Pakistan will launch its COVID vaccination drive next week, said a government minister on Wednesday. Frontline health workers will be vaccinated first.

"God willing, the vaccination of frontline health workers will start next week," Asad Umar, who oversees Pakistan's efforts to stem the coronavirus pandemic, said in a tweet.

China has pledged a donation of 500,000 doses of COVID vaccines made by Sinopharm. Reuters mentioned government sources and said that first batch would be flown in on Saturday.

Pakistan has so far approved two vaccines for emergency use, one made by China National Pharmaceutical Group (SinoPharm) and the other by AstraZeneca.

Russia's Sputnik V vaccine is also likely to get similar approval, officials say, adding that the authorisations will be reviewed quarterly with regard to safety, efficacy and quality.

Pakistan's Health Minister Faisal Sultan has said Pakistan could get "in the range of tens of millions" of vaccine doses under an agreement with China's Cansino Biologics Inc.

Cansino's Ad5-nCoV vaccine candidate is nearing completion of Phase III clinical trials in Pakistan, and preliminary results may be available by mid-February, Sultan said.

"There's going to be an accumulation of vaccines, a consortium available, there’s going to be Chinese vaccines, there's going to be AstraZeneca," said Dr Ghazna Khalid. She is the member of the government task force on COVID-19.

(With Reuters inputs)

Pakistan will launch its COVID vaccination drive next week, said a government minister on Wednesday. Frontline health workers will be vaccinated first. "God willing, the vaccination of frontline health workers will start next week," Asad Umar, who oversees Pakistan's efforts to stem the coronavirus pandemic, said in a tweet.

Pakistan will launch its COVID vaccination drive next week, said a government minister on Wednesday. Frontline health workers will be vaccinated first. "God willing, the vaccination of frontline health workers will start next week," Asad Umar, who oversees Pakistan's efforts to stem the coronavirus pandemic, said in a tweet. China has pledged a donation of 500,000 doses of COVID vaccines made by Sinopharm. Reuters mentioned government sources and said that first batch would be flown in on Saturday. Pakistan has so far approved two vaccines for emergency use, one made by China National Pharmaceutical Group (SinoPharm) and the other by AstraZeneca. Russia's Sputnik V vaccine is also likely to get similar approval, officials say, adding that the authorisations will be reviewed quarterly with regard to safety, efficacy and quality. Pakistan's Health Minister Faisal Sultan has said Pakistan could get "in the range of tens of millions" of vaccine doses under an agreement with China's Cansino Biologics Inc. Cansino's Ad5-nCoV vaccine candidate is nearing completion of Phase III clinical trials in Pakistan, and preliminary results may be available by mid-February, Sultan said. "There's going to be an accumulation of vaccines, a consortium available, there’s going to be Chinese vaccines, there's going to be AstraZeneca," said Dr Ghazna Khalid. She is the member of the government task force on COVID-19. (With Reuters inputs)

Pakistan to start COVID vaccination next week

Senate Republicans rallied Tuesday against trying former President Donald Trump for “incitement of insurrection” at the Capitol, with only five members of his party joining Democrats in a vote to go forward with his impeachment trial.

By a vote of 55-45, the Senate narrowly killed a Republican effort to dismiss the proceeding as unconstitutional because Trump is no longer in office. But the numbers showed that loyal Republicans are again poised to spare him from conviction, this time despite his role in stirring up a mob that violently targeted lawmakers and the vice president Jan. 6 as Congress met to finalize the election.

“I think it’s pretty obvious from the vote today that it is extraordinarily unlikely that the president will be convicted,” said Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, one of the five Republicans who voted to proceed to trial. “Just do the math.”

It would take two-thirds of senators — 67 votes — to attain a conviction, meaning 17 Republicans would have to cross party lines to side with Democrats in finding Trump guilty. If they did, an additional vote to disqualify him from ever holding office again would take a simple majority.

Aside from Collins, the only Republicans who joined Democrats in voting to reject the constitutional objection and proceed were Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Mitt Romney of Utah, Ben Sasse of Nebraska and Patrick Toomey of Pennsylvania. All five had previously said they were open to hearing the House’s impeachment case, which was adopted in a bipartisan vote a week after the attack.

With the facts of the case still spilling forth and the meat of the trial delayed for two weeks, senators could change their views. Several Republicans who voted Tuesday to uphold the constitutional challenge, which would have effectively killed the trial, rushed afterward to clarify that they remained open-minded about the trial, which next convenes Feb. 9.

In the weeks since the attack, Trump has made no apology for his actions, including spreading falsehoods about election fraud and urging his supporters gathered outside the White House on Jan. 6 to march to the Capitol, confront members of Congress formalizing his election loss and “fight like hell.”

But most agreed that whatever window of possibility there had been for bipartisan condemnation of Trump by lawmakers who were evacuated from the Capitol amid the deadly assault was closing fast, as Republicans were reminded once again of Trump’s remarkable hold on their party and the risks of crossing him. The 10 House Republicans who broke with their party to support the impeachment charge are already facing an intense backlash, both at home and in Washington.

It appeared that Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader, was among those making such a calculation. He had twice signaled in recent days — through advisers and then in a letter to colleagues — that he was open to convicting a former president he privately disdains, and he publicly asserted last week that Trump had “provoked” the mob.

But if McConnell was trying to soften the ground for a faction of Republicans to abandon Trump and jettison him from the party, it had become increasingly clear that no such coalition was emerging.

When his fellow Kentuckian Sen. Rand Paul lodged a constitutional objection to the proceeding minutes after the Senate convened as a court of impeachment, McConnell voted with the vast majority of his conference in favor of the challenge.

It seemed to be a recognition that Republicans were not so keen to move on from Trump, whether out of fear of his promises of retribution and his overwhelming popularity with the party’s core supporters, or out of a belief that the fight was simply not worth having.

Democrats feared something more conspiratorial, pointing out that it was McConnell who, as majority leader, refused Democrats’ entreaties to begin the impeachment trial two weeks ago, when Trump was still president. On Tuesday, the Republican leader turned around and sided with Paul’s argument that trying a former president was unconstitutional.

McConnell made no public comment about his views of the vote nor did he speak up on the matter during a private Republican luncheon beforehand, according to people familiar with the session.

The showdown caught many senators off guard on a day that they expected to be devoted largely to the carefully scripted ceremony and logistics of a trial.

Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., the Senate president pro tempore, was sworn in as the presiding officer and then asked all 100 senators to take an oath to administer “impartial justice” during the trial. Senators were warned by the sergeant-at-arms “on pain of imprisonment” to remain silent.

It was then that Paul, an outspoken defender of Trump, lodged his formal objection.

“Private citizens don’t get impeached," Paul had said a short time earlier, calling the trial "deranged" and vindictive. "Impeachment is for removal from office, and the accused here has already left office.”

Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., the majority leader, quickly moved to shut down the request.

“The theory that the impeachment of a former official is unconstitutional is flat-out wrong by every frame of analysis,” Schumer said. “It has been completely debunked by constitutional scholars from all across the political spectrum.”

The Senate has clearly taken that position in the past. In 1876, as the House was preparing to impeach him on corruption charges, William Belknap, Ulysses S. Grant’s secretary of war, hurried to the White House, where he tendered his resignation in tears just before Congress could act. The House proceeded anyway, and when the case arrived in the Senate, a majority of the body decided that it retained jurisdiction to hear it, notwithstanding Belknap’s departure from office.

Support for a constitutional argument against holding the trial had been growing in the Senate in recent days, particularly among Republicans who showed little interest in mounting any substantive defense of Trump’s conduct. But the overwhelming level of Republican support exceeded what almost anyone was expecting.

Paul declared victory, saying, “Forty-five votes means the impeachment trial is dead on arrival.”

Murkowski, who has praised the House’s move to impeach and called Trump’s actions “unlawful,” reluctantly agreed. She told reporters that she feared that it would be impossible for most of her Republican colleagues to truly consider supporting a conviction after they had put themselves on record arguing that the trial should not even take place.

“That’s why I thought it was a little unfortunate that we had this very spontaneous vote on an extraordinarily significant matter without the considered debate and analysis,” she said. “People had to make really quick decisions.”

But other Republicans said their votes to uphold Paul’s objection should not be read as opposition to hearing the case against Trump.

Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio said that he voted with Paul because he wanted a “fulsome discussion” on the issue of constitutionality, not necessarily to kill the trial.

“I’ve not made my mind up,” he said. “I’m a juror.”

He and Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, the Republican whip, suggested McConnell might feel the same way.

“I don’t think it binds anybody once the trial starts,” Thune said.

Far from settled, the argument over constitutionality will reappear when the trial reconvenes in February, when senators may seek to use it as justification for voting to acquit. The House managers have already begun preparing a constitutional justification for proceeding, and Trump’s lawyers will be asked to argue the opposite as a key plank of their defense.

The debate arises from the fact that the Constitution does not explicitly discuss impeachments of former officials or instruct Congress how to handle a case like Trump’s, in which the president was impeached while still in office but was not put on trial until after his term expired.

Senate Republicans have embraced a legal theory that argues that the document’s silence means the Senate does not have authority to try former officials whatsoever, even if the first stage of the process, impeachment, took place before they left.

Just before the vote, McConnell had invited Jonathan Turley, a George Washington University law professor, to speak about the constitutional debate at the regularly scheduled Republican luncheon. Turley has taken a more nuanced position than some who argue trying a former official is strictly unconstitutional. He argues instead that it is “constitutionally unsound” to proceed and could set a dangerous precedent whereby a Congress of one party could go about charging and punishing the leaders of another at whim.

But other leading constitutional scholars say that view is backward, and a trial of a former official — particularly one who just left office — is entirely consistent with the framers’ intentions to hold public officials accountable. If it was not, they argue, officials could routinely commit high crimes and misdemeanors in their final weeks and months in office, confident they would avoid punishment.

“If an official could only be disqualified while he or she still held office, then an official who betrayed the public trust and was impeached could avoid accountability simply by resigning one minute before the Senate’s final conviction vote,” a group of 150 prominent legal scholars, including a founder of the conservative Federalist Society, wrote last week. “The framers did not design the Constitution’s checks and balances to be so easily undermined. History supports a reading of the Constitution that allows Congress to impeach, try, convict and disqualify former officers.”

Senate Republicans rallied Tuesday against trying former President Donald Trump for “incitement of insurrection” at the Capitol, with only five members of his party joining Democrats in a vote to go forward with his impeachment trial.

Senate Republicans rallied Tuesday against trying former President Donald Trump for “incitement of insurrection” at the Capitol, with only five members of his party joining Democrats in a vote to go forward with his impeachment trial. By a vote of 55-45, the Senate narrowly killed a Republican effort to dismiss the proceeding as unconstitutional because Trump is no longer in office. But the numbers showed that loyal Republicans are again poised to spare him from conviction, this time despite his role in stirring up a mob that violently targeted lawmakers and the vice president Jan. 6 as Congress met to finalize the election. “I think it’s pretty obvious from the vote today that it is extraordinarily unlikely that the president will be convicted,” said Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, one of the five Republicans who voted to proceed to trial. “Just do the math.” It would take two-thirds of senators — 67 votes — to attain a conviction, meaning 17 Republicans would have to cross party lines to side with Democrats in finding Trump guilty. If they did, an additional vote to disqualify him from ever holding office again would take a simple majority. Aside from Collins, the only Republicans who joined Democrats in voting to reject the constitutional objection and proceed were Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Mitt Romney of Utah, Ben Sasse of Nebraska and Patrick Toomey of Pennsylvania. All five had previously said they were open to hearing the House’s impeachment case, which was adopted in a bipartisan vote a week after the attack. With the facts of the case still spilling forth and the meat of the trial delayed for two weeks, senators could change their views. Several Republicans who voted Tuesday to uphold the constitutional challenge, which would have effectively killed the trial, rushed afterward to clarify that they remained open-minded about the trial, which next convenes Feb. 9. In the weeks since the attack, Trump has made no apology for his actions, including spreading falsehoods about election fraud and urging his supporters gathered outside the White House on Jan. 6 to march to the Capitol, confront members of Congress formalizing his election loss and “fight like hell.” But most agreed that whatever window of possibility there had been for bipartisan condemnation of Trump by lawmakers who were evacuated from the Capitol amid the deadly assault was closing fast, as Republicans were reminded once again of Trump’s remarkable hold on their party and the risks of crossing him. The 10 House Republicans who broke with their party to support the impeachment charge are already facing an intense backlash, both at home and in Washington. It appeared that Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader, was among those making such a calculation. He had twice signaled in recent days — through advisers and then in a letter to colleagues — that he was open to convicting a former president he privately disdains, and he publicly asserted last week that Trump had “provoked” the mob. But if McConnell was trying to soften the ground for a faction of Republicans to abandon Trump and jettison him from the party, it had become increasingly clear that no such coalition was emerging. When his fellow Kentuckian Sen. Rand Paul lodged a constitutional objection to the proceeding minutes after the Senate convened as a court of impeachment, McConnell voted with the vast majority of his conference in favor of the challenge. It seemed to be a recognition that Republicans were not so keen to move on from Trump, whether out of fear of his promises of retribution and his overwhelming popularity with the party’s core supporters, or out of a belief that the fight was simply not worth having. Democrats feared something more conspiratorial, pointing out that it was McConnell who, as majority leader, refused Democrats’ entreaties to begin the impeachment trial two weeks ago, when Trump was still president. On Tuesday, the Republican leader turned around and sided with Paul’s argument that trying a former president was unconstitutional. McConnell made no public comment about his views of the vote nor did he speak up on the matter during a private Republican luncheon beforehand, according to people familiar with the session. The showdown caught many senators off guard on a day that they expected to be devoted largely to the carefully scripted ceremony and logistics of a trial. Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., the Senate president pro tempore, was sworn in as the presiding officer and then asked all 100 senators to take an oath to administer “impartial justice” during the trial. Senators were warned by the sergeant-at-arms “on pain of imprisonment” to remain silent. It was then that Paul, an outspoken defender of Trump, lodged his formal objection. “Private citizens don’t get impeached," Paul had said a short time earlier, calling the trial "deranged" and vindictive. "Impeachment is for removal from office, and the accused here has already left office.” Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., the majority leader, quickly moved to shut down the request. “The theory that the impeachment of a former official is unconstitutional is flat-out wrong by every frame of analysis,” Schumer said. “It has been completely debunked by constitutional scholars from all across the political spectrum.” The Senate has clearly taken that position in the past. In 1876, as the House was preparing to impeach him on corruption charges, William Belknap, Ulysses S. Grant’s secretary of war, hurried to the White House, where he tendered his resignation in tears just before Congress could act. The House proceeded anyway, and when the case arrived in the Senate, a majority of the body decided that it retained jurisdiction to hear it, notwithstanding Belknap’s departure from office. Support for a constitutional argument against holding the trial had been growing in the Senate in recent days, particularly among Republicans who showed little interest in mounting any substantive defense of Trump’s conduct. But the overwhelming level of Republican support exceeded what almost anyone was expecting. Paul declared victory, saying, “Forty-five votes means the impeachment trial is dead on arrival.” Murkowski, who has praised the House’s move to impeach and called Trump’s actions “unlawful,” reluctantly agreed. She told reporters that she feared that it would be impossible for most of her Republican colleagues to truly consider supporting a conviction after they had put themselves on record arguing that the trial should not even take place. “That’s why I thought it was a little unfortunate that we had this very spontaneous vote on an extraordinarily significant matter without the considered debate and analysis,” she said. “People had to make really quick decisions.” But other Republicans said their votes to uphold Paul’s objection should not be read as opposition to hearing the case against Trump. Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio said that he voted with Paul because he wanted a “fulsome discussion” on the issue of constitutionality, not necessarily to kill the trial. “I’ve not made my mind up,” he said. “I’m a juror.” He and Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, the Republican whip, suggested McConnell might feel the same way. “I don’t think it binds anybody once the trial starts,” Thune said. Far from settled, the argument over constitutionality will reappear when the trial reconvenes in February, when senators may seek to use it as justification for voting to acquit. The House managers have already begun preparing a constitutional justification for proceeding, and Trump’s lawyers will be asked to argue the opposite as a key plank of their defense. The debate arises from the fact that the Constitution does not explicitly discuss impeachments of former officials or instruct Congress how to handle a case like Trump’s, in which the president was impeached while still in office but was not put on trial until after his term expired. Senate Republicans have embraced a legal theory that argues that the document’s silence means the Senate does not have authority to try former officials whatsoever, even if the first stage of the process, impeachment, took place before they left. Just before the vote, McConnell had invited Jonathan Turley, a George Washington University law professor, to speak about the constitutional debate at the regularly scheduled Republican luncheon. Turley has taken a more nuanced position than some who argue trying a former official is strictly unconstitutional. He argues instead that it is “constitutionally unsound” to proceed and could set a dangerous precedent whereby a Congress of one party could go about charging and punishing the leaders of another at whim. But other leading constitutional scholars say that view is backward, and a trial of a former official — particularly one who just left office — is entirely consistent with the framers’ intentions to hold public officials accountable. If it was not, they argue, officials could routinely commit high crimes and misdemeanors in their final weeks and months in office, confident they would avoid punishment. “If an official could only be disqualified while he or she still held office, then an official who betrayed the public trust and was impeached could avoid accountability simply by resigning one minute before the Senate’s final conviction vote,” a group of 150 prominent legal scholars, including a founder of the conservative Federalist Society, wrote last week. “The framers did not design the Constitution’s checks and balances to be so easily undermined. History supports a reading of the Constitution that allows Congress to impeach, try, convict and disqualify former officers.”

Republicans rally against impeachment trial, signaling likely acquittal for Trump

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned of tech giants' increasing influence that he said competed with states. Lebanon has rolled out tanks amid anti-lockdown protests. Meanwhile, Youtube has suspended former US President Donald Trump's channel indefinitely. Read this and much more in Top 10 world news. &nbsp; &nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/astrazeneca-clarifies-will-attend-eu-meeting-on-covid-19-vaccine-delay-359668">AstraZeneca clarifies will attend EU meeting on Covid-19 vaccine delay</a>

<img alt="Astrazeneca" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="222a8569-457a-453c-a08d-7390d01533e7" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/astrazeneca.JPG" />

The EU contract with AstraZeneca is an advance purchase agreement for the supply of at least 300 million doses provided that the vaccine is approved as safe and effective.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-biden-putin-phone-call-russias-lower-house-of-parliament-approves-new-start-nuclear-control-treaty-359670">After Biden-Putin phone call, Russia's lower house of Parliament approves New START nuclear control treaty</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-biden-putin-phone-call-russias-lower-house-of-parliament-approves-new-start-nuclear-control-treaty-359670"><img alt="Biden Putin" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2d7f04d8-0ab5-40c2-93bc-626994acdacd" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Biden%20putin.JPG" /></a> 
 
The treaty which expires next week on February 5 sets the limits to the number of nuclear warheads, missiles and bombers that the US and Russia can possess.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-warns-against-influence-of-tech-giants-says-they-compete-with-states-359693">Putin warns against influence of tech giants, says they 'compete' with states</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-warns-against-influence-of-tech-giants-says-they-compete-with-states-359693"><img alt="Putin" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4fc84eed-37e0-4543-b5b4-3994319ae61c" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Putin_2.JPG" /></a> 
 
Putin sounded the warning during his virtual address at Davos virtual economic summit

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lebanon-rolls-out-tanks-amid-anti-lockdown-protests-359659">Lebanon rolls out tanks amid anti-lockdown protests</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lebanon-rolls-out-tanks-amid-anti-lockdown-protests-359659"><img alt="Lebanon" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="40ec4eaf-bc37-43c6-ade8-37cdc7aefce7" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Lebanon.JPG" /></a> 
 
The coronavirus cases have spiked in the country after families reportedly gathered during the year-end holidays and authorities allowed bars to stay open until 3:00 am.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-deploys-anal-swabs-to-test-for-coronavirus-359649">China deploys anal swabs to test for coronavirus</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-deploys-anal-swabs-to-test-for-coronavirus-359649"><img alt="China" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="25a64ae8-5104-45e8-9777-dd8ade0e4376" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/china.JPG" /></a> 
 
Doctors in China say the said way can be more effective in detecting the virus.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-judge-blocks-president-bidens-100-day-pause-on-deportations-359694">US judge blocks President Biden's 100-day pause on deportations</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-judge-blocks-president-bidens-100-day-pause-on-deportations-359694"><img alt="Biden" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="af43fa11-f860-44fb-b1fd-554dbfdd2083" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/biden_0.JPG" /></a> 
 
Judge Drew Tipton granted a 14-day temporary restraining order until the case could be further examined on request by state’s Republican attorney-general Ken Paxton.

Youtube suspends Donald Trump from platform indefinitely 
https://www.wionews.com/world/youtube-suspends-donald-trump-from-platform-indefinitely-359653 
Number of social media platforms including Twitter, and Facebook have taken action against Trump after the January 6 Capitol Hill violence

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-waging-psychological-war-iran-says-359699">Israel waging 'psychological war', Iran says</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-waging-psychological-war-iran-says-359699"><img alt="Iran Israel" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4cab3683-a30f-4f8b-8002-3c894c6422eb" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Iran_8.JPG" /></a> 
 
Mahmoud Vaezi, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's chief of staff, also vowed that his country was ready and willing to defend itself.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amazon-set-to-launch-in-poland-359689">Amazon set to launch in Poland</a>

<img alt="Amazon" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f44c38d7-e8fa-4977-b912-2d7ae15b13c1" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/amazon_0.JPG" /> 
Poland, which has a population of 38 million people, is one of the last major European countries without a dedicated Amazon website.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-covid-variant-sufferers-cough-more-but-smell-less-affected-survey-359680">UK COVID variant sufferers cough more, but smell less affected: Survey</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-covid-variant-sufferers-cough-more-but-smell-less-affected-survey-359680"><img alt="Covid" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fa3833f4-be1b-4a83-a5bc-a75e6dea5bbc" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/covid_1.JPG" /></a> 
 
The variant, identified in southeast England in December, is thought to be more transmissible, and could also be associated with higher mortality, though data suggesting increased death rates are uncertain and not yet strong.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned of tech giants' increasing influence that he said competed with states. Lebanon has rolled out tanks amid anti-lockdown protests.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned of tech giants' increasing influence that he said competed with states. Lebanon has rolled out tanks amid anti-lockdown protests. Meanwhile, Youtube has suspended former US President Donald Trump's channel indefinitely. Read this and much more in Top 10 world news. AstraZeneca clarifies will attend EU meeting on Covid-19 vaccine delay The EU contract with AstraZeneca is an advance purchase agreement for the supply of at least 300 million doses provided that the vaccine is approved as safe and effective. After Biden-Putin phone call, Russia's lower house of Parliament approves New START nuclear control treaty The treaty which expires next week on February 5 sets the limits to the number of nuclear warheads, missiles and bombers that the US and Russia can possess. Putin warns against influence of tech giants, says they 'compete' with states Putin sounded the warning during his virtual address at Davos virtual economic summit Lebanon rolls out tanks amid anti-lockdown protests The coronavirus cases have spiked in the country after families reportedly gathered during the year-end holidays and authorities allowed bars to stay open until 3:00 am. China deploys anal swabs to test for coronavirus Doctors in China say the said way can be more effective in detecting the virus. US judge blocks President Biden's 100-day pause on deportations Judge Drew Tipton granted a 14-day temporary restraining order until the case could be further examined on request by state’s Republican attorney-general Ken Paxton. Youtube suspends Donald Trump from platform indefinitely https://www.wionews.com/world/youtube-suspends-donald-trump-from-platform-indefinitely-359653 Number of social media platforms including Twitter, and Facebook have taken action against Trump after the January 6 Capitol Hill violence Israel waging 'psychological war', Iran says Mahmoud Vaezi, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's chief of staff, also vowed that his country was ready and willing to defend itself. Amazon set to launch in Poland Poland, which has a population of 38 million people, is one of the last major European countries without a dedicated Amazon website. UK COVID variant sufferers cough more, but smell less affected: Survey The variant, identified in southeast England in December, is thought to be more transmissible, and could also be associated with higher mortality, though data suggesting increased death rates are uncertain and not yet strong.

Top 10 world news: Putin warns against tech giants, Youtube suspends Trump channel, and more

Bangladesh is preparing to move 2000-3000 more Rohingya refugees to the Bhasan Char, a remote Bay of Bengal island that critics say is vulnerable to storms and flooding. Bangladesh has already relocated about 3500 Rohingya refugees on the island since early December.

Bhasan Char island emerged from the sea only two decades ago. One has to travel by boat from Chittagong for several hours in order to reach the island.&nbsp;

"Most probably, they will be taken to Chittagong tomorrow and the next day, they will be sent to Bhasan Char from there," Navy Commodore Abdullah Al Mamun Chowdhury told Reuters.

"Last time, we had preparations for 700 to 1,000 but finally more than 1,800 Rohingya moved there. People who moved earlier are calling their relatives and friends to go there. That's why more people are going there."

The move to send Rohingya refugees to Bangladesh has drawn criticism. Bangladesh justifies the move to the island saying overcrowding in the camps in Cox's Bazar is leading to crimes.

It also dismisses concerns of floods, citing the construction of a 2-metre (6.5 feet) embankment for 12 km (7.5 miles) to protect the island along with housing for 100,000 people, as well as facilities such as cyclone centres and hospitals.

Its actions, nevertheless, have attracted criticism from relief agencies that had not been consulted on the previous transfers. The UNHCR did not immediately respond to a query from Reuters on the latest planned movement.

U.S.-based advocacy group Refugees International has said the plan is "short-sighted and inhumane" while the Fortify Rights Group said the relocations may be "coerced and involuntary" and should cease immediately.

Bangladesh is preparing to move 2000-3000 more Rohingya refugees to the Bhasan Char, a remote Bay of Bengal island that critics say is vulnerable to storms and flooding.

Bangladesh is preparing to move 2000-3000 more Rohingya refugees to the Bhasan Char, a remote Bay of Bengal island that critics say is vulnerable to storms and flooding. Bangladesh has already relocated about 3500 Rohingya refugees on the island since early December. Bhasan Char island emerged from the sea only two decades ago. One has to travel by boat from Chittagong for several hours in order to reach the island. "Most probably, they will be taken to Chittagong tomorrow and the next day, they will be sent to Bhasan Char from there," Navy Commodore Abdullah Al Mamun Chowdhury told Reuters. "Last time, we had preparations for 700 to 1,000 but finally more than 1,800 Rohingya moved there. People who moved earlier are calling their relatives and friends to go there. That's why more people are going there." The move to send Rohingya refugees to Bangladesh has drawn criticism. Bangladesh justifies the move to the island saying overcrowding in the camps in Cox's Bazar is leading to crimes. It also dismisses concerns of floods, citing the construction of a 2-metre (6.5 feet) embankment for 12 km (7.5 miles) to protect the island along with housing for 100,000 people, as well as facilities such as cyclone centres and hospitals. Its actions, nevertheless, have attracted criticism from relief agencies that had not been consulted on the previous transfers. The UNHCR did not immediately respond to a query from Reuters on the latest planned movement. U.S.-based advocacy group Refugees International has said the plan is "short-sighted and inhumane" while the Fortify Rights Group said the relocations may be "coerced and involuntary" and should cease immediately.

Bangladesh to send more Rohingya refugees to remote island despite criticism

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday warned against the increasing influence large tech companies wield. He said &nbsp;that these tech giants were "competing" with states. Russia is ramping up pressure on foreign internet companies. The companies usually are not subject to state censorship that majority of Russian media outlets work under.

Putin sounded the warning during his virtual address at Davos virtual economic summit. He said it was unclear where the line should be drawn between &nbsp;a "succesful global business" and "attempts to crudely, at their own discretion, control society".

"We just saw it all in the United States," he added, referring to riots earlier this month in Washington led by supporters of then US President Donald Trump.

Moscow earlier this week accused US tech giants of interfering in Russia's internal affairs, in particular during anti-government protests led by supporters of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny on Saturday.&nbsp;

Ahead of the rallies, Russia's media watchdog Roskomnadzor ordered several online platforms, including YouTube and Instagram, to delete posts by users calling for protesters to attend demonstrations.

On Wednesday, the chairman of the lower house State Duma's foreign interference committee, Vasily Piskaryov, said that the head of TikTok's Russian branch had been invited to parliament for a conversation.&nbsp;

\Piskaryov was cited by the TASS news agency as saying that "questions had piled up" about the China-based video-sharing service.

In recent months, TikTok has emerged as a popular platform for young Russians to express their political views.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-biden-putin-phone-call-russias-lower-house-of-parliament-approves-new-start-nuclear-control-treaty-359670">After Biden-Putin phone call, Russia's lower house of Parliament approves New START nuclear control treaty</a>

Hashtags dedicated to Navalny have been trending on TikTok, garnering more than 1.5 billion views, after the anti-corruption campaigner was jailed on his return to Russia from Germany.

(With AFP inputs)

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday warned against the increasing influence large tech companies wield. He said that these tech giants were "competing" with states.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday warned against the increasing influence large tech companies wield. He said that these tech giants were "competing" with states. Russia is ramping up pressure on foreign internet companies. The companies usually are not subject to state censorship that majority of Russian media outlets work under. Putin sounded the warning during his virtual address at Davos virtual economic summit. He said it was unclear where the line should be drawn between a "succesful global business" and "attempts to crudely, at their own discretion, control society". "We just saw it all in the United States," he added, referring to riots earlier this month in Washington led by supporters of then US President Donald Trump. Moscow earlier this week accused US tech giants of interfering in Russia's internal affairs, in particular during anti-government protests led by supporters of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny on Saturday. Ahead of the rallies, Russia's media watchdog Roskomnadzor ordered several online platforms, including YouTube and Instagram, to delete posts by users calling for protesters to attend demonstrations. On Wednesday, the chairman of the lower house State Duma's foreign interference committee, Vasily Piskaryov, said that the head of TikTok's Russian branch had been invited to parliament for a conversation. \Piskaryov was cited by the TASS news agency as saying that "questions had piled up" about the China-based video-sharing service. In recent months, TikTok has emerged as a popular platform for young Russians to express their political views. Also Read | After Biden-Putin phone call, Russia's lower house of Parliament approves New START nuclear control treaty Hashtags dedicated to Navalny have been trending on TikTok, garnering more than 1.5 billion views, after the anti-corruption campaigner was jailed on his return to Russia from Germany. (With AFP inputs)

Putin warns against influence of tech giants, says they 'compete' with states

Nepal's caretaker PM KP Sharma Oli on Wednesday expressed his gratitude for India for providing coronavirus vaccines to Nepal. India has dispatched one million doses of Covishield vaccine within a week of its rollout in India. On Wednesday, Nepal launched its innoculation drive. Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the inoculation drive in Kathmandu, Oli thanked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for providing vaccine doses to Nepal.

"We got an early chance to administer the COVID-19 vaccine. For this, I extend my gratitude to our neighbour: India, its people and government and especially to Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They sent the vaccine to us within about a week of its roll out in India," Oli said.

The inauguration ceremony was held virtually. Oli said that with the help of vaccines, the inoculation drive in Nepal will be completed within three months.

In the first phase of the vaccination drive, the government is inoculating the `Covishield` vaccine gifted by India to around 450,000 frontline workers, according to the Ministry of Health and Population.Last week, the Government of India gifted a million doses of the `Covishied` vaccine to Nepal.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-kicks-off-coronavirus-inoculations-with-indian-vaccine-359644">Nepal kicks off coronavirus inoculations with Indian vaccine</a>

The vaccine was jointly developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca -- a British-Swedish pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical company. It has been branded as `Covishield` in India, and is produced by the Serum Institute of India.

(With agency inputs)

Nepal's caretaker PM KP Sharma Oli on Wednesday expressed his gratitude for India for providing coronavirus vaccines to Nepal. India has dispatched one million doses of Covishield vaccine within a week of its rollout in India.

Nepal's caretaker PM KP Sharma Oli on Wednesday expressed his gratitude for India for providing coronavirus vaccines to Nepal. India has dispatched one million doses of Covishield vaccine within a week of its rollout in India. On Wednesday, Nepal launched its innoculation drive. Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the inoculation drive in Kathmandu, Oli thanked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for providing vaccine doses to Nepal. "We got an early chance to administer the COVID-19 vaccine. For this, I extend my gratitude to our neighbour: India, its people and government and especially to Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They sent the vaccine to us within about a week of its roll out in India," Oli said. The inauguration ceremony was held virtually. Oli said that with the help of vaccines, the inoculation drive in Nepal will be completed within three months. In the first phase of the vaccination drive, the government is inoculating the `Covishield` vaccine gifted by India to around 450,000 frontline workers, according to the Ministry of Health and Population.Last week, the Government of India gifted a million doses of the `Covishied` vaccine to Nepal. Also Read | Nepal kicks off coronavirus inoculations with Indian vaccine The vaccine was jointly developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca -- a British-Swedish pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical company. It has been branded as `Covishield` in India, and is produced by the Serum Institute of India. (With agency inputs)

Nepal PM thanks India for coronavirus vaccines

In a sign that it expects increased influx of migrants, Spain is launching a new migration policy in the Canary Islands. Spain largely refuses to transfer migrants from Canary Islands to the mainland. A huge jump in arrivals from Morocco and sub-Saharan Africa occurred last year and it created tensions in the archipelago. Authorities have started moving some migrants to tents in two camps on Gran Canaria.

Four more will be opened in mid-February on Gran Canaria, Tenerife and Fuerteventura islands for up to 7,000 migrants.

They mostly comprise outdoor tents in unused military facilities where people can enter and leave freely, and are meant to house migrants pending extradition or having their international protection requests processed, officials said. The tents will be later replaced by permanent facilities.

Spanish government says that it does not want to transfer migrants to mainland because it can encourage more migrants to come to Europe. Migrants from north or west Africa come to Canary Islands in rickety boats often in hopes of reaching mainland Spain.

Txema Santana, spokesman of refugees non-profit CEAR, criticised this, saying: "Accumulating people in a reception territory like the Canaries will generate nothing positive for the local population or the migrants because it complicates their access to rights."

The government, he said, was acting too late, not coordinating with local authorities and not providing good enough living conditions in the camps.

The Migrations Ministry, responsible for the camps, declined to comment.

The government has repeatedly defended its policy while insisting the Canaries would not be similar to Greece's Lesbos island where a massive overcrowded migrant camp suffered a fire in September.

Around 23,000 migrants arrived in the Canaries last year, up from 2,687 in 2019.

Often seeking to flee from the coronavirus' ravaging economic impact on their home countries, they travel mainly from Morocco along a dangerous route in the Atlantic as smugglers avoid journeys from the better-policed Mediterranean coast, a Spanish Interior Ministry source and police source said.

(With AFP inputs)

In a sign that it expects increased influx of migrants, Spain is launching a new migration policy in the Canary Islands. Spain largely refuses to transfer migrants from Canary Islands to the mainland.

In a sign that it expects increased influx of migrants, Spain is launching a new migration policy in the Canary Islands. Spain largely refuses to transfer migrants from Canary Islands to the mainland. A huge jump in arrivals from Morocco and sub-Saharan Africa occurred last year and it created tensions in the archipelago. Authorities have started moving some migrants to tents in two camps on Gran Canaria. Four more will be opened in mid-February on Gran Canaria, Tenerife and Fuerteventura islands for up to 7,000 migrants. They mostly comprise outdoor tents in unused military facilities where people can enter and leave freely, and are meant to house migrants pending extradition or having their international protection requests processed, officials said. The tents will be later replaced by permanent facilities. Spanish government says that it does not want to transfer migrants to mainland because it can encourage more migrants to come to Europe. Migrants from north or west Africa come to Canary Islands in rickety boats often in hopes of reaching mainland Spain. Txema Santana, spokesman of refugees non-profit CEAR, criticised this, saying: "Accumulating people in a reception territory like the Canaries will generate nothing positive for the local population or the migrants because it complicates their access to rights." The government, he said, was acting too late, not coordinating with local authorities and not providing good enough living conditions in the camps. The Migrations Ministry, responsible for the camps, declined to comment. The government has repeatedly defended its policy while insisting the Canaries would not be similar to Greece's Lesbos island where a massive overcrowded migrant camp suffered a fire in September. Around 23,000 migrants arrived in the Canaries last year, up from 2,687 in 2019. Often seeking to flee from the coronavirus' ravaging economic impact on their home countries, they travel mainly from Morocco along a dangerous route in the Atlantic as smugglers avoid journeys from the better-policed Mediterranean coast, a Spanish Interior Ministry source and police source said. (With AFP inputs)

Spain opens migrant camps in the Canaries expecting fresh influx

Youtube on Wednesday said that it was banning former US President Donald Trump from the video-sharing platform indefinitely. This is another blow to the former Commander-in-Chief after numerous social media platforms banished him. Youtube's decision has come a week after it confirmed that it would extend ban on Trump's channel.

"In light of concerns about the ongoing potential for violence, the Donald J Trump channel will remain suspended," a YouTube spokesperson told Politico.

The Google-owned firm has faced some criticism over its slow response following the violence in Washington, as well as the proliferation of conspiracy theories on the platform.

Youtube also said that it will stop Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani from monetizing his content on the platform. Giuliani's account would be barred from the Partner Program -- &nbsp;which allows creators to make money off their videos

The 76-year-old has posted videos titled "The Biden Crime Family's Payoff Scheme" and "Election Theft of the Century" to his channel, which has around 600,000 subscribers.

Number of social media platforms including Twitter have taken action against Trump after the January 6 Capitol Hill violence. Donald Trump was under fire for his tweets throughout his presidency but the criticism and condemnation grew louder after Capitol Hill attack. On January 6, Trump addressed his supporters and asked them to 'march' on the Capitol Building in which the legislature was gathered to certify the President-elect Joe Biden' victory in US Presidential election 2020.

The violence at the Capitol Hill kickstarted an impeachment process that ended with Donald Trump being the only US President ever to be impeached twice.

(With AFP inputs)

Youtube on Wednesday said that it was banning former US President Donald Trump from the video-sharing platform indefinitely. This is another blow to the former Commander-in-Chief after numerous social media platforms banished him.

Youtube on Wednesday said that it was banning former US President Donald Trump from the video-sharing platform indefinitely. This is another blow to the former Commander-in-Chief after numerous social media platforms banished him. Youtube's decision has come a week after it confirmed that it would extend ban on Trump's channel. "In light of concerns about the ongoing potential for violence, the Donald J Trump channel will remain suspended," a YouTube spokesperson told Politico. The Google-owned firm has faced some criticism over its slow response following the violence in Washington, as well as the proliferation of conspiracy theories on the platform. Youtube also said that it will stop Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani from monetizing his content on the platform. Giuliani's account would be barred from the Partner Program -- which allows creators to make money off their videos The 76-year-old has posted videos titled "The Biden Crime Family's Payoff Scheme" and "Election Theft of the Century" to his channel, which has around 600,000 subscribers. Number of social media platforms including Twitter have taken action against Trump after the January 6 Capitol Hill violence. Donald Trump was under fire for his tweets throughout his presidency but the criticism and condemnation grew louder after Capitol Hill attack. On January 6, Trump addressed his supporters and asked them to 'march' on the Capitol Building in which the legislature was gathered to certify the President-elect Joe Biden' victory in US Presidential election 2020. The violence at the Capitol Hill kickstarted an impeachment process that ended with Donald Trump being the only US President ever to be impeached twice. (With AFP inputs)

Youtube suspends Donald Trump from platform indefinitely

Elon Musk's SpaceX on Sunday set a new record for most number of spacecrafts launched in a single launch in its latest Falcon-9 mission. The launch included 143 satellites. SpaceX also launched 10 of its own Starlink satellites. These will add up to more than 1000 already sent to orbit as a part of SpaceX's own broadband network. The launch took place from Cape Canaveral.

Customers of SpaceX that took its help to launch their satellites on Sunday include PlanetLabs. It sent 48 SuperDove Earth-imaging satellites. Another customer company Swarm sent up 36 satellites. Kepler sent up 8 of its own communication spacecrafts.

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Liftoff! <a href="https://t.co/js3zVM77rH">pic.twitter.com/js3zVM77rH</a>
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&nbsp;

This launch sent Starlink satellites to a polar orbit for the first time. These satellites are important part of company's expansion of its broadband service. The mission also involved successful landing of Falcon-9 rocket's first stage booster.

Elon Musk's SpaceX on Sunday set a new record for most number of spacecrafts launched in a single launch in its latest Falcon-9 mission. The launch included 143 satellites.

Elon Musk's SpaceX on Sunday set a new record for most number of spacecrafts launched in a single launch in its latest Falcon-9 mission. The launch included 143 satellites. SpaceX also launched 10 of its own Starlink satellites. These will add up to more than 1000 already sent to orbit as a part of SpaceX's own broadband network. The launch took place from Cape Canaveral. Customers of SpaceX that took its help to launch their satellites on Sunday include PlanetLabs. It sent 48 SuperDove Earth-imaging satellites. Another customer company Swarm sent up 36 satellites. Kepler sent up 8 of its own communication spacecrafts. Liftoff! pic.twitter.com/js3zVM77rH — SpaceX (@SpaceX) January 24, 2021 × This launch sent Starlink satellites to a polar orbit for the first time. These satellites are important part of company's expansion of its broadband service. The mission also involved successful landing of Falcon-9 rocket's first stage booster.

SpaceX sets record for most satellites launched in single launch of Falcon-9

Republicans indicated on Monday that they intended to put up a fight in the Senate trial of former US President Donald Trump after his impeachment. Senate Speaker Nancy Pelosi is expected on Monday to send senators a single article of impeachment passed in House of Representatives. This will be the first-ever impeachment trial of a former president.

As both sides prepared for what is expected to be a relatively quick trial, senior Republicans pushed back with both political and constitutional arguments, raising doubts that Democrats, who control 50 seats in the 100-seat chamber, can secure the 17 Republican votes needed to convict.

"I think the trial is stupid. I think it's counterproductive. We already have a flaming fire in this country and it's like taking a bunch of gasoline and pouring it on top of the fire," Marco Rubio, the top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee, told&nbsp; "Fox News Sunday."

He acknowledged that Trump -- who had urged thousands of his supporters to flock to Washington and protest the congressional certification of Biden's victory -- "bears some responsibility for what happened."

But to "stir it up again" would be bad for the country, said Rubio, a presidential candidate beaten by Trump in the 2016 primary.

Constitutional question

Other Republicans argued that the Senate has no authority to put a private citizen -- as Trump now is -- on trial.

Senator Mike Rounds told NBC's "Meet the Press" that the constitution does not allow for the impeachment of a former president.&nbsp;

"There are other things we'd rather be working on," including confirming more of Biden's cabinet nominees, he said.

But Senator Mitt Romney, the Republicans' 2012 presidential candidate and a frequent Trump critic, told CNN that "the preponderance of legal opinion is that an impeachment trial after a president has left office is constitutional. I believe that's the case."

The Utah Republican -- the only member of his party to vote to convict Trump in his first impeachment trial -- hinted that he may be leaning the same way now.

He said he believed "that what is being alleged and what we saw, which is incitement to insurrection, is an impeachable offense. If not, what is?"

Hands-off approach

Biden himself has publicly taken a hands-off approach, eager to put Trump in the rear-view mirror and seek quick progress on fighting the coronavirus pandemic and reviving a devastated economy.

Biden spokeswoman Jen Psaki has said the president "believes that it's up to the Senate and Congress to determine how they will hold the former president accountable."

As Democrats worked to prepare the case against Trump, one of those who will present it in the Senate -- Representative Madeleine Dean -- said she hoped it would move quickly.

"I would expect it would go faster" than the 2020 impeachment trial, which lasted 21 days, she told CNN.

Dean said she was in the House chamber during the "terrifying moment" when the invading mob began pounding on its doors, chanting: "Hang Vice President Pence." 
She said Democrats would demand accountability for Trump's role.

"It is an extraordinarily heinous presidential crime," she said.

Republicans indicated on Monday that they intended to put up a fight in the Senate trial of former US President Donald Trump after his impeachment. Senate Speaker Nancy Pelosi is expected on Monday to send senators a single article of impeachment passed in House of Representatives.

Republicans indicated on Monday that they intended to put up a fight in the Senate trial of former US President Donald Trump after his impeachment. Senate Speaker Nancy Pelosi is expected on Monday to send senators a single article of impeachment passed in House of Representatives. This will be the first-ever impeachment trial of a former president. As both sides prepared for what is expected to be a relatively quick trial, senior Republicans pushed back with both political and constitutional arguments, raising doubts that Democrats, who control 50 seats in the 100-seat chamber, can secure the 17 Republican votes needed to convict. "I think the trial is stupid. I think it's counterproductive. We already have a flaming fire in this country and it's like taking a bunch of gasoline and pouring it on top of the fire," Marco Rubio, the top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee, told "Fox News Sunday." He acknowledged that Trump -- who had urged thousands of his supporters to flock to Washington and protest the congressional certification of Biden's victory -- "bears some responsibility for what happened." But to "stir it up again" would be bad for the country, said Rubio, a presidential candidate beaten by Trump in the 2016 primary. Constitutional question Other Republicans argued that the Senate has no authority to put a private citizen -- as Trump now is -- on trial. Senator Mike Rounds told NBC's "Meet the Press" that the constitution does not allow for the impeachment of a former president. "There are other things we'd rather be working on," including confirming more of Biden's cabinet nominees, he said. But Senator Mitt Romney, the Republicans' 2012 presidential candidate and a frequent Trump critic, told CNN that "the preponderance of legal opinion is that an impeachment trial after a president has left office is constitutional. I believe that's the case." The Utah Republican -- the only member of his party to vote to convict Trump in his first impeachment trial -- hinted that he may be leaning the same way now. He said he believed "that what is being alleged and what we saw, which is incitement to insurrection, is an impeachable offense. If not, what is?" Hands-off approach Biden himself has publicly taken a hands-off approach, eager to put Trump in the rear-view mirror and seek quick progress on fighting the coronavirus pandemic and reviving a devastated economy. Biden spokeswoman Jen Psaki has said the president "believes that it's up to the Senate and Congress to determine how they will hold the former president accountable." As Democrats worked to prepare the case against Trump, one of those who will present it in the Senate -- Representative Madeleine Dean -- said she hoped it would move quickly. "I would expect it would go faster" than the 2020 impeachment trial, which lasted 21 days, she told CNN. Dean said she was in the House chamber during the "terrifying moment" when the invading mob began pounding on its doors, chanting: "Hang Vice President Pence." She said Democrats would demand accountability for Trump's role. "It is an extraordinarily heinous presidential crime," she said.

Republicans to put up resistance to Trump Senate trial

Israel is banning passenger flights in and out of the country from Monday (January 25) evening in order to stop spread of new coronavirus variant. The ban will remain in effect for a week

"Other than rare exceptions, we are closing the sky hermetically to prevent the entry of the virus variants and also to ensure that we progress quickly with our vaccination campaign," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in public remarks at the start of a cabinet meeting.

The flight ban will come into effect from 2200 GMT on Monday and will go on until the end of January. The country's borders have already been largely closed to foreigners during the pandemic times, with only Israeli passport holders being allowed the entry.

On Sunday, Israel expanded its rapid vaccination drive to include late teens. The vaccines were initially limited to the elderly and other high-risk categories, but are now available to anyone over 40 or - with parental permission - those between 16 and 18.

The inclusion of late teens is meant "to enable their return (to school) and the orderly holding of exams," the Education Ministry spokeswoman said.

Israel awards a matriculation certificate to high school students in grades 10-12 who pass exams, administered by the Education Ministry, that play a major role in acceptance to universities. They can also affect placement in the military, where many Israelis do compulsory service after high school.

Israel has the world's fastest vaccine distribution rate. With regular imports of Pfizer Inc. vaccines, it has administered at least one dose to more than 25% of its 9 million population since Dec. 19, the Health Ministry says.

The country has been under a third national lockdown since Dec. 27, which it plans to lift at the end of January. Critics say the government has mishandled the crisis, lacking a clear long-term strategy and allowing politics to cloud its decisions.

Education Minister Yoav Galant, speaking on Ynet TV, said it was too early to know if schools would reopen next month.

(With Reuters inputs)

Israel is banning passenger flights in and out of the country from Monday (January 25) evening in order to stop spread of new coronavirus variant. The ban will remain in effect for a week "Other than rare exceptions, we are closing the sky hermetically to prevent the entry of the virus variants and also to ensure that we progress quickly with our vaccination campaign," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in public remarks at the start of a cabinet meeting.

Israel is banning passenger flights in and out of the country from Monday (January 25) evening in order to stop spread of new coronavirus variant. The ban will remain in effect for a week "Other than rare exceptions, we are closing the sky hermetically to prevent the entry of the virus variants and also to ensure that we progress quickly with our vaccination campaign," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in public remarks at the start of a cabinet meeting. The flight ban will come into effect from 2200 GMT on Monday and will go on until the end of January. The country's borders have already been largely closed to foreigners during the pandemic times, with only Israeli passport holders being allowed the entry. On Sunday, Israel expanded its rapid vaccination drive to include late teens. The vaccines were initially limited to the elderly and other high-risk categories, but are now available to anyone over 40 or - with parental permission - those between 16 and 18. The inclusion of late teens is meant "to enable their return (to school) and the orderly holding of exams," the Education Ministry spokeswoman said. Israel awards a matriculation certificate to high school students in grades 10-12 who pass exams, administered by the Education Ministry, that play a major role in acceptance to universities. They can also affect placement in the military, where many Israelis do compulsory service after high school. Israel has the world's fastest vaccine distribution rate. With regular imports of Pfizer Inc. vaccines, it has administered at least one dose to more than 25% of its 9 million population since Dec. 19, the Health Ministry says. The country has been under a third national lockdown since Dec. 27, which it plans to lift at the end of January. Critics say the government has mishandled the crisis, lacking a clear long-term strategy and allowing politics to cloud its decisions. Education Minister Yoav Galant, speaking on Ynet TV, said it was too early to know if schools would reopen next month. (With Reuters inputs)

Israel bans international flights to stop coronavirus spread

Anti-Terrorist Squad of Uttar Pradesh Police on Sunday said that two Chinese nationals had been arrested from Noida for their alleged role in money laundering. &nbsp;Both of them, including a woman allegedly forged documents to bank accounts. The ATS said that the money was used criminal activities.

Names of the accused are Pochnli Tengli and Xu Xunfu.

"The UP ATS had earlier issued Red Corner Notices and Blue Corner Notices against the duo. Both the Chinese nationals were arrested on Saturday on the basis of evidence following an investigation into the money laundering case,"&nbsp;it added.

A Red Corner Notice is a kind of international arrest warrant for fugitives where Interpol requests its member countries to arrest or detain them, while a Blue Corner Notice is an enquiry notice.

(With agency inputs)

Anti-Terrorist Squad of Uttar Pradesh Police on Sunday said that two Chinese nationals had been arrested from Noida for their alleged role in money laundering. Both of them, including a woman allegedly forged documents to bank accounts.

Anti-Terrorist Squad of Uttar Pradesh Police on Sunday said that two Chinese nationals had been arrested from Noida for their alleged role in money laundering. Both of them, including a woman allegedly forged documents to bank accounts. The ATS said that the money was used criminal activities. Names of the accused are Pochnli Tengli and Xu Xunfu. "The UP ATS had earlier issued Red Corner Notices and Blue Corner Notices against the duo. Both the Chinese nationals were arrested on Saturday on the basis of evidence following an investigation into the money laundering case," it added. A Red Corner Notice is a kind of international arrest warrant for fugitives where Interpol requests its member countries to arrest or detain them, while a Blue Corner Notice is an enquiry notice. (With agency inputs)

Chinese nationals arrested near Delhi for alleged money laundering

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