<p>The deadly protests in Bangladesh have claimed over 115 lives as violent clashes between student-led protestors and security forces continue across the country. While the protests erupted in the wake of reinstatement of 30 per cent quota for freedom fighters and their descendants in government jobs, they have emerged as a flashpoint over Razakars.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Who are Razakar and what does it mean?</strong></h2>

<p>In the Bangladeshi society, the worst indignity has been to be branded a Razakar; a member of the East Pakistani volunteer force that worked against Bangladesh's creation&nbsp;during the 1971 War.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Razakar, which basically means volunteer or helper, who worked with the Pakistan Army in brutalising the local population through murders and sexual crimes to prevent the creation of Bangladesh.</p>

<p>War historians describe Razakars as&nbsp;auxiliary force of the Pakistan army during the 1971 Bangladesh War. Composed of mostly pro-Pakistani Bengalis from Bangladesh (formerly East Pakistan), the approximate 50,000 Razakars assisted the army in raids against the local population and were accused of committing horrific atrocities.</p>

<h2><strong>How 'Razakar' became catchword of Bangladesh protests?</strong></h2>

<p>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has labeled protestors as 'Razakars'.</p>

<p>"Why is there so much resentment towards freedom fighters? If the grandchildren of freedom fighters don’t get quota benefits, should the grandchildren of Razakars?' PM Hasina said on July 14.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-under-curfew-blackout-as-over-100-killed-in-anti-quota-protests-742510">Bangladesh under curfew, blackout as over 100 killed in anti-quota protests</a></strong></p>

<p>Protesting students made Hasina's Razakar reference into a street protest phrase. Soon after, Bangladeshi streets were filled with the slogan, "Tui Ke? Ami Ke? Razakar, Razakar/Ke boleche, ke boleche, Sairachar, Sairachar (Who are you? Who am I? We are Razakars. Who is branding us? The dictator, the dictator)".</p>

<h2><strong>Bangladesh anti-quota agitation</strong></h2>

<p>Anti-quota protests are not new to Bangladesh.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In 2018, after nationwide protests that eventually turned violent, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government cancelled quotas for first and second-class jobs.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This year, on 5 June, the Bangladesh High Court ruled that the 2018 government order was illegal, meaning that the quotas were to be brought back in government recruitments again.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Bangladesh protests: What we know so far</strong></p>

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<p>While the government appealed against the judgment, protests broke out in Dhaka and outside.</p>

<p>After Hasina's July 15 reference to 'Razakars', the protests have just escalated towards violence.</p>

<p>Tarique Rehman, acting chairman of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the country’s principal Opposition party, wrote on X that the Hasina government has once again proved "there is no space for innocent students to express their legitimate demands…I call upon everyone, regardless of party affiliation, to unite against the atrocities of this government."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The deadly protests in Bangladesh have claimed over 115 lives as violent clashes between student-led protestors and security forces continue across the country. While the protests erupted in the wake of reinstatement of 30 per cent quota for freedom fighters and their descendants in government jobs, they have emerged as a flashpoint over Razakars.

The deadly protests in Bangladesh have claimed over 115 lives as violent clashes between student-led protestors and security forces continue across the country. While the protests erupted in the wake of reinstatement of 30 per cent quota for freedom fighters and their descendants in government jobs, they have emerged as a flashpoint over Razakars. Who are Razakar and what does it mean? In the Bangladeshi society, the worst indignity has been to be branded a Razakar; a member of the East Pakistani volunteer force that worked against Bangladesh's creation during the 1971 War. Razakar, which basically means volunteer or helper, who worked with the Pakistan Army in brutalising the local population through murders and sexual crimes to prevent the creation of Bangladesh. War historians describe Razakars as auxiliary force of the Pakistan army during the 1971 Bangladesh War. Composed of mostly pro-Pakistani Bengalis from Bangladesh (formerly East Pakistan), the approximate 50,000 Razakars assisted the army in raids against the local population and were accused of committing horrific atrocities. How 'Razakar' became catchword of Bangladesh protests? Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has labeled protestors as 'Razakars'. "Why is there so much resentment towards freedom fighters? If the grandchildren of freedom fighters don’t get quota benefits, should the grandchildren of Razakars?' PM Hasina said on July 14. Also read | Bangladesh under curfew, blackout as over 100 killed in anti-quota protests Protesting students made Hasina's Razakar reference into a street protest phrase. Soon after, Bangladeshi streets were filled with the slogan, "Tui Ke? Ami Ke? Razakar, Razakar/Ke boleche, ke boleche, Sairachar, Sairachar (Who are you? Who am I? We are Razakars. Who is branding us? The dictator, the dictator)". Bangladesh anti-quota agitation Anti-quota protests are not new to Bangladesh. In 2018, after nationwide protests that eventually turned violent, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government cancelled quotas for first and second-class jobs. This year, on 5 June, the Bangladesh High Court ruled that the 2018 government order was illegal, meaning that the quotas were to be brought back in government recruitments again. Also watch | Bangladesh protests: What we know so far × While the government appealed against the judgment, protests broke out in Dhaka and outside. After Hasina's July 15 reference to 'Razakars', the protests have just escalated towards violence. Tarique Rehman, acting chairman of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the country’s principal Opposition party, wrote on X that the Hasina government has once again proved "there is no space for innocent students to express their legitimate demands…I call upon everyone, regardless of party affiliation, to unite against the atrocities of this government." (With inputs from agencies)

How PM Hasina's 'razakar' barb became catchword of Bangladesh protests; here's what it means

<p>More than 100 people are reported dead in Bangladesh as student protestors stormed a prison and set fire to the state broadcaster's building among dozens of arson-related incidents this week in nearly half of the South Asian nation's 64 districts. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's office late on Friday (July 19) imposed a nationwide curfew and deployed&nbsp;military forces to keep order after days of deadly student protests.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A communications blackout remains imposed across the country, with mobile internet access and social media blocked. A&nbsp;tally by news agency AFP&nbsp;shows the death toll at 105 at the time of filing this report.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-student-protests-demonstrators-storm-prison-free-hundreds-of-inmates-742441">Bangladesh student protests: Demonstrators storm prison, free hundreds of inmates</a></strong></p>

<p>The protests have emerged as a defining&nbsp;challenge to Prime Minister&nbsp;Hasina's government after 15 years in office.</p>

<p>"A heavy-handed response from the police and members of the ruling Awami League’s student wing have only brought out more students onto the streets. The country seems to be dangerously poised." Crisis Group’s Asia Director, Pierre Prakash told WION.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The protests in Bangladesh erupted in the wake of a June 5 ruling by the Bangladesh High Court which reinstated the 30 per cent quota for freedom fighters and their descendants in government jobs. The quota system, as it's called in Bangladesh, was repealed in 2018 after a massive agitation led by students and teachers.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Bangladesh quota protests: Massive showdown between cops and protesters in Dhaka</strong></p>

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<p>Prime Minister Hasina, on Sunday (July 14), further added fuel to the fire by referring to the protestors as '<em>razakars</em>', a derogatory Bangla word for purported 'traitors'&nbsp;— who are historically understood to have remained either indifferent or opposed to Bangladesh's liberation from&nbsp;Pakistani rule in 1971.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prime Minister Hasina's subsequent appeals for peace after July 14 have failed to quell the protests.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The protests reflect deep political and economic tensions in Bangladesh. For several years Bangladesh's economy has been struggling and youth unemployment is a serious problem. But the quota system and the government's failed response to the protests are also a product of the country's hyper-partisan politics. Frustration has been mounting in Bangladesh because the country has not had a genuinely competitive national election for more than 15 years. With no real alternative at the ballot box, discontented Bangladeshis have few options besides street protests to make their voices heard," Prakash said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Students say they are determined to press on with protests despite Prime Minister Hasina's national address earlier this week on the now-offline state broadcaster seeking to calm the unrest.</p>

<p>According to broadcaster Independent Television, more than 700 people had been wounded throughout Thursday (July 18) including 104 police officers and 30 journalists.</p>


More than 100 people are reported dead in Bangladesh as student protestors stormed a prison and set fire to the state broadcaster's building among dozens of arson-related incidents this week in nearly half of the South Asian nation's 64 districts.

More than 100 people are reported dead in Bangladesh as student protestors stormed a prison and set fire to the state broadcaster's building among dozens of arson-related incidents this week in nearly half of the South Asian nation's 64 districts. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's office late on Friday (July 19) imposed a nationwide curfew and deployed military forces to keep order after days of deadly student protests. A communications blackout remains imposed across the country, with mobile internet access and social media blocked. A tally by news agency AFP shows the death toll at 105 at the time of filing this report. Also read | Bangladesh student protests: Demonstrators storm prison, free hundreds of inmates The protests have emerged as a defining challenge to Prime Minister Hasina's government after 15 years in office. "A heavy-handed response from the police and members of the ruling Awami League’s student wing have only brought out more students onto the streets. The country seems to be dangerously poised." Crisis Group’s Asia Director, Pierre Prakash told WION. The protests in Bangladesh erupted in the wake of a June 5 ruling by the Bangladesh High Court which reinstated the 30 per cent quota for freedom fighters and their descendants in government jobs. The quota system, as it's called in Bangladesh, was repealed in 2018 after a massive agitation led by students and teachers. Also watch | Bangladesh quota protests: Massive showdown between cops and protesters in Dhaka × Prime Minister Hasina, on Sunday (July 14), further added fuel to the fire by referring to the protestors as 'razakars', a derogatory Bangla word for purported 'traitors' — who are historically understood to have remained either indifferent or opposed to Bangladesh's liberation from Pakistani rule in 1971. Prime Minister Hasina's subsequent appeals for peace after July 14 have failed to quell the protests. "The protests reflect deep political and economic tensions in Bangladesh. For several years Bangladesh's economy has been struggling and youth unemployment is a serious problem. But the quota system and the government's failed response to the protests are also a product of the country's hyper-partisan politics. Frustration has been mounting in Bangladesh because the country has not had a genuinely competitive national election for more than 15 years. With no real alternative at the ballot box, discontented Bangladeshis have few options besides street protests to make their voices heard," Prakash said. Students say they are determined to press on with protests despite Prime Minister Hasina's national address earlier this week on the now-offline state broadcaster seeking to calm the unrest. According to broadcaster Independent Television, more than 700 people had been wounded throughout Thursday (July 18) including 104 police officers and 30 journalists.

Bangladesh under curfew, blackout as over 100 killed in anti-quota protests

<p>Businesses and services worldwide are slowly recovering from reportedly the worst&nbsp;IT outage in history&nbsp;that disrupted computer systems for hours between July 18 and 19.</p>

<p>The outage, caused by a faulty software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, heavily impacted industries including banks, hospitals, and airlines.</p>

<p>CrowdStrike's CEO, George Kurtz, issued an apology for the disruption and confirmed that a fix had been deployed. But it might take "some time" for all systems to be fully operational again.</p>

<p>Airline services are gradually returning to normal after thousands of flights were canceled. But operators are still expecting&nbsp;that delays and cancellations will continue through the weekend. Many businesses are contending with backlogs and missed orders, which may take days to resolve.</p>

<p>Health services in Britain, Israel, and Germany were also affected, following which a number of scheduled surgeries were cancelled.</p>

<p>The global chaos has raised concerns about the vulnerability of interconnected technologies and the potential for a single software glitch to cause widespread disruption.</p>

<h2><strong>Global IT outage: What happened?</strong></h2>

<p>The issue began at 19:00 GMT on Thursday (July 18) and affected Windows users running CrowdStrike Falcon cybersecurity software.</p>

<p>While the full extent of the problem became evident by Friday (July 19) morning, the situation began to improve by Friday evening. Many airports reported ongoing issues with check-in and payment systems but most flights were operating.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;I.T. outage disrupts flights, banks, and media outlets around the world</strong></p>

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<p>In the financial sector, JP Morgan Chase, the largest bank in the US, is working to restore ATM services.</p>

<p>According to the website Downdetector, which tracks tech issues, the number of affected sites in the UK, India and southeast Asia&nbsp;decreased by the end of the day.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/global-it-outage-causes-widespread-disruptions-across-airports-742494">Global IT outage causes widespread disruptions across airports</a></strong></p>

<p>CrowdStrike's CEO George Kurtz explained on social media platform X that the problem was due to a defect in "a single content update for Windows hosts."&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We're deeply sorry for the impact that we've caused to customers, to travelers, to anyone affected by this, including our company," Kurtz told NBC.</p>

<p>"Many of the customers are rebooting the system and it's coming up and it'll be operational. It could be some time for some systems that just automatically won't recover, but it is our mission... to make sure every customer is fully recovered," he said.</p>


Businesses and services worldwide are slowly recovering from reportedly the worst IT outage in history that disrupted computer systems for hours between July 18 and 19.

Businesses and services worldwide are slowly recovering from reportedly the worst IT outage in history that disrupted computer systems for hours between July 18 and 19. The outage, caused by a faulty software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, heavily impacted industries including banks, hospitals, and airlines. CrowdStrike's CEO, George Kurtz, issued an apology for the disruption and confirmed that a fix had been deployed. But it might take "some time" for all systems to be fully operational again. Airline services are gradually returning to normal after thousands of flights were canceled. But operators are still expecting that delays and cancellations will continue through the weekend. Many businesses are contending with backlogs and missed orders, which may take days to resolve. Health services in Britain, Israel, and Germany were also affected, following which a number of scheduled surgeries were cancelled. The global chaos has raised concerns about the vulnerability of interconnected technologies and the potential for a single software glitch to cause widespread disruption. Global IT outage: What happened? The issue began at 19:00 GMT on Thursday (July 18) and affected Windows users running CrowdStrike Falcon cybersecurity software. While the full extent of the problem became evident by Friday (July 19) morning, the situation began to improve by Friday evening. Many airports reported ongoing issues with check-in and payment systems but most flights were operating. Also watch | I.T. outage disrupts flights, banks, and media outlets around the world × In the financial sector, JP Morgan Chase, the largest bank in the US, is working to restore ATM services. According to the website Downdetector, which tracks tech issues, the number of affected sites in the UK, India and southeast Asia decreased by the end of the day. Also read | Global IT outage causes widespread disruptions across airports CrowdStrike's CEO George Kurtz explained on social media platform X that the problem was due to a defect in "a single content update for Windows hosts." "We're deeply sorry for the impact that we've caused to customers, to travelers, to anyone affected by this, including our company," Kurtz told NBC. "Many of the customers are rebooting the system and it's coming up and it'll be operational. It could be some time for some systems that just automatically won't recover, but it is our mission... to make sure every customer is fully recovered," he said.

Global IT chaos returning to stability after CrowdStrike's stumble

<p>NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Thursday said it was "extremely important" that the United States maintains its backing for Ukraine, after former president Donald Trump chose a sceptic of aiding Kyiv as his election running mate.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"European allies and Canada can of course do more, but it's extremely important that the United States continues to provide support to Ukraine," the head of the Western military told AFP on the sidelines of a European summit in Britain.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"This has to be a joint effort between North America and Europe, and the United States is by far the biggest ally. So, I expect them to continue to support Ukraine."</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;NATO at 75 as alliance faces uncertain future</strong></p>

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<p>Trump -- who is challenging incumbent Joe Biden at elections in November -- set alarm bells ringing across Europe this week by selecting JD&nbsp;Vance as his pick for vice president.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Vance is a staunch opponent of aid for Kyiv, and fiercely argued against the approval of $61 billion in new US military aid for Ukraine earlier this year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Stoltenberg insisted that "it is in the security interest of the United States to support Ukraine".</p>

<p>"If President Putin wins in Ukraine, it will not only be a tragedy for the Ukrainians, it will also make the world even more dangerous and more vulnerable," he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The United States has provided tens of billions of dollars in military assistance for Kyiv since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But Vance and other Trump allies in Congress argue that Washington cannot continue to fund the war indefinitely, and a Trump victory would throw future US assistance for Ukraine into doubt.</p>

<p>Trump has said he would quickly end the conflict, raising the spectre that Kyiv could be pushed to negotiate with Moscow from an unfavourable position.</p>

<p>"If we really want to negotiate a solution where Ukraine prevails as a sovereign, independent nation, the way to get there is to provide more support to Ukraine," Stoltenberg said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Now, President Putin believes that he can win on the battlefield, and we need to convince him that he will not win on the battlefield -- that's when he will be willing to sit down and agree a solution."</p>

<p>Concerned about potential political changes in the US, NATO decided, at a summit last week in Washington, that the alliance would take over coordination of weapons deliveries to Ukraine from the United States.</p>

<p>Stoltenberg said that this will see a new NATO command overseeing some 700 personnel from across the alliance begin working in Germany in September.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION&nbsp;audience.</em></p>


NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Thursday said it was "extremely important" that the United States maintains its backing for Ukraine, after former president Donald Trump chose a sceptic of aiding Kyiv as his election running mate.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Thursday said it was "extremely important" that the United States maintains its backing for Ukraine, after former president Donald Trump chose a sceptic of aiding Kyiv as his election running mate. "European allies and Canada can of course do more, but it's extremely important that the United States continues to provide support to Ukraine," the head of the Western military told AFP on the sidelines of a European summit in Britain. "This has to be a joint effort between North America and Europe, and the United States is by far the biggest ally. So, I expect them to continue to support Ukraine." Also watch | NATO at 75 as alliance faces uncertain future × Trump -- who is challenging incumbent Joe Biden at elections in November -- set alarm bells ringing across Europe this week by selecting JD Vance as his pick for vice president. Vance is a staunch opponent of aid for Kyiv, and fiercely argued against the approval of $61 billion in new US military aid for Ukraine earlier this year. Stoltenberg insisted that "it is in the security interest of the United States to support Ukraine". "If President Putin wins in Ukraine, it will not only be a tragedy for the Ukrainians, it will also make the world even more dangerous and more vulnerable," he said. The United States has provided tens of billions of dollars in military assistance for Kyiv since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. But Vance and other Trump allies in Congress argue that Washington cannot continue to fund the war indefinitely, and a Trump victory would throw future US assistance for Ukraine into doubt. Trump has said he would quickly end the conflict, raising the spectre that Kyiv could be pushed to negotiate with Moscow from an unfavourable position. "If we really want to negotiate a solution where Ukraine prevails as a sovereign, independent nation, the way to get there is to provide more support to Ukraine," Stoltenberg said. "Now, President Putin believes that he can win on the battlefield, and we need to convince him that he will not win on the battlefield -- that's when he will be willing to sit down and agree a solution." Concerned about potential political changes in the US, NATO decided, at a summit last week in Washington, that the alliance would take over coordination of weapons deliveries to Ukraine from the United States. Stoltenberg said that this will see a new NATO command overseeing some 700 personnel from across the alliance begin working in Germany in September. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

'Extremely important' that US keeps backing Ukraine: NATO chief

Concert Hopping? Here's How You Can Fly Down Guilt Free

Whether you are gearing up for Tomorrowland in Belgium or are excited to attend Burning Man in Nevada, follow through to know how to enjoy these epic concerts without breaking the bank.

Tomorrowland: Belgium (July 19-21 and July 26-28)


Flights to Brussels are available from Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai starting at ₹53,415 (approx. $638.44), according to Skyscanner.

Burning Man: Nevada (August 25 - September 2)


Flights to Reno are available from Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore starting at ₹124,908 (approx. $1,492.97).

Sunburn Arena ft. Alan Walker: Bengaluru (October 4)


Flights to Bengaluru are available from Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai starting at ₹5,746 (approx. $68.68).

Magnetic Fields Festival: Alsisar Mahal, Rajasthan (December 6-8)


Flights to Jaipur are available from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai starting at ₹4,290 (approx. $51.28).

Tiny Tweaks, Big Wins: Must Listen Books on Audible For Personal Growth

Atomic Habits: Written and Narrated by James Clear


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Can't read books? Well you can listen to them. Here are the ones for your personal growth.

<p>The US Department of Homeland Security's inspector general said Wednesday that it is investigating the Secret Service's handling of security at the campaign rally where a gunman tried to assassinate former president Donald Trump.</p>

<p>The office of DHS inspector general Joseph Cuffari said in an online posting that the probe is intended to "evaluate the United States Secret Service's process for securing" the campaign event.</p>

<p>The Secret Service has faced intense scrutiny since Saturday's shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania, during which a gunman opened fire on the Republican presidential candidate from an exposed rooftop some 150 yards (meters) away from the stage where Trump was speaking.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-secret-service-clicked-final-image-of-would-be-trump-assassin-matthew-crooks-741811">US Secret Service clicked final image of would-be Trump assassin Matthew Crooks</a></strong></p>

<p>Trump was wounded in the ear and a rally attendee was killed. The 20-year-old gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was shot dead by Secret Service snipers.</p>

<p>President Joe Biden has ordered an independent review of the Secret Service's handling of the assassination attempt, which is also being investigated by the FBI as a case of potential domestic terrorism.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Trump VP Pick Vance Calls China ‘Biggest Threat’ to US | Bad News for Europe?</strong></p>

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<p>Members of the House of Representatives and Senate are to receive briefings from the Secret Service, the Justice Department and the FBI later Wednesday on the status of the various probes, according to US media reports.</p>

<p>The House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday announced plans to hold a hearing on July 24 into the FBI's investigation into the assassination attempt and Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson told Fox News he would seek the resignation of Secret Service director Kimberly Cheatle.</p>

<p>Cheatle is scheduled to appear before the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability on Monday for a hearing into the assassination attempt.</p>

<p>The Secret Service is responsible for the safety of the president, vice president and former presidents, and their families, as well as major election candidates and visiting foreign heads of state.</p>

<p><em>Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.</em></p>


The US Department of Homeland Security's inspector general said Wednesday that it is investigating the Secret Service's handling of security at the campaign rally where a gunman tried to assassinate former president Donald Trump.

The US Department of Homeland Security's inspector general said Wednesday that it is investigating the Secret Service's handling of security at the campaign rally where a gunman tried to assassinate former president Donald Trump. The office of DHS inspector general Joseph Cuffari said in an online posting that the probe is intended to "evaluate the United States Secret Service's process for securing" the campaign event. The Secret Service has faced intense scrutiny since Saturday's shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania, during which a gunman opened fire on the Republican presidential candidate from an exposed rooftop some 150 yards (meters) away from the stage where Trump was speaking. Also read | US Secret Service clicked final image of would-be Trump assassin Matthew Crooks Trump was wounded in the ear and a rally attendee was killed. The 20-year-old gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was shot dead by Secret Service snipers. President Joe Biden has ordered an independent review of the Secret Service's handling of the assassination attempt, which is also being investigated by the FBI as a case of potential domestic terrorism. Also watch | Trump VP Pick Vance Calls China ‘Biggest Threat’ to US | Bad News for Europe? × Members of the House of Representatives and Senate are to receive briefings from the Secret Service, the Justice Department and the FBI later Wednesday on the status of the various probes, according to US media reports. The House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday announced plans to hold a hearing on July 24 into the FBI's investigation into the assassination attempt and Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson told Fox News he would seek the resignation of Secret Service director Kimberly Cheatle. Cheatle is scheduled to appear before the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability on Monday for a hearing into the assassination attempt. The Secret Service is responsible for the safety of the president, vice president and former presidents, and their families, as well as major election candidates and visiting foreign heads of state. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Homeland Security probes Secret Service's handing of Trump assassination attempt

<p>Reports are claiming that Donald Trump's would-be-assassin Thomas Crooke was struggling with mental illness. Meanwhile,&nbsp;in the United Kingdom, a damning Covid inquiry report has described UK's response to the pandemic as filled with systemic incompetence. In other news, Indian batter Hardik Pandya has announced divorce.</p>

<p><b>Click on the headlines&nbsp;to read more</b></p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-shooter-thomas-crooks-may-have-been-struggling-with-mental-illness-report-742139"><strong>Trump shooter Thomas Crooks may have been struggling with mental illness: Report</strong></a></p>

<p><img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2024/07/15/443526-new-wion-2024-07-15t080539637.png?imwidth=400" /><br />
Gunman Thomas Crooks, who attempted to assassinate former US president Donald Trump, may have been struggling with an undiagnosed mental health disorder - including some form of depression, a report in the&nbsp;<em>New York Post&nbsp;</em>has claimed.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ursula-von-der-leyen-re-elected-european-commission-president-despite-opposition-from-giorgia-melonis-party-742097"><strong>Ursula von der Leyen re-elected as European Commission president despite opposition from Meloni's party</strong></a></p>

<p><img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/12/02/315239-untitled-design-31.jpg?imwidth=400" /><br />
The European parliament on Thursday (July 18)&nbsp;confirmed Ursula von der Leyen as European Commission president. She will now serve a second five-year term in a row as president of the European Commission, the executive arm of the European Union.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/usha-vances-family-member-was-rss-worker-and-jailed-during-emergency-in-india-report-742142"><strong>Usha Vance's family member was RSS worker and jailed during Emergency in India: Report</strong></a></p>

<p><img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2024/07/18/444353-usha-chilukuri-vance.png?imwidth=400" /></p>

<p>Usha Chilukuri Vance, the wife of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's running mate JD Vance, has become a household name in India because of her Indian roots. Her family member was in fact Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) worker and was jailed during the Emergency period (1975 to 1977) in India.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/chandigarh-dibrugarh-express-train-derailed-in-gonda-one-killed-several-feared-injured-742061"><strong>Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express train derails in Gonda; four killed, several injured</strong></a></p>

<p><img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2024/07/18/444317-railway-1.png?imwidth=400" /></p>

<p>Four people are reported dead while many others are injured on Thursday (July 18) after several coaches of an express train derailed in Uttar Pradesh's Gonda, about 650 km east of New Delhi. The derailment of Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express reportedly took place in Pikaura, a town between Gonda and Jhilahi in Uttar Pradesh.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joe-biden-receptive-about-dropping-out-of-presidential-race-against-donald-trump-742086"><strong>Joe Biden ‘receptive’ about dropping out of presidential race against Donald Trump: Report</strong></a></p>

<p><img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2024/07/15/443508-joebidenusa.png?imwidth=400" /></p>

<p>US President Joe Biden has become 'more receptive' to the idea of dropping out of the presidential race amid growing apprehensions regarding his declining cognitive capabilities.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/outdated-abandoned-labyrinthine-covid-inquiry-finds-how-uks-health-system-failed-people-during-pandemic-742124"><strong>'Outdated, abandoned, labyrinthine': Covid inquiry finds how UK's health system failed people during pandemic</strong></a></p>

<p><img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2024/07/18/444344-bojocovid.png?imwidth=400" /></p>

<p>The United Kingdom under Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson was "ill prepared for dealing with a catastrophic emergency, let alone&nbsp;the Covid-10 pandemic that actually struck", a damning first report from an inquiry on UK's Covid preparedness has found.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-anti-quota-protests-push-nation-on-edge-as-death-toll-rises-to-32-742135"><strong>Bangladesh anti-quota protests push nation on edge as death toll rises to 32</strong></a></p>

<p><img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2024/07/18/444351-bangladesh-1.png?imwidth=400" /><br />
Students in Bangladesh set fire to the country's state broadcaster headquarters on Thursday (July 18). The escalation occurred a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina appeared on the network while appealing for peace as fierce clashes continue to take a heavy toll on Bangladeshi lives and their lifelines.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/indian-all-rounder-hardik-pandya-wife-natasa-stankovic-mutually-part-ways-742146"><strong>Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya, wife Natasa Stankovic 'mutually' part ways</strong></a></p>

<p><img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2024/07/18/444357-indian-all-rounder-hardik-pandya-wife-natasa-stankovic-mutually-part-ways.png?imwidth=400" /><br />
Indian all-rounder and T20 World Cup hero Hardik Pandya has separated from his wife Natasa Stankovic. Pandya made the announcement in a post on his Instagram handle on Thursday (July 18). The post confirmed the rift between the couple which has been a big talking point in recent months. The separation ended the four-year relationship between Pandya and Stankovic who welcomed their son, Agastya in July 2020.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/emmy-snubs-and-surprises-selena-gomez-and-reservation-dogs-gets-deserving-recognition-742096"><strong>Emmy snubs and surprises: Selena Gomez and Reservation Dogs get deserving recognition</strong></a></p>

<p><img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2024/07/18/444324-happy-30th-birthday-2024-07-18t175005118.png?imwidth=400" /><br />
Emmy nominations are out! This prestigious award acknowledges&nbsp;the best works on TV and on Wednesday (July 17), the nominations for the 76th Emmy Awards were revealed.&nbsp;</p>


Reports are claiming that Donald Trump's would-be-assassin Thomas Crooke was struggling with mental illness. Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, a damning Covid inquiry report has described UK's response to the pandemic as filled with systemic incompetence.

Reports are claiming that Donald Trump's would-be-assassin Thomas Crooke was struggling with mental illness. Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, a damning Covid inquiry report has described UK's response to the pandemic as filled with systemic incompetence. In other news, Indian batter Hardik Pandya has announced divorce. Click on the headlines to read more Trump shooter Thomas Crooks may have been struggling with mental illness: Report Gunman Thomas Crooks, who attempted to assassinate former US president Donald Trump, may have been struggling with an undiagnosed mental health disorder - including some form of depression, a report in the New York Post has claimed. Ursula von der Leyen re-elected as European Commission president despite opposition from Meloni's party The European parliament on Thursday (July 18) confirmed Ursula von der Leyen as European Commission president. She will now serve a second five-year term in a row as president of the European Commission, the executive arm of the European Union. Usha Vance's family member was RSS worker and jailed during Emergency in India: Report Usha Chilukuri Vance, the wife of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's running mate JD Vance, has become a household name in India because of her Indian roots. Her family member was in fact Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) worker and was jailed during the Emergency period (1975 to 1977) in India. Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express train derails in Gonda; four killed, several injured Four people are reported dead while many others are injured on Thursday (July 18) after several coaches of an express train derailed in Uttar Pradesh's Gonda, about 650 km east of New Delhi. The derailment of Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express reportedly took place in Pikaura, a town between Gonda and Jhilahi in Uttar Pradesh. Joe Biden ‘receptive’ about dropping out of presidential race against Donald Trump: Report US President Joe Biden has become 'more receptive' to the idea of dropping out of the presidential race amid growing apprehensions regarding his declining cognitive capabilities. 'Outdated, abandoned, labyrinthine': Covid inquiry finds how UK's health system failed people during pandemic The United Kingdom under Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson was "ill prepared for dealing with a catastrophic emergency, let alone the Covid-10 pandemic that actually struck", a damning first report from an inquiry on UK's Covid preparedness has found. Bangladesh anti-quota protests push nation on edge as death toll rises to 32 Students in Bangladesh set fire to the country's state broadcaster headquarters on Thursday (July 18). The escalation occurred a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina appeared on the network while appealing for peace as fierce clashes continue to take a heavy toll on Bangladeshi lives and their lifelines. Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya, wife Natasa Stankovic 'mutually' part ways Indian all-rounder and T20 World Cup hero Hardik Pandya has separated from his wife Natasa Stankovic. Pandya made the announcement in a post on his Instagram handle on Thursday (July 18). The post confirmed the rift between the couple which has been a big talking point in recent months. The separation ended the four-year relationship between Pandya and Stankovic who welcomed their son, Agastya in July 2020. Emmy snubs and surprises: Selena Gomez and Reservation Dogs get deserving recognition Emmy nominations are out! This prestigious award acknowledges the best works on TV and on Wednesday (July 17), the nominations for the 76th Emmy Awards were revealed.

Top 10 world news: Trump's would-be-assassin struggled mentally; Hardik Pandya announces separation; and more

<p>France's best-known priest, the late Abbe Pierre, a beloved champion of the homeless, has been accused of sexually assaulting several women and a girl, his charities said Wednesday.</p>

<p>A Capuchin monk since 1932 and an ordained Catholic clergyman since 1938, Henri Groues died in 2007 aged 94. He left behind a legacy as a friend to the poverty-stricken and founder of the charities Emmaus and the Abbe Pierre Foundation.</p>

<p>On Wednesday, however, it was revealed that seven women had made allegations of sexual assault or harassment by the elderly cleric dating back to between 1970 and 2005.</p>

<p>"Our organisations celebrate the courage of the people who have given testimony and, through their words, allowed these facts to come to light. We believe them," homeless charity Emmaus and the abbot's foundation said in a joint statement.</p>

<p>The allegations are detailed in an independent report commissioned by the charities after a first claim that Groues had assaulted a woman.</p>

<p>"This work meant the testimonies of seven women could be gathered, attesting to behaviour that could be interpreted as sexual assault or sexual harassment," between 1970 and 2005, the charities said.</p>

<p>One of the women "was underage at the time of the events", they added.</p>

<p>A source at Emmaus told AFP that no criminal complaint had so far been filed.</p>

<p>In a social media post the bishop's conference of France's Catholic Church expressed "shame that such acts could be committed by a priest".</p>

<h2><strong>'I need it'</strong></h2>

<p>Some 17 years after his death, Groues remains a familiar sight on charity shops posters and in metro stations urging French people to think of the poor.</p>

<p>He gave his inheritance away aged 18 to join the order of Capuchin monks, later becoming active in the Resistance to Nazi occupation and spending several post-war years as a member of parliament.</p>

<p>In 1949, he founded the Emmaus community that preaches self-help for excluded people, which has since spread to dozens of countries.</p>

<p>He was also a backer of the "Restos du coeur" soup kitchens movement and clashed with city authorities that failed to lodge the homeless.</p>

<p>The report's author Caroline de Haas said she had gathered testimony pointing to "inappropriate behaviour of a personal nature, a sexual proposition, repeated comments with sexual connotations, attempts at unsolicited physical contact and unsolicited contact on the breasts".</p>

<p>One of the women reported that Abbe Pierre had "started groping her left breast" while she was "at the foot of the stairs" in a hallway.</p>

<p>She said that a few years later she approached him in an office.</p>

<p>"I walked up to him to shake his hand. He tried to pull me towards the window. I told him 'No, Father'. He told me, 'I need it'. I said: 'No', and he left," she told the investigation.</p>

<h2><strong>'Idolatry'</strong></h2>

<p>Another woman said Abbe Pierre would "put his hands on her chest, breasts" while they "were talking about work".</p>

<p>And another stated that, one day, "when saying goodbye, he inserted his tongue into my mouth in a brutal and totally unexpected way".</p>

<p>De Haas said the investigation had triggered rising astonishment that Abbe Pierre's behaviour had gone unexposed for so long.</p>

<p>She pointed to a "form of influence fuelled by the age difference, the status of Abbe Pierre and a form of idolatry, or the situation of subordination between him and the people."</p>

<p>After the initial complaints had been heard, a confidential system for gathering evidence was put in place at three associations.</p>

<p>The Abbe Pierre Foundation's managing director Christophe Robert described the revelations as "a terrible shock".</p>

<p>He said the organisation decided to "shed light" on the allegations and "give a voice to these victims".</p>

<p><em>Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.</em></p>


France's best-known priest, the late Abbe Pierre, a beloved champion of the homeless, has been accused of sexually assaulting several women and a girl, his charities said Wednesday.

France's best-known priest, the late Abbe Pierre, a beloved champion of the homeless, has been accused of sexually assaulting several women and a girl, his charities said Wednesday. A Capuchin monk since 1932 and an ordained Catholic clergyman since 1938, Henri Groues died in 2007 aged 94. He left behind a legacy as a friend to the poverty-stricken and founder of the charities Emmaus and the Abbe Pierre Foundation. On Wednesday, however, it was revealed that seven women had made allegations of sexual assault or harassment by the elderly cleric dating back to between 1970 and 2005. "Our organisations celebrate the courage of the people who have given testimony and, through their words, allowed these facts to come to light. We believe them," homeless charity Emmaus and the abbot's foundation said in a joint statement. The allegations are detailed in an independent report commissioned by the charities after a first claim that Groues had assaulted a woman. "This work meant the testimonies of seven women could be gathered, attesting to behaviour that could be interpreted as sexual assault or sexual harassment," between 1970 and 2005, the charities said. One of the women "was underage at the time of the events", they added. A source at Emmaus told AFP that no criminal complaint had so far been filed. In a social media post the bishop's conference of France's Catholic Church expressed "shame that such acts could be committed by a priest". 'I need it' Some 17 years after his death, Groues remains a familiar sight on charity shops posters and in metro stations urging French people to think of the poor. He gave his inheritance away aged 18 to join the order of Capuchin monks, later becoming active in the Resistance to Nazi occupation and spending several post-war years as a member of parliament. In 1949, he founded the Emmaus community that preaches self-help for excluded people, which has since spread to dozens of countries. He was also a backer of the "Restos du coeur" soup kitchens movement and clashed with city authorities that failed to lodge the homeless. The report's author Caroline de Haas said she had gathered testimony pointing to "inappropriate behaviour of a personal nature, a sexual proposition, repeated comments with sexual connotations, attempts at unsolicited physical contact and unsolicited contact on the breasts". One of the women reported that Abbe Pierre had "started groping her left breast" while she was "at the foot of the stairs" in a hallway. She said that a few years later she approached him in an office. "I walked up to him to shake his hand. He tried to pull me towards the window. I told him 'No, Father'. He told me, 'I need it'. I said: 'No', and he left," she told the investigation. 'Idolatry' Another woman said Abbe Pierre would "put his hands on her chest, breasts" while they "were talking about work". And another stated that, one day, "when saying goodbye, he inserted his tongue into my mouth in a brutal and totally unexpected way". De Haas said the investigation had triggered rising astonishment that Abbe Pierre's behaviour had gone unexposed for so long. She pointed to a "form of influence fuelled by the age difference, the status of Abbe Pierre and a form of idolatry, or the situation of subordination between him and the people." After the initial complaints had been heard, a confidential system for gathering evidence was put in place at three associations. The Abbe Pierre Foundation's managing director Christophe Robert described the revelations as "a terrible shock". He said the organisation decided to "shed light" on the allegations and "give a voice to these victims". Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

French church's best-known humanitarian accused of sexual assault

<p>Students in Bangladesh set fire to the country's state broadcaster headquarters on Thursday (July 18). The escalation occurred a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina appeared on the network while appealing for peace as fierce clashes continue to take a heavy toll on Bangladeshi lives and their lifelines.&nbsp;</p>

<p>At the time of filing this report, at least 32 people were reported dead in the clashes.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Bangladesh student protests: What is happening?</strong></h2>

<p>On Thursday (July 18), hundreds of protesters demanding reform of civil service hiring rules overwhelmed the riot police, who had fired at them with rubber bullets. The mob of students was seen chasing&nbsp;the retreating officers to state broadcaster BTV headquarters in the capital Dhaka.</p>

<p>The crowd then set ablaze the network's reception building, and dozens of vehicles parked outside, a BTV official told news agency AFP.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Bangladesh protests: US urges Bangladesh to uphold right to peaceful protest</strong></p>

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<p>The building was later evacuated.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government has ordered schools and universities to close indefinitely amid escalating demonstrations.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The premier appeared on the broadcaster on Wednesday night to condemn the "murder" of protesters and vow that those responsible will be punished regardless of their political affiliation.</p>

<p>But violence has worsened despite her appeal for calm as police again attempted to break up demonstrations with rubber bullets and tear gas volleys.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We've got seven dead here," an official at Uttara Crescent Hospital in the capital Dhaka, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisal, told AFP.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The first two were students with rubber bullet injuries. The other five had gunshot injuries."</p>

<p>Nearly 1,000 others had been treated at the hospital for injuries sustained during clashes with police, the official said, adding that many had rubber bullet wounds.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Why are Bangladeshi students protesting?</strong></h2>

<p>Students are demanding an end to a quota system that reserves more than half of civil service posts for specific groups, including children of veterans from the country's 1971 liberation war against Pakistan.</p>

<p>Critics say the scheme benefits children of pro-government groups that back Prime Minister Sheikh&nbsp;Hasina, 76, who has ruled the country since 2009 and won her fourth consecutive election in January.</p>

<p>Bangladeshis have reported widespread mobile internet outages around the country on Thursday, two days after internet providers cut off access to Facebook, the protest campaign's key organising platform.</p>

<p>Apart from&nbsp;police crackdowns, demonstrators and students allied to Sheikh Hasina's&nbsp;ruling Awami League have also battled each other on the streets with bricks and bamboo rods.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Students in Bangladesh set fire to the country's state broadcaster headquarters on Thursday (July 18). The escalation occurred a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina appeared on the network while appealing for peace as fierce clashes continue to take a heavy toll on Bangladeshi lives and their lifelines.

Students in Bangladesh set fire to the country's state broadcaster headquarters on Thursday (July 18). The escalation occurred a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina appeared on the network while appealing for peace as fierce clashes continue to take a heavy toll on Bangladeshi lives and their lifelines. At the time of filing this report, at least 32 people were reported dead in the clashes. Bangladesh student protests: What is happening? On Thursday (July 18), hundreds of protesters demanding reform of civil service hiring rules overwhelmed the riot police, who had fired at them with rubber bullets. The mob of students was seen chasing the retreating officers to state broadcaster BTV headquarters in the capital Dhaka. The crowd then set ablaze the network's reception building, and dozens of vehicles parked outside, a BTV official told news agency AFP. Also watch | Bangladesh protests: US urges Bangladesh to uphold right to peaceful protest × The building was later evacuated. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government has ordered schools and universities to close indefinitely amid escalating demonstrations. The premier appeared on the broadcaster on Wednesday night to condemn the "murder" of protesters and vow that those responsible will be punished regardless of their political affiliation. But violence has worsened despite her appeal for calm as police again attempted to break up demonstrations with rubber bullets and tear gas volleys. "We've got seven dead here," an official at Uttara Crescent Hospital in the capital Dhaka, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisal, told AFP. "The first two were students with rubber bullet injuries. The other five had gunshot injuries." Nearly 1,000 others had been treated at the hospital for injuries sustained during clashes with police, the official said, adding that many had rubber bullet wounds. Why are Bangladeshi students protesting? Students are demanding an end to a quota system that reserves more than half of civil service posts for specific groups, including children of veterans from the country's 1971 liberation war against Pakistan. Critics say the scheme benefits children of pro-government groups that back Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, 76, who has ruled the country since 2009 and won her fourth consecutive election in January. Bangladeshis have reported widespread mobile internet outages around the country on Thursday, two days after internet providers cut off access to Facebook, the protest campaign's key organising platform. Apart from police crackdowns, demonstrators and students allied to Sheikh Hasina's ruling Awami League have also battled each other on the streets with bricks and bamboo rods. (With inputs from agencies)

Bangladesh anti-quota protests push nation on edge as death toll rises to 32

<p>The United Kingdom under Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson was "ill prepared for dealing with a catastrophic emergency, let alone&nbsp;the Covid-10 pandemic that actually struck", a damning first report from an inquiry on UK's Covid preparedness has found.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The institutions and structures responsible for emergency planning were labyrinthine in their complexity," Chair of the Covid inquiry Lady Hallett said in her report.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The report further said that the UK government's sole pandemic strategy from 2011, was "outdated and lacked adaptability".&nbsp;</p>

<p>"It was virtually abandoned on its first encounter with the pandemic," it noted, adding that the existing mechanism "failed adequately to consider prevention or proportionality of response".&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>How UK's Covid strategy fell short?</strong></h2>

<p>Lady Hallett's 240-page report, analysed by WION, shows&nbsp;that the emergency planning of Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government failed to account sufficiently for the "pre-existing health and social inequalities and deprivation in society".&nbsp;</p>

<p>"There was a failure to learn sufficiently from past civil emergency exercises and outbreaks of diseases."</p>

<p>Additionally, there was a "damaging absence" of focus on the measures, interventions and infrastructure required in the event of a pandemic, "in particular, a system that could be scaled up to test, trace and isolate in the event of a pandemic."&nbsp;</p>

<p>In an indirect dig at Boris Johnson's premiership, the Covid inquiry report found that in the years leading up to the pandemic, there was a "lack of adequate leadership, coordination and oversight."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;UK's Covid investigation an 'eye-watering bill' or a lesson?</strong></p>

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<p>"Ministers, who are frequently untrained in the specialist field of civil contingencies, were not presented with a broad enough range of scientific opinion and policy options, and failed to challenge sufficiently the advice they did receive from officials and advisers."</p>

<p>Besides, "advisers and advisory groups did not have sufficient freedom and autonomy to express dissenting views and suffered from a lack of significant external oversight and challenge. The advice was often undermined by groupthink."&nbsp;</p>


The United Kingdom under Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson was "ill prepared for dealing with a catastrophic emergency, let alone the Covid-10 pandemic that actually struck", a damning first report from an inquiry on UK's Covid preparedness has found.

The United Kingdom under Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson was "ill prepared for dealing with a catastrophic emergency, let alone the Covid-10 pandemic that actually struck", a damning first report from an inquiry on UK's Covid preparedness has found. "The institutions and structures responsible for emergency planning were labyrinthine in their complexity," Chair of the Covid inquiry Lady Hallett said in her report. The report further said that the UK government's sole pandemic strategy from 2011, was "outdated and lacked adaptability". "It was virtually abandoned on its first encounter with the pandemic," it noted, adding that the existing mechanism "failed adequately to consider prevention or proportionality of response". How UK's Covid strategy fell short? Lady Hallett's 240-page report, analysed by WION, shows that the emergency planning of Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government failed to account sufficiently for the "pre-existing health and social inequalities and deprivation in society". "There was a failure to learn sufficiently from past civil emergency exercises and outbreaks of diseases." Additionally, there was a "damaging absence" of focus on the measures, interventions and infrastructure required in the event of a pandemic, "in particular, a system that could be scaled up to test, trace and isolate in the event of a pandemic." In an indirect dig at Boris Johnson's premiership, the Covid inquiry report found that in the years leading up to the pandemic, there was a "lack of adequate leadership, coordination and oversight." Also watch | UK's Covid investigation an 'eye-watering bill' or a lesson? × "Ministers, who are frequently untrained in the specialist field of civil contingencies, were not presented with a broad enough range of scientific opinion and policy options, and failed to challenge sufficiently the advice they did receive from officials and advisers." Besides, "advisers and advisory groups did not have sufficient freedom and autonomy to express dissenting views and suffered from a lack of significant external oversight and challenge. The advice was often undermined by groupthink."

'Outdated, abandoned, labyrinthine': Covid inquiry finds how UK's health system failed people during pandemic

<p>The European parliament on Thursday (July 18)&nbsp;confirmed Ursula von der Leyen as European Commission president. She will now serve a second five-year term in a row as president of the European Commission, the executive arm of the European Union.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A total of 401 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) voted in von der Leyen's favour while 284 voted against and 15 abstained.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The European Conservatives and Reformists group, which includes Italian Prime Minister&nbsp;Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy and Poland’s Law and Justice, said that "a large majority of national delegations within the ECR Group have confirmed that they would vote against"&nbsp;but that the group would have a "free vote."</p>

<h2><strong>Ursula von der Leyen European Commission president: What does it mean?</strong></h2>

<p>Her re-election for a second consecutive term marks a vote for stability during a tumultuous time in Europe. Several key European leaders, such as French President Emmanuel Macron and in von der Leyen's own country, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz are faced with the rise of the far-right.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Von der Leyen's re-election would mean the EU's consistent position to keep up with the carbon emission targets in the times when the countries of the Global South are taking on the West for their outsized role in climate change due to historical emissions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>For the United States, von der Leyen's re-election means a continued European show of competitiveness against Chinese tech prowess.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">5 more years.<br />
<br />
I can’t begin to express how grateful I am for the trust of all MEPs that voted for me. <a href="https://t.co/d9n3yfIVtS">pic.twitter.com/d9n3yfIVtS</a></p>
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) <a href="https://twitter.com/vonderleyen/status/1813916725991354676?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 18, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<h2><strong>Who is Ursula von der Leyen?</strong></h2>

<p>Born in post-Second World War Brussels to German parents in 1958, Ursula von der Leyen is a member of Germany's centre-right Christian Democratic Union and its affiliated party, the European People's Party. She formerly served as defence minister in former German chancellor Angela Merkel's cabinet.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A product of the London School of Economics of the Class of 1978, Merkel attended a medical school in Germany's Hanover and acquired a medical license in 1987, just two years before the fall of the Berlin Wall.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After joining German politics in the late 1990s, she served as a cabinet minister in Lower Saxony's government between 2003 and 2005.&nbsp;</p>

<p><b>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/court-rules-european-commission-chief-ursula-violated-transparency-norms-in-vaccine-contracts-741723">Court rules European Commission chief Ursula violated transparency norms in vaccine contracts</a></b></p>

<p>She served as a deputy leader of Merkel's Christian Democratic Union from 2010 to 2019. Von der Leyen was seen as a leading contender to succeed Merkel as chancellor of Germany and as the favourite to become secretary general of NATO after Jens Stoltenberg.</p>

<p>As European Commission president, von der Leyen has helmed over two crucial crises of her generation: the COVID-19 pandemic and war in Ukraine.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Her second tenure as European Commission president faces the challenge of a potential Donald Trump presidency in the United States amid war in Ukraine.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The European parliament on Thursday (July 18) confirmed Ursula von der Leyen as European Commission president. She will now serve a second five-year term in a row as president of the European Commission, the executive arm of the European Union.

The European parliament on Thursday (July 18) confirmed Ursula von der Leyen as European Commission president. She will now serve a second five-year term in a row as president of the European Commission, the executive arm of the European Union. A total of 401 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) voted in von der Leyen's favour while 284 voted against and 15 abstained. The European Conservatives and Reformists group, which includes Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy and Poland’s Law and Justice, said that "a large majority of national delegations within the ECR Group have confirmed that they would vote against" but that the group would have a "free vote." Ursula von der Leyen European Commission president: What does it mean? Her re-election for a second consecutive term marks a vote for stability during a tumultuous time in Europe. Several key European leaders, such as French President Emmanuel Macron and in von der Leyen's own country, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz are faced with the rise of the far-right. Von der Leyen's re-election would mean the EU's consistent position to keep up with the carbon emission targets in the times when the countries of the Global South are taking on the West for their outsized role in climate change due to historical emissions. For the United States, von der Leyen's re-election means a continued European show of competitiveness against Chinese tech prowess. 5 more years. I can’t begin to express how grateful I am for the trust of all MEPs that voted for me. pic.twitter.com/d9n3yfIVtS — Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) July 18, 2024 × Who is Ursula von der Leyen? Born in post-Second World War Brussels to German parents in 1958, Ursula von der Leyen is a member of Germany's centre-right Christian Democratic Union and its affiliated party, the European People's Party. She formerly served as defence minister in former German chancellor Angela Merkel's cabinet. A product of the London School of Economics of the Class of 1978, Merkel attended a medical school in Germany's Hanover and acquired a medical license in 1987, just two years before the fall of the Berlin Wall. After joining German politics in the late 1990s, she served as a cabinet minister in Lower Saxony's government between 2003 and 2005. Also read | Court rules European Commission chief Ursula violated transparency norms in vaccine contracts She served as a deputy leader of Merkel's Christian Democratic Union from 2010 to 2019. Von der Leyen was seen as a leading contender to succeed Merkel as chancellor of Germany and as the favourite to become secretary general of NATO after Jens Stoltenberg. As European Commission president, von der Leyen has helmed over two crucial crises of her generation: the COVID-19 pandemic and war in Ukraine. Her second tenure as European Commission president faces the challenge of a potential Donald Trump presidency in the United States amid war in Ukraine. (With inputs from agencies)

Ursula von der Leyen re-elected as European Commission president despite opposition from Meloni's party

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