<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/public-support-for-brazil-president-bolsonaro-eroding-poll-231076">Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro</a>, no stranger to controversy, sparked a new brouhaha this week by repeatedly defending the practice of child labour.

"I've been working since I was eight years old... and today I am what I am," the far-right leader said during his weekly live forum on Facebook.

"Look, when a child of eight or nine years old works somewhere, many people denounce it as 'forced labour' or 'child labour,'" he said on Thursday. "But if that child smokes coca paste, nobody says anything."

"Work brings dignity to men and to women, no matter their age," he added.

He then repeated the remarks over the following days, saying at an official event on Friday that, "I worked from the age of eight planting corn, picking bananas... while studying at the same time.&nbsp;

"And today I am what I am. This is not demagoguery, it is the truth."

On Saturday, he republished a 2017 AFP video showing Frank Giaccio, the 11-year-old owner of a lawn mowing business and admirer of US President Donald Trump, trimming the White House lawn.

Bolsonaro added the words, "Work ennobles."

Not allowed

His comments provoked strongly critical reactions.

"He is the best example to incite a child not to work -- to keep him from growing up to become an adult like (Bolsonaro), with so much hatred and such incompetence," said Marcelo Freixo, a socialist politician.

Meanwhile, Brazil's media seized on a 2015 interview in which Bolsonaro's brother contradicted the head of state.

"My father had his bohemian style, but he never let one of his sons work, because he thought they had to study," Renato Bolsonaro told Crescer magazine.&nbsp;

Brazilian law prohibits children younger than 16 from working, except in the case of apprentices, who can begin work at 14.

According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), some 2.5 million children and adolescents aged five to 17 work in Brazil.

"The argument that working would not hurt, or that it would be a viable alternative is exactly what we are fighting every day while striving to make society think differently," Patricia Sanfelici, who oversees the fight against child labour for Brazil's labour ministry, told news website UOL.

On Friday, Bolsonaro's minister for Human Rights, Family and Women, the former evangelical pastor Damares Alves, tried to put an end to the controversy.

"Our generation worked from a very young age," she said. "I worked from a very young age. But this does not mean that we are going to decriminalize (child labour).

"Let us be clear that for children to work is a violation of their rights, something that cannot be allowed."&nbsp;

Bolsonaro is not known for being politically correct. In 2011, he told Playboy magazine he would rather see his own son "die in an accident" than come out as gay. He has also said poor people are too ignorant to understand family planning.&nbsp;

And as a congressman in late 2014, he said that a colleague was not "worth raping; she is very ugly." A judge ultimately ordered him to pay the woman $2,500.&nbsp;

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, no stranger to controversy, sparked a new brouhaha this week by repeatedly defending the practice of child labour. "I've been working since I was eight years old.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, no stranger to controversy, sparked a new brouhaha this week by repeatedly defending the practice of child labour. "I've been working since I was eight years old... and today I am what I am," the far-right leader said during his weekly live forum on Facebook. "Look, when a child of eight or nine years old works somewhere, many people denounce it as 'forced labour' or 'child labour,'" he said on Thursday. "But if that child smokes coca paste, nobody says anything." "Work brings dignity to men and to women, no matter their age," he added. He then repeated the remarks over the following days, saying at an official event on Friday that, "I worked from the age of eight planting corn, picking bananas... while studying at the same time. "And today I am what I am. This is not demagoguery, it is the truth." On Saturday, he republished a 2017 AFP video showing Frank Giaccio, the 11-year-old owner of a lawn mowing business and admirer of US President Donald Trump, trimming the White House lawn. Bolsonaro added the words, "Work ennobles." Not allowed His comments provoked strongly critical reactions. "He is the best example to incite a child not to work -- to keep him from growing up to become an adult like (Bolsonaro), with so much hatred and such incompetence," said Marcelo Freixo, a socialist politician. Meanwhile, Brazil's media seized on a 2015 interview in which Bolsonaro's brother contradicted the head of state. "My father had his bohemian style, but he never let one of his sons work, because he thought they had to study," Renato Bolsonaro told Crescer magazine. Brazilian law prohibits children younger than 16 from working, except in the case of apprentices, who can begin work at 14. According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), some 2.5 million children and adolescents aged five to 17 work in Brazil. "The argument that working would not hurt, or that it would be a viable alternative is exactly what we are fighting every day while striving to make society think differently," Patricia Sanfelici, who oversees the fight against child labour for Brazil's labour ministry, told news website UOL. On Friday, Bolsonaro's minister for Human Rights, Family and Women, the former evangelical pastor Damares Alves, tried to put an end to the controversy. "Our generation worked from a very young age," she said. "I worked from a very young age. But this does not mean that we are going to decriminalize (child labour). "Let us be clear that for children to work is a violation of their rights, something that cannot be allowed." Bolsonaro is not known for being politically correct. In 2011, he told Playboy magazine he would rather see his own son "die in an accident" than come out as gay. He has also said poor people are too ignorant to understand family planning. And as a congressman in late 2014, he said that a colleague was not "worth raping; she is very ugly." A judge ultimately ordered him to pay the woman $2,500.

Jair Bolsonaro defends child labour in Brazil, sparks outcry

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/prince-harry-duchess-meghan-to-visit-scotland-with-baby-archie-233518">Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor</a>, the two-month-old son of Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, was christened on Saturday, in a small private ceremony at Windsor Castle.

The ceremony was conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby in the castle's Private Chapel, Buckingham Palace said.

In accordance with royal tradition, the Lily Font and water from the River Jordan were used during the christening, and Archie, who was born on May 6, wore the handmade replica of the royal christening robe.

On their official Instagram page, Harry and Meghan, known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, shared two official photographs of the occasion taken in the Green Drawing Room and the Rose Garden at Windsor Castle.

One family portrait included Harry's father, Prince Charles, Meghan's mother Doria Ragland as well as Harry's older brother Prince William and his wife, Kate. Harry and William's maternal aunts, Sarah McCorquodale and Jane Fellowes, also posed for the picture.

A second black and white photograph showed Archie in his parents' arms in the Rose Garden.

Buckingham Palace has not disclosed who Archie's godparents are.

Several newspapers have carried reports criticising Harry and Meghan for accepting public funds for their wedding and for renovations for their new house but denying the public a view of the baby and his parents arriving at the ceremony.

William and Kate organised media facilities for the christenings of their three children, in which arrivals at the church were filmed.

Royal fans gathered near Windsor castle on Saturday, some with banners and flags, despite the well-publicised private nature of the occasion.

"I think it's very hurtful to the fans, very, very hurtful," said Anne Taley, 63, from Cardiff. "We've had the fingers, we've had the toes. When are we ever going to see the baby?" she added referring to previous discreet pictures posted by the royal couple.

Cheryl Bolson, 53, from Southampton, said she accepted the christening was a private, family event but added: "It would be nice if they were to come out afterwards and just maybe show the public that the baby’s been christened."

Harry and Meghan married at Windsor Castle, west of London, last year. Archie is seventh-in-line to the British throne.

Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, the two-month-old son of Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, was christened on Saturday, in a small private ceremony at Windsor Castle.

Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, the two-month-old son of Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, was christened on Saturday, in a small private ceremony at Windsor Castle. The ceremony was conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby in the castle's Private Chapel, Buckingham Palace said. In accordance with royal tradition, the Lily Font and water from the River Jordan were used during the christening, and Archie, who was born on May 6, wore the handmade replica of the royal christening robe. On their official Instagram page, Harry and Meghan, known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, shared two official photographs of the occasion taken in the Green Drawing Room and the Rose Garden at Windsor Castle. One family portrait included Harry's father, Prince Charles, Meghan's mother Doria Ragland as well as Harry's older brother Prince William and his wife, Kate. Harry and William's maternal aunts, Sarah McCorquodale and Jane Fellowes, also posed for the picture. A second black and white photograph showed Archie in his parents' arms in the Rose Garden. Buckingham Palace has not disclosed who Archie's godparents are. Several newspapers have carried reports criticising Harry and Meghan for accepting public funds for their wedding and for renovations for their new house but denying the public a view of the baby and his parents arriving at the ceremony. William and Kate organised media facilities for the christenings of their three children, in which arrivals at the church were filmed. Royal fans gathered near Windsor castle on Saturday, some with banners and flags, despite the well-publicised private nature of the occasion. "I think it's very hurtful to the fans, very, very hurtful," said Anne Taley, 63, from Cardiff. "We've had the fingers, we've had the toes. When are we ever going to see the baby?" she added referring to previous discreet pictures posted by the royal couple. Cheryl Bolson, 53, from Southampton, said she accepted the christening was a private, family event but added: "It would be nice if they were to come out afterwards and just maybe show the public that the baby’s been christened." Harry and Meghan married at Windsor Castle, west of London, last year. Archie is seventh-in-line to the British throne.

Archie, baby son of UK's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, christened at Windsor Castle

French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday told his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani of his "strong concern over the risk of weakening the nuclear agreement" and of the consequences that would follow, his office announced.

In a telephone conversation Macron said he would consult with the Iranian authorities and international partners concerned with a view to resuming talks involving all concerned parties to bring about the "necessary de-escalation" of the situation, the Elysee palace added.

A top advisor to Iran's supreme leader has hinted <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-to-announce-more-cuts-to-nuclear-deal-commitments-on-sunday-report-233659">Tehran could boost its uranium enrichment</a> to five per cent for "peaceful" aims, ahead of deadline it set for world powers to save a landmark 2015 nuclear deal.

Iran is acting on its May 8 threat to suspend from Sunday parts of the agreement in response to US President Donald Trump's reimposition of crippling sanctions after withdrawing from the deal in May last year.

The accord capped Iran's enrichment maximum at 3.67 per cent, sufficient for power generation but far below the more than 90 per cent level required for a nuclear weapon.&nbsp;

Uranium enrichment "will increase as much as needed for our peaceful activities," Ali Akbar Velayati, international affairs advisor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in an interview published Friday on the leader's official website.

"For Bushehr nuclear reactor we need five per cent enrichment and it is a completely peaceful goal," he added.

Watch:&nbsp;We will enrich uranium to ‘any amount we want’, says Iran

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-we-will-enrich-uranium-to-any-amount-we-want-232755/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Bushehr is Iran's only nuclear power station and is currently running on imported fuel from Russia that is closely monitored by the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency.

On May 8, Iran announced it would no longer respect the limits set on the size of its stockpiles of enriched uranium and heavy water, and threatened to abandon further nuclear commitments, including exceeding the agreed uranium enrichment maximum from July 7.&nbsp;

It has also threatened to resume building from that date a heavy water reactor -- capable of one day producing plutonium -- in Arak in central Iran, a project that had been mothballed under the deal.

The move comes in response to what Iran deems a failure by the remaining parties to the deal -- Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia -- to provide Tehran with relief from the US sanctions.

"The US has directly and Europeans indirectly violated" the deal, said Velayati.

"We will react proportionally the more they violate it."

French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday told his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani of his "strong concern over the risk of weakening the nuclear agreement" and of the consequences that would follow, his office announced.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday told his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani of his "strong concern over the risk of weakening the nuclear agreement" and of the consequences that would follow, his office announced. In a telephone conversation Macron said he would consult with the Iranian authorities and international partners concerned with a view to resuming talks involving all concerned parties to bring about the "necessary de-escalation" of the situation, the Elysee palace added. A top advisor to Iran's supreme leader has hinted Tehran could boost its uranium enrichment to five per cent for "peaceful" aims, ahead of deadline it set for world powers to save a landmark 2015 nuclear deal. Iran is acting on its May 8 threat to suspend from Sunday parts of the agreement in response to US President Donald Trump's reimposition of crippling sanctions after withdrawing from the deal in May last year. The accord capped Iran's enrichment maximum at 3.67 per cent, sufficient for power generation but far below the more than 90 per cent level required for a nuclear weapon. Uranium enrichment "will increase as much as needed for our peaceful activities," Ali Akbar Velayati, international affairs advisor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in an interview published Friday on the leader's official website. "For Bushehr nuclear reactor we need five per cent enrichment and it is a completely peaceful goal," he added. Watch: We will enrich uranium to ‘any amount we want’, says Iran Bushehr is Iran's only nuclear power station and is currently running on imported fuel from Russia that is closely monitored by the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency. On May 8, Iran announced it would no longer respect the limits set on the size of its stockpiles of enriched uranium and heavy water, and threatened to abandon further nuclear commitments, including exceeding the agreed uranium enrichment maximum from July 7. It has also threatened to resume building from that date a heavy water reactor -- capable of one day producing plutonium -- in Arak in central Iran, a project that had been mothballed under the deal. The move comes in response to what Iran deems a failure by the remaining parties to the deal -- Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia -- to provide Tehran with relief from the US sanctions. "The US has directly and Europeans indirectly violated" the deal, said Velayati. "We will react proportionally the more they violate it."

France, Iran to resume talks over nuclear deal and its consequences

Calls in South Korea for a boycott of Japanese goods in response to Tokyo's curbs on the export of high-tech material to South Korea picked up on Friday, as a dispute over compensation for forced wartime labour roiled ties between the US allies.

It is the latest flashpoint in a relationship long over-shadowed by South Korean resentment of Japan's 1910-1945 occupation of the Korean peninsula, in particular South Korean "comfort women", a Japanese euphemism for women forced to work in Japanese military brothels before and during World War Two.

Japan apologised to the women as part of a 2015 deal and provided a $9.4 million fund to help them.

Advocacy groups for the women have criticised the fund and South Korea dissolved it on Friday, despite Japan's warnings that such action could damage ties.

"This is totally unacceptable for Japan. We've made stern representations to the South Korean side," Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasutoshi Nishimura said in Tokyo.

The bitterness over the forced labour issue could disrupt global supplies of memory chips and smartphones.

Japan said on Monday it would tighten restrictions on the export of high-tech materials used in smartphone displays and chips to South Korea. The curbs took effect on Thursday, fuelling South Korean calls for retaliation.

Samsung Electronics Co and SK Hynix Inc - the world's top memory chipmakers, and suppliers to Apple and China's Huawei Technologies - could face delays if the curbs drag on.

"A boycott is the most immediate way for citizens to express their anger," said Choi Gae-Yeon of the activist group Movement for One Korea, that staged protests in front of a Japanese car showroom and a retailer in Seoul this week.

"Many people are angry at the attitude of the Japanese government," she said.

Boycott

The row over forced labour exploded last year when a South Korean court ordered Japan's Nippon Steel &amp; Sumitomo Metal Corp and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to South Korean plaintiffs.

Japan maintains that the issue was fully settled in 1965 when the two countries restored diplomatic ties, and has denounced the ruling as "unthinkable".

Nearly 27,000 people had by Friday signed a petition posted on the South Korean presidential office website calling for a boycott of Japanese products and for tourists not to visit.

The government must respond to a petition that gets 200,000 signatures in a month.

Some Korean social media users posted "Boycott Japan" messages and shared a link to a list of Japanese brands that could be targeted, including Toyota Motor and Fast Retailing's Uniqlo.

Toyota's South Korean unit declined comment, and Fast Retailing's South Korean unit did not have an immediate comment.

"Japan boycott movement" was among the most searched-for terms on South Korea's main online search engine Naver.

A South Korean actor on Thursday deleted photographs he posted on social media of a visit he made to Japan after online criticism.

Tourism-related shares fell this week due to concern about reduced demand for travel to Japan. Tour agency Hana Tour fell 3.4 per cent on Thursday before paring losses on Friday.

South Korea imported $54.6 billion worth of goods from Japan in 2018, and paid for $11.5 billion worth of its services.

South Korea exported $30.5 billion in goods and $8.7 billion in services to Japan in the same year, according to South Korean customs and central bank data.

Calls in South Korea for a boycott of Japanese goods in response to Tokyo's curbs on the export of high-tech material to South Korea picked up on Friday, as a dispute over compensation for forced wartime labour roiled ties between the US allies.

Calls in South Korea for a boycott of Japanese goods in response to Tokyo's curbs on the export of high-tech material to South Korea picked up on Friday, as a dispute over compensation for forced wartime labour roiled ties between the US allies. It is the latest flashpoint in a relationship long over-shadowed by South Korean resentment of Japan's 1910-1945 occupation of the Korean peninsula, in particular South Korean "comfort women", a Japanese euphemism for women forced to work in Japanese military brothels before and during World War Two. Japan apologised to the women as part of a 2015 deal and provided a $9.4 million fund to help them. Advocacy groups for the women have criticised the fund and South Korea dissolved it on Friday, despite Japan's warnings that such action could damage ties. "This is totally unacceptable for Japan. We've made stern representations to the South Korean side," Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasutoshi Nishimura said in Tokyo. The bitterness over the forced labour issue could disrupt global supplies of memory chips and smartphones. Japan said on Monday it would tighten restrictions on the export of high-tech materials used in smartphone displays and chips to South Korea. The curbs took effect on Thursday, fuelling South Korean calls for retaliation. Samsung Electronics Co and SK Hynix Inc - the world's top memory chipmakers, and suppliers to Apple and China's Huawei Technologies - could face delays if the curbs drag on. "A boycott is the most immediate way for citizens to express their anger," said Choi Gae-Yeon of the activist group Movement for One Korea, that staged protests in front of a Japanese car showroom and a retailer in Seoul this week. "Many people are angry at the attitude of the Japanese government," she said. Boycott The row over forced labour exploded last year when a South Korean court ordered Japan's Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corp and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to South Korean plaintiffs. Japan maintains that the issue was fully settled in 1965 when the two countries restored diplomatic ties, and has denounced the ruling as "unthinkable". Nearly 27,000 people had by Friday signed a petition posted on the South Korean presidential office website calling for a boycott of Japanese products and for tourists not to visit. The government must respond to a petition that gets 200,000 signatures in a month. Some Korean social media users posted "Boycott Japan" messages and shared a link to a list of Japanese brands that could be targeted, including Toyota Motor and Fast Retailing's Uniqlo. Toyota's South Korean unit declined comment, and Fast Retailing's South Korean unit did not have an immediate comment. "Japan boycott movement" was among the most searched-for terms on South Korea's main online search engine Naver. A South Korean actor on Thursday deleted photographs he posted on social media of a visit he made to Japan after online criticism. Tourism-related shares fell this week due to concern about reduced demand for travel to Japan. Tour agency Hana Tour fell 3.4 per cent on Thursday before paring losses on Friday. South Korea imported $54.6 billion worth of goods from Japan in 2018, and paid for $11.5 billion worth of its services. South Korea exported $30.5 billion in goods and $8.7 billion in services to Japan in the same year, according to South Korean customs and central bank data.

Calls for boycott of Japan grow in South Korea as diplomatic row simmers

The Tibetan community in Nepal called off plans to mark the birthday of their spiritual leader the Dalai Lama after their request for a public celebration was rejected over security concerns, a government official said on Sunday.

The Dalai Lama turned 84 on Saturday and his followers in Nepal had hoped to celebrate the occasion in the capital, Kathmandu, but the communist government rejected their request.

China, which regards the Dalai Lama as a dangerous separatist, has been increasing its influence in the Himalayan nation that is home to about 20,000 Tibetans.

Nepal is a natural buffer between China and India and is considered by New Delhi as its natural ally, but China is also making inroads by pouring aid and infrastructure investment into what is one of the world's 10 poorest countries.

Beijing sent troops into remote, mountainous Tibet in 1950 in what it officially terms a peaceful liberation and has ruled there with an iron fist ever since.

The Dalai Lama fled to India in early 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule.

Krishna Bahadur Katuwal, assistant district administrator of Kathmandu, said the government refused permission for Tibetans to mark the Dalai Lama's birthday because "infiltrators" could create trouble.

"There could be a law and order problem as infiltrators could organise demonstrations or try to self-immolate," Katuwal told Reuters.

Tibetan news portal Phayul.com said celebration plans were then withdrawn.

Airport immigration authorities in Kathmandu refused to admit a U.S. citizen of Tibetan origin and deported him last month, reportedly at China's request.

Nepali authorities have also previously detained Tibetans trying to cross the border on their way to India after fleeing their disputed homeland.

Human rights groups say Nepal faces intense Chinese pressure to control the flow of Tibetans crossing the border.

The Tibetan community in Nepal called off plans to mark the birthday of their spiritual leader the Dalai Lama after their request for a public celebration was rejected over security concerns, a government official said on Sunday.

The Tibetan community in Nepal called off plans to mark the birthday of their spiritual leader the Dalai Lama after their request for a public celebration was rejected over security concerns, a government official said on Sunday. The Dalai Lama turned 84 on Saturday and his followers in Nepal had hoped to celebrate the occasion in the capital, Kathmandu, but the communist government rejected their request. China, which regards the Dalai Lama as a dangerous separatist, has been increasing its influence in the Himalayan nation that is home to about 20,000 Tibetans. Nepal is a natural buffer between China and India and is considered by New Delhi as its natural ally, but China is also making inroads by pouring aid and infrastructure investment into what is one of the world's 10 poorest countries. Beijing sent troops into remote, mountainous Tibet in 1950 in what it officially terms a peaceful liberation and has ruled there with an iron fist ever since. The Dalai Lama fled to India in early 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule. Krishna Bahadur Katuwal, assistant district administrator of Kathmandu, said the government refused permission for Tibetans to mark the Dalai Lama's birthday because "infiltrators" could create trouble. "There could be a law and order problem as infiltrators could organise demonstrations or try to self-immolate," Katuwal told Reuters. Tibetan news portal Phayul.com said celebration plans were then withdrawn. Airport immigration authorities in Kathmandu refused to admit a U.S. citizen of Tibetan origin and deported him last month, reportedly at China's request. Nepali authorities have also previously detained Tibetans trying to cross the border on their way to India after fleeing their disputed homeland. Human rights groups say Nepal faces intense Chinese pressure to control the flow of Tibetans crossing the border.

Nepal denies Tibetans' request to hold Dalai Lama birthday celebration

Police lined the streets of the Sri Lankan highland town of Kandy on Sunday and the army was on standby as Buddhist monks gathered for their first big assembly since <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lankan-parliament-approves-committee-to-investigate-easter-bombings-220887">Easter attacks by Islamist militants</a> on churches and luxury hotels.

Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara, the influential head of the Buddhist nationalist group Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), has called for many as 10,000 clergymen from across the country to attend the meet.

The group said the gathering will decide who to back in the presidential elections later this year in the Indian Ocean island nation where Buddhists make up about 70% of the population. The rest include ethnic Tamils, who are mostly Hindus, and Muslims.

Dressed in orange, Gnanasara visited one of Buddhism's most sacred temples in Kandy on Sunday where a relic believed to be the Buddha's tooth is kept. Later in the day, the hardliner, who has faced allegations of inciting violence against Muslims, will address the gathering.

"The army is assisting the police on security under the emergency law," military spokesman Sumith Atapattu said, adding soldiers were on alert should trouble erupt.

There has been increasing anti-Muslim violence in the country in recent weeks, blamed in part on Buddhist groups, in apparent reprisal for the April bombings claimed by Islamic State that killed more than 250 people.

Watch:&nbsp;Church in Sri Lanka's Easter Sunday bomb attacks reopens after renovation

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/church-in-sri-lankas-easter-sunday-bomb-attacks-reopens-after-renovation-226841/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Muslims have become fearful of a backlash, especially from hardline groups such as the BBS that are leading the campaign against Islamic extremism.

Many shopkeepers and restaurant owners in Kandy said they planned to close their establishments on Sunday for fear of violence.

MJM Faizal, a Muslim who set up the Expo Leather store in Kandy 20 years ago, said late on Saturday he never had a problem with his neighbours even if they belonged to different communities.

"We cannot predict anything because a lot of outsiders are coming to Kandy and we don't know what that means," said the 55-year-old, who said he has been losing business since the attacks in April.

"We are not safe now, there is always tension about what might happen. If we could, we would move to another country," he said, adding that his wife and daughters now do not leave the house alone and are always accompanied by him or his brother.

Kandy was rocked by violence last year when mobs vandalised a mosque, homes and businesses.

"The government is not doing enough for our security and safety," said 42-year-old Mohamed Rilwa, a Muslim businessman who owns the Fancy Point general store that remained closed on Sunday.

"They see all of us the same way ... just because we are Muslims and we have Muslim names," he said, adding that he has lost 75 per cent of his business since the attacks and worries for the safety of his wife and three children.

Police lined the streets of the Sri Lankan highland town of Kandy on Sunday and the army was on standby as Buddhist monks gathered for their first big assembly since Easter attacks by Islamist militants on churches and luxury hotels.

Police lined the streets of the Sri Lankan highland town of Kandy on Sunday and the army was on standby as Buddhist monks gathered for their first big assembly since Easter attacks by Islamist militants on churches and luxury hotels. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara, the influential head of the Buddhist nationalist group Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), has called for many as 10,000 clergymen from across the country to attend the meet. The group said the gathering will decide who to back in the presidential elections later this year in the Indian Ocean island nation where Buddhists make up about 70% of the population. The rest include ethnic Tamils, who are mostly Hindus, and Muslims. Dressed in orange, Gnanasara visited one of Buddhism's most sacred temples in Kandy on Sunday where a relic believed to be the Buddha's tooth is kept. Later in the day, the hardliner, who has faced allegations of inciting violence against Muslims, will address the gathering. "The army is assisting the police on security under the emergency law," military spokesman Sumith Atapattu said, adding soldiers were on alert should trouble erupt. There has been increasing anti-Muslim violence in the country in recent weeks, blamed in part on Buddhist groups, in apparent reprisal for the April bombings claimed by Islamic State that killed more than 250 people. Watch: Church in Sri Lanka's Easter Sunday bomb attacks reopens after renovation Muslims have become fearful of a backlash, especially from hardline groups such as the BBS that are leading the campaign against Islamic extremism. Many shopkeepers and restaurant owners in Kandy said they planned to close their establishments on Sunday for fear of violence. MJM Faizal, a Muslim who set up the Expo Leather store in Kandy 20 years ago, said late on Saturday he never had a problem with his neighbours even if they belonged to different communities. "We cannot predict anything because a lot of outsiders are coming to Kandy and we don't know what that means," said the 55-year-old, who said he has been losing business since the attacks in April. "We are not safe now, there is always tension about what might happen. If we could, we would move to another country," he said, adding that his wife and daughters now do not leave the house alone and are always accompanied by him or his brother. Kandy was rocked by violence last year when mobs vandalised a mosque, homes and businesses. "The government is not doing enough for our security and safety," said 42-year-old Mohamed Rilwa, a Muslim businessman who owns the Fancy Point general store that remained closed on Sunday. "They see all of us the same way ... just because we are Muslims and we have Muslim names," he said, adding that he has lost 75 per cent of his business since the attacks and worries for the safety of his wife and three children.

Sri Lanka on alert as Buddhist monks hold first meeting after Easter attacks

Iran will begin enriching uranium beyond a 3.67 per cent cap set by a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-iran-to-resume-talks-over-nuclear-deal-and-its-consequences-233670">landmark nuclear deal</a> "in a few hours", the Islamic republic's atomic energy organisation spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said Sunday.

The "order received from the president" Hassan Rouhani would be implemented in a few hours after the last technical details were sorted, Kamalvandi said live on state television.

Iran has also&nbsp;threatened&nbsp;to abandon more nuclear commitments in '60 days'.

"We hope we can reach a solution otherwise after 60 days we will take the third step as well," Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said at a news conference, singling out Iran's declining oil sales as one of the main issues that needed to be solved.

France has warned Tehran that it would "gain nothing" by leaving the deal and has said "challenging the agreement would only increase tensions" in the Middle East.

Iran says that it is not violating the deal, citing terms of the agreement allowing one side to temporarily abandon some of commitments if it deems the other side is not respecting its part of the accord.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-to-increase-uranium-enrichment-to-5-233677/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The diplomatic chiefs of Britain, France, Germany and the EU have said they were "extremely concerned".

Trump, meanwhile, has warned Iran that it is "playing with fire".

Iran will begin enriching uranium beyond a 3.67 per cent cap set by a landmark nuclear deal "in a few hours", the Islamic republic's atomic energy organisation spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said Sunday.

Iran will begin enriching uranium beyond a 3.67 per cent cap set by a landmark nuclear deal "in a few hours", the Islamic republic's atomic energy organisation spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said Sunday. The "order received from the president" Hassan Rouhani would be implemented in a few hours after the last technical details were sorted, Kamalvandi said live on state television. Iran has also threatened to abandon more nuclear commitments in '60 days'. "We hope we can reach a solution otherwise after 60 days we will take the third step as well," Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said at a news conference, singling out Iran's declining oil sales as one of the main issues that needed to be solved. France has warned Tehran that it would "gain nothing" by leaving the deal and has said "challenging the agreement would only increase tensions" in the Middle East. Iran says that it is not violating the deal, citing terms of the agreement allowing one side to temporarily abandon some of commitments if it deems the other side is not respecting its part of the accord. The diplomatic chiefs of Britain, France, Germany and the EU have said they were "extremely concerned". Trump, meanwhile, has warned Iran that it is "playing with fire".

Iran to begin enriching uranium beyond 3.67% 'in few hours'; threatens to abandon more nuclear commitments in '60 days'

A religious school's headteacher has been arrested for allegedly raping two girls and sexually molesting another six children under his care, Bangladeshi officials said Sunday.

Abul Khair Belali, 33, is the second principal of a madrassa -- a religious school -- to be arrested this week for allegedly raping students.

Belali, also an iman at a nearby mosque, was arrested Friday at the Kendua girls' madrassa after an 11-year-old student told her parents she had been raped by him, police chief Mohammad Rasheduzzaman said.

The school is also used as a dormitory by around 15 girls from the surrounding villages.

"On Saturday, he admitted that he raped at least two girl children aged eight and 11 and sexually molested another six girl children," Rasheduzzman told AFP.

The incident sparked protests in Kendua, roughly 120 kilometres north of Dhaka, with hundreds of people marching through the main street demanding punishment for the headteacher.

It comes after police last week arrested another madrassa head over alleged child rape in Fatulla, and two high school teachers in the central industrial town of Narayanganj for allegedly raping 20 students.

Rights groups raised concerns about the spike in the number of rape and sexual assaults in the Muslim-majority South Asian nation.

The Manusher Jonno Foundation, a local rights group, published a report in April saying 433 children were raped last year. Most were aged between seven and 12, it said.

The arrests have also raised questions on the safety of students in Bangladesh's thousands of residential madrassas, where mostly poor pupils live under the care of their teachers.

"We have noticed an alarming rise in sexual abuses of children, including the rapes of male children, in madrassas in recent years," Abdus Shahid, head of the Bangladesh Shishu Adhikar Forum, a children rights group, told AFP. &nbsp;

He said "a culture of impunity" is partly to blame for the rise in sexual violence in the country, as only a few cases end in convictions.

The latest arrests come months after Bangladesh was shaken by the murder of 19-year-old Nusrat Jahan Rafi, burned to death on the alleged orders of the madrassa headteacher after she refused to withdraw a sexual assault charge against him.

A religious school's headteacher has been arrested for allegedly raping two girls and sexually molesting another six children under his care, Bangladeshi officials said Sunday.

A religious school's headteacher has been arrested for allegedly raping two girls and sexually molesting another six children under his care, Bangladeshi officials said Sunday. Abul Khair Belali, 33, is the second principal of a madrassa -- a religious school -- to be arrested this week for allegedly raping students. Belali, also an iman at a nearby mosque, was arrested Friday at the Kendua girls' madrassa after an 11-year-old student told her parents she had been raped by him, police chief Mohammad Rasheduzzaman said. The school is also used as a dormitory by around 15 girls from the surrounding villages. "On Saturday, he admitted that he raped at least two girl children aged eight and 11 and sexually molested another six girl children," Rasheduzzman told AFP. The incident sparked protests in Kendua, roughly 120 kilometres north of Dhaka, with hundreds of people marching through the main street demanding punishment for the headteacher. It comes after police last week arrested another madrassa head over alleged child rape in Fatulla, and two high school teachers in the central industrial town of Narayanganj for allegedly raping 20 students. Rights groups raised concerns about the spike in the number of rape and sexual assaults in the Muslim-majority South Asian nation. The Manusher Jonno Foundation, a local rights group, published a report in April saying 433 children were raped last year. Most were aged between seven and 12, it said. The arrests have also raised questions on the safety of students in Bangladesh's thousands of residential madrassas, where mostly poor pupils live under the care of their teachers. "We have noticed an alarming rise in sexual abuses of children, including the rapes of male children, in madrassas in recent years," Abdus Shahid, head of the Bangladesh Shishu Adhikar Forum, a children rights group, told AFP. He said "a culture of impunity" is partly to blame for the rise in sexual violence in the country, as only a few cases end in convictions. The latest arrests come months after Bangladesh was shaken by the murder of 19-year-old Nusrat Jahan Rafi, burned to death on the alleged orders of the madrassa headteacher after she refused to withdraw a sexual assault charge against him.

Second Bangladesh religious headteacher arrested over child rapes

Britain's ambassador in the United States has described <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-promises-to-reduce-us-drug-prices-to-worlds-lowest-233452">President Donald Trump</a> and his administration as "inept" and "uniquely dysfunctional", according to leaked diplomatic memos published by the Mail on Sunday.

Ambassador Kim Darroch reportedly said Trump's presidency could "crash and burn" and "end in disgrace", in the cache of secret cables and briefing notes sent back to Britain seen by the newspaper.

"We don't really believe this administration is going to become substantially more normal; less dysfunctional; less unpredictable; less faction riven; less diplomatically clumsy and inept," Darroch allegedly wrote in one dispatch.

The paper said the most damning comments by Darroch described Trump, who was received by Queen Elizabeth II during a state visit to Britain just last month, as "insecure" and "incompetent".

A memo sent following the controversial visit said the president and his team had been "dazzled" by the visit but warned Britain might not remain "flavour of the month" because "this is still the land of America First".

He reportedly wrote that the "vicious infighting and chaos" inside the White House -- widely reported in the US but dismissed by Trump as "fake news" -- was "mostly true".

Darroch is one of Britain's most experienced diplomats whose posting in Washington DC&nbsp;began in January, 2016, prior to Trump winning the presidency.

The Mail on Sunday said the memos, likely leaked by someone within Britain's sprawling civil service, cover a period beginning in 2017.

In one of the most recent reported dispatches filed on June 22 Darroch criticised Trump's fraught foreign policy on Iran, which has prompted fears in global capitals of a military conflict, as "incoherent" and "chaotic".

He allegedly said the president's assertion, that he called off retaliatory missile strikes against the Iranian regime after a US drone was shot down because it risked killing 150 Iranians, "doesn't stand up".

"It's more likely that he was never fully on board and that he was worried about how this apparent reversal of his 2016 campaign promises would look come 2020," Darroch reportedly stated, referring to the next presidential election.

Britain's Foreign Office did not dispute the veracity of the memos.

"The British public would expect our ambassadors to provide ministers with an honest, unvarnished assessment of the politics in their country," a spokeswoman said.&nbsp;

"Their views are not necessarily the views of ministers or indeed the government," she added, noting "we pay them to be candid".&nbsp;

"Our team in Washington have strong relations with the White House and no doubt that these will withstand such mischievous behaviour," the spokeswoman said of the potential fallout from the leak.

Britain's ambassador in the United States has described President Donald Trump and his administration as "inept" and "uniquely dysfunctional", according to leaked diplomatic memos published by the Mail on Sunday.

Britain's ambassador in the United States has described President Donald Trump and his administration as "inept" and "uniquely dysfunctional", according to leaked diplomatic memos published by the Mail on Sunday. Ambassador Kim Darroch reportedly said Trump's presidency could "crash and burn" and "end in disgrace", in the cache of secret cables and briefing notes sent back to Britain seen by the newspaper. "We don't really believe this administration is going to become substantially more normal; less dysfunctional; less unpredictable; less faction riven; less diplomatically clumsy and inept," Darroch allegedly wrote in one dispatch. The paper said the most damning comments by Darroch described Trump, who was received by Queen Elizabeth II during a state visit to Britain just last month, as "insecure" and "incompetent". A memo sent following the controversial visit said the president and his team had been "dazzled" by the visit but warned Britain might not remain "flavour of the month" because "this is still the land of America First". He reportedly wrote that the "vicious infighting and chaos" inside the White House -- widely reported in the US but dismissed by Trump as "fake news" -- was "mostly true". Darroch is one of Britain's most experienced diplomats whose posting in Washington DC began in January, 2016, prior to Trump winning the presidency. The Mail on Sunday said the memos, likely leaked by someone within Britain's sprawling civil service, cover a period beginning in 2017. In one of the most recent reported dispatches filed on June 22 Darroch criticised Trump's fraught foreign policy on Iran, which has prompted fears in global capitals of a military conflict, as "incoherent" and "chaotic". He allegedly said the president's assertion, that he called off retaliatory missile strikes against the Iranian regime after a US drone was shot down because it risked killing 150 Iranians, "doesn't stand up". "It's more likely that he was never fully on board and that he was worried about how this apparent reversal of his 2016 campaign promises would look come 2020," Darroch reportedly stated, referring to the next presidential election. Britain's Foreign Office did not dispute the veracity of the memos. "The British public would expect our ambassadors to provide ministers with an honest, unvarnished assessment of the politics in their country," a spokeswoman said. "Their views are not necessarily the views of ministers or indeed the government," she added, noting "we pay them to be candid". "Our team in Washington have strong relations with the White House and no doubt that these will withstand such mischievous behaviour," the spokeswoman said of the potential fallout from the leak.

UK's top envoy in US says Trump executive 'inept': Report

Venezuelan Independence Day on July 5 was marked by rival rallied led by President Nicolas Maduro and opposition leader Juan Guaido.

The country celebrated its 1811 Declaration of Independence on July 5.

Maduro led a military parade down the Paseo de los Proceres, a boulevard to honour the country's founders.

Guaido, on the other hand, encouraged supporters to not give up hope.

"Don't leave! We're going to get there! Have no doubt, we'll succeed," Guaido said.

Meanwhile, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rule-of-law-in-venezuela-eroded-un-rights-chief-233251">UN human rights chief lamented the erosion</a> of rule of law in Venezuela, pointing to attacks on political opponents and activists, including using torture and killings.

The report pointed out that, according to a count by Caracas, nearly 7,000 people have been killed during security operations in Venezuela in the past year and a half.

The report also decried a wide range of other grave rights violations in Venezuela, which is caught in an economic crisis and a political standoff between President Nicolas Maduro's government and National Assembly leader Juan Guaido.

Venezuelan Independence Day on July 5 was marked by rival rallied led by President Nicolas Maduro and opposition leader Juan Guaido. The country celebrated its 1811 Declaration of Independence on July 5.

Venezuelan Independence Day on July 5 was marked by rival rallied led by President Nicolas Maduro and opposition leader Juan Guaido. The country celebrated its 1811 Declaration of Independence on July 5. Maduro led a military parade down the Paseo de los Proceres, a boulevard to honour the country's founders. Guaido, on the other hand, encouraged supporters to not give up hope. "Don't leave! We're going to get there! Have no doubt, we'll succeed," Guaido said. Meanwhile, the UN human rights chief lamented the erosion of rule of law in Venezuela, pointing to attacks on political opponents and activists, including using torture and killings. The report pointed out that, according to a count by Caracas, nearly 7,000 people have been killed during security operations in Venezuela in the past year and a half. The report also decried a wide range of other grave rights violations in Venezuela, which is caught in an economic crisis and a political standoff between President Nicolas Maduro's government and National Assembly leader Juan Guaido.

Venezuelan Independence Day marked by rival rallies, UN rebuke

A high tide of 4.74 meters is expected to hit Mumbai later today, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said on Saturday.

The organisation also stated that low tide of 1.32 metres will occur in the evening around 8:37 PM.

When there is a high tide during the rainy season, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/heavy-rain-paralyses-mumbai-more-predicted-in-next-24-hours-232378">flooded water in the city</a> find it difficult to get into the seas. Low tide will help the flood waters in the city to find an outlet to enter into the seas.

The BMC also said high tide of 4.06 meters will occur at around 2:45 am and low tide of 0.80 meters at 8:36 am on Sunday.

The India Meteorological Centre, Mumbai has predicted heavy rainfall in the city and in suburbs. The minimum and maximum temperatures will hover around 25 degree Celsius and 30 degree Celsius throughout the day.

Owing to the torrential downpour, a part of a tree fell on Mulund station's cover over platform (COP) and got entangled with Pantograph of a slow local train.

The tree branches were later removed and services returned to normalcy.

The downpour also led to severe waterlogging in Mumbai and Thane, with locals wading through ankle-deep waters to commute.

A high tide of 4.74 meters is expected to hit Mumbai later today, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said on Saturday. The organisation also stated that low tide of 1.

A high tide of 4.74 meters is expected to hit Mumbai later today, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said on Saturday. The organisation also stated that low tide of 1.32 metres will occur in the evening around 8:37 PM. When there is a high tide during the rainy season, flooded water in the city find it difficult to get into the seas. Low tide will help the flood waters in the city to find an outlet to enter into the seas. The BMC also said high tide of 4.06 meters will occur at around 2:45 am and low tide of 0.80 meters at 8:36 am on Sunday. The India Meteorological Centre, Mumbai has predicted heavy rainfall in the city and in suburbs. The minimum and maximum temperatures will hover around 25 degree Celsius and 30 degree Celsius throughout the day. Owing to the torrential downpour, a part of a tree fell on Mulund station's cover over platform (COP) and got entangled with Pantograph of a slow local train. The tree branches were later removed and services returned to normalcy. The downpour also led to severe waterlogging in Mumbai and Thane, with locals wading through ankle-deep waters to commute.

High tide of 4.74 metres likely to hit Mumbai later today, heavy rainfall expected

The makers of Sidharth Malhotra and Parineeti Chopra-starrer 'Jabariya Jodi' have released the film's first song 'Khadke Glassy'. The song is yet <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/badshahs-latest-song-sheher-ki-ladki-is-all-things-nostalgic-233305">another addition to Bollywood's remix jukebox</a>.&nbsp; 
 
Sung by Yo Yo Honey Singh, Ashok Mastie and Jyotica Tangri, the track is a revised version of the hit Punjabi song of the same name. 
 
The 2.38-minute-long video features Sidharth and Parineeti celebrating the festival of Holi.&nbsp;

The two can be seen drinking what seems to be Bhang, a traditional drink that is served during Holi and dancing their hearts out.

Watch the video here: 
 
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YcDw4h3SUfI" width="560"></iframe> 
This is the second time that the two actors will be seen sharing screen space after having worked together in 'Hasee Toh Phasee'. 
 
If the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/jabariya-jodi-trailer-this-siddharth-malhotra-parineeti-chopra-film-looks-crazy-and-we-love-it-232010">trailer of the film</a> is anything to go by, the film promises to leave you in splits with its quirky theme. 
 
Produced by Shobha Kapoor, Ekta Kapoor, and Shailesh R Singh, Jabariya Jodi is set to hit the theatres on August 2, 2019.&nbsp;

The makers of Sidharth Malhotra and Parineeti Chopra-starrer 'Jabariya Jodi' have released the film's first song 'Khadke Glassy'. The song is yet another addition to Bollywood's remix jukebox.

The makers of Sidharth Malhotra and Parineeti Chopra-starrer 'Jabariya Jodi' have released the film's first song 'Khadke Glassy'. The song is yet another addition to Bollywood's remix jukebox. Sung by Yo Yo Honey Singh, Ashok Mastie and Jyotica Tangri, the track is a revised version of the hit Punjabi song of the same name. The 2.38-minute-long video features Sidharth and Parineeti celebrating the festival of Holi. The two can be seen drinking what seems to be Bhang, a traditional drink that is served during Holi and dancing their hearts out. Watch the video here: This is the second time that the two actors will be seen sharing screen space after having worked together in 'Hasee Toh Phasee'. If the trailer of the film is anything to go by, the film promises to leave you in splits with its quirky theme. Produced by Shobha Kapoor, Ekta Kapoor, and Shailesh R Singh, Jabariya Jodi is set to hit the theatres on August 2, 2019.

'Jabariya Jodi' song 'Khadke Glassy' out, features Sidharth Malhotra and Parineeti Chopra celebrating Holi

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Zee News Rajasthan

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Riya Gupta

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