Belarus' interior ministry said on Thursday the opposition protests in the country were developing into a terrorist threat. Belarus has been roiled in protests for more than two months now.&nbsp;

Amid all the protests, the head of Russia's SVR foreign intelligence service made a surprise visit to Belarus on Thursday. This is widely being seen as Russia's support for Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko.

Lukashenko was elected president in August 9 elections and won a landslide victory. However, his opponents say that the elections were rigged. Massive protests have rocked the country since then. Lukashenko has been ruling Belarus for more than two decades.

On Thursday, the European Parliament awarded Belarus' democratic opposition its annual human rights prize, in support of the country's protests against the results of an August presidential election that the West and the opposition say was rigged.

The parliament cited 10 opposition figures in its award statement, including the main opposition candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Nobel laureate author Svetlana Alexievich.

The EU, Britain, Canada and United States accuse Lukashenko of maintaining power by holding fraudulent elections, jailing opponents and muzzling independent media.

The 50,000 euro ($59,180) Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, named after Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov, is awarded every year. Past winners include South African President Nelson Mandela, Venezuela's democratic opposition and Pakistani education activist Malala Yousafzai.

(With Reuters inputs)

Belarus' interior ministry said on Thursday the opposition protests in the country were developing into a terrorist threat. Belarus has been roiled in protests for more than two months now.

Belarus' interior ministry said on Thursday the opposition protests in the country were developing into a terrorist threat. Belarus has been roiled in protests for more than two months now. Amid all the protests, the head of Russia's SVR foreign intelligence service made a surprise visit to Belarus on Thursday. This is widely being seen as Russia's support for Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko. Lukashenko was elected president in August 9 elections and won a landslide victory. However, his opponents say that the elections were rigged. Massive protests have rocked the country since then. Lukashenko has been ruling Belarus for more than two decades. On Thursday, the European Parliament awarded Belarus' democratic opposition its annual human rights prize, in support of the country's protests against the results of an August presidential election that the West and the opposition say was rigged. The parliament cited 10 opposition figures in its award statement, including the main opposition candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Nobel laureate author Svetlana Alexievich. The EU, Britain, Canada and United States accuse Lukashenko of maintaining power by holding fraudulent elections, jailing opponents and muzzling independent media. The 50,000 euro ($59,180) Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, named after Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov, is awarded every year. Past winners include South African President Nelson Mandela, Venezuela's democratic opposition and Pakistani education activist Malala Yousafzai. (With Reuters inputs)

Belarus says opposition protests developing into terrorist threat

India's active coronavirus caseload has fallen below 700 thousand&nbsp;for the first time after two months. The recovered cases are nearly 10 times more than the active cases as per&nbsp;India's Health Ministry.&nbsp;

"The active caseload of the country has fallen below 7 lakh for the first time after two months (63 days)," the ministry said.

"With a high number of COVID-19 patients recovering every day along with a steadily falling and sustained low mortality rate, India's trend of registering decreasing active cases continues," it underlined.

The active caseload was below the 7-lakh mark (6,97,330) last on August 22.

"Increased countrywide medical infrastructure, implementation of the Centre's Standard Treatment Protocol by states and union territories (UTs), and total dedication and commitment of doctors, paramedics and frontline workers have led to a persistent increase in the number of total recoveries with commensurate dip in the fatality rate", the ministry said.

<h2>Coronavirus pandemic in India: Quick figures&nbsp;</h2>

Active cases: 6,95,509&nbsp; 
Total recovered cases: 69,48,497&nbsp; 
Patients recovered in last 24 hours: 73,979 
New cases reported in last 24 hours: 54,366&nbsp; 
National COVID-19 recovery rate: 89.53 per cent&nbsp; 
Total number of deaths: 117303 
Deaths in last 24 hours: 690 
Fatality rate: 1.51 per cent

The ministry said 81 per cent of the new recovered cases are observed to be concentrated in 10 states and UTs which are Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

"Maharashtra has contributed more than 16,000 to the single-day recoveries followed by Karnataka with more than 13,000 recoveries," it said.

Of the total 54,366 new cases of COVID-19 recorded in a span of 24 hours, 78 per cent are from Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka, West Bengal, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha.

Maharashtra and Kerala contribute the maximum to new cases with more than 7,000 cases followed by Karnataka with more than 5,000 cases.

Also, 690 case fatalities have been reported in a span of 24 hours. Of these, nearly 81 per cent are concentrated in 10 states and UTs -- Maharashtra, Karnataka, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, the ministry said.

Maharashtra has reported the highest number of single-day deaths at 198.&nbsp;

(With PTI inputs)

India's active coronavirus caseload has fallen below 700 thousand for the first time after two months. The recovered cases are nearly 10 times more than the active cases as per India's Health Ministry.

India's active coronavirus caseload has fallen below 700 thousand for the first time after two months. The recovered cases are nearly 10 times more than the active cases as per India's Health Ministry. "The active caseload of the country has fallen below 7 lakh for the first time after two months (63 days)," the ministry said. "With a high number of COVID-19 patients recovering every day along with a steadily falling and sustained low mortality rate, India's trend of registering decreasing active cases continues," it underlined. The active caseload was below the 7-lakh mark (6,97,330) last on August 22. "Increased countrywide medical infrastructure, implementation of the Centre's Standard Treatment Protocol by states and union territories (UTs), and total dedication and commitment of doctors, paramedics and frontline workers have led to a persistent increase in the number of total recoveries with commensurate dip in the fatality rate", the ministry said. Coronavirus pandemic in India: Quick figures Active cases: 6,95,509 Total recovered cases: 69,48,497 Patients recovered in last 24 hours: 73,979 New cases reported in last 24 hours: 54,366 National COVID-19 recovery rate: 89.53 per cent Total number of deaths: 117303 Deaths in last 24 hours: 690 Fatality rate: 1.51 per cent The ministry said 81 per cent of the new recovered cases are observed to be concentrated in 10 states and UTs which are Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. "Maharashtra has contributed more than 16,000 to the single-day recoveries followed by Karnataka with more than 13,000 recoveries," it said. Of the total 54,366 new cases of COVID-19 recorded in a span of 24 hours, 78 per cent are from Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka, West Bengal, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha. Maharashtra and Kerala contribute the maximum to new cases with more than 7,000 cases followed by Karnataka with more than 5,000 cases. Also, 690 case fatalities have been reported in a span of 24 hours. Of these, nearly 81 per cent are concentrated in 10 states and UTs -- Maharashtra, Karnataka, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, the ministry said. Maharashtra has reported the highest number of single-day deaths at 198. (With PTI inputs)

COVID-19: India's active caseload falls below 700k for first time after 2 months

Like other presidents who have slipped in the polls after a widely panned first debate, President Donald Trump was the beneficiary of low expectations on Thursday night in the final debate before the election, a more civil and lower-decibel affair than the last.

But his effort to demonstrate greater discipline was most likely too little, too late to deliver the jolt to the race that he needs to lift his chances for reelection, some of the nation’s top political strategists and other observers said.

Where some saw hope for Trump, others saw the same candidate facing the same challenging campaign dynamics.

“Nothing changed,” Matthew Dowd, a former top aide to President George W. Bush, said on ABC News. “He wasn’t a bull in a china shop. That doesn’t mean he won the debate.”

Although Trump needed some kind of breakthrough to overcome former Vice President Joe Biden’s lead in the polls, Dowd said later that he did not see that happen during the course of the 90-minute encounter. “Biden had a lead going in and has a lead leaving,” he wrote on Twitter.

The size of Biden’s lead, double digits in some national polls, is so large that any good Trump did to his campaign was probably limited by Biden’s even performance. “Biden did not do a face plant,” said Charlie Cook, the editor of the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. “That is all he needed to do.”

Ahead of the debate, many analysts saw parallels between Trump’s underdog position and the high stakes President Barack Obama faced before his second debate in 2012, when he delivered sharper and more forceful rebuttals to Mitt Romney than he had before and soon rebounded in the polls.

Certainly, many of Trump’s defenders sought to portray his performance that way Thursday. Many claimed that he had triumphed over Biden, seizing on the former vice president’s statement about phasing out fossil fuel use as a devastating misstep.

Some praised the president merely for not interrupting. “Trump’s self-control is very impressive right now,” said Allie Beth Stuckey, a conservative writer and podcast host.

And others claimed that Biden had reinforced stereotypes of him as a career politician who inspires little passion.

David Brody, the chief political analyst for the Christian Broadcasting Network, said on Twitter that the president had "effectively hammered home a very simple theme tonight and that is this: ‘what have you done Joe during all your time in DC? You’re all talk no action.’”

Brody concluded, “That message will have traction.”

But it was not certain that the evening would have much effect on a race in which few undecided voters remain. Nor was it clear that the debate did anything other than reaffirm what most people already felt about both men.

Here is what observers from across the political spectrum said.

Donald Trump

Trump’s supporters believed they had the moment that every campaign dreams of in a debate: those 20 or so seconds when your opponent makes a gaffe that can be spliced into an attack ad that can run repeatedly over the final stretch of the race.

It was not clear, however, that this is what Trump had after Biden challenged the president to produce video proving that he had said he would ban fracking and then expressed support for phasing out fossil fuels and ending federal subsidies for oil companies.

“I’m not sure much is going to change or can at this point in the race, in this year, but if anything were to, that oil line is the one that will haunt him,” said Mary Katharine Ham, a conservative analyst.

Republicans quickly began circulating one such video showing Biden describing what he would do about fracking, saying, “We would make sure it’s eliminated.” The former vice president has since said repeatedly he does not support ending the practice, a major source of jobs.

“Biden thinks PA is stupid,” said Matt Schlapp, the chairman of the American Conservative Union.

Republican strategists also saw something to like in Trump’s response on how he plans to handle the growing number of coronavirus cases across the country, revealing the deep divide between many conservative supporters of the president, who want a generally more hands-off approach from the government, and most other Americans, who believe in taking steps such as mandating mask-wearing in public.

Ari Fleischer, a former aide to Bush, said many Americans would find something more hopeful in the president’s message, versus what he saw as the pessimism of Biden’s words. “Trump is right about learning to live with the virus,” Fleischer said. “We can and must fight the virus, and live our lives. I suspect Trump’s message about living with it beats Biden’s message about dying with it.”

Brad Todd, a Republican strategist, echoed that point, saying that many Americans are wary of stringent lockdowns. “Biden talks bailouts and shutdowns — Trump talks reopening. That’s a good contrast for the president and he should hold this fight here,” Todd said.

But Tony Fratto, who also worked for the Bush administration, raised what some strategists have said is Trump’s Achilles’ heel: his drop in support among seniors. “Continuing to press the fact that young people are less likely to die will not help to close that gap with old people,” Fratto said.

Joe Biden

Biden’s defenders appeared to anticipate that Trump would be graded on a curve. But they tried to remind people that any perceptions of a vast improvement were relative.

“I’ve watched more Trump debates than any human,” Ron Klain, an aide to Biden who helped him prepare for the debates, said less than an hour into the event Thursday. “The ‘new’ Trump never lasts more than 40 minutes.”

And Tim Miller, a Republican strategist who is supporting Biden, said the president’s ability to demonstrate self-control should not be confused with good policy. Describing the president’s response to being challenged by Biden on his handling of the coronavirus, Miller asked: “Was the president’s task there to convince Americans he has a plan to deal with this pandemic or to convince Americans that he can behave like a good boy for 4 minutes? Because it was a whiff on the first one.”

One of the biggest unknowns going into the debate was how Trump might try to unnerve Biden by raising unsubstantiated claims about the business pursuits of his son Hunter in China and elsewhere.

But when Trump raised the issue, he found himself on the defensive when Biden turned the question back around, asking about Trump’s taxes and noting a recent New York Times report that brought to light a previously undisclosed Chinese bank account belonging to the president. Even some conservatives conceded that Biden had played his hand well when Trump had to spend time explaining why he had not released his tax returns.

“Biden had a shrewd strategy on Hunter allegations to get it on Trump’s taxes and bank account, and it worked,” said Rich Lowry, the editor of National Review.

Ezra Klein, the editor at large of Vox, said that Trump appeared thrown off by Biden’s response. “It is amazing how easy it is to distract Trump from the one attack he clearly prepared for tonight by needling him on his tax returns and finances,” he said. “It’d be funny except for that same total absence of focus defines his presidency.”

Like other presidents who have slipped in the polls after a widely panned first debate, President Donald Trump was the beneficiary of low expectations on Thursday night in the final debate before the election, a more civil and lower-decibel affair than the last.

Like other presidents who have slipped in the polls after a widely panned first debate, President Donald Trump was the beneficiary of low expectations on Thursday night in the final debate before the election, a more civil and lower-decibel affair than the last. But his effort to demonstrate greater discipline was most likely too little, too late to deliver the jolt to the race that he needs to lift his chances for reelection, some of the nation’s top political strategists and other observers said. Where some saw hope for Trump, others saw the same candidate facing the same challenging campaign dynamics. “Nothing changed,” Matthew Dowd, a former top aide to President George W. Bush, said on ABC News. “He wasn’t a bull in a china shop. That doesn’t mean he won the debate.” Although Trump needed some kind of breakthrough to overcome former Vice President Joe Biden’s lead in the polls, Dowd said later that he did not see that happen during the course of the 90-minute encounter. “Biden had a lead going in and has a lead leaving,” he wrote on Twitter. The size of Biden’s lead, double digits in some national polls, is so large that any good Trump did to his campaign was probably limited by Biden’s even performance. “Biden did not do a face plant,” said Charlie Cook, the editor of the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. “That is all he needed to do.” Ahead of the debate, many analysts saw parallels between Trump’s underdog position and the high stakes President Barack Obama faced before his second debate in 2012, when he delivered sharper and more forceful rebuttals to Mitt Romney than he had before and soon rebounded in the polls. Certainly, many of Trump’s defenders sought to portray his performance that way Thursday. Many claimed that he had triumphed over Biden, seizing on the former vice president’s statement about phasing out fossil fuel use as a devastating misstep. Some praised the president merely for not interrupting. “Trump’s self-control is very impressive right now,” said Allie Beth Stuckey, a conservative writer and podcast host. And others claimed that Biden had reinforced stereotypes of him as a career politician who inspires little passion. David Brody, the chief political analyst for the Christian Broadcasting Network, said on Twitter that the president had "effectively hammered home a very simple theme tonight and that is this: ‘what have you done Joe during all your time in DC? You’re all talk no action.’” Brody concluded, “That message will have traction.” But it was not certain that the evening would have much effect on a race in which few undecided voters remain. Nor was it clear that the debate did anything other than reaffirm what most people already felt about both men. Here is what observers from across the political spectrum said. Donald Trump Trump’s supporters believed they had the moment that every campaign dreams of in a debate: those 20 or so seconds when your opponent makes a gaffe that can be spliced into an attack ad that can run repeatedly over the final stretch of the race. It was not clear, however, that this is what Trump had after Biden challenged the president to produce video proving that he had said he would ban fracking and then expressed support for phasing out fossil fuels and ending federal subsidies for oil companies. “I’m not sure much is going to change or can at this point in the race, in this year, but if anything were to, that oil line is the one that will haunt him,” said Mary Katharine Ham, a conservative analyst. Republicans quickly began circulating one such video showing Biden describing what he would do about fracking, saying, “We would make sure it’s eliminated.” The former vice president has since said repeatedly he does not support ending the practice, a major source of jobs. “Biden thinks PA is stupid,” said Matt Schlapp, the chairman of the American Conservative Union. Republican strategists also saw something to like in Trump’s response on how he plans to handle the growing number of coronavirus cases across the country, revealing the deep divide between many conservative supporters of the president, who want a generally more hands-off approach from the government, and most other Americans, who believe in taking steps such as mandating mask-wearing in public. Ari Fleischer, a former aide to Bush, said many Americans would find something more hopeful in the president’s message, versus what he saw as the pessimism of Biden’s words. “Trump is right about learning to live with the virus,” Fleischer said. “We can and must fight the virus, and live our lives. I suspect Trump’s message about living with it beats Biden’s message about dying with it.” Brad Todd, a Republican strategist, echoed that point, saying that many Americans are wary of stringent lockdowns. “Biden talks bailouts and shutdowns — Trump talks reopening. That’s a good contrast for the president and he should hold this fight here,” Todd said. But Tony Fratto, who also worked for the Bush administration, raised what some strategists have said is Trump’s Achilles’ heel: his drop in support among seniors. “Continuing to press the fact that young people are less likely to die will not help to close that gap with old people,” Fratto said. Joe Biden Biden’s defenders appeared to anticipate that Trump would be graded on a curve. But they tried to remind people that any perceptions of a vast improvement were relative. “I’ve watched more Trump debates than any human,” Ron Klain, an aide to Biden who helped him prepare for the debates, said less than an hour into the event Thursday. “The ‘new’ Trump never lasts more than 40 minutes.” And Tim Miller, a Republican strategist who is supporting Biden, said the president’s ability to demonstrate self-control should not be confused with good policy. Describing the president’s response to being challenged by Biden on his handling of the coronavirus, Miller asked: “Was the president’s task there to convince Americans he has a plan to deal with this pandemic or to convince Americans that he can behave like a good boy for 4 minutes? Because it was a whiff on the first one.” One of the biggest unknowns going into the debate was how Trump might try to unnerve Biden by raising unsubstantiated claims about the business pursuits of his son Hunter in China and elsewhere. But when Trump raised the issue, he found himself on the defensive when Biden turned the question back around, asking about Trump’s taxes and noting a recent New York Times report that brought to light a previously undisclosed Chinese bank account belonging to the president. Even some conservatives conceded that Biden had played his hand well when Trump had to spend time explaining why he had not released his tax returns. “Biden had a shrewd strategy on Hunter allegations to get it on Trump’s taxes and bank account, and it worked,” said Rich Lowry, the editor of National Review. Ezra Klein, the editor at large of Vox, said that Trump appeared thrown off by Biden’s response. “It is amazing how easy it is to distract Trump from the one attack he clearly prepared for tonight by needling him on his tax returns and finances,” he said. “It’d be funny except for that same total absence of focus defines his presidency.”

Who won the debate? Political observers weigh in

Sputnik V, the Russian vaccine against coronavirus will be tested on 100 volunteers in India. Indian Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation`s Drug Controller General (DCGI) was quoted by Sputnik News in this regard. Dr Reddy's Laboratories has been granted permission to conduct the tests. Date and time of the tests however, will be determined by the company.

Sputnik quoted the organisation as saying that the vaccine will be tested in the second phase of its clinical trials before moving on to phase 3.

According to a government official, Dr Reddy`s Lab has stated that in phase 2 clinical trial--"would include 100 subjects and for phase 3, it would take 1400 subjects.

"Once the pharma company would submit the safety and immunogenicity data of phase 2, it would be analysed by the expert panel and then they can proceed for the phase 3 trial," the official added.

On October 13, ANI had reported that Dr Reddy`s Laboratories re-applied fresh protocol to DCGI in order to seek its approval for conducting phase 2 and 3 clinical trials of the Russian COVID-19 vaccine.It may be noted that on October 5, the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) had done a thorough evaluation of the previous application submitted by Dr Reddy`s lab.&nbsp;

Thereafter, the SEC had directed the pharma company to apply with a revised protocol along with more information. The Indian drugmaker has joined hands with the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) to conduct clinical trials of the Sputnik V vaccine as well as its distribution. As per the RDIF, it will supply 100 million doses of its potential COVID-19 vaccine to India drug company Dr Reddy`s Lab.

Last month, Kirill Dmitriev, CEO, RDIF informed that Russia is in close dialogue with the Indian government and drug manufacturers of India regarding localisation of production of its Sputnik V vaccine in India.

Also, a prestigious medical journal The Lancet had published the results of clinical trials of Phase I-II of the Russian vaccine demonstrating its safety and efficacy.On August 11, the Sputnik V vaccine candidate developed jointly by RDIF and the Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology was registered by the Ministry of Health of Russia and became the world`s first registered vaccine against COVID-19.According to Russian researchers, Sputnik V is a human adenoviral vector vaccine that fights against coronavirus disease.

(With PTI inputs)

Sputnik V, the Russian vaccine against coronavirus will be tested on 100 volunteers in India. Indian Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation`s Drug Controller General (DCGI) was quoted by Sputnik News in this regard.

Sputnik V, the Russian vaccine against coronavirus will be tested on 100 volunteers in India. Indian Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation`s Drug Controller General (DCGI) was quoted by Sputnik News in this regard. Dr Reddy's Laboratories has been granted permission to conduct the tests. Date and time of the tests however, will be determined by the company. Sputnik quoted the organisation as saying that the vaccine will be tested in the second phase of its clinical trials before moving on to phase 3. According to a government official, Dr Reddy`s Lab has stated that in phase 2 clinical trial--"would include 100 subjects and for phase 3, it would take 1400 subjects. "Once the pharma company would submit the safety and immunogenicity data of phase 2, it would be analysed by the expert panel and then they can proceed for the phase 3 trial," the official added. On October 13, ANI had reported that Dr Reddy`s Laboratories re-applied fresh protocol to DCGI in order to seek its approval for conducting phase 2 and 3 clinical trials of the Russian COVID-19 vaccine.It may be noted that on October 5, the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) had done a thorough evaluation of the previous application submitted by Dr Reddy`s lab. Thereafter, the SEC had directed the pharma company to apply with a revised protocol along with more information. The Indian drugmaker has joined hands with the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) to conduct clinical trials of the Sputnik V vaccine as well as its distribution. As per the RDIF, it will supply 100 million doses of its potential COVID-19 vaccine to India drug company Dr Reddy`s Lab. Last month, Kirill Dmitriev, CEO, RDIF informed that Russia is in close dialogue with the Indian government and drug manufacturers of India regarding localisation of production of its Sputnik V vaccine in India. Also, a prestigious medical journal The Lancet had published the results of clinical trials of Phase I-II of the Russian vaccine demonstrating its safety and efficacy.On August 11, the Sputnik V vaccine candidate developed jointly by RDIF and the Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology was registered by the Ministry of Health of Russia and became the world`s first registered vaccine against COVID-19.According to Russian researchers, Sputnik V is a human adenoviral vector vaccine that fights against coronavirus disease. (With PTI inputs)

Russia's Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19 will be tested on 100 Indian volunteers

US President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden squared off against each other in second presidential debate on Friday. This was their last one-on-one debate before November 3 polls.

<h2>Here are some of the&nbsp;quotes from the presidential debate</h2>

On coronavirus pandemic

Donald Trump: "We're fighting it and we're fighting it hard… We’re rounding the corner. It’s going away"

Joe Biden:&nbsp;"This is the same fellow told you this is going to end by Easter last time. This is the same fellow who told you that, don't worry, we're going to end this by the summer. We're about to go into a dark winter, a dark winter, and he has no clear plan."

Joe Biden: "(Trump) says, we're learning to live with it (coronavirus). People are learning to die with it,"

Donald Trump on Dr Fauci: "I think he's a Democrat, but that's OK"

Donald Trump:&nbsp;"I don't know if we're going to have a dark winter, and at all. We're opening up our country. We've learned and studied and understand the disease."

On Russia and Iran

Donald Trump:&nbsp;"You are getting a lot of money from Russia. You owe an explanation to the American people, you have to clean it up,

Joe Biden: "I haven't taken a single penny from any foreign country whatsoever"

Donald Trump:&nbsp;"Joe got three and a half million dollars from Russia,"

Joe Biden: ""Russia does not want me to be elected,"

Donald Trump:&nbsp;&nbsp;"Nobody is tougher on Russia than me,"

&nbsp;

On Affordable healthcare

Donald Trump: "No matter how well you run (the Affordable Care Act), it's no good. What we'd like to do is terminate it. We have the individual mandate done. I don't know that it's going to work. If we don't win (in court) ... we'll have Obamacare but it will be better run."

Donald Trump: "Always protect people with pre-existing conditions"

Joe Biden: "We will make sure we reduce healthcare insurance premiums"

Joe BIden:&nbsp;"I am not against private insurance."

Joe Biden:&nbsp;"Healthcare is not a privilege, it's a right"

&nbsp;

On North Korea

Donald Trump:&nbsp;"When I met with Obama, he said our biggest problem is North Korea. He indicated that we will have a war with North Korea. We have a different kind of relationship with the guy and there is no war. He is not going to do that,"

DonaldTrump: "You know what? North Korea - we're not in a war. We have a good relationship."

Joe Biden: "We had a good relationship with Hitler before he in fact invaded Europe. Come on." 
&nbsp;

On racism

Joe Biden:&nbsp;"There is institutional racism in America"

Donald Trump:&nbsp;"I am the least racist person in this room."

Donald Trump: "He called black community 'super predators'"

Joe Biden: "I did not say anything he is accusing me of"

&nbsp;

On immigration

Donald Trump: "Children are brought here by coyotes and lots of bad people, cartels..We let people in but they have to come in legally."

Joe Biden on children separated at the border: “It makes us a laughingstock and it violates every notion of who we are.” 
 
Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-2020-joe-biden-calls-donald-trumps-immigration-policies-criminal-337306">US election 2020: Joe Biden calls Donald Trump's immigration policies 'criminal'</a> 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-2020-joe-biden-calls-donald-trumps-immigration-policies-criminal-337306">On Climate change</a>

Donald Trump:&nbsp;"We have the best carbon emission numbers we've had in 35 years under this administration. Look&nbsp;how 'filthy'&nbsp;are Russia and China, look at India...the air is so filthy".

Donald Trump: "We have done an incredible job environmentally"

Donald Trump:&nbsp;"(Wind energy) is very expensive, kills a lot of birds,"

Joe Biden: "Climate change global warming is&nbsp;existential threat to humanity. We have a moral obligation to deal with it"

Donald Trump:&nbsp;"I will not sacrifice tens and millions of jobs, thousands and thousands of companies because of the Paris accords,"

&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden squared off against each other in second presidential debate on Friday. This was their last one-on-one debate before November 3 polls.

US President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden squared off against each other in second presidential debate on Friday. This was their last one-on-one debate before November 3 polls. Here are some of the quotes from the presidential debate On coronavirus pandemic Donald Trump: "We're fighting it and we're fighting it hard… We’re rounding the corner. It’s going away" Joe Biden: "This is the same fellow told you this is going to end by Easter last time. This is the same fellow who told you that, don't worry, we're going to end this by the summer. We're about to go into a dark winter, a dark winter, and he has no clear plan." Joe Biden: "(Trump) says, we're learning to live with it (coronavirus). People are learning to die with it," Donald Trump on Dr Fauci: "I think he's a Democrat, but that's OK" Donald Trump: "I don't know if we're going to have a dark winter, and at all. We're opening up our country. We've learned and studied and understand the disease." On Russia and Iran Donald Trump: "You are getting a lot of money from Russia. You owe an explanation to the American people, you have to clean it up, Joe Biden: "I haven't taken a single penny from any foreign country whatsoever" Donald Trump: "Joe got three and a half million dollars from Russia," Joe Biden: ""Russia does not want me to be elected," Donald Trump: "Nobody is tougher on Russia than me," On Affordable healthcare Donald Trump: "No matter how well you run (the Affordable Care Act), it's no good. What we'd like to do is terminate it. We have the individual mandate done. I don't know that it's going to work. If we don't win (in court) ... we'll have Obamacare but it will be better run." Donald Trump: "Always protect people with pre-existing conditions" Joe Biden: "We will make sure we reduce healthcare insurance premiums" Joe BIden: "I am not against private insurance." Joe Biden: "Healthcare is not a privilege, it's a right" On North Korea Donald Trump: "When I met with Obama, he said our biggest problem is North Korea. He indicated that we will have a war with North Korea. We have a different kind of relationship with the guy and there is no war. He is not going to do that," DonaldTrump: "You know what? North Korea - we're not in a war. We have a good relationship." Joe Biden: "We had a good relationship with Hitler before he in fact invaded Europe. Come on." On racism Joe Biden: "There is institutional racism in America" Donald Trump: "I am the least racist person in this room." Donald Trump: "He called black community 'super predators'" Joe Biden: "I did not say anything he is accusing me of" On immigration Donald Trump: "Children are brought here by coyotes and lots of bad people, cartels..We let people in but they have to come in legally." Joe Biden on children separated at the border: “It makes us a laughingstock and it violates every notion of who we are.” Also Read | US election 2020: Joe Biden calls Donald Trump's immigration policies 'criminal' On Climate change Donald Trump: "We have the best carbon emission numbers we've had in 35 years under this administration. Look how 'filthy' are Russia and China, look at India...the air is so filthy". Donald Trump: "We have done an incredible job environmentally" Donald Trump: "(Wind energy) is very expensive, kills a lot of birds," Joe Biden: "Climate change global warming is existential threat to humanity. We have a moral obligation to deal with it" Donald Trump: "I will not sacrifice tens and millions of jobs, thousands and thousands of companies because of the Paris accords,"

US Elections 2020: Quotes from Donald Trump and Joe Biden during the presidential debate

US President is known for his unique stance on various issues. Countless of his quotes have caused an outcry as well as have left people in splits. This happened again during the presidential debate between him and Democratic Party candidate Joe Biden. During the course of the debate, Trump said that wind energy "kills all the birds. Joe Biden gave a chuckle at this bizarre assertion.

Trump said his knew more about wind energy than Joe Biden

"It (wind energy) is very expensive, kills all the birds. It's very intermittent. It has got a lot of problems," said Trump.

He went on to say that the windmills were made in China and Germany and said that the fumes coming out during the manufacturing process "is more than anything we are talking about" with respect to carbon emissions.

"Find me a scientist who says that," Joe Biden said coolly.

Biden underlined that energy sector pertaining to wind and solar were the fastest growing fields that would create new jobs

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-cannot-guarantee-donald-trump-backtracks-on-covid-19-vaccine-joe-biden-slams-his-approach-337283">'I cannot guarantee': Donald Trump backtracks on COVID-19 vaccine; Joe Biden slams his approach</a>

"He thinks wind causes cancer, windmills," said Biden in an incredulous tone.

Trump is known for his hawkish views on environmental matters. In past, he has even claimed that climate change and global warming was a "hoax".

He defended his decision to take the US out of Paris accords.

"The Paris accords, I took us out because we were going to have to spend trillions of dollars and we were treated very unfairly," said Trump.

Lashing out at previous administrations, Trump said that they did a great 'disservice' by being part of the treaty and alleged that previous governments were going to take away our businesses.

US President is known for his unique stance on various issues. Countless of his quotes have caused an outcry as well as have left people in splits. This happened again during the presidential debate between him and Democratic Party candidate Joe Biden.

US President is known for his unique stance on various issues. Countless of his quotes have caused an outcry as well as have left people in splits. This happened again during the presidential debate between him and Democratic Party candidate Joe Biden. During the course of the debate, Trump said that wind energy "kills all the birds. Joe Biden gave a chuckle at this bizarre assertion. Trump said his knew more about wind energy than Joe Biden "It (wind energy) is very expensive, kills all the birds. It's very intermittent. It has got a lot of problems," said Trump. He went on to say that the windmills were made in China and Germany and said that the fumes coming out during the manufacturing process "is more than anything we are talking about" with respect to carbon emissions. "Find me a scientist who says that," Joe Biden said coolly. Biden underlined that energy sector pertaining to wind and solar were the fastest growing fields that would create new jobs Also Read | 'I cannot guarantee': Donald Trump backtracks on COVID-19 vaccine; Joe Biden slams his approach "He thinks wind causes cancer, windmills," said Biden in an incredulous tone. Trump is known for his hawkish views on environmental matters. In past, he has even claimed that climate change and global warming was a "hoax". He defended his decision to take the US out of Paris accords. "The Paris accords, I took us out because we were going to have to spend trillions of dollars and we were treated very unfairly," said Trump. Lashing out at previous administrations, Trump said that they did a great 'disservice' by being part of the treaty and alleged that previous governments were going to take away our businesses.

US Elections 2020: Wind energy kills birds, says Donald Trump during presidential debate

We all crave a getaway. It has become all the more important in times of coronavirus pandemic. Everyone is craving an escape from the monotonous, gloomy days. Not all of us are wealthy enough to take the vacation of our dreams but if a picturesque Italian town is willing to pay you to move there, it sounds like a good deal right?

Well here's what's on offer.

Santo Stefano di Sessanio, a walled medieval village in Italy is offering people money to move there. The town council will pay you a monthly fee for three years, or make a lump sum payment.

The village is two hours away from Rome. The famed Adriatic coast is on a 90-minute drive. You will be given a place to stay at a nominal rent.

The village is situated in Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga national park so picturesque views of mountains and green valleys are sure to greet you through windows whenever you peer out.

In return for all this, the city council only expects that you start a business there.

The council is willing to pay monthly fees or upto USD 9500 per year for three years. Alternately, the council will make a lump-sum payment of USD 24,000

Town council will accept your application only if you are 18 to 40 years old. The only catch is that one needs to be a resident of Italy or have legal ability to become one.

The village of Santo Stefano has a population of 115. Authorities are taking action to ensure that the population doesn't fall any lower. About half of the residents are pensioners.

Despite all the conditions, there have been more than thousand applications to move to Santo Stefano.

We all crave a getaway. It has become all the more important in times of coronavirus pandemic. Everyone is craving an escape from the monotonous, gloomy days. Not all of us are wealthy enough to take the vacation of our dreams but if a picturesque Italian town is willing to pay you to move there, it sounds like a good deal right?

We all crave a getaway. It has become all the more important in times of coronavirus pandemic. Everyone is craving an escape from the monotonous, gloomy days. Not all of us are wealthy enough to take the vacation of our dreams but if a picturesque Italian town is willing to pay you to move there, it sounds like a good deal right? Well here's what's on offer. Santo Stefano di Sessanio, a walled medieval village in Italy is offering people money to move there. The town council will pay you a monthly fee for three years, or make a lump sum payment. The village is two hours away from Rome. The famed Adriatic coast is on a 90-minute drive. You will be given a place to stay at a nominal rent. The village is situated in Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga national park so picturesque views of mountains and green valleys are sure to greet you through windows whenever you peer out. In return for all this, the city council only expects that you start a business there. The council is willing to pay monthly fees or upto USD 9500 per year for three years. Alternately, the council will make a lump-sum payment of USD 24,000 Town council will accept your application only if you are 18 to 40 years old. The only catch is that one needs to be a resident of Italy or have legal ability to become one. The village of Santo Stefano has a population of 115. Authorities are taking action to ensure that the population doesn't fall any lower. About half of the residents are pensioners. Despite all the conditions, there have been more than thousand applications to move to Santo Stefano.

This Italian village is paying you to stay there

India-born judge Amit Mehta has been assigned US Justice Department's lawsuit against Google. Amit Mehta is an Obama appointee and is a district judge. US Justice Department has filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against Google to stop it from unlawfully maintaining monopolies through anticompetitive and exclusionary practices in the search and search advertising markets and to remedy the competitive harms.

"As one of the wealthiest companies on the planet with a market value of $1 trillion, Google is the monopoly gatekeeper to the internet for billions of users and countless advertisers worldwide. For years, Google has accounted for almost 90 percent of all search queries in the United States and has used anti-competitive tactics to maintain and extend its monopolies in search and search advertising," the Justice Department said.

More on Amit Mehta

Mehta was appointed to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia on December 22, 2014. 
Born in Patan, Gujarat, Mehta received his BA in Political Science and Economics from Georgetown University in 1993 and his JD from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1997. After law school, Mehta worked in a law firm in San Francisco before clerking for Susan Graber of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.&nbsp;

Following his clerkship, Mehta worked at a Washington, DC-based law firm. In 2002, Mehta joined the District of Columbia Public Defender Service as a staff attorney.

Mehta served on the Board of Directors of the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project and is the former co-chair of the District of Columbia Bar's Criminal Law and Individual Rights Section Steering Committee.&nbsp;

He is also a former Director of Facilitating Leadership in Youth, a non-profit organization dedicated to after-school activities and mentoring for at-risk youth, according to his profile on the website of US District Court, District of Columbia.

US Justice Department has filed lawsuit against Google alongwith 11 Attorney Generals of various US states.

The participating state Attorneys General offices represent Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, South Carolina, and Texas.

(With PTI inputs)

India-born judge Amit Mehta has been assigned US Justice Department's lawsuit against Google. Amit Mehta is an Obama appointee and is a district judge. US Justice Department has filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against Google to stop it from unlawfully maintaining monopolies through anticompetitive and exclusionary practices in the search and search advertising markets and to remedy the competitive harms.

India-born judge Amit Mehta has been assigned US Justice Department's lawsuit against Google. Amit Mehta is an Obama appointee and is a district judge. US Justice Department has filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against Google to stop it from unlawfully maintaining monopolies through anticompetitive and exclusionary practices in the search and search advertising markets and to remedy the competitive harms. "As one of the wealthiest companies on the planet with a market value of $1 trillion, Google is the monopoly gatekeeper to the internet for billions of users and countless advertisers worldwide. For years, Google has accounted for almost 90 percent of all search queries in the United States and has used anti-competitive tactics to maintain and extend its monopolies in search and search advertising," the Justice Department said. More on Amit Mehta Mehta was appointed to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia on December 22, 2014. Born in Patan, Gujarat, Mehta received his BA in Political Science and Economics from Georgetown University in 1993 and his JD from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1997. After law school, Mehta worked in a law firm in San Francisco before clerking for Susan Graber of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Following his clerkship, Mehta worked at a Washington, DC-based law firm. In 2002, Mehta joined the District of Columbia Public Defender Service as a staff attorney. Mehta served on the Board of Directors of the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project and is the former co-chair of the District of Columbia Bar's Criminal Law and Individual Rights Section Steering Committee. He is also a former Director of Facilitating Leadership in Youth, a non-profit organization dedicated to after-school activities and mentoring for at-risk youth, according to his profile on the website of US District Court, District of Columbia. US Justice Department has filed lawsuit against Google alongwith 11 Attorney Generals of various US states. The participating state Attorneys General offices represent Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, South Carolina, and Texas. (With PTI inputs)

India-born Judge Amit Mehta to decide on lawsuit against Google

The big guns are out! We are less than two weeks ahead of US Presidential Elections 2020 and the race is heating up. Big political stars from both sides are coming out. On Wednesday it was the time for Democratic Party to finally bring their ace general to the field. Former US President Barack Obama blasted Donald Trump as he took to stage for his former colleague and now Democratic Party nominee Joe Biden.

"This is not a reality show. This is reality," Obama said in a nod to Trump's past as a reality TV host. "And the rest of us have had to live with the consequences of him proving himself incapable of taking the job seriously.”

Obama was speaking at a drive-in rally in Philadelphia.

Barack Obama and Donald Trump are not just two political figures at the opposite ends of US political spectrum. They have not been observed to&nbsp;share good vibes when&nbsp;they were&nbsp;around each other. It has even been evident in their body language. The photograph of the frosty handshake between the two when Trump called on President Obama after getting elected has been stuff of legends.

"With Joe and Kamala at the helm, you’re not going to have to think about the crazy things they said every day," Obama said at Philadelphia rally.&nbsp;

<img alt="Barack Obama at Philadelphia rally" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d7dc8b63-38b2-4496-9252-9eff51b830e9" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_8TK9T4.jpg" />

"And that’s worth a lot. You’re not going to have to argue about them every day. It just won’t be so exhausting,” he added.

Obama, who governed for two terms and remains one of the most popular figures in the Democratic Party, blasted Trump for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, noting that the president himself had fallen victim to the virus.

"Donald Trump isn't suddenly going to protect all of us," he said. "He can't even take the basic steps to protect himself."

"This is not a reality show. This is reality," Obama said in a nod to Trump's past as a reality TV host. "And the rest of us have had to live with the consequences of him proving himself incapable of taking the job seriously.”

Obama's appearance filled a gap left by Biden, who has stayed at home in Delaware since Monday for meetings and preparation ahead of his Thursday debate with Trump in Nashville, Tennessee.

<img alt="Barack Obama at Philadelphia rally" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2cc1c3ac-745a-472e-910d-7fa688d64665" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_8TK9RW.jpg" />

The drive-in rally was held in the parking lot of Citizens Bank Park, the baseball stadium in Philadelphia, the city's skyline visible in the distance. With nearly 280 vehicles spread throughout the lot, it was the largest event of its kind that the Biden campaign has staged during the pandemic.

Edge

With a Reuters/Ipsos poll showing Biden with just a 4-percentage-point edge in Pennsylvania, Obama warned Democrats against complacency.

"We've got to turn out like never before," he said. "We cannot leave any doubt in this election."

Americans are voting early at a record pace this year, with more than 42 million ballots cast both via mail and in person ahead of Nov. 3 Election Day on concerns about the coronavirus and to make sure their votes are counted.

<img alt="Barack Obama at Philadelphia rally" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e14aa609-1ac2-442b-a249-8f72484fca5a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_8TK9TA.jpg" />

The early vote so far represents about 30% of the total ballots cast in 2016, according to the University of Florida's U.S. Elections Project.

Four years ago, Obama participated in a rally in Philadelphia with then-Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton the day before the election, only to see Trump narrowly take the state. The Biden campaign considers winning there a top priority.

In remarks at an evening rally in Gastonia, North Carolina, Trump briefly mentioned Obama, noting that he had supported Clinton in her losing effort. "It was nobody who campaigned harder for Crooked Hillary than Obama, right?"

North Carolina is another battleground state where opinion polls show a tight race. Harris was also in the state on Wednesday to mobilize voters in Asheville and Charlotte.

US election 2020: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-2020-can-barack-obama-be-elected-as-joe-bidens-vice-president-336947">Can Barack Obama be elected as Joe Biden's Vice President?</a>

Obama won North Carolina in 2008, but lost it in his 2012 campaign. Trump won it in 2016.

Trump argued that coronavirus-related restrictions were harming the state's economy and complained that Democrats and the news media were overly pre-occupied with the pandemic.

"All you hear is covid, covid," the president said. "That's all they put on because they want to scare the hell out of everyone."

Top&nbsp;ally

Even though Wednesday marked Obama's 2020 campaign debut, his support has been essential for Biden. He has appeared at joint fundraisers with Biden and Harris, and his network of well-connected former aides has been instrumental in helping the campaign outpace Trump in bringing in donations.

Biden's team said Obama would campaign in Miami on Saturday for the Democratic ticket.

The last days of campaigning are taking place during a surge in cases of COVID-19 and hospitalizations in battleground states, including North Carolina and Pennsylvania but also Wisconsin, Ohio and Michigan.

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&nbsp;

Pennsylvania has averaged 1,500 new cases a day over the past week, a level it has not seen since April, according to a Reuters analysis. North Carolina is averaging 2,000 new cases a day over the past week, its highest level yet. The virus has killed more than 221,000 people in the United States.

Polling shows a majority of voters are disappointed in the way Trump has handled the pandemic, which he has repeatedly said would disappear on its own.

Biden and Trump are scheduled to meet in their second and final debate on Thursday night, giving the Republican an opportunity to change the trajectory of a race that Biden is leading in national opinion polls.

(With Reuters input)

The big guns are out! We are less than two weeks ahead of US Presidential Elections 2020 and the race is heating up. Big political stars from both sides are coming out.

The big guns are out! We are less than two weeks ahead of US Presidential Elections 2020 and the race is heating up. Big political stars from both sides are coming out. On Wednesday it was the time for Democratic Party to finally bring their ace general to the field. Former US President Barack Obama blasted Donald Trump as he took to stage for his former colleague and now Democratic Party nominee Joe Biden. "This is not a reality show. This is reality," Obama said in a nod to Trump's past as a reality TV host. "And the rest of us have had to live with the consequences of him proving himself incapable of taking the job seriously.” Obama was speaking at a drive-in rally in Philadelphia. Barack Obama and Donald Trump are not just two political figures at the opposite ends of US political spectrum. They have not been observed to share good vibes when they were around each other. It has even been evident in their body language. The photograph of the frosty handshake between the two when Trump called on President Obama after getting elected has been stuff of legends. "With Joe and Kamala at the helm, you’re not going to have to think about the crazy things they said every day," Obama said at Philadelphia rally. "And that’s worth a lot. You’re not going to have to argue about them every day. It just won’t be so exhausting,” he added. Obama, who governed for two terms and remains one of the most popular figures in the Democratic Party, blasted Trump for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, noting that the president himself had fallen victim to the virus. "Donald Trump isn't suddenly going to protect all of us," he said. "He can't even take the basic steps to protect himself." "This is not a reality show. This is reality," Obama said in a nod to Trump's past as a reality TV host. "And the rest of us have had to live with the consequences of him proving himself incapable of taking the job seriously.” Obama's appearance filled a gap left by Biden, who has stayed at home in Delaware since Monday for meetings and preparation ahead of his Thursday debate with Trump in Nashville, Tennessee. The drive-in rally was held in the parking lot of Citizens Bank Park, the baseball stadium in Philadelphia, the city's skyline visible in the distance. With nearly 280 vehicles spread throughout the lot, it was the largest event of its kind that the Biden campaign has staged during the pandemic. Edge With a Reuters/Ipsos poll showing Biden with just a 4-percentage-point edge in Pennsylvania, Obama warned Democrats against complacency. "We've got to turn out like never before," he said. "We cannot leave any doubt in this election." Americans are voting early at a record pace this year, with more than 42 million ballots cast both via mail and in person ahead of Nov. 3 Election Day on concerns about the coronavirus and to make sure their votes are counted. The early vote so far represents about 30% of the total ballots cast in 2016, according to the University of Florida's U.S. Elections Project. Four years ago, Obama participated in a rally in Philadelphia with then-Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton the day before the election, only to see Trump narrowly take the state. The Biden campaign considers winning there a top priority. In remarks at an evening rally in Gastonia, North Carolina, Trump briefly mentioned Obama, noting that he had supported Clinton in her losing effort. "It was nobody who campaigned harder for Crooked Hillary than Obama, right?" North Carolina is another battleground state where opinion polls show a tight race. Harris was also in the state on Wednesday to mobilize voters in Asheville and Charlotte. US election 2020: Can Barack Obama be elected as Joe Biden's Vice President? Obama won North Carolina in 2008, but lost it in his 2012 campaign. Trump won it in 2016. Trump argued that coronavirus-related restrictions were harming the state's economy and complained that Democrats and the news media were overly pre-occupied with the pandemic. "All you hear is covid, covid," the president said. "That's all they put on because they want to scare the hell out of everyone." Top ally Even though Wednesday marked Obama's 2020 campaign debut, his support has been essential for Biden. He has appeared at joint fundraisers with Biden and Harris, and his network of well-connected former aides has been instrumental in helping the campaign outpace Trump in bringing in donations. Biden's team said Obama would campaign in Miami on Saturday for the Democratic ticket. The last days of campaigning are taking place during a surge in cases of COVID-19 and hospitalizations in battleground states, including North Carolina and Pennsylvania but also Wisconsin, Ohio and Michigan. × Pennsylvania has averaged 1,500 new cases a day over the past week, a level it has not seen since April, according to a Reuters analysis. North Carolina is averaging 2,000 new cases a day over the past week, its highest level yet. The virus has killed more than 221,000 people in the United States. Polling shows a majority of voters are disappointed in the way Trump has handled the pandemic, which he has repeatedly said would disappear on its own. Biden and Trump are scheduled to meet in their second and final debate on Thursday night, giving the Republican an opportunity to change the trajectory of a race that Biden is leading in national opinion polls. (With Reuters input)

Barack Obama enters the field, blasts Donald Trump in first US election rally for Joe Biden

Britain on Thursday announced new funding for Rohingya refugees languishing in camps in Bangladesh after they fled ethnic violence in Myanmar, and urged other donors not to forget their plight at a UN conference.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab outlined a further £47.5 million ($63 million) in aid, both for the Rohingya and to help Bangladesh deal with the coronavirus pandemic and its frequent natural disasters.

The money was pledged as part of a virtual aid conference convening later Thursday, co-hosted by the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), Britain, the United States and the European Union.

"Today I urge the world not to turn away from the Rohingya's suffering and to take the action necessary to allow them to safely return to the homes they fled in terror," Raab said in a statement.

The UNHCR is appealing for more than $1 billion to meet the humanitarian needs of Rohingya refugees, 860,000 of whom are sheltering in sprawling camps across the Cox's Bazar district of southeastern Bangladesh, having fled across the border from Myanmar.

"The people living in Cox's Bazar face unimaginable hardship and many have been victims of violence," Raab said.

"We have imposed sanctions on the perpetrators of this brutality, and this new funding will save lives in the camp and help Bangladesh become more resilient to disasters such as coronavirus."&nbsp;

The Rohingya people are widely seen as illegal immigrants in Myanmar, denied citizenship and stripped of rights.

Hundreds of thousands fled across the border during a 2017 military offensive in Myanmar, for which its government faces genocide charges at the UN's top court.

Britain has sanctioned two Myanmar generals after a UN investigation found them responsible "for atrocities which amount to ethnic cleansing", according to the British foreign ministry's statement.

Britain on Thursday announced new funding for Rohingya refugees languishing in camps in Bangladesh after they fled ethnic violence in Myanmar, and urged other donors not to forget their plight at a UN conference.

Britain on Thursday announced new funding for Rohingya refugees languishing in camps in Bangladesh after they fled ethnic violence in Myanmar, and urged other donors not to forget their plight at a UN conference. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab outlined a further £47.5 million ($63 million) in aid, both for the Rohingya and to help Bangladesh deal with the coronavirus pandemic and its frequent natural disasters. The money was pledged as part of a virtual aid conference convening later Thursday, co-hosted by the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), Britain, the United States and the European Union. "Today I urge the world not to turn away from the Rohingya's suffering and to take the action necessary to allow them to safely return to the homes they fled in terror," Raab said in a statement. The UNHCR is appealing for more than $1 billion to meet the humanitarian needs of Rohingya refugees, 860,000 of whom are sheltering in sprawling camps across the Cox's Bazar district of southeastern Bangladesh, having fled across the border from Myanmar. "The people living in Cox's Bazar face unimaginable hardship and many have been victims of violence," Raab said. "We have imposed sanctions on the perpetrators of this brutality, and this new funding will save lives in the camp and help Bangladesh become more resilient to disasters such as coronavirus." The Rohingya people are widely seen as illegal immigrants in Myanmar, denied citizenship and stripped of rights. Hundreds of thousands fled across the border during a 2017 military offensive in Myanmar, for which its government faces genocide charges at the UN's top court. Britain has sanctioned two Myanmar generals after a UN investigation found them responsible "for atrocities which amount to ethnic cleansing", according to the British foreign ministry's statement.

UK gives USD 63 million for Rohingya refugees at UN aid meeting

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Thursday released the BJPs manifesto for the Bihar assembly polls which promised free COVID-19 vaccine once it has been cleared by the ICMR.

It also sought to reach out to the youth with the promise of 19 lakh jobs in the next five years and farmers with the assurance of bringing lentils under the MSP regime.

"The NDA government in Bihar has set an example before the country in the fight against corona. It's our resolve that once the vaccine against the coronavirus has been cleared by the ICMR, we will make it available to the people of Bihar free of cost," said the manifesto. The promise figured at the top of the BJP's election document.

Carrying the tagline 'BJP hai to bharosa hai', the party drew heavily upon the trust enjoyed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi among the masses by virtue of pro-people measures like the Jan Dhan scheme and the Ujjwala Yojana.

"Bihar is a politically sensitive state. Here people cannot be fobbed off with empty promises. Claims made by parties are likely to be weighed against their past track record. This is where the BJP scores," Sitharaman told a press conference where she released the manifesto.

"We have the confidence that we can deliver on our promises. In the last six years, all the programmes announced by the prime minister have been implemented, be it electrification of villages, gas cylinders for poor women or financial inclusion of all citizens by getting accounts opened in their name in banks," she asserted.

Speaking about the coronavirus vaccine, the minister said India has reached a point where it is on the verge of producing three vaccines after different stages of trial.

"When we reach the stage where scientists give clearance for large-scale production of the vaccine, we will make it available to the people of Bihar free of cost," she said.

The highlights of the party's vision document, displayed through a power point presentation, include recruitment of three lakh teachers in primary, secondary and higher educational institutions.

The party also proposed to develop the state, which has so far remained largely untouched by the boom in information technology, into an IT hub holding out the promise of five lakh jobs in the sector.

The manifesto also said a large number of people will be provided employment in the health sector which is in for a major facelift through projects like the AIIMS at Darbhanga.

Other attractive promises include self-reliance for one crore women through micro finance, pucca houses for 30 lakh people, and a boost to fisheries making Bihar number one in the sector.

It also promised a fresh impetus to the dairy sector with setting up of 15 milk processing units.

A boost to production of maize, fruits, vegetables, betel leaves, honey and makhana etc. Has been promised, and to facilitate these a conglomerate of 1,000 farm producer organisations has also been proposed.

Yet another promise made in the manifesto which is likely to find resonance among students is introducing Hindi as a medium of instruction for medical, engineering and other technical courses.

"Our promises are backed by credibility. Compare the situation in Bihar between 1990 and 2005 (when the RJD was in power) with the changes that occurred after we took over. You will get a clear picture," Sitharaman said.

"During the NDA rule, the state's growth rate in the industrial sector has been 17 per cent. In contrast, we are unable to find the figures for the preceding 15 years, apparently because industries were never on the radar of the previous government," she remarked with a smirk.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Thursday released the BJPs manifesto for the Bihar assembly polls which promised free COVID-19 vaccine once it has been cleared by the ICMR.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Thursday released the BJPs manifesto for the Bihar assembly polls which promised free COVID-19 vaccine once it has been cleared by the ICMR. It also sought to reach out to the youth with the promise of 19 lakh jobs in the next five years and farmers with the assurance of bringing lentils under the MSP regime. "The NDA government in Bihar has set an example before the country in the fight against corona. It's our resolve that once the vaccine against the coronavirus has been cleared by the ICMR, we will make it available to the people of Bihar free of cost," said the manifesto. The promise figured at the top of the BJP's election document. Carrying the tagline 'BJP hai to bharosa hai', the party drew heavily upon the trust enjoyed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi among the masses by virtue of pro-people measures like the Jan Dhan scheme and the Ujjwala Yojana. "Bihar is a politically sensitive state. Here people cannot be fobbed off with empty promises. Claims made by parties are likely to be weighed against their past track record. This is where the BJP scores," Sitharaman told a press conference where she released the manifesto. "We have the confidence that we can deliver on our promises. In the last six years, all the programmes announced by the prime minister have been implemented, be it electrification of villages, gas cylinders for poor women or financial inclusion of all citizens by getting accounts opened in their name in banks," she asserted. Speaking about the coronavirus vaccine, the minister said India has reached a point where it is on the verge of producing three vaccines after different stages of trial. "When we reach the stage where scientists give clearance for large-scale production of the vaccine, we will make it available to the people of Bihar free of cost," she said. The highlights of the party's vision document, displayed through a power point presentation, include recruitment of three lakh teachers in primary, secondary and higher educational institutions. The party also proposed to develop the state, which has so far remained largely untouched by the boom in information technology, into an IT hub holding out the promise of five lakh jobs in the sector. The manifesto also said a large number of people will be provided employment in the health sector which is in for a major facelift through projects like the AIIMS at Darbhanga. Other attractive promises include self-reliance for one crore women through micro finance, pucca houses for 30 lakh people, and a boost to fisheries making Bihar number one in the sector. It also promised a fresh impetus to the dairy sector with setting up of 15 milk processing units. A boost to production of maize, fruits, vegetables, betel leaves, honey and makhana etc. Has been promised, and to facilitate these a conglomerate of 1,000 farm producer organisations has also been proposed. Yet another promise made in the manifesto which is likely to find resonance among students is introducing Hindi as a medium of instruction for medical, engineering and other technical courses. "Our promises are backed by credibility. Compare the situation in Bihar between 1990 and 2005 (when the RJD was in power) with the changes that occurred after we took over. You will get a clear picture," Sitharaman said. "During the NDA rule, the state's growth rate in the industrial sector has been 17 per cent. In contrast, we are unable to find the figures for the preceding 15 years, apparently because industries were never on the radar of the previous government," she remarked with a smirk.

BJP's Bihar poll manifesto promises free COVID vaccine, 19L jobs

The U.S. government has not determined what caused some U.S. diplomats and intelligence officers to suffer from a mysterious, debilitating affliction while they were overseas, despite devoting vast resources over more than three years to investigating it, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday.

Starting in late 2016, dozens of U.S. officials and family members living in Cuba and China or traveling for work in other countries, including Russia, reported contracting an illness that has become known as Havana Syndrome, based on where it first publicly emerged. The symptoms included headaches, memory loss, vertigo, nausea, bloody noses and hearing strange sounds.

Some U.S. officials, including experienced CIA analysts, and scientists believe the victims were targeted by a foreign adversary wielding weaponized microwave radiation. Russia beamed microwaves at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow in the 1970s and 1980s, and it has more recently harassed diplomats and fueled violence against U.S. soldiers.

Other U.S. officials and scientists say the injuries may be the product of a psychological illness, or even pesticides.

Pompeo, who was the CIA director before leading the State Department, said the government was still examining multiple theories in what he described as “a very complicated situation.”

“There is not yet any complete U.S. government analysis which definitively tells us precisely how these all came to be, whether they’re part of a single cohort,” Pompeo said at a news conference.

“There are significant U.S. government resources now, what, three-plus years on, devoted to getting to the bottom of this and then holding those responsible accountable — should we determine that that’s required,” he said.

Pompeo was responding to a reporter’s question about what the State Department was doing to protect diplomats, and why there appeared to be deep disparities in the response to the episode in Cuba compared to the one in China. Pompeo took umbrage at the question.

“Yeah, that question is kind of like, ‘When did you stop beating your wife?’ ” Pompeo said. “Right? Right?”

The question referred to the findings of separate investigations in The New York Times and GQ published Monday. Many U.S. government employees and family members who left China in 2018 after falling ill have had to fight the Trump administration for benefits, and some say that has led to retaliation by the government. Some victims are believed to be permanently injured.

The articles also revealed new victims — CIA officers who had recently made short trips overseas. One suspected attack took place in Moscow. In other cases, the officers were meeting with partner intelligence agencies to discuss plans to counter Russian covert operations, The Times found.

CIA Director Gina Haspel is not convinced Russia carried out attacks that caused the illnesses, officials said. Russia has denied any role.

The investigations led to some lawmakers criticizing the Trump administration over the reported mistreatment of diplomats and spies. The lawmakers are also calling for Pompeo and other top officials to stop concealing information on the suspected attacks.

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., said Tuesday that the articles were “deeply troubling and should spur the Trump administration to do everything in its power to protect federal employees from these attacks and investigate the full scope of this threat.”

“These findings should put an end to the foot-dragging, evasiveness and obstruction at the State Department to deliver benefits to all of these injured federal employees and their families, and get to the bottom about what happened,” she added.

A half-dozen U.S. officials told The Times that the Trump administration’s responses to the suspected attacks varied based on political considerations.

In Cuba, where President Donald Trump sought to undo President Barack Obama’s rapprochement, the State Department withdrew all but a handful of U.S. diplomats. It also expelled Cuban diplomats from the United States.

But the administration took a softer approach in China as Trump pursued a trade agreement with Xi Jinping, the authoritarian leader whom the president praises. And Trump has also tried strengthening ties with President Vladimir Putin of Russia.

On Wednesday, Pompeo said “there were no politics attached to this” and it was “patently false, clearly false, unambiguously false” that the administration’s responses to the episodes were conditioned on political goals.

“We don’t want any country around the world to think for a moment that they can do something, and we won’t take serious action,” Pompeo said.

The State Department has refused to provide basic information to Congress about the episodes — even obscuring the number of U.S. government employees and family members affected worldwide. Lawmakers and scientists also fear the department is trying to bury a detailed report on the episodes it received in August from a committee at the National Academies of Sciences.

On Tuesday, after The Times reported on the State Department’s refusal to release the report to the public or Congress, Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Ca., said on Twitter that he had just directed aides to request the report from the department.

He wrote: “There’s no reason @SecPompeo should be hiding this information from the American people.”

Marc Polymeropoulos, a 26-year CIA clandestine officer who retired after the suspected attack in Moscow left him with constant migraines, said Wednesday that the current situation was similar to an earlier instance in which the U.S. government refused to recognize combat injuries. “This is the CIA’s gulf war syndrome,” he said.

The U.S. government has not determined what caused some U.S. diplomats and intelligence officers to suffer from a mysterious, debilitating affliction while they were overseas, despite devoting vast resources over more than three years to investigating it, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday.

The U.S. government has not determined what caused some U.S. diplomats and intelligence officers to suffer from a mysterious, debilitating affliction while they were overseas, despite devoting vast resources over more than three years to investigating it, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday. Starting in late 2016, dozens of U.S. officials and family members living in Cuba and China or traveling for work in other countries, including Russia, reported contracting an illness that has become known as Havana Syndrome, based on where it first publicly emerged. The symptoms included headaches, memory loss, vertigo, nausea, bloody noses and hearing strange sounds. Some U.S. officials, including experienced CIA analysts, and scientists believe the victims were targeted by a foreign adversary wielding weaponized microwave radiation. Russia beamed microwaves at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow in the 1970s and 1980s, and it has more recently harassed diplomats and fueled violence against U.S. soldiers. Other U.S. officials and scientists say the injuries may be the product of a psychological illness, or even pesticides. Pompeo, who was the CIA director before leading the State Department, said the government was still examining multiple theories in what he described as “a very complicated situation.” “There is not yet any complete U.S. government analysis which definitively tells us precisely how these all came to be, whether they’re part of a single cohort,” Pompeo said at a news conference. “There are significant U.S. government resources now, what, three-plus years on, devoted to getting to the bottom of this and then holding those responsible accountable — should we determine that that’s required,” he said. Pompeo was responding to a reporter’s question about what the State Department was doing to protect diplomats, and why there appeared to be deep disparities in the response to the episode in Cuba compared to the one in China. Pompeo took umbrage at the question. “Yeah, that question is kind of like, ‘When did you stop beating your wife?’ ” Pompeo said. “Right? Right?” The question referred to the findings of separate investigations in The New York Times and GQ published Monday. Many U.S. government employees and family members who left China in 2018 after falling ill have had to fight the Trump administration for benefits, and some say that has led to retaliation by the government. Some victims are believed to be permanently injured. The articles also revealed new victims — CIA officers who had recently made short trips overseas. One suspected attack took place in Moscow. In other cases, the officers were meeting with partner intelligence agencies to discuss plans to counter Russian covert operations, The Times found. CIA Director Gina Haspel is not convinced Russia carried out attacks that caused the illnesses, officials said. Russia has denied any role. The investigations led to some lawmakers criticizing the Trump administration over the reported mistreatment of diplomats and spies. The lawmakers are also calling for Pompeo and other top officials to stop concealing information on the suspected attacks. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., said Tuesday that the articles were “deeply troubling and should spur the Trump administration to do everything in its power to protect federal employees from these attacks and investigate the full scope of this threat.” “These findings should put an end to the foot-dragging, evasiveness and obstruction at the State Department to deliver benefits to all of these injured federal employees and their families, and get to the bottom about what happened,” she added. A half-dozen U.S. officials told The Times that the Trump administration’s responses to the suspected attacks varied based on political considerations. In Cuba, where President Donald Trump sought to undo President Barack Obama’s rapprochement, the State Department withdrew all but a handful of U.S. diplomats. It also expelled Cuban diplomats from the United States. But the administration took a softer approach in China as Trump pursued a trade agreement with Xi Jinping, the authoritarian leader whom the president praises. And Trump has also tried strengthening ties with President Vladimir Putin of Russia. On Wednesday, Pompeo said “there were no politics attached to this” and it was “patently false, clearly false, unambiguously false” that the administration’s responses to the episodes were conditioned on political goals. “We don’t want any country around the world to think for a moment that they can do something, and we won’t take serious action,” Pompeo said. The State Department has refused to provide basic information to Congress about the episodes — even obscuring the number of U.S. government employees and family members affected worldwide. Lawmakers and scientists also fear the department is trying to bury a detailed report on the episodes it received in August from a committee at the National Academies of Sciences. On Tuesday, after The Times reported on the State Department’s refusal to release the report to the public or Congress, Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Ca., said on Twitter that he had just directed aides to request the report from the department. He wrote: “There’s no reason @SecPompeo should be hiding this information from the American people.” Marc Polymeropoulos, a 26-year CIA clandestine officer who retired after the suspected attack in Moscow left him with constant migraines, said Wednesday that the current situation was similar to an earlier instance in which the U.S. government refused to recognize combat injuries. “This is the CIA’s gulf war syndrome,” he said.

US still seeking clues to mystery illness afflicting diplomats and spies

Author

Zee News Rajasthan

Editor

Manas Joshi

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