Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday accused Russia of not wanting "lasting peace" in Syria just two days after a Russian airstrike killed dozens of pro-Turkey rebels in Syria. On Monday, a Russian warplane hit a training centre for Turkish-backed fighters in northwestern Syrian province near Turkish border.

"Russia's attack on the training centre of the Syrian national army forces in the Idlib region shows it does not want lasting peace in the region," Erdogan said in a televised address.

Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the airstrike killed 78 fighters.

The pro-Ankara group, known as Faylaq al-Sham, retaliated by killing at least 15 Moscow-backed fighters, the monitor said.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/charlie-hebdo-caricatures-recep-erdogan-sparks-turkish-fury-338428">Charlie Hebdo caricatures Recep Erdogan; sparks Turkish fury</a>

Faylaq al-Sham is a Sunni Islamist group that has acted as Turkey's proxy during several Turkish military campaigns on Syrian soil, and has also been the source of pro-Ankara mercenaries sent to fight in Libya.

A truce at the start of the year brought an end to a Russia-backed Syria regime offensive that had killed more than 500 civilians and displaced almost one million people. 
It was one of the worst humanitarian crises of Syria's nine-year civil war.

The last major rebel stronghold covers around half of Idlib province as well as slivers of adjacent provinces.

(With AFP inputs)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday accused Russia of not wanting "lasting peace" in Syria just two days after a Russian airstrike killed dozens of pro-Turkey rebels in Syria.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday accused Russia of not wanting "lasting peace" in Syria just two days after a Russian airstrike killed dozens of pro-Turkey rebels in Syria. On Monday, a Russian warplane hit a training centre for Turkish-backed fighters in northwestern Syrian province near Turkish border. "Russia's attack on the training centre of the Syrian national army forces in the Idlib region shows it does not want lasting peace in the region," Erdogan said in a televised address. Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the airstrike killed 78 fighters. The pro-Ankara group, known as Faylaq al-Sham, retaliated by killing at least 15 Moscow-backed fighters, the monitor said. Also Read | Charlie Hebdo caricatures Recep Erdogan; sparks Turkish fury Faylaq al-Sham is a Sunni Islamist group that has acted as Turkey's proxy during several Turkish military campaigns on Syrian soil, and has also been the source of pro-Ankara mercenaries sent to fight in Libya. A truce at the start of the year brought an end to a Russia-backed Syria regime offensive that had killed more than 500 civilians and displaced almost one million people. It was one of the worst humanitarian crises of Syria's nine-year civil war. The last major rebel stronghold covers around half of Idlib province as well as slivers of adjacent provinces. (With AFP inputs)

Russian airstrike in Syria shows it does not want lasting peace, says Erdogan

Nigeria's police chief on Saturday ordered mobilisation of resources of the force as authorities searched for a way to control unrest. Africa's most populous country is currently witnessing worst street violence in two decades. Violence in Nigeria's capital Lagos escalated after demonstrators were shot on Tuesday in city's Lekki District. The widespread protests in Nigeria have stemmed from anger against police brutality.

Rights group Amnesty International said soldiers and police had killed at least 12 protesters in two districts, though the army and police denied any involvement.

States mostly in southern Nigeria have imposed curfew after two weeks of clashes between security forces and protesters.&nbsp;

As pockets of unrest flared again on Saturday in parts of the country, a spokesman for southern Cross River state said several buildings had been vandalised over the last two days including a shopping mall, a bank and electoral offices.

Round the clock curfew was imposed in the city of Jos just after it was relaxed on Friday, following the looting of emergency food supplies stored there by the disasters ministry, authorities said.

"This looting has spread to other facilities and is gradually degenerating thereby threatening the peace and security of the state," the governor of Plateau state, Simon Lalong, said in a statement.

And a round-the-clock curfew was imposed in the northern state of Kaduna on Saturday. The move was to "protect lives and property and contain criminal elements", state security commissioner Samuel Aruwan said in a statement.

The Nigeria Police Force said its inspector general Mohammed Adamu had ordered the immediate deployment of all assets and resources to end violence, looting and destruction of property by criminals masquerading as protesters.

"The IGP enjoins law-abiding citizens not to panic but rather join forces with the police and other members of the law enforcement community to protect their communities from the criminal elements," the force said in a statement.

During a call on Friday between Buhari and former Nigerian presidents, the head of state said 51 civilian fatalities and 37 injuries had been recorded as a result of "hooliganism" in recent weeks, according to a statement released on Saturday outlining his opening remarks.

Unrest escalated in parts of Nigeria after the shooting of the protesters who gathered in Lagos on Tuesday night in defiance of a curfew to demonstrate against police brutality.

Olusegun Samuel, the guardian of one protester who was shot at that demonstration, said on Saturday that the 24-year-old may have his right leg amputated due to a severe wound.

"It is a very painful issue; very, very painful issue. A young boy of his age," said Samuel, speaking at a Lagos hospital.

David Ivwrogbo was working as a truck driver at a railway construction site when the curfew was announced on Tuesday. He said he was not part of the protest, and was trying to reach home when he was also shot in the leg. He said he was dragged to safety by demonstrators.

"The youths are awake and they don't want to go back to sleep," he said, referring to frustrated young people who have taken to Nigeria's streets in the wake of the campaign against police brutality.

Lagos state eased curfew restrictions on Saturday to 6 p.m.-8 a.m. Workers took to streets to sweep away broken glass while cars again filled the roads.

(With Reuters inputs)

Nigeria's police chief on Saturday ordered mobilisation of resources of the force as authorities searched for a way to control unrest. Africa's most populous country is currently witnessing worst street violence in two decades.

Nigeria's police chief on Saturday ordered mobilisation of resources of the force as authorities searched for a way to control unrest. Africa's most populous country is currently witnessing worst street violence in two decades. Violence in Nigeria's capital Lagos escalated after demonstrators were shot on Tuesday in city's Lekki District. The widespread protests in Nigeria have stemmed from anger against police brutality. Rights group Amnesty International said soldiers and police had killed at least 12 protesters in two districts, though the army and police denied any involvement. States mostly in southern Nigeria have imposed curfew after two weeks of clashes between security forces and protesters. As pockets of unrest flared again on Saturday in parts of the country, a spokesman for southern Cross River state said several buildings had been vandalised over the last two days including a shopping mall, a bank and electoral offices. Round the clock curfew was imposed in the city of Jos just after it was relaxed on Friday, following the looting of emergency food supplies stored there by the disasters ministry, authorities said. "This looting has spread to other facilities and is gradually degenerating thereby threatening the peace and security of the state," the governor of Plateau state, Simon Lalong, said in a statement. And a round-the-clock curfew was imposed in the northern state of Kaduna on Saturday. The move was to "protect lives and property and contain criminal elements", state security commissioner Samuel Aruwan said in a statement. The Nigeria Police Force said its inspector general Mohammed Adamu had ordered the immediate deployment of all assets and resources to end violence, looting and destruction of property by criminals masquerading as protesters. "The IGP enjoins law-abiding citizens not to panic but rather join forces with the police and other members of the law enforcement community to protect their communities from the criminal elements," the force said in a statement. During a call on Friday between Buhari and former Nigerian presidents, the head of state said 51 civilian fatalities and 37 injuries had been recorded as a result of "hooliganism" in recent weeks, according to a statement released on Saturday outlining his opening remarks. Unrest escalated in parts of Nigeria after the shooting of the protesters who gathered in Lagos on Tuesday night in defiance of a curfew to demonstrate against police brutality. Olusegun Samuel, the guardian of one protester who was shot at that demonstration, said on Saturday that the 24-year-old may have his right leg amputated due to a severe wound. "It is a very painful issue; very, very painful issue. A young boy of his age," said Samuel, speaking at a Lagos hospital. David Ivwrogbo was working as a truck driver at a railway construction site when the curfew was announced on Tuesday. He said he was not part of the protest, and was trying to reach home when he was also shot in the leg. He said he was dragged to safety by demonstrators. "The youths are awake and they don't want to go back to sleep," he said, referring to frustrated young people who have taken to Nigeria's streets in the wake of the campaign against police brutality. Lagos state eased curfew restrictions on Saturday to 6 p.m.-8 a.m. Workers took to streets to sweep away broken glass while cars again filled the roads. (With Reuters inputs)

Nigeria: Mobilisation of all police resources ordered as authorities scramble to control street violence

US President Donald's Trump's quip on 'filthy' India seems to have given his opponent Joe Biden to target him and score political points. Biden on Saturday tweeted from his personal handle and told Donald Trump calling India 'filthy' was not exactly how friends are regarded. The US has sizeable Indian-American population and his running mate Kamala Harris is of Indian origin. Trump's recent remark made news, especially in India.

In a reference to India Biden said in his tweet that he and Kamala Harris deeply valued the partnership.

"President Trump called India "filthy." It's not how you talk about friends—and it's not how you solve global challenges like climate change. @KamalaHarris and I deeply value our partnership—and will put respect back at the center of our foreign policy," he tweeted.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
President Trump called India "filthy." 
 
It's not how you talk about friends—and it's not how you solve global challenges like climate change.<a href="https://twitter.com/KamalaHarris?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KamalaHarris</a> and I deeply value our partnership—and will put respect back at the center of our foreign policy. <a href="https://t.co/TKcyZiNwY6">https://t.co/TKcyZiNwY6</a>
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeBiden/status/1320081374448025600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 24, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Donald Trump made the remark about India during the final presidential debate held just days ago. The remark came as Trump and Biden debated on environmental issues.

"We have best carbon emission numbers that we've had in 35 years," he said.

"But here's what we can't do.." he continued,

"..look at China, how filthy it is. Look at Russia. Look at India. It's filthy," he said with a look of disdain on his face.

Apparently realising what he said. Trump added that the air was filthy. But this quip of his appears likely to be discussed everywhere, including among Indian-American voters in the US.

Aso Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-calls-borat-actor-sacha-baron-cohen-creepy-and-phony-guy-337654">Donald Trump calls Borat actor, Sacha Baron Cohen, 'creepy' and 'phony guy'</a>

Donald Trump's remarks were not received well in India. They were widely discussed in news and also on social media.

Trump is known for his hawkish views even on climate change. Trump's main contention over years has been that USA must not be forced to bear greater burden as compared to other countries in the world. During the presidential debate, he appeared to reiterate his stance.

He has often in past, pointed at other countries whenever he was criticised for his actions such as US' withdrawal from the Paris Accords.

US President Donald's Trump's quip on 'filthy' India seems to have given his opponent Joe Biden to target him and score political points. Biden on Saturday tweeted from his personal handle and told Donald Trump calling India 'filthy' was not exactly how friends are regarded.

US President Donald's Trump's quip on 'filthy' India seems to have given his opponent Joe Biden to target him and score political points. Biden on Saturday tweeted from his personal handle and told Donald Trump calling India 'filthy' was not exactly how friends are regarded. The US has sizeable Indian-American population and his running mate Kamala Harris is of Indian origin. Trump's recent remark made news, especially in India. In a reference to India Biden said in his tweet that he and Kamala Harris deeply valued the partnership. "President Trump called India "filthy." It's not how you talk about friends—and it's not how you solve global challenges like climate change. @KamalaHarris and I deeply value our partnership—and will put respect back at the center of our foreign policy," he tweeted. President Trump called India "filthy." It's not how you talk about friends—and it's not how you solve global challenges like climate change.@KamalaHarris and I deeply value our partnership—and will put respect back at the center of our foreign policy. https://t.co/TKcyZiNwY6 — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) October 24, 2020 × Donald Trump made the remark about India during the final presidential debate held just days ago. The remark came as Trump and Biden debated on environmental issues. "We have best carbon emission numbers that we've had in 35 years," he said. "But here's what we can't do.." he continued, "..look at China, how filthy it is. Look at Russia. Look at India. It's filthy," he said with a look of disdain on his face. Apparently realising what he said. Trump added that the air was filthy. But this quip of his appears likely to be discussed everywhere, including among Indian-American voters in the US. Aso Read | Donald Trump calls Borat actor, Sacha Baron Cohen, 'creepy' and 'phony guy' Donald Trump's remarks were not received well in India. They were widely discussed in news and also on social media. Trump is known for his hawkish views even on climate change. Trump's main contention over years has been that USA must not be forced to bear greater burden as compared to other countries in the world. During the presidential debate, he appeared to reiterate his stance. He has often in past, pointed at other countries whenever he was criticised for his actions such as US' withdrawal from the Paris Accords.

That's not how you talk about friends, says Biden on Trump's 'filthy' India remark

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-2020-us-stopped-providing-billion-dollars-in-military-aid-to-pakistan-as-it-harbours-terrorists-nikki-haley-337737">US stopped providing billion dollars in military aid to Pakistan as it harbours terrorists: Nikki Haley</a>

We were giving a billion dollars in military aid to Pakistan, who was turning around harbouring terrorists, which are trying to kill our American soldiers. We do not give that billion dollars," the former US envoy to the United Nations said.. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-2020-us-stopped-providing-billion-dollars-in-military-aid-to-pakistan-as-it-harbours-terrorists-nikki-haley-337737">Read More</a>

<img alt="Nikki Haley" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b983993c-d5e7-4cd1-94e5-ba089c4304ba" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/nikki%20haley.JPG" />

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-casts-early-ballot-in-florida-says-he-voted-for-a-guy-named-trump-337702">US president casts early ballot in Florida, says he voted for 'a guy named Trump'</a>

Trump, who is trailing Democrat Joe Biden in the polls, voted at a library serving as a polling center in West Palm Beach, Florida...<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-casts-early-ballot-in-florida-says-he-voted-for-a-guy-named-trump-337702">Read more</a>

<img alt="Trump" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="36b50e05-cd73-41aa-9101-6016ae04ea47" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/trump_3.JPG" />

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistan-is-sending-armed-terrorists-to-azerbaijan-armenian-pm-tells-wion-337721">Pakistan is sending armed terrorists to Azerbaijan, Armenian PM tells WION</a>

Azerbaijan and ethnic Armenian forces have been clashing in several parts of Nagorno-Karabakh, since September 27 -- despite two major Russia-brokered ceasefires. At least 750 people have been killed since fighting began...<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistan-is-sending-armed-terrorists-to-azerbaijan-armenian-pm-tells-wion-337721">Read more</a>

<img alt="Armenia" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9fe76bca-84a1-45a4-95fc-96e66f8c2e05" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Azerbaijan.JPG" />

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/18-killed-57-injured-in-a-suicide-bombing-at-afghanistans-education-centre-337736">18 killed, 57 injured in a suicide bombing at Afghanistan's education Centre&nbsp;</a>

ISIS claimed responsibility for the bombing, the group said in a statement on Telegram, without providing evidence...<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/18-killed-57-injured-in-a-suicide-bombing-at-afghanistans-education-centre-337736">Read more</a>

<img alt="Afghanistan" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="592391ef-8a50-49d5-81c2-d2a59c7b4999" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Afghanistan%20bomb.JPG" />

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/al-qaedas-key-leader-for-indian-subcontinent-mohsen-almisri-killed-337740">Al Qaeda's key leader for Indian subcontinent Mohsen Almisri killed</a>

&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/al-qaedas-key-leader-for-indian-subcontinent-mohsen-almisri-killed-337740/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

US stopped providing billion dollars in military aid to Pakistan as it harbours terrorists: Nikki Haley We were giving a billion dollars in military aid to Pakistan, who was turning around harbouring terrorists, which are trying to kill our American soldiers.

US stopped providing billion dollars in military aid to Pakistan as it harbours terrorists: Nikki Haley We were giving a billion dollars in military aid to Pakistan, who was turning around harbouring terrorists, which are trying to kill our American soldiers. We do not give that billion dollars," the former US envoy to the United Nations said.. Read More US president casts early ballot in Florida, says he voted for 'a guy named Trump' Trump, who is trailing Democrat Joe Biden in the polls, voted at a library serving as a polling center in West Palm Beach, Florida...Read more Pakistan is sending armed terrorists to Azerbaijan, Armenian PM tells WION Azerbaijan and ethnic Armenian forces have been clashing in several parts of Nagorno-Karabakh, since September 27 -- despite two major Russia-brokered ceasefires. At least 750 people have been killed since fighting began...Read more 18 killed, 57 injured in a suicide bombing at Afghanistan's education Centre ISIS claimed responsibility for the bombing, the group said in a statement on Telegram, without providing evidence...Read more Al Qaeda's key leader for Indian subcontinent Mohsen Almisri killed ×

Morning news brief: US lashes out at Pakistan, blast in Afghanistan, and more

India's Bharat Biotech, which is developing a coronavirus vaccine has said that the indigenous candidate to counter the coronavirus pandemic may be ready by June 2021. There are plans to carry out testing of Covaxin with over 20,000 volunteers across 12-14 states.

The executive director of Bharat Biotech was quoted by Indian Express that the firm would have full efficacy results by June. Covaxin is being developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with Indian Council of Medical Research's National Institute of Virology.

The vaccine may be available early if government decides to use it under emergency use but Bharat Biotech is not pressing for such a permission.

Bharat Biotech has got a go ahead from the government for phase-3 vaccine. Besides Bharat Biotech, Zydus Cadila is also indigenously developing coronavirus vaccine. The vaccine has got go ahead for phase 2 trial&nbsp;

Last month, Bharat Biotech had reported that animal trial of its vaccine led to a strong immune response.

India's Bharat Biotech, which is developing a coronavirus vaccine has said that the indigenous candidate to counter the coronavirus pandemic may be ready by June 2021.

India's Bharat Biotech, which is developing a coronavirus vaccine has said that the indigenous candidate to counter the coronavirus pandemic may be ready by June 2021. There are plans to carry out testing of Covaxin with over 20,000 volunteers across 12-14 states. The executive director of Bharat Biotech was quoted by Indian Express that the firm would have full efficacy results by June. Covaxin is being developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with Indian Council of Medical Research's National Institute of Virology. The vaccine may be available early if government decides to use it under emergency use but Bharat Biotech is not pressing for such a permission. Bharat Biotech has got a go ahead from the government for phase-3 vaccine. Besides Bharat Biotech, Zydus Cadila is also indigenously developing coronavirus vaccine. The vaccine has got go ahead for phase 2 trial Last month, Bharat Biotech had reported that animal trial of its vaccine led to a strong immune response.

Coronavirus vaccine may be ready by June 2021: Bharat Biotech

Afghan security authorities said that their forces killed Abu Mohsen al-Masry, a prominent leader in Al-Qaeda.

Al Qaeda's key leader for Indian subcontinent Mohsen Almisri killed

Just a day after the US recorded largest single day jump in coronavirus cases, US President Donald Trump said it was 'foolish' to test for the deadly infection. He was speaking at election rally in Lumberton, North Carolina on Saturday. In his speech, Trump again sought to blame huge number of coronavirus cases on testing.&nbsp;

“You know why we have cases? It’s because we test so much,” the president told his rally crowd. “In a lot of ways it’s good, and in a lot of ways it’s foolish.”&nbsp;

“If we tested half, cases would be half," Mr Trump said.&nbsp;

It was reported on Friday that 83,000 new cases were detected in the US. This is the highest single-day jump in the US.

North Carolina is one of the states in US that has reported increase in both, number of cases and hospitalisations. The state reported its highest number of new cases in a day this week.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thats-not-how-you-talk-about-friends-says-biden-on-trumps-filthy-india-remark-337751">That's not how you talk about friends, says Biden on Trump's 'filthy' India remark</a>

During his speech in the rally Trump expressed his unhappiness over what he suggested was over-coverage of COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;

"That's all I hear about now. Turn on television, ‘Covid, Covid, Covid, Covid, Covid, Covid’" he said.

Trump further suggested that even if a plane crashed and '500' people were dead, all news coverage would be&nbsp;about COVID-19.

This is not the first time Donald Trump has downplayed the pandemic. In past he has gone on record to say things like coronavirus was "just a flu". He claimed later on that the position he took at the start of the pandemic was to ensure that there was no panic in American public.

Just a day after the US recorded largest single day jump in coronavirus cases, US President Donald Trump said it was 'foolish' to test for the deadly infection. He was speaking at election rally in Lumberton, North Carolina on Saturday.

Just a day after the US recorded largest single day jump in coronavirus cases, US President Donald Trump said it was 'foolish' to test for the deadly infection. He was speaking at election rally in Lumberton, North Carolina on Saturday. In his speech, Trump again sought to blame huge number of coronavirus cases on testing. “You know why we have cases? It’s because we test so much,” the president told his rally crowd. “In a lot of ways it’s good, and in a lot of ways it’s foolish.” “If we tested half, cases would be half," Mr Trump said. It was reported on Friday that 83,000 new cases were detected in the US. This is the highest single-day jump in the US. North Carolina is one of the states in US that has reported increase in both, number of cases and hospitalisations. The state reported its highest number of new cases in a day this week. Also Read | That's not how you talk about friends, says Biden on Trump's 'filthy' India remark During his speech in the rally Trump expressed his unhappiness over what he suggested was over-coverage of COVID-19 pandemic. "That's all I hear about now. Turn on television, ‘Covid, Covid, Covid, Covid, Covid, Covid’" he said. Trump further suggested that even if a plane crashed and '500' people were dead, all news coverage would be about COVID-19. This is not the first time Donald Trump has downplayed the pandemic. In past he has gone on record to say things like coronavirus was "just a flu". He claimed later on that the position he took at the start of the pandemic was to ensure that there was no panic in American public.

In many ways it's 'foolish' to test for coronavirus, says Donald Trump in US election rally

Turkey has decided to extend the seismic survey work of its Oruc Reis ship in disputed area of Mediterranean Sea till November 4. The decision is likely to increase tension with Greece and Cyprus. Turkey and Greece are locked in a dispute over the extent of continental shelves and conflicting claims to hydrocarbon resources in the eastern Mediterranean. The dispute started in August when Turkey sent Orus Reis intp waters claimed by Greece and Cyprus.

Along with two other ships, the Ataman and Cengiz Han, Oruc Reis will continue work in an area south of the Greek island of Rhodes, a Turkish naval maritime notice said. As per the previous notice, the survey work was scheduled to be over by Octiber 27

Ankara withdrew Oruc Reis last month to allow for diplomacy before a European Union summit, where Cyprus sought sanctions against Turkey. It was sent back this month, prompting an angry response from Greece, France and Germany.

After the summit, the bloc said it would punish Turkey if it continued its operations in the region, in a move Ankara said further strained Turkey-EU ties. Turkey says its operations are within its continental shelf.

(With Reuters inputs)

Turkey has decided to extend the seismic survey work of its Oruc Reis ship in disputed area of Mediterranean Sea till November 4. The decision is likely to increase tension with Greece and Cyprus.

Turkey has decided to extend the seismic survey work of its Oruc Reis ship in disputed area of Mediterranean Sea till November 4. The decision is likely to increase tension with Greece and Cyprus. Turkey and Greece are locked in a dispute over the extent of continental shelves and conflicting claims to hydrocarbon resources in the eastern Mediterranean. The dispute started in August when Turkey sent Orus Reis intp waters claimed by Greece and Cyprus. Along with two other ships, the Ataman and Cengiz Han, Oruc Reis will continue work in an area south of the Greek island of Rhodes, a Turkish naval maritime notice said. As per the previous notice, the survey work was scheduled to be over by Octiber 27 Ankara withdrew Oruc Reis last month to allow for diplomacy before a European Union summit, where Cyprus sought sanctions against Turkey. It was sent back this month, prompting an angry response from Greece, France and Germany. After the summit, the bloc said it would punish Turkey if it continued its operations in the region, in a move Ankara said further strained Turkey-EU ties. Turkey says its operations are within its continental shelf. (With Reuters inputs)

Turkey extends duration of survey work in disputed area of Mediterranean Sea

Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo López fled the country Saturday after spending the past six years in jail, house arrest and diplomatic asylum, his political party said.

López, 49, is heading to an undisclosed international destination after leaving the Spanish Embassy in Caracas, according to his political party and Spain’s Foreign Ministry. He had sought refuge at the Spanish ambassador’s residence after leading a failed military uprising against the government in April 2019.

A charismatic, U.S.-educated former mayor with a piercing glare, López has for years been one of the most radical opponents of Venezuela’s authoritarian president, Nicolas Maduro, whom he sought to overthrow through street protests and increasingly desperate palace plots. His maximalist tactics, however, have backfired, leaving the opposition dismantled and increasingly irrelevant to the struggles facing Venezuelans amid one the deepest economic recessions in modern history.

López came nearest his goal in early 2019, when his protégé, Juan Guaidó, a young lawmaker, declared himself the country’s interim president, citing Maduro’s fraudulent reelection. The United States and most European and Latin American countries swiftly backed him, cutting the government off from the global economy.

Maduro, however, has weathered the challenge and used his control over security forces to gradually suppress the opposition and terrorize its supporters. As Venezuela’s political crisis escalated, sanctions by the Trump administration to aid Guaidó’s bid for power plunged an already rapidly shrinking Venezuelan economy and its people into a full-scale humanitarian crisis.

López now becomes the latest opposition leader to leave for exile, leaving Guaidó increasingly isolated. Guaidó’s term as the speaker of parliament, on which he has based his claim to the country’s leadership, expires in January, threatening to leave the opposition without its last base of support.

López’s party, Popular Will, said its departed leader has pledged his unconditional support for Guaidó and will continue fighting against Maduro, who has resorted to torture, extrajudicial killings and legal persecution to maintain his grip on power.

“Like other Venezuelans, Leopoldo López is not fully free as long as there’s a dictatorship that violates human rights of the people,” his party said in a statement Saturday.

Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo López fled the country Saturday after spending the past six years in jail, house arrest and diplomatic asylum, his political party said.

Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo López fled the country Saturday after spending the past six years in jail, house arrest and diplomatic asylum, his political party said. López, 49, is heading to an undisclosed international destination after leaving the Spanish Embassy in Caracas, according to his political party and Spain’s Foreign Ministry. He had sought refuge at the Spanish ambassador’s residence after leading a failed military uprising against the government in April 2019. A charismatic, U.S.-educated former mayor with a piercing glare, López has for years been one of the most radical opponents of Venezuela’s authoritarian president, Nicolas Maduro, whom he sought to overthrow through street protests and increasingly desperate palace plots. His maximalist tactics, however, have backfired, leaving the opposition dismantled and increasingly irrelevant to the struggles facing Venezuelans amid one the deepest economic recessions in modern history. López came nearest his goal in early 2019, when his protégé, Juan Guaidó, a young lawmaker, declared himself the country’s interim president, citing Maduro’s fraudulent reelection. The United States and most European and Latin American countries swiftly backed him, cutting the government off from the global economy. Maduro, however, has weathered the challenge and used his control over security forces to gradually suppress the opposition and terrorize its supporters. As Venezuela’s political crisis escalated, sanctions by the Trump administration to aid Guaidó’s bid for power plunged an already rapidly shrinking Venezuelan economy and its people into a full-scale humanitarian crisis. López now becomes the latest opposition leader to leave for exile, leaving Guaidó increasingly isolated. Guaidó’s term as the speaker of parliament, on which he has based his claim to the country’s leadership, expires in January, threatening to leave the opposition without its last base of support. López’s party, Popular Will, said its departed leader has pledged his unconditional support for Guaidó and will continue fighting against Maduro, who has resorted to torture, extrajudicial killings and legal persecution to maintain his grip on power. “Like other Venezuelans, Leopoldo López is not fully free as long as there’s a dictatorship that violates human rights of the people,” his party said in a statement Saturday.

Venezuela opposition figure, long confined, flees country

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, the Alaska Republican who has vocally opposed filling the vacant seat on the Supreme Court so close to an election, said on Saturday that she would nonetheless vote to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett this coming week.

“While I oppose the process that has led us to this point,” Murkowski said in a speech on the Senate floor, “I do not hold it against her as an individual who has navigated the gauntlet with grace, skill and humility.”

Her unexpected turnabout gave a boost to Senate Republicans looking to quiet intraparty dissent in the face of unified Democratic opposition. They already had the votes they needed to confirm Barrett, President Donald Trump’s third Supreme Court nominee, but Murkowski’s support means that only one Republican — Sen. Susan Collins of Maine — is likely to defect when the roll is called on Monday.

The development came as a divided Senate slogged through another day of debate over Barrett, 48, an appeals court judge whose confirmation would lock in a 6-3 conservative majority on the court. Democrats again turned to parliamentary tactics to draw out the process and needle Republicans for confirming a justice so close to Election Day.

Amid the scripted partisan theatrics, Murkowski’s 16-minute speech stood out as a rare moment of suspense. An iconoclast willing to occasionally buck her party, Murkowski had been one of the lone voices in her party joining Democrats last month to push back against the decision to quickly fill the vacancy created by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Murkowski repeated those concerns Saturday, warning that the rush by her fellow Republicans to fill the seat would “reinforce the public perception about political influence on the court.” She lamented decades of partisan escalation in the Senate over judicial nominations.

“Moving forward on a nominee just over a week removed from a pitched presidential election when partisan tensions are running about as high as they could — I don’t think that this will help our country become a better version of itself,” she said.

Murkowski said she would still join Democrats in trying to filibuster the nomination Sunday.

But after meeting with Barrett in recent days, Murkowski said she came away impressed and concluded she was unwilling to punish a qualified nominee because her party insisted on moving ahead.

“Frankly,” she added, “I lost that procedural fight.”

Murkowski, who is up for reelection in Alaska in 2022, has frequently broken with Republicans on significant votes in the last four years. She was the only member of her party in 2018 to oppose Trump’s last nominee to the Supreme Court, Justice Brett Kavanaugh, earning her the vitriol of the president and some of his staunchest supporters.

Like Collins, Murkowski voted against repealing the Affordable Care Act and is a proponent of abortion rights. With her latest decision, Murkowski now risks stirring up a backlash from the left, which believes Barrett’s confirmation threatens those very issues.

It could be forceful. After Collins supported Kavanaugh’s confirmation in 2018, she became the top target of liberals across the country, who poured millions of dollars into her Democratic opponents’ coffers. Two years later, polls suggest she could lose reelection next month thanks in large part to that vote.

The comparison to Collins is not a perfect one, though. The fight over Kavanaugh was a bitter affair that consumed the nation in a debate over general and sexual violence after he was accused during the proceedings of sexual assault. In this case, polling suggests a majority of the public, including many Democrats, support confirming Barrett. What’s more, Alaska tends to be a more conservative state than Maine, and Murkowski is so well known that in 2010 she won a write-in campaign after losing the Republican primary.

Ilyse Hogue, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, said the group was “deeply disappointed” by Murkowski’s intended vote in support of Barrett.

“Her extreme views should be disqualifying for anyone who claims to be a champion for women and families,” Hogue said.

Murkowski made only glancing comments about abortion rights or the Affordable Care Act during her floor speech, but they suggested she had been reassured by Barrett about how the two issues would fare by the nation’s highest court in the future. She dodged reporters in the Capitol after the speech.

“It was important for me to hear and to better understand her views on precedence and her evaluation process, specifically the weight that she affords reliance on decisions that have been in place for decades, such as Roe v. Wade,” she said in her remarks.

She said she also discussed with the nominee the issue of “severability,” a legal doctrine that could lead to the preservation of the Affordable Care Act when the Supreme Court hears a challenge seeking to invalidate it just after the election.

“I do not believe Judge Barrett will take her seat on the bench with a predetermined agenda or with a goal of putting a torch to every volume of the United States Reports,” she said, referring to the official bound volumes of Supreme Court opinions.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, the Alaska Republican who has vocally opposed filling the vacant seat on the Supreme Court so close to an election, said on Saturday that she would nonetheless vote to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett this coming week.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, the Alaska Republican who has vocally opposed filling the vacant seat on the Supreme Court so close to an election, said on Saturday that she would nonetheless vote to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett this coming week. “While I oppose the process that has led us to this point,” Murkowski said in a speech on the Senate floor, “I do not hold it against her as an individual who has navigated the gauntlet with grace, skill and humility.” Her unexpected turnabout gave a boost to Senate Republicans looking to quiet intraparty dissent in the face of unified Democratic opposition. They already had the votes they needed to confirm Barrett, President Donald Trump’s third Supreme Court nominee, but Murkowski’s support means that only one Republican — Sen. Susan Collins of Maine — is likely to defect when the roll is called on Monday. The development came as a divided Senate slogged through another day of debate over Barrett, 48, an appeals court judge whose confirmation would lock in a 6-3 conservative majority on the court. Democrats again turned to parliamentary tactics to draw out the process and needle Republicans for confirming a justice so close to Election Day. Amid the scripted partisan theatrics, Murkowski’s 16-minute speech stood out as a rare moment of suspense. An iconoclast willing to occasionally buck her party, Murkowski had been one of the lone voices in her party joining Democrats last month to push back against the decision to quickly fill the vacancy created by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Murkowski repeated those concerns Saturday, warning that the rush by her fellow Republicans to fill the seat would “reinforce the public perception about political influence on the court.” She lamented decades of partisan escalation in the Senate over judicial nominations. “Moving forward on a nominee just over a week removed from a pitched presidential election when partisan tensions are running about as high as they could — I don’t think that this will help our country become a better version of itself,” she said. Murkowski said she would still join Democrats in trying to filibuster the nomination Sunday. But after meeting with Barrett in recent days, Murkowski said she came away impressed and concluded she was unwilling to punish a qualified nominee because her party insisted on moving ahead. “Frankly,” she added, “I lost that procedural fight.” Murkowski, who is up for reelection in Alaska in 2022, has frequently broken with Republicans on significant votes in the last four years. She was the only member of her party in 2018 to oppose Trump’s last nominee to the Supreme Court, Justice Brett Kavanaugh, earning her the vitriol of the president and some of his staunchest supporters. Like Collins, Murkowski voted against repealing the Affordable Care Act and is a proponent of abortion rights. With her latest decision, Murkowski now risks stirring up a backlash from the left, which believes Barrett’s confirmation threatens those very issues. It could be forceful. After Collins supported Kavanaugh’s confirmation in 2018, she became the top target of liberals across the country, who poured millions of dollars into her Democratic opponents’ coffers. Two years later, polls suggest she could lose reelection next month thanks in large part to that vote. The comparison to Collins is not a perfect one, though. The fight over Kavanaugh was a bitter affair that consumed the nation in a debate over general and sexual violence after he was accused during the proceedings of sexual assault. In this case, polling suggests a majority of the public, including many Democrats, support confirming Barrett. What’s more, Alaska tends to be a more conservative state than Maine, and Murkowski is so well known that in 2010 she won a write-in campaign after losing the Republican primary. Ilyse Hogue, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, said the group was “deeply disappointed” by Murkowski’s intended vote in support of Barrett. “Her extreme views should be disqualifying for anyone who claims to be a champion for women and families,” Hogue said. Murkowski made only glancing comments about abortion rights or the Affordable Care Act during her floor speech, but they suggested she had been reassured by Barrett about how the two issues would fare by the nation’s highest court in the future. She dodged reporters in the Capitol after the speech. “It was important for me to hear and to better understand her views on precedence and her evaluation process, specifically the weight that she affords reliance on decisions that have been in place for decades, such as Roe v. Wade,” she said in her remarks. She said she also discussed with the nominee the issue of “severability,” a legal doctrine that could lead to the preservation of the Affordable Care Act when the Supreme Court hears a challenge seeking to invalidate it just after the election. “I do not believe Judge Barrett will take her seat on the bench with a predetermined agenda or with a goal of putting a torch to every volume of the United States Reports,” she said, referring to the official bound volumes of Supreme Court opinions.

Murkowski, in a turnabout, says she will vote to confirm Barrett

October 25 in history: Japan hands over Taiwan to China, first Indian elections, & more

October 24 in history: United Nations founded, first photo of earth from space; & more!

Author

Zee News Rajasthan

Editor

Manas Joshi

Home

Live Tv

Latest

World

India

Business

Entertainment

Sports

Opinions

Videos

Photos

Gravitas

Lifestyle

Science

Tech

Rajasthan News in Hindi: In-depth coverage of Rajasthan Crime, Political News, Education, Rajasthan Weather Update and Latest Rajasthan News on Zee News Rajasthan.