<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-prime-minister-boris-johnson-under-fire-over-no-deal-brexit-assessment-249196">British Prime Minister Boris Johnson</a> denied Thursday that he had lied to Queen Elizabeth II when requesting the suspension of parliament this month in the run-up to Brexit.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-pm-johnson-tells-parliament-you-can-tie-my-hands-but-i-will-not-delay-brexit-248705">Johnson</a> asked the British head of state to shutter parliament for five weeks from last Tuesday, claiming it was necessary ahead of rolling out a new domestic agenda.

The unusually long suspension -- known as prorogation -- was widely seen as a bid to thwart opposition to a no-deal departure on the October 31 Brexit date, and provoked uproar across the political spectrum as well as legal challenges.

Asked if he had misled Queen Elizabeth over his motives for the suspension, which will see the House of Commons closed until October 14, Johnson said, "Absolutely not".

Meanwhile, in Brussels, EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said there was "no reason to be optimistic" about striking a possible divorce deal with Britain before a summit next month.

Johnson is adamant that the UK must leave the European Union on October 31 -- with or without a withdrawal agreement to smooth over the separation.

"We have no reason to be optimistic" that such an accord will be found in time for the crucial October 17-18 EU summit, Barnier told senior MEPs in Brussels.

Problems are mounting for Johnson, who finds himself increasingly boxed in on Brexit.

Johnson's government was forced Wednesday to release its no-deal Brexit contingency plans after a parliamentary vote.

Scotland's highest civil court on Wednesday sided with critics of the prorogation, ruling it was "unlawful" and intended to "stymie parliament".

Johnson's government has appealed against the decision and the case is set to be heard in Britain's Supreme Court next Tuesday.

In the meantime, parliament remains suspended.

Northern Ireland's High Court on Thursday dismissed several lawsuits filed there arguing the prorogation was illegal and that a no-deal Brexit would breach the terms of the province's 1998 peace accord.

Tom Brake, Brexit spokesman for the pro-EU opposition Liberal Democrats, said the government was withholding internal documents, messages and emails about the decision to prorogue parliament.

"I suspect that those documents... will confirm that the prime minister lied about the reason why," he told AFP.

"We all know that the reason he wanted to shut down parliament is because he didn't want parliament holding him to account."

'Worst-case scenario'

Johnson also vowed Thursday that Britain will be ready for a no-deal departure from the EU on October 31, despite his own government's assessment that planning remained "at a low level".

The prime minister insisted the government had been "massively accelerating" its preparations since the August 2 internal report, which was disclosed on Wednesday after MPs voted for its release.

He called the "Operation Yellowhammer" forecast, which warned of possible civil unrest and shortages of food and medicines following no deal, a "worst-case scenario".

"All the industries that matter will be ready for a no-deal Brexit," Johnson said.

The documents painted a grim picture of possible "public disorder and community tensions" as well as logjams at Channel ports, threatening supplies, after a no-deal departure.

Johnson hopeful of deal

Johnson took office in July promising to implement the referendum decision by leaving the EU on October 31 no matter what.

But he lost his parliamentary majority last week after a series of defections and expulsions from his governing Conservative Party amid opposition to his strident Brexit stance.

Ahead of the shutdown, lawmakers passed a law aimed at preventing a no-deal Brexit, but Johnson has insisted Britain will still depart the EU on schedule.

The British leader wants to renegotiate the divorce terms struck by his predecessor Theresa May, which MPs have repeatedly rejected.

In particular, he wants to change the so-called backstop provisions, which concern ways to keep the Northern Irish border with the Republic of Ireland open in all scenarios.

But European leaders accuse him of offering no viable alternatives.

Officials in Brussels increasingly accuse Johnson of conducting a sham negotiation as political cover while planning to crash out without an accord.

And European parliamentary leaders insisted Thursday there could be no divorce deal without the backstop.

Johnson insisted he remained "very hopeful" of a deal.&nbsp;

"It will be hard, but I think we can get there," he said.

 
&nbsp;

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson denied Thursday that he had lied to Queen Elizabeth II when requesting the suspension of parliament this month in the run-up to Brexit.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson denied Thursday that he had lied to Queen Elizabeth II when requesting the suspension of parliament this month in the run-up to Brexit. Johnson asked the British head of state to shutter parliament for five weeks from last Tuesday, claiming it was necessary ahead of rolling out a new domestic agenda. The unusually long suspension -- known as prorogation -- was widely seen as a bid to thwart opposition to a no-deal departure on the October 31 Brexit date, and provoked uproar across the political spectrum as well as legal challenges. Asked if he had misled Queen Elizabeth over his motives for the suspension, which will see the House of Commons closed until October 14, Johnson said, "Absolutely not". Meanwhile, in Brussels, EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said there was "no reason to be optimistic" about striking a possible divorce deal with Britain before a summit next month. Johnson is adamant that the UK must leave the European Union on October 31 -- with or without a withdrawal agreement to smooth over the separation. "We have no reason to be optimistic" that such an accord will be found in time for the crucial October 17-18 EU summit, Barnier told senior MEPs in Brussels. Problems are mounting for Johnson, who finds himself increasingly boxed in on Brexit. Johnson's government was forced Wednesday to release its no-deal Brexit contingency plans after a parliamentary vote. Scotland's highest civil court on Wednesday sided with critics of the prorogation, ruling it was "unlawful" and intended to "stymie parliament". Johnson's government has appealed against the decision and the case is set to be heard in Britain's Supreme Court next Tuesday. In the meantime, parliament remains suspended. Northern Ireland's High Court on Thursday dismissed several lawsuits filed there arguing the prorogation was illegal and that a no-deal Brexit would breach the terms of the province's 1998 peace accord. Tom Brake, Brexit spokesman for the pro-EU opposition Liberal Democrats, said the government was withholding internal documents, messages and emails about the decision to prorogue parliament. "I suspect that those documents... will confirm that the prime minister lied about the reason why," he told AFP. "We all know that the reason he wanted to shut down parliament is because he didn't want parliament holding him to account." 'Worst-case scenario' Johnson also vowed Thursday that Britain will be ready for a no-deal departure from the EU on October 31, despite his own government's assessment that planning remained "at a low level". The prime minister insisted the government had been "massively accelerating" its preparations since the August 2 internal report, which was disclosed on Wednesday after MPs voted for its release. He called the "Operation Yellowhammer" forecast, which warned of possible civil unrest and shortages of food and medicines following no deal, a "worst-case scenario". "All the industries that matter will be ready for a no-deal Brexit," Johnson said. The documents painted a grim picture of possible "public disorder and community tensions" as well as logjams at Channel ports, threatening supplies, after a no-deal departure. Johnson hopeful of deal Johnson took office in July promising to implement the referendum decision by leaving the EU on October 31 no matter what. But he lost his parliamentary majority last week after a series of defections and expulsions from his governing Conservative Party amid opposition to his strident Brexit stance. Ahead of the shutdown, lawmakers passed a law aimed at preventing a no-deal Brexit, but Johnson has insisted Britain will still depart the EU on schedule. The British leader wants to renegotiate the divorce terms struck by his predecessor Theresa May, which MPs have repeatedly rejected. In particular, he wants to change the so-called backstop provisions, which concern ways to keep the Northern Irish border with the Republic of Ireland open in all scenarios. But European leaders accuse him of offering no viable alternatives. Officials in Brussels increasingly accuse Johnson of conducting a sham negotiation as political cover while planning to crash out without an accord. And European parliamentary leaders insisted Thursday there could be no divorce deal without the backstop. Johnson insisted he remained "very hopeful" of a deal. "It will be hard, but I think we can get there," he said.

Boris Johnson denies lying to Queen in Brexit crisis

Frontrunner Joe Biden came out swinging in the third Democratic debate for the White House nomination, clashing with his top two rivals over the future of health care in America and dismissing their plans as unrealistic pipe dreams.

Biden, under pressure to appear in command as the candidate to beat in 2020, pushed back hard against senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren during the debate in Houston, Texas a showdown seen as a tough test of the 76-year-old's stamina.

In a high-octane clash with his fellow septuagenarians, the former vice president warned Sanders's plan to finance universal healthcare "gets him halfway there," while Warren has yet to indicate how hers will be paid for.

"I lay out how I can pay for it, how I can get it done, and why it's better," Biden said of his plan, which maintains and builds on the Affordable Care Act known as Obamacare.

Warren, a rising star in the race, and Sanders each put up a spirited defense of their proposals.&nbsp;

"Those at the very top, the richest individuals and the biggest corporations, are going to pay more. And middle-class families are going to pay less," Warren said.

Sanders, whose plans advocates for a shift away from private health insurance, assured voters "we will finally make sure that every American has health care as a human right, not a privilege."

The three-way battle over healthcare kicked off a marathon debate, as 10 hopefuls scrambled for breakout moments as they vye for the right to challenge President Donald Trump.

But the candidates stood united on one key factor: ousting Trump from the White House.

"We must and will defeat Trump, the most dangerous president in the history of this country," Sanders said. "But we must do more. We must do more."

At a dinner with Republican legislators on Thursday evening, Trump quickly dropped his message of "respect" toward his opponents, which he'd expressed just three hours earlier.

He called Sanders "Crazy Bernie, he's a crazy guy." He lamented that he'd "hit Pocantonas" Warren "way too early," in reference to his mockery of the senator's controversial claim to have had Native American blood.

And he reserved his longest joke for Biden, or "Sleepy Joe."

"He's fallen asleep, he's no idea what he's doing or saying," Trump said to laughter from his party, before acting out a scene in which he imitated Chinese President Xi Jinping negotiating with Biden, with the Democrat mumbling "where am I?" and Xi telling him "sign here."

Dominant top three

All eyes were on Biden who is battling accusations that he is a gaffe-prone candidate past his prime who could struggle during a gruelling campaign.

Biden maintains a grip on pole position with 26.8 per cent support, despite a noticeable dip in recent weeks, according to a poll average compiled by RealClearPolitics.

Sanders, at 78 the oldest candidate in the field, is narrowly ahead of Warren at 17.3 per cent support, and has largely avoided clashing with his friend and fellow progressive.

A summer of verbal miscues -- and an apparent lack of preparedness for spirited attacks by rivals in the first debate -- raised doubts about Biden's age and mental clarity, concerns he and his team have roundly dismissed.

He enjoys strong support in particular from African-American communities and from working-class whites who appreciate his blue-collar appeal and believe he is best able to beat Trump, a top priority for Democratic voters.

Warren, 70, has electrified town halls and impressed voters with her extensive collection of policy platforms.

Early Thursday she released her latest plan, one that would increase Social Security benefits for all Americans by $200 per month.

While Warren's stock has risen, the campaigns of others such as Senator Kamala Harris and 37-year-old South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg have stalled.

For the second tier, including ex-congressman Beto O'Rourke, senators Cory Booker and Amy Klobuchar, and Obama-era housing secretary Julian Castro -- all polling under three per cent -- a breakout moment is critical to stay relevant.

Navigating between the leaders and the strugglers is tech entrepreneur Andrew Yang, who has made establishing a universal basic income to offset job losses a key part of his campaign, and who grabbed the spotlight Thursday by promising to give a "freedom dividend" of $1,000 per month to 10 American families for a year. 
&nbsp;

Frontrunner Joe Biden came out swinging in the third Democratic debate for the White House nomination, clashing with his top two rivals over the future of health care in America and dismissing their plans as unrealistic pipe dreams.

Frontrunner Joe Biden came out swinging in the third Democratic debate for the White House nomination, clashing with his top two rivals over the future of health care in America and dismissing their plans as unrealistic pipe dreams. Biden, under pressure to appear in command as the candidate to beat in 2020, pushed back hard against senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren during the debate in Houston, Texas a showdown seen as a tough test of the 76-year-old's stamina. In a high-octane clash with his fellow septuagenarians, the former vice president warned Sanders's plan to finance universal healthcare "gets him halfway there," while Warren has yet to indicate how hers will be paid for. "I lay out how I can pay for it, how I can get it done, and why it's better," Biden said of his plan, which maintains and builds on the Affordable Care Act known as Obamacare. Warren, a rising star in the race, and Sanders each put up a spirited defense of their proposals. "Those at the very top, the richest individuals and the biggest corporations, are going to pay more. And middle-class families are going to pay less," Warren said. Sanders, whose plans advocates for a shift away from private health insurance, assured voters "we will finally make sure that every American has health care as a human right, not a privilege." The three-way battle over healthcare kicked off a marathon debate, as 10 hopefuls scrambled for breakout moments as they vye for the right to challenge President Donald Trump. But the candidates stood united on one key factor: ousting Trump from the White House. "We must and will defeat Trump, the most dangerous president in the history of this country," Sanders said. "But we must do more. We must do more." At a dinner with Republican legislators on Thursday evening, Trump quickly dropped his message of "respect" toward his opponents, which he'd expressed just three hours earlier. He called Sanders "Crazy Bernie, he's a crazy guy." He lamented that he'd "hit Pocantonas" Warren "way too early," in reference to his mockery of the senator's controversial claim to have had Native American blood. And he reserved his longest joke for Biden, or "Sleepy Joe." "He's fallen asleep, he's no idea what he's doing or saying," Trump said to laughter from his party, before acting out a scene in which he imitated Chinese President Xi Jinping negotiating with Biden, with the Democrat mumbling "where am I?" and Xi telling him "sign here." Dominant top three All eyes were on Biden who is battling accusations that he is a gaffe-prone candidate past his prime who could struggle during a gruelling campaign. Biden maintains a grip on pole position with 26.8 per cent support, despite a noticeable dip in recent weeks, according to a poll average compiled by RealClearPolitics. Sanders, at 78 the oldest candidate in the field, is narrowly ahead of Warren at 17.3 per cent support, and has largely avoided clashing with his friend and fellow progressive. A summer of verbal miscues -- and an apparent lack of preparedness for spirited attacks by rivals in the first debate -- raised doubts about Biden's age and mental clarity, concerns he and his team have roundly dismissed. He enjoys strong support in particular from African-American communities and from working-class whites who appreciate his blue-collar appeal and believe he is best able to beat Trump, a top priority for Democratic voters. Warren, 70, has electrified town halls and impressed voters with her extensive collection of policy platforms. Early Thursday she released her latest plan, one that would increase Social Security benefits for all Americans by $200 per month. While Warren's stock has risen, the campaigns of others such as Senator Kamala Harris and 37-year-old South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg have stalled. For the second tier, including ex-congressman Beto O'Rourke, senators Cory Booker and Amy Klobuchar, and Obama-era housing secretary Julian Castro -- all polling under three per cent -- a breakout moment is critical to stay relevant. Navigating between the leaders and the strugglers is tech entrepreneur Andrew Yang, who has made establishing a universal basic income to offset job losses a key part of his campaign, and who grabbed the spotlight Thursday by promising to give a "freedom dividend" of $1,000 per month to 10 American families for a year.

Joe Biden comes out fighting in Democratic White House debate

The Mexican government protested and Central American migrants feared deportation back to their violent homelands on Thursday after the US Supreme Court allowed President Donald Trump <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-supreme-court-allows-trump-to-deny-asylum-to-many-central-americans-249093">to slam the door on asylum-seekers at the US-Mexican border</a>.

The court on Wednesday found that Trump`s restrictive asylum rule could go into effect nationwide while a lawsuit challenging its underlying legality proceeds, handing the president a victory as he brandishes his anti-immigration credentials for the November 2020 presidential election.

The rule requires<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/migrants-will-pay-the-price-of-mexicos-tariff-deal-with-trump-226455"> immigrants who want asylum </a>to first seek safe haven in a third country through which they travel on the way to the United States, enabling the United States to combat a record surge in Central American asylum-seekers.

Trump`s immigration crackdown has animated his base of supporters while immigrant advocates in the United States fear the court decision will endanger the lives of migrants, many of them fleeing poverty, street gangs and domestic violence in Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador.

With the threat of automatic rejection hanging over the most recent arrivals, thousands of migrants are cramped into shelters or sleeping in the streets of Mexican border cities in places such as the state of Tamaulipas, where the US State Department has placed a "do not travel" advisory due to violent crime similar to its warnings against visiting war-torn Sudan or Syria.

One asylum-seeker from El Salvador who staying in a Tijuana shelter while awaiting her immigration hearing in San Diego said she could only hope to God she would not be sent back.

"I`m very scared, I hope this won`t affect me. I cannot return to my country, they tried to rape me there twice because I am a lesbian and the last time I ended up in a hospital in intensive care," said Veronica Martinez, 23. "I trust in God that the court`s decision does not affect me."

The Mexican government also pushed back against the US high court`s action, one that could create a new headache for Mexico.

"This is the ruling by the court, it`s a US issue, and obviously we don`t agree with it, we have a different policy," Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard told a news conference.

Tense relations

The court`s decision comes at a delicate time for Mexican-US relations.&nbsp;

Under Trump`s threat of imposing tariffs, Mexico has agreed to house many of the surging number of Central American asylum-seekers south of the border pending their US hearings.

That gesture has led to a sharp decline in US apprehensions and rejections of migrants at the border, winning Mexico praise from Trump following a White House meeting on Tuesday.

But Mexico has resisted US pressure to sign a formal "safe third country" agreement that would commit it to hearing the asylum cases of migrants from Central American and elsewhere, a move that would take even more pressure off the US border.

The downside for Mexico is that the buildup of migrants at the northern border is putting stress on schools, health clinics and housing.

"We have seen outbreaks of acts of xenophobia in Mexico that did not exist before, mainly in the north of the country," said Israel Ibarra, an immigration expert with the Continente Movil consultancy in Tijuana.

Francisco Gallardo, director of the Casa de Migrantes shelter in Reynosa, said migrants are sleeping in tents beside a bridge linking the two countries and are sure to grow more discouraged by the Supreme Court decision.

"We`ll see what measures can be taken because there are about 500 people next to the bridge," Gallardo said.

Under the so-called Migrant Protection Protocols, the US government built temporary, soft-sided courthouses near the border ports of entry in Laredo and Brownsville, Texas, and started hearing cases this week.

In Harlingen, Texas, Judge Delia Gonzalez took the bench Thursday, linked by video conference to a courtroom 30 miles (50 km) away in Brownsville.

She heard the cases of two Salvadorans who crossed from Mexico into south Texas in August, were arrested by US officers, and returned to the Mexican border town of Matamoros.

A Salvadoran woman said she had received cruel threats from gangs, and Gonzalez asked if she feared returning.

"Yes, a lot," the woman said.

After brief hearings, she and a Salvadoran man were given court dates to appear again in October.

The Mexican government protested and Central American migrants feared deportation back to their violent homelands on Thursday after the US Supreme Court allowed President Donald Trump to slam the door on asylum-seekers at the US-Mexican border.

The Mexican government protested and Central American migrants feared deportation back to their violent homelands on Thursday after the US Supreme Court allowed President Donald Trump to slam the door on asylum-seekers at the US-Mexican border. The court on Wednesday found that Trump`s restrictive asylum rule could go into effect nationwide while a lawsuit challenging its underlying legality proceeds, handing the president a victory as he brandishes his anti-immigration credentials for the November 2020 presidential election. The rule requires immigrants who want asylum to first seek safe haven in a third country through which they travel on the way to the United States, enabling the United States to combat a record surge in Central American asylum-seekers. Trump`s immigration crackdown has animated his base of supporters while immigrant advocates in the United States fear the court decision will endanger the lives of migrants, many of them fleeing poverty, street gangs and domestic violence in Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador. With the threat of automatic rejection hanging over the most recent arrivals, thousands of migrants are cramped into shelters or sleeping in the streets of Mexican border cities in places such as the state of Tamaulipas, where the US State Department has placed a "do not travel" advisory due to violent crime similar to its warnings against visiting war-torn Sudan or Syria. One asylum-seeker from El Salvador who staying in a Tijuana shelter while awaiting her immigration hearing in San Diego said she could only hope to God she would not be sent back. "I`m very scared, I hope this won`t affect me. I cannot return to my country, they tried to rape me there twice because I am a lesbian and the last time I ended up in a hospital in intensive care," said Veronica Martinez, 23. "I trust in God that the court`s decision does not affect me." The Mexican government also pushed back against the US high court`s action, one that could create a new headache for Mexico. "This is the ruling by the court, it`s a US issue, and obviously we don`t agree with it, we have a different policy," Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard told a news conference. Tense relations The court`s decision comes at a delicate time for Mexican-US relations. Under Trump`s threat of imposing tariffs, Mexico has agreed to house many of the surging number of Central American asylum-seekers south of the border pending their US hearings. That gesture has led to a sharp decline in US apprehensions and rejections of migrants at the border, winning Mexico praise from Trump following a White House meeting on Tuesday. But Mexico has resisted US pressure to sign a formal "safe third country" agreement that would commit it to hearing the asylum cases of migrants from Central American and elsewhere, a move that would take even more pressure off the US border. The downside for Mexico is that the buildup of migrants at the northern border is putting stress on schools, health clinics and housing. "We have seen outbreaks of acts of xenophobia in Mexico that did not exist before, mainly in the north of the country," said Israel Ibarra, an immigration expert with the Continente Movil consultancy in Tijuana. Francisco Gallardo, director of the Casa de Migrantes shelter in Reynosa, said migrants are sleeping in tents beside a bridge linking the two countries and are sure to grow more discouraged by the Supreme Court decision. "We`ll see what measures can be taken because there are about 500 people next to the bridge," Gallardo said. Under the so-called Migrant Protection Protocols, the US government built temporary, soft-sided courthouses near the border ports of entry in Laredo and Brownsville, Texas, and started hearing cases this week. In Harlingen, Texas, Judge Delia Gonzalez took the bench Thursday, linked by video conference to a courtroom 30 miles (50 km) away in Brownsville. She heard the cases of two Salvadorans who crossed from Mexico into south Texas in August, were arrested by US officers, and returned to the Mexican border town of Matamoros. A Salvadoran woman said she had received cruel threats from gangs, and Gonzalez asked if she feared returning. "Yes, a lot," the woman said. After brief hearings, she and a Salvadoran man were given court dates to appear again in October.

Mexico pushes back after top US court favours Trump on shunning migrants

New Zealand unveiled new legislation Friday aimed at ensuring only "fit and proper" people can own guns in the wake of the Christchurch mosque attacks that killed 51 Muslim worshippers.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern had immediately banned military-style semi-automatic rifles after the shootings in March but said further restrictions were needed to target the black market.

"Owning a firearm is a privilege, not a right," she told reporters in Christchurch on Friday.

"That means we need to do all we can to ensure that only honest, law-abiding citizens are able to obtain firearms licences and use firearms."

Under the new legislation, a registry will be set up that is designed to track ownership of every legally owned firearm in the country.

The measure also increases the jail term for supplying firearms to an unlicensed person from three months to two years, as well as tightening gun importation and sales.

Police will determine if someone is "fit and proper" to hold a licence, with power to exclude anyone promoting extremism, convicted of violent crime or with mental health issues, including attempted suicide.

The register, expected to take five years to complete, will contain details of the estimated 1.2 million firearms in New Zealand, for a population of around five million.

Police Minister Stuart Nash said the existing gun legislation was introduced in 1983 and needed updating.

Watch video

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The alleged Christchurch gunman legally obtained an arsenal of rifles before embarking on the worst mass shooting in New Zealand's modern history.

The self-avowed white supremacist is accused of opening fire at two mosques while live-streaming his actions on social media.

He has pleaded not guilty to 51 counts of murder, 40 of attempted murder and engaging in a terrorist act.

In addition to the semi-automatic ban, the first round of gun law reforms included a firearms buyback scheme allowing the public to hand in weapons before a six-month amnesty expires.

The Christchurch killings rocked New Zealand and Ardern's gun reforms have been generally accepted in the South Pacific nation.

There has been some opposition, including from the conservative ACT Party, which said law-abiding firearms owners were not receiving a fair hearing.

"We also oppose a gun register because such an exercise will cost a significant sum of taxpayer money but will not capture the criminals and gang members who hold firearms," ACT leader David Seymour said.

New Zealand unveiled new legislation Friday aimed at ensuring only "fit and proper" people can own guns in the wake of the Christchurch mosque attacks that killed 51 Muslim worshippers.

New Zealand unveiled new legislation Friday aimed at ensuring only "fit and proper" people can own guns in the wake of the Christchurch mosque attacks that killed 51 Muslim worshippers. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern had immediately banned military-style semi-automatic rifles after the shootings in March but said further restrictions were needed to target the black market. "Owning a firearm is a privilege, not a right," she told reporters in Christchurch on Friday. "That means we need to do all we can to ensure that only honest, law-abiding citizens are able to obtain firearms licences and use firearms." Under the new legislation, a registry will be set up that is designed to track ownership of every legally owned firearm in the country. The measure also increases the jail term for supplying firearms to an unlicensed person from three months to two years, as well as tightening gun importation and sales. Police will determine if someone is "fit and proper" to hold a licence, with power to exclude anyone promoting extremism, convicted of violent crime or with mental health issues, including attempted suicide. The register, expected to take five years to complete, will contain details of the estimated 1.2 million firearms in New Zealand, for a population of around five million. Police Minister Stuart Nash said the existing gun legislation was introduced in 1983 and needed updating. Watch video × The alleged Christchurch gunman legally obtained an arsenal of rifles before embarking on the worst mass shooting in New Zealand's modern history. The self-avowed white supremacist is accused of opening fire at two mosques while live-streaming his actions on social media. He has pleaded not guilty to 51 counts of murder, 40 of attempted murder and engaging in a terrorist act. In addition to the semi-automatic ban, the first round of gun law reforms included a firearms buyback scheme allowing the public to hand in weapons before a six-month amnesty expires. The Christchurch killings rocked New Zealand and Ardern's gun reforms have been generally accepted in the South Pacific nation. There has been some opposition, including from the conservative ACT Party, which said law-abiding firearms owners were not receiving a fair hearing. "We also oppose a gun register because such an exercise will cost a significant sum of taxpayer money but will not capture the criminals and gang members who hold firearms," ACT leader David Seymour said.

New Zealand tightens gun laws again after mosque massacre

The 74th session of the UN General Assembly will be held in New York from September 17-30.

“Vice President Delcy Rodriguez and the foreign minister will attend this year’s UN General Assembly. I visited New York last year, that is why this year I will not do that and will work here, in Venezuela,” Maduro said on late Thursday.

He added that Rodriguez would submit to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres a letter, signed by millions of Venezuelan citizens, that condemns the US sanctions against Caracas.

Venezuela faces a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-national-security-advisor-restrained-him-on-venezuela-249294">US</a>-led effort to oust the government of President Maduro&nbsp;and replace him with opposition leader and self-proclaimed President Juan Guaido. The United States has also imposed comprehensive sanctions against Venezuela and frozen some of the country’s assets.

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&nbsp;

The 74th session of the UN General Assembly will be held in New York from September 17-30. “Vice President Delcy Rodriguez and the foreign minister will attend this year’s UN General Assembly.

The 74th session of the UN General Assembly will be held in New York from September 17-30. “Vice President Delcy Rodriguez and the foreign minister will attend this year’s UN General Assembly. I visited New York last year, that is why this year I will not do that and will work here, in Venezuela,” Maduro said on late Thursday. He added that Rodriguez would submit to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres a letter, signed by millions of Venezuelan citizens, that condemns the US sanctions against Caracas. Venezuela faces a US-led effort to oust the government of President Maduro and replace him with opposition leader and self-proclaimed President Juan Guaido. The United States has also imposed comprehensive sanctions against Venezuela and frozen some of the country’s assets. Watch video ×

Maduro says will not take part in 2019 session of UN General Assembly

Two<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-pm-blames-myanmar-for-rohingya-repatriation-failure-249197"> Bangladeshi </a>policemen have been dismissed&nbsp;after a rape victim's family said she was forced to marry one of the accused rapists in a police station, officials said Tuesday.

The mother-of-three had accused five men of confining her to a room and sexually assaulting her multiple times between August 29 and August 31 in the northernstric dit of Pabna.

But her brother told the national Daily Star newspaper this week that officers at the police station forced her to sign documents divorcing her husband and marrying the main suspect.

The marriage allegedly took place when she first tried to file the complaint last week.

Police officials on Thursday said the marriage appeared to be part of an effort to prevent the suspects from being prosecuted.

We have suspended sub-inspector Ekramul Haq for helping the marriage between the victim and one of her suspected rapists, who is also the chief accused," deputy police chief of Pabna, Mohammad ibne Mizan, told AFP.

"We have also withdrawn the officer-in-charge of Pabna Sadar police station from his duty after he allowed the marriage to take place in the police station compound."

police did not say how long Haq was suspended for and where the other officer was to be transferred to.

Four people linked to the assault including three of the suspected rapists have been arrested, he added.

One of the accused is a low-level official of the ruling Awami League party, the Daily Star said.

Rights groups say gang-rapes have increased in the country in recent years. Many blame the country's weak criminal justice system, which sees very few convictions in rape cases.

Two Bangladeshi policemen have been dismissed after a rape victim's family said she was forced to marry one of the accused rapists in a police station, officials said Tuesday.

Two Bangladeshi policemen have been dismissed after a rape victim's family said she was forced to marry one of the accused rapists in a police station, officials said Tuesday. The mother-of-three had accused five men of confining her to a room and sexually assaulting her multiple times between August 29 and August 31 in the northernstric dit of Pabna. But her brother told the national Daily Star newspaper this week that officers at the police station forced her to sign documents divorcing her husband and marrying the main suspect. The marriage allegedly took place when she first tried to file the complaint last week. Police officials on Thursday said the marriage appeared to be part of an effort to prevent the suspects from being prosecuted. We have suspended sub-inspector Ekramul Haq for helping the marriage between the victim and one of her suspected rapists, who is also the chief accused," deputy police chief of Pabna, Mohammad ibne Mizan, told AFP. "We have also withdrawn the officer-in-charge of Pabna Sadar police station from his duty after he allowed the marriage to take place in the police station compound." police did not say how long Haq was suspended for and where the other officer was to be transferred to. Four people linked to the assault including three of the suspected rapists have been arrested, he added. One of the accused is a low-level official of the ruling Awami League party, the Daily Star said. Rights groups say gang-rapes have increased in the country in recent years. Many blame the country's weak criminal justice system, which sees very few convictions in rape cases.

Bangladesh cops force gang-rape victim to marry suspect: Family

America's next National Security Adviser: Who'll replace John Bolton?

Afghans are bracing for fresh violence after Donald Trump abruptly scuttled US-Taliban talks, yanking this month's presidential election back into the spotlight as the militants look to keep voters from the polls with bloody attacks.

For months now a question mark has hung over the September 28 vote, in which President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-commits-to-holding-presidential-polls-on-time-248549">Ashraf Ghani</a> will face off against his own Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, as America prioritized securing a deal with the insurgents that would allow it to begin exiting its longest war.

With the agreement seemingly imminent and the US-backed government in Kabul undermined as rumours swirled of an interim regime, many Afghans and observers had expected the poll to be cancelled outright.

Even the more-than-a-dozen candidates who include former warlords, ex-spies and onetime members of the country's communist regime did not appear to believe it would take place, with little in the way of campaigning.

As the incumbent, Ghani is presumed to be the favourite, though with the lack of campaigning or credible polling observers cautioned against making any predictions.

But with Trump's bombshell announcement Saturday that the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistans-taliban-sends-warning-to-us-president-donald-trump-in-bitter-exchange-249252"> US-Taliban</a> talks were off, the situation changed.

The Taliban quickly made it known that the only alternative was more fighting and with renewed focus on the election, which they have always opposed, the polls are a prime target, as they seek to delegitimize any resulting government by minimizing turnout.

"The Taliban will do everything possible to disrupt the election, we expect more violence," Haroun Mir, an independent analyst based in Kabul, told AFP.

Abdul Waheed Wafa, the executive director of the Afghanistan Centre at Kabul University, described a mood of confusion and fear.

"Nobody at the moment is ready, not the people of Afghanistan, not the election commission and not even the government," he said.

The presidential vote, Afghanistan's fourth since the fall of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-attack-kabul-commando-base-in-afghanistan-four-killed-249198">Taliban </a>in 2001, has already been delayed twice this year.

Turnout could be "very, very low", Wafa added, citing fear of violence and a loss of hope among voters following widespread fraud allegations during the 2014 election, for which there was no credible turnout estimate.

Both Ghani and former anti-Soviet fighter Abdullah claimed they had won that contest, with the US stepping in to broker a fragile power-sharing agreement.

No incentive to back off

Last October's legislative elections were bloodied by a series of deadly attacks as the Taliban called on citizens to stay away.

"We are so scared we are wary, we are concerned and we don't know what kind of election we will have," Wafa said.

With US-Taliban suddenly scuppered by Trump's tweets, the insurgents are now expected to try to deprive Ghani of legitimacy which some already feel is in short supply after he was sidelined by Washington in their Taliban talks.

Ghani and his officials had complained loudly over being kept out. They see the election as a way to reaffirm their right to negotiate for Afghans.

"Any future path towards peace has to be based on the will of the Afghan people and it should be owned and led by the Afghan government," said government spokesman Sediq Sediqqi.

A key element of the US-Taliban talks had been securing a guarantee from the insurgents that they will hold a direct dialogue with Kabul, deemed crucial to ending the nearly 18-year conflict.

They have historically refused to speak to a government they deem a "puppet" of the US.

But if the government which has also been blighted by corruption and disunity does win a strong mandate, then "the Taliban will have no alternative but to deal with it", argues the analyst Mir.

The question is whether the elections can be seen as fair and representative, say experts from the Afghanistan Analysts Network.

AAN analyst Thomas Ruttig told AFP that with the election so near it was "difficult to speculate there is very little time left for campaigning".

The Taliban, he said, "have enough power to disrupt the vote".

If they do, as ever in Afghanistan, it is civilians who will pay a disproportionate price.

"Stop breaking more hearts!" Facebook user Omid Sharifi wrote this week, adding that there are no winners in the escalating violence. 
&nbsp;

Afghans are bracing for fresh violence after Donald Trump abruptly scuttled US-Taliban talks, yanking this month's presidential election back into the spotlight as the militants look to keep voters from the polls with bloody attacks.

Afghans are bracing for fresh violence after Donald Trump abruptly scuttled US-Taliban talks, yanking this month's presidential election back into the spotlight as the militants look to keep voters from the polls with bloody attacks. For months now a question mark has hung over the September 28 vote, in which President Ashraf Ghani will face off against his own Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, as America prioritized securing a deal with the insurgents that would allow it to begin exiting its longest war. With the agreement seemingly imminent and the US-backed government in Kabul undermined as rumours swirled of an interim regime, many Afghans and observers had expected the poll to be cancelled outright. Even the more-than-a-dozen candidates who include former warlords, ex-spies and onetime members of the country's communist regime did not appear to believe it would take place, with little in the way of campaigning. As the incumbent, Ghani is presumed to be the favourite, though with the lack of campaigning or credible polling observers cautioned against making any predictions. But with Trump's bombshell announcement Saturday that the US-Taliban talks were off, the situation changed. The Taliban quickly made it known that the only alternative was more fighting and with renewed focus on the election, which they have always opposed, the polls are a prime target, as they seek to delegitimize any resulting government by minimizing turnout. "The Taliban will do everything possible to disrupt the election, we expect more violence," Haroun Mir, an independent analyst based in Kabul, told AFP. Abdul Waheed Wafa, the executive director of the Afghanistan Centre at Kabul University, described a mood of confusion and fear. "Nobody at the moment is ready, not the people of Afghanistan, not the election commission and not even the government," he said. The presidential vote, Afghanistan's fourth since the fall of the Taliban in 2001, has already been delayed twice this year. Turnout could be "very, very low", Wafa added, citing fear of violence and a loss of hope among voters following widespread fraud allegations during the 2014 election, for which there was no credible turnout estimate. Both Ghani and former anti-Soviet fighter Abdullah claimed they had won that contest, with the US stepping in to broker a fragile power-sharing agreement. No incentive to back off Last October's legislative elections were bloodied by a series of deadly attacks as the Taliban called on citizens to stay away. "We are so scared we are wary, we are concerned and we don't know what kind of election we will have," Wafa said. With US-Taliban suddenly scuppered by Trump's tweets, the insurgents are now expected to try to deprive Ghani of legitimacy which some already feel is in short supply after he was sidelined by Washington in their Taliban talks. Ghani and his officials had complained loudly over being kept out. They see the election as a way to reaffirm their right to negotiate for Afghans. "Any future path towards peace has to be based on the will of the Afghan people and it should be owned and led by the Afghan government," said government spokesman Sediq Sediqqi. A key element of the US-Taliban talks had been securing a guarantee from the insurgents that they will hold a direct dialogue with Kabul, deemed crucial to ending the nearly 18-year conflict. They have historically refused to speak to a government they deem a "puppet" of the US. But if the government which has also been blighted by corruption and disunity does win a strong mandate, then "the Taliban will have no alternative but to deal with it", argues the analyst Mir. The question is whether the elections can be seen as fair and representative, say experts from the Afghanistan Analysts Network. AAN analyst Thomas Ruttig told AFP that with the election so near it was "difficult to speculate there is very little time left for campaigning". The Taliban, he said, "have enough power to disrupt the vote". If they do, as ever in Afghanistan, it is civilians who will pay a disproportionate price. "Stop breaking more hearts!" Facebook user Omid Sharifi wrote this week, adding that there are no winners in the escalating violence.

Afghan election back in spotlight after Trump's Taliban tweets

The Colombian military is on alert in response to Venezuelan armed forces exercises along the two nations` border that Colombia considers an open threat, a senior military commander said on Wednesday.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro ordered a series of military drills that began on Tuesday in response to what he called Colombia`s planned aggression against the OPEC nation.

"As for the exercises that the Venezuelan regime is carrying out ... we are on a special alert," General Luis Navarro told reporters. "We have been openly threatened."

Maduro accused Colombia of preparing an attack after President Ivan Duque said that the socialist leader was protecting members of the ELN guerilla group and dissident members of the FARC, some of who recently took up arms again.

Maduro has repeatedly warned of an invasion by Colombia coordinated by the US government.

Washington, which has levied several rounds of sanctions against Maduro`s government, says it wants a peaceful resolution to Venezuela`s crisis in which Maduro voluntarily resigns.

Most western nations consider Maduro illegitimate after he secured a second term last year in a vote widely viewed as fraudulent. The United States instead says Venezuela`s rightful head of state is opposition leader Juan Guaido, who Maduro accuses of seeking a coup.

The Colombian military is on alert in response to Venezuelan armed forces exercises along the two nations` border that Colombia considers an open threat, a senior military commander said on Wednesday.

The Colombian military is on alert in response to Venezuelan armed forces exercises along the two nations` border that Colombia considers an open threat, a senior military commander said on Wednesday. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro ordered a series of military drills that began on Tuesday in response to what he called Colombia`s planned aggression against the OPEC nation. "As for the exercises that the Venezuelan regime is carrying out ... we are on a special alert," General Luis Navarro told reporters. "We have been openly threatened." Maduro accused Colombia of preparing an attack after President Ivan Duque said that the socialist leader was protecting members of the ELN guerilla group and dissident members of the FARC, some of who recently took up arms again. Maduro has repeatedly warned of an invasion by Colombia coordinated by the US government. Washington, which has levied several rounds of sanctions against Maduro`s government, says it wants a peaceful resolution to Venezuela`s crisis in which Maduro voluntarily resigns. Most western nations consider Maduro illegitimate after he secured a second term last year in a vote widely viewed as fraudulent. The United States instead says Venezuela`s rightful head of state is opposition leader Juan Guaido, who Maduro accuses of seeking a coup.

Colombia's armed forces on alert over Venezuela military exercises

In a bid to highlight religious persecution in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-un-envoy-meets-unga-president-discusses-kashmir-issue-245943">Pakistan</a>, a US-based Sindhi organisation is planning to hold a protest against abduction and forceful conversion of Hindu girls from the community during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-narendra-modi-to-attend-united-nation-general-assembly-meet-in-september-235507">(UNGA) session</a> in New York on September 26.

Sindhi Foundation, which has frequently raised the issue of forced conversion of girls in Pakistan, will hold a demonstration under the banner of SaveSindhiGirl.

The body has noted that there is an escalation of forced conversion in the country.

Every year, around 1,000 young Sindhi Hindu girls between the age of 12 and 28 are abducted, forcibly married and converted to Islam.

Every month between 40 to 60 Sindhi girls are converted.

According to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/united-nations-intervention-sought-after-deteriorating-human-rights-situation-in-pakistani-province-206647">Pakistan's own human rights</a> commission from January 2004 to May 2018, there were 7,430 cases of such abductions of Sindhi girls in Pakistan.

The actual number is estimated to be much higher as most of the cases go unreported.

According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, families who report their daughters as missing are often ignored by the police and their First Information Report (FIR) is never submitted. Therefore, girls are left with their abductors, where they are often coerced into silence through threats or use of violence against them or their families.

During the UNGA meeting, Prime Minister Imran Khan is expected to address the session.

The foundation has said that there is involvement of influential political leaders with links with the Army in the forced conversion of young girls. &nbsp;

Among them is one prominent name, Mian Mitho, a religious leader and politician, who has participated in countless conversions of young Sindhi girls.

He has close connections with both the Army and Imran Khan who have allowed him to do so without receiving any punishment for his actions.

Pakistan has been condemned internationally for cracking down on the minorities living in their countries.

Islamabad has also reportedly been discriminating against its religious minorities which is manifested in various forms of targeted violence, mass murders, extrajudicial killings, abduction, rapes, forced conversion to Islam, etc., making the Pakistani Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Ahmadiyyas, and Shias one of the most persecuted minorities in the region.

Last month, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada had raised the issue of suppression of religious freedom by China and Pakistan and slammed the two Asian nations for "persecuting and repressing" their religious minorities.

During the meet on Safety of Religious Minorities, the US, UK, and Canada expressed concerns over the increasing, widespread and undue restrictions on religious freedom in the two countries.

They also highlighted the discrimination suffered by the Uyghur community in China and of Christians, Ahmadis, Hindus and other minorities in Pakistan.

In a bid to highlight religious persecution in Pakistan, a US-based Sindhi organisation is planning to hold a protest against abduction and forceful conversion of Hindu girls from the community during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York on September 26.

In a bid to highlight religious persecution in Pakistan, a US-based Sindhi organisation is planning to hold a protest against abduction and forceful conversion of Hindu girls from the community during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York on September 26. Sindhi Foundation, which has frequently raised the issue of forced conversion of girls in Pakistan, will hold a demonstration under the banner of SaveSindhiGirl. The body has noted that there is an escalation of forced conversion in the country. Every year, around 1,000 young Sindhi Hindu girls between the age of 12 and 28 are abducted, forcibly married and converted to Islam. Every month between 40 to 60 Sindhi girls are converted. According to Pakistan's own human rights commission from January 2004 to May 2018, there were 7,430 cases of such abductions of Sindhi girls in Pakistan. The actual number is estimated to be much higher as most of the cases go unreported. According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, families who report their daughters as missing are often ignored by the police and their First Information Report (FIR) is never submitted. Therefore, girls are left with their abductors, where they are often coerced into silence through threats or use of violence against them or their families. During the UNGA meeting, Prime Minister Imran Khan is expected to address the session. The foundation has said that there is involvement of influential political leaders with links with the Army in the forced conversion of young girls. Among them is one prominent name, Mian Mitho, a religious leader and politician, who has participated in countless conversions of young Sindhi girls. He has close connections with both the Army and Imran Khan who have allowed him to do so without receiving any punishment for his actions. Pakistan has been condemned internationally for cracking down on the minorities living in their countries. Islamabad has also reportedly been discriminating against its religious minorities which is manifested in various forms of targeted violence, mass murders, extrajudicial killings, abduction, rapes, forced conversion to Islam, etc., making the Pakistani Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Ahmadiyyas, and Shias one of the most persecuted minorities in the region. Last month, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada had raised the issue of suppression of religious freedom by China and Pakistan and slammed the two Asian nations for "persecuting and repressing" their religious minorities. During the meet on Safety of Religious Minorities, the US, UK, and Canada expressed concerns over the increasing, widespread and undue restrictions on religious freedom in the two countries. They also highlighted the discrimination suffered by the Uyghur community in China and of Christians, Ahmadis, Hindus and other minorities in Pakistan.

Sindhi Foundation to hold protest against forceful conversion of girls in Pakistan during UNGA

Hitting out at Pakistan government for "running" after Kashmir, a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-outcry-over-kashmir-height-of-hypocrisy-shamelessness-says-baloch-activist-242681">Baloch activist</a> on Wednesday highlighted the atrocities carried out by state agencies against religious minorities in the country.

President of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/baloch-hold-anti-pakistan-protest-in-germany-raise-pro-freedom-slogans-245834">Baloch Republican Party</a>, Brahumdagh Bugti, in a video message posted on his Facebook account, said that the Pakistani Army and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) have been using enforced disappearances, torture and killing as tools to crush the voices of oppressed people like Balochs, Pashtuns, Muhajirs, Sindhis and other religious minorities.

"Pakistan Army thinks that they are the heir and owner of the country. The fate of people is in their hands. Whenever people demand their rights and whenever they raise their voice against the atrocities committed by the Army, they are abducted, tortured and killed. They think that by torturing people, they can crush their voices and their demand for rights," said Bugti.

"The country is socially, economically and financially is on the verge of destruction and you (the leadership) are running after Kashmir. What is left here (in Pakistan) that you will bring other people also? Our country is on the verge of destruction and no neighbour countries are happy with Pakistan," he added.

Bugti, who now and then has highlighted the crime committed by the state agencies in Pakistan, said that the current condition of the country is a result of the policies adopted by the Pakistani Army and the ISI.

"The destruction in the country is due to the policies adopted by the Army and ISI. They claim their policies are so good and they have very good intelligence agency. They have received failure everywhere," he added.

Bugti remarks come at the time when the Pakistan government has sub

Bugti remarks come at the time when the Pakistan government has submitted a dossier in UNHRC over Kashmir.

Watch Video:&nbsp;<meta name="uuid" content="uuid52kto4rmHNGN" /><meta charset="utf-8" />Gravitas: India rebuts Pakistan's Charges on Kashmir at UNHRC

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At the UNHRC session, Qureshi presented a false narrative on Kashmir maintained by his country following the Indian government's historic move to abrogate Article 370.

However, Pakistan has been strongly reprimanded by Indian delegation.

Interestingly, while Qureshi was addressing the session, protests were held outside the UN Headquarters against the dire situation of Human Rights in Pakistan.

On Tuesday, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/baloch-republican-party-protests-outside-lords-against-human-rights-condition-in-pakistan-229834">Baloch</a>&nbsp;Human Rights Council organised a briefing on 'The Humanitarian Crisis in Balochistan'&nbsp;at a special tent at Broken Chair in front of the UN headquarters.

Before that, a protest was organised by the World Sindhi Congress (WCS) at a time when Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi was speaking at the 42nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Hitting out at Pakistan government for "running" after Kashmir, a Baloch activist on Wednesday highlighted the atrocities carried out by state agencies against religious minorities in the country.

Hitting out at Pakistan government for "running" after Kashmir, a Baloch activist on Wednesday highlighted the atrocities carried out by state agencies against religious minorities in the country. President of Baloch Republican Party, Brahumdagh Bugti, in a video message posted on his Facebook account, said that the Pakistani Army and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) have been using enforced disappearances, torture and killing as tools to crush the voices of oppressed people like Balochs, Pashtuns, Muhajirs, Sindhis and other religious minorities. "Pakistan Army thinks that they are the heir and owner of the country. The fate of people is in their hands. Whenever people demand their rights and whenever they raise their voice against the atrocities committed by the Army, they are abducted, tortured and killed. They think that by torturing people, they can crush their voices and their demand for rights," said Bugti. "The country is socially, economically and financially is on the verge of destruction and you (the leadership) are running after Kashmir. What is left here (in Pakistan) that you will bring other people also? Our country is on the verge of destruction and no neighbour countries are happy with Pakistan," he added. Bugti, who now and then has highlighted the crime committed by the state agencies in Pakistan, said that the current condition of the country is a result of the policies adopted by the Pakistani Army and the ISI. "The destruction in the country is due to the policies adopted by the Army and ISI. They claim their policies are so good and they have very good intelligence agency. They have received failure everywhere," he added. Bugti remarks come at the time when the Pakistan government has sub Bugti remarks come at the time when the Pakistan government has submitted a dossier in UNHRC over Kashmir. Watch Video: Gravitas: India rebuts Pakistan's Charges on Kashmir at UNHRC × At the UNHRC session, Qureshi presented a false narrative on Kashmir maintained by his country following the Indian government's historic move to abrogate Article 370. However, Pakistan has been strongly reprimanded by Indian delegation. Interestingly, while Qureshi was addressing the session, protests were held outside the UN Headquarters against the dire situation of Human Rights in Pakistan. On Tuesday, the Baloch Human Rights Council organised a briefing on 'The Humanitarian Crisis in Balochistan' at a special tent at Broken Chair in front of the UN headquarters. Before that, a protest was organised by the World Sindhi Congress (WCS) at a time when Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi was speaking at the 42nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Baloch activist hits out at Pakistan for 'running' after Kashmir, highlights its atrocities against minorities

Pakistan on Wednesday conveyed to UN nuclear watchdog International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) its decision to subscribe to the guidance on the management of disused radioactive sources.

Although it is non-legally binding in nature, the Guidance supplements the Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources is an important component of the global nuclear safety and security regime.

"The Code of Conduct, along with its supplementary guidance documents, seeks to help countries ensure that radioactive sources are used in a manner consistent with the highest standards of safety and security throughout their life cycle," said Pakistan Foreign Ministry in a statement.

This comes amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan in the wake of the Indian government's decisions to reorganise Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories.

Various Pakistani leaders including Prime Minister Imran Khan have threatened about a possible military confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

Pakistan on Wednesday conveyed to UN nuclear watchdog International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) its decision to subscribe to the guidance on the management of disused radioactive sources.

Pakistan on Wednesday conveyed to UN nuclear watchdog International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) its decision to subscribe to the guidance on the management of disused radioactive sources. Although it is non-legally binding in nature, the Guidance supplements the Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources is an important component of the global nuclear safety and security regime. "The Code of Conduct, along with its supplementary guidance documents, seeks to help countries ensure that radioactive sources are used in a manner consistent with the highest standards of safety and security throughout their life cycle," said Pakistan Foreign Ministry in a statement. This comes amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan in the wake of the Indian government's decisions to reorganise Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories. Various Pakistani leaders including Prime Minister Imran Khan have threatened about a possible military confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

Pakistan subscribes to IAEA's guidance on the management of disused radioactive sources

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