty. Her father was the country's first prime minister. And she will need all this pedigree for the path she is on. Because Fiame Mataafa has decided to take on the Chinese. She has promised to cancel the new port project. "Samoa is a small country. Our seaports and our airports cater for our needs. It's very difficult to imagine that we would need the scale that's being proposed under this particular project when there are more pressing projects that the government needs to give priority to," she said in a recent interview. Samoa's new prime minister has seen through China's designs. Beijing is an expert at convincing countries to build things they don't actually need. Sea ports, air ports, roads, trading terminals. Most of these are just debt instruments. Once the payments are due China will swoop in to take ownership. To avoid this, Samoa is looking to diversify its relationship. The new prime minister is promising to build better relations with the United States to counterbalance China. Samoa is not alone in standing up to Beijing. Last month, it was Palau, another tiny Pacific island. Their president says he doesn't even answer phone calls from Beijing. More countries need to take this stand. But they are scared of a reprisal from China. This is where the democratic alliance comes in. Pacific islands drifted closer to China because they had no option. To counter this influence, the likes of US, India and Australia must do what China is doing but without the debt trap. The underdogs are willing to fight. All they need is some good crowd support.

How tiny Pacific nations are standing up to China

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Zee News Rajasthan

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Manas Joshi

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