Hurricane Delta was seen to be fast approaching Louisiana on Friday packing winds of up to 325 kph as residents fled the area.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hurricane-delta-heads-towards-louisiana-333895">Also Read:&nbsp;Hurricane Delta heads towards Louisiana</a>

Hurricane Delta was has been put under Category 3 storm as Louisiana shut down schools and offices and people began travelling inland away from coastal areas to avoid the storm.

The latest hurricane comes just months after Hurricane Laura as a meteorologist at the National weather service office in New Orleans said Delta is set to make landfall on Friday in southwest Louisiana, between Lake Charles and Lafayette.

Lake Charles was devasted by Hurricane Laura in August which was a Category 4 storm.

The NHC said the storm could drive a 4-to 11-foot storm surge at Vermilion Bay on the coast and could also result in tornados. Energy companies in the US Gulf coast have already closed bulk of their operations ahead of the hurricane.

The NHC added that "devastating damage" may occur as the storm battered down towards southwestern Louisiana.

Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards said at least 2,400 National Guard troops will be mobilized to carry out relief operations amid traffic jams in Lake Charles as people continued to leave the droves.

Hurricane Delta was seen to be fast approaching Louisiana on Friday packing winds of up to 325 kph as residents fled the area. Also Read: Hurricane Delta heads towards Louisiana Hurricane Delta was has been put under Category 3 storm as Louisiana shut down schools and offices and people began travelling inland away from coastal areas to avoid the storm.

Hurricane Delta was seen to be fast approaching Louisiana on Friday packing winds of up to 325 kph as residents fled the area. Also Read: Hurricane Delta heads towards Louisiana Hurricane Delta was has been put under Category 3 storm as Louisiana shut down schools and offices and people began travelling inland away from coastal areas to avoid the storm. The latest hurricane comes just months after Hurricane Laura as a meteorologist at the National weather service office in New Orleans said Delta is set to make landfall on Friday in southwest Louisiana, between Lake Charles and Lafayette. Lake Charles was devasted by Hurricane Laura in August which was a Category 4 storm. The NHC said the storm could drive a 4-to 11-foot storm surge at Vermilion Bay on the coast and could also result in tornados. Energy companies in the US Gulf coast have already closed bulk of their operations ahead of the hurricane. The NHC added that "devastating damage" may occur as the storm battered down towards southwestern Louisiana. Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards said at least 2,400 National Guard troops will be mobilized to carry out relief operations amid traffic jams in Lake Charles as people continued to leave the droves.

Residents leave Louisiana as Hurricane Delta set for 'devastating damage'

The World Health Organization's emergencies expert Mike Ryan said that authorities should "try and avoid massive lockdowns that are so punishing to communities, to society and to everything else" as European nations introduced partial lockdown in several areas.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spain-invokes-state-of-emergency-over-madrid-lockdown-as-europe-grapples-with-virus-334020">Also Read:&nbsp;Spain invokes state of emergency over Madrid lockdown as Europe grapples with virus</a>

Amid the rising number of coronavirus cases, Ryan said he was "sad" to see the number of coronavirus cases rising in Europe. "There are no new answers. We know what we need to do," Mike Ryan added.

Earlier, the WHO had reported a record one-day increase in global coronavirus cases with the total rising to 338,779 in 24 hours.

Meanwhile, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus welcomed Moderna's decision not to go in for patents for its coronavirus vaccine amid the pandemic as China signed a deal to ensure vaccines as part of COVAX pledge for poorer nations.

China highlighted "global public good" as its reason to join the deal. "Chinese vaccines will be provided to developing countries as a priority," the Chinese foreign ministry said even as the Trump administration is yet to sign the deal.&nbsp;

China has already administered the vaccine to its soldiers, emergency staff and overseas workers.

The World Health Organization's emergencies expert Mike Ryan said that authorities should "try and avoid massive lockdowns that are so punishing to communities, to society and to everything else" as European nations introduced partial lockdown in several areas.

The World Health Organization's emergencies expert Mike Ryan said that authorities should "try and avoid massive lockdowns that are so punishing to communities, to society and to everything else" as European nations introduced partial lockdown in several areas. Also Read: Spain invokes state of emergency over Madrid lockdown as Europe grapples with virus Amid the rising number of coronavirus cases, Ryan said he was "sad" to see the number of coronavirus cases rising in Europe. "There are no new answers. We know what we need to do," Mike Ryan added. Earlier, the WHO had reported a record one-day increase in global coronavirus cases with the total rising to 338,779 in 24 hours. Meanwhile, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus welcomed Moderna's decision not to go in for patents for its coronavirus vaccine amid the pandemic as China signed a deal to ensure vaccines as part of COVAX pledge for poorer nations. China highlighted "global public good" as its reason to join the deal. "Chinese vaccines will be provided to developing countries as a priority," the Chinese foreign ministry said even as the Trump administration is yet to sign the deal. China has already administered the vaccine to its soldiers, emergency staff and overseas workers.

Massive lockdowns punishing for communities and society: WHO

The World Food Programme(WFP)&nbsp;has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize 2020. The United Nations food assistance branch has been honoured for feeding millions of people.

"The need for international solidarity and multilateral cooperation is more conspicuous than ever. The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2020 to the World Food Programme for its efforts to combat hunger, for its contribution to bettering conditions for peace in conflict-affected areas and for acting as a driving force in efforts to prevent the use of hunger as a weapon of war and conflict," Berit Reiss-Andersen, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, said.

The World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian organisation addressing hunger and promoting food security. In 2019, the WFP provided assistance to close to 100 million people in 88 countries, who are victims of acute food insecurity and hunger. The World Food Programme delivers food and assistance to conflict and disaster-torn area. It also focuses on nutrition, especially for mothers and children.

The programme is funded by voluntary donations. It has over 17,000 staff worldwide and at a time when more and more people are sleeping hungry courtesy the Wuhan virus, the Nobel Peace Prize to the World Food Programme seems just.

It also goes down the history as one of the less controversial Nobel Peace Prizes, since the word "peace" is pretty relative. This relativity has been exploited by the Nobel committee who have awarded less deserving people raising multiple eyebrows worldwide and somewhere eroded the charm of the award.

Critics say the Nobel Peace Prize is a "political tool" which is used by the West to promote its narrative. The prize is sometimes given to those with violent pasts, sometimes it was presented to those who cannot even justify the award.

Former US President Barack Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009 just nine months after taking office. The nomination of the awards had closed 12 days after he had assumed office.

The Dalai Lama in 1989 won the award for being a Tibetan exile.

The Nobel Peace Prize website reads: "The award of the Peace Prize gave the Dalai Lama the opportunity to present a plan for the restoration of peace and human rights in Tibet. In the plan, he had recommended that the country be turned into an ecologically stable and demilitarized zone that might serve as a buffer between major Asian powers."

However, 31 years on, there is still no peace in Tibet. It is not the only Peace Prize that was extremely hasty. In 1991, Aung San Suu Kyi was awarded the Nobel Prize for "her non-violent struggle for democracy and human rights" back then she was a political prisoner. Today, she is the de-facto leader of Myanmar and under her at least 24,000 Rohingya Muslims have been killed in the country's Rakhine State and 700,000 others have fled Myanmar.

The biggest irony of the Nobel Peace Prize is that one of the world's strongest symbols of peace was never honoured - Mahatma Gandhi's nomination was never considered. He was nominated for the Peace Prize in 1937, 1938, 1939, 1947 and shortly before he was assassinated in 1948. However, the year he died the Norwegian Nobel Committee decided to make no award.

It said: "There was no suitable living candidate." The Nobel Committee now calls Gandhi the "missing laureate".

The World Food Programme(WFP) has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize 2020. The United Nations food assistance branch has been honoured for feeding millions of people.

The World Food Programme(WFP) has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize 2020. The United Nations food assistance branch has been honoured for feeding millions of people. "The need for international solidarity and multilateral cooperation is more conspicuous than ever. The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2020 to the World Food Programme for its efforts to combat hunger, for its contribution to bettering conditions for peace in conflict-affected areas and for acting as a driving force in efforts to prevent the use of hunger as a weapon of war and conflict," Berit Reiss-Andersen, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, said. The World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian organisation addressing hunger and promoting food security. In 2019, the WFP provided assistance to close to 100 million people in 88 countries, who are victims of acute food insecurity and hunger. The World Food Programme delivers food and assistance to conflict and disaster-torn area. It also focuses on nutrition, especially for mothers and children. The programme is funded by voluntary donations. It has over 17,000 staff worldwide and at a time when more and more people are sleeping hungry courtesy the Wuhan virus, the Nobel Peace Prize to the World Food Programme seems just. It also goes down the history as one of the less controversial Nobel Peace Prizes, since the word "peace" is pretty relative. This relativity has been exploited by the Nobel committee who have awarded less deserving people raising multiple eyebrows worldwide and somewhere eroded the charm of the award. Critics say the Nobel Peace Prize is a "political tool" which is used by the West to promote its narrative. The prize is sometimes given to those with violent pasts, sometimes it was presented to those who cannot even justify the award. Former US President Barack Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009 just nine months after taking office. The nomination of the awards had closed 12 days after he had assumed office. The Dalai Lama in 1989 won the award for being a Tibetan exile. The Nobel Peace Prize website reads: "The award of the Peace Prize gave the Dalai Lama the opportunity to present a plan for the restoration of peace and human rights in Tibet. In the plan, he had recommended that the country be turned into an ecologically stable and demilitarized zone that might serve as a buffer between major Asian powers." However, 31 years on, there is still no peace in Tibet. It is not the only Peace Prize that was extremely hasty. In 1991, Aung San Suu Kyi was awarded the Nobel Prize for "her non-violent struggle for democracy and human rights" back then she was a political prisoner. Today, she is the de-facto leader of Myanmar and under her at least 24,000 Rohingya Muslims have been killed in the country's Rakhine State and 700,000 others have fled Myanmar. The biggest irony of the Nobel Peace Prize is that one of the world's strongest symbols of peace was never honoured - Mahatma Gandhi's nomination was never considered. He was nominated for the Peace Prize in 1937, 1938, 1939, 1947 and shortly before he was assassinated in 1948. However, the year he died the Norwegian Nobel Committee decided to make no award. It said: "There was no suitable living candidate." The Nobel Committee now calls Gandhi the "missing laureate".

Nobel Peace Prize politics and the 'missing laureate'

Kyrgyzstan President Sooronbai Jeenbekov ordered the dismissal of Prime Minister Kubatbek Boronov and his cabinet as protesters clashed in capital Bishkek.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kyrgyzstan-president-says-ready-to-resign-once-new-cabinet-appointed-333716">Also Read:&nbsp;Kyrgyzstan president says ready to resign once new cabinet appointed</a>

Fresh clashes broke out in the Central Asian Republic over a disputed election as rival political camps took to the streets.&nbsp;

President Sooronbai Jeenbekov declared a state of emergency in Bishkek and called in the military even as he said he is ready to resign to end the post-election chaos.

"After legitimate executive authorities are approved and we are back on the path of lawfulness, I am ready to leave the post of President of the Kyrgyz Republic," Jeenbekov said.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin said the situation in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kyrgyzstan-prime-minister-resigns-during-post-vote-chaos-333077">Kyrgyzstan </a>was "a mess and chaos" as opposition groups proposed their candidates for an interim prime minister.

The current instability has occurred after election victory was handed two parties one of which was close to President Jeenbekov as other parties refused to accept the results.

One person has been killed and several hundred injured since clashes broke out this week.

President Sooronbay Jeenbekov is largely seen to be pro-Russian, even though authorities have annulled election results. &nbsp;Sadyr Japarov, 51, from the &nbsp;Mekenchil political party was declared the acting prime minister in parliament session hosted in a hotel after the parliament building was seized by protesters during the unrest.

However, other political parties have refused to recognise Sunday's vote have said they do not recognise his election.

Kyrgyzstan President Sooronbai Jeenbekov ordered the dismissal of Prime Minister Kubatbek Boronov and his cabinet as protesters clashed in capital Bishkek. Also Read: Kyrgyzstan president says ready to resign once new cabinet appointed Fresh clashes broke out in the Central Asian Republic over a disputed election as rival political camps took to the streets.

Kyrgyzstan President Sooronbai Jeenbekov ordered the dismissal of Prime Minister Kubatbek Boronov and his cabinet as protesters clashed in capital Bishkek. Also Read: Kyrgyzstan president says ready to resign once new cabinet appointed Fresh clashes broke out in the Central Asian Republic over a disputed election as rival political camps took to the streets. President Sooronbai Jeenbekov declared a state of emergency in Bishkek and called in the military even as he said he is ready to resign to end the post-election chaos. "After legitimate executive authorities are approved and we are back on the path of lawfulness, I am ready to leave the post of President of the Kyrgyz Republic," Jeenbekov said. Meanwhile, the Kremlin said the situation in Kyrgyzstan was "a mess and chaos" as opposition groups proposed their candidates for an interim prime minister. The current instability has occurred after election victory was handed two parties one of which was close to President Jeenbekov as other parties refused to accept the results. One person has been killed and several hundred injured since clashes broke out this week. President Sooronbay Jeenbekov is largely seen to be pro-Russian, even though authorities have annulled election results. Sadyr Japarov, 51, from the Mekenchil political party was declared the acting prime minister in parliament session hosted in a hotel after the parliament building was seized by protesters during the unrest. However, other political parties have refused to recognise Sunday's vote have said they do not recognise his election.

Protesters clash in Kyrgyzstan as President Jeenbekov says 'ready to resign'

As talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia began in Moscow, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev said that it was Armenia's "last chance" to secure peace amid fighting over <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nagorno-karabakh-conflict-france-accuses-turkey-of-military-involvement-333242">Nagorno-Karabakh</a>.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-dispatch-france-us-and-russia-meet-on-nagorno-karabakh-seek-ceasefire-334023/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"We are giving Armenia a chance to settle the conflict peacefully. This is their last chance," Aliyev said in a televised address.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/armenia-says-historic-cathedral-in-nagorno-karabakh-hit-as-fighting-continues-with-azerbaijan-forces-333477">Also Read:&nbsp;Armenia says historic cathedral in Nagorno-Karabakh</a>&nbsp;

"The only path towards resolving the issue is the liberation of our territories," President Ilham Aliyev said,adding,"we are winning" on the battlefield, we will get our lands back and restore our territorial integrity."

Meanwhile, Turkey said that peace efforts were bound to fail if the withdrawal of Armenian forces from the enclave wasn't carried out.

"If they're calling only for a ceasefire, if they're working only towards a ceasefire, it will be nothing more than a repeat of what went on for the last 30 years or so," Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said, adding,"it is almost certain to fail if it doesn't also involve a detailed plan to end the occupation."&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-warns-nagorno-karabakh-risks-becoming-islamist-militant-stronghold-333038">Russia,</a> France and the United States which are part of the Minsk group have been trying to broker peace between the two warring nations in Moscow.&nbsp;

Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar had said earlier, "until the occupation is over, until the terrorists and mercenaries are taken out of there, nobody should expect our Azeri brothers to stop," while siding with Azerbaijan's offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Amid the fighting, UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet called for an "urgent ceasefire due to the impact on civilians" as it reminded "all parties to the conflict to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure."

As talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia began in Moscow, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev said that it was Armenia's "last chance" to secure peace amid fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh.

As talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia began in Moscow, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev said that it was Armenia's "last chance" to secure peace amid fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh. Watch: "We are giving Armenia a chance to settle the conflict peacefully. This is their last chance," Aliyev said in a televised address. Also Read: Armenia says historic cathedral in Nagorno-Karabakh "The only path towards resolving the issue is the liberation of our territories," President Ilham Aliyev said,adding,"we are winning" on the battlefield, we will get our lands back and restore our territorial integrity." Meanwhile, Turkey said that peace efforts were bound to fail if the withdrawal of Armenian forces from the enclave wasn't carried out. "If they're calling only for a ceasefire, if they're working only towards a ceasefire, it will be nothing more than a repeat of what went on for the last 30 years or so," Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said, adding,"it is almost certain to fail if it doesn't also involve a detailed plan to end the occupation." Russia, France and the United States which are part of the Minsk group have been trying to broker peace between the two warring nations in Moscow. Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar had said earlier, "until the occupation is over, until the terrorists and mercenaries are taken out of there, nobody should expect our Azeri brothers to stop," while siding with Azerbaijan's offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh. Amid the fighting, UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet called for an "urgent ceasefire due to the impact on civilians" as it reminded "all parties to the conflict to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure."

'Last chance' for Armenia, says Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev amid peace talks

The White House said on Friday that President Trump is "ready to go" for campaigning this weekend if "he gets the okay from his doctor" the United States gets ready for national<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/us-election?page=1"> elections</a> on November 3.&nbsp;

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/president-trump-develops-coronavirus-antibodies-calls-catching-covid-19-a-blessing-333550/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"There are medical tests underway that will ensure that when the president's back out there, he will not be able to transmit the virus," Kayleigh McEnany, White House spokeswoman, said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/what-happens-if-a-us-presidential-candidate-dies-before-the-election-333986">Also Read:&nbsp;What happens if a US presidential candidate dies before the election</a>

President Donald <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-touts-unproven-drug-as-cure-calls-his-illness-a-blessing-from-god-333381">Trump</a> had earlier said that he would "probably" hold a campaign rally in Florida and Pennsylvania over the weekend even as doctors continue to monitor him over the virus which the US president had contracted last week.

Trump said,&nbsp;"I feel so good" amid health warning from experts to tread cautiously. Trump was infected with the virus on October 2 and later admitted in Walter Reed hospital in Washington where he spent three days.

The US president hasn't appeared in public since he returned home from the hospital on Monday. Trump had earlier declared that he won't be participating in a virtual debate with Democratic presidential candidate <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-leading-in-pennsylvania-wisconsin-reutersipsos-poll-332864">Joe Biden </a>after organizers declared they wanted the two US presidential candidates to appear from remote locations.

Trump's doctor Sean Conley had said earlier that "Saturday will be day 10 since Thursday's diagnosis and based on the trajectory of advanced diagnostics the team has been conducting, I fully anticipate the President's safe return to public engagements at that time."

"Overall he's responded extremely well to treatment, without evidence on examination of adverse therapeutic effects," Conley added.

The White House said on Friday that President Trump is "ready to go" for campaigning this weekend if "he gets the okay from his doctor" the United States gets ready for national elections on November 3.

The White House said on Friday that President Trump is "ready to go" for campaigning this weekend if "he gets the okay from his doctor" the United States gets ready for national elections on November 3. Watch: "There are medical tests underway that will ensure that when the president's back out there, he will not be able to transmit the virus," Kayleigh McEnany, White House spokeswoman, said. Also Read: What happens if a US presidential candidate dies before the election President Donald Trump had earlier said that he would "probably" hold a campaign rally in Florida and Pennsylvania over the weekend even as doctors continue to monitor him over the virus which the US president had contracted last week. Trump said, "I feel so good" amid health warning from experts to tread cautiously. Trump was infected with the virus on October 2 and later admitted in Walter Reed hospital in Washington where he spent three days. The US president hasn't appeared in public since he returned home from the hospital on Monday. Trump had earlier declared that he won't be participating in a virtual debate with Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden after organizers declared they wanted the two US presidential candidates to appear from remote locations. Trump's doctor Sean Conley had said earlier that "Saturday will be day 10 since Thursday's diagnosis and based on the trajectory of advanced diagnostics the team has been conducting, I fully anticipate the President's safe return to public engagements at that time." "Overall he's responded extremely well to treatment, without evidence on examination of adverse therapeutic effects," Conley added.

Trump ready to go on campaign rally as soon as he gets 'okay' from his doctor: White House

The Spanish government on Friday invoked a state of emergency in order impose partial lockdown in Madrid amid rising coronavirus cases in the country's capital.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/covid-19-vaccine-when-will-we-have-one-wion-wideangle-coronavirus-vacine-333997/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

A Madrid court had earlier rejected partial lockdown calling it "harmful to basic rights".

The court said it had "denied the ratification on grounds they impacted on the rights and fundamental freedoms" of residents affected by the closure which was enforced last Saturday.&nbsp;

However, health minister Salvador Illa that, "The government has decided to declare a state of emergency... for the next 15 days."

"Protecting the health of Madrid's people is absolutely essential," the health minister added.

"Patience has a limit, measures must be taken to protect the health of the people of Madrid and to prevent this from spreading to other regions," Illa asserted.

Europe has seen a surge in coronavirus cases with German health minister Jens Spahn saying the country was experiencing "worrying jump" in coronavirus cases as 4,058 new coronavirus infections were reported in last 24 hours on Thursday.

Chancellor Merkel has warned of tougher measures if infections don't stabilise in the next ten days.

Amid the surge in cases, Scotland and Brussels announced curbs on alcohol consumption on Wednesday as Glasgow and Edinburgh authorities in Scotland decided to close pubs for two weeks.&nbsp;

Italy meanwhile has made it mandatory for citizens to wear masks outdoor.

The Spanish government on Friday invoked a state of emergency in order impose partial lockdown in Madrid amid rising coronavirus cases in the country's capital. Watch: A Madrid court had earlier rejected partial lockdown calling it "harmful to basic rights".

The Spanish government on Friday invoked a state of emergency in order impose partial lockdown in Madrid amid rising coronavirus cases in the country's capital. Watch: A Madrid court had earlier rejected partial lockdown calling it "harmful to basic rights". The court said it had "denied the ratification on grounds they impacted on the rights and fundamental freedoms" of residents affected by the closure which was enforced last Saturday. However, health minister Salvador Illa that, "The government has decided to declare a state of emergency... for the next 15 days." "Protecting the health of Madrid's people is absolutely essential," the health minister added. "Patience has a limit, measures must be taken to protect the health of the people of Madrid and to prevent this from spreading to other regions," Illa asserted. Europe has seen a surge in coronavirus cases with German health minister Jens Spahn saying the country was experiencing "worrying jump" in coronavirus cases as 4,058 new coronavirus infections were reported in last 24 hours on Thursday. Chancellor Merkel has warned of tougher measures if infections don't stabilise in the next ten days. Amid the surge in cases, Scotland and Brussels announced curbs on alcohol consumption on Wednesday as Glasgow and Edinburgh authorities in Scotland decided to close pubs for two weeks. Italy meanwhile has made it mandatory for citizens to wear masks outdoor.

Spain invokes state of emergency over Madrid lockdown as Europe grapples with virus

India has got the second set of Swiss bank account details of its nationals and entities under the automatic exchange of information pact with Switzerland, marking a key milestone in the government's fight against black money allegedly stashed abroad.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-to-get-information-on-account-holders-in-swiss-banks-from-this-year-government-187932">Also Read: India to get information on account holders in Swiss banks from this year, says government</a>

India is among the 86 countries with which Switzerland's Federal Tax Administration (FTA) has exchanged information on financial accounts within the framework of global standards on AEOI this year.

India had received the first set of details from Switzerland in September 2019 under AEOI (Automatic Exchange of Information), when it involved 75 countries.

The information exchange this year involved nearly 3.1 million (31 lakh) financial accounts, FTA said in a statement on Friday. The number of such accounts was similar in 2019.

While the statement did not explicitly name India among the 86 countries, officials told PTI that India is among the prominent countries with which Switzerland has shared details about financial accounts of clients of Swiss banks and various other financial institutions.

The officials further said a "sizeable number" relates to Indian citizens and entities in the overall exchange of information about over three million financial accounts by Switzerland this year with 86 countries.

Besides, Swiss authorities have already shared information about more than 100 Indian citizens and entities in the past one year on receipt of requests for administrative assistance in cases involving probes into financial wrongdoings including tax evasion, the officials added.

These cases mostly relate to older accounts that might have been closed before 2018, for which Switzerland has shared details with India under an earlier framework of mutual administrative assistance as Indian authorities had provided prima facie evidence of tax-related wrongdoing by those account holders. AEOI is applicable only to accounts that are active or were closed during 2018.

Some of these cases relate to entities set up by Indians in various overseas jurisdictions like Panama, British Virgin Islands and Cayman Islands, while the individuals include mostly businessmen and a few politicians and erstwhile royals as well as their family members.

The officials, however, refused to share details about the exact number of accounts or the quantum of assets held in the accounts held by Indians, for which the information has been shared with India, citing strict confidentiality clauses governing the exchange framework.

The information shared by Swiss authorities include identification, account and financial information, such as name, address, country of residence and tax identification number, as well as information concerning the reporting financial institution, account balance and capital income.

The exchanged information will allow tax authorities to verify whether taxpayers have correctly declared their financial accounts in their tax returns. The next exchange would take place in September 2021.

In its statement, FTA said the 86 countries covered under the AEOI this year include 11 new jurisdictions -- Anguilla, Aruba, Bahamas, Bahrain, Grenada, Israel, Kuwait, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Panama and the United Arab Emirates -- in addition to the existing list of 75 countries, with whom information was shared last year.

Further, FTA said the exchange of information this year has been reciprocal with 66 countries. In the case of 20 countries, Switzerland received information but did not provide any, either because those countries do not yet meet the international requirements on confidentiality and data security (9 countries) or because they chose not to receive data (11 countries).

A total of 38 countries will supply their data to Switzerland in accordance with the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes (Global Forum) by December 31, 2020. These countries have claimed technical difficulties due to the COVID-19 crisis. 
Switzerland's first such exchange took place at the end of September 2018 and involved 36 countries, but India did not figure in the list at that time.

Currently, around 8,500 reporting financial institutions (banks, trusts, insurers, etc) are registered with FTA. These institutions collected the data and transferred it to FTA. The count has increased from about 7,500 last year.

FTA sent information on around 3.1 million financial accounts to the partner states and received information on around 8,15,000 financial accounts from them.

FTA also said it cannot provide any information on the amount of financial assets.

Switzerland has committed itself to adopt the global standard for the international automatic exchange of information in tax matters. The legal basis for the implementation of AEOI in Switzerland came into force on January 1, 2017.

This is the second time that India has received details from swiss authorities under &nbsp;AEOI framework, which provides for the exchange of information on financial accounts, currently active as well as those accounts that were closed during 2018, the year in which the framework agreement became effective.

However, AEOI only relates to accounts that are officially in the name of Indians and they might include those used for business and other genuine purposes.

The Global Forum of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development reviews AEOI implementation.

According to experts, the data received by India can be quite useful for establishing a strong prosecution case against those who have any unaccounted wealth, as it provides entire details of deposits and transfers as well as of all earnings, including through investments in securities and other assets.

On condition of anonymity, several officials said the details relate mostly to businessmen, including non-resident Indians now settled in several South-East Asian countries as well as in the US, the UK and even some African and South American countries.

A Swiss delegation was in India in August last year before the first set of details could get shared and the two sides also discussed possible steps to expedite the execution of tax information-sharing requests made by India in specific cases.

It is feared many Indians might have closed their accounts after a global crackdown on black money led to Switzerland buckling under international pressure to open its banking sector for scrutiny to clear the long-held perception of Swiss banks being safe haven for undisclosed funds.

Switzerland agreed to AEOI with India after a long process, including a review of the necessary legal framework in India on data protection and confidentiality.&nbsp;

India has got the second set of Swiss bank account details of its nationals and entities under the automatic exchange of information pact with Switzerland, marking a key milestone in the government's fight against black money allegedly stashed abroad.

India has got the second set of Swiss bank account details of its nationals and entities under the automatic exchange of information pact with Switzerland, marking a key milestone in the government's fight against black money allegedly stashed abroad. Also Read: India to get information on account holders in Swiss banks from this year, says government India is among the 86 countries with which Switzerland's Federal Tax Administration (FTA) has exchanged information on financial accounts within the framework of global standards on AEOI this year. India had received the first set of details from Switzerland in September 2019 under AEOI (Automatic Exchange of Information), when it involved 75 countries. The information exchange this year involved nearly 3.1 million (31 lakh) financial accounts, FTA said in a statement on Friday. The number of such accounts was similar in 2019. While the statement did not explicitly name India among the 86 countries, officials told PTI that India is among the prominent countries with which Switzerland has shared details about financial accounts of clients of Swiss banks and various other financial institutions. The officials further said a "sizeable number" relates to Indian citizens and entities in the overall exchange of information about over three million financial accounts by Switzerland this year with 86 countries. Besides, Swiss authorities have already shared information about more than 100 Indian citizens and entities in the past one year on receipt of requests for administrative assistance in cases involving probes into financial wrongdoings including tax evasion, the officials added. These cases mostly relate to older accounts that might have been closed before 2018, for which Switzerland has shared details with India under an earlier framework of mutual administrative assistance as Indian authorities had provided prima facie evidence of tax-related wrongdoing by those account holders. AEOI is applicable only to accounts that are active or were closed during 2018. Some of these cases relate to entities set up by Indians in various overseas jurisdictions like Panama, British Virgin Islands and Cayman Islands, while the individuals include mostly businessmen and a few politicians and erstwhile royals as well as their family members. The officials, however, refused to share details about the exact number of accounts or the quantum of assets held in the accounts held by Indians, for which the information has been shared with India, citing strict confidentiality clauses governing the exchange framework. The information shared by Swiss authorities include identification, account and financial information, such as name, address, country of residence and tax identification number, as well as information concerning the reporting financial institution, account balance and capital income. The exchanged information will allow tax authorities to verify whether taxpayers have correctly declared their financial accounts in their tax returns. The next exchange would take place in September 2021. In its statement, FTA said the 86 countries covered under the AEOI this year include 11 new jurisdictions -- Anguilla, Aruba, Bahamas, Bahrain, Grenada, Israel, Kuwait, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Panama and the United Arab Emirates -- in addition to the existing list of 75 countries, with whom information was shared last year. Further, FTA said the exchange of information this year has been reciprocal with 66 countries. In the case of 20 countries, Switzerland received information but did not provide any, either because those countries do not yet meet the international requirements on confidentiality and data security (9 countries) or because they chose not to receive data (11 countries). A total of 38 countries will supply their data to Switzerland in accordance with the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes (Global Forum) by December 31, 2020. These countries have claimed technical difficulties due to the COVID-19 crisis. Switzerland's first such exchange took place at the end of September 2018 and involved 36 countries, but India did not figure in the list at that time. Currently, around 8,500 reporting financial institutions (banks, trusts, insurers, etc) are registered with FTA. These institutions collected the data and transferred it to FTA. The count has increased from about 7,500 last year. FTA sent information on around 3.1 million financial accounts to the partner states and received information on around 8,15,000 financial accounts from them. FTA also said it cannot provide any information on the amount of financial assets. Switzerland has committed itself to adopt the global standard for the international automatic exchange of information in tax matters. The legal basis for the implementation of AEOI in Switzerland came into force on January 1, 2017. This is the second time that India has received details from swiss authorities under AEOI framework, which provides for the exchange of information on financial accounts, currently active as well as those accounts that were closed during 2018, the year in which the framework agreement became effective. However, AEOI only relates to accounts that are officially in the name of Indians and they might include those used for business and other genuine purposes. The Global Forum of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development reviews AEOI implementation. According to experts, the data received by India can be quite useful for establishing a strong prosecution case against those who have any unaccounted wealth, as it provides entire details of deposits and transfers as well as of all earnings, including through investments in securities and other assets. On condition of anonymity, several officials said the details relate mostly to businessmen, including non-resident Indians now settled in several South-East Asian countries as well as in the US, the UK and even some African and South American countries. A Swiss delegation was in India in August last year before the first set of details could get shared and the two sides also discussed possible steps to expedite the execution of tax information-sharing requests made by India in specific cases. It is feared many Indians might have closed their accounts after a global crackdown on black money led to Switzerland buckling under international pressure to open its banking sector for scrutiny to clear the long-held perception of Swiss banks being safe haven for undisclosed funds. Switzerland agreed to AEOI with India after a long process, including a review of the necessary legal framework in India on data protection and confidentiality.

India gets set of Swiss bank account details under automatic information exchange framework

As Nepal crossed 100,000 coronavirus infections on Friday, the country's health ministry said that with the increase at this rate hospitals will not be able to support the burden.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/as-hospitals-are-full-nepal-asks-only-serious-patients-to-visit-hospitals-333417">Also Read:&nbsp;As hospitals are full, Nepal asks only serious patients to visit hospitals</a>

Nepal had enforced lockdown in March but had begun to ease restrictions to open up the economy however it has since seen a steady increase in COVID-19 cases.

The country had resumed domestic flight services last month after a six-month lockdown and has put several restrictions in place for trekkers coming into the country.

The country reported 2,059 COVID-19 cases and ten fatalities on Friday worrying health authorities. There have been 500 fatalities due to the virus in Nepal.

Last week, Nepal had recorded over 89,263 coronavirus cases overtaking China as three advisers to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli tested positive for coronavirus.

The government's foreign affairs, political and press advisers were detected with the virus leading PM Oli to exercise caution in meeting people even as the Nepal prime minister tested negative for the virus.

As Nepal crossed 100,000 coronavirus infections on Friday, the country's health ministry said that with the increase at this rate hospitals will not be able to support the burden.

As Nepal crossed 100,000 coronavirus infections on Friday, the country's health ministry said that with the increase at this rate hospitals will not be able to support the burden. Also Read: As hospitals are full, Nepal asks only serious patients to visit hospitals Nepal had enforced lockdown in March but had begun to ease restrictions to open up the economy however it has since seen a steady increase in COVID-19 cases. The country had resumed domestic flight services last month after a six-month lockdown and has put several restrictions in place for trekkers coming into the country. The country reported 2,059 COVID-19 cases and ten fatalities on Friday worrying health authorities. There have been 500 fatalities due to the virus in Nepal. Last week, Nepal had recorded over 89,263 coronavirus cases overtaking China as three advisers to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli tested positive for coronavirus. The government's foreign affairs, political and press advisers were detected with the virus leading PM Oli to exercise caution in meeting people even as the Nepal prime minister tested negative for the virus.

Nepal's health services under severe strain as coronavirus cases cross 100,000

Amid the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/india-china-standoff"> India-China standoff</a> along the LAC, intelligence sources say Pakistan is setting up surface-to-air missile sites with the help of China in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-conducts-high-level-military-exercise-in-ladakh-330800/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Sources say that People's Liberation Army(PLA) and Pakistan Army troops have been carrying out construction work for the installation of surface-to-air&nbsp;missiles in PoK.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ladakh-standoff-india-china-agree-not-to-send-more-troops-to-the-frontline-329527">Also Read:&nbsp;Ladakh standoff: India, China agree not to send more troops to the frontline</a>

There are about 25 to 40 civilians including 120 Pakistan Army officials working on the construction site. Reports say the control room for the missile defence system will be headquartered in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir's Bdel Bagh area with ten PLA troops including three officers who will reportedly be present at the control room.

Intelligence sources have revealed that similar construction activity has also been reported at Chinar village and Chakothi village in Hattian Bala district of Pakistan occupied Kashmir.

The report comes even as Indian troops are stocking up essential supplies including tanks and heavy weaponry in eastern Ladakh amid the India-China standoff at LAC.

India has reportedly flown in T-90 and T-72 tanks in various sensitive areas including Chushul and Demchock sectors. The Indian Army also transported essential commodities including tents, food items, fuel and heaters.

India has also reportedly deployed over three additional Army divisions in eastern Ladakh. India has also used C-130J Super Hercules and C-17 Globemaster transport planes to ferry supplies and manpower.

Indian Air Force (IAF) has also decided to remain on high alert in the forward air bases along the LAC even as Indian and Chinese corps commander level talks continue with the next meeting set for October 12.

Amid the India-China standoff along the LAC, intelligence sources say Pakistan is setting up surface-to-air missile sites with the help of China in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Amid the India-China standoff along the LAC, intelligence sources say Pakistan is setting up surface-to-air missile sites with the help of China in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). Watch: Sources say that People's Liberation Army(PLA) and Pakistan Army troops have been carrying out construction work for the installation of surface-to-air missiles in PoK. Also Read: Ladakh standoff: India, China agree not to send more troops to the frontline There are about 25 to 40 civilians including 120 Pakistan Army officials working on the construction site. Reports say the control room for the missile defence system will be headquartered in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir's Bdel Bagh area with ten PLA troops including three officers who will reportedly be present at the control room. Intelligence sources have revealed that similar construction activity has also been reported at Chinar village and Chakothi village in Hattian Bala district of Pakistan occupied Kashmir. The report comes even as Indian troops are stocking up essential supplies including tanks and heavy weaponry in eastern Ladakh amid the India-China standoff at LAC. India has reportedly flown in T-90 and T-72 tanks in various sensitive areas including Chushul and Demchock sectors. The Indian Army also transported essential commodities including tents, food items, fuel and heaters. India has also reportedly deployed over three additional Army divisions in eastern Ladakh. India has also used C-130J Super Hercules and C-17 Globemaster transport planes to ferry supplies and manpower. Indian Air Force (IAF) has also decided to remain on high alert in the forward air bases along the LAC even as Indian and Chinese corps commander level talks continue with the next meeting set for October 12.

China helping Pak to set up surface-to-air missile sites in PoK: Report

White House physician Sean Conley said today that US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/americans-now-trust-masks-after-donald-trump-tests-positive-for-covid-19-333171">Donald Trump</a> has had no coronavirus symptoms for the past 24 hours.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-return-leaves-white-house-in-disarray-as-infections-jolt-west-wing-333183">Also Read:&nbsp;Trump’s return leaves White House in disarray as infections jolt West Wing</a>

"The president this morning says 'I feel great," Conley said.

Trump had returned to the White House on Monday after being tested positive for the virus last week. The US president was admitted at the Walter Reed military medical center for three days.

Meawhile, Democrat presidential candidate Joe Biden said he wasn't in favour of going on the TV debate with Trump if the US president still had sytmptoms.

"I'm looking forward to being able to debate him, but I just hope all the protocols are followed," Biden said, adding," "If he still has COVID, we shouldn't have a debate."&nbsp;

Trump had tested positive for COVID-19 just two days after his first debate with Biden.

"It's a very serious problem, so I will be guided by... what the docs say is the right thing to do," Biden added.

Biden and Trump are set to clash again on October 15. The US president had said earlier that he was "looking forward" to the next debate.

White House physician Sean Conley said today that US President Donald Trump has had no coronavirus symptoms for the past 24 hours. Also Read: Trump’s return leaves White House in disarray as infections jolt West Wing "The president this morning says 'I feel great," Conley said.

White House physician Sean Conley said today that US President Donald Trump has had no coronavirus symptoms for the past 24 hours. Also Read: Trump’s return leaves White House in disarray as infections jolt West Wing "The president this morning says 'I feel great," Conley said. Trump had returned to the White House on Monday after being tested positive for the virus last week. The US president was admitted at the Walter Reed military medical center for three days. Meawhile, Democrat presidential candidate Joe Biden said he wasn't in favour of going on the TV debate with Trump if the US president still had sytmptoms. "I'm looking forward to being able to debate him, but I just hope all the protocols are followed," Biden said, adding," "If he still has COVID, we shouldn't have a debate." Trump had tested positive for COVID-19 just two days after his first debate with Biden. "It's a very serious problem, so I will be guided by... what the docs say is the right thing to do," Biden added. Biden and Trump are set to clash again on October 15. The US president had said earlier that he was "looking forward" to the next debate.

Trump has shown no coronavirus symptoms for the past 24 hours: White House physician Sean Conley

NEW YORK — Orthodox Jewish and other religious leaders lashed out at Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday over new coronavirus restrictions on schools, businesses and houses of worship, as protests broke out in Brooklyn overnight, leading to scenes of chaos and the injury of at least one person.

“We are appalled by Governor Cuomo’s words and actions today,” four Orthodox Jewish lawmakers representing the areas affected by the shutdown said in a letter posted online late Tuesday. “He has chosen to pursue a scientifically and constitutionally questionable shutdown of our communities.”

Their frustration was reflected on the street, where video shared widely on social media showed hundreds of Hasidic men, most of them without masks, gathering after midnight and setting fires along 13th Avenue in the Borough Park neighborhood. The crowd soon turned violent, with a mob angrily swarming at least one Hasidic man they believed to be disloyal to the community.

“Snitch!” one man can be heard yelling in English in one video, as the crowd beats the man. He was identified as Berish Getz by a relative, who spoke on the condition of anonymity out of fear for their safety, and was treated overnight at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn.

The Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The new restrictions, announced by Cuomo on Tuesday, are intended to combat worrisome outbreaks of the coronavirus in Brooklyn, Queens and New York City’s northern suburbs, including several areas with large Orthodox populations.

Cuomo seemed to be specifically targeting Orthodox synagogues that have become scenes of large gatherings of worshippers clustered together, with many not wearing face coverings. The governor has used photos of packed crowds of Orthodox Jews this week to make the case for imposing restrictions in certain areas.

The rules would shut down nonessential businesses and schools and impose tight restrictions on houses of worship, where attendance in the hardest-hit areas would be limited to 10 people. In other neighborhoods, attendance would be limited to 25 people.

Religious leaders said they were not consulted before the governor announced the new rules, which were set to go into effect Friday, the day before an important Jewish holiday.

But the anger was not limited to the Orthodox Jewish community. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn, which has 1.5 million followers and 210 churches in Brooklyn and Queens, said it was taken by surprise by the governor’s announcement. Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn condemned the new rules as “outrageous” in a statement Tuesday night.

“We fervently object to being told to further reduce capacity, because we have strictly adhered to COVID-19 protocols, and the safety measures have been working,” he said. “The safety of parishioners is paramount for the Diocese of Brooklyn, but the religious freedom of our parishioners is being unjustly attacked.”

“It is outrageous that after incurring great expense to implement all the safety protocols, our parishes are being forced to reduce capacity to a maximum of 10 people in the red zone and 25 people in the orange zone,” he added. “A capacity range of 10 to 25 people is disrespectful to Catholics and to the clergy who all have followed the rules.”

In a letter posted online Tuesday, four Orthodox Jewish lawmakers — State Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein and State Sen. Simcha Felder, and City Council members Kalman Yeger and Chaim Deutsch — accused Cuomo of lying to community leaders about the scope of his lockdown plan during a conference call earlier Tuesday. They denounced it as “a duplicitous bait-and-switch.”

The lawmakers also criticized the governor for “irresponsible and pejorative” rhetoric, including the use of a photograph from more than 10 years ago during a news conference earlier this week that showed a Hasidic crowd gathering for a funeral.

Yeger addressed the protesters early Wednesday, according to video posted online by Boro Park News, an Orthodox Jewish news organization.

“We are not going to be deprived of the right that we have in America, like everybody else in America, to observe our religion,” Yeger said. “I don’t care who in government thinks that they can stop us. They are wrong. Let them try.”

Yeger was joined by Heshy Tischler, a local activist who disrupted a city news conference on the coronavirus uptick and has spent recent days decrying the recent rise in cases as a hoax. Later, as a police officer looked on, Tischler addressed the crowd on a bullhorn.

“You are my soldiers! We are at war!” he said. “We are going to show them that our schools are open, and we are going to respect our police officers!”

NEW YORK — Orthodox Jewish and other religious leaders lashed out at Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday over new coronavirus restrictions on schools, businesses and houses of worship, as protests broke out in Brooklyn overnight, leading to scenes of chaos and the injury of at least one person.

NEW YORK — Orthodox Jewish and other religious leaders lashed out at Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday over new coronavirus restrictions on schools, businesses and houses of worship, as protests broke out in Brooklyn overnight, leading to scenes of chaos and the injury of at least one person. “We are appalled by Governor Cuomo’s words and actions today,” four Orthodox Jewish lawmakers representing the areas affected by the shutdown said in a letter posted online late Tuesday. “He has chosen to pursue a scientifically and constitutionally questionable shutdown of our communities.” Their frustration was reflected on the street, where video shared widely on social media showed hundreds of Hasidic men, most of them without masks, gathering after midnight and setting fires along 13th Avenue in the Borough Park neighborhood. The crowd soon turned violent, with a mob angrily swarming at least one Hasidic man they believed to be disloyal to the community. “Snitch!” one man can be heard yelling in English in one video, as the crowd beats the man. He was identified as Berish Getz by a relative, who spoke on the condition of anonymity out of fear for their safety, and was treated overnight at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn. The Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The new restrictions, announced by Cuomo on Tuesday, are intended to combat worrisome outbreaks of the coronavirus in Brooklyn, Queens and New York City’s northern suburbs, including several areas with large Orthodox populations. Cuomo seemed to be specifically targeting Orthodox synagogues that have become scenes of large gatherings of worshippers clustered together, with many not wearing face coverings. The governor has used photos of packed crowds of Orthodox Jews this week to make the case for imposing restrictions in certain areas. The rules would shut down nonessential businesses and schools and impose tight restrictions on houses of worship, where attendance in the hardest-hit areas would be limited to 10 people. In other neighborhoods, attendance would be limited to 25 people. Religious leaders said they were not consulted before the governor announced the new rules, which were set to go into effect Friday, the day before an important Jewish holiday. But the anger was not limited to the Orthodox Jewish community. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn, which has 1.5 million followers and 210 churches in Brooklyn and Queens, said it was taken by surprise by the governor’s announcement. Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn condemned the new rules as “outrageous” in a statement Tuesday night. “We fervently object to being told to further reduce capacity, because we have strictly adhered to COVID-19 protocols, and the safety measures have been working,” he said. “The safety of parishioners is paramount for the Diocese of Brooklyn, but the religious freedom of our parishioners is being unjustly attacked.” “It is outrageous that after incurring great expense to implement all the safety protocols, our parishes are being forced to reduce capacity to a maximum of 10 people in the red zone and 25 people in the orange zone,” he added. “A capacity range of 10 to 25 people is disrespectful to Catholics and to the clergy who all have followed the rules.” In a letter posted online Tuesday, four Orthodox Jewish lawmakers — State Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein and State Sen. Simcha Felder, and City Council members Kalman Yeger and Chaim Deutsch — accused Cuomo of lying to community leaders about the scope of his lockdown plan during a conference call earlier Tuesday. They denounced it as “a duplicitous bait-and-switch.” The lawmakers also criticized the governor for “irresponsible and pejorative” rhetoric, including the use of a photograph from more than 10 years ago during a news conference earlier this week that showed a Hasidic crowd gathering for a funeral. Yeger addressed the protesters early Wednesday, according to video posted online by Boro Park News, an Orthodox Jewish news organization. “We are not going to be deprived of the right that we have in America, like everybody else in America, to observe our religion,” Yeger said. “I don’t care who in government thinks that they can stop us. They are wrong. Let them try.” Yeger was joined by Heshy Tischler, a local activist who disrupted a city news conference on the coronavirus uptick and has spent recent days decrying the recent rise in cases as a hoax. Later, as a police officer looked on, Tischler addressed the crowd on a bullhorn. “You are my soldiers! We are at war!” he said. “We are going to show them that our schools are open, and we are going to respect our police officers!”

Backlash grows in orthodox Jewish areas over virus crackdown by Cuomo

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