<p>Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's brother Jo Johnson resigned from the non-executive directorship of a UK-based investment firm linked with Indian billionaire Gautam Adani's 'Adani Enterprises'. Jo Johnson was appointed as a director of London-based Elara Capital Plc in June last year. The company describes itself as a capital markets business that raises funds for Indian corporates, Financial Times reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Johnson insisted he has been assured of the company's "good standing" and has stepped down due to his own lack of "domain expertise".</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ&nbsp;</strong>|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/adani-group-crisis-live-adani-made-scheduled-us-bond-payments-to-release-credit-report-friday-558428"><strong>Adani Group crisis LIVE: Adani Enterprises shares drop by 20 per cent, Adani Ports no longer among India's 50 most valuable companies</strong></a></p>

<p>"I joined the board of Elara Capital, an India-focused investment firm based in London, as an independent non-executive director last June in the hope of making a contribution to UK-India trade and investment ties, which I have long supported and co-written a book about,” Jo Johnson said in a statement after news of his resignation was announced by the newspaper.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH&nbsp;</strong>|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/adani-group-calls-off-flagship-fpo-after-shares-tank-558061"><strong>Adani Group calls off flagship FPO after shares tank</strong></a></p>

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<p>"I have consistently received assurances from Elara Capital that it is compliant with its legal obligations and in good standing with regulatory bodies. At the same time, I now recognise that this is a role that requires greater domain expertise in specialised areas of financial regulation than I anticipated and, accordingly, I have resigned from the board," said Johnson, also a member of the UK House of Lords.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Hindenburg report and Elara Capital</strong></h2>

<p>According to a Financial Times report, Elara's asset management business, although not under any form of scrutiny at present, is under the spotlight after the US short seller Hindenburg Research linked Mauritius-based funds managed by Elara Capital with the Adani Group.</p>

<p>The Adani Group has categorically denied Hindenburg’s accusations, calling them a "malicious combination of selective misinformation and stale, baseless and discredited allegations."</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the company’s website notes that&nbsp;Elara Capital Plc was founded in 2002 primarily as a capital markets business, raising funds for Indian corporates through "GDR’s (global depository receipt), FCCB’s (foreign currency convertible bond)&nbsp;and the London AIM market (London stock exchange sub-market).</p>

<p>It adds: "Since its first GDR issue in 2003, Elara has raised funds for several Indian corporates. Since then, the group has diversified further into corporate advisory, asset management, broking, mergers and acquisitions and private equity.</p>

<p>"Elara has not only diversified the product range, it also has diversified into other emerging markets through its fully licensed offices in New York, Singapore, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and London."</p>

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Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's brother Jo Johnson resigned from the non-executive directorship of a UK-based investment firm linked with Indian billionaire Gautam Adani's 'Adani Enterprises'.

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's brother Jo Johnson resigned from the non-executive directorship of a UK-based investment firm linked with Indian billionaire Gautam Adani's 'Adani Enterprises'. Jo Johnson was appointed as a director of London-based Elara Capital Plc in June last year. The company describes itself as a capital markets business that raises funds for Indian corporates, Financial Times reported. Johnson insisted he has been assured of the company's "good standing" and has stepped down due to his own lack of "domain expertise". ALSO READ | Adani Group crisis LIVE: Adani Enterprises shares drop by 20 per cent, Adani Ports no longer among India's 50 most valuable companies "I joined the board of Elara Capital, an India-focused investment firm based in London, as an independent non-executive director last June in the hope of making a contribution to UK-India trade and investment ties, which I have long supported and co-written a book about,” Jo Johnson said in a statement after news of his resignation was announced by the newspaper. ALSO WATCH | Adani Group calls off flagship FPO after shares tank × "I have consistently received assurances from Elara Capital that it is compliant with its legal obligations and in good standing with regulatory bodies. At the same time, I now recognise that this is a role that requires greater domain expertise in specialised areas of financial regulation than I anticipated and, accordingly, I have resigned from the board," said Johnson, also a member of the UK House of Lords. Hindenburg report and Elara Capital According to a Financial Times report, Elara's asset management business, although not under any form of scrutiny at present, is under the spotlight after the US short seller Hindenburg Research linked Mauritius-based funds managed by Elara Capital with the Adani Group. The Adani Group has categorically denied Hindenburg’s accusations, calling them a "malicious combination of selective misinformation and stale, baseless and discredited allegations." Meanwhile, the company’s website notes that Elara Capital Plc was founded in 2002 primarily as a capital markets business, raising funds for Indian corporates through "GDR’s (global depository receipt), FCCB’s (foreign currency convertible bond) and the London AIM market (London stock exchange sub-market). It adds: "Since its first GDR issue in 2003, Elara has raised funds for several Indian corporates. Since then, the group has diversified further into corporate advisory, asset management, broking, mergers and acquisitions and private equity. "Elara has not only diversified the product range, it also has diversified into other emerging markets through its fully licensed offices in New York, Singapore, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and London." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Boris Johnson's brother quits as director of firm linked with Adani Group

<p>In a major setback to Chinese efforts to combat pro-Uyghur geopolitical postures, the Canadian parliament on Wednesday unanimously voted in favour of a proposal for the resettlement of 10,000 Uyghur Muslim refugees from China's Xinjiang region into Canada over two years. The House of Commons voted 322-0 in favour of Liberal member of parliament Sameer Zuberi's bill.</p>

<p>Responding to a question about the proposal, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Thursday that Xinjiang's people live in peace and work happily, while human rights safeguards for all ethnicities in the region were continuously improving.</p>

<p><b>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-fineprint-trudeau-concerned-over-chinese-interference-in-canada-534840">WION Fineprint | Trudeau concerned over Chinese interference in Canada</a></b></p>

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<p>"We urge the Canadian side to respect facts and truth, stop using the Xinjiang question for ulterior motives and political manipulation, stop spreading false information and misleading the public," Mao said.</p>

<h2><strong>What Canada's pro-Uyghur proposal is all about?</strong></h2>

<p>The Canadian parliamentary proposal&nbsp;called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau-led government to recognise that Uyghurs and other ethnic Turkic Muslims who have fled to third countries face "pressure and intimidation" by China to return. The undivided 322-0 support is likely to put pressure on his minority government to take action.</p>

<p>"Canada will always do its part in helping those in need of protection," Immigration Minister Sean Fraser said in a statement. "I am committed to working with members of all parties to advance the measures outlined in the motion adopted by the House of Commons today."</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-urges-canada-not-to-engage-in-political-manipulation-over-uyghur-muslims-558205">China urges Canada not to engage in 'political manipulation' over Uyghur Muslims</a></strong></p>

<p>Human Rights groups accuse China of severe abuses of the rights of Uyghur people, a Muslim ethnic minority with a population of about 10 million in West China's Xinjiang province. This includes the mass use of forced labour in internment camps.</p>

<h2><strong>Canada-US ties: Strained by concern for Uyghurs?</strong></h2>

<p>In 2021, Canada became one of the first countries to label China's treatment of the Uyghurs as 'genocide'. Canada was also among the countries that tried to hold a debate at the United Nations last year about alleged human rights abuses by China against Muslims in Xinjiang.&nbsp;Diplomatic relations between Canada and China have been strained&nbsp;over recent years.</p>

<p>(<em>With inputs from agencies</em>)</p>

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In a major setback to Chinese efforts to combat pro-Uyghur geopolitical postures, the Canadian parliament on Wednesday unanimously voted in favour of a proposal for the resettlement of 10,000 Uyghur Muslim refugees from China's Xinjiang region into Canada over two years.

In a major setback to Chinese efforts to combat pro-Uyghur geopolitical postures, the Canadian parliament on Wednesday unanimously voted in favour of a proposal for the resettlement of 10,000 Uyghur Muslim refugees from China's Xinjiang region into Canada over two years. The House of Commons voted 322-0 in favour of Liberal member of parliament Sameer Zuberi's bill. Responding to a question about the proposal, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Thursday that Xinjiang's people live in peace and work happily, while human rights safeguards for all ethnicities in the region were continuously improving. ALSO WATCH | WION Fineprint | Trudeau concerned over Chinese interference in Canada × "We urge the Canadian side to respect facts and truth, stop using the Xinjiang question for ulterior motives and political manipulation, stop spreading false information and misleading the public," Mao said. What Canada's pro-Uyghur proposal is all about? The Canadian parliamentary proposal called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau-led government to recognise that Uyghurs and other ethnic Turkic Muslims who have fled to third countries face "pressure and intimidation" by China to return. The undivided 322-0 support is likely to put pressure on his minority government to take action. "Canada will always do its part in helping those in need of protection," Immigration Minister Sean Fraser said in a statement. "I am committed to working with members of all parties to advance the measures outlined in the motion adopted by the House of Commons today." ALSO READ | China urges Canada not to engage in 'political manipulation' over Uyghur Muslims Human Rights groups accuse China of severe abuses of the rights of Uyghur people, a Muslim ethnic minority with a population of about 10 million in West China's Xinjiang province. This includes the mass use of forced labour in internment camps. Canada-US ties: Strained by concern for Uyghurs? In 2021, Canada became one of the first countries to label China's treatment of the Uyghurs as 'genocide'. Canada was also among the countries that tried to hold a debate at the United Nations last year about alleged human rights abuses by China against Muslims in Xinjiang. Diplomatic relations between Canada and China have been strained over recent years. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

With 322-0 support, Canadian parliament votes for Uyghur resettlement in country

<p>The postal services and e-commerce-major FedEx announced on Wednesday that it would slash its officer and director ranks by more than 10 per cent. The move is part of a broad cost-reduction effort that has reduced staffing at FedEx by 12,000 workers since June, a spokeswoman said. FedEx did not specify how many positions would be affected. Most of the cuts came through attrition and other headcount management efforts, spokeswoman Rachael Simmons said.</p>

<p>The investors of the delivery giant applauded the move as FedEx shares rose by 3.4 per cent on Wednesday. The company reportedly plans to slash its expenses by $3.7 billion this year.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/paypal-joins-silicon-valleys-layoff-wagon-announces-2000-job-cuts-557908">PayPal joins Silicon Valley's layoff wagon, announces 2,000 job cuts</a></strong></p>

<p>"Unfortunately, this was a necessary action to become a more efficient, agile organisation," wrote Chief Executive Raj Subramaniam in an internal memo, who added that FedEx is consolidating some teams and functions.</p>

<p>Subramaniam is the company's newly minted CEO. He blamed a global business downturn for the downsizing. Many critics point to a flat-footed response by the company to slowing demand and ongoing profit pressure from the conglomerate's expensive, separately run business units.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-tech-layoffs-is-your-job-safe-557687">Gravitas: Tech layoffs: Is your job safe?</a></strong></p>

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<p>In mid-September, FedEx pulled its profit forecast and shares went down by more than 20 per cent,&nbsp;the largest single-day drop in the company's 50-year history.</p>

<p>FedEx already has temporarily furloughed workers at its trucking division FedEx Freight as the pandemic-fueled e-commerce delivery bubble deflates and a recession threatens, joining transportation-focused companies ranging from delivery upstart Amazon.com&nbsp;and trucking company C.H. Robinson Worldwide to transportation broker Uber Freight and freight forwarding startup Flexport in announcing layoffs.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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The postal services and e-commerce-major FedEx announced on Wednesday that it would slash its officer and director ranks by more than 10 per cent. The move is part of a broad cost-reduction effort that has reduced staffing at FedEx by 12,000 workers since June, a spokeswoman said.

The postal services and e-commerce-major FedEx announced on Wednesday that it would slash its officer and director ranks by more than 10 per cent. The move is part of a broad cost-reduction effort that has reduced staffing at FedEx by 12,000 workers since June, a spokeswoman said. FedEx did not specify how many positions would be affected. Most of the cuts came through attrition and other headcount management efforts, spokeswoman Rachael Simmons said. The investors of the delivery giant applauded the move as FedEx shares rose by 3.4 per cent on Wednesday. The company reportedly plans to slash its expenses by $3.7 billion this year. ALSO READ | PayPal joins Silicon Valley's layoff wagon, announces 2,000 job cuts "Unfortunately, this was a necessary action to become a more efficient, agile organisation," wrote Chief Executive Raj Subramaniam in an internal memo, who added that FedEx is consolidating some teams and functions. Subramaniam is the company's newly minted CEO. He blamed a global business downturn for the downsizing. Many critics point to a flat-footed response by the company to slowing demand and ongoing profit pressure from the conglomerate's expensive, separately run business units. ALSO WATCH | Gravitas: Tech layoffs: Is your job safe? × In mid-September, FedEx pulled its profit forecast and shares went down by more than 20 per cent, the largest single-day drop in the company's 50-year history. FedEx already has temporarily furloughed workers at its trucking division FedEx Freight as the pandemic-fueled e-commerce delivery bubble deflates and a recession threatens, joining transportation-focused companies ranging from delivery upstart Amazon.com and trucking company C.H. Robinson Worldwide to transportation broker Uber Freight and freight forwarding startup Flexport in announcing layoffs. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

FedEx continues staff reduction by firing senior employees, has slashed 12,000 jobs

<p>In another act of strategic containment of the Chinese assertions in the Indo-Pacific, the United States and the Philippines announced a deal on Thursday to give US troops access to another four bases in the Southeast Asian nation. The agreement to expand cooperation in "strategic areas of the country" came into being during a visit by the US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. The announcement came as the United States reopened its embassy in the Solomon Islands after closing it in 1993 as one of its acts of strategic significance in the Indo-Pacific, in the immediate aftermath of the end of cold war.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Philippine defence secretary Carlito Galvez told reporters the location of the new sites would be made public after local communities and officials had been consulted.<br />
However, multiple reports suggest that most of the locations are on the main island of Luzon -- the closest Philippine landmass to Taiwan -- where the United States already has access to two bases.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/the-philippines-grants-us-wider-access-to-its-military-bases-558180">The Philippines grants US wider access to its military bases</a></strong></p>

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<p>The move is also being seen as the Phillipines' strategic realignment towards the US, an area that marked&nbsp;many downs during previous president Rodrigo Duterte's tenure. The new administration of Ferdinand Marcos has been keen to reverse that.</p>

<p>Beijing's growing assertiveness on Taiwan and its building of bases in the disputed South China Sea have given fresh reasons to Washington and Manila to strengthen their partnership.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-bolsonaro-or-duterte-number-of-populist-leaders-at-a-20-year-low-549693">No Bolsonaro or Duterte: Number of populist leaders at a 20-year low</a></strong></p>

<p>The four new locations bring the total number of sites accessible to US forces to nine, Austin told reporters on Thursday.</p>

<p>Talks were ongoing for a potential 10th site, a senior Philippine official told AFP.</p>

<p>The United States and the Philippines have a decades-old security alliance that includes a mutual defence treaty and the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), which allows US troops to rotate through five Philippine bases, including those near disputed waters. It also allows the US military to store defence equipment and supplies on those bases.</p>

<p><strong>US-Philippines take on China's 'illegitimate claims'</strong></p>

<p>Lloyd Austin said the allies were committed to "strengthening our mutual capacities to resist armed attack", as he accused China of making "illegitimate claims in the West Philippine Sea". Manila refers to waters immediately west of the country as the West Philippine Sea.</p>

<p>Beijing responded Thursday, saying Washington was aggravating the "regional tensions" by continuously strengthening its military deployment.</p>

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In another act of strategic containment of the Chinese assertions in the Indo-Pacific, the United States and the Philippines announced a deal on Thursday to give US troops access to another four bases in the Southeast Asian nation.

In another act of strategic containment of the Chinese assertions in the Indo-Pacific, the United States and the Philippines announced a deal on Thursday to give US troops access to another four bases in the Southeast Asian nation. The agreement to expand cooperation in "strategic areas of the country" came into being during a visit by the US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. The announcement came as the United States reopened its embassy in the Solomon Islands after closing it in 1993 as one of its acts of strategic significance in the Indo-Pacific, in the immediate aftermath of the end of cold war. Philippine defence secretary Carlito Galvez told reporters the location of the new sites would be made public after local communities and officials had been consulted. However, multiple reports suggest that most of the locations are on the main island of Luzon -- the closest Philippine landmass to Taiwan -- where the United States already has access to two bases. ALSO WATCH | The Philippines grants US wider access to its military bases × The move is also being seen as the Phillipines' strategic realignment towards the US, an area that marked many downs during previous president Rodrigo Duterte's tenure. The new administration of Ferdinand Marcos has been keen to reverse that. Beijing's growing assertiveness on Taiwan and its building of bases in the disputed South China Sea have given fresh reasons to Washington and Manila to strengthen their partnership. ALSO READ | No Bolsonaro or Duterte: Number of populist leaders at a 20-year low The four new locations bring the total number of sites accessible to US forces to nine, Austin told reporters on Thursday. Talks were ongoing for a potential 10th site, a senior Philippine official told AFP. The United States and the Philippines have a decades-old security alliance that includes a mutual defence treaty and the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), which allows US troops to rotate through five Philippine bases, including those near disputed waters. It also allows the US military to store defence equipment and supplies on those bases. US-Philippines take on China's 'illegitimate claims' Lloyd Austin said the allies were committed to "strengthening our mutual capacities to resist armed attack", as he accused China of making "illegitimate claims in the West Philippine Sea". Manila refers to waters immediately west of the country as the West Philippine Sea. Beijing responded Thursday, saying Washington was aggravating the "regional tensions" by continuously strengthening its military deployment. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Close to Taiwan, the Philippines grants US wider access to military bases

<p>A powerful US intercontinental ballistic missile will be supported by Boeing. The aircraft-maker has been awarded&nbsp;a $1.6 billion contract to provide guidance subsystem support for US Minuteman III Intercontinental ballistic missiles, the Pentagon said Wednesday. The completion of work is forecast to be done by February 2, 2039. The US Department of Defense said that the work on the same will be executed at Utah state's Hill Air Force Base. It is installed in launch silos spread over three American military bases, in Wyoming, North Dakota, and Montana in the north of the US.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/families-of-boeing-max-crash-victims-face-company-in-the-court-556304">Families of Boeing Max crash victims face company in the Court</a></strong></p>

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<p>"We built the Minuteman’s guidance system, so no one knows it like Boeing. Our highly specialised facilities and top-flight engineers enable us to sustain it with unmatched quality and precision."&nbsp;Boeing Strategic Deterrence Systems programme director Ted Kerzie said in an official statement.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What is the Minuteman III?</strong></h2>

<p>The Minuteman III, is in service for 50 years in the US Air Force. It is a warhead-equipped missile that can carry a nuclear bomb during wartime.&nbsp;The Minuteman III is the only ground-fired intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in the US's nuclear arsenal.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/relatives-of-737-max-crash-victims-seek-monitor-to-oversee-boeings-compliance-efforts-556115">Boeing says it is not guilty of fraud charge over 737 Max crashes</a></strong></p>

<p>The Pentagon carried out a routine test of the missile on September 7.</p>

<p>The Pentagon had said that it was&nbsp;announcing the tests in advance with an intent to avoid any flare-up of tensions with Russia amid war in Ukraine.</p>

<p>The unarmed missile was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California and travelled 4,200 miles (6,760 km) over the Pacific before crashing into the sea near Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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A powerful US intercontinental ballistic missile will be supported by Boeing. The aircraft-maker has been awarded a $1.6 billion contract to provide guidance subsystem support for US Minuteman III Intercontinental ballistic missiles, the Pentagon said Wednesday.

A powerful US intercontinental ballistic missile will be supported by Boeing. The aircraft-maker has been awarded a $1.6 billion contract to provide guidance subsystem support for US Minuteman III Intercontinental ballistic missiles, the Pentagon said Wednesday. The completion of work is forecast to be done by February 2, 2039. The US Department of Defense said that the work on the same will be executed at Utah state's Hill Air Force Base. It is installed in launch silos spread over three American military bases, in Wyoming, North Dakota, and Montana in the north of the US. ALSO WATCH | Families of Boeing Max crash victims face company in the Court × "We built the Minuteman’s guidance system, so no one knows it like Boeing. Our highly specialised facilities and top-flight engineers enable us to sustain it with unmatched quality and precision." Boeing Strategic Deterrence Systems programme director Ted Kerzie said in an official statement. What is the Minuteman III? The Minuteman III, is in service for 50 years in the US Air Force. It is a warhead-equipped missile that can carry a nuclear bomb during wartime. The Minuteman III is the only ground-fired intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in the US's nuclear arsenal. ALSO READ | Boeing says it is not guilty of fraud charge over 737 Max crashes The Pentagon carried out a routine test of the missile on September 7. The Pentagon had said that it was announcing the tests in advance with an intent to avoid any flare-up of tensions with Russia amid war in Ukraine. The unarmed missile was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California and travelled 4,200 miles (6,760 km) over the Pacific before crashing into the sea near Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

What is the Minuteman III? Powerful US missiles to be upkept by Boeing

<p>South Korea&nbsp;said on Thursday that it had staged joint air drills with the United States that also featured strategic bombers and stealth fighters. North Korea responded by saying&nbsp;that such exercises could "ignite an all-out showdown".&nbsp;The joint air drills&nbsp;came a day after the US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and his South Korean counterpart promised&nbsp;to boost security cooperation in the wake of military posturing by nuclear-armed North Korea.</p>

<p>The drills on Wednesday showed "the US's will and capabilities to provide strong and credible extended deterrence against North Korea's nuclear and missile threats," the South Korean defence ministry said.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kim-jong-un-says-north-koreas-ultimate-goal-is-to-possess-worlds-strongest-nuclear-force-537800">Kim says North Korea will have world's strongest nuclear force, makes second appearance with daughter</a></strong></p>

<p>The drills&nbsp;involved American B-1B long-range heavy bombers and stealth fighters -- US Air Force F-22s and South Korean F-35s -- flying over the Yellow Sea, the ministry added.</p>

<p>A North Korean foreign ministry spokesman warned that the exercises could "ignite an all-out showdown", the state news agency KCNA reported.</p>

<p>Seoul and Washington's moves to ramp up joint drills crossed "an extreme red-line", it added.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-south-korea-retaliates-after-kims-air-invasion-547185">Gravitas: South Korea retaliates after Kim's 'air invasion'</a></strong></p>

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<p>South Korea expects to assert its cautionary dependence on America's defence commitment. This is crucial&nbsp;after a year in which North Korea declared itself an "irreversible" nuclear power and conducted a weapons test almost every month in defiance of international sanctions.</p>

<p>Austin and South Korean Defence Minister Lee Jong-sup agreed this week to "expand and bolster the level and scale" of joint military exercises in light of "continued provocations" from Pyongyang, including a recent drone incursion into the South.</p>

<p><strong>'Nuke for nuke'</strong></p>

<p>Bolstering US-South Korean military drills and deploying strategic weapons to the region was akin to "talking about the use of nuclear weapons against the DPRK", the North Korean statement on KCNA said, using the country's official name.</p>

<p>It warned that North Korea would follow the "principle of 'nuke for nuke' and an all-out confrontation!'"</p>

<p>"The DPRK is not interested in any contact or dialogue with the U.S. as long as it pursues its hostile policy and confrontational line," it added.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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South Korea said on Thursday that it had staged joint air drills with the United States that also featured strategic bombers and stealth fighters. North Korea responded by saying that such exercises could "ignite an all-out showdown".

South Korea said on Thursday that it had staged joint air drills with the United States that also featured strategic bombers and stealth fighters. North Korea responded by saying that such exercises could "ignite an all-out showdown". The joint air drills came a day after the US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and his South Korean counterpart promised to boost security cooperation in the wake of military posturing by nuclear-armed North Korea. The drills on Wednesday showed "the US's will and capabilities to provide strong and credible extended deterrence against North Korea's nuclear and missile threats," the South Korean defence ministry said. ALSO READ | Kim says North Korea will have world's strongest nuclear force, makes second appearance with daughter The drills involved American B-1B long-range heavy bombers and stealth fighters -- US Air Force F-22s and South Korean F-35s -- flying over the Yellow Sea, the ministry added. A North Korean foreign ministry spokesman warned that the exercises could "ignite an all-out showdown", the state news agency KCNA reported. Seoul and Washington's moves to ramp up joint drills crossed "an extreme red-line", it added. ALSO WATCH | Gravitas: South Korea retaliates after Kim's 'air invasion' × South Korea expects to assert its cautionary dependence on America's defence commitment. This is crucial after a year in which North Korea declared itself an "irreversible" nuclear power and conducted a weapons test almost every month in defiance of international sanctions. Austin and South Korean Defence Minister Lee Jong-sup agreed this week to "expand and bolster the level and scale" of joint military exercises in light of "continued provocations" from Pyongyang, including a recent drone incursion into the South. 'Nuke for nuke' Bolstering US-South Korean military drills and deploying strategic weapons to the region was akin to "talking about the use of nuclear weapons against the DPRK", the North Korean statement on KCNA said, using the country's official name. It warned that North Korea would follow the "principle of 'nuke for nuke' and an all-out confrontation!'" "The DPRK is not interested in any contact or dialogue with the U.S. as long as it pursues its hostile policy and confrontational line," it added. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

North Korea warns of 'nuke for nuke, all-out confrontation' after US-South Korea air drills

<p>A Kerala man who was missing for eight months and presumed dead for seven months, was found alive and kicking in Goa on Wednesday, police informed media persons. Over the last seven months, the man travelled to picturesque Shimla in North India and also traversed through Punjab, Delhi, Mumbai and Madhya Pradesh among others. The Police said that Deepak was working at the Bogmalo beach in Goa for a while before he checked into the hotel in Margao, where he was found.</p>

<p>According to the Kerala police crime branch officers, who reached Goa to bring Deepak home, his family misidentified a body found at Kerela’s Koyilandy beach ten days after his disappearance to be that of their son and performed the last rites.</p>

<p>"He was thought to be dead. His family also identified a body that was found and performed the last rites but a DNA test proved that the body was not of Deepak," a police officer accompanying Deepak said, Hindustan Times reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/dumb-as-a-dodo-cliche-might-just-lose-its-glimmer-557879">'Dumb as a dodo' cliche might just lose its glimmer</a></strong></p>

<p>The man, identified as Deepak, 36, is a resident of Meppayur, Kozhikode. He was reported missing on July 7, 2022 from his home and remained untraceable for months.</p>

<p>"During a routine checking of the guest records, we found him (Deepak) at the Vishranti Lodge. He checked in yesterday. The crime branch forwarded to us the missing report and details," &nbsp;Tulshidas Naik, police inspector, Margao in South Goa was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-whats-the-story-of-the-dodo-558067">Gravitas: What's the story of the Dodo?</a></strong></p>

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<p>In his comments to the people of media, Deepak, who has experience working in the hotel industry, claimed he had no idea that his family performed the last rites on a body thinking that to be him.</p>

<p>"I didn’t have a phone on me so I couldn’t call them," Deepak said when asked why he hadn’t contacted his family.</p>

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A Kerala man who was missing for eight months and presumed dead for seven months, was found alive and kicking in Goa on Wednesday, police informed media persons.

A Kerala man who was missing for eight months and presumed dead for seven months, was found alive and kicking in Goa on Wednesday, police informed media persons. Over the last seven months, the man travelled to picturesque Shimla in North India and also traversed through Punjab, Delhi, Mumbai and Madhya Pradesh among others. The Police said that Deepak was working at the Bogmalo beach in Goa for a while before he checked into the hotel in Margao, where he was found. According to the Kerala police crime branch officers, who reached Goa to bring Deepak home, his family misidentified a body found at Kerela’s Koyilandy beach ten days after his disappearance to be that of their son and performed the last rites. "He was thought to be dead. His family also identified a body that was found and performed the last rites but a DNA test proved that the body was not of Deepak," a police officer accompanying Deepak said, Hindustan Times reported. ALSO READ | 'Dumb as a dodo' cliche might just lose its glimmer The man, identified as Deepak, 36, is a resident of Meppayur, Kozhikode. He was reported missing on July 7, 2022 from his home and remained untraceable for months. "During a routine checking of the guest records, we found him (Deepak) at the Vishranti Lodge. He checked in yesterday. The crime branch forwarded to us the missing report and details," Tulshidas Naik, police inspector, Margao in South Goa was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times. ALSO WATCH | Gravitas: What's the story of the Dodo? × In his comments to the people of media, Deepak, who has experience working in the hotel industry, claimed he had no idea that his family performed the last rites on a body thinking that to be him. "I didn’t have a phone on me so I couldn’t call them," Deepak said when asked why he hadn’t contacted his family. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Indian man from Kerala, declared dead and cremated, found alive in Goa

<p>Amid Taliban’s anti-women tyranny, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) – a 57-nation grouping of Islamic countries – is expected to send a delegation to Kabul to deliberate for women's rights in Afghanistan. This comes close on the heels of a UN delegation's trip to the country, and pleas from the international community to restore the freedoms of women and girls to study and work.</p>

<p>The date of the OIC visit to Kabul is yet to be announced. Yet, Afghan women see it as a glimmer of hope in the wake of intensifying extremism that has ripped their rights apart since Taliban's arrival in Kabul's officialdom.</p>

<p>It has been over a month since Sana Siddiqui, 21 – an eighth semester Law and Political Science student at a Jalalabad university – lost her right to education in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. “One of the girls fainted. Everybody else began to cry,” Sana <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-women-speak-to-wion-as-taliban-dismantles-their-right-to-education-campus-after-campus-545841">had</a> told WION, referring to the scene of chaos that unfolded in the auditorium of her university after a top university official announced that girls were no longer to be educated.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-women-speak-to-wion-as-taliban-dismantles-their-right-to-education-campus-after-campus-545841">Afghan women speak to WION as Taliban dismantle their right to education, campus after campus</a></strong></p>

<p>"There are verses in the Quran that insist on education. Prophet Muhammad's wife Khadijah was a successful businesswoman herself," Sana said, adding Taliban's religious characterisation of its rulings denying education and work rights to women go against Islam's basic teachings.</p>

<p>According to Islamic religious texts, Prophet Muhammad's first wife Khadijah conducted business transactions on caravans that traded within the Arab world. Many Afghan women like Sana refer to the progressive life of Khadijah to decolour Taliban's islamic characterisation of ban of women's education and freedom to work.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-after-hindenburgs-report-adani-groups-shares-in-free-fall-556546">Afghan women speak to WION from the ground: 'We want our freedoms back' | WION Originals</a></strong></p>

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<p>Over a month since the Taliban imposed a ban on women’s university education, the anti-women rulings from Kabul’s power corridors have become more frequent.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/exclusive-afghan-women-fear-for-life-as-taliban-ban-male-doctors-from-treating-them-551218">Exclusive | Afghan women fear for life as Taliban ban male doctors from treating them</a></strong></p>

<p>At the time of filing this report, the Taliban diktat that women aid workers can no longer work in Afghanistan remains imposed. In January, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/exclusive-afghan-women-fear-for-life-as-taliban-ban-male-doctors-from-treating-them-551218">Taliban ruled</a> in Balkh province that male doctors can no longer treat female patients. On January 30, young female students were stopped from appearing in University entrance exams across the country.</p>

<p><strong>Expectations from OIC visit</strong></p>

<p>Reflecting on the lack of awareness among Taliban extremists about the world beyond Afghanistan, Sana said the OIC must make efforts "to create a consensus" amongst hardliners that women can work and be educated in Muslim countries.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/exclusive-why-is-the-world-neglecting-afghan-women-552725">Exclusive: 'Why is the world neglecting Afghan women?'</a></strong></p>

<p>"OIC member countries should jointly issue a ruling that women's rights such as education and freedom to work are allowed in Afghanistan," Sana added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>WION reached out to Dr Sona, a medical professional from Kabul, to ask what she expects of the OIC.</p>

<p>"I asked every woman around me what they want," Dr Sona said. "We just want freedom."</p>

<p>"I asked my sister-in-law, my mother, my sister, and my batchmates. They said they want freedom to work. That they want to go back to the schools, and colleges. They want to study," Dr Sona added.&nbsp;</p>

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Amid Taliban’s anti-women tyranny, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) – a 57-nation grouping of Islamic countries – is expected to send a delegation to Kabul to deliberate for women's rights in Afghanistan.

Amid Taliban’s anti-women tyranny, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) – a 57-nation grouping of Islamic countries – is expected to send a delegation to Kabul to deliberate for women's rights in Afghanistan. This comes close on the heels of a UN delegation's trip to the country, and pleas from the international community to restore the freedoms of women and girls to study and work. The date of the OIC visit to Kabul is yet to be announced. Yet, Afghan women see it as a glimmer of hope in the wake of intensifying extremism that has ripped their rights apart since Taliban's arrival in Kabul's officialdom. It has been over a month since Sana Siddiqui, 21 – an eighth semester Law and Political Science student at a Jalalabad university – lost her right to education in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. “One of the girls fainted. Everybody else began to cry,” Sana had told WION, referring to the scene of chaos that unfolded in the auditorium of her university after a top university official announced that girls were no longer to be educated. ALSO READ | Afghan women speak to WION as Taliban dismantle their right to education, campus after campus "There are verses in the Quran that insist on education. Prophet Muhammad's wife Khadijah was a successful businesswoman herself," Sana said, adding Taliban's religious characterisation of its rulings denying education and work rights to women go against Islam's basic teachings. According to Islamic religious texts, Prophet Muhammad's first wife Khadijah conducted business transactions on caravans that traded within the Arab world. Many Afghan women like Sana refer to the progressive life of Khadijah to decolour Taliban's islamic characterisation of ban of women's education and freedom to work. ALSO WATCH | Afghan women speak to WION from the ground: 'We want our freedoms back' | WION Originals × Over a month since the Taliban imposed a ban on women’s university education, the anti-women rulings from Kabul’s power corridors have become more frequent. ALSO READ | Exclusive | Afghan women fear for life as Taliban ban male doctors from treating them At the time of filing this report, the Taliban diktat that women aid workers can no longer work in Afghanistan remains imposed. In January, the Taliban ruled in Balkh province that male doctors can no longer treat female patients. On January 30, young female students were stopped from appearing in University entrance exams across the country. Expectations from OIC visit Reflecting on the lack of awareness among Taliban extremists about the world beyond Afghanistan, Sana said the OIC must make efforts "to create a consensus" amongst hardliners that women can work and be educated in Muslim countries. ALSO READ | Exclusive: 'Why is the world neglecting Afghan women?' "OIC member countries should jointly issue a ruling that women's rights such as education and freedom to work are allowed in Afghanistan," Sana added. WION reached out to Dr Sona, a medical professional from Kabul, to ask what she expects of the OIC. "I asked every woman around me what they want," Dr Sona said. "We just want freedom." "I asked my sister-in-law, my mother, my sister, and my batchmates. They said they want freedom to work. That they want to go back to the schools, and colleges. They want to study," Dr Sona added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Exclusive | Afghan women ask OIC to restore freedom to study, work

<p>As citizen groups across Myanmar observed a "silent protest" on the anniversary of a 2021 military coup, country's military rulers extended the state of emergency by another six months. At the same time, protesters and exiled civilian leaders on Wednesday vowed to end what they called the army's "illegal power grab". In major cities across Myanmar, people observed a self-imposed lockdown. Hundreds of democracy supporters attended rallies in Thailand and the Philippines.</p>

<p>Junta leader General Min Aung Hlaing, in a meeting on Tuesday with the army-backed National Defence and Security Council (NDSC), also said multi-party elections must be held "as the people desire". General Min Aung Hlaing did not specify a timeline for the polls.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/myanmar-junta-extends-state-of-emergency-by-six-months-558091">Myanmar: Junta extends State of Emergency by six months</a></strong></p>

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<p>"Although according to the section 425 of the constitution, (a state of emergency) can only be granted two times, the current situation is under unusual circumstances and it is suitable to extend it one more time of six months," Acting President Myint Swe&nbsp;said at the meeting broadcast by MRTV.</p>

<p>The Southeast Asian country's top generals led a coup in February 2021 after five years of tense power-sharing under a quasi-civilian political system created by the military. The country's already intense ethnic tensions aggravated as military took over the power, leaving a trail of upended lives in its wake.</p>

<p><strong>'Silent protest' against military rule</strong></p>

<p>In the main commercial cities of Yangon and Mandalay, images on social media showed deserted streets in what coup opponents called a "silent protest" against the junta. Democracy activists had urged people not to go out between 10 AM and 3 PM.</p>

<p><b>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/here-are-all-the-general-elections-lined-up-for-2023-553037">Here are all the general elections lined up for 2023</a></b></p>

<p>There was also a rally in Yangon by about 100 supporters of the military, flanked by soldiers, photographs showed.</p>

<p>In Thailand, hundreds of anti-coup protesters held a rally outside Myanmar's embassy in Bangkok.</p>

<p>"This year is decisive for us to completely uproot the military regime," said Acchariya, a Buddhist monk attending the rally.</p>

<p>Others in the crowd chanted: "We are the people, we have the future" and "The revolution must prevail."</p>

<p>Activists also staged a protest in the Philippine capital, Manila.</p>

<p>Myanmar's military took power after complaining of fraud in a November 2020 general election won by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi's party. Election monitoring groups found no evidence of mass fraud.</p>

<p>It declared a state of emergency for a year when it took power and has since extended it twice for six months, with the latest phase expiring on Wednesday.</p>

<p>Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party was decimated by the coup, with thousands of its members arrested or jailed, including Suu Kyi, and many more in hiding. Suu Kyi has described this year's planned election as "phoney" and said her party&nbsp;would not acknowledge it.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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As citizen groups across Myanmar observed a "silent protest" on the anniversary of a 2021 military coup, country's military rulers extended the state of emergency by another six months.

As citizen groups across Myanmar observed a "silent protest" on the anniversary of a 2021 military coup, country's military rulers extended the state of emergency by another six months. At the same time, protesters and exiled civilian leaders on Wednesday vowed to end what they called the army's "illegal power grab". In major cities across Myanmar, people observed a self-imposed lockdown. Hundreds of democracy supporters attended rallies in Thailand and the Philippines. Junta leader General Min Aung Hlaing, in a meeting on Tuesday with the army-backed National Defence and Security Council (NDSC), also said multi-party elections must be held "as the people desire". General Min Aung Hlaing did not specify a timeline for the polls. ALSO WATCH | Myanmar: Junta extends State of Emergency by six months × "Although according to the section 425 of the constitution, (a state of emergency) can only be granted two times, the current situation is under unusual circumstances and it is suitable to extend it one more time of six months," Acting President Myint Swe said at the meeting broadcast by MRTV. The Southeast Asian country's top generals led a coup in February 2021 after five years of tense power-sharing under a quasi-civilian political system created by the military. The country's already intense ethnic tensions aggravated as military took over the power, leaving a trail of upended lives in its wake. 'Silent protest' against military rule In the main commercial cities of Yangon and Mandalay, images on social media showed deserted streets in what coup opponents called a "silent protest" against the junta. Democracy activists had urged people not to go out between 10 AM and 3 PM. ALSO READ | Here are all the general elections lined up for 2023 There was also a rally in Yangon by about 100 supporters of the military, flanked by soldiers, photographs showed. In Thailand, hundreds of anti-coup protesters held a rally outside Myanmar's embassy in Bangkok. "This year is decisive for us to completely uproot the military regime," said Acchariya, a Buddhist monk attending the rally. Others in the crowd chanted: "We are the people, we have the future" and "The revolution must prevail." Activists also staged a protest in the Philippine capital, Manila. Myanmar's military took power after complaining of fraud in a November 2020 general election won by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi's party. Election monitoring groups found no evidence of mass fraud. It declared a state of emergency for a year when it took power and has since extended it twice for six months, with the latest phase expiring on Wednesday. Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party was decimated by the coup, with thousands of its members arrested or jailed, including Suu Kyi, and many more in hiding. Suu Kyi has described this year's planned election as "phoney" and said her party would not acknowledge it. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Myanmar: People observe 'silent protest' as military rulers extend emergency

<p>Vanuatu islands, located between Australia and Fiji, witnessed eruption of an active underwater volcano on Wednesday, with visuals on social media showing huge fumes of ash going up in the oceanic skyline.</p>

<p>Philip Malsale, identified as a Vanuatu-based climatologist, shared images on Twitter that showed massive plumes of ash going into the sky. Reports in the local media claimed that the volcano is six kilometres east of Epi island, about 68&nbsp;km north of the capital Port Vila.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Vanuatu- East Epi submarine volcano eruption this morning. Credit to different sources for the pictures. <a href="https://t.co/Y5Y3FPzqej">pic.twitter.com/Y5Y3FPzqej</a></p>
— Philip Malsale (@realPhilMalsale) <a href="https://twitter.com/realPhilMalsale/status/1620586320002449410?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>The East Epi submarine volcano was reportedly steaming since early on Wednesday morning.</p>

<p>"The volcano activity increased a little bit to explosions that propelled ash to some 100 kilometres that fall around the submarine volcano," Ricordo William, a submarine senior volcano officer in Vanuatu said in an official statement.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/watch-the-worlds-largest-active-volcano-burst-into-life-for-the-first-time-in-40-years-538491">Watch: The world's largest active volcano burst into life for the first time in 40 years</a></strong></p>

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<p>"We gave advice to the aviation industry as well as the marinas to stay away from the east of Apia island region," he added.</p>

<p>Locals on the nearby islands of Epi and Tongoa have been told to avoid the coast.</p>

<p><strong>Volcanoes in Vanuatu</strong></p>

<p>The nation made up of roughly 80 islands that stretch 1300 kilometres has a number of active volcanoes. Vanuatu is in the Pacific "Ring of Fire", where tectonic plates collide. They have shown activity throughout the twentieth and twenty-first century.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/earthquake-of-70-magnitude-jolts-vanuatu-550507">Earthquake of 7.0-magnitude jolts Vanuatu, tsunami warning issued</a></strong></p>

<p>The current eruption is in one of the series of active underwater volcanic cones which last erupted in 2004.</p>

<p>Earlier in January, a strong 7.0-magnitude earthquake had hit Vanuatu, with people moving to higher grounds for the fear of a Tsunami tidal wave. A tsunami warning was initially issued for Vanuatu, New Caledonia and the Solomon Islands but cancelled about an hour and a half after the quake.</p>

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Vanuatu islands, located between Australia and Fiji, witnessed eruption of an active underwater volcano on Wednesday, with visuals on social media showing huge fumes of ash going up in the oceanic skyline.

Vanuatu islands, located between Australia and Fiji, witnessed eruption of an active underwater volcano on Wednesday, with visuals on social media showing huge fumes of ash going up in the oceanic skyline. Philip Malsale, identified as a Vanuatu-based climatologist, shared images on Twitter that showed massive plumes of ash going into the sky. Reports in the local media claimed that the volcano is six kilometres east of Epi island, about 68 km north of the capital Port Vila. Vanuatu- East Epi submarine volcano eruption this morning. Credit to different sources for the pictures. pic.twitter.com/Y5Y3FPzqej — Philip Malsale (@realPhilMalsale) February 1, 2023 × The East Epi submarine volcano was reportedly steaming since early on Wednesday morning. "The volcano activity increased a little bit to explosions that propelled ash to some 100 kilometres that fall around the submarine volcano," Ricordo William, a submarine senior volcano officer in Vanuatu said in an official statement. ALSO WATCH | Watch: The world's largest active volcano burst into life for the first time in 40 years × "We gave advice to the aviation industry as well as the marinas to stay away from the east of Apia island region," he added. Locals on the nearby islands of Epi and Tongoa have been told to avoid the coast. Volcanoes in Vanuatu The nation made up of roughly 80 islands that stretch 1300 kilometres has a number of active volcanoes. Vanuatu is in the Pacific "Ring of Fire", where tectonic plates collide. They have shown activity throughout the twentieth and twenty-first century. ALSO READ | Earthquake of 7.0-magnitude jolts Vanuatu, tsunami warning issued The current eruption is in one of the series of active underwater volcanic cones which last erupted in 2004. Earlier in January, a strong 7.0-magnitude earthquake had hit Vanuatu, with people moving to higher grounds for the fear of a Tsunami tidal wave. A tsunami warning was initially issued for Vanuatu, New Caledonia and the Solomon Islands but cancelled about an hour and a half after the quake. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Vanuatu volcano throws up huge fumes of ash into Pacific's 'Ring of Fire'

<p>Less than two months after leaders of Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom said that their countries will come together to develop a next-generation fighter jet, a report has claimed that the three countries aim to set up an international body by the end of 2023 to push through such tasks of military innovation.</p>

<p>Earlier in December 2022, this cooperation was formally called the Global Combat Air Programme.</p>

<p><strong>Global Combat Air Programme: What changes now?</strong></p>

<p>A report in Bloomberg citing people familiar with the matter says that the parliaments in Rome, Tokyo and London will ratify the formation of an international body in the middle of 2024.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/japan-uk-italy-to-build-fighter-jet-together-pm-sunak-says-deal-will-keep-uk-safe-from-threats-541675">Japan, UK &amp; Italy to build fighter jet together; PM Sunak says 'Deal will keep UK safe from threats'</a></strong></p>

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<p>However, amid evolving discussions between the three countries, the "timeline could slip", the report added.</p>

<p>The talks between three countries are reportedly focused on whether the United Kingdom would be the lead partner or if the three nations would have equal ownership.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<strong>Japan, Italy, UK come together to develop advanced fighter jets: What exactly does it&nbsp;mean?</strong></p>

<p>The cooperation exactly combines various fighter jet development programmes led by the three countries separately and softens the supply-chain mechanisms and transfer of technology under an umbrella. Once formalised, it will combine the European Tempest and Japanese F-X projects, both of which have been in the pipeline for years.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-army-no-longer-among-worlds-top-combat-forces-says-us-general-557256">British Army no longer among world's top combat forces, says US general</a></strong></p>

<p>But even before the formalisation of cooperation into a formal team, the collective effort to boost airpower of three countries has begun. A report in Bloomberg said that as part of the political agreement announced last year, London-based BAE Systems Plc, Europe’s biggest defence company, and Italy’s Leonardo SpA — partners on the Eurofighter Typhoon and Tempest — will work with F-X lead contractor Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd on the project.</p>

<p>The negotiations are also continuing on the creation of a joint venture, with the aim of setting the basis for commercial deals from end-2024 and 2025, it added.&nbsp;</p>

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Less than two months after leaders of Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom said that their countries will come together to develop a next-generation fighter jet, a report has claimed that the three countries aim to set up an international body by the end of 2023 to push through such tasks of military innovation.

Less than two months after leaders of Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom said that their countries will come together to develop a next-generation fighter jet, a report has claimed that the three countries aim to set up an international body by the end of 2023 to push through such tasks of military innovation. Earlier in December 2022, this cooperation was formally called the Global Combat Air Programme. Global Combat Air Programme: What changes now? A report in Bloomberg citing people familiar with the matter says that the parliaments in Rome, Tokyo and London will ratify the formation of an international body in the middle of 2024. ALSO WATCH | Japan, UK & Italy to build fighter jet together; PM Sunak says 'Deal will keep UK safe from threats' × However, amid evolving discussions between the three countries, the "timeline could slip", the report added. The talks between three countries are reportedly focused on whether the United Kingdom would be the lead partner or if the three nations would have equal ownership. Japan, Italy, UK come together to develop advanced fighter jets: What exactly does it mean? The cooperation exactly combines various fighter jet development programmes led by the three countries separately and softens the supply-chain mechanisms and transfer of technology under an umbrella. Once formalised, it will combine the European Tempest and Japanese F-X projects, both of which have been in the pipeline for years. ALSO READ | British Army no longer among world's top combat forces, says US general But even before the formalisation of cooperation into a formal team, the collective effort to boost airpower of three countries has begun. A report in Bloomberg said that as part of the political agreement announced last year, London-based BAE Systems Plc, Europe’s biggest defence company, and Italy’s Leonardo SpA — partners on the Eurofighter Typhoon and Tempest — will work with F-X lead contractor Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd on the project. The negotiations are also continuing on the creation of a joint venture, with the aim of setting the basis for commercial deals from end-2024 and 2025, it added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

The UK, Italy, Japan to set up international organisation for military innovation: Report

<p>Less than 48 hours after a devastating suicide bombing attack at a mosque in Pakistan's Peshawar city claimed over 100&nbsp;lives, a rare move of resistance against country's powerful intelligence agency has shaped into a Pakistan-wide social media trend. People on social media said that the January 30 attack in Peshawar was 'a total intelligence failure' and that people at the helm of affairs must be held accountable. 'Nadeem Anjum must resign', a social media trend calling for the removal of the country's powerful intelligence agency's chief, gained traction across Pakistan by Wednesday morning.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-blast-rocks-a-mosque-located-near-police-lines-peshawar-casualties-feared-557214">Pakistan: Blast at mosque near Peshawar's police lines kills 87, injures 150</a></strong></p>

<p>The hashtag can be seen as stemming from one of the old interview snippets of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, in which he points to the apparent inability of Pakistan's then army chief General Qamar Jawed Bajwa, to control violence in Pakistan's tribal areas. Furthermore, the social media accounts associated with Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) amplified the virtual call for the removal of Nadeem Anjum as Director General of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence.</p>

<p><strong>'Nadeem Anjum Must Resign': What exactly are Pakistanis saying on Twitter?</strong></p>

<p>Pakistanis on micro-blogging in a near unanimity called for the resignation of Lieutenant General Nadeem Anjum, saying that he must be held accountable for letting violence fester in the country.&nbsp;"Peshawar Attack is a Total intelligence failure," a user wrote.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-dispatch-pak-police-hold-mass-funeral-for-peshawar-blast-victims-557635">WION Dispatch: Pak Police hold mass funeral for Peshawar blast victims</a></strong></p>

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<p>"Any condemnation by the authorities can't be enough to justify the horrible incident that too in the hub of the security area. Life has become so invaluable," wrote another with the 'Nadeem Anjum Must Resign' hashtag.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"When the head of an institution becomes too controversial, he should resign himself," said a third user echoing the call to remove Nadeem Anjum as Pakistani intelligence agency's chief.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Why is ISI significant?</strong></p>

<p>In over seven and half decades since Pakistan’s existence, the country's military-intelligence nexus has consisted of the Pakistani ‘establishment’, the real power above Islamabad’s Prime Minister’s Office. When not liked by the establishment, Pakistani Prime Ministers have departed power in handcuffs or coffins, expelled by military coups, rigged votes or assassinations.</p>

<p>A popular call to oust an establishment leader in Pakistan has been rare. The latest social media call to remove the current ISI DG Nadeem Anjum, marks another page among the counted few in the Pakistani book of resistance.</p>

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Less than 48 hours after a devastating suicide bombing attack at a mosque in Pakistan's Peshawar city claimed over 100 lives, a rare move of resistance against country's powerful intelligence agency has shaped into a Pakistan-wide social media trend.

Less than 48 hours after a devastating suicide bombing attack at a mosque in Pakistan's Peshawar city claimed over 100 lives, a rare move of resistance against country's powerful intelligence agency has shaped into a Pakistan-wide social media trend. People on social media said that the January 30 attack in Peshawar was 'a total intelligence failure' and that people at the helm of affairs must be held accountable. 'Nadeem Anjum must resign', a social media trend calling for the removal of the country's powerful intelligence agency's chief, gained traction across Pakistan by Wednesday morning. ALSO READ | Pakistan: Blast at mosque near Peshawar's police lines kills 87, injures 150 The hashtag can be seen as stemming from one of the old interview snippets of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, in which he points to the apparent inability of Pakistan's then army chief General Qamar Jawed Bajwa, to control violence in Pakistan's tribal areas. Furthermore, the social media accounts associated with Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) amplified the virtual call for the removal of Nadeem Anjum as Director General of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence. 'Nadeem Anjum Must Resign': What exactly are Pakistanis saying on Twitter? Pakistanis on micro-blogging in a near unanimity called for the resignation of Lieutenant General Nadeem Anjum, saying that he must be held accountable for letting violence fester in the country. "Peshawar Attack is a Total intelligence failure," a user wrote. ALSO WATCH | WION Dispatch: Pak Police hold mass funeral for Peshawar blast victims × "Any condemnation by the authorities can't be enough to justify the horrible incident that too in the hub of the security area. Life has become so invaluable," wrote another with the 'Nadeem Anjum Must Resign' hashtag. "When the head of an institution becomes too controversial, he should resign himself," said a third user echoing the call to remove Nadeem Anjum as Pakistani intelligence agency's chief. Why is ISI significant? In over seven and half decades since Pakistan’s existence, the country's military-intelligence nexus has consisted of the Pakistani ‘establishment’, the real power above Islamabad’s Prime Minister’s Office. When not liked by the establishment, Pakistani Prime Ministers have departed power in handcuffs or coffins, expelled by military coups, rigged votes or assassinations. A popular call to oust an establishment leader in Pakistan has been rare. The latest social media call to remove the current ISI DG Nadeem Anjum, marks another page among the counted few in the Pakistani book of resistance. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Pakistanis call for intelligence chief's removal after Peshawar mosque blast

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