A fresh inquiry into the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/some-intelligence-officers-were-aware-of-this-incident-sri-lanka-minister-on-seriel-bomb-blast-212564">Easter suicide bombings that hit Sri Lanka</a> killing at least 258 people was ordered by President Maithripala Sirisena on Sunday, after concerns from the Catholic Church that current probes are not independent.

The government has blamed a local jihadi group, the National Thowheeth Jama'ath (NTJ) for the April 21<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/easter-bombing-caused-a-huge-loss-to-the-tourism-industry-sri-lankan-minister-243132"> attacks</a> on three churches and three luxury hotels, while the Islamic State group also claimed responsibility.

Sirisena said the commission has wide judicial powers to gather evidence on those responsible for the bombings and to probe security and intelligence lapses.

The five-member panel is headed by a Court of Appeal judge and includes three other judges and a retired civil servant. It is to report back with recommendations within three months.

The inquiry was launched amid fears voiced by the country's Catholic Church that a parliamentary probe and police investigation into the attacks are not sufficiently independent.

While the newly-launched inquiry is being carried out by a cross-section of MPs, many opposition members are boycotting it. They say the commission is being used by political parties to deflect any responsibility for failing to stop the attacks.

Sirisena, who is also the minister in charge of law and order, has said that all those responsible for the attacks were either killed or under arrest.

A parliamentary public inquiry has heard evidence from intelligence and senior police officials that Sirisena neglected national security issues and failed to convene regular national security council meetings.

The president has also been accused of failing to act on precise Indian intelligence that jihadists were about to hit Christian churches and other targets in Sri Lanka.

Sirisena has denied the accusations, and sacked his top defence official and the intelligence chief after blaming them for the lapses.&nbsp;

The Police chief, Pujith Jayasundara, was also suspended, and he -- along with the secretary to the ministry of defence -- are both facing criminal prosecution over their failure to prevent the bombings.

Sri Lankan authorities failed to arrest the known jihadist who led the attacks -- Zahran Hashim -- before they occurred, the country's top intelligence official has said.

Ten days before the bombings, Jayasundara warned that Hashim's NTJ group could target prominent churches. But this was not followed up.

The government has admitted there were intelligence failures before the attacks.

A fresh inquiry into the Easter suicide bombings that hit Sri Lanka killing at least 258 people was ordered by President Maithripala Sirisena on Sunday, after concerns from the Catholic Church that current probes are not independent.

A fresh inquiry into the Easter suicide bombings that hit Sri Lanka killing at least 258 people was ordered by President Maithripala Sirisena on Sunday, after concerns from the Catholic Church that current probes are not independent. The government has blamed a local jihadi group, the National Thowheeth Jama'ath (NTJ) for the April 21 attacks on three churches and three luxury hotels, while the Islamic State group also claimed responsibility. Sirisena said the commission has wide judicial powers to gather evidence on those responsible for the bombings and to probe security and intelligence lapses. The five-member panel is headed by a Court of Appeal judge and includes three other judges and a retired civil servant. It is to report back with recommendations within three months. The inquiry was launched amid fears voiced by the country's Catholic Church that a parliamentary probe and police investigation into the attacks are not sufficiently independent. While the newly-launched inquiry is being carried out by a cross-section of MPs, many opposition members are boycotting it. They say the commission is being used by political parties to deflect any responsibility for failing to stop the attacks. Sirisena, who is also the minister in charge of law and order, has said that all those responsible for the attacks were either killed or under arrest. A parliamentary public inquiry has heard evidence from intelligence and senior police officials that Sirisena neglected national security issues and failed to convene regular national security council meetings. The president has also been accused of failing to act on precise Indian intelligence that jihadists were about to hit Christian churches and other targets in Sri Lanka. Sirisena has denied the accusations, and sacked his top defence official and the intelligence chief after blaming them for the lapses. The Police chief, Pujith Jayasundara, was also suspended, and he -- along with the secretary to the ministry of defence -- are both facing criminal prosecution over their failure to prevent the bombings. Sri Lankan authorities failed to arrest the known jihadist who led the attacks -- Zahran Hashim -- before they occurred, the country's top intelligence official has said. Ten days before the bombings, Jayasundara warned that Hashim's NTJ group could target prominent churches. But this was not followed up. The government has admitted there were intelligence failures before the attacks.

Sri Lanka orders fresh probe into Easter suicide bombings

North Korea's chief negotiator in talks with the United States welcomed Donald Trump's suggestion of trying a "new method" in negotiations, and hailed the exit of his hawkish national security advisor.

The US President had fired John Bolton last week, revealing deep divisions between the two on major foreign policy issues including nuclear talks with Pyongyang.

Trump on Thursday said he would consider trying a "new method" in talks with Pyongyang, which have been deadlocked since the collapse of his second summit with Kim Jong Un collapsed in February.

Kim Myong Gil, Pyongyang's top delegate for working-level negotiations with Washington, said the comment underscored a "political perception and disposition peculiar to President Trump", calling it a "wise political decision" in a statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency.

"At the moment I am not quite sure what he implied in his suggestion of 'new method'," he added.

"It seems he wanted to imply that a step-by-step solution starting with the things feasible first while building trust in each other would be the best option."

Trump had criticised Bolton's suggestion of the "Libyan model" for North Korea, a reference to a denuclearisation deal with the African nation's former dictator Moamer Kadhafi -- who was killed after being deposed in 2011.

Pyongyang had bristled at that comment, which Trump said had "set us very back very badly".

Kim Myong Gil described Bolton as "a nasty trouble-maker who used to face everything out of his anachronistic way of thinking".

North Korea and the United States agreed to restart working-level dialogue during an impromptu meeting between Trump and Kim Jong Un at the Demilitarized Zone dividing the two Koreas in June, and Pyongyang has offered to hold those talks in late September, a move the US has described as "encouraging".

There has been no announcement yet on the venue and precise schedule for the talks.

North Korea's chief negotiator in talks with the United States welcomed Donald Trump's suggestion of trying a "new method" in negotiations, and hailed the exit of his hawkish national security advisor.

North Korea's chief negotiator in talks with the United States welcomed Donald Trump's suggestion of trying a "new method" in negotiations, and hailed the exit of his hawkish national security advisor. The US President had fired John Bolton last week, revealing deep divisions between the two on major foreign policy issues including nuclear talks with Pyongyang. Trump on Thursday said he would consider trying a "new method" in talks with Pyongyang, which have been deadlocked since the collapse of his second summit with Kim Jong Un collapsed in February. Kim Myong Gil, Pyongyang's top delegate for working-level negotiations with Washington, said the comment underscored a "political perception and disposition peculiar to President Trump", calling it a "wise political decision" in a statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency. "At the moment I am not quite sure what he implied in his suggestion of 'new method'," he added. "It seems he wanted to imply that a step-by-step solution starting with the things feasible first while building trust in each other would be the best option." Trump had criticised Bolton's suggestion of the "Libyan model" for North Korea, a reference to a denuclearisation deal with the African nation's former dictator Moamer Kadhafi -- who was killed after being deposed in 2011. Pyongyang had bristled at that comment, which Trump said had "set us very back very badly". Kim Myong Gil described Bolton as "a nasty trouble-maker who used to face everything out of his anachronistic way of thinking". North Korea and the United States agreed to restart working-level dialogue during an impromptu meeting between Trump and Kim Jong Un at the Demilitarized Zone dividing the two Koreas in June, and Pyongyang has offered to hold those talks in late September, a move the US has described as "encouraging". There has been no announcement yet on the venue and precise schedule for the talks.

Top North Korea negotiator praises Trump's 'new method' suggestion

Thousands of protesters took to the streets of the Algerian capital on Friday in defiance of a heavy security presence to demand the ouster of the country's army chief.

Demonstrators gathered near the capital's main post office square -- the epicentre of Algeria's protest movement that forced longtime president Abdelaziz Bouteflika to step down in April -- this time calling for the removal of General Ahmed Gaid Salah.

"The people want the fall of Gaid Salah," they chanted, referring to the de facto strongman in post-Bouteflika Algeria.&nbsp;

"Take us all to prison, the people will not stop."

Friday's demonstration marked Algeria's 31st consecutive week of rallies, but protesters faced a heavy deployment of security forces in the city centre and along its main avenues.

The army chief on Wednesday ordered police to block protesters from outside Algiers entering the capital, in a bid to stem the flow of people attending anti-regime rallies.&nbsp;

The tougher line on demonstrations comes after interim president Abdelkader Bensalah on Sunday announced a December 12 date for a presidential election to fill the vacuum left by Bouteflika's departure.

Gaid Salah has led the push for polls by the end of 2019, despite mass protests demanding political reforms and the removal of the former president's loyalists -- including Gaid Salah himself -- before any vote.

'Growing crackdown'

In the runup to the rally, police made several arrests near the square, AFP photographers said.&nbsp;

Police also stopped vehicles on main streets in the capital and an AFP journalist saw officers in plainclothes ask numerous people for identity papers, before some were led off to nearby vans.&nbsp;

A police helicopter hovered above, while security forces stopped cars headed towards the centre from Algiers' southwest entrance.

Activists on social media reported traffic jams stretching "several kilometres" from the entrances of the capital.

Said Salhi, deputy head of the Algerian League for the Defence of Human Rights, condemned the heightened security measures as "illegal".

Demonstrations have officially been banned in Algiers since 2001 but the prohibition had been ignored since rallies started on February 22 against the ailing Bouteflika's bid for a fifth presidential term.

Presidential polls originally planned for July 4 were postponed due to a lack of viable candidates, plunging the country into a constitutional crisis as Bensalah's 90-day mandate expired the same month.&nbsp;

The army's high command has rejected any solution to the crisis other than presidential elections "in the shortest possible time".

On Thursday, Amnesty International slammed the "growing crackdown that has seen dozens of protesters arrested over the past 10 days".

Heba Morayef, the rights group's Middle East and North Africa head, said the "resumption of sweeping arbitrary arrests... is a clear indication that the right to freedom of assembly and expression in Algeria is still very much under threat".

That statement came the same day as former state TV journalist Fodil Boumala was reportedly arrested.

Boumala, a leading figure in the protests, was detained on accusations of "undermining national unity", and a court on Thursday ordered his pre-trial detention, his lawyer Abdelghani Badi said on Facebook.&nbsp;

He was the third protest movement figure to be detained within a week, following Karim Tabbou late last week and Samir Benlarbi on Tuesday.

Thousands of protesters took to the streets of the Algerian capital on Friday in defiance of a heavy security presence to demand the ouster of the country's army chief.

Thousands of protesters took to the streets of the Algerian capital on Friday in defiance of a heavy security presence to demand the ouster of the country's army chief. Demonstrators gathered near the capital's main post office square -- the epicentre of Algeria's protest movement that forced longtime president Abdelaziz Bouteflika to step down in April -- this time calling for the removal of General Ahmed Gaid Salah. "The people want the fall of Gaid Salah," they chanted, referring to the de facto strongman in post-Bouteflika Algeria. "Take us all to prison, the people will not stop." Friday's demonstration marked Algeria's 31st consecutive week of rallies, but protesters faced a heavy deployment of security forces in the city centre and along its main avenues. The army chief on Wednesday ordered police to block protesters from outside Algiers entering the capital, in a bid to stem the flow of people attending anti-regime rallies. The tougher line on demonstrations comes after interim president Abdelkader Bensalah on Sunday announced a December 12 date for a presidential election to fill the vacuum left by Bouteflika's departure. Gaid Salah has led the push for polls by the end of 2019, despite mass protests demanding political reforms and the removal of the former president's loyalists -- including Gaid Salah himself -- before any vote. 'Growing crackdown' In the runup to the rally, police made several arrests near the square, AFP photographers said. Police also stopped vehicles on main streets in the capital and an AFP journalist saw officers in plainclothes ask numerous people for identity papers, before some were led off to nearby vans. A police helicopter hovered above, while security forces stopped cars headed towards the centre from Algiers' southwest entrance. Activists on social media reported traffic jams stretching "several kilometres" from the entrances of the capital. Said Salhi, deputy head of the Algerian League for the Defence of Human Rights, condemned the heightened security measures as "illegal". Demonstrations have officially been banned in Algiers since 2001 but the prohibition had been ignored since rallies started on February 22 against the ailing Bouteflika's bid for a fifth presidential term. Presidential polls originally planned for July 4 were postponed due to a lack of viable candidates, plunging the country into a constitutional crisis as Bensalah's 90-day mandate expired the same month. The army's high command has rejected any solution to the crisis other than presidential elections "in the shortest possible time". On Thursday, Amnesty International slammed the "growing crackdown that has seen dozens of protesters arrested over the past 10 days". Heba Morayef, the rights group's Middle East and North Africa head, said the "resumption of sweeping arbitrary arrests... is a clear indication that the right to freedom of assembly and expression in Algeria is still very much under threat". That statement came the same day as former state TV journalist Fodil Boumala was reportedly arrested. Boumala, a leading figure in the protests, was detained on accusations of "undermining national unity", and a court on Thursday ordered his pre-trial detention, his lawyer Abdelghani Badi said on Facebook. He was the third protest movement figure to be detained within a week, following Karim Tabbou late last week and Samir Benlarbi on Tuesday.

Thousands protest in Algiers despite tight security

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The Congress party is likely to get its new headquarters this year on its Foundation Day which falls on December 28.

The new office, which is coming up at 9, Kotla Road in central Delhi, will be named "Indira Gandhi Bhawan" after late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. It will be inaugurated by interim President Sonia Gandhi, a top party source said.

As of now, the AICC is located at 24, Akbar Road which has been serving as the party's headquarters for the last four decades. The upcoming party office on Kotla road will be a six-floor building near the BJP's national office on Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg.

Interestingly the new Congress office also has two gates one which opens on the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg but the party has decided to make its Kotla Road entrance as its main gate, which will also serve as the official address of the party.

Besides 24 Akbar Road headquarters, the party has other addresses in the national capital including 26 Akbar Road where Sewa Dal a wing of the party has its main office and 5 Raisina Road where Youth Congress and NSUI have their offices.

The Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry, which is in charge of land and buildings in the capital, has already given notice to Congress to vacate the bungalows. The new party headquarters will also be the new address for Sewa Dal, NSUI and IYC.&nbsp;
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The Congress party is likely to get its new headquarters this year on its Foundation Day which falls on December 28. The new office, which is coming up at 9, Kotla Road in central Delhi, will be named "Indira Gandhi Bhawan" after late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

The Congress party is likely to get its new headquarters this year on its Foundation Day which falls on December 28. The new office, which is coming up at 9, Kotla Road in central Delhi, will be named "Indira Gandhi Bhawan" after late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. It will be inaugurated by interim President Sonia Gandhi, a top party source said. As of now, the AICC is located at 24, Akbar Road which has been serving as the party's headquarters for the last four decades. The upcoming party office on Kotla road will be a six-floor building near the BJP's national office on Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg. Interestingly the new Congress office also has two gates one which opens on the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg but the party has decided to make its Kotla Road entrance as its main gate, which will also serve as the official address of the party. Besides 24 Akbar Road headquarters, the party has other addresses in the national capital including 26 Akbar Road where Sewa Dal a wing of the party has its main office and 5 Raisina Road where Youth Congress and NSUI have their offices. The Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry, which is in charge of land and buildings in the capital, has already given notice to Congress to vacate the bungalows. The new party headquarters will also be the new address for Sewa Dal, NSUI and IYC.

Congress likely to get new headquarters in New Delhi on its Foundation Day in December

<div class="content" itemprop="articleBody">
The Indian government's move to revoke Article 370 that accorded special status to Jammu and Kashmir has a "national security connotation", External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Friday, while emphasising that the country "lives in a tough neighbourhood" and faces more than its fair share of national security challenges.

Addressing the Finnish Institute of International Affairs (FIIA), the minister, in an apparent reference to Pakistan, said that the most prominent national security challenge that India has been subjected to for many decades is the "cross border terrorism", which has cost more than 40,000 lives in the past 3 decades.

"We are opposed to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and believe there is no justification for it, whatsoever. But it is not just enough to have a position. When subjected to terrorist attacks, any polity that is sincerely committed to the welfare of its people will surely respond," Jaishankar said.

"And indeed, that is precisely what we have done in recent years. Even the changes that were approved last month by the Indian Parliament with respect to Jammu and Kashmir, while driven by the needs of governance and development, and have a national security connotation," he added.

Referring to Pakistan, Jaishankar said that the epicentre of terrorism is "right in our neighbourhood. But even as we take our responsive measures, our belief is that this is not just a concern for one country but for the entire international community."

The External Affairs Minister is on a three-day visit to Finland.
</div>

The Indian government's move to revoke Article 370 that accorded special status to Jammu and Kashmir has a "national security connotation", External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Friday, while emphasising that the country "lives in a tough neighbourhood" and faces more than its fair share of national security challenges.

The Indian government's move to revoke Article 370 that accorded special status to Jammu and Kashmir has a "national security connotation", External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Friday, while emphasising that the country "lives in a tough neighbourhood" and faces more than its fair share of national security challenges. Addressing the Finnish Institute of International Affairs (FIIA), the minister, in an apparent reference to Pakistan, said that the most prominent national security challenge that India has been subjected to for many decades is the "cross border terrorism", which has cost more than 40,000 lives in the past 3 decades. "We are opposed to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and believe there is no justification for it, whatsoever. But it is not just enough to have a position. When subjected to terrorist attacks, any polity that is sincerely committed to the welfare of its people will surely respond," Jaishankar said. "And indeed, that is precisely what we have done in recent years. Even the changes that were approved last month by the Indian Parliament with respect to Jammu and Kashmir, while driven by the needs of governance and development, and have a national security connotation," he added. Referring to Pakistan, Jaishankar said that the epicentre of terrorism is "right in our neighbourhood. But even as we take our responsive measures, our belief is that this is not just a concern for one country but for the entire international community." The External Affairs Minister is on a three-day visit to Finland.

Epicentre of terrorism is right in our neighbourhood: S Jaishankar

UN chief demands 'positive' news as countries gear for 'emergency' climate summit

Two Pakistani parliamentarians and human rights campaigners were released on bail in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province after four months in detention, their lawyer said on Saturday.

The two lawmakers, Ali Wazir, and Mohsin Dawar, along with several activists of the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM), were arrested after a deadly clash between troops and activists at a security post in northern<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/massive-protests-expected-in-pok-251019"> Pakistan</a> in May.

"Both the parliamentarians were released from Haripur jail after midnight," Tariq Afghan, the lawyer for the two leaders told Reuters.

PTM campaigns against alleged extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances of Pashtuns and other ethic minorities.

It emerged last year after the killing of an ethnic Pashtun man by police in the southern city of Karachi, which led to nationwide protests and turned the issue of alleged state violence against Pashtuns into a national debate.

The military has accused the PTM of being funded by foreign intelligence agencies - a veiled reference to arch-foe India and its Afghan allies - to stoke unrest in Pakistan's Pashtun lands after the Pakistani army defeated Islamist militants there.

The PTM denies foreign links.

On May 26, soldiers at a security post fired on a group of protesters led by PTM leaders and serving parliamentarians Mohsin Dawar and Ali Wazir, according to PTM representatives, who said 13 of their supporters were killed.

The army said troops exchanged fire with the protesters when they attacked the checkpoint, and that three of the attackers were killed.

On his release, Dawar posted a tweet describing the incident as a massacre.

"In its aftermath, this State piled up even more violations of human rights, decency in its treatment of Ali and myself," he said in the tweet on Saturday.

A spokesman for Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistan-pm-imran-khan-performed-umrah-with-his-wife-250837">Imran Khan</a>'s government was not available to comment on Dawar's allegations.&nbsp;

Two Pakistani parliamentarians and human rights campaigners were released on bail in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province after four months in detention, their lawyer said on Saturday.

Two Pakistani parliamentarians and human rights campaigners were released on bail in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province after four months in detention, their lawyer said on Saturday. The two lawmakers, Ali Wazir, and Mohsin Dawar, along with several activists of the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM), were arrested after a deadly clash between troops and activists at a security post in northern Pakistan in May. "Both the parliamentarians were released from Haripur jail after midnight," Tariq Afghan, the lawyer for the two leaders told Reuters. PTM campaigns against alleged extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances of Pashtuns and other ethic minorities. It emerged last year after the killing of an ethnic Pashtun man by police in the southern city of Karachi, which led to nationwide protests and turned the issue of alleged state violence against Pashtuns into a national debate. The military has accused the PTM of being funded by foreign intelligence agencies - a veiled reference to arch-foe India and its Afghan allies - to stoke unrest in Pakistan's Pashtun lands after the Pakistani army defeated Islamist militants there. The PTM denies foreign links. On May 26, soldiers at a security post fired on a group of protesters led by PTM leaders and serving parliamentarians Mohsin Dawar and Ali Wazir, according to PTM representatives, who said 13 of their supporters were killed. The army said troops exchanged fire with the protesters when they attacked the checkpoint, and that three of the attackers were killed. On his release, Dawar posted a tweet describing the incident as a massacre. "In its aftermath, this State piled up even more violations of human rights, decency in its treatment of Ali and myself," he said in the tweet on Saturday. A spokesman for Prime Minister Imran Khan's government was not available to comment on Dawar's allegations.

Pakistan frees two Pashtun lawmakers after months of detention

China's state-run Aerospace Long-March International Trade Co (ALIT) on Friday rejected Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena's allegation of misappropriating 2 billion rupees ($11 million) in a deal to work on the construction of South Asia's tallest tower.

Sirisena made the allegation at the inauguration on Monday of the 356-meter Lotus Tower, which overlooks Beira Lake in Colombo, sparking a political row in the country, which has relied heavily on China for project finance. A parliamentary panel will investigate the allegation.

The $104.3 million projects were 80 per cent&nbsp;funded by Exim Bank of China, with China National Electronics Import &amp; Export Corporation (CEIEC) and ALIT recommended as the main contractors by the Chinese government.

Sirisena alleged ALIT in 2016 had vanished, misappropriating some 2 billion rupees deposited with it by Sri Lanka's state-run Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (TRC).

ALIT in a statement said it had left the consortium in August 2015, entrusting its partner CEIEC to act solely on its behalf to fulfill the contract with the TRC.

It also said the TRC, according to the contract, paid $15.6 million (2 billion rupees) into CEIEC's account in Exim Bank in October 2012, the same amount to which Sirisena referred to as misappropriated.

"This sum had been used for the project purpose solely," ALIT said in a statement, without elaborating how and when the money was spent.

Sirisena's predecessor, Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was in power when the alleged incident took place in 2012, has denied any corruption in the deal.

Sri Lanka's Committee On Public Enterprises (COPE) said on Wednesday it will probe the allegation.

After coming to power in 2015, Sirisena suspended most Chinese-backed infrastructure projects started under Rajapaksa, citing allegations of corruption and the flouting of rules.

Sirisena's Lotus Tower allegation comes ahead of a presidential election set for November 16, which Rajapaksa's brother Gotabaya Rajapaksa is expected to contest.

Political sources close to Sirisena and Rajapaksa have said talks between the president's center-left Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and Rajapaksa's Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) for a coalition deal have broken down.

China's state-run Aerospace Long-March International Trade Co (ALIT) on Friday rejected Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena's allegation of misappropriating 2 billion rupees ($11 million) in a deal to work on the construction of South Asia's tallest tower.

China's state-run Aerospace Long-March International Trade Co (ALIT) on Friday rejected Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena's allegation of misappropriating 2 billion rupees ($11 million) in a deal to work on the construction of South Asia's tallest tower. Sirisena made the allegation at the inauguration on Monday of the 356-meter Lotus Tower, which overlooks Beira Lake in Colombo, sparking a political row in the country, which has relied heavily on China for project finance. A parliamentary panel will investigate the allegation. The $104.3 million projects were 80 per cent funded by Exim Bank of China, with China National Electronics Import & Export Corporation (CEIEC) and ALIT recommended as the main contractors by the Chinese government. Sirisena alleged ALIT in 2016 had vanished, misappropriating some 2 billion rupees deposited with it by Sri Lanka's state-run Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (TRC). ALIT in a statement said it had left the consortium in August 2015, entrusting its partner CEIEC to act solely on its behalf to fulfill the contract with the TRC. It also said the TRC, according to the contract, paid $15.6 million (2 billion rupees) into CEIEC's account in Exim Bank in October 2012, the same amount to which Sirisena referred to as misappropriated. "This sum had been used for the project purpose solely," ALIT said in a statement, without elaborating how and when the money was spent. Sirisena's predecessor, Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was in power when the alleged incident took place in 2012, has denied any corruption in the deal. Sri Lanka's Committee On Public Enterprises (COPE) said on Wednesday it will probe the allegation. After coming to power in 2015, Sirisena suspended most Chinese-backed infrastructure projects started under Rajapaksa, citing allegations of corruption and the flouting of rules. Sirisena's Lotus Tower allegation comes ahead of a presidential election set for November 16, which Rajapaksa's brother Gotabaya Rajapaksa is expected to contest. Political sources close to Sirisena and Rajapaksa have said talks between the president's center-left Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and Rajapaksa's Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) for a coalition deal have broken down.

China's ALIT rejects Sri Lanka leader's graft allegation

Iran denied on Saturday its oil infrastructure had been successfully attacked by a cyber operation, after reports of disruptions to the sector online.

"Contrary to Western media claims, investigations done today show no successful cyberattack was made on the country's oil installations and other crucial infrastructure," the government's cybersecurity official said.

The statement did not specify which reports it was addressing.

NetBlocks, an organization that tracks internet outages, tweeted early Saturday that "network data show intermittent disruptions to internet connectivity in #Iran."

But it said the cause was unclear and impact limited, affecting "online industrial and government platforms" and specific providers.

"Data are consistent with a cyber attack or unplanned technical incident on affected networks as opposed to a purposeful withdrawal of shutdown incident," it added.

Iran's Telecommunications Minister Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi has acknowledged in the past that Tehran has "been facing cyber terrorism such as Stuxnet."

The Stuxnet virus, discovered in 2010, is believed to have been engineered by Israel and the US to damage nuclear facilities in Iran.

Iran at the time accused the US and Israel of using the virus to target its centrifuges used for uranium enrichment.

Iran denied on Saturday its oil infrastructure had been successfully attacked by a cyber operation, after reports of disruptions to the sector online. "Contrary to Western media claims, investigations done today show no successful cyberattack was made on the country's oil installations and other crucial infrastructure," the government's cybersecurity official said.

Iran denied on Saturday its oil infrastructure had been successfully attacked by a cyber operation, after reports of disruptions to the sector online. "Contrary to Western media claims, investigations done today show no successful cyberattack was made on the country's oil installations and other crucial infrastructure," the government's cybersecurity official said. The statement did not specify which reports it was addressing. NetBlocks, an organization that tracks internet outages, tweeted early Saturday that "network data show intermittent disruptions to internet connectivity in #Iran." But it said the cause was unclear and impact limited, affecting "online industrial and government platforms" and specific providers. "Data are consistent with a cyber attack or unplanned technical incident on affected networks as opposed to a purposeful withdrawal of shutdown incident," it added. Iran's Telecommunications Minister Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi has acknowledged in the past that Tehran has "been facing cyber terrorism such as Stuxnet." The Stuxnet virus, discovered in 2010, is believed to have been engineered by Israel and the US to damage nuclear facilities in Iran. Iran at the time accused the US and Israel of using the virus to target its centrifuges used for uranium enrichment.

Iran denies successful cyber attacks on oil sector

Police detained dozens of protesters in Kazakhstan Saturday for rallying against Chinese economic expansion and former strongman President Nursultan Nazarbayev, who is still a powerful force in the former Soviet nation.

An AFP correspondent saw around three dozen people apprehended by police and bundled into vans in the centre&nbsp;of Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city.

Kazakhstan's interior ministry said that 57 people had been detained in Almaty and Nur-Sultan, the national capital, for participating in unsanctioned protests.

"Despite repeated warnings from the prosecutor's office, some citizens succumbed to the provocative calls of a banned extremist organization," the interior ministry said, referring to the Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan organization.

One man in Almaty criticized the government for favouring Chinese investment and trade over local production.

"They have turned us into a raw goods country!" he said.

After he finished speaking, police detained him.

In Nur-Sultan, a journalist for Radio Free Europe's Kazakh Service, Saniya Toiken, was detained while attempting to cover the protests, Toiken told AFP after police released her.

Kazakh courts sentenced around 50 people to detention for up to 15 days ahead of the protest, according to civic groups monitoring the detentions.

DCK, which is led by long-time regime opponent Mukhtar Ablyazov, was ruled extremist by a Kazakh court last year.

Kazakhstan's state prosecutor said this week that Ablyazov a former energy minister and bank chief who fled the country in 2009 "misleads ordinary people" with calls to protest against the regime.

Kazakhstan's new President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev had earlier this month pledged to ease restrictive legislation on demonstrations.

Currently, all protests are illegal in Kazakhstan unless permitted by authorities, although some small protests and one-person pickets have been ignored by police in recent weeks.

Tokayev, 66, became president after the shock resignation in March of long-ruling leader Nazarbayev, who proposed the loyalist's candidacy at a meeting of the ruling party that Nazarbayev still chairs. &nbsp;

Police detained dozens of protesters in Kazakhstan Saturday for rallying against Chinese economic expansion and former strongman President Nursultan Nazarbayev, who is still a powerful force in the former Soviet nation.

Police detained dozens of protesters in Kazakhstan Saturday for rallying against Chinese economic expansion and former strongman President Nursultan Nazarbayev, who is still a powerful force in the former Soviet nation. An AFP correspondent saw around three dozen people apprehended by police and bundled into vans in the centre of Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city. Kazakhstan's interior ministry said that 57 people had been detained in Almaty and Nur-Sultan, the national capital, for participating in unsanctioned protests. "Despite repeated warnings from the prosecutor's office, some citizens succumbed to the provocative calls of a banned extremist organization," the interior ministry said, referring to the Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan organization. One man in Almaty criticized the government for favouring Chinese investment and trade over local production. "They have turned us into a raw goods country!" he said. After he finished speaking, police detained him. In Nur-Sultan, a journalist for Radio Free Europe's Kazakh Service, Saniya Toiken, was detained while attempting to cover the protests, Toiken told AFP after police released her. Kazakh courts sentenced around 50 people to detention for up to 15 days ahead of the protest, according to civic groups monitoring the detentions. DCK, which is led by long-time regime opponent Mukhtar Ablyazov, was ruled extremist by a Kazakh court last year. Kazakhstan's state prosecutor said this week that Ablyazov a former energy minister and bank chief who fled the country in 2009 "misleads ordinary people" with calls to protest against the regime. Kazakhstan's new President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev had earlier this month pledged to ease restrictive legislation on demonstrations. Currently, all protests are illegal in Kazakhstan unless permitted by authorities, although some small protests and one-person pickets have been ignored by police in recent weeks. Tokayev, 66, became president after the shock resignation in March of long-ruling leader Nazarbayev, who proposed the loyalist's candidacy at a meeting of the ruling party that Nazarbayev still chairs.

Dozens detained as Kazakhs protest against former president, China

Saudi Arabia will take appropriate steps to respond to an attack on its oil facilities if, as expected, a Saudi investigation confirms that Iran is responsible, a senior official said on Saturday.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir said the probe would prove that the September&nbsp;14 strikes came from the north and that Iran bore responsibility, a charge Tehran denies.

Riyadh has rejected a claim by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement that it carried out the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-aramco-has-emerged-from-attacks-stronger-than-ever-ceo-251027">strikes on two oil plants</a> that initially halved Saudi production, the largest-ever assault on oil facilities in the world's top oil exporter.

It has already said the investigation so far shows that Iranian weapons were used and the attack originated from the north, and that it was pinpointing the exact location.

Saudi Arabia will take appropriate steps to respond to an attack on its oil facilities if, as expected, a Saudi investigation confirms that Iran is responsible, a senior official said on Saturday.

Saudi Arabia will take appropriate steps to respond to an attack on its oil facilities if, as expected, a Saudi investigation confirms that Iran is responsible, a senior official said on Saturday. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir said the probe would prove that the September 14 strikes came from the north and that Iran bore responsibility, a charge Tehran denies. Riyadh has rejected a claim by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement that it carried out the strikes on two oil plants that initially halved Saudi production, the largest-ever assault on oil facilities in the world's top oil exporter. It has already said the investigation so far shows that Iranian weapons were used and the attack originated from the north, and that it was pinpointing the exact location.

Saudi says it will respond appropriately if probe confirms Iran's role in attacks

One child was killed and 11 others suffered injuries in a blast in Parwan province`s Charekar city on Saturday.

Interior Ministry`s spokesman Nusrat Rahimi has confirmed the attack and said that the Taliban was responsible for the blast, reported Tolo News.

However, the extremist outfit is yet to take responsibility for the attack, as per Pajhwok News Agency.

This comes days after the Taliban targetted an election rally of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani through a suicide attack.&nbsp;

In the attack, at least eight people were killed while 10 others were wounded.&nbsp;

One child was killed and 11 others suffered injuries in a blast in Parwan province`s Charekar city on Saturday. Interior Ministry`s spokesman Nusrat Rahimi has confirmed the attack and said that the Taliban was responsible for the blast, reported Tolo News.

One child was killed and 11 others suffered injuries in a blast in Parwan province`s Charekar city on Saturday. Interior Ministry`s spokesman Nusrat Rahimi has confirmed the attack and said that the Taliban was responsible for the blast, reported Tolo News. However, the extremist outfit is yet to take responsibility for the attack, as per Pajhwok News Agency. This comes days after the Taliban targetted an election rally of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani through a suicide attack. In the attack, at least eight people were killed while 10 others were wounded.

Afghanistan: 1 child killed, 11 others wounded in blast

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Zee News Rajasthan

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Punitipandey

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