The European Union on Sunday (Indian time) urged Turkey to reverse its decision to withdraw from Istanbul Convention on women's rights. The treaty has been designed to prevent violence against women.

"Now is the time to show leadership and enhance global efforts to fight violence against women and girls, not to retreat. This is why we cannot but regret deeply and express incomprehension towards the decision of the Turkish government to withdraw from this convention that even bears the name of Istanbul. This decision risks compromising the protection and fundamental rights of women and girls in Turkey," said Josep Borrell, EU's foreign policy chief in a statement.

"The Istanbul Convention is the first international legally binding instrument to combat violence against women and domestic violence. It aims at ensuring essential legal protection to women and girls across the world. This is today more important than ever, as violence against women and girls has increased to new levels worldwide as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and of the many conflicts, where women are primary victims. We, therefore, cannot but urge Turkey to reverse its decision," he said further

Borrell said that Turkey's decision sent a dangerous message across the world. The Istanbul Convention is EU-backed human rights accord. Turkey was the first country to ratify the convention. It was adopted in Istanbul in 2011.&nbsp;

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government declared Turkey's exit from the accord on March 20.

The European Union on Sunday (Indian time) urged Turkey to reverse its decision to withdraw from Istanbul Convention on women's rights. The treaty has been designed to prevent violence against women.

The European Union on Sunday (Indian time) urged Turkey to reverse its decision to withdraw from Istanbul Convention on women's rights. The treaty has been designed to prevent violence against women. "Now is the time to show leadership and enhance global efforts to fight violence against women and girls, not to retreat. This is why we cannot but regret deeply and express incomprehension towards the decision of the Turkish government to withdraw from this convention that even bears the name of Istanbul. This decision risks compromising the protection and fundamental rights of women and girls in Turkey," said Josep Borrell, EU's foreign policy chief in a statement. "The Istanbul Convention is the first international legally binding instrument to combat violence against women and domestic violence. It aims at ensuring essential legal protection to women and girls across the world. This is today more important than ever, as violence against women and girls has increased to new levels worldwide as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and of the many conflicts, where women are primary victims. We, therefore, cannot but urge Turkey to reverse its decision," he said further Borrell said that Turkey's decision sent a dangerous message across the world. The Istanbul Convention is EU-backed human rights accord. Turkey was the first country to ratify the convention. It was adopted in Istanbul in 2011. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government declared Turkey's exit from the accord on March 20.

EU asks Turkey to rethink exit from women's rights treaty

Foreign ministers of the European Union on Monday approved sanctions over abuses in China, Myanmar and Russia. The EU is expanding measures targetting global human rights breaches. The European Union is set to place four Chinese officials and one state-run entity on a blacklist. This is being done over Beijing's crackdown on Uighur Muslims.

The highly symbolic move -- reported by EU diplomats and expected to be formally unveiled in the EU's official journal later Monday -- is the first time Brussels has hit Beijing over human rights abuses since it imposed an arms embargo in 1989 after Tiananmen Square

"This is a very important step which shows how committed we are," Slovak Foreign Minister Ivan Korcok said.

China's foreign ministry has warned that Beijing will "react with a firm hand" against any punishment over its actions in the western Xinjiang region.&nbsp;

The measures are part of a package of human rights sanctions targeting a dozen people that also includes individuals in Russia, North Korea, Eritrea, South Sudan and Libya, diplomats said.

The mechanism -- designed to make it easier for the bloc to target rights abusers -- was launched this month with sanctions on four Russian officials over the jailing of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

Fresh sanctions on Russia will target individuals behind abuses in Chechnya. The region is ruled with an iron-fist by Kremlin loyalist Ramzan Kadyrov.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1, triggering a mass uprising that security forces have sought to crush with a campaign of violence and fear.&nbsp;

Diplomats have said businesses tied to the military will likely be placed under sanctions in the coming weeks.

(With AFP inputs)

Foreign ministers of the European Union on Monday approved sanctions over abuses in China, Myanmar and Russia. The EU is expanding measures targetting global human rights breaches.

Foreign ministers of the European Union on Monday approved sanctions over abuses in China, Myanmar and Russia. The EU is expanding measures targetting global human rights breaches. The European Union is set to place four Chinese officials and one state-run entity on a blacklist. This is being done over Beijing's crackdown on Uighur Muslims. The highly symbolic move -- reported by EU diplomats and expected to be formally unveiled in the EU's official journal later Monday -- is the first time Brussels has hit Beijing over human rights abuses since it imposed an arms embargo in 1989 after Tiananmen Square "This is a very important step which shows how committed we are," Slovak Foreign Minister Ivan Korcok said. China's foreign ministry has warned that Beijing will "react with a firm hand" against any punishment over its actions in the western Xinjiang region. The measures are part of a package of human rights sanctions targeting a dozen people that also includes individuals in Russia, North Korea, Eritrea, South Sudan and Libya, diplomats said. The mechanism -- designed to make it easier for the bloc to target rights abusers -- was launched this month with sanctions on four Russian officials over the jailing of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. Fresh sanctions on Russia will target individuals behind abuses in Chechnya. The region is ruled with an iron-fist by Kremlin loyalist Ramzan Kadyrov. Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1, triggering a mass uprising that security forces have sought to crush with a campaign of violence and fear. Diplomats have said businesses tied to the military will likely be placed under sanctions in the coming weeks. (With AFP inputs)

EU approves sanctions on China, Myanmar over rights abuses

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin&nbsp;paid a&nbsp;surprise&nbsp;visit to Afghanistan on Sunday . His visit has come just weeks before the May 1 deadline for US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan. Austin met Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani.

Afghanistan's presidential palace said on Sunday Austin and Ghani discussed the peace process and concerns over rising violence.

Austin's Afghanistan visit has come on the heels of him being in India. While in India, Austin met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Austin on Saturday called India "a great partner".&nbsp;

US is currently making efforts to negotiate a peace deal in Afghanistan where Taliban has emerged as one of&nbsp;power players. There are talks of power-sharing with the Taliban. India has been involved in reconstruction of Afghanistan as well. All these factors impart importance to Lloyd Austin's Afghanistan visit. This is Austin's first Kabul visit as Secretary of Defense.

US is contemplating complete withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan but that is dependent on peace prevailing in the country. Although Taliban has made appropriate noises about being committed to peace, the violence in Afghanistan has surged in past few months.

On this background, all eyes are on Austin to see what announcement he makes.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/afghanistan-indo-pacific-discussed-during-jaishankar-austin-meet-371956">Afghanistan, Indo-Pacific discussed during Jaishankar-Austin meet&nbsp;</a>

US President Joe Biden said last week that the May 1 deadline, set by his predecessor Donald Trump would be "tough" to meet.

The Afghan government is also keen to keep US forces in the country for as long as possible for the vital air cover they provide.

Under the deal thrashed out between the Taliban and Washington, the insurgents pledged also to engage in peace talks with Afghan government negotiators, but they have made almost no progress and fighting has only worsened -- particularly in rural areas.

In Afghan cities there have been attacks on politicians, civil servants, academics, rights activists and journalists.

(With AFP inputs)

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin paid a surprise visit to Afghanistan on Sunday . His visit has come just weeks before the May 1 deadline for US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin paid a surprise visit to Afghanistan on Sunday . His visit has come just weeks before the May 1 deadline for US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan. Austin met Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani. Afghanistan's presidential palace said on Sunday Austin and Ghani discussed the peace process and concerns over rising violence. Austin's Afghanistan visit has come on the heels of him being in India. While in India, Austin met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Austin on Saturday called India "a great partner". US is currently making efforts to negotiate a peace deal in Afghanistan where Taliban has emerged as one of power players. There are talks of power-sharing with the Taliban. India has been involved in reconstruction of Afghanistan as well. All these factors impart importance to Lloyd Austin's Afghanistan visit. This is Austin's first Kabul visit as Secretary of Defense. US is contemplating complete withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan but that is dependent on peace prevailing in the country. Although Taliban has made appropriate noises about being committed to peace, the violence in Afghanistan has surged in past few months. On this background, all eyes are on Austin to see what announcement he makes. Also Read | Afghanistan, Indo-Pacific discussed during Jaishankar-Austin meet US President Joe Biden said last week that the May 1 deadline, set by his predecessor Donald Trump would be "tough" to meet. The Afghan government is also keen to keep US forces in the country for as long as possible for the vital air cover they provide. Under the deal thrashed out between the Taliban and Washington, the insurgents pledged also to engage in peace talks with Afghan government negotiators, but they have made almost no progress and fighting has only worsened -- particularly in rural areas. In Afghan cities there have been attacks on politicians, civil servants, academics, rights activists and journalists. (With AFP inputs)

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin pays surprise visit to Afghanistan, meets President Ashraf Ghani

Former US President Donald Trump is planning to launch his own social media platform, his senior advisor told Fox News on Sunday. Trump has been banned from Twitter, Facebook and other social media sites after January 6 attack on Capitol Hill

Jason Miller, a spokesman for Trump's 2020 campaign, told the network that Trump would re-enter the social media space with a new platform of his own that would "completely redefine the game."

Twitter last week said it would seek public input on when and how it should ban world leaders, saying it was reviewing policy and considering whether the leaders should be held to the same rules as other users.

Twitter, Facebook and others have been under scrutiny for the way they handle accounts of politicians and government officials after their ban of Trump for inciting violence.

Facebook, which indefinitely suspended Trump in January, has asked its independent oversight board to decide whether the ban should stand.

Former US President Donald Trump is planning to launch his own social media platform, his senior advisor told Fox News on Sunday. Trump has been banned from Twitter, Facebook and other social media sites after January 6 attack on Capitol Hill Jason Miller, a spokesman for Trump's 2020 campaign, told the network that Trump would re-enter the social media space with a new platform of his own that would "completely redefine the game.

Former US President Donald Trump is planning to launch his own social media platform, his senior advisor told Fox News on Sunday. Trump has been banned from Twitter, Facebook and other social media sites after January 6 attack on Capitol Hill Jason Miller, a spokesman for Trump's 2020 campaign, told the network that Trump would re-enter the social media space with a new platform of his own that would "completely redefine the game." Twitter last week said it would seek public input on when and how it should ban world leaders, saying it was reviewing policy and considering whether the leaders should be held to the same rules as other users. Twitter, Facebook and others have been under scrutiny for the way they handle accounts of politicians and government officials after their ban of Trump for inciting violence. Facebook, which indefinitely suspended Trump in January, has asked its independent oversight board to decide whether the ban should stand.

Trump planning to return to social media with own platform, says his advisor

Syrian regime's artillery fire hit hospital killing six civilians including a child. The attack in northwestern town of Atareb took place despite Russian-Turkish ceasefire since March 2020 supposed to protect the wider jihadist-held stronghold.

The attack "hit the courtyard and main entrance of the hospital inside a cave," killing six civilians including a child and a hospital employee, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Eleven others were wounded, including healthcare staff

Also on Sunday, artillery fire killed two civilians in the regime-held city of Aleppo, outside the rebel bastion, state news agency SANA said.

Atareb falls in Idlib province which is the last major rebel bastion. The region is home to 2.9 million people. As per United Nations, two-thirds of this population has been displaced due to the war.

The region on the border with Turkey is controlled by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which is led by members of Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate, but several rebel groups are also present.

The ceasefire brokered by rebel backer Turkey and regime ally Russia last March stemmed a months-long regime military offensive on the bastion that killed hundreds of civilians and displaced more than a million people.

It has since largely held despite repeated violations including Russian airstrikes on the region, according to the Observatory.

(With AFP inputs)

Syrian regime's artillery fire hit hospital killing six civilians including a child. The attack in northwestern town of Atareb took place despite Russian-Turkish ceasefire since March 2020 supposed to protect the wider jihadist-held stronghold.

Syrian regime's artillery fire hit hospital killing six civilians including a child. The attack in northwestern town of Atareb took place despite Russian-Turkish ceasefire since March 2020 supposed to protect the wider jihadist-held stronghold. The attack "hit the courtyard and main entrance of the hospital inside a cave," killing six civilians including a child and a hospital employee, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Eleven others were wounded, including healthcare staff Also on Sunday, artillery fire killed two civilians in the regime-held city of Aleppo, outside the rebel bastion, state news agency SANA said. Atareb falls in Idlib province which is the last major rebel bastion. The region is home to 2.9 million people. As per United Nations, two-thirds of this population has been displaced due to the war. The region on the border with Turkey is controlled by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which is led by members of Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate, but several rebel groups are also present. The ceasefire brokered by rebel backer Turkey and regime ally Russia last March stemmed a months-long regime military offensive on the bastion that killed hundreds of civilians and displaced more than a million people. It has since largely held despite repeated violations including Russian airstrikes on the region, according to the Observatory. (With AFP inputs)

Syrian regime's shelling puts hospital out of service

Sending alarms bells ringing, Maharashtra`s Covid-19 cases jumped to a new high of over 30,000 on Sunday, with deaths also shooting up in the "second wave" that has gripped the state, while Mumbai recorded 3,000 plus fresh infections, health officials said.

The state saw 30,535 new infections, up from Saturday`s 27,126, and 99 deaths, taking up the state tally to 24,79,682 and toll to 53,399, respectively - both highest in the country.

For the first time, Mumbai figures have shot up over 3,000 to 3,779, and this is attributed to the rapid antigen tests being conducted at malls and public places to trace infectees as the city reels under the surge.

The state`s recovery rate came down from 89.97 per cent to 89.32 per cent, while the death rate stood at 2.15 percent, as compared to 2.18 per cent a day earlier, while the number of active cases jumped up sharply from 191,006 to 210,120.

The number of people sent to home isolation shot up to 969,867 while those shunted to institutional quarantine increased to 9,601 on Sunday.

Pune saw the maximum fatalities, 25, while there were 17 deaths in Nagpur, 11 in Jalgaon, 10 in Mumbai, seven in Akola, four in Thane, three each in Nashik, Nandurbar, and Aurangabad, two each in Raigad, Satara, Ratnagiri, Beed, Nanded, Wardha, and Chandrapur, and one each in Sangli and Latur.

The developments came two days after Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray warned that "lockdown is an option in future" before the government, and solicited peoples` voluntary cooperation as the new cases surpassed all previous records.

Sending alarms bells ringing, Maharashtra`s Covid-19 cases jumped to a new high of over 30,000 on Sunday, with deaths also shooting up in the "second wave" that has gripped the state, while Mumbai recorded 3,000 plus fresh infections, health officials said.

Sending alarms bells ringing, Maharashtra`s Covid-19 cases jumped to a new high of over 30,000 on Sunday, with deaths also shooting up in the "second wave" that has gripped the state, while Mumbai recorded 3,000 plus fresh infections, health officials said. The state saw 30,535 new infections, up from Saturday`s 27,126, and 99 deaths, taking up the state tally to 24,79,682 and toll to 53,399, respectively - both highest in the country. For the first time, Mumbai figures have shot up over 3,000 to 3,779, and this is attributed to the rapid antigen tests being conducted at malls and public places to trace infectees as the city reels under the surge. The state`s recovery rate came down from 89.97 per cent to 89.32 per cent, while the death rate stood at 2.15 percent, as compared to 2.18 per cent a day earlier, while the number of active cases jumped up sharply from 191,006 to 210,120. The number of people sent to home isolation shot up to 969,867 while those shunted to institutional quarantine increased to 9,601 on Sunday. Pune saw the maximum fatalities, 25, while there were 17 deaths in Nagpur, 11 in Jalgaon, 10 in Mumbai, seven in Akola, four in Thane, three each in Nashik, Nandurbar, and Aurangabad, two each in Raigad, Satara, Ratnagiri, Beed, Nanded, Wardha, and Chandrapur, and one each in Sangli and Latur. The developments came two days after Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray warned that "lockdown is an option in future" before the government, and solicited peoples` voluntary cooperation as the new cases surpassed all previous records.

Maharashtra Covid cases scale new high of 30,000

Syrian army shelling destroys hospital

Demonstrators in Myanmar maintained their dogged opposition to military rule on Sunday despite a rising death toll, with two more people killed as the junta appeared equally determined to resist growing pressure to compromise.

The country has been in turmoil since the military overthrew an elected government led by Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi on Feb. 1, bringing an end to 10 years of tentative democratic reform.

One man was shot dead and several were wounded when police opened fire on a group setting up a barricade in the central town of Monywa, a doctor there said as a community group issued a call on Facebook for blood donors.

Later, one person was killed and several were wounded when security forces fired on a crowd in the second city of Mandalay, the Myanmar Now news portal reported.

At least 249 people have now been killed since the coup, according to figures from the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners activist group.

The violence has forced many citizens to think up novel ways to express their rejection of a return to army rule.

Protesters in some 20 places across the country staged candle-lit, nighttime protests over the weekend, from the main city of Yangon to small communities in Kachin State in the north, Hakha town in the west and the southernmost town of Kawthaung, according to a tally of social media posts.

Hundreds of people in the second city of Mandalay, including many medical staff in white coats, marched in a "Dawn protest" before sunrise on Sunday, video posted by the Mizzima news portal showed.

"Failure of the military regime, our cause our cause ... federal democracy, our cause our cause," the crowd chanted as the sky was beginning to brighten and birds called from trees lining deserted streets.

Protesters in some places were joined by Buddhist monks holding candles while some people used candles to make the shape of the three-fingered protest salute.

Others came out later on Sunday, including the crowd in Monywa, where police opened fire.

"Sniper, sniper," people can be heard shouting in a video clip shortly after the man was shot in the head and more shots rang out.

The spokesman for the junta was not available for comment but has previously said security forces have used force only when necessary.

State media said on Sunday that men on motorbikes attacked a member of the security forces who later died. The military said two policemen were killed in earlier protests.

'FOREIGN INSULTS'

The junta says a Nov. 8 election won by Suu Kyi's party was fraudulent, an accusation rejected by the electoral commission. Military leaders have promised a new election but have not set a date.

Western countries have repeatedly condemned the coup and the violence. Asian neighbours, who have for years avoided criticising each other, have also begun speaking out.

Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore have denounced the use of lethal force and called for the violence to stop. The Philippines has expressed concern.

Indonesia and Malaysia want an urgent meeting of Southeast Asia's regional grouping, of which Myanmar is a member, on the crisis.

But the military, which sees itself as the sole guardian of national unity and ruled for nearly 50 years after a 1962 coup, has shown no sign of even considering back-tracking on its seizure of power.

Coup leader General Min Aung Hlaing visited the Coco islands, one of Myanmar's most strategically important outposts, 400 km (250 miles) south of Yangon, on Saturday and reminded members of the armed force there that their main duty was to defend the country against external threats.

The state-run Kyemon newspaper prominently featured a quote from independence hero Aung San, Suu Kyi's father, who in 1947 said: "It is everyone's duty to sacrifice their lives and defend and fight back against foreign countries' insults."

Suu Kyi, 75, faces accusations of bribery and other crimes that could see her banned from politics and jailed if convicted. Her lawyer says the charges are trumped up.

Australia's SBS News reported that two Australian business consultants were detained as they tried to leave Myanmar, but it was not clear why. The broadcaster quoted an Australian foreign ministry spokeswoman as declining to comment on the two for privacy reasons.

Demonstrators in Myanmar maintained their dogged opposition to military rule on Sunday despite a rising death toll, with two more people killed as the junta appeared equally determined to resist growing pressure to compromise.

Demonstrators in Myanmar maintained their dogged opposition to military rule on Sunday despite a rising death toll, with two more people killed as the junta appeared equally determined to resist growing pressure to compromise. The country has been in turmoil since the military overthrew an elected government led by Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi on Feb. 1, bringing an end to 10 years of tentative democratic reform. One man was shot dead and several were wounded when police opened fire on a group setting up a barricade in the central town of Monywa, a doctor there said as a community group issued a call on Facebook for blood donors. Later, one person was killed and several were wounded when security forces fired on a crowd in the second city of Mandalay, the Myanmar Now news portal reported. At least 249 people have now been killed since the coup, according to figures from the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners activist group. The violence has forced many citizens to think up novel ways to express their rejection of a return to army rule. Protesters in some 20 places across the country staged candle-lit, nighttime protests over the weekend, from the main city of Yangon to small communities in Kachin State in the north, Hakha town in the west and the southernmost town of Kawthaung, according to a tally of social media posts. Hundreds of people in the second city of Mandalay, including many medical staff in white coats, marched in a "Dawn protest" before sunrise on Sunday, video posted by the Mizzima news portal showed. "Failure of the military regime, our cause our cause ... federal democracy, our cause our cause," the crowd chanted as the sky was beginning to brighten and birds called from trees lining deserted streets. Protesters in some places were joined by Buddhist monks holding candles while some people used candles to make the shape of the three-fingered protest salute. Others came out later on Sunday, including the crowd in Monywa, where police opened fire. "Sniper, sniper," people can be heard shouting in a video clip shortly after the man was shot in the head and more shots rang out. The spokesman for the junta was not available for comment but has previously said security forces have used force only when necessary. State media said on Sunday that men on motorbikes attacked a member of the security forces who later died. The military said two policemen were killed in earlier protests. 'FOREIGN INSULTS' The junta says a Nov. 8 election won by Suu Kyi's party was fraudulent, an accusation rejected by the electoral commission. Military leaders have promised a new election but have not set a date. Western countries have repeatedly condemned the coup and the violence. Asian neighbours, who have for years avoided criticising each other, have also begun speaking out. Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore have denounced the use of lethal force and called for the violence to stop. The Philippines has expressed concern. Indonesia and Malaysia want an urgent meeting of Southeast Asia's regional grouping, of which Myanmar is a member, on the crisis. But the military, which sees itself as the sole guardian of national unity and ruled for nearly 50 years after a 1962 coup, has shown no sign of even considering back-tracking on its seizure of power. Coup leader General Min Aung Hlaing visited the Coco islands, one of Myanmar's most strategically important outposts, 400 km (250 miles) south of Yangon, on Saturday and reminded members of the armed force there that their main duty was to defend the country against external threats. The state-run Kyemon newspaper prominently featured a quote from independence hero Aung San, Suu Kyi's father, who in 1947 said: "It is everyone's duty to sacrifice their lives and defend and fight back against foreign countries' insults." Suu Kyi, 75, faces accusations of bribery and other crimes that could see her banned from politics and jailed if convicted. Her lawyer says the charges are trumped up. Australia's SBS News reported that two Australian business consultants were detained as they tried to leave Myanmar, but it was not clear why. The broadcaster quoted an Australian foreign ministry spokeswoman as declining to comment on the two for privacy reasons.

Myanmar protesters defiant as two more killed, pressure on junta grows

Asteroids vary in sizes, some are negligible, others pack enough punch to wipe out life on Earth (remember dinosaurs?) The asteroid that will pass by Earth isn't as big as the one that killed dinosaurs but it is biggest space body to pass by Earth this year. What's more, the asteroid has been termed 'potentially hazardous asteroid'.

So this asteroid is called 2001 FO32 and it will pass by Earth at a distance of about two million kilometres from it. This distance may seem too much but in astronomical terms, it is not that much. One thing is certain about space is that though we know a good deal, there is always a lot we will still need to learn.

This asteroid is about 900 metres across. Again, this may make the asteroid a minion in our minds but this one packs a punch.

It is travelling through space at a mid boggling speed of 124,000 kilometres per hour.

Imagine the momentum this space rock must possess. A direct hit from this asteroid will certainly be stuff of nightmares.

The asteroid is set to fly by the Earth at 1600 GMT

Asteroids vary in sizes, some are negligible, others pack enough punch to wipe out life on Earth (remember dinosaurs?) The asteroid that will pass by Earth isn't as big as the one that killed dinosaurs but it is biggest space body to pass by Earth this year.

Asteroids vary in sizes, some are negligible, others pack enough punch to wipe out life on Earth (remember dinosaurs?) The asteroid that will pass by Earth isn't as big as the one that killed dinosaurs but it is biggest space body to pass by Earth this year. What's more, the asteroid has been termed 'potentially hazardous asteroid'. So this asteroid is called 2001 FO32 and it will pass by Earth at a distance of about two million kilometres from it. This distance may seem too much but in astronomical terms, it is not that much. One thing is certain about space is that though we know a good deal, there is always a lot we will still need to learn. This asteroid is about 900 metres across. Again, this may make the asteroid a minion in our minds but this one packs a punch. It is travelling through space at a mid boggling speed of 124,000 kilometres per hour. Imagine the momentum this space rock must possess. A direct hit from this asteroid will certainly be stuff of nightmares. The asteroid is set to fly by the Earth at 1600 GMT

Biggest asteroid of 2021 to pass by Earth tonight 

US President Joe Biden said on Sunday that he was "deeply disappointed" after Turkey's decision to withdraw from Istanbul Convention, the binding treaty to prevent and combat violence against women

"This is a disheartening step backward for the international movement to end violence against women globally," Biden said in a White House statement, adding that the "sudden and unwarranted" move was "deeply disappointing."

"Gender-based violence is a scourge that touches every nation in every corner of the world. In the past few weeks, we've seen too many examples of horrific and brutal assaults on women, including the tragic murders in Georgia," he continued.

"And we've seen the broader damage that living under the daily specter of gender-based violence does to women everywhere. It hurts all of us, and we all must do more to create societies where women are able to go about their lives free from violence."

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government announced on Saturday that Turkey was withdrawing from the treaty. This was considered a victory for conservatives in Turkey.&nbsp;

But the move has ignited domestic and international outrage, with thousands in Turkey protesting the move.

The 2011 Istanbul Convention, signed by 45 countries and the European Union -- Turkey was the first signatory -- requires governments to adopt legislation prosecuting domestic violence and similar abuse as well as marital rape and female genital mutilation.

European leaders have also condemned Ankara's decision to withdraw from it.

In Istanbul on Saturday protesters held up portraits of women murdered in Turkey, one reading: "It is women who will win this war."

(With AFP inputs)

US President Joe Biden said on Sunday that he was "deeply disappointed" after Turkey's decision to withdraw from Istanbul Convention, the binding treaty to prevent and combat violence against women "This is a disheartening step backward for the international movement to end violence against women globally," Biden said in a White House statement, adding that the "sudden and unwarranted" move was "deeply disappointing.

US President Joe Biden said on Sunday that he was "deeply disappointed" after Turkey's decision to withdraw from Istanbul Convention, the binding treaty to prevent and combat violence against women "This is a disheartening step backward for the international movement to end violence against women globally," Biden said in a White House statement, adding that the "sudden and unwarranted" move was "deeply disappointing." "Gender-based violence is a scourge that touches every nation in every corner of the world. In the past few weeks, we've seen too many examples of horrific and brutal assaults on women, including the tragic murders in Georgia," he continued. "And we've seen the broader damage that living under the daily specter of gender-based violence does to women everywhere. It hurts all of us, and we all must do more to create societies where women are able to go about their lives free from violence." Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government announced on Saturday that Turkey was withdrawing from the treaty. This was considered a victory for conservatives in Turkey. But the move has ignited domestic and international outrage, with thousands in Turkey protesting the move. The 2011 Istanbul Convention, signed by 45 countries and the European Union -- Turkey was the first signatory -- requires governments to adopt legislation prosecuting domestic violence and similar abuse as well as marital rape and female genital mutilation. European leaders have also condemned Ankara's decision to withdraw from it. In Istanbul on Saturday protesters held up portraits of women murdered in Turkey, one reading: "It is women who will win this war." (With AFP inputs)

Biden 'highly disappointed' at Turkey's exit from domestic violence treaty

In October, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lifted its “no sail” order on U.S. cruise ships and set out a framework that would allow them to start sailing again, bringing relief and hope to a decimated industry — and to many cruise fans.

And then, nothing.

Nearly six months later, cruise lines are still waiting for technical instructions from the agency, which will allow them to prepare their ships for simulation voyages, designed to test whether they can safely sail.

In other parts of the world, the industry is stirring to life. Some cruise lines plan to restart domestic cruises in Europe later this month and voyages around the British Isles are scheduled for June, when lockdown restrictions are expected to be lifted. Royal Caribbean is running cruises to Greece from the Israeli port of Haifa this spring that will require all the crew and passengers on board to be fully vaccinated.

The CDC says its current focus is working with cruise lines to implement the initial phase requirements of testing all crew and setting up onboard labs as part of a step-by-step approach for the return of passenger cruising. The framework includes extensive testing, quarantine measures and social distancing, but the details remain unclear.

“Future orders and technical instructions will address additional activities to help cruise lines prepare for and return to passenger operations in a manner that mitigates COVID-19 risk among passengers, crew members, including simulated voyages, certification for conditional sailing and restricted voyages,” the agency said in a statement.

The halt on sailings, first issued for American cruises on March 14, 2020, has ravaged the cruise industry, with companies reporting billions of dollars in losses, causing some of them to downsize their fleets and sell ships for scrap.

Now, with vaccinations underway across the world and infection rates dropping in some regions, cruise companies are scrambling to prepare their ships for a gradual return starting in Europe and Asia. In the United States, cruise fans will likely have to wait at least until the fall.

“We are hopeful for this year,” said Colleen McDaniel, editor-in-chief of the cruise news site Cruise Critic. “There have already been some success stories out of Europe where cruise lines have shown that they’ve got great protocols in place, that they are committed to adhering to them, that they can keep passengers in a bubble and that they can do effective testing. We can expect those learnings to help inform cruising in the United States.”

While the timetable remains fluid, here’s what we can expect from cruising over the next few months.

Q: When will I be able to go on a cruise again?

A: Good question. Most cruise ships remain idled in open waters or in ports across the globe as sailings continue to be postponed or canceled.

In Europe, some of the smaller cruise lines are planning to restart operations later this month. AIDA Cruises has scheduled an excursion around the Canary Islands from March 20 and will be followed by Costa Cruises, which plans to resume Italian sailings on March 27. MSC Cruises is also planning a European voyage in May that will only be open to passengers living in the European Union’s Schengen zone.

Last summer, some cruise companies resumed operations in Europe with strict health and safety protocols but shut them down again in the fall after some ships reported cases of COVID-19 and the region went back into lockdown in response to a resurgence of the virus.

In Britain, domestic cruises could begin from May 17, when lockdowns on the hospitality sector are expected to be eased, the ministry of transport said earlier this month.

Princess, P&amp;O, Cunard and Hurtigruten are among the cruise lines that have announced “staycation sailings” around the British Isles this summer. Some ships will sail around the country’s coastline without calling at any ports, while others will offer shore excursions.

“People are very excited to start cruising again and we are seeing tons of demand right now, particularly in the expedition space,” said John Downey, the president of the Americas for Hurtigruten, a Norwegian line specializing in expedition cruises.

“We will continue to focus on amazing, remote destinations where our guests are more often surrounded by wildlife and nature rather than human populations,” he added. “With stringent health protocols we put in place, we feel very comfortable about the safety of our guests and crew.”

Q: Why is the United States lagging?

A: Major cruise companies are waiting for the CDC to issue technical requirements to help them prepare their ships for sailings. They must then give the CDC 30 days notice before starting test cruises with volunteer crew and passengers and will have to apply for a conditional sailing certificate 60 days before a planned regular voyage.

“The reality is that there was no way the cruise lines could adhere to the guidelines the CDC set back in October and start sailing again because they provided two-thirds of the pieces for the puzzle,” said Stewart Chiron, a cruise industry analyst and CEO of the site cruiseguy.com, referring to the missing technical details in the conditional sailing order.

“They are waiting for it now and they expect them to update their guidance because it was issued before the vaccines were rolled out and a lot has changed since then,” Chiron added.

Cruise executives say they expect the CDC to issue the technical requirements soon.

Q: What’s going on with Alaskan cruises?

A: Little known quirks of maritime law have led some cruise lines that specialize in Alaskan expeditions to cancel all sailings from ports in the Lower 48 states through the end of 2021.

Although they seem like American companies, many of the big cruise lines like Princess and Holland America, are, in fact, foreign-owned. According to United States law, foreign-flagged cruise ships are not permitted to cruise between U.S. ports without first visiting at least one foreign port. So cruises from Western cities like Seattle have typically stopped in Vancouver, British Columbia, on their way to Alaska.

But in February, Canadian authorities extended their ban on cruising through February 2022, effectively shutting down the Alaskan cruise business until then.

Earlier this month, senators introduced a bill that would waive the requirement that ships stop in a foreign port, but a vote could still be months off.

While Alaska cruises are on hold, cruise companies are pivoting to offer land tours of the state using their lodging and tour networks.

Q:&nbsp;What safety measures will be in place?

A: With coronavirus measures constantly changing, it is difficult to predict exactly what cruises will look like, especially in the United States.

Last year, the Cruise Lines International Association, the industry group that represents most of the largest cruise companies, announced a mandatory set of health protocols that will be implemented as part of a phased-in resumption of operations.

The core elements include:

Testing:&nbsp;100% of passengers and crew will be tested for COVID-19 before embarkation.

Mask-Wearing:&nbsp;All passengers and crew will have to wear masks onboard and during excursions whenever they can’t physically distance.

Distancing:&nbsp;Physical distancing in terminals, onboard ships, on private islands and during shore excursions will be required.

Ventilation:&nbsp;Air management and ventilation strategies to increase fresh air onboard must be in place and, where feasible, enhanced filters and other technologies to mitigate risk will be used.

Medical Capability: Each ship must have a plan to manage possible medical needs and must allocate cabins for isolation in case of an outbreak. Advance arrangements must be made with providers of onshore transportation and medical facilities.

Shore Excursion: Operators must set health and safety protocols and make sure passengers comply. Those who don’t will be prohibited from re-boarding.

“Ultimately, our decisions will be informed by our global medical and science experts and the requirements of the places we operate and visit,” said Roger Frizzell, a spokesperson for Carnival Corporation. “Our highest responsibility and top priorities are compliance, environmental protection, and the health, safety and well-being of our guests, crew and the communities we visit.”

Q: Will vaccinations be required?

A: Some companies are reluctant to depend on testing alone, after the SeaDream 1, a ship that had aspired to be a model for a safe return to cruising, cut short its Caribbean voyage last year because several passengers tested positive for the coronavirus, despite the fact they’d had a negative test before boarding.

Most major cruise lines have not decided whether they will require vaccinations for future sailings and are waiting for further scientific guidance once inoculation becomes more widespread around the globe.

In Britain, Saga Cruises and P&amp;amp;O said that they would require all guests to be fully vaccinated before boarding their ships throughout 2021. Royal Caribbean announced sailings from Israel to Greece in May, where all crew members and passengers over the age of 16 must be vaccinated.

“It is really exciting to see how quickly and dramatically the science has advanced, even in just a few weeks,” said Richard D. Fain, chairman and CEO of the Royal Caribbean Group. “We’ve been getting more and more experience with sailings abroad out of Germany, Singapore, the Canary Islands and Italy and we will continue to learn and adapt as new knowledge and scientific discoveries like the vaccine come to the fore.”

In October, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lifted its “no sail” order on U.S. cruise ships and set out a framework that would allow them to start sailing again, bringing relief and hope to a decimated industry — and to many cruise fans.

In October, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lifted its “no sail” order on U.S. cruise ships and set out a framework that would allow them to start sailing again, bringing relief and hope to a decimated industry — and to many cruise fans. And then, nothing. Nearly six months later, cruise lines are still waiting for technical instructions from the agency, which will allow them to prepare their ships for simulation voyages, designed to test whether they can safely sail. In other parts of the world, the industry is stirring to life. Some cruise lines plan to restart domestic cruises in Europe later this month and voyages around the British Isles are scheduled for June, when lockdown restrictions are expected to be lifted. Royal Caribbean is running cruises to Greece from the Israeli port of Haifa this spring that will require all the crew and passengers on board to be fully vaccinated. The CDC says its current focus is working with cruise lines to implement the initial phase requirements of testing all crew and setting up onboard labs as part of a step-by-step approach for the return of passenger cruising. The framework includes extensive testing, quarantine measures and social distancing, but the details remain unclear. “Future orders and technical instructions will address additional activities to help cruise lines prepare for and return to passenger operations in a manner that mitigates COVID-19 risk among passengers, crew members, including simulated voyages, certification for conditional sailing and restricted voyages,” the agency said in a statement. The halt on sailings, first issued for American cruises on March 14, 2020, has ravaged the cruise industry, with companies reporting billions of dollars in losses, causing some of them to downsize their fleets and sell ships for scrap. Now, with vaccinations underway across the world and infection rates dropping in some regions, cruise companies are scrambling to prepare their ships for a gradual return starting in Europe and Asia. In the United States, cruise fans will likely have to wait at least until the fall. “We are hopeful for this year,” said Colleen McDaniel, editor-in-chief of the cruise news site Cruise Critic. “There have already been some success stories out of Europe where cruise lines have shown that they’ve got great protocols in place, that they are committed to adhering to them, that they can keep passengers in a bubble and that they can do effective testing. We can expect those learnings to help inform cruising in the United States.” While the timetable remains fluid, here’s what we can expect from cruising over the next few months. Q: When will I be able to go on a cruise again? A: Good question. Most cruise ships remain idled in open waters or in ports across the globe as sailings continue to be postponed or canceled. In Europe, some of the smaller cruise lines are planning to restart operations later this month. AIDA Cruises has scheduled an excursion around the Canary Islands from March 20 and will be followed by Costa Cruises, which plans to resume Italian sailings on March 27. MSC Cruises is also planning a European voyage in May that will only be open to passengers living in the European Union’s Schengen zone. Last summer, some cruise companies resumed operations in Europe with strict health and safety protocols but shut them down again in the fall after some ships reported cases of COVID-19 and the region went back into lockdown in response to a resurgence of the virus. In Britain, domestic cruises could begin from May 17, when lockdowns on the hospitality sector are expected to be eased, the ministry of transport said earlier this month. Princess, P&O, Cunard and Hurtigruten are among the cruise lines that have announced “staycation sailings” around the British Isles this summer. Some ships will sail around the country’s coastline without calling at any ports, while others will offer shore excursions. “People are very excited to start cruising again and we are seeing tons of demand right now, particularly in the expedition space,” said John Downey, the president of the Americas for Hurtigruten, a Norwegian line specializing in expedition cruises. “We will continue to focus on amazing, remote destinations where our guests are more often surrounded by wildlife and nature rather than human populations,” he added. “With stringent health protocols we put in place, we feel very comfortable about the safety of our guests and crew.” Q: Why is the United States lagging? A: Major cruise companies are waiting for the CDC to issue technical requirements to help them prepare their ships for sailings. They must then give the CDC 30 days notice before starting test cruises with volunteer crew and passengers and will have to apply for a conditional sailing certificate 60 days before a planned regular voyage. “The reality is that there was no way the cruise lines could adhere to the guidelines the CDC set back in October and start sailing again because they provided two-thirds of the pieces for the puzzle,” said Stewart Chiron, a cruise industry analyst and CEO of the site cruiseguy.com, referring to the missing technical details in the conditional sailing order. “They are waiting for it now and they expect them to update their guidance because it was issued before the vaccines were rolled out and a lot has changed since then,” Chiron added. Cruise executives say they expect the CDC to issue the technical requirements soon. Q: What’s going on with Alaskan cruises? A: Little known quirks of maritime law have led some cruise lines that specialize in Alaskan expeditions to cancel all sailings from ports in the Lower 48 states through the end of 2021. Although they seem like American companies, many of the big cruise lines like Princess and Holland America, are, in fact, foreign-owned. According to United States law, foreign-flagged cruise ships are not permitted to cruise between U.S. ports without first visiting at least one foreign port. So cruises from Western cities like Seattle have typically stopped in Vancouver, British Columbia, on their way to Alaska. But in February, Canadian authorities extended their ban on cruising through February 2022, effectively shutting down the Alaskan cruise business until then. Earlier this month, senators introduced a bill that would waive the requirement that ships stop in a foreign port, but a vote could still be months off. While Alaska cruises are on hold, cruise companies are pivoting to offer land tours of the state using their lodging and tour networks. Q: What safety measures will be in place? A: With coronavirus measures constantly changing, it is difficult to predict exactly what cruises will look like, especially in the United States. Last year, the Cruise Lines International Association, the industry group that represents most of the largest cruise companies, announced a mandatory set of health protocols that will be implemented as part of a phased-in resumption of operations. The core elements include: Testing: 100% of passengers and crew will be tested for COVID-19 before embarkation. Mask-Wearing: All passengers and crew will have to wear masks onboard and during excursions whenever they can’t physically distance. Distancing: Physical distancing in terminals, onboard ships, on private islands and during shore excursions will be required. Ventilation: Air management and ventilation strategies to increase fresh air onboard must be in place and, where feasible, enhanced filters and other technologies to mitigate risk will be used. Medical Capability: Each ship must have a plan to manage possible medical needs and must allocate cabins for isolation in case of an outbreak. Advance arrangements must be made with providers of onshore transportation and medical facilities. Shore Excursion: Operators must set health and safety protocols and make sure passengers comply. Those who don’t will be prohibited from re-boarding. “Ultimately, our decisions will be informed by our global medical and science experts and the requirements of the places we operate and visit,” said Roger Frizzell, a spokesperson for Carnival Corporation. “Our highest responsibility and top priorities are compliance, environmental protection, and the health, safety and well-being of our guests, crew and the communities we visit.” Q: Will vaccinations be required? A: Some companies are reluctant to depend on testing alone, after the SeaDream 1, a ship that had aspired to be a model for a safe return to cruising, cut short its Caribbean voyage last year because several passengers tested positive for the coronavirus, despite the fact they’d had a negative test before boarding. Most major cruise lines have not decided whether they will require vaccinations for future sailings and are waiting for further scientific guidance once inoculation becomes more widespread around the globe. In Britain, Saga Cruises and P&amp;O said that they would require all guests to be fully vaccinated before boarding their ships throughout 2021. Royal Caribbean announced sailings from Israel to Greece in May, where all crew members and passengers over the age of 16 must be vaccinated. “It is really exciting to see how quickly and dramatically the science has advanced, even in just a few weeks,” said Richard D. Fain, chairman and CEO of the Royal Caribbean Group. “We’ve been getting more and more experience with sailings abroad out of Germany, Singapore, the Canary Islands and Italy and we will continue to learn and adapt as new knowledge and scientific discoveries like the vaccine come to the fore.”

Why US cruises are still stuck in port

If the filibuster did not exist, Senate Democrats could use the hair-thin majority they won in January to pursue an ambitious legislative agenda.

Some Democrats have called for abolishing the filibuster, a procedural tactic that essentially makes it impossible to pass legislation without a 60-vote supermajority.

They lack the votes to do it. But this week, President Joe Biden signalled support for something else: a return to a more old-fashioned way of filibustering.

“I don’t think that you have to eliminate the filibuster; you have to do it, what it used to be when I first got to the Senate back in the old days,” the president said in an ABC News interview. “You had to stand up and command the floor, and you had to keep talking.”

The president’s comments came after a Democratic senator who opposes ending the filibuster, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, told an interviewer he was open to making the procedure “a little more painful.”

Mr. Smith talks a long time in Washington

The tactic Biden referred to, sometimes called a talking filibuster, is the kind illustrated in the 1939 movie “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” in which the title character, portrayed by Jimmy Stewart, takes a stand against corruption by sermonizing on the Senate floor until he faints.

In the real-life chamber, where proceedings are often bogged down by bureaucracy behind the scenes, filibusters can drum up public drama.

They can be policy-focused, as when Sen. Bernie Sanders, the Vermont independent who caucuses with the Democrats, railed for eight hours in 2010 against tax breaks for the richest Americans. And they can be irreverent, as when Sen. Alfonse D’Amato, R-N.Y., sang a Gene Autry song in 1992 during a 15-hour speech as part of an effort to keep a typewriter company from moving hundreds of jobs to Mexico.

Before the Civil War, the filibuster was used to protect the interests of slaveholding states. And in the 20th century, conservative Southern Democrats repeatedly used filibusters to block civil-rights legislation, including an anti-lynching bill.

Since then, senators from both parties have used marathon speeches to challenge majority rule on issues including gun control, judicial nominees and health care.

But colorful, marathon speeches are increasingly rare. The Senate began modifying the rules in the 1970s, when senators became concerned that talking filibusters reflected poorly on the Senate and endangered the health of older members. Today, the mere threat of a filibuster is enough: Senators can keep contentious measures from reaching the floor just by registering their objections privately.

It can be a test of stamina

An early practitioner of the dramatic filibuster was Sen. Huey Long, D-La., who fought against provisions of President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal.

In one 1935 speech, lasting more than 15 hours, Long read from the Constitution and shared recipes for fried oysters and pot liquor. He was foiled by a 4 a.m. bathroom break. (To hold the floor, you have to be present on the floor.)

In 2010, when Sanders used a filibuster to protest the Obama administration’s plan to continue the tax policies of former President George W. Bush, his monologue lasted eight hours. Sanders, fueled by oatmeal and coffee, felt his legs cramping and his speech growing hoarse.

“I was afraid that after two or three hours I’d have nothing more to say or I’d be tired or have to go to the bathroom,” he said afterward. “But I was pleased.”

One of the most memorable performances of the past decade came from Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, in 2013. It was a procedural tactic and not technically a filibuster, but it might hint at things to come with so many presidential aspirants in the chamber.

In a bid to defund the Affordable Care Act, Cruz spent 21 hours blasting politicians in “cheap suits” and “bad haircuts,” praising the hamburgers at White Castle and even reading some of his daughters’ favorite stories, including “Green Eggs and Ham” by Dr. Seuss.

That same year, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., used a real filibuster to delay the nomination of John Brennan to lead the CIA. Paul said his real goal was to get the Obama administration to say that it would not use drone strikes against American citizens on U.S. soil.

After 13 hours, he yielded the floor.

“I’ve discovered that there are some limits to filibustering,” he said, “and I’m going to have to go take care of one of those in a few minutes here.”

Tradition? Or a ‘Jim Crow relic’?

Critics of the filibuster note that its most significant use was to impede progress on civil rights for Black people. Last year, former President Barack Obama called the tactic a “Jim Crow relic” as he gave a eulogy for John Lewis, the Georgia congressman and civil rights pioneer who died in July.

Southern Democrats used the filibuster to block or delay anti-lynching measures in the 1930s, bills outlawing employment discrimination in the 1940s and other civil rights legislation in the 1950s and ’60s.

“The fights over filibuster reform for most of the 20th century were intricately tied to its impact on civil rights,” said Sarah A. Binder, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and a professor of political science at George Washington University.

The record-holder for the longest solo filibuster remains Strom Thurmond, the segregationist senator from South Carolina who gave a 1957 speech lasting more than 24 hours, sustaining himself on sips of orange juice, pieces of hamburger meat and bits of pumpernickel.

Thurmond and other Southern Democrats failed in that attempt to block the bill, but they used their clout on other occasions to stall other civil rights changes. In 1964, despite a 14-hour filibuster by Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., President Lyndon Johnson won passage of a civil rights bill with bipartisan help. Thurmond became a Republican, but Byrd remained a Democrat, serving 51 years.

His successor, Manchin, counted Byrd as a mentor and said he would do his best to follow in his footsteps in preserving Senate traditions. Today, he wields outsize influence as a centrist Democrat in an evenly divided chamber, making his position on filibuster rules critical.

How the filibuster started as a loophole and evolved

The filibuster was not something the Founding Fathers of the United States had envisioned.

In the late 18th century, both the Senate and the House had rules allowing majorities of their members to cut off debates and bring measures to a vote. But in an 1806 effort to clean up its rule book, the Senate scrapped that regulation.

The filibuster was an unanticipated outcome of that procedural change, Binder said.

In 1917, amid bitter debates over U.S. participation in World War I, the Senate adopted the cloture rule, allowing two-thirds of the senators to close debates and bring a measure to a vote.

The Senate made further changes in the 1970s, including reducing the supermajority requirement to 60 votes, from 67, and allowing more than one pending bill on the floor simultaneously. The changes permitted the Senate to move on to other business while theoretical debates on blocked items continued indefinitely and essentially rendered talking filibusters obsolete — except for dramatic effect.

At the time, Democrats held a commanding majority, but the margins have narrowed, with Republicans taking control for extended periods.

In 2013, Senate Democrats had the upper hand, 53-45, and ended the minority party’s ability to filibuster most presidential nominees after years of frustration over Republicans’ blocking of Obama’s choices for federal judgeships and Cabinet posts. They left the filibuster for Supreme Court nominees untouched.

Then they lost control of the Senate. Four years later, when Republicans held both the presidency and the Senate, they voted to lower the threshold for advancing Supreme Court nominations from 60 votes to a simple majority.

But the supermajority rule remained unchanged for legislation, to the frustration of President Donald Trump, who unsuccessfully lobbied Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky to use his power as majority leader to scrap the filibuster.

In the first months of Biden’s administration, Republicans have yet to use the rules to block any of his legislation, but battles are on the horizon. Some Democrats argue that filibuster reform is the only way to overcome united Republican opposition to pass a voting-rights bill or laws to bolster labor rights or to reform immigration policy.

McConnell, who in January tried and failed to extract a pledge from Democrats to leave the filibuster alone, defended the status quo in dramatic terms Tuesday, warning of a “scorched earth” response if Democrats should dare to “break the Senate.”

If the filibuster did not exist, Senate Democrats could use the hair-thin majority they won in January to pursue an ambitious legislative agenda. Some Democrats have called for abolishing the filibuster, a procedural tactic that essentially makes it impossible to pass legislation without a 60-vote supermajority.

If the filibuster did not exist, Senate Democrats could use the hair-thin majority they won in January to pursue an ambitious legislative agenda. Some Democrats have called for abolishing the filibuster, a procedural tactic that essentially makes it impossible to pass legislation without a 60-vote supermajority. They lack the votes to do it. But this week, President Joe Biden signalled support for something else: a return to a more old-fashioned way of filibustering. “I don’t think that you have to eliminate the filibuster; you have to do it, what it used to be when I first got to the Senate back in the old days,” the president said in an ABC News interview. “You had to stand up and command the floor, and you had to keep talking.” The president’s comments came after a Democratic senator who opposes ending the filibuster, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, told an interviewer he was open to making the procedure “a little more painful.” Mr. Smith talks a long time in Washington The tactic Biden referred to, sometimes called a talking filibuster, is the kind illustrated in the 1939 movie “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” in which the title character, portrayed by Jimmy Stewart, takes a stand against corruption by sermonizing on the Senate floor until he faints. In the real-life chamber, where proceedings are often bogged down by bureaucracy behind the scenes, filibusters can drum up public drama. They can be policy-focused, as when Sen. Bernie Sanders, the Vermont independent who caucuses with the Democrats, railed for eight hours in 2010 against tax breaks for the richest Americans. And they can be irreverent, as when Sen. Alfonse D’Amato, R-N.Y., sang a Gene Autry song in 1992 during a 15-hour speech as part of an effort to keep a typewriter company from moving hundreds of jobs to Mexico. Before the Civil War, the filibuster was used to protect the interests of slaveholding states. And in the 20th century, conservative Southern Democrats repeatedly used filibusters to block civil-rights legislation, including an anti-lynching bill. Since then, senators from both parties have used marathon speeches to challenge majority rule on issues including gun control, judicial nominees and health care. But colorful, marathon speeches are increasingly rare. The Senate began modifying the rules in the 1970s, when senators became concerned that talking filibusters reflected poorly on the Senate and endangered the health of older members. Today, the mere threat of a filibuster is enough: Senators can keep contentious measures from reaching the floor just by registering their objections privately. It can be a test of stamina An early practitioner of the dramatic filibuster was Sen. Huey Long, D-La., who fought against provisions of President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal. In one 1935 speech, lasting more than 15 hours, Long read from the Constitution and shared recipes for fried oysters and pot liquor. He was foiled by a 4 a.m. bathroom break. (To hold the floor, you have to be present on the floor.) In 2010, when Sanders used a filibuster to protest the Obama administration’s plan to continue the tax policies of former President George W. Bush, his monologue lasted eight hours. Sanders, fueled by oatmeal and coffee, felt his legs cramping and his speech growing hoarse. “I was afraid that after two or three hours I’d have nothing more to say or I’d be tired or have to go to the bathroom,” he said afterward. “But I was pleased.” One of the most memorable performances of the past decade came from Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, in 2013. It was a procedural tactic and not technically a filibuster, but it might hint at things to come with so many presidential aspirants in the chamber. In a bid to defund the Affordable Care Act, Cruz spent 21 hours blasting politicians in “cheap suits” and “bad haircuts,” praising the hamburgers at White Castle and even reading some of his daughters’ favorite stories, including “Green Eggs and Ham” by Dr. Seuss. That same year, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., used a real filibuster to delay the nomination of John Brennan to lead the CIA. Paul said his real goal was to get the Obama administration to say that it would not use drone strikes against American citizens on U.S. soil. After 13 hours, he yielded the floor. “I’ve discovered that there are some limits to filibustering,” he said, “and I’m going to have to go take care of one of those in a few minutes here.” Tradition? Or a ‘Jim Crow relic’? Critics of the filibuster note that its most significant use was to impede progress on civil rights for Black people. Last year, former President Barack Obama called the tactic a “Jim Crow relic” as he gave a eulogy for John Lewis, the Georgia congressman and civil rights pioneer who died in July. Southern Democrats used the filibuster to block or delay anti-lynching measures in the 1930s, bills outlawing employment discrimination in the 1940s and other civil rights legislation in the 1950s and ’60s. “The fights over filibuster reform for most of the 20th century were intricately tied to its impact on civil rights,” said Sarah A. Binder, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and a professor of political science at George Washington University. The record-holder for the longest solo filibuster remains Strom Thurmond, the segregationist senator from South Carolina who gave a 1957 speech lasting more than 24 hours, sustaining himself on sips of orange juice, pieces of hamburger meat and bits of pumpernickel. Thurmond and other Southern Democrats failed in that attempt to block the bill, but they used their clout on other occasions to stall other civil rights changes. In 1964, despite a 14-hour filibuster by Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., President Lyndon Johnson won passage of a civil rights bill with bipartisan help. Thurmond became a Republican, but Byrd remained a Democrat, serving 51 years. His successor, Manchin, counted Byrd as a mentor and said he would do his best to follow in his footsteps in preserving Senate traditions. Today, he wields outsize influence as a centrist Democrat in an evenly divided chamber, making his position on filibuster rules critical. How the filibuster started as a loophole and evolved The filibuster was not something the Founding Fathers of the United States had envisioned. In the late 18th century, both the Senate and the House had rules allowing majorities of their members to cut off debates and bring measures to a vote. But in an 1806 effort to clean up its rule book, the Senate scrapped that regulation. The filibuster was an unanticipated outcome of that procedural change, Binder said. In 1917, amid bitter debates over U.S. participation in World War I, the Senate adopted the cloture rule, allowing two-thirds of the senators to close debates and bring a measure to a vote. The Senate made further changes in the 1970s, including reducing the supermajority requirement to 60 votes, from 67, and allowing more than one pending bill on the floor simultaneously. The changes permitted the Senate to move on to other business while theoretical debates on blocked items continued indefinitely and essentially rendered talking filibusters obsolete — except for dramatic effect. At the time, Democrats held a commanding majority, but the margins have narrowed, with Republicans taking control for extended periods. In 2013, Senate Democrats had the upper hand, 53-45, and ended the minority party’s ability to filibuster most presidential nominees after years of frustration over Republicans’ blocking of Obama’s choices for federal judgeships and Cabinet posts. They left the filibuster for Supreme Court nominees untouched. Then they lost control of the Senate. Four years later, when Republicans held both the presidency and the Senate, they voted to lower the threshold for advancing Supreme Court nominations from 60 votes to a simple majority. But the supermajority rule remained unchanged for legislation, to the frustration of President Donald Trump, who unsuccessfully lobbied Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky to use his power as majority leader to scrap the filibuster. In the first months of Biden’s administration, Republicans have yet to use the rules to block any of his legislation, but battles are on the horizon. Some Democrats argue that filibuster reform is the only way to overcome united Republican opposition to pass a voting-rights bill or laws to bolster labor rights or to reform immigration policy. McConnell, who in January tried and failed to extract a pledge from Democrats to leave the filibuster alone, defended the status quo in dramatic terms Tuesday, warning of a “scorched earth” response if Democrats should dare to “break the Senate.”

The Senate’s ‘talking filibuster’ might Rise again

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