Pope Francis on Sunday prayed for 'victims of war' in Iraqi city of Mosul, a former stronghold of Islamic State (IS) group that swept across Iraq and Syria to form a so-called 'Caliphate' in recent years. Pope prayed in a centuries-old church in Mosul, which is an ancient city. Mosul was heavily damaged as fight with Islamic State raged.

Pope Francis said that exodus&nbsp;of Christians from Iraq and West Asia "does incalculable harm not just to the individuals and communities concerned, but also to the society they leave behind." Pope landed in Mosul on Sunday. He arrived in a convoy of five helicopters and amid extremely tight security.

Sunday (March 7) is the last day of Pope's visit to Iraq, a historic development as this is first-ever papal visit to the country. The second day of Pope's Iraq visit marked a momentous occasion as he met Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, top religious leader of Shiite Muslims. Both the leaders met at Sistani's residence.

In the evening on Saturday, Pope held a mass in Baghdad's St. Joseph Cathedral. This was the first time that a Pope presided over a mass in this Cathedral.

See Pics| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/pope-francis-holds-mass-in-st-joseph-cathedral-in-iraq-368572">Pope Francis holds mass in St Joseph Cathedral in Iraq</a>

The Christian community of Iraq, a Muslim-majority country of 40 million, has shrunk from 1.5 million before the 2003 US-led invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein to only 400,000 now, about one per cent of the population.

(With AFP inputs)

Pope Francis on Sunday prayed for 'victims of war' in Iraqi city of Mosul, a former stronghold of Islamic State (IS) group that swept across Iraq and Syria to form a so-called 'Caliphate' in recent years.

Pope Francis on Sunday prayed for 'victims of war' in Iraqi city of Mosul, a former stronghold of Islamic State (IS) group that swept across Iraq and Syria to form a so-called 'Caliphate' in recent years. Pope prayed in a centuries-old church in Mosul, which is an ancient city. Mosul was heavily damaged as fight with Islamic State raged. Pope Francis said that exodus of Christians from Iraq and West Asia "does incalculable harm not just to the individuals and communities concerned, but also to the society they leave behind." Pope landed in Mosul on Sunday. He arrived in a convoy of five helicopters and amid extremely tight security. Sunday (March 7) is the last day of Pope's visit to Iraq, a historic development as this is first-ever papal visit to the country. The second day of Pope's Iraq visit marked a momentous occasion as he met Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, top religious leader of Shiite Muslims. Both the leaders met at Sistani's residence. In the evening on Saturday, Pope held a mass in Baghdad's St. Joseph Cathedral. This was the first time that a Pope presided over a mass in this Cathedral. See Pics| Pope Francis holds mass in St Joseph Cathedral in Iraq The Christian community of Iraq, a Muslim-majority country of 40 million, has shrunk from 1.5 million before the 2003 US-led invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein to only 400,000 now, about one per cent of the population. (With AFP inputs)

Pope Francis prays for 'victims of war' in Mosul, a former Islamic State stronghold in Iraq

We've all had co-passengers from hell at least once. The types are varied and the ruckus they cause can be endless. While we may want to exclude crying infants from this list to be a bit sensitive, grown-ups present their own tantrums. All is fine till such a behaviour remains an annoying oddity. But taking this to an extreme may prove to be problematic for the person involved.

A Delhi-bound Air France flight had to make an emergency landing in Bulgaria because of a 'disruptive' Indian passenger.

The passenger, an Indian citizen, began to act up soon after take-off, quarrelling with other passengers, assaulting a flight attendant and pummelling the cockpit's door, said Ivailo Angelov, an official at the National Investigation Agency. He was quoted by Reuters.

The person's behaviour was so aggressive that captain of the plane had to request for an emergency landing in Sofia, Bulgaria. The man was taken off the aircraft and now he has been charged with endangering flight safety.

If convicted, the man can face up to 10 years in prison.

The Air France flight resumed its journey to New Delhi.

"We are investigating both his actions and his motives," Angelov told reporters. "There is no reasonable explanation for his behaviour," Angelov said

(With Reuters inputs)

We've all had co-passengers from hell at least once. The types are varied and the ruckus they cause can be endless. While we may want to exclude crying infants from this list to be a bit sensitive, grown-ups present their own tantrums.

We've all had co-passengers from hell at least once. The types are varied and the ruckus they cause can be endless. While we may want to exclude crying infants from this list to be a bit sensitive, grown-ups present their own tantrums. All is fine till such a behaviour remains an annoying oddity. But taking this to an extreme may prove to be problematic for the person involved. A Delhi-bound Air France flight had to make an emergency landing in Bulgaria because of a 'disruptive' Indian passenger. The passenger, an Indian citizen, began to act up soon after take-off, quarrelling with other passengers, assaulting a flight attendant and pummelling the cockpit's door, said Ivailo Angelov, an official at the National Investigation Agency. He was quoted by Reuters. The person's behaviour was so aggressive that captain of the plane had to request for an emergency landing in Sofia, Bulgaria. The man was taken off the aircraft and now he has been charged with endangering flight safety. If convicted, the man can face up to 10 years in prison. The Air France flight resumed its journey to New Delhi. "We are investigating both his actions and his motives," Angelov told reporters. "There is no reasonable explanation for his behaviour," Angelov said (With Reuters inputs)

Air France flight makes emergency landing due to 'disruptive' Indian passenger

A US official said that President Joe Biden`s administration is expected to put together a task force to deal with major cyber intrusions that Microsoft said this week were linked to China as relations between the two -- Washington and Beijing -- continues to spiral downwards.CNN, citing the US official, reported that there are an estimated 30,000 affected customers in the US and 250,000 globally, though those numbers are expected to increase.&nbsp;

However, the White House declined to comment on the number of victims affected.

"We are undertaking a whole of government response to assess and address the impact. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued an emergency directive to agencies and we`re now working with our partners and looking closely at the next steps we need to take. This is an active threat still developing and we urge network operators to take it very seriously," a White House official said.

The US official said that the task force or, "Unified Coordination Group" (UCG), is a multi-agency effort initiated by the National Security Council, that includes FBI, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and others.The National Security Agency also has a role in the response, though it`s not clear if its involvement is codified as part of the UCG directive, according to another source familiar with the situation."

"This has the potential to simultaneously affect organizations that are critical to everyday life in the US," a source familiar with the investigation into the attack told CNN, noting that state and local government agencies were among those affected.

The Hill reported that Cybersecurity group FireEye on Thursday night announced it had found evidence that hackers had exploited a flaw in a popular Microsoft email application since as early as January to target groups across a variety of sectors.

FireEye analysts wrote in a blog post that the company had observed the hackers -- who Microsoft announced earlier this week were a Chinese state-sponsored hacking group known as "Hafnium" -- exploiting vulnerabilities in Microsoft`s Exchange Server email program to target at least one FireEye client beginning in January.

The news outlet further reported that Microsoft said the Chinese hacking group was actively exploiting previously unknown security flaws in Exchange Server to go after groups running the program.The company noted that Hafnium had previously been known to steal information from organizations including infectious disease researchers, law firms, higher education institutions, defense contractors, policy think tanks and non-governmental organizations.

In February, the National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC) warned that the efforts made by the Chinese Communist Party to obtain US health data, particularly DNA, through hacking had stepped up during the COVID-19 pandemic.According to The Hill, the agency noted that these efforts had increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, with Chinese biotech group BGI offering COVID-19 testing kits to the majority of countries and establishing 18 testing labs over the past six months alone, allegedly as part of an effort to obtain health data.

The NCSC wrote that US health data was an attractive target for the Chinese government due to the diversity of the population and because of the nation`s comparably lax safeguards for personal data.Under the Trump administration, ties between the two countries had deteriorated over issues such as human rights violations in Xinjiang, encroachment on the special status of Hong Kong, accusations of unfair trade practices by Beijing, lack of transparency concerning the pandemic and China`s military aggression in various parts of the world.

Meanwhile, Chinese hackers also have been trying hard to crack Indian cyberspace. There have been more aggressive attempts of hacking by Chinese hackers since last one year.Various government organisations like the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-IN) and the National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC) are following trends and keeping a track of attempts made by the Chinese post the Galwan clash.

A US official said that President Joe Biden`s administration is expected to put together a task force to deal with major cyber intrusions that Microsoft said this week were linked to China as relations between the two -- Washington and Beijing -- continues to spiral downwards.

A US official said that President Joe Biden`s administration is expected to put together a task force to deal with major cyber intrusions that Microsoft said this week were linked to China as relations between the two -- Washington and Beijing -- continues to spiral downwards.CNN, citing the US official, reported that there are an estimated 30,000 affected customers in the US and 250,000 globally, though those numbers are expected to increase. However, the White House declined to comment on the number of victims affected. "We are undertaking a whole of government response to assess and address the impact. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued an emergency directive to agencies and we`re now working with our partners and looking closely at the next steps we need to take. This is an active threat still developing and we urge network operators to take it very seriously," a White House official said. The US official said that the task force or, "Unified Coordination Group" (UCG), is a multi-agency effort initiated by the National Security Council, that includes FBI, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and others.The National Security Agency also has a role in the response, though it`s not clear if its involvement is codified as part of the UCG directive, according to another source familiar with the situation." "This has the potential to simultaneously affect organizations that are critical to everyday life in the US," a source familiar with the investigation into the attack told CNN, noting that state and local government agencies were among those affected. The Hill reported that Cybersecurity group FireEye on Thursday night announced it had found evidence that hackers had exploited a flaw in a popular Microsoft email application since as early as January to target groups across a variety of sectors. FireEye analysts wrote in a blog post that the company had observed the hackers -- who Microsoft announced earlier this week were a Chinese state-sponsored hacking group known as "Hafnium" -- exploiting vulnerabilities in Microsoft`s Exchange Server email program to target at least one FireEye client beginning in January. The news outlet further reported that Microsoft said the Chinese hacking group was actively exploiting previously unknown security flaws in Exchange Server to go after groups running the program.The company noted that Hafnium had previously been known to steal information from organizations including infectious disease researchers, law firms, higher education institutions, defense contractors, policy think tanks and non-governmental organizations. In February, the National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC) warned that the efforts made by the Chinese Communist Party to obtain US health data, particularly DNA, through hacking had stepped up during the COVID-19 pandemic.According to The Hill, the agency noted that these efforts had increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, with Chinese biotech group BGI offering COVID-19 testing kits to the majority of countries and establishing 18 testing labs over the past six months alone, allegedly as part of an effort to obtain health data. The NCSC wrote that US health data was an attractive target for the Chinese government due to the diversity of the population and because of the nation`s comparably lax safeguards for personal data.Under the Trump administration, ties between the two countries had deteriorated over issues such as human rights violations in Xinjiang, encroachment on the special status of Hong Kong, accusations of unfair trade practices by Beijing, lack of transparency concerning the pandemic and China`s military aggression in various parts of the world. Meanwhile, Chinese hackers also have been trying hard to crack Indian cyberspace. There have been more aggressive attempts of hacking by Chinese hackers since last one year.Various government organisations like the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-IN) and the National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC) are following trends and keeping a track of attempts made by the Chinese post the Galwan clash.

Biden admin to form task force to deal with Microsoft hack linked to China

Voters in Switzerland will vote on Sunday, March 7 to decide whether wearing full-face coverings in public should be banned. This will be a binding national referendum. Some sections of Swiss society have termed the referendum as Islamophobic.

Red billboards picturing a scowling woman wearing a black headscarf and face veil with the phrase, "Stop Extremism!", have appeared in Swiss streets as part of the campaign led by several parties in Switzerland, including the right-wing Swiss People's Party (SVP).

"This (niqab wearing) is something that we find shocking. It is fundamentally in opposition with various values of our civilisation, simply because, for us, free people show their faces in all circumstances outside," said Jean-Luc Addor, an SVP member of parliament and head of the French-speaking branch of the referendum committee.

The proposal predates the COVID-19 pandemic, which has seen all adults forced to don masks in many settings to prevent the spread of infection. It gathered the necessary support to trigger a referendum in 2017.

The referendum does not mention Islam directly and also seeks to stop street brawls involving football fans wearing masks. However, local politicians, media and campaigners have started calling the referendum as being for a 'burqa ban'.

The proposal compounds Switzerland's tense relationship with Islam after citizens voted to ban building any new minarets in 2009. Two cantons already have local bans on face coverings.

Meanwhile, Zurich police fired tear gas shells at feminist rally. As per reports, police had warned ahead of the planned protest rally against congregating. However, when demonstrators started congregating in different parts of the city the police used tear gas.

(With Reuters inputs)

Voters in Switzerland will vote on Sunday, March 7 to decide whether wearing full-face coverings in public should be banned. This will be a binding national referendum.

Voters in Switzerland will vote on Sunday, March 7 to decide whether wearing full-face coverings in public should be banned. This will be a binding national referendum. Some sections of Swiss society have termed the referendum as Islamophobic. Red billboards picturing a scowling woman wearing a black headscarf and face veil with the phrase, "Stop Extremism!", have appeared in Swiss streets as part of the campaign led by several parties in Switzerland, including the right-wing Swiss People's Party (SVP). "This (niqab wearing) is something that we find shocking. It is fundamentally in opposition with various values of our civilisation, simply because, for us, free people show their faces in all circumstances outside," said Jean-Luc Addor, an SVP member of parliament and head of the French-speaking branch of the referendum committee. The proposal predates the COVID-19 pandemic, which has seen all adults forced to don masks in many settings to prevent the spread of infection. It gathered the necessary support to trigger a referendum in 2017. The referendum does not mention Islam directly and also seeks to stop street brawls involving football fans wearing masks. However, local politicians, media and campaigners have started calling the referendum as being for a 'burqa ban'. The proposal compounds Switzerland's tense relationship with Islam after citizens voted to ban building any new minarets in 2009. Two cantons already have local bans on face coverings. Meanwhile, Zurich police fired tear gas shells at feminist rally. As per reports, police had warned ahead of the planned protest rally against congregating. However, when demonstrators started congregating in different parts of the city the police used tear gas. (With Reuters inputs)

Swiss to vote on referendum on banning face veils

US special envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad has proposed a shake up of peace process in the country including, interim government and conference of key players, say reports. However, his plans have faced objections, said Reuters quoting sources.&nbsp;

Afghan-born U.S. diplomat Zalmay Khalilzad is on a visit to Kabul, Doha and other regional capitals, his first since U.S. President Joe Biden's administration began reviewing its options for the peace process and as time runs out before a May 1 U.S. troop withdrawal deadline.

As per reports,&nbsp;Khalilzad is trying to build consensus around alternative options with all Afghan sides and key regional players as peace negotiations in Doha is making&nbsp;little progress and violence in Afghanistan is escalating

"(The United States) thinks Doha isn't working and needs impetus and an alternate approach," Reuters quoted a source as saying.

In Kabul, Khalilzad met Abdullah Abdullah, the chief peace envoy, President Ashraf Ghani and other political and civil society leaders, including former President Hamid Karzai.

Three diplomatic sources, two sources on the teams of political leaders who met with Khalilzad and two international sources in Kabul said one of the envoy's main proposals was an interim government arrangement, referred to as a participatory or representative government.

A former Afghan government official familiar with the matter said Khalilzad shared a document detailing the power-sharing proposal and that it revised a paper he circulated in December.

Another proposal was a meeting with a similar format to the 2001 Bonn conference, to involve representatives from a wide range of Afghan parties meeting in person while international agencies and diplomats push them to a solution.

Anti-Taliban leaders met under international auspices in the German city of Bonn after the 2001 U.S.-led invasion ousted the insurgents from power and agreed on a provisional administration and a roadmap for forming a permanent government and writing a new constitution.

&nbsp;"We're considering a number of different ideas that might accelerate the process," State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters on Friday.

"The United States is not making any formal proposals and is continuing to review all relevant options for future force posture - and all means all," a State Department spokesperson said on Saturday. "Ambassador Khalilzad has discussed a range of ways to move the diplomacy forward, nothing more."

(With Reuters inputs)

US special envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad has proposed a shake up of peace process in the country including, interim government and conference of key players, say reports.

US special envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad has proposed a shake up of peace process in the country including, interim government and conference of key players, say reports. However, his plans have faced objections, said Reuters quoting sources. Afghan-born U.S. diplomat Zalmay Khalilzad is on a visit to Kabul, Doha and other regional capitals, his first since U.S. President Joe Biden's administration began reviewing its options for the peace process and as time runs out before a May 1 U.S. troop withdrawal deadline. As per reports, Khalilzad is trying to build consensus around alternative options with all Afghan sides and key regional players as peace negotiations in Doha is making little progress and violence in Afghanistan is escalating "(The United States) thinks Doha isn't working and needs impetus and an alternate approach," Reuters quoted a source as saying. In Kabul, Khalilzad met Abdullah Abdullah, the chief peace envoy, President Ashraf Ghani and other political and civil society leaders, including former President Hamid Karzai. Three diplomatic sources, two sources on the teams of political leaders who met with Khalilzad and two international sources in Kabul said one of the envoy's main proposals was an interim government arrangement, referred to as a participatory or representative government. A former Afghan government official familiar with the matter said Khalilzad shared a document detailing the power-sharing proposal and that it revised a paper he circulated in December. Another proposal was a meeting with a similar format to the 2001 Bonn conference, to involve representatives from a wide range of Afghan parties meeting in person while international agencies and diplomats push them to a solution. Anti-Taliban leaders met under international auspices in the German city of Bonn after the 2001 U.S.-led invasion ousted the insurgents from power and agreed on a provisional administration and a roadmap for forming a permanent government and writing a new constitution. "We're considering a number of different ideas that might accelerate the process," State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters on Friday. "The United States is not making any formal proposals and is continuing to review all relevant options for future force posture - and all means all," a State Department spokesperson said on Saturday. "Ambassador Khalilzad has discussed a range of ways to move the diplomacy forward, nothing more." (With Reuters inputs)

US Afghanistan envoy proposes shake-up of Afghan peace process: Report

Canada on Friday (local time) approved Johnson &amp; Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine. This is fourth such vaccine that has been cleared by Canada. The country has also brought forward deliveries of millions of Pfizer doses. Prime Ministere Justin Trudeau made a televised speech in this regard.

"To people watching at home right now who are looking forward to getting their shot - your turn is coming," he said.

He added that Pfizer had agreed to accelerate delivery of 3.5 million doses ahead of schedule by end of May. Canada has ordered more doses per capita than any other country but deliveries of vaccines to the country has been slow. With a population of almost 38 million, Canada now expects 36.5 million doses of previously approved vaccines to be delivered by the end of June.

Canada authorised Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Inc vaccines in December, and AstraZeneca's in February. Johnson &amp; Johnson is a single dose vaccine and it can be stored in normal fridges.

The government of Ontario, Canada's most populous province, said on Friday it would extend the maximum period between first and second doses to four months, speeding up access to a first shot.

In addition to seniors and healthcare workers, Ontario now plans to prioritize shots for those who are unable to work from home, including teachers, and it aims to administer at least one dose of a vaccine to all adults over 60 by early June, officials said.

The J&amp;J shot, which has been authorized for adults in Canada, was 66% effective at preventing moderate and severe disease, said Supriya Sharma, a senior health ministry official.

Canada has pre-ordered 10 million doses of the J&amp;J vaccine, with options to order up to 28 million more. In a statement, the Brunswick, New Jersey-based company said it planned to provide the 10 million doses by the end of September.

(With agency inputs)

Canada on Friday (local time) approved Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine. This is fourth such vaccine that has been cleared by Canada. The country has also brought forward deliveries of millions of Pfizer doses.

Canada on Friday (local time) approved Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine. This is fourth such vaccine that has been cleared by Canada. The country has also brought forward deliveries of millions of Pfizer doses. Prime Ministere Justin Trudeau made a televised speech in this regard. "To people watching at home right now who are looking forward to getting their shot - your turn is coming," he said. He added that Pfizer had agreed to accelerate delivery of 3.5 million doses ahead of schedule by end of May. Canada has ordered more doses per capita than any other country but deliveries of vaccines to the country has been slow. With a population of almost 38 million, Canada now expects 36.5 million doses of previously approved vaccines to be delivered by the end of June. Canada authorised Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Inc vaccines in December, and AstraZeneca's in February. Johnson & Johnson is a single dose vaccine and it can be stored in normal fridges. The government of Ontario, Canada's most populous province, said on Friday it would extend the maximum period between first and second doses to four months, speeding up access to a first shot. In addition to seniors and healthcare workers, Ontario now plans to prioritize shots for those who are unable to work from home, including teachers, and it aims to administer at least one dose of a vaccine to all adults over 60 by early June, officials said. The J&J shot, which has been authorized for adults in Canada, was 66% effective at preventing moderate and severe disease, said Supriya Sharma, a senior health ministry official. Canada has pre-ordered 10 million doses of the J&J vaccine, with options to order up to 28 million more. In a statement, the Brunswick, New Jersey-based company said it planned to provide the 10 million doses by the end of September. (With agency inputs)

Canada approves Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine

In a landmark moment in modern religious history, Pope Francis met top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani in Iraq on Saturday. The two leaders met at the latter's home in the shrine city of Najaf. The meeting came on the second day of first-ever papal visit to Iraq.

When Pope Francis landed at the Najaf airport, posters had been set up featuring a famous saying by Ali, the fourth caliph and the Prophet Mohammed's relative, who is buried in the holy city.&nbsp;

"People are of two kinds, either your brothers in faith or your equals in humanity," read the banners. &nbsp;

A convoy of cars took the Pope into the Old City. Extremely tight security measures were in place.

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&nbsp;

No press were allowed inside the meeting as the 90-year-old grand ayatollah is highly reclusive and almost never seen in public.

The visit is one of the highlights of Francis's four-day trip to war-scarred Iraq, where Sistani has played a key role in tamping down tensions in recent decades.&nbsp;

It took months of careful negotiations between Najaf and the Vatican to secure the one-on-one meeting.

"We feel proud of what this visit represents and we thank those who made it possible," said Mohamed Ali Bahr al-Ulum, a senior cleric in Najaf.

'High moral authority'

Pope Francis, a strong proponent of interfaith efforts, has met top Sunni clerics in several Muslim-majority countries, including Bangladesh, Morocco, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.&nbsp;

Sistani, meanwhile, is followed by most of the world's 200 million Shiites -- a minority among Muslims but the majority in Iraq -- and is a national figure for Iraqis.

"Ali Sistani is a religious leader with a high moral authority," said Cardinal Miguel Angel Ayuso Guixot, the head of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and a specialist in Islamic studies.

Sistani began his religious studies at the age of five, climbing through the ranks of Shiite clergy to grand ayatollah in the 1990s.

While Saddam Hussein was in power, he languished under house arrest for years, but emerged after the US-led invasion toppled the repressive regime in 2003 to play an unprecedented public role.&nbsp;

In 2019, he stood with Iraqi protesters demanding better public services and rejecting external interference in Iraq's domestic affairs.&nbsp;

(With AFP inputs)

In a landmark moment in modern religious history, Pope Francis met top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani in Iraq on Saturday. The two leaders met at the latter's home in the shrine city of Najaf.

In a landmark moment in modern religious history, Pope Francis met top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani in Iraq on Saturday. The two leaders met at the latter's home in the shrine city of Najaf. The meeting came on the second day of first-ever papal visit to Iraq. When Pope Francis landed at the Najaf airport, posters had been set up featuring a famous saying by Ali, the fourth caliph and the Prophet Mohammed's relative, who is buried in the holy city. "People are of two kinds, either your brothers in faith or your equals in humanity," read the banners. A convoy of cars took the Pope into the Old City. Extremely tight security measures were in place. × No press were allowed inside the meeting as the 90-year-old grand ayatollah is highly reclusive and almost never seen in public. The visit is one of the highlights of Francis's four-day trip to war-scarred Iraq, where Sistani has played a key role in tamping down tensions in recent decades. It took months of careful negotiations between Najaf and the Vatican to secure the one-on-one meeting. "We feel proud of what this visit represents and we thank those who made it possible," said Mohamed Ali Bahr al-Ulum, a senior cleric in Najaf. 'High moral authority' Pope Francis, a strong proponent of interfaith efforts, has met top Sunni clerics in several Muslim-majority countries, including Bangladesh, Morocco, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. Sistani, meanwhile, is followed by most of the world's 200 million Shiites -- a minority among Muslims but the majority in Iraq -- and is a national figure for Iraqis. "Ali Sistani is a religious leader with a high moral authority," said Cardinal Miguel Angel Ayuso Guixot, the head of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and a specialist in Islamic studies. Sistani began his religious studies at the age of five, climbing through the ranks of Shiite clergy to grand ayatollah in the 1990s. While Saddam Hussein was in power, he languished under house arrest for years, but emerged after the US-led invasion toppled the repressive regime in 2003 to play an unprecedented public role. In 2019, he stood with Iraqi protesters demanding better public services and rejecting external interference in Iraq's domestic affairs. (With AFP inputs)

Historic moment: Pope Francis meets top Shiite religious leader Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani in Iraq

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan will face a test on Saturday as he seeks vote of confidence from the parliament. The vote of confidence will be held in Pakistan's National Assembly. On Thursday, Khan declared his intention to seek vote of confidence in parliament after Pakistan Finance Minister Abdul Hafiz Sheikh lost his bid for Senate seat. Imran Khan government had been expected to win the indirect election given the numerical superiority but members of his ruling coalition are widely believed to have voted against Sheikh.

The Senate is the upper house of Pakistan's bicameral parliament.

Khan's party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI), became the largest party in the Senate in Wednesday's poll. But although it gained ground, interim results on Thursday showed his ruling coalition was still a few seats short of a clear majority.

Imran is not the first Pakistani Prime Minister to face a vote of confidence in the National Assembly. In fact, under the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution, all prime ministers of Pakistan, from 1985 to 2008, received a vote of confidence from the National Assembly.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-election-commission-convenes-meet-to-discuss-pm-imran-khans-allegations-against-it-368284">Pak election commission convenes meet to discuss PM Imran Khan's allegations against it</a>

These included the late Benazir Bhutto, Nawaz Sharif, Mir Zafarullah Jamali, Chaudhry Shujaat, Shaukat Aziz, and Yousuf Raza Gilani, reported Geo News. But Imran Khan is also the second in the history of Pakistan who has sought for a `voluntary` vote of confidence. Prior to it, Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had sought a voluntary vote of confidence from the National Assembly after his reinstatement was granted by the Supreme Court in 1993.

(With agency inputs)

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan will face a test on Saturday as he seeks vote of confidence from the parliament. The vote of confidence will be held in Pakistan's National Assembly.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan will face a test on Saturday as he seeks vote of confidence from the parliament. The vote of confidence will be held in Pakistan's National Assembly. On Thursday, Khan declared his intention to seek vote of confidence in parliament after Pakistan Finance Minister Abdul Hafiz Sheikh lost his bid for Senate seat. Imran Khan government had been expected to win the indirect election given the numerical superiority but members of his ruling coalition are widely believed to have voted against Sheikh. The Senate is the upper house of Pakistan's bicameral parliament. Khan's party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI), became the largest party in the Senate in Wednesday's poll. But although it gained ground, interim results on Thursday showed his ruling coalition was still a few seats short of a clear majority. Imran is not the first Pakistani Prime Minister to face a vote of confidence in the National Assembly. In fact, under the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution, all prime ministers of Pakistan, from 1985 to 2008, received a vote of confidence from the National Assembly. Also Read | Pak election commission convenes meet to discuss PM Imran Khan's allegations against it These included the late Benazir Bhutto, Nawaz Sharif, Mir Zafarullah Jamali, Chaudhry Shujaat, Shaukat Aziz, and Yousuf Raza Gilani, reported Geo News. But Imran Khan is also the second in the history of Pakistan who has sought for a `voluntary` vote of confidence. Prior to it, Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had sought a voluntary vote of confidence from the National Assembly after his reinstatement was granted by the Supreme Court in 1993. (With agency inputs)

Imran Khan to seek vote of confidence in Pakistan parliament today

US on Saturday condemned China's fresh moves to tighten control over Hong Kong as a 'direct attack' on its autonomy. China has introduced legislation in its rubber-stamp parliament that will allow it to vet candidates that take part in elections in Hong Kong. Meanwhile, a suicide car bomb killed at least 20 in Somalian capital. Read this and more in our morning news brief.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-moves-against-hong-kong-direct-attack-on-autonomy-us-368357">China's moves against Hong Kong 'direct attack' on autonomy: US</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-moves-against-hong-kong-direct-attack-on-autonomy-us-368357"><img alt="China Hong Kong" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="cb79e964-fd75-488d-bbd2-354078e4793c" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Joe%20Biden.JPG" /></a> 
 
In yet another indication of it wanting to tighten control on Hong Kong, China introduced legislation to vet all election candidates in Hong Kong

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-20-killed-by-suicide-car-bomb-in-somalian-capital-368355">At least 20 killed by suicide car bomb in Somalian capital</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-20-killed-by-suicide-car-bomb-in-somalian-capital-368355"><img alt="Somalia" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7f8fc8ef-8be7-489e-b748-824d8578a4dc" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Somalia.JPG" /></a> 
 
The blast sent plumes of smoke into the sky and triggered gunfire, witnesses and state-owned media reported

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-finds-missing-case-of-brazil-variant-claims-no-sign-it-has-spread-368354">UK finds missing case of Brazil variant, claims no sign it has spread</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-finds-missing-case-of-brazil-variant-claims-no-sign-it-has-spread-368354"><img alt="UK Brazil coronavirus" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="dabf5df7-ce9f-4ed3-9c80-2d447cee7c94" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/UK%20virus.JPG" /></a> 
 
English health authorities have tracked down a previously-unidentified person who tested positive for a variant of COVID-19 first identified in northern Brazil, and said there were no signs the person had spread the virus

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-democrats-in-us-senate-reach-compromise-bidens-new-coronavirus-bill-back-on-track-368359">As Democrats in US Senate reach compromise, Biden's new coronavirus bill back on track</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-democrats-in-us-senate-reach-compromise-bidens-new-coronavirus-bill-back-on-track-368359"><img alt="Joe Biden" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e69aac3a-58d2-4db3-a057-099c932923f5" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Joe%20Biden%201.JPG" /></a> 
 
The deal will actually scale down the intensity of unemployment benefits that were put forward in the version of bill which passed the House of Representatives last week

Gravitas: Xi Jinping has an ambitious agenda for 2021

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US on Saturday condemned China's fresh moves to tighten control over Hong Kong as a 'direct attack' on its autonomy. China has introduced legislation in its rubber-stamp parliament that will allow it to vet candidates that take part in elections in Hong Kong.

US on Saturday condemned China's fresh moves to tighten control over Hong Kong as a 'direct attack' on its autonomy. China has introduced legislation in its rubber-stamp parliament that will allow it to vet candidates that take part in elections in Hong Kong. Meanwhile, a suicide car bomb killed at least 20 in Somalian capital. Read this and more in our morning news brief. China's moves against Hong Kong 'direct attack' on autonomy: US In yet another indication of it wanting to tighten control on Hong Kong, China introduced legislation to vet all election candidates in Hong Kong At least 20 killed by suicide car bomb in Somalian capital The blast sent plumes of smoke into the sky and triggered gunfire, witnesses and state-owned media reported UK finds missing case of Brazil variant, claims no sign it has spread English health authorities have tracked down a previously-unidentified person who tested positive for a variant of COVID-19 first identified in northern Brazil, and said there were no signs the person had spread the virus As Democrats in US Senate reach compromise, Biden's new coronavirus bill back on track The deal will actually scale down the intensity of unemployment benefits that were put forward in the version of bill which passed the House of Representatives last week Gravitas: Xi Jinping has an ambitious agenda for 2021 ×

Morning news brief: US condemns China's 'direct attack', blast in Somalia, and more

US on Friday condemned China's fresh moves against Hong Kong a direct attack on its autonomy. In yet another indication of it wanting to tighten control on Hong Kong, China introduced legislation to vet all election candidates in Hong Kong. The legislation was introduced at the opening of the nation's rubber-stamp parliament in Beijing. This is a part of China's efforts to ensure a "patriotic" government in the city following huge democracy rallies in 2019 &nbsp;

The proposed measures "are a direct attack on Hong Kong's autonomy, Hong Kong's freedoms and the democratic processes," State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters.

He said that the move violated Hong Kong's Basic Law that took effect in 1997 when Britain handed over the financial hub to China.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-union-warns-china-against-hong-kong-election-rules-change-368237">European Union warns China against Hong Kong election rules change</a>

"If implemented, these measures would drastically undermine Hong Kong democratic institutions and they run directly counter to the Basic Law's clear acknowledgment that Hong Kong elections should progress towards universal suffrage," Price said.

"We call on the PRC to uphold its international obligations and commitments and to act consistently with Hong Kong's Basic Law," he said, referring to the People's Republic of China.

"The United States stands together with the people of Hong Kong... who are seeking nothing more than the universal rights... which they are owed."

(With AFP inputs)

US on Friday condemned China's fresh moves against Hong Kong a direct attack on its autonomy. In yet another indication of it wanting to tighten control on Hong Kong, China introduced legislation to vet all election candidates in Hong Kong.

US on Friday condemned China's fresh moves against Hong Kong a direct attack on its autonomy. In yet another indication of it wanting to tighten control on Hong Kong, China introduced legislation to vet all election candidates in Hong Kong. The legislation was introduced at the opening of the nation's rubber-stamp parliament in Beijing. This is a part of China's efforts to ensure a "patriotic" government in the city following huge democracy rallies in 2019 The proposed measures "are a direct attack on Hong Kong's autonomy, Hong Kong's freedoms and the democratic processes," State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters. He said that the move violated Hong Kong's Basic Law that took effect in 1997 when Britain handed over the financial hub to China. Also Read | European Union warns China against Hong Kong election rules change "If implemented, these measures would drastically undermine Hong Kong democratic institutions and they run directly counter to the Basic Law's clear acknowledgment that Hong Kong elections should progress towards universal suffrage," Price said. "We call on the PRC to uphold its international obligations and commitments and to act consistently with Hong Kong's Basic Law," he said, referring to the People's Republic of China. "The United States stands together with the people of Hong Kong... who are seeking nothing more than the universal rights... which they are owed." (With AFP inputs)

China's moves against Hong Kong 'direct attack' on autonomy: US

Superheroes are all in vogue and with WandaVision wrapping up its first season, it can be understood if all of us are in need for our superhero fix. This strange occurrence did not involve any, however.&nbsp;Didn't matter even if we wanted Superman to be secretly behind something&nbsp;that made a ship 'fly'.

Colin McCallum, a Scottish man, was going about his business like any other Scottish man would when he saw something that'll make anyone take notice. Moving before his very eyes was a ship that appeared to float well above water in the sea off Cornwall. The ship appeared to be flying.

He was quick to take a photo and post it on Facebook. The photo, quite obviously has gone viral.

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Saw a real life optical illusion in Banff today 😱
Posted by <a href="#" role="button">Colin McCallum</a> on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/colin.mccallum.1481/posts/2876054829334326">Friday, 26 February 2021</a></blockquote>
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Unfolding before him was nature's own 'laser show', so to speak. The ship appeared to fly because of a phenomenon called 'superior mirage'. This optical illusion occurs frequently in the Arctic but also takes place near UK. It is, however, a rare thing to witness near UK.

The superior mirage is formed due to a weather phenomenon known as temperature inversion. In this, an object beyond the horizon may appear above it due to temperature difference in layers of air over the sea.

Air closer to water is cold while that away from it is relatively warmer. This bends the light towards the observer standing on coast and may give rise to illusions such as this 'flying ship'.

Superheroes are all in vogue and with WandaVision wrapping up its first season, it can be understood if all of us are in need for our superhero fix. This strange occurrence did not involve any, however.

Superheroes are all in vogue and with WandaVision wrapping up its first season, it can be understood if all of us are in need for our superhero fix. This strange occurrence did not involve any, however. Didn't matter even if we wanted Superman to be secretly behind something that made a ship 'fly'. Colin McCallum, a Scottish man, was going about his business like any other Scottish man would when he saw something that'll make anyone take notice. Moving before his very eyes was a ship that appeared to float well above water in the sea off Cornwall. The ship appeared to be flying. He was quick to take a photo and post it on Facebook. The photo, quite obviously has gone viral. Saw a real life optical illusion in Banff today 😱 Posted by Colin McCallum on Friday, 26 February 2021 × Unfolding before him was nature's own 'laser show', so to speak. The ship appeared to fly because of a phenomenon called 'superior mirage'. This optical illusion occurs frequently in the Arctic but also takes place near UK. It is, however, a rare thing to witness near UK. The superior mirage is formed due to a weather phenomenon known as temperature inversion. In this, an object beyond the horizon may appear above it due to temperature difference in layers of air over the sea. Air closer to water is cold while that away from it is relatively warmer. This bends the light towards the observer standing on coast and may give rise to illusions such as this 'flying ship'.

Superman? No, it's a 'flying ship'

A plan to build a 'passageway' to South Asia through Tibet has been included in China's 14th five-year-plan, reported the state-run media. Xinhua said that Tibet "will be supported" to build än important passageway" opening to South Asia. Concrete plan about this project is not available and it is not yet clear where the "opening" of this passageway would be.

On Friday, Beijing unveiled its next five-year plan, pledging to lift annual research and development spending by more than 7% until 2025, highlighting a commitment to become self-sufficient as the country clashes with the United States and other countries over technology policy.

"We owe our achievements last year to the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core," Li said in an hour-long speech to over 5,000 delegates gathered in the Great Hall of the People, all of them inoculated against COVID-19 with a vaccine made by China's Sinopharm.

However, consumer spending remains constrained, investment growth lacks sustainability, and "the foundation for achieving our country's economic recovery needs to be further consolidated," he said in a speech that mentioned Xi 13 times.

Li set a growth target of more than 6% this year for the world's second-largest economy, seen to be easily achievable, defying expectations that China would refrain from setting a goal given global uncertainty caused by the pandemic.

China grew by 2.3% last year, its weakest in 44 years, but was still the only major economy to expand as it largely vanquished the domestic spread of the novel coronavirus that first emerged in the country in late 2019.

During Friday's parliamentary session, Beijing proposed legislation that would tighten its increasingly authoritarian grip on Hong Kong by making changes to the electoral committee that chooses the city's leader, giving it new power to nominate legislative candidates.

(With agency inputs)

A plan to build a 'passageway' to South Asia through Tibet has been included in China's 14th five-year-plan, reported the state-run media. Xinhua said that Tibet "will be supported" to build än important passageway" opening to South Asia.

A plan to build a 'passageway' to South Asia through Tibet has been included in China's 14th five-year-plan, reported the state-run media. Xinhua said that Tibet "will be supported" to build än important passageway" opening to South Asia. Concrete plan about this project is not available and it is not yet clear where the "opening" of this passageway would be. On Friday, Beijing unveiled its next five-year plan, pledging to lift annual research and development spending by more than 7% until 2025, highlighting a commitment to become self-sufficient as the country clashes with the United States and other countries over technology policy. "We owe our achievements last year to the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core," Li said in an hour-long speech to over 5,000 delegates gathered in the Great Hall of the People, all of them inoculated against COVID-19 with a vaccine made by China's Sinopharm. However, consumer spending remains constrained, investment growth lacks sustainability, and "the foundation for achieving our country's economic recovery needs to be further consolidated," he said in a speech that mentioned Xi 13 times. Li set a growth target of more than 6% this year for the world's second-largest economy, seen to be easily achievable, defying expectations that China would refrain from setting a goal given global uncertainty caused by the pandemic. China grew by 2.3% last year, its weakest in 44 years, but was still the only major economy to expand as it largely vanquished the domestic spread of the novel coronavirus that first emerged in the country in late 2019. During Friday's parliamentary session, Beijing proposed legislation that would tighten its increasingly authoritarian grip on Hong Kong by making changes to the electoral committee that chooses the city's leader, giving it new power to nominate legislative candidates. (With agency inputs)

China to build 'passageway' to South Asia through Tibet

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