Representatives from the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/robert-muller-to-testify-before-house-committees-on-us-russia-probe-in-july-congress-230456&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiMqYiKornjAhXKso8KHeq_DFMQFjACegQIDxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2sjx_-5jhYFhUOAKW0ZERJ">United States and Russia</a> are set to meet in Geneva on Wednesday to explore the concept of a new accord limiting nuclear arms that could eventually include China, senior US officials said on Monday.

US President Donald Trump has said that he would like to see a "next-generation" arms control deal with Russia and China to cover all types of nuclear weapons. He has broached the topic individually with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, including most recently at the G20 summit in Osaka last month.

China is not a party to nuclear arms pacts between the United States and Russia and it is unclear how willing Beijing would be to be drawn into talks, said the officials, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity.

"A good meeting would be some greater clarity about where the Russians see things going with the Chinese," one official said.

China's Foreign Ministry reiterated that the country had no interest in joining such talks.

"At present, we cannot see the preconditions or basis for China participating in these negotiations between the United States and Russia," ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters in Beijing.

US Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan will lead the delegation, which will include Tim Morrison, a top aide at the White House National Security Council, and representatives from the Pentagon, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the National Security Agency, the US officials said.

Russia's deputy foreign minister, Sergei Ryabkov, will lead the Russian delegation, the US officials said.

"We actually feel that - touch wood - we've actually got to a point where we can try to start this again," one US official said.

"I say touch wood because we're always just one incident away from unfortunately things getting derailed," the official said.

Relations between the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-says-us-russia-relations-are-getting-worse-and-worse-226830&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiMqYiKornjAhXKso8KHeq_DFMQFjAAegQIBBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0tvrZETUunIs5K2GbpcHAL">United States and Russia</a> have been sour for years, deteriorating after Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and backed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian war.

Trump has sought better relations but has been hamstrung by a two-year investigation into the 2016 influence campaign by Russian operatives to attack Trump's Democratic rival in the presidential election, Hillary Clinton.

The investigation by US Special Counsel Robert Mueller found there was insufficient evidence that the Trump campaign illegally conspired with Moscow. The Kremlin has denied any meddling.

Relations also frayed over Russia's poisoning of a former spy and his daughter on British soil, the detention of Ukrainian navy boats and crew near Crimea, and Russia's detention of US citizens, among other incidents.

The Geneva meeting will be just two weeks before the United States withdraws from the Cold War-era Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty that required both countries to eliminate short-range and intermediate-range nuclear and conventional missiles.

US authorities believe Moscow is developing and has deployed a ground-launched system in breach of the INF treaty that could allow it to launch a nuclear strike on Europe at short notice. Russia has consistently denied any such violation.

No breakthrough is expected on the INF treaty, the US officials said.

US officials also are not planning to discuss renewal of the 2011 New START treaty, a US-Russia arms control pact which limits deployed strategic nuclear weapons.

One of the officials told reporters it would be "premature" to talk about New START, which is set to expire in February 2021 but can be extended for five years if both sides agree, calling the issues a "next-year problem."

Representatives from the United States and Russia are set to meet in Geneva on Wednesday to explore the concept of a new accord limiting nuclear arms that could eventually include China, senior US officials said on Monday.

Representatives from the United States and Russia are set to meet in Geneva on Wednesday to explore the concept of a new accord limiting nuclear arms that could eventually include China, senior US officials said on Monday. US President Donald Trump has said that he would like to see a "next-generation" arms control deal with Russia and China to cover all types of nuclear weapons. He has broached the topic individually with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, including most recently at the G20 summit in Osaka last month. China is not a party to nuclear arms pacts between the United States and Russia and it is unclear how willing Beijing would be to be drawn into talks, said the officials, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity. "A good meeting would be some greater clarity about where the Russians see things going with the Chinese," one official said. China's Foreign Ministry reiterated that the country had no interest in joining such talks. "At present, we cannot see the preconditions or basis for China participating in these negotiations between the United States and Russia," ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters in Beijing. US Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan will lead the delegation, which will include Tim Morrison, a top aide at the White House National Security Council, and representatives from the Pentagon, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the National Security Agency, the US officials said. Russia's deputy foreign minister, Sergei Ryabkov, will lead the Russian delegation, the US officials said. "We actually feel that - touch wood - we've actually got to a point where we can try to start this again," one US official said. "I say touch wood because we're always just one incident away from unfortunately things getting derailed," the official said. Relations between the United States and Russia have been sour for years, deteriorating after Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and backed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian war. Trump has sought better relations but has been hamstrung by a two-year investigation into the 2016 influence campaign by Russian operatives to attack Trump's Democratic rival in the presidential election, Hillary Clinton. The investigation by US Special Counsel Robert Mueller found there was insufficient evidence that the Trump campaign illegally conspired with Moscow. The Kremlin has denied any meddling. Relations also frayed over Russia's poisoning of a former spy and his daughter on British soil, the detention of Ukrainian navy boats and crew near Crimea, and Russia's detention of US citizens, among other incidents. The Geneva meeting will be just two weeks before the United States withdraws from the Cold War-era Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty that required both countries to eliminate short-range and intermediate-range nuclear and conventional missiles. US authorities believe Moscow is developing and has deployed a ground-launched system in breach of the INF treaty that could allow it to launch a nuclear strike on Europe at short notice. Russia has consistently denied any such violation. No breakthrough is expected on the INF treaty, the US officials said. US officials also are not planning to discuss renewal of the 2011 New START treaty, a US-Russia arms control pact which limits deployed strategic nuclear weapons. One of the officials told reporters it would be "premature" to talk about New START, which is set to expire in February 2021 but can be extended for five years if both sides agree, calling the issues a "next-year problem."

US, Russia to discuss nuclear arms limits in Geneva on Wednesday: Officials

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-africas-jacob-zuma-denies-breaking-law-with-business-brothers-236213">Former South African President Jacob Zuma </a>said on Tuesday he had received a death threat after his testimony the previous day to an inquiry on corruption.

Zuma told the inquiry on Monday that he had been the victim of a plot to get rid of him and that he could trace that conspiracy to foreign intelligence services and the apartheid government in the 1990s.&nbsp;

Appearing again on Tuesday, Zuma said his personal assistant received a phone call late on Monday from an unknown caller threatening to kill Zuma and his children.&nbsp;

The country's deputy chief justice, Raymond Zondo, who is overseeing the inquiry, said the threats were unacceptable.

There was no immediate comment from the police.

Zuma, ousted by the governing African National Congress (ANC) in February 2018 and replaced by President Cyril Ramaphosa, has consistently denied wrongdoing over his nine years in power.

His appearance at the inquiry caps a dramatic fall from grace for a politician who long dominated the country`s politics.&nbsp;

The inquiry is investigating allegations that Zuma allowed three Gupta brothers, friends of his, to plunder state resources and influence senior government appointments.

Several former officials have told the inquiry that the Guptas were privy to information about senior government appointments.

On Monday Zuma denied that he had done anything unlawful with the Guptas or that he had discussed anything with them that he should not have.&nbsp;

The Gupta brothers, who denied the allegations at the time, left the country around the time that Zuma was ousted.&nbsp;

Former South African President Jacob Zuma said on Tuesday he had received a death threat after his testimony the previous day to an inquiry on corruption. Zuma told the inquiry on Monday that he had been the victim of a plot to get rid of him and that he could trace that conspiracy to foreign intelligence services and the apartheid government in the 1990s.

Former South African President Jacob Zuma said on Tuesday he had received a death threat after his testimony the previous day to an inquiry on corruption. Zuma told the inquiry on Monday that he had been the victim of a plot to get rid of him and that he could trace that conspiracy to foreign intelligence services and the apartheid government in the 1990s. Appearing again on Tuesday, Zuma said his personal assistant received a phone call late on Monday from an unknown caller threatening to kill Zuma and his children. The country's deputy chief justice, Raymond Zondo, who is overseeing the inquiry, said the threats were unacceptable. There was no immediate comment from the police. Zuma, ousted by the governing African National Congress (ANC) in February 2018 and replaced by President Cyril Ramaphosa, has consistently denied wrongdoing over his nine years in power. His appearance at the inquiry caps a dramatic fall from grace for a politician who long dominated the country`s politics. The inquiry is investigating allegations that Zuma allowed three Gupta brothers, friends of his, to plunder state resources and influence senior government appointments. Several former officials have told the inquiry that the Guptas were privy to information about senior government appointments. On Monday Zuma denied that he had done anything unlawful with the Guptas or that he had discussed anything with them that he should not have. The Gupta brothers, who denied the allegations at the time, left the country around the time that Zuma was ousted.

South Africa’s Jacob Zuma, back at inquiry, says his life is in danger

Talks on getting <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-hopes-us-north-korea-can-be-more-creative-in-nuclear-talks-236358">North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons</a> are at risk because the United States looks set to break a promise not to hold military exercises with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-koreas-acquisition-of-us-f-35-fighter-aimed-at-opening-gate-to-invade-north-north-korea-state-media-234830">South Korea</a>, North Korea said on Tuesday.

US President Donald Trump revitalised efforts to persuade the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/north-korea-remembers-kim-il-sung-on-25-death-anniversary-233997">North</a> to give up its nuclear weapons last month when he arranged a spur-of-the-moment meeting with North Korea`s Kim Jong Un on the border between the two Koreas.

Trump said they had agreed to resume so-called working-level talks, stalled since their second summit in February collapsed. The negotiations are expected in the coming weeks.

But a North Korean foreign ministry spokesman cast doubt on that, saying the United States and South Korea were pressing ahead with exercises called Dong Maeng this summer, which he called a "rehearsal for war".

"We will make a decision regarding working-level talks with the United States while watching US moves going forward," the spokesman said in a statement carried by the North's official KCNA news agency.

The exercises are expected in August.

North Korea has for years denounced military exercises between the United States and South Korea.

"It is clear that the exercises are a real-time training, rehearsal for war to militarily crush our republic," the North Korean spokesman said in a separate statement, adding that Trump has reaffirmed at last month`s meeting with Kim that the exercises would be halted.

Trump, in his first meeting with Kim in Singapore in June last year, said he would stop exercises, after the two leaders agreed to work towards the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula and to improve ties.

While the main annual South Korean-US exercises have been stopped, they still hold smaller drills.

Since the Singapore summit, North Korea has not tested any nuclear weapons or intercontinental ballistic missiles, though it tested new short-range missiles in May.

"As the United States is failing to follow through on its own commitment, the reasoning for us to remain in the agreement is fading away," the North Korean spokesman said, referring to a declaration the two leaders agreed to at their Singapore summit.

Talks on getting North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons are at risk because the United States looks set to break a promise not to hold military exercises with South Korea, North Korea said on Tuesday.

Talks on getting North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons are at risk because the United States looks set to break a promise not to hold military exercises with South Korea, North Korea said on Tuesday. US President Donald Trump revitalised efforts to persuade the North to give up its nuclear weapons last month when he arranged a spur-of-the-moment meeting with North Korea`s Kim Jong Un on the border between the two Koreas. Trump said they had agreed to resume so-called working-level talks, stalled since their second summit in February collapsed. The negotiations are expected in the coming weeks. But a North Korean foreign ministry spokesman cast doubt on that, saying the United States and South Korea were pressing ahead with exercises called Dong Maeng this summer, which he called a "rehearsal for war". "We will make a decision regarding working-level talks with the United States while watching US moves going forward," the spokesman said in a statement carried by the North's official KCNA news agency. The exercises are expected in August. North Korea has for years denounced military exercises between the United States and South Korea. "It is clear that the exercises are a real-time training, rehearsal for war to militarily crush our republic," the North Korean spokesman said in a separate statement, adding that Trump has reaffirmed at last month`s meeting with Kim that the exercises would be halted. Trump, in his first meeting with Kim in Singapore in June last year, said he would stop exercises, after the two leaders agreed to work towards the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula and to improve ties. While the main annual South Korean-US exercises have been stopped, they still hold smaller drills. Since the Singapore summit, North Korea has not tested any nuclear weapons or intercontinental ballistic missiles, though it tested new short-range missiles in May. "As the United States is failing to follow through on its own commitment, the reasoning for us to remain in the agreement is fading away," the North Korean spokesman said, referring to a declaration the two leaders agreed to at their Singapore summit.

Nuclear talks at risk if US-South Korea exercises go ahead: North Korea

At least 11 civilians were killed and dozens more wounded Monday after their vehicle hit a bomb in southern Afghanistan that officials told AFP had been planted by the Taliban.

The deaths come just one week after Taliban and Afghan officials unveiled a "roadmap for peace" in which they pledged to eliminate civilian casualties.

Monday's incident occurred around 2:00 pm (0930 GMT) when a vehicle carrying many passengers hit a roadside bomb planted by the Taliban, provincial police chief Tadin Khan said.

It was not immediately clear if the victims had been travelling in a bus or in the back of a large truck.

"In the blast, 11 people were martyred and 34 others were wounded. Women and children are among the victims," Khan said.&nbsp;

Afghan military spokesman Ahmad Sadiq Esa confirmed the toll, while Kandahar governor Hayatullah Hayat said 13 were killed.

No group claimed immediate responsibility. The Taliban did not immediately comment.

Kandahar is considered the birthplace of the Taliban, who still control some parts of the province.

Insurgents often use roadside bombs and landmines to target Afghan security forces -- but the lethal weapons also inflict heavy casualties on civilians.

Years of conflict have left Afghanistan strewn with landmines, unexploded mortars, rockets and homemade bombs -- and many are picked up by curious children.

According to the United Nations, almost 4,000 civilians -- including more than 900 children -- were killed in Afghanistan last year, with another 7,000 wounded, making it the deadliest year to date for civilians in Afghanistan's conflict.

The Taliban and a group of Afghans met for a historic summit in the Qatari capital Doha last week, as part of US-led peace talks, where they pledged to reduce civilian casualties to "zero". 
&nbsp;

At least 11 civilians were killed and dozens more wounded Monday after their vehicle hit a bomb in southern Afghanistan that officials told AFP had been planted by the Taliban.

At least 11 civilians were killed and dozens more wounded Monday after their vehicle hit a bomb in southern Afghanistan that officials told AFP had been planted by the Taliban. The deaths come just one week after Taliban and Afghan officials unveiled a "roadmap for peace" in which they pledged to eliminate civilian casualties. Monday's incident occurred around 2:00 pm (0930 GMT) when a vehicle carrying many passengers hit a roadside bomb planted by the Taliban, provincial police chief Tadin Khan said. It was not immediately clear if the victims had been travelling in a bus or in the back of a large truck. "In the blast, 11 people were martyred and 34 others were wounded. Women and children are among the victims," Khan said. Afghan military spokesman Ahmad Sadiq Esa confirmed the toll, while Kandahar governor Hayatullah Hayat said 13 were killed. No group claimed immediate responsibility. The Taliban did not immediately comment. Kandahar is considered the birthplace of the Taliban, who still control some parts of the province. Insurgents often use roadside bombs and landmines to target Afghan security forces -- but the lethal weapons also inflict heavy casualties on civilians. Years of conflict have left Afghanistan strewn with landmines, unexploded mortars, rockets and homemade bombs -- and many are picked up by curious children. According to the United Nations, almost 4,000 civilians -- including more than 900 children -- were killed in Afghanistan last year, with another 7,000 wounded, making it the deadliest year to date for civilians in Afghanistan's conflict. The Taliban and a group of Afghans met for a historic summit in the Qatari capital Doha last week, as part of US-led peace talks, where they pledged to reduce civilian casualties to "zero".

Bomb blast kills 11 in Afghanistan's Kandahar

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Monday&nbsp;officially <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/why-chandrayaan-2-launch-was-called-off-235999">called off the launch of India's moon mission </a>Chandrayaan-2 just minutes before its launch.

The mission was aborted at the last moment due to a technical snag.

The country's giant leap into space which was scheduled to shoot off from Sriharikota’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh was aborted just 56 minutes, 24 seconds before its launch.

The countdown of the mission commenced at 6:51 am on Sunday.

Calling off the launch process, ISRO PRO Guru Prasad said, "As a measure of abundant precaution, Chandrayaan-2 launch has been called off for today. Revised launch date will be announced later."

The technical snag which restrained the launch of the mission&nbsp;occurred during the fuel-filling stage.

According to ISRO, the launch vehicle had been completed while filling liquid hydrogen in the cryogenic stage of GSLV.

Watch : Chandrayaan-2's launch put on hold, ISRO to announce revised launch date soon

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A problem was noticed when the cryogenic fuel was being loaded.&nbsp;

Consequently, the fuel was emptied out as the scientists did not want to take a&nbsp;chance with the highly inflammable liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen.

The Chandrayaan-2 costing around 978 crores was designed to explore the uncharted lunar solar pole.

The mission followed ISRO's first successful lunar mission Chandrayaan-1, launched in 2008.

A full dress rehearsal was conducted last week and the scientists had undertaken various stages of propellant filling to power the rocket ahead of the launch.

The Chandrayaan-2 onboard the geosynchronous launch vehicle GSLV-MkIII-M1, nicknamed Baahubali, would have taken 54 days to accomplish the task of landing on the moon through meticulously planned orbital phases.

The mission had three indigenous elements lunar orbiter, lander, and rover.

After landing on the orbit, the lander -- named Vikram after the pioneer of the Indian space program Vikram Sarabhai -- was to separate from the orbiter and gently land on the moon's surface around September 6.

To date, only three countries US, the former Soviet Union and China have made a soft landing on the moon's surface.

The new date for the launch of the mission has not been announced yet. ISRO will release a revised date for the launch of the country's giant leap into space.

The Indian Space agency has launched multiple missions into space in the past 10 years.&nbsp;The missions have provided a better understanding of Mars and the Moon to the&nbsp;Indian Space Research Organisation.

The country aims to turn itself into a global space power and put Indian astronauts into space by 2022.

The Indian space agency has a budget that's 20 times less than NASA, its US counterpart.

A report by Sputnik International states ----the approximate $124-million price tag of the Chandrayaan-2 is less than half the budget of Hollywood blockbuster avengers endgame at $356 million.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Monday officially called off the launch of India's moon mission Chandrayaan-2 just minutes before its launch. The mission was aborted at the last moment due to a technical snag.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Monday officially called off the launch of India's moon mission Chandrayaan-2 just minutes before its launch. The mission was aborted at the last moment due to a technical snag. The country's giant leap into space which was scheduled to shoot off from Sriharikota’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh was aborted just 56 minutes, 24 seconds before its launch. The countdown of the mission commenced at 6:51 am on Sunday. Calling off the launch process, ISRO PRO Guru Prasad said, "As a measure of abundant precaution, Chandrayaan-2 launch has been called off for today. Revised launch date will be announced later." The technical snag which restrained the launch of the mission occurred during the fuel-filling stage. According to ISRO, the launch vehicle had been completed while filling liquid hydrogen in the cryogenic stage of GSLV. Watch : Chandrayaan-2's launch put on hold, ISRO to announce revised launch date soon × A problem was noticed when the cryogenic fuel was being loaded. Consequently, the fuel was emptied out as the scientists did not want to take a chance with the highly inflammable liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. The Chandrayaan-2 costing around 978 crores was designed to explore the uncharted lunar solar pole. The mission followed ISRO's first successful lunar mission Chandrayaan-1, launched in 2008. A full dress rehearsal was conducted last week and the scientists had undertaken various stages of propellant filling to power the rocket ahead of the launch. The Chandrayaan-2 onboard the geosynchronous launch vehicle GSLV-MkIII-M1, nicknamed Baahubali, would have taken 54 days to accomplish the task of landing on the moon through meticulously planned orbital phases. The mission had three indigenous elements lunar orbiter, lander, and rover. After landing on the orbit, the lander -- named Vikram after the pioneer of the Indian space program Vikram Sarabhai -- was to separate from the orbiter and gently land on the moon's surface around September 6. To date, only three countries US, the former Soviet Union and China have made a soft landing on the moon's surface. The new date for the launch of the mission has not been announced yet. ISRO will release a revised date for the launch of the country's giant leap into space. The Indian Space agency has launched multiple missions into space in the past 10 years. The missions have provided a better understanding of Mars and the Moon to the Indian Space Research Organisation. The country aims to turn itself into a global space power and put Indian astronauts into space by 2022. The Indian space agency has a budget that's 20 times less than NASA, its US counterpart. A report by Sputnik International states ----the approximate $124-million price tag of the Chandrayaan-2 is less than half the budget of Hollywood blockbuster avengers endgame at $356 million.

What went wrong with ISRO's Chandrayaan-2 launch?

A senior UN official in Afghanistan has called on government offices to adopt policies of "zero tolerance" toward sexual harassment, amid a swirling scandal that has seen women allege routine misconduct in the corridors of power.

The controversy erupted in May when General Habibullah Ahmadzai, a former security advisor to President Ashraf Ghani, alleged that some members of Ghani's administration were trading government positions for sexual favours.

The attorney general's office is investigating the matter, and Ghani's spokesman has rejected Ahmadzai's claims as "completely false and baseless".

But several women have spoken out in the media with their own allegations, and stories of inappropriate behaviour by male officials are commonplace in Kabul.

Women's rights have made some significant steps since the fall of the Taliban nearly two decades ago: out of 320 parliamentary seats, roughly a quarter are held by women.

But despite these gains, harassment, abuse and violence remain commonplace.

Richard Bennett, the head of human rights for the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, on Sunday addressed a conference in Kabul that included a discussion about a potential law aimed at ending violence against women.

"The issue of harassment in the workplace is of huge concern to Afghan women, primarily because it can eventually lead to a sexual assault," Bennett said, according to prepared remarks provided Monday.&nbsp;

"This should be a concern for everyone: police, prosecutors, judicial officials and civil society."

Bennett said he was strongly encouraging the attorney general's office and other bodies to develop and implement a comprehensive "zero tolerance" policy regarding the harassment of women in the workplace.

"It will send the signal that harassment of women and girls will not be tolerated and will be punished," he said.

Sarwar Danish, Afghanistan's second vice president, called on prosecutors to "seriously investigate" the reports at a press conference on Sunday.

"If the allegations are proved, after the investigation these people should be exposed. Such crimes are not acceptable to the Afghan government."

A senior UN official in Afghanistan has called on government offices to adopt policies of "zero tolerance" toward sexual harassment, amid a swirling scandal that has seen women allege routine misconduct in the corridors of power.

A senior UN official in Afghanistan has called on government offices to adopt policies of "zero tolerance" toward sexual harassment, amid a swirling scandal that has seen women allege routine misconduct in the corridors of power. The controversy erupted in May when General Habibullah Ahmadzai, a former security advisor to President Ashraf Ghani, alleged that some members of Ghani's administration were trading government positions for sexual favours. The attorney general's office is investigating the matter, and Ghani's spokesman has rejected Ahmadzai's claims as "completely false and baseless". But several women have spoken out in the media with their own allegations, and stories of inappropriate behaviour by male officials are commonplace in Kabul. Women's rights have made some significant steps since the fall of the Taliban nearly two decades ago: out of 320 parliamentary seats, roughly a quarter are held by women. But despite these gains, harassment, abuse and violence remain commonplace. Richard Bennett, the head of human rights for the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, on Sunday addressed a conference in Kabul that included a discussion about a potential law aimed at ending violence against women. "The issue of harassment in the workplace is of huge concern to Afghan women, primarily because it can eventually lead to a sexual assault," Bennett said, according to prepared remarks provided Monday. "This should be a concern for everyone: police, prosecutors, judicial officials and civil society." Bennett said he was strongly encouraging the attorney general's office and other bodies to develop and implement a comprehensive "zero tolerance" policy regarding the harassment of women in the workplace. "It will send the signal that harassment of women and girls will not be tolerated and will be punished," he said. Sarwar Danish, Afghanistan's second vice president, called on prosecutors to "seriously investigate" the reports at a press conference on Sunday. "If the allegations are proved, after the investigation these people should be exposed. Such crimes are not acceptable to the Afghan government."

United Nations calls for 'zero tolerance' on sexual harassment in Afghanistan workplace

A Franco-Iranian academic based at a prestigious Paris university has been arrested in Iran and denied contact with consular staff, the French foreign ministry said Monday.&nbsp;

The detention of Fariba Adelkhah, a well-known expert on Iran and Shiite Islam at Sciences Po, risks increasing tension between Paris and Tehran at a critical moment in the crisis over the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/if-europeans-americans-dont-carry-out-their-duties-will-reverse-nuclear-deal-to-four-years-ago-warns-iran-236232">Iranian nuclear programme</a>.

"The French authorities were recently informed of the arrest of Fariba Adelkhah," said the foreign ministry statement which confirmed she holds dual nationality.

"France calls on the Iranian authorities to shed full light on Mrs Adelkhah's situation and repeats its demands, particularly with regard to an immediate authorisation for consular access," it said.

"No satisfactory response has been received until now," it added.

Iranian government spokesman Ali Rabiei said he could not confirm the charges.

Adelkhah, 60, is the latest Iranian national with a Western passport to be arrested in Iran.

British-Iranian Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a project manager with the Thomson Reuters Foundation, has been jailed in Tehran since 2016 on sedition charges, a detention that has caused major tensions with Britain.

Adelkhah's arrest comes just as French President Emmanuel Macron was seeking to lead European efforts to find a way of keeping alive the 2015 nuclear deal, which limits Iran's atomic programme.

Macron has sent an envoy to Tehran twice in the last month and was even rumoured to be considering becoming the first French president in more than 40 years to travel to the Iranian capital.

The landmark deal is at risk of collapsing after US President Donald Trump pulled Washington out unilaterally, leading Iran to violate safeguards that limited its stockpiling and enrichment of uranium.

'Talented researcher'

Jean-Francois Bayart, a French academic and friend of Adelkhah's, said he and colleagues had alerted French authorities when the anthropologist did not return home from a trip to her homeland as scheduled on June 25.

He said he thought she had been arrested on June 5 and was being held at the Evin prison in Tehran.

"She has been visited by her family. She hasn't been mistreated, but I'm worried about her because she isn't physically strong," Bayart told AFP. "We don't know how long this totally unacceptable detention is going to last."

"Iran doesn't recognise dual nationality, so for them she is Iranian, which is why consular access has not been permitted," he added. "But talks have taken place at the highest levels between the countries."

Other Iranian dual nationals jailed in Iran include Iranian-American Siamak Namazi and his father Baquer, who are serving 10-year sentences for espionage in a case that has outraged Washington.

Chinese-American Xiyue Wang, a Princeton University researcher, is serving a 10-year sentence for espionage and US national Michael White, 46, was this year also sentenced to 10 years.

French academic Clotilde Reiss was detained in Iran for 10 months in 2009-10 before being released in a case that attracted widespread attention at the time.

At around the same time as her release, French judicial authorities freed Ali Vakili Rad, who had been convicted of the 1991 murder outside Paris of the ousted shah's former prime minister Shapour Bakhtiar.

The timing led to speculation about a bilateral deal over the prisoners, though French authorities denied any exchange.

For several months in 2007, Iran detained US-Iranian academic Haleh Esfandiari, one of the most prominent US-based academics working on Iran, who at the time was director of the Middle East programme at the Wilson Center.&nbsp;

She was arrested while visiting her mother in Iran.

Bayart said that Adelkhah had arrived in France in 1977 to study.

"She's a free, independent and extremely talented researcher," he told AFP.

A Franco-Iranian academic based at a prestigious Paris university has been arrested in Iran and denied contact with consular staff, the French foreign ministry said Monday.

A Franco-Iranian academic based at a prestigious Paris university has been arrested in Iran and denied contact with consular staff, the French foreign ministry said Monday. The detention of Fariba Adelkhah, a well-known expert on Iran and Shiite Islam at Sciences Po, risks increasing tension between Paris and Tehran at a critical moment in the crisis over the Iranian nuclear programme. "The French authorities were recently informed of the arrest of Fariba Adelkhah," said the foreign ministry statement which confirmed she holds dual nationality. "France calls on the Iranian authorities to shed full light on Mrs Adelkhah's situation and repeats its demands, particularly with regard to an immediate authorisation for consular access," it said. "No satisfactory response has been received until now," it added. Iranian government spokesman Ali Rabiei said he could not confirm the charges. Adelkhah, 60, is the latest Iranian national with a Western passport to be arrested in Iran. British-Iranian Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a project manager with the Thomson Reuters Foundation, has been jailed in Tehran since 2016 on sedition charges, a detention that has caused major tensions with Britain. Adelkhah's arrest comes just as French President Emmanuel Macron was seeking to lead European efforts to find a way of keeping alive the 2015 nuclear deal, which limits Iran's atomic programme. Macron has sent an envoy to Tehran twice in the last month and was even rumoured to be considering becoming the first French president in more than 40 years to travel to the Iranian capital. The landmark deal is at risk of collapsing after US President Donald Trump pulled Washington out unilaterally, leading Iran to violate safeguards that limited its stockpiling and enrichment of uranium. 'Talented researcher' Jean-Francois Bayart, a French academic and friend of Adelkhah's, said he and colleagues had alerted French authorities when the anthropologist did not return home from a trip to her homeland as scheduled on June 25. He said he thought she had been arrested on June 5 and was being held at the Evin prison in Tehran. "She has been visited by her family. She hasn't been mistreated, but I'm worried about her because she isn't physically strong," Bayart told AFP. "We don't know how long this totally unacceptable detention is going to last." "Iran doesn't recognise dual nationality, so for them she is Iranian, which is why consular access has not been permitted," he added. "But talks have taken place at the highest levels between the countries." Other Iranian dual nationals jailed in Iran include Iranian-American Siamak Namazi and his father Baquer, who are serving 10-year sentences for espionage in a case that has outraged Washington. Chinese-American Xiyue Wang, a Princeton University researcher, is serving a 10-year sentence for espionage and US national Michael White, 46, was this year also sentenced to 10 years. French academic Clotilde Reiss was detained in Iran for 10 months in 2009-10 before being released in a case that attracted widespread attention at the time. At around the same time as her release, French judicial authorities freed Ali Vakili Rad, who had been convicted of the 1991 murder outside Paris of the ousted shah's former prime minister Shapour Bakhtiar. The timing led to speculation about a bilateral deal over the prisoners, though French authorities denied any exchange. For several months in 2007, Iran detained US-Iranian academic Haleh Esfandiari, one of the most prominent US-based academics working on Iran, who at the time was director of the Middle East programme at the Wilson Center. She was arrested while visiting her mother in Iran. Bayart said that Adelkhah had arrived in France in 1977 to study. "She's a free, independent and extremely talented researcher," he told AFP.

France says Franco-Iranian academic arrested in Iran

A private radio station in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-us-taliban-to-hold-more-talks-on-ending-war-229687">Afghanistan</a> has shut down after numerous threats from a suspected Taliban commander who objected to women working as presenters, officials at the radio station said on Monday.

The incident comes as the Taliban are discussing a peace deal with the United States that could see them re-joining mainstream society, and that has brought new scrutiny of their attitudes to issues like women`s rights and the media.

The private radio station, Samaa, has been broadcasting political, religious, social and entertainment programmes in the central province of Ghazni since 2013.&nbsp;

Its 13 employees, including three women presenters, broadcast in Afghanistan`s two main languages - Dari and Pashto.

The radio station`s director, Ramez Azimi, said Taliban commanders in the area had sent written warnings and telephoned in, to tell the radio station to stop employing women.

"The Taliban also came to my house and issued a threat," Azimi said.

He said the threats had forced him to suspend broadcasts.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid denied that a Taliban commander had issued the threats. "We are trying to find details," said Mujahid.

The Taliban say many people falsely identify themselves as Taliban, often in the course of private disputes.

Several districts of Ghazni are under Taliban control. The militants hold sway over about half of Afghanistan and they have been intensifying their attacks despite efforts towards a peace agreement to end the 18-year war.

The Taliban ruled most of Afghanistan from 1996 until 2001.

Under their hardline interpretation of Islamic law, women have banned women from working or going to school.

But the Taliban have recently been projecting themselves as a more moderate force.

In a recent statement, they said Islam gave women rights in areas including business and ownership, inheritance, education, work, choosing a husband, security and well-being.

But they denounced "so-called women`s rights activists" who encouraged women to defy Afghan customs.

The Taliban have staged numerous deadly attacks against the media and Afghanistan is one of the world`s most dangerous countries for journalists. 
The Taliban say they only target media that is biased against them.

A private radio station in Afghanistan has shut down after numerous threats from a suspected Taliban commander who objected to women working as presenters, officials at the radio station said on Monday.

A private radio station in Afghanistan has shut down after numerous threats from a suspected Taliban commander who objected to women working as presenters, officials at the radio station said on Monday. The incident comes as the Taliban are discussing a peace deal with the United States that could see them re-joining mainstream society, and that has brought new scrutiny of their attitudes to issues like women`s rights and the media. The private radio station, Samaa, has been broadcasting political, religious, social and entertainment programmes in the central province of Ghazni since 2013. Its 13 employees, including three women presenters, broadcast in Afghanistan`s two main languages - Dari and Pashto. The radio station`s director, Ramez Azimi, said Taliban commanders in the area had sent written warnings and telephoned in, to tell the radio station to stop employing women. "The Taliban also came to my house and issued a threat," Azimi said. He said the threats had forced him to suspend broadcasts. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid denied that a Taliban commander had issued the threats. "We are trying to find details," said Mujahid. The Taliban say many people falsely identify themselves as Taliban, often in the course of private disputes. Several districts of Ghazni are under Taliban control. The militants hold sway over about half of Afghanistan and they have been intensifying their attacks despite efforts towards a peace agreement to end the 18-year war. The Taliban ruled most of Afghanistan from 1996 until 2001. Under their hardline interpretation of Islamic law, women have banned women from working or going to school. But the Taliban have recently been projecting themselves as a more moderate force. In a recent statement, they said Islam gave women rights in areas including business and ownership, inheritance, education, work, choosing a husband, security and well-being. But they denounced "so-called women`s rights activists" who encouraged women to defy Afghan customs. The Taliban have staged numerous deadly attacks against the media and Afghanistan is one of the world`s most dangerous countries for journalists. The Taliban say they only target media that is biased against them.

Afghanistan radio station shuts down after threats by suspected Taliban

International drug syndicates orchestrated <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/they-bombed-our-livelihoods-sri-lankas-tourism-firms-struggle-after-attacks-236219">Sri Lanka's deadly Easter Sunday bombings</a>, the country's leader claimed Monday, despite earlier blaming the attacks on Islamists.

The statement comes amid a nationwide narcotics crackdown, with President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/draft-bill-stirs-row-in-sri-lanka-many-fear-it-will-allow-foreigners-to-buy-land-235241">Maithripala Sirisena</a> aiming to reintroduce capital punishment for drug offences.

Authorities have said local jihadist group National Thowheeth Jama'ath (NTJ) were responsible for the suicide bombings in churches and hotels that killed at least 258 people in April. The attacks were later claimed by the Islamic State group.

Sirisena's office said the day after the bombings that local terrorists and international terror groups were responsible for the attacks.

But in a statement issued by his office Monday, Sirisena said the attacks "were the work of international drug dealers".

"Drug barons carried out this attack to discredit me and discourage my anti-narcotics drive. I will not be deterred," he said.

Sirisena is waging a battle against efforts by his governing coalition in parliament to abolish capital punishment, which has been subject to a moratorium since 1976.&nbsp;

A spokesman for Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe discounted the president's claims.

"Police completed the investigations within about two weeks," Sudarshana Gunawardana told AFP.

"There is no mention of drug dealers being involved. We have no reason to doubt our investigators."

Automatically commuted

He said speedier justice would be a bigger deterrent to drug traffickers than the threat of capital punishment.

"We don't believe hanging people will address the issue, especially considering that it takes several decades to get a conviction."

Sri Lankan courts take on average 17 years to complete criminal trials for grave offences such as murder and rape.

Gunawardana said Wickremesinghe was opposed to capital punishment as it was against the policy of his United National Party, and noted that there was cross-bench support in the legislature to completely abolish it.

Police officials said investigations into the April 21 suicide bombings were still ongoing, and all the more than 100 people in custody were Sri Lankans.

"We are going on the basis that this was a crime planned and executed by a group of radicalised Sri Lankan Muslims," a senior police official told AFP, asking not to be named.

"Everyone involved in the attacks is either dead or in custody."

Sirisena has marshalled public support for an end to the moratorium on the death penalty, saying that hangings would deter the illegal drugs trade.

"If the government brings legislation to abolish capital punishment, I will declare a day of national mourning," Sirisena said in the statement, adding that public opinion favoured hanging condemned criminals.

He said the leading Buddhist monk Omalpe Sobitha had advised him to resume hangings and not to abandon his war on narcotics.

Sri Lankan courts routinely hand down death sentences to drug offenders, murderers and rapists but it is automatically commuted a term of life imprisonment.&nbsp;

Sri Lanka's Supreme Court earlier this month suspended Sirisena's moves to hang four drug convicts. The court banned any executions until it rules on a petition seeking a declaration that hanging breaches the country's constitution.

The next hearing in the case is in October.

Sri Lanka's last hangman retired in 2014, but officials said they had selected two new executioners from a pool of candidates.

International drug syndicates orchestrated Sri Lanka's deadly Easter Sunday bombings, the country's leader claimed Monday, despite earlier blaming the attacks on Islamists.

International drug syndicates orchestrated Sri Lanka's deadly Easter Sunday bombings, the country's leader claimed Monday, despite earlier blaming the attacks on Islamists. The statement comes amid a nationwide narcotics crackdown, with President Maithripala Sirisena aiming to reintroduce capital punishment for drug offences. Authorities have said local jihadist group National Thowheeth Jama'ath (NTJ) were responsible for the suicide bombings in churches and hotels that killed at least 258 people in April. The attacks were later claimed by the Islamic State group. Sirisena's office said the day after the bombings that local terrorists and international terror groups were responsible for the attacks. But in a statement issued by his office Monday, Sirisena said the attacks "were the work of international drug dealers". "Drug barons carried out this attack to discredit me and discourage my anti-narcotics drive. I will not be deterred," he said. Sirisena is waging a battle against efforts by his governing coalition in parliament to abolish capital punishment, which has been subject to a moratorium since 1976. A spokesman for Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe discounted the president's claims. "Police completed the investigations within about two weeks," Sudarshana Gunawardana told AFP. "There is no mention of drug dealers being involved. We have no reason to doubt our investigators." Automatically commuted He said speedier justice would be a bigger deterrent to drug traffickers than the threat of capital punishment. "We don't believe hanging people will address the issue, especially considering that it takes several decades to get a conviction." Sri Lankan courts take on average 17 years to complete criminal trials for grave offences such as murder and rape. Gunawardana said Wickremesinghe was opposed to capital punishment as it was against the policy of his United National Party, and noted that there was cross-bench support in the legislature to completely abolish it. Police officials said investigations into the April 21 suicide bombings were still ongoing, and all the more than 100 people in custody were Sri Lankans. "We are going on the basis that this was a crime planned and executed by a group of radicalised Sri Lankan Muslims," a senior police official told AFP, asking not to be named. "Everyone involved in the attacks is either dead or in custody." Sirisena has marshalled public support for an end to the moratorium on the death penalty, saying that hangings would deter the illegal drugs trade. "If the government brings legislation to abolish capital punishment, I will declare a day of national mourning," Sirisena said in the statement, adding that public opinion favoured hanging condemned criminals. He said the leading Buddhist monk Omalpe Sobitha had advised him to resume hangings and not to abandon his war on narcotics. Sri Lankan courts routinely hand down death sentences to drug offenders, murderers and rapists but it is automatically commuted a term of life imprisonment. Sri Lanka's Supreme Court earlier this month suspended Sirisena's moves to hang four drug convicts. The court banned any executions until it rules on a petition seeking a declaration that hanging breaches the country's constitution. The next hearing in the case is in October. Sri Lanka's last hangman retired in 2014, but officials said they had selected two new executioners from a pool of candidates.

Drug gangs behind Sri Lanka Easter bombings: President Maithripala Sirisena

Pearl Divers, a diving school on one of Sri Lanka`s most popular southern beaches, shut shop for two months after<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-tourism-fighting-back-from-easter-bombings-finance-minister-mangala-samaraweera-230886"> suicide bombers attacked churches</a> and hotels on the island on Easter Sunday, killing about 250 people. It had no customers as tourists cancelled holidays, and its manager Nuwan Harshana says he took two months leave and a pay cut.

Last week, he dusted off the diving equipment and boats, used to carry scuba enthusiasts off the shore of Unawatuna beach, in the hope that foreigners will start to trickle into the country again and the shop can slowly build back to the $800 a day in revenue it made before the attacks. 
But there is no sign of any quick upturn in his fortunes.

"Everything was good before April. Now that situation is finished ... there are no customers," said Harshana, who said he is worried about earning enough to look after his wife and two children, while also meeting his monthly loan payments.&nbsp;

The economy of Sri Lanka, a sun-drenched island in the Indian Ocean, depends heavily on the $4.4 billion tourism industry. Small businesses like Pearl Divers have been on the rise since the nation`s civil war ended in 2009 and tourists poured in.

But after the bombings in April, tourist arrivals slumped 70 per cent in May and 57 per cent in June from a year earlier. Many small businesses, that employ thousands, are now either forced to lay off staff or have them work for minimal pay.&nbsp;

This is already having a domino effect on the economy, further hitting consumer demand.&nbsp;

The government has introduced a series of measures to boost tourism, including lowering airport charges, cutting taxes on jet fuel and pushing hotels to offer discounts. It is planning to relax visa rules for residents of a number of countries.

It has also asked banks to lower lending rates and give loan moratoriums. But the relief is yet to reach many small businesses that make up the backbone of the economy.

"Clearly it took banks a bit of time to gear up for it ... As they had to work out the decision-making process," central bank governor Indrajit Coomaraswamy said on Thursday.&nbsp;

Dilum Ranjana, who owns a foot spa in the fort city of Galle in the south, said he had to fire three of seven employees and postpone plans to open a second branch because he was getting hardly any income in the past couple of months.

"It is not easy to get a loan, there is a lot of paperwork and bureaucracy," said Ranjana, who has monthly expenses of $2,300 in rent, bills and salaries. He said he has so far made $570 in July, a tenth of what he did last year.

"All my plans are lost, they are ruined," he said.&nbsp;

Rising Bad Loans

Tourism was the third largest and fastest growing source of foreign currency for Sri Lanka last year, and accounted for 4.9 percent of the country`s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2018.

The government expects a shortfall of $800-900 million in tourism revenue this year, which will widen its current account deficit to 3per cent of GDP from the 2.3 per cent it had earlier expected, a top central bank official told Reuters.&nbsp; 
The central bank has also slashed its growth forecast for the year to 3per cent from 4 per cent earlier.

"The main concern is rising non-performing loans due to sluggish economic growth after the attacks," the official said.&nbsp;

When the diving business was booming, Harshana said he took a loan of $57,000 in 2017 to convert an old house into a no-frills hostel which earned him $114 a night from tourists in peak season. It is currently closed because he has no bookings.

After letting him postpone loan payments of $630 for both May and June, the bank is giving no such concession for July, he said.&nbsp;

"I have to manage with my savings but I don`t have much. People like us, we rise slowly but the fall is sudden," he said.

'They bombed us'

The island received 2.5 million foreign tourists last year and with Lonely Planet magazine endorsing it as 2019`s top destination, the government was hoping to draw in more than 3 million this year.

It now hopes to get around 2 million tourists, said Johanne Jayaratne, chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority.

Airlines cancelled 41 weekly flights after the attacks and while carriers like Emirates have resumed their schedule, China Eastern, for instance, is still operating only four flights a week - half of what it used to.

G.W. Ramyasiri, a 57-year-old fisherman who poses for tourists while propped up on a pole in Kogalla lake near Galle, says the government is not providing enough help.

He says he used to make up to $20 in tips from tourists every day before the attacks, now he barely makes a dollar.

He said he has sold the family gold and may not be able to send his younger daughter to university.

"We need money, not loans. If tourists don`t come back, how will I repay the loan?" asked Ramyasiri. "They have actually bombed us and our livelihoods."

Pearl Divers, a diving school on one of Sri Lanka`s most popular southern beaches, shut shop for two months after suicide bombers attacked churches and hotels on the island on Easter Sunday, killing about 250 people.

Pearl Divers, a diving school on one of Sri Lanka`s most popular southern beaches, shut shop for two months after suicide bombers attacked churches and hotels on the island on Easter Sunday, killing about 250 people. It had no customers as tourists cancelled holidays, and its manager Nuwan Harshana says he took two months leave and a pay cut. Last week, he dusted off the diving equipment and boats, used to carry scuba enthusiasts off the shore of Unawatuna beach, in the hope that foreigners will start to trickle into the country again and the shop can slowly build back to the $800 a day in revenue it made before the attacks. But there is no sign of any quick upturn in his fortunes. "Everything was good before April. Now that situation is finished ... there are no customers," said Harshana, who said he is worried about earning enough to look after his wife and two children, while also meeting his monthly loan payments. The economy of Sri Lanka, a sun-drenched island in the Indian Ocean, depends heavily on the $4.4 billion tourism industry. Small businesses like Pearl Divers have been on the rise since the nation`s civil war ended in 2009 and tourists poured in. But after the bombings in April, tourist arrivals slumped 70 per cent in May and 57 per cent in June from a year earlier. Many small businesses, that employ thousands, are now either forced to lay off staff or have them work for minimal pay. This is already having a domino effect on the economy, further hitting consumer demand. The government has introduced a series of measures to boost tourism, including lowering airport charges, cutting taxes on jet fuel and pushing hotels to offer discounts. It is planning to relax visa rules for residents of a number of countries. It has also asked banks to lower lending rates and give loan moratoriums. But the relief is yet to reach many small businesses that make up the backbone of the economy. "Clearly it took banks a bit of time to gear up for it ... As they had to work out the decision-making process," central bank governor Indrajit Coomaraswamy said on Thursday. Dilum Ranjana, who owns a foot spa in the fort city of Galle in the south, said he had to fire three of seven employees and postpone plans to open a second branch because he was getting hardly any income in the past couple of months. "It is not easy to get a loan, there is a lot of paperwork and bureaucracy," said Ranjana, who has monthly expenses of $2,300 in rent, bills and salaries. He said he has so far made $570 in July, a tenth of what he did last year. "All my plans are lost, they are ruined," he said. Rising Bad Loans Tourism was the third largest and fastest growing source of foreign currency for Sri Lanka last year, and accounted for 4.9 percent of the country`s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2018. The government expects a shortfall of $800-900 million in tourism revenue this year, which will widen its current account deficit to 3per cent of GDP from the 2.3 per cent it had earlier expected, a top central bank official told Reuters. The central bank has also slashed its growth forecast for the year to 3per cent from 4 per cent earlier. "The main concern is rising non-performing loans due to sluggish economic growth after the attacks," the official said. When the diving business was booming, Harshana said he took a loan of $57,000 in 2017 to convert an old house into a no-frills hostel which earned him $114 a night from tourists in peak season. It is currently closed because he has no bookings. After letting him postpone loan payments of $630 for both May and June, the bank is giving no such concession for July, he said. "I have to manage with my savings but I don`t have much. People like us, we rise slowly but the fall is sudden," he said. 'They bombed us' The island received 2.5 million foreign tourists last year and with Lonely Planet magazine endorsing it as 2019`s top destination, the government was hoping to draw in more than 3 million this year. It now hopes to get around 2 million tourists, said Johanne Jayaratne, chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority. Airlines cancelled 41 weekly flights after the attacks and while carriers like Emirates have resumed their schedule, China Eastern, for instance, is still operating only four flights a week - half of what it used to. G.W. Ramyasiri, a 57-year-old fisherman who poses for tourists while propped up on a pole in Kogalla lake near Galle, says the government is not providing enough help. He says he used to make up to $20 in tips from tourists every day before the attacks, now he barely makes a dollar. He said he has sold the family gold and may not be able to send his younger daughter to university. "We need money, not loans. If tourists don`t come back, how will I repay the loan?" asked Ramyasiri. "They have actually bombed us and our livelihoods."

'They bombed our livelihoods': Sri Lanka's tourism firms struggle after attacks

At least two children were killed in an explosion in Afghanistan's northern province of Balkh on Monday.

According to the 209 Shaheen Corps spokesman Mohammad Haneef Rezaee&nbsp;the&nbsp;explosion was planted by militants.

The blast took place in Chahar Bolak district of Balkh.

&nbsp;

At least two children were killed in an explosion in Afghanistan's northern province of Balkh on Monday. According to the 209 Shaheen Corps spokesman Mohammad Haneef Rezaee the explosion was planted by militants.

At least two children were killed in an explosion in Afghanistan's northern province of Balkh on Monday. According to the 209 Shaheen Corps spokesman Mohammad Haneef Rezaee the explosion was planted by militants. The blast took place in Chahar Bolak district of Balkh.

At least 2 killed in bomb explosion in Afghanistan

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-africas-jacob-zuma-to-take-centre-stage-at-graft-inquiry-236058">Former South African president Jacob Zuma</a> told a corruption inquiry on Monday that he had never broken the law with the Gupta family, describing the businessmen at the centre of an influence-peddling scandal as friends.

Zuma also said he was the victim of a conspiracy by enemies who had tried to get rid of him for more than 20 years.

His appearance at the inquiry – set up to test allegations that Zuma allowed cronies to plunder state resources and influence government appointments – marked a dramatic fall from grace for a politician who long dominated the country’s politics.

Referring to the three Gupta brothers, Zuma said, "I never did anything with them unlawfully, they just remained friends. … Never, never did I discuss any matter that does not belong to them".

"They were businesspeople and successful businesspeople," Zuma continued. "I`m not a businessperson, I know nothing about business, I`m a politician, I know something about politics."

Zuma, ousted by the governing African National Congress (ANC) in February 2018 and replaced by President Cyril Ramaphosa, has consistently denied wrongdoing over his nine years in power.

Under pressure from rivals in the ANC, Zuma set up the corruption inquiry he now sits before in his final weeks as president, as a number of his colleagues, including Ramaphosa, feared scandals surrounding Zuma could indelibly tarnish the party`s reputation.

Zuma had avoided establishing the inquiry since a 2016 report by South Africa`s anti-corruption watchdog, the public protector, instructed him to do so to investigate allegations that three Gupta brothers had been able to influence ministerial appointments and had won state contracts improperly.

Former South African president Jacob Zuma told a corruption inquiry on Monday that he had never broken the law with the Gupta family, describing the businessmen at the centre of an influence-peddling scandal as friends.

Former South African president Jacob Zuma told a corruption inquiry on Monday that he had never broken the law with the Gupta family, describing the businessmen at the centre of an influence-peddling scandal as friends. Zuma also said he was the victim of a conspiracy by enemies who had tried to get rid of him for more than 20 years. His appearance at the inquiry – set up to test allegations that Zuma allowed cronies to plunder state resources and influence government appointments – marked a dramatic fall from grace for a politician who long dominated the country’s politics. Referring to the three Gupta brothers, Zuma said, "I never did anything with them unlawfully, they just remained friends. … Never, never did I discuss any matter that does not belong to them". "They were businesspeople and successful businesspeople," Zuma continued. "I`m not a businessperson, I know nothing about business, I`m a politician, I know something about politics." Zuma, ousted by the governing African National Congress (ANC) in February 2018 and replaced by President Cyril Ramaphosa, has consistently denied wrongdoing over his nine years in power. Under pressure from rivals in the ANC, Zuma set up the corruption inquiry he now sits before in his final weeks as president, as a number of his colleagues, including Ramaphosa, feared scandals surrounding Zuma could indelibly tarnish the party`s reputation. Zuma had avoided establishing the inquiry since a 2016 report by South Africa`s anti-corruption watchdog, the public protector, instructed him to do so to investigate allegations that three Gupta brothers had been able to influence ministerial appointments and had won state contracts improperly.

South Africa's Jacob Zuma denies breaking law with business brothers

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