China's growing military might has replaced North Korean belligerence as the main security threat to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jaishankar-mike-pompeo-japans-motegi-hold-talks-on-maritime-security-connectivity-in-indo-pacific-region-252285">Japan</a>, Tokyo's annual defence review indicated on Thursday, despite signs that Pyongyang could have nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles.

The document's security assessment on China comes after a section on Japan's ally, the United States, the first time Beijing has achieved second place in the Defence White Paper and pushing North Korea into third position.

Russia, deemed by Japan as its primary threat during the Cold War, was in fourth place.

"The reality is that China is rapidly increasing military spending, and so people can grasp that we need more pages," Minister of Defence Taro Kono said at a media briefing. "China is deploying air and sea assets in the Western Pacific and through the Tsushima Strait into the Sea of Japan with greater frequency."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/inflation-by-stealth-how-japans-firms-fight-the-frugal-retail-psyche-252119">Japan has raised defence spending</a>&nbsp;by a tenth over the past seven years to counter military advances by Beijing and Pyongyang, including defences against North Korean missiles which may carry nuclear warheads, the paper said.

North Korea has conducted short-range missile launches this year that Tokyo believes show Pyongyang is developing projectiles to evade its Aegis ballistic missile defences.

To stay ahead of China's modernising military, Japan is buying US-made stealth fighters and other advanced weapons.

In its latest budget request, Japan's military asked for&nbsp;$1.1 billion&nbsp;to buy nine Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighters, including six short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) variants to operate from converted helicopter carriers.

The stealth jets, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-announces-first-stage-of-phenomenal-japan-trade-deal-252091">US-made</a> interceptor missiles and other equipment are part of a proposed 1.2 per cent&nbsp;increase in defence spending to a record 5.32 trillion Yen in the year starting April 1.

By comparison, Chinese military spending is set to rise this year by 7.5 per cent&nbsp;to about $177 billion from 2018, more than three times that of Japan. Beijing is developing weapons such as stealth fighters and aircraft carriers that are helping it expand the range and scope of military operations.

Once largely confined to operating close to the Chinese coast, Beijing now routinely sends its air and sea patrols near Japan's western Okinawa islands and into the Western Pacific.

China has frequently rebuffed concerns about its military spending and intentions, including a ramped-up presence in the disputed South China Sea, and says it only desires peaceful development.

The Defence White Paper said Chinese patrols in waters and skies near Japanese territory are "a national security concern".

The paper downgraded fellow US&nbsp;ally, South Korea, which recently pulled out of an intelligence-sharing pact with Japan amid a spat over their shared wartime history. That could weaken efforts to contain North Korean threats, analysts said.

Other partners, including Australia, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and India, feature more prominently in the defence paper.

"It's a reflection of the level of cooperation we undertake with each partner," a Defence Ministry official said at an earlier briefing.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/talks-between-us-north-korea-may-resume-in-2-3-weeks-251650">South Korean government</a> officials took issue with the White Paper's reference to the ownership of an island in the Sea of Japan that is also claimed and controlled by South Korea. The outcrop is known as Dokdo in Seoul and Takeshima in Tokyo.

"Our government strongly protests Japan's repeated claim. The Japanese government should acknowledge that it is not helpful for bilateral relations," South Korea's foreign ministry said in a statement.

China's growing military might has replaced North Korean belligerence as the main security threat to Japan, Tokyo's annual defence review indicated on Thursday, despite signs that Pyongyang could have nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles.

China's growing military might has replaced North Korean belligerence as the main security threat to Japan, Tokyo's annual defence review indicated on Thursday, despite signs that Pyongyang could have nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles. The document's security assessment on China comes after a section on Japan's ally, the United States, the first time Beijing has achieved second place in the Defence White Paper and pushing North Korea into third position. Russia, deemed by Japan as its primary threat during the Cold War, was in fourth place. "The reality is that China is rapidly increasing military spending, and so people can grasp that we need more pages," Minister of Defence Taro Kono said at a media briefing. "China is deploying air and sea assets in the Western Pacific and through the Tsushima Strait into the Sea of Japan with greater frequency." Japan has raised defence spending by a tenth over the past seven years to counter military advances by Beijing and Pyongyang, including defences against North Korean missiles which may carry nuclear warheads, the paper said. North Korea has conducted short-range missile launches this year that Tokyo believes show Pyongyang is developing projectiles to evade its Aegis ballistic missile defences. To stay ahead of China's modernising military, Japan is buying US-made stealth fighters and other advanced weapons. In its latest budget request, Japan's military asked for $1.1 billion to buy nine Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighters, including six short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) variants to operate from converted helicopter carriers. The stealth jets, US-made interceptor missiles and other equipment are part of a proposed 1.2 per cent increase in defence spending to a record 5.32 trillion Yen in the year starting April 1. By comparison, Chinese military spending is set to rise this year by 7.5 per cent to about $177 billion from 2018, more than three times that of Japan. Beijing is developing weapons such as stealth fighters and aircraft carriers that are helping it expand the range and scope of military operations. Once largely confined to operating close to the Chinese coast, Beijing now routinely sends its air and sea patrols near Japan's western Okinawa islands and into the Western Pacific. China has frequently rebuffed concerns about its military spending and intentions, including a ramped-up presence in the disputed South China Sea, and says it only desires peaceful development. The Defence White Paper said Chinese patrols in waters and skies near Japanese territory are "a national security concern". The paper downgraded fellow US ally, South Korea, which recently pulled out of an intelligence-sharing pact with Japan amid a spat over their shared wartime history. That could weaken efforts to contain North Korean threats, analysts said. Other partners, including Australia, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and India, feature more prominently in the defence paper. "It's a reflection of the level of cooperation we undertake with each partner," a Defence Ministry official said at an earlier briefing. South Korean government officials took issue with the White Paper's reference to the ownership of an island in the Sea of Japan that is also claimed and controlled by South Korea. The outcrop is known as Dokdo in Seoul and Takeshima in Tokyo. "Our government strongly protests Japan's repeated claim. The Japanese government should acknowledge that it is not helpful for bilateral relations," South Korea's foreign ministry said in a statement.

Japan promotes China as bigger threat than nuclear-armed North Korea

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on Friday, tweeted out images of the "targeted landing site of India’s Chandrayaan-2 lander Vikram" and stated that the lander had a "hard landing". The "precise location of the spacecraft in the lunar highlands has yet to be determined," NASA said in a statement.&nbsp;

NASA's statement further added that the lander may have been obscured by shadows as it "was dusk when the landing area was imaged and thus large shadows covered much of the terrain".

NASA'S Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter&nbsp;(LRO) flew over Vikram's landing site on September 17. Another attempt will be made to spot the lander on October 14.

India <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/in-an-emotional-moment-pm-modi-hugs-consoles-teary-eyed-isro-chief-248168">lost contact</a>&nbsp;with the spacecraft it was trying to land on the moon in a setback for the nation's plans to become the first country to probe the unexplored lunar south pole.

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Our <a href="https://twitter.com/LRO_NASA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LRO_NASA</a> mission imaged the targeted landing site of India’s Chandrayaan-2 lander, Vikram. The images were taken at dusk, and the team was not able to locate the lander. More images will be taken in October during a flyby in favorable lighting. More: <a href="https://t.co/1bMVGRKslp">https://t.co/1bMVGRKslp</a> <a href="https://t.co/kqTp3GkwuM">pic.twitter.com/kqTp3GkwuM</a>
— NASA (@NASA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1177326999657943060?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The lander of the Chandrayaan-2 moon mission was attempting a "soft," or controlled, landing near the south pole of the moon where scientists believe there could be water ice. Communication was lost just as it was about to touch down.

In any case, hopes of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/communication-with-vikram-lander-lost-announces-isro-chairman-248133">contacting</a> the Vikram lander have waned since the September&nbsp;6 landing attempt. Officials from the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) said imagery from the country’s Chandrayaan 2 orbiter, which launched in tandem with the Vikram lander, had located the landing craft on the moon.

Meanwhile, the Indian Space and Research Organisation (ISRO) has been trying to re-establish contact with the lander since the landing attempt. Data immediately before losing contact suggests that Vikram was descending at high speed, making it very hard to decipher if the lander is intact. The hopes of re-establishing contact are even lesser now, as the lander was designed for a two-week mission.

However, the lander and the rover were only a part of the moon mission and Chandrayaan 2's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/chandrayaan-2-orbiter-performing-mission-to-complete-satisfaction-isro-250657">orbiter was still orbiting the moon</a> and will collect and send back valuable data for one year.

Only the United States, Russia, and China have landed on the moon. Beijing's Chang'e-4 probe touched down on the far side this year, while Israel made an unsuccessful attempt to land its Beresheet spacecraft on the moon in April.

India's space plans don't end here.&nbsp;

Last year, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 100 billion Rupee project - named 'Gaganyaan' - that aims to send a three-member crew to low earth orbit by 2022.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on Friday, tweeted out images of the "targeted landing site of India’s Chandrayaan-2 lander Vikram" and stated that the lander had a "hard landing".

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on Friday, tweeted out images of the "targeted landing site of India’s Chandrayaan-2 lander Vikram" and stated that the lander had a "hard landing". The "precise location of the spacecraft in the lunar highlands has yet to be determined," NASA said in a statement. NASA's statement further added that the lander may have been obscured by shadows as it "was dusk when the landing area was imaged and thus large shadows covered much of the terrain". NASA'S Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) flew over Vikram's landing site on September 17. Another attempt will be made to spot the lander on October 14. India lost contact with the spacecraft it was trying to land on the moon in a setback for the nation's plans to become the first country to probe the unexplored lunar south pole. Our @LRO_NASA mission imaged the targeted landing site of India’s Chandrayaan-2 lander, Vikram. The images were taken at dusk, and the team was not able to locate the lander. More images will be taken in October during a flyby in favorable lighting. More: https://t.co/1bMVGRKslp pic.twitter.com/kqTp3GkwuM — NASA (@NASA) September 26, 2019 × The lander of the Chandrayaan-2 moon mission was attempting a "soft," or controlled, landing near the south pole of the moon where scientists believe there could be water ice. Communication was lost just as it was about to touch down. In any case, hopes of contacting the Vikram lander have waned since the September 6 landing attempt. Officials from the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) said imagery from the country’s Chandrayaan 2 orbiter, which launched in tandem with the Vikram lander, had located the landing craft on the moon. Meanwhile, the Indian Space and Research Organisation (ISRO) has been trying to re-establish contact with the lander since the landing attempt. Data immediately before losing contact suggests that Vikram was descending at high speed, making it very hard to decipher if the lander is intact. The hopes of re-establishing contact are even lesser now, as the lander was designed for a two-week mission. However, the lander and the rover were only a part of the moon mission and Chandrayaan 2's orbiter was still orbiting the moon and will collect and send back valuable data for one year. Only the United States, Russia, and China have landed on the moon. Beijing's Chang'e-4 probe touched down on the far side this year, while Israel made an unsuccessful attempt to land its Beresheet spacecraft on the moon in April. India's space plans don't end here. Last year, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 100 billion Rupee project - named 'Gaganyaan' - that aims to send a three-member crew to low earth orbit by 2022.

NASA says Chandrayaan-2's Vikram's landing site obscured by shadows

Pak FM Mehmood Qureshi evades WION's questions over terror. Watch video to know more.

Pak FM Mehmood Qureshi evades WION's questions over terror

Accessing everything from Wikipedia to Google Maps <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/600000-rohingyas-in-myanmar-still-at-serious-risk-of-genocide-united-nations-249971">in Myanmar</a> is about to get a lot easier when it finally adopts the universal code underpinning phone and online communication next week.

Tech experts say the move to bring the country more in step with the rest of the digital world is crucial, but will cause "chaos" in a rocky transition period.

Myanmar is the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-east-asia/myanmar-army-drops-lawsuit-against-religious-leader-who-complained-to-trump-of-persecution-248749">last nation</a> to embrace unicode that has significant numbers of people online. Without it, most users see international content -- and a lot from within the country -- as lines of meaningless symbols.

Household name websites can be impossible to read while translation and voice recognition software do not work.

October 1 is "U-Day", when Myanmar officially adopts the new system. From then on, all electronic communication from government offices, telecoms companies, banks and media must be in Unicode by law.

Myanmar became a global code anomaly due to isolation under its former military junta.

Microsoft and Apple helped other countries standardise years ago, but Western sanctions meant Myanmar lost out.

IT pioneer Zaw Htut, 47, describes this as the final battle won in a decades-long code "war".

"This is like changing to democracy," he enthuses.

However, making the switch to Unicode will be a turbulent ride, and he warned that initially there will be "chaos".

Facebook -- the main social media platform in the country -- has developed automatic conversion software to give users a "seamless experience", says strategic response team member Sarah Oh.

But many will suddenly be unable to read messages on other apps and from banks or phone operators, while those who switch will no longer be able to communicate with friends still using the old system.

'A lot of confusion'

A homegrown rival to Unicode called "Zawgyi" (pronounced: zaw-jee) -- meaning wizard -- evolved in Myanmar's detached digital ecosystem.

Its popularity exploded as the country opened up from 2011 and smartphone use soared.

Today around 90 per cent of people use Zawgyi instead of Unicode.

Incompatible without fiddly plug-ins, it only allows people to communicate in Burmese with other Zawgyi users, excluding the nation's minority languages.

Its clunkiness also means search functions do not work, crippling data storage systems.

According to tech experts, it could take years to achieve full migration.

Zaw Htut compares the abrupt switch to Unicode with the former junta's overnight decision for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nasa-pioneers-malaria-predicting-tech-in-myanmar-248770">Myanmar</a> to drive on the right instead of the left.

"But we're digitally empowering the nation," he said.

Joox, a regional version of Spotify, said it is impossible to convert the millions of Burmese language songs on its app.

With the deadline looming, celebrities and influencers are hammering home the need to convert while technicians prepare for a deluge of queries.

An army of volunteers are helping in online forums and offline at teashops.

"There's a lot of confusion," explains computer science student Tin Lat Nandar, 23, as she updates retirees' phones at a Sunday drop-in session.

Yangon street vendor Mi Mi, 35, says she has heard about the switch but does not want to change.&nbsp;

"I don't know how to do it", she said.

An estimated 10 to 15 per cent of mainly older phones will not be advanced enough to convert.

Many cheaper, illegally imported devices even come pre-installed with the old system -- putting those too poor to buy newer models at a clear disadvantage.

Still others are excited at the wealth of information now at their fingertips.

"I'll be able to read Wikipedia in Burmese," says a beaming Aung Kyaw Oo, 62, as he leaves a drop-in session.

Accessing everything from Wikipedia to Google Maps in Myanmar is about to get a lot easier when it finally adopts the universal code underpinning phone and online communication next week.

Accessing everything from Wikipedia to Google Maps in Myanmar is about to get a lot easier when it finally adopts the universal code underpinning phone and online communication next week. Tech experts say the move to bring the country more in step with the rest of the digital world is crucial, but will cause "chaos" in a rocky transition period. Myanmar is the last nation to embrace unicode that has significant numbers of people online. Without it, most users see international content -- and a lot from within the country -- as lines of meaningless symbols. Household name websites can be impossible to read while translation and voice recognition software do not work. October 1 is "U-Day", when Myanmar officially adopts the new system. From then on, all electronic communication from government offices, telecoms companies, banks and media must be in Unicode by law. Myanmar became a global code anomaly due to isolation under its former military junta. Microsoft and Apple helped other countries standardise years ago, but Western sanctions meant Myanmar lost out. IT pioneer Zaw Htut, 47, describes this as the final battle won in a decades-long code "war". "This is like changing to democracy," he enthuses. However, making the switch to Unicode will be a turbulent ride, and he warned that initially there will be "chaos". Facebook -- the main social media platform in the country -- has developed automatic conversion software to give users a "seamless experience", says strategic response team member Sarah Oh. But many will suddenly be unable to read messages on other apps and from banks or phone operators, while those who switch will no longer be able to communicate with friends still using the old system. 'A lot of confusion' A homegrown rival to Unicode called "Zawgyi" (pronounced: zaw-jee) -- meaning wizard -- evolved in Myanmar's detached digital ecosystem. Its popularity exploded as the country opened up from 2011 and smartphone use soared. Today around 90 per cent of people use Zawgyi instead of Unicode. Incompatible without fiddly plug-ins, it only allows people to communicate in Burmese with other Zawgyi users, excluding the nation's minority languages. Its clunkiness also means search functions do not work, crippling data storage systems. According to tech experts, it could take years to achieve full migration. Zaw Htut compares the abrupt switch to Unicode with the former junta's overnight decision for Myanmar to drive on the right instead of the left. "But we're digitally empowering the nation," he said. Joox, a regional version of Spotify, said it is impossible to convert the millions of Burmese language songs on its app. With the deadline looming, celebrities and influencers are hammering home the need to convert while technicians prepare for a deluge of queries. An army of volunteers are helping in online forums and offline at teashops. "There's a lot of confusion," explains computer science student Tin Lat Nandar, 23, as she updates retirees' phones at a Sunday drop-in session. Yangon street vendor Mi Mi, 35, says she has heard about the switch but does not want to change. "I don't know how to do it", she said. An estimated 10 to 15 per cent of mainly older phones will not be advanced enough to convert. Many cheaper, illegally imported devices even come pre-installed with the old system -- putting those too poor to buy newer models at a clear disadvantage. Still others are excited at the wealth of information now at their fingertips. "I'll be able to read Wikipedia in Burmese," says a beaming Aung Kyaw Oo, 62, as he leaves a drop-in session.

Myanmar to become last country to adopt Unicode for communication

Saudi Arabia said on Friday that it will offer tourist visas for the first time, opening up the ultra-conservative kingdom to holidaymakers as part of a push to diversify its economy away from oil.

Kickstarting tourism is one of the centrepieces of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 reform programme to prepare the biggest Arab economy for a post-oil era.

The announcement comes just two weeks after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/aramco-ipo-how-saudi-arabia-caught-between-united-states-and-china-245687">devastating attacks</a> on Saudi Arabia's oil infrastructure –- blamed by Washington on Iran - which roiled global energy markets.

"Opening Saudi Arabia to international tourists is a historic moment for our country," tourism chief Ahmed al-Khateeb said in a statement.

"Visitors will be surprised... by the treasures we have to share -- five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a vibrant local culture and breathtaking natural beauty."

Saudi Arabia will open applications for online tourist visas to citizens of 49 countries on Saturday, Bloomberg News quoted Khateeb as saying.

Khateeb said the kingdom will also ease its strict dress code for foreign women, allowing them to go without the body-shrouding abaya robe that is still mandatory public wear for Saudi women.

Foreign women, however, will be required to wear <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/saudi-arabia-continues-to-stifle-women-dissent-201335">"modest clothing"</a>, he added.

Hard sell

The austere kingdom, which forbids alcohol and has a strict social code, is seen by many as a hard sell for tourists.

Prince Mohammed is seeking to change that through a sweeping liberalisation drive that has brought new cinemas, mixed-gender concerts and sporting extravaganzas to Saudi Arabia.

International criticism of the kingdom's human rights record, including the gruesome murder last year of critic Jamal Khashoggi and a crackdown on female activists, could further put off foreign visitors, observers say.

Fears of a regional conflict after the September 14 attacks on state oil giant Aramco may also dampen the kingdom's appeal to holidaymakers.

Visas are currently restricted to expat workers, their dependents and Muslim pilgrims travelling to holy sites in Mecca and Medina.

Saudi Arabia last year began issuing visas to visitors to attend sporting and cultural events in a bid to kickstart tourism.

The government, reeling from low oil prices, says it hopes tourism will contribute up to 10 per cent of the gross domestic product by 2030, compared to three percent currently.

It says <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/opinion-vision-2030-embodies-saudi-quest-for-modernity-26015">by 2030 it aims to attract up to 100 million annual visits</a> by both domestic and foreign tourists.

The sector is expected to create up to one million tourism jobs, the government says, as the kingdom battles high youth unemployment.

Saudi Arabia has splurged billions in an attempt to build a tourism industry from scratch.

In 2017, the kingdom announced a multi-billion dollar project to turn 50 islands and other pristine sites on the Red Sea into luxury resorts.

The country is also developing historic sites such as the centuries-old Mada'in Saleh, home to sandstone tombs of the same civilisation which built the Jordanian city of Petra.

Saudi Arabia said on Friday that it will offer tourist visas for the first time, opening up the ultra-conservative kingdom to holidaymakers as part of a push to diversify its economy away from oil.

Saudi Arabia said on Friday that it will offer tourist visas for the first time, opening up the ultra-conservative kingdom to holidaymakers as part of a push to diversify its economy away from oil. Kickstarting tourism is one of the centrepieces of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 reform programme to prepare the biggest Arab economy for a post-oil era. The announcement comes just two weeks after devastating attacks on Saudi Arabia's oil infrastructure –- blamed by Washington on Iran - which roiled global energy markets. "Opening Saudi Arabia to international tourists is a historic moment for our country," tourism chief Ahmed al-Khateeb said in a statement. "Visitors will be surprised... by the treasures we have to share -- five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a vibrant local culture and breathtaking natural beauty." Saudi Arabia will open applications for online tourist visas to citizens of 49 countries on Saturday, Bloomberg News quoted Khateeb as saying. Khateeb said the kingdom will also ease its strict dress code for foreign women, allowing them to go without the body-shrouding abaya robe that is still mandatory public wear for Saudi women. Foreign women, however, will be required to wear "modest clothing", he added. Hard sell The austere kingdom, which forbids alcohol and has a strict social code, is seen by many as a hard sell for tourists. Prince Mohammed is seeking to change that through a sweeping liberalisation drive that has brought new cinemas, mixed-gender concerts and sporting extravaganzas to Saudi Arabia. International criticism of the kingdom's human rights record, including the gruesome murder last year of critic Jamal Khashoggi and a crackdown on female activists, could further put off foreign visitors, observers say. Fears of a regional conflict after the September 14 attacks on state oil giant Aramco may also dampen the kingdom's appeal to holidaymakers. Visas are currently restricted to expat workers, their dependents and Muslim pilgrims travelling to holy sites in Mecca and Medina. Saudi Arabia last year began issuing visas to visitors to attend sporting and cultural events in a bid to kickstart tourism. The government, reeling from low oil prices, says it hopes tourism will contribute up to 10 per cent of the gross domestic product by 2030, compared to three percent currently. It says by 2030 it aims to attract up to 100 million annual visits by both domestic and foreign tourists. The sector is expected to create up to one million tourism jobs, the government says, as the kingdom battles high youth unemployment. Saudi Arabia has splurged billions in an attempt to build a tourism industry from scratch. In 2017, the kingdom announced a multi-billion dollar project to turn 50 islands and other pristine sites on the Red Sea into luxury resorts. The country is also developing historic sites such as the centuries-old Mada'in Saleh, home to sandstone tombs of the same civilisation which built the Jordanian city of Petra.

Saudi Arabia to offer tourist visas for the first time

Tensions between the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/resisting-us-pressure-on-iran-india-is-stuck-between-rock-and-hard-place-213848">United States and Iran</a> escalated on Thursday as Washington <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-issues-battlefield-warning-as-us-deploys-troops-251022">deployed more troops</a> to the Gulf and Tehran, challenging&nbsp;its arch-enemy to provide evidence it attacked Saudi oil facilities.

The Pentagon announced it was sending 200 troops with Patriot missiles to bolster Saudi Arabia's defences following the strikes this month that knocked out half of the Kingdom's oil production.

After a week of diplomacy at the United Nations where European leaders unsuccessfully tried to arrange a US-Iran meeting, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani demanded that Washington back up its accusations that Iran was behind the attacks. &nbsp;

"Those who make the allegations must provide the needed proof. What is your evidence?", he told reporters.

Tensions between Iran and the United States have soared since President Donald Trump pulled out of a 2015 international deal that was meant to lift sanctions in exchange for a commitment from Tehran that it would cease trying to develop nuclear weapons.

The United States, France, Germany, Britain, and Saudi Arabia have all, to varying degrees, blamed Iran for the brazen September 14 airstrikes on the kingdom's Abqaiq plant and Khurais oil field.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the United States shared evidence on the attacks with other countries during the UN General Assembly.

"I think now it has struck them how clear it is that the Islamic Republic of Iran is not prepared to do the right thing and behave like a normal nation," Pompeo told reporters Thursday.

Iran "used their usual method of trying to obscure this through the use of a proxy force. They had to know it was the case that the world would rally against them, and yet they still chose to do it," he added.

Tehran has <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/iran-and-us-refusing-to-budge-as-tit-for-tat-ship-seizures-in-middle-east-raise-the-temperature-237920">blasted the allegations</a> as "ridiculous." It denies responsibility, and the attacks have been claimed by Yemen's Iranian-backed Huthi rebels.

"If you do have any evidence or documentation please do make them available to me," Rouhani said.

He said that Western powers should instead stop arming Saudi Arabia in its offensive in Yemen, which the United Nations calls the world's biggest humanitarian crisis.

'Vile and cowardly regime'

A senior Saudi official, in an address to the United Nations General Assembly, urged a united front against Iran.

"It is a vile and cowardly regime, which hides behind its affiliated militias, pushing them to claim responsibility," said Adel al-Jubeir, the minister of state for foreign affairs.

"This regime is only checked by a firm and unified stand and the application of maximum and sustained pressure until it desists from its terrorist behavior," he said.

The US president reimposed economic sanctions and in May his administration said it would unilaterally force all countries to stop buying Iran's oil, one of Tehran's main sources of wealth.

Tehran soon afterward <a href="https://www.wionews.com/americas/us-will-respond-with-great-force-if-iran-attacks-interests-donald-trump-220247">shot down an unmanned US drone</a>. At the very last minute, Trump stepped back from striking Iran in June as the risk of all-out war in the Middle East seemed all too real.

In its latest move to ratchet up the pressure, the United States banned senior Iranian regime figures and their families from entering the United States.

It came 24 hours after Washington announced it would punish Chinese companies that bought Iranian oil, on the last official day of Trump's participation at the UN General Assembly.

The US Defense Department said the troop deployment would involve one battery of surface-to-air missiles, along with four Sentinel radars used for air and missile defense systems.

And the UN's nuclear watchdog confirmed Thursday that Iran has started using advanced models of centrifuges to enrich uranium, in a new breach of the agreement with world powers.

No meeting at UN

Speculation had been rife that Trump might meet Rouhani on the sidelines of the UN summit but the US leader returned to Washington without a rendezvous taking place.

Rouhani said Thursday that Iran would be willing to hold talks with the United States if Trump lifted sanctions and ended his policy of "maximum pressure" on Tehran.

"If we reach a time when these preconditions are taken off the table, of course the possibility exists to talk with America," he said at the news conference.

French President Emmanuel Macron had shuttled between his US and Iranian counterparts over two days at the UN, trying to arrange an encounter.

Tensions between the United States and Iran escalated on Thursday as Washington deployed more troops to the Gulf and Tehran, challenging its arch-enemy to provide evidence it attacked Saudi oil facilities.

Tensions between the United States and Iran escalated on Thursday as Washington deployed more troops to the Gulf and Tehran, challenging its arch-enemy to provide evidence it attacked Saudi oil facilities. The Pentagon announced it was sending 200 troops with Patriot missiles to bolster Saudi Arabia's defences following the strikes this month that knocked out half of the Kingdom's oil production. After a week of diplomacy at the United Nations where European leaders unsuccessfully tried to arrange a US-Iran meeting, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani demanded that Washington back up its accusations that Iran was behind the attacks. "Those who make the allegations must provide the needed proof. What is your evidence?", he told reporters. Tensions between Iran and the United States have soared since President Donald Trump pulled out of a 2015 international deal that was meant to lift sanctions in exchange for a commitment from Tehran that it would cease trying to develop nuclear weapons. The United States, France, Germany, Britain, and Saudi Arabia have all, to varying degrees, blamed Iran for the brazen September 14 airstrikes on the kingdom's Abqaiq plant and Khurais oil field. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the United States shared evidence on the attacks with other countries during the UN General Assembly. "I think now it has struck them how clear it is that the Islamic Republic of Iran is not prepared to do the right thing and behave like a normal nation," Pompeo told reporters Thursday. Iran "used their usual method of trying to obscure this through the use of a proxy force. They had to know it was the case that the world would rally against them, and yet they still chose to do it," he added. Tehran has blasted the allegations as "ridiculous." It denies responsibility, and the attacks have been claimed by Yemen's Iranian-backed Huthi rebels. "If you do have any evidence or documentation please do make them available to me," Rouhani said. He said that Western powers should instead stop arming Saudi Arabia in its offensive in Yemen, which the United Nations calls the world's biggest humanitarian crisis. 'Vile and cowardly regime' A senior Saudi official, in an address to the United Nations General Assembly, urged a united front against Iran. "It is a vile and cowardly regime, which hides behind its affiliated militias, pushing them to claim responsibility," said Adel al-Jubeir, the minister of state for foreign affairs. "This regime is only checked by a firm and unified stand and the application of maximum and sustained pressure until it desists from its terrorist behavior," he said. The US president reimposed economic sanctions and in May his administration said it would unilaterally force all countries to stop buying Iran's oil, one of Tehran's main sources of wealth. Tehran soon afterward shot down an unmanned US drone. At the very last minute, Trump stepped back from striking Iran in June as the risk of all-out war in the Middle East seemed all too real. In its latest move to ratchet up the pressure, the United States banned senior Iranian regime figures and their families from entering the United States. It came 24 hours after Washington announced it would punish Chinese companies that bought Iranian oil, on the last official day of Trump's participation at the UN General Assembly. The US Defense Department said the troop deployment would involve one battery of surface-to-air missiles, along with four Sentinel radars used for air and missile defense systems. And the UN's nuclear watchdog confirmed Thursday that Iran has started using advanced models of centrifuges to enrich uranium, in a new breach of the agreement with world powers. No meeting at UN Speculation had been rife that Trump might meet Rouhani on the sidelines of the UN summit but the US leader returned to Washington without a rendezvous taking place. Rouhani said Thursday that Iran would be willing to hold talks with the United States if Trump lifted sanctions and ended his policy of "maximum pressure" on Tehran. "If we reach a time when these preconditions are taken off the table, of course the possibility exists to talk with America," he said at the news conference. French President Emmanuel Macron had shuttled between his US and Iranian counterparts over two days at the UN, trying to arrange an encounter.

US-Iran tensions ratchet up further despite UN efforts

When <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pm-modis-week-long-us-visit-to-end-with-unga-address-on-friday-252137">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> attended his first UNGA session in 2014, he stressed the need for bilateral talks with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistan-called-out-by-us-for-staying-mum-over-chinas-treatment-of-muslims-252323">Pakistan</a>. The only disclaimer, Pakistan must create an environment for talks by addressing anti-India terrorism.

"I am prepared to engage in a serious <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/differing-narratives-while-pm-modi-ticks-all-boxes-at-un-pak-pm-harps-on-kashmir-252145">bilateral dialogue with Pakistan</a> in a peaceful atmosphere, without the shadow of terrorism, to promote our friendship and cooperation. However, Pakistan must also take its responsibility seriously to create an appropriate environment," PM Modi had said at UNGA in 2014.

In 2015, PM Modi addressed the UN sustainable development forum while the late former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj spoke at the UNGA.

Watch: D-day at United Nations General Assembly

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/d-day-at-united-nations-general-assembly-252386/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Again, India's message to Pakistan was articulate and could not be missed - 'talks and terror cannot go together'.

A year later in 2016, PM Modi skipped the UNGA meeting, but India kept the heat on Pakistan. During the session, former Pak PM Nawaz Sharif eulogised Kashmir-based terrorist Burhan Wani as a martyr and the "symbol of the latest Kashmiri Intifada" and in response, India highlighted the oppression of minorities in Pakistan.

The last two UNGA sessions saw India taking the pole position on several global issues.

But this year is not any other year. Pulwama terror attacks, Balakot airstrikes, the re-election of PM Modi and then the decision to abrogate Article 370 Kashmir.

Watch:&nbsp;Countdown to PM Modi's speech at UNGA begins, slotted to speak at 8.30 pm IST

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/countdown-to-pm-modis-speech-at-unga-begins-slotted-to-speak-at-830-pm-ist-252316/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Pakistan is shaken, Imran Khan is running from pillar to post to find that elusive support while India is on the front-foot from the word go.

Prime Minister Modi is leading India from the front this time.

He started the UNGA week by addressing the United Nations Climate Change Summit where he highlighted the government's climate action policies and called for a global movement to bring about change.

PM Modi in the third US-India bilateral meeting with Trump set a trade target of 60 billion dollars.

So far, PM Modi has conducted bilateral meetings with more than ten global leaders including US President Trump on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. Modi also reached out to small Island countries at the India Pacific Island meet and the 1st India Caribbean Summit to strengthen ties and improve cooperation.

Considering all this, PM Modi is expected to thwart Imran Khan's misinformation campaign. The Indian PM has already taken the attack to Pakistan.

The prime minister kicked-off his <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/howdy-america-key-highlights-of-pm-modis-us-visit-252166">US visit</a> by sharing the stage with US President Donald Trump at the 'Howdy, Modi' event during which he said, "whether it is the perpetrators of the 9/11 terrorist attack or the 26/11 in India, where were the plotters of these attacks found?"

PM Modi also exposed Pakistan's unhealthy obsession with terrorism in the global arena.

"Some people, who are not able to govern their own country, have a problem with what India is doing," PM Modi had said, adding, "now the time has come for a decisive battle against terrorism and those who encourage terrorism."

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended his first UNGA session in 2014, he stressed the need for bilateral talks with Pakistan. The only disclaimer, Pakistan must create an environment for talks by addressing anti-India terrorism.

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended his first UNGA session in 2014, he stressed the need for bilateral talks with Pakistan. The only disclaimer, Pakistan must create an environment for talks by addressing anti-India terrorism. "I am prepared to engage in a serious bilateral dialogue with Pakistan in a peaceful atmosphere, without the shadow of terrorism, to promote our friendship and cooperation. However, Pakistan must also take its responsibility seriously to create an appropriate environment," PM Modi had said at UNGA in 2014. In 2015, PM Modi addressed the UN sustainable development forum while the late former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj spoke at the UNGA. Watch: D-day at United Nations General Assembly Again, India's message to Pakistan was articulate and could not be missed - 'talks and terror cannot go together'. A year later in 2016, PM Modi skipped the UNGA meeting, but India kept the heat on Pakistan. During the session, former Pak PM Nawaz Sharif eulogised Kashmir-based terrorist Burhan Wani as a martyr and the "symbol of the latest Kashmiri Intifada" and in response, India highlighted the oppression of minorities in Pakistan. The last two UNGA sessions saw India taking the pole position on several global issues. But this year is not any other year. Pulwama terror attacks, Balakot airstrikes, the re-election of PM Modi and then the decision to abrogate Article 370 Kashmir. Watch: Countdown to PM Modi's speech at UNGA begins, slotted to speak at 8.30 pm IST Pakistan is shaken, Imran Khan is running from pillar to post to find that elusive support while India is on the front-foot from the word go. Prime Minister Modi is leading India from the front this time. He started the UNGA week by addressing the United Nations Climate Change Summit where he highlighted the government's climate action policies and called for a global movement to bring about change. PM Modi in the third US-India bilateral meeting with Trump set a trade target of 60 billion dollars. So far, PM Modi has conducted bilateral meetings with more than ten global leaders including US President Trump on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. Modi also reached out to small Island countries at the India Pacific Island meet and the 1st India Caribbean Summit to strengthen ties and improve cooperation. Considering all this, PM Modi is expected to thwart Imran Khan's misinformation campaign. The Indian PM has already taken the attack to Pakistan. The prime minister kicked-off his US visit by sharing the stage with US President Donald Trump at the 'Howdy, Modi' event during which he said, "whether it is the perpetrators of the 9/11 terrorist attack or the 26/11 in India, where were the plotters of these attacks found?" PM Modi also exposed Pakistan's unhealthy obsession with terrorism in the global arena. "Some people, who are not able to govern their own country, have a problem with what India is doing," PM Modi had said, adding, "now the time has come for a decisive battle against terrorism and those who encourage terrorism."

At UNGA today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi to lead from the front

Joint Commissioner of Police (CP) Vinay Choubey and a team of police on Friday arrived at the residence of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar's residence ahead of his visit to Enforcement Directorate's (ED) office in connection with a money laundering case.

A police team along with sniffer dogs also reached the NCP office in Mumbai.

<iframe data-google-container-id="5" data-load-complete="true" frameborder="0" height="1" id="google_ads_iframe_/6516239/outofpage_1x1_desktop_0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" name="google_ads_iframe_/6516239/outofpage_1x1_desktop_0" scrolling="no" srcdoc="" title="3rd party ad content" width="1"></iframe>"We are well equipped to take care of any eventuality. Section 144 is in place in the whole area. We have taken sufficient precautions. If any violation occurs, we are well equipped to handle that," said DCP Sangram Singh Nishandar, DCP Zone 1, Mumbai Police.

The Mumbai Police on Thursday imposed prohibitory orders in Mumbai's Ballard Estate area in view of Pawar's visit to the ED office.

Ahead of the ED questioning, NCP leader Nawab Malik also reached for meeting Pawar at his residence.

Speaking to media persons he said: "Police are detaining NCP workers in Mumbai and in other parts of the state, it is not right. Sharad Pawar will definitely go to the ED office at 2 pm today. BJP government is misusing Enforcement Directorate."

"From last night itself, the police began the process of detaining NCP workers. We think that this sort of action against the party workers is not at all right. Sharad Pawar did request the party workers not to come but the party workers will definitely assemble at the party office. We don't want any sort of violence," he added.

NCP workers had earlier staged protests after Sharad Pawar along with party leader Ajit Pawar and others were named in an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) in Rs 5,000 crore Maharashtra State Co-operative Bank (MSCB) scam case.

Pawar had earlier stated in a tweet that he would appear before the ED on Friday. He also appealed to the party leaders and supporters not to gather outside the agency's premises.

"Keeping our tradition to honour the constitution and respect for institutions, I request your co-operation to the police and other government agencies," he stated.

Joint Commissioner of Police (CP) Vinay Choubey and a team of police on Friday arrived at the residence of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar's residence ahead of his visit to Enforcement Directorate's (ED) office in connection with a money laundering case.

Joint Commissioner of Police (CP) Vinay Choubey and a team of police on Friday arrived at the residence of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar's residence ahead of his visit to Enforcement Directorate's (ED) office in connection with a money laundering case. A police team along with sniffer dogs also reached the NCP office in Mumbai. "We are well equipped to take care of any eventuality. Section 144 is in place in the whole area. We have taken sufficient precautions. If any violation occurs, we are well equipped to handle that," said DCP Sangram Singh Nishandar, DCP Zone 1, Mumbai Police. The Mumbai Police on Thursday imposed prohibitory orders in Mumbai's Ballard Estate area in view of Pawar's visit to the ED office. Ahead of the ED questioning, NCP leader Nawab Malik also reached for meeting Pawar at his residence. Speaking to media persons he said: "Police are detaining NCP workers in Mumbai and in other parts of the state, it is not right. Sharad Pawar will definitely go to the ED office at 2 pm today. BJP government is misusing Enforcement Directorate." "From last night itself, the police began the process of detaining NCP workers. We think that this sort of action against the party workers is not at all right. Sharad Pawar did request the party workers not to come but the party workers will definitely assemble at the party office. We don't want any sort of violence," he added. NCP workers had earlier staged protests after Sharad Pawar along with party leader Ajit Pawar and others were named in an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) in Rs 5,000 crore Maharashtra State Co-operative Bank (MSCB) scam case. Pawar had earlier stated in a tweet that he would appear before the ED on Friday. He also appealed to the party leaders and supporters not to gather outside the agency's premises. "Keeping our tradition to honour the constitution and respect for institutions, I request your co-operation to the police and other government agencies," he stated.

Maharashtra: Police teams reach Sharad Pawar's residence, NCP office ahead of ED questioning

Estonia, one of the world's most digitised countries, is keen to increase its <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/when-life-gives-you-lemons-turn-it-into-lemonade-estonian-ambassador-to-wion-on-cyberattacks-197214">cyber profile</a> and to provide services globally in tandem with India. While speaking to our principal diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal in New York,&nbsp;Estonia's President Kersti Kaljulaid talked about a number of issues ranging from cyber concerns to climate change.

Read the full transcript below.

WION:&nbsp;How was your meeting with PM Modi?

Kersti Kaljulaid: We did a follow up to&nbsp;the visit of your Vice-President. We discussed how we can exchange business delegation and I invited PM Modi to Estonia. But a major part of discussion was on digital economy because&nbsp;Estonia&nbsp;has a digital governance system and&nbsp;99 per cent&nbsp;government services&nbsp;run&nbsp;digitally. Your Prime Minister was deeply interested in how we guard the system, how we manage it legally, and how we increase the security and trust of people. 
&nbsp;

WION:&nbsp;How can you help India with&nbsp;digital infrastructure?

Kersti Kaljulaid: We can demonstrate what works. For example, do not build your system like a train, like you enter the first wagon and to reach various services you have to work through all. Create it like the&nbsp;sun, at the centre&nbsp;there is a nucleus, and all the rays radiate so you&nbsp;can directly connect point to point. Do not create huge databases at&nbsp;one place, make sure that they are dispersed to&nbsp;protect&nbsp;them. Also create a&nbsp;legal space, so that civil servants cannot go into the system without serious penalties. In&nbsp;Estonia, it's a criminal offence to do so and [based on] these elements, in 20 years we have created the environment.

Watch: WION exclusively in conversation with Estonian President

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WION: What are the key things that you forward from India?

Kersti Kaljulaid:&nbsp;Estonia&nbsp;is a big exporter of digital government services in gulf countries, we have developed quite a big market, we are active in Africa, leveraging in the EU, and U.N. development money. We have experience in exporting how to get your country online. We can do both&nbsp;services globally. We are the fourth biggest exporter globally of wooden houses [which are] environmentally friendly,&nbsp;since we are celebrating the first Climate Summit of UN this week. CO2, gathered in the wood stays in the houses for centuries. They are climate positive elements to become climate neutral globally.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;

 
WION: What is your view of India and its role in the world?

Kersti Kaljulaid: A country as big as India can have a huge role in the world, thinking about your software industry, you have built your globally economy on the export of services. I am sure, when the job market is getting geographically neutral, people can work everywhere without even leaving home. That can have a huge impact in the world.

 
WION:&nbsp;How do you see the issue of terror?

Kersti Kaljulaid:&nbsp;Estonia&nbsp;participates with its partner&nbsp;allies&nbsp;in many missions and&nbsp;also globally in Afghanistan and Iraq. In Mali, together with the French we are on a bilateral mission to make sure that terror is not spreading and is contained, and hopefully not happening anywhere. We are in collation with like-minded countries to fight terrorism.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

WION:&nbsp;One solution to climate change?

Kersti Kaljulaid: If you want one solution, all that you need to know is - find an empty space which is the size of Spain, and cover it with solar cells and connect it with the global grid, but in reality, I don't think this will happen. Our world is too fragmented for that. Instead, there will be development of big solar power producers and long transfer lines from south to north to make sure solar can reach big networks, then there will be the wind which will&nbsp;be used up north, then there will be big grids which will be well connected.

 
WION: How has&nbsp;your experience been as a female head of state?

Kersti Kaljulaid: Once in the room you feel welcomed. But quite often, me&nbsp;and my other colleagues are pushed&nbsp;aside by security and other people if they don't notice we are heads of states. Our security, people have to work harder for others to understand that these women can be heads of states, particularly if they come from smaller countries and if they are younger, we just don't fit in. We must change it.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

WION:&nbsp;India removed the special status for Jammu and Kashmir. Your reaction?

Kersti Kaljulaid: I cannot say that I am expert in this matter, all I can say is that Estonia&nbsp;always respects international law and positions itself on the decision taken here by the U.N.

Estonia, one of the world's most digitised countries, is keen to increase its cyber profile and to provide services globally in tandem with India. While speaking to our principal diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal in New York, Estonia's President Kersti Kaljulaid talked about a number of issues ranging from cyber concerns to climate change.

Estonia, one of the world's most digitised countries, is keen to increase its cyber profile and to provide services globally in tandem with India. While speaking to our principal diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal in New York, Estonia's President Kersti Kaljulaid talked about a number of issues ranging from cyber concerns to climate change. Read the full transcript below. WION: How was your meeting with PM Modi? Kersti Kaljulaid: We did a follow up to the visit of your Vice-President. We discussed how we can exchange business delegation and I invited PM Modi to Estonia. But a major part of discussion was on digital economy because Estonia has a digital governance system and 99 per cent government services run digitally. Your Prime Minister was deeply interested in how we guard the system, how we manage it legally, and how we increase the security and trust of people. WION: How can you help India with digital infrastructure? Kersti Kaljulaid: We can demonstrate what works. For example, do not build your system like a train, like you enter the first wagon and to reach various services you have to work through all. Create it like the sun, at the centre there is a nucleus, and all the rays radiate so you can directly connect point to point. Do not create huge databases at one place, make sure that they are dispersed to protect them. Also create a legal space, so that civil servants cannot go into the system without serious penalties. In Estonia, it's a criminal offence to do so and [based on] these elements, in 20 years we have created the environment. Watch: WION exclusively in conversation with Estonian President WION: What are the key things that you forward from India? Kersti Kaljulaid: Estonia is a big exporter of digital government services in gulf countries, we have developed quite a big market, we are active in Africa, leveraging in the EU, and U.N. development money. We have experience in exporting how to get your country online. We can do both services globally. We are the fourth biggest exporter globally of wooden houses [which are] environmentally friendly, since we are celebrating the first Climate Summit of UN this week. CO2, gathered in the wood stays in the houses for centuries. They are climate positive elements to become climate neutral globally. WION: What is your view of India and its role in the world? Kersti Kaljulaid: A country as big as India can have a huge role in the world, thinking about your software industry, you have built your globally economy on the export of services. I am sure, when the job market is getting geographically neutral, people can work everywhere without even leaving home. That can have a huge impact in the world. WION: How do you see the issue of terror? Kersti Kaljulaid: Estonia participates with its partner allies in many missions and also globally in Afghanistan and Iraq. In Mali, together with the French we are on a bilateral mission to make sure that terror is not spreading and is contained, and hopefully not happening anywhere. We are in collation with like-minded countries to fight terrorism. WION: One solution to climate change? Kersti Kaljulaid: If you want one solution, all that you need to know is - find an empty space which is the size of Spain, and cover it with solar cells and connect it with the global grid, but in reality, I don't think this will happen. Our world is too fragmented for that. Instead, there will be development of big solar power producers and long transfer lines from south to north to make sure solar can reach big networks, then there will be the wind which will be used up north, then there will be big grids which will be well connected. WION: How has your experience been as a female head of state? Kersti Kaljulaid: Once in the room you feel welcomed. But quite often, me and my other colleagues are pushed aside by security and other people if they don't notice we are heads of states. Our security, people have to work harder for others to understand that these women can be heads of states, particularly if they come from smaller countries and if they are younger, we just don't fit in. We must change it. WION: India removed the special status for Jammu and Kashmir. Your reaction? Kersti Kaljulaid: I cannot say that I am expert in this matter, all I can say is that Estonia always respects international law and positions itself on the decision taken here by the U.N.

We can bring countries online: Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid to WION

The Trump administration said on Thursday it plans to allow only 18,000 refugees to resettle in the United States in the 2020 fiscal year, the lowest number in the history of the modern refugee program.

In a move immediately decried by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-border-crossings-plunge-but-immigration-raids-draw-fire-241783">immigrant</a> advocates as an affront to the nation's humanitarian commitments, the administration said it had to shift focus to processing a backlog of hundreds of thousands of asylum claims, most of which are filed by migrants from Central America crossing the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-treasurys-mnuchin-says-mexico-immigration-deal-fixes-problems-225469">US-Mexico border</a>.

"The current burdens on the US&nbsp;immigration system must be alleviated before it is again possible to resettle a large number of refugees," the State Department said in a statement.

At the same time, President Donald Trump issued an executive order saying his administration would seek the approval of state and local governments to resettle refugees in their communities, in a shift for a federally directed program.

Trump has made cutting immigration a centerpiece of his presidency.

One of his first acts after assuming office in January 2017 was to issue an order capping the maximum number of refugees that year at 50,000, less than half the number former President Barack Obama had set a few months earlier.

The proposed new number includes specific carve-outs for US&nbsp;national security and foreign policy interests, a senior administration official told reporters.

Of the proposed 18,000 spots, 4,000 would be reserved for Iraqis, 5,000 for those fleeing religious persecution and 1,500 for people from the Northern Triangle countries of Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador.

That leaves 7,500, or roughly 40 per cent, for all others.

When reports began circulating about plans to dramatically cut resettlement, the administration faced public criticism from evangelical leaders who said an agenda supporting religious freedom around the world should go hand in hand with protection for persecuted refugees.

A senior administration official discussing the move on Thursday said that the specific allocation for religious minorities would be an improvement over previous years where broad allocations were made per region.

Dwindling program

The refugee cap was whittled down to 45,000 for 2018 and 30,000 for 2019, over the objections of senior officials in the Department of Defense, who view the program as crucial to rewarding and building allies in US&nbsp;military campaigns oversees.

Under US&nbsp;law, the president must consult Congress before finalizing the annual number of refugees it plans to accept but the determination is ultimately set by the White House.

The reduction comes at a time when there are nearly 71 million displaced people around the world, many of them refugees who have been waiting years in limbo for a chance at resettlement.

Beneficiaries of the US&nbsp;program are meant to include people whose lives are in danger for assisting the US&nbsp;military, orphaned children, and victims of female genital mutilation as well as many other fleeing civil strife and war.

Tens of thousands of refugees are in the pipeline for arrival to the United States, many with applications far along in the approval and vetting process.

But a drastic reduction in the overall numbers, as well as the allotments for particular groups, could mean many of them will likely miss the chance to come to the country in the 2020 fiscal year.

The senior administration official said refugee arrivals, which had been temporarily suspended pending the release of the new resettlement numbers, should resume on October 22.

While a short suspension is typical, the weeks-long halt has left many refugees who had already booked their flights stranded.

With the focus on the influx of migrants at the southern border, the administration has signed a series of bilateral deals in recent weeks that seek to push asylum seekers from Central America back to the region to apply for refuge in neighboring countries instead of in the United States.

Kevin McAleenan, acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, said in a statement the current refugee proposal, with nearly 10 per cent of slots reserved for the northern triangle countries,&nbsp;offers people from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras "the opportunity to seek refugee status close to home, rather than embark on a dangerous and often futile journey."

Local say

The President's companion executive order also potentially limits the places where those that are accepted can be resettled.

In the order, he said refugees should only be placed where state and local governments agree to receive them.

"State and local governments are best positioned to know the resources and capacities they may or may not have available," the order said, "which maximizes the likelihood refugees placed in the area will become self-sufficient and free from long-term dependence on public assistance."

The administration said refugee resettlement was a drain on government resources but immigration experts said new arrivals, who come with a legal status, often quickly fill jobs and contribute to local tax revenues.

Mark Hetfield, chief executive of Jewish non-profit refugee assistance organization HIAS said the executive order was an attempt by Trump to "allow governors and mayors to imitate his own refugee ban, state by state and town by town."

The Trump administration said on Thursday it plans to allow only 18,000 refugees to resettle in the United States in the 2020 fiscal year, the lowest number in the history of the modern refugee program.

The Trump administration said on Thursday it plans to allow only 18,000 refugees to resettle in the United States in the 2020 fiscal year, the lowest number in the history of the modern refugee program. In a move immediately decried by immigrant advocates as an affront to the nation's humanitarian commitments, the administration said it had to shift focus to processing a backlog of hundreds of thousands of asylum claims, most of which are filed by migrants from Central America crossing the US-Mexico border. "The current burdens on the US immigration system must be alleviated before it is again possible to resettle a large number of refugees," the State Department said in a statement. At the same time, President Donald Trump issued an executive order saying his administration would seek the approval of state and local governments to resettle refugees in their communities, in a shift for a federally directed program. Trump has made cutting immigration a centerpiece of his presidency. One of his first acts after assuming office in January 2017 was to issue an order capping the maximum number of refugees that year at 50,000, less than half the number former President Barack Obama had set a few months earlier. The proposed new number includes specific carve-outs for US national security and foreign policy interests, a senior administration official told reporters. Of the proposed 18,000 spots, 4,000 would be reserved for Iraqis, 5,000 for those fleeing religious persecution and 1,500 for people from the Northern Triangle countries of Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador. That leaves 7,500, or roughly 40 per cent, for all others. When reports began circulating about plans to dramatically cut resettlement, the administration faced public criticism from evangelical leaders who said an agenda supporting religious freedom around the world should go hand in hand with protection for persecuted refugees. A senior administration official discussing the move on Thursday said that the specific allocation for religious minorities would be an improvement over previous years where broad allocations were made per region. Dwindling program The refugee cap was whittled down to 45,000 for 2018 and 30,000 for 2019, over the objections of senior officials in the Department of Defense, who view the program as crucial to rewarding and building allies in US military campaigns oversees. Under US law, the president must consult Congress before finalizing the annual number of refugees it plans to accept but the determination is ultimately set by the White House. The reduction comes at a time when there are nearly 71 million displaced people around the world, many of them refugees who have been waiting years in limbo for a chance at resettlement. Beneficiaries of the US program are meant to include people whose lives are in danger for assisting the US military, orphaned children, and victims of female genital mutilation as well as many other fleeing civil strife and war. Tens of thousands of refugees are in the pipeline for arrival to the United States, many with applications far along in the approval and vetting process. But a drastic reduction in the overall numbers, as well as the allotments for particular groups, could mean many of them will likely miss the chance to come to the country in the 2020 fiscal year. The senior administration official said refugee arrivals, which had been temporarily suspended pending the release of the new resettlement numbers, should resume on October 22. While a short suspension is typical, the weeks-long halt has left many refugees who had already booked their flights stranded. With the focus on the influx of migrants at the southern border, the administration has signed a series of bilateral deals in recent weeks that seek to push asylum seekers from Central America back to the region to apply for refuge in neighboring countries instead of in the United States. Kevin McAleenan, acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, said in a statement the current refugee proposal, with nearly 10 per cent of slots reserved for the northern triangle countries, offers people from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras "the opportunity to seek refugee status close to home, rather than embark on a dangerous and often futile journey." Local say The President's companion executive order also potentially limits the places where those that are accepted can be resettled. In the order, he said refugees should only be placed where state and local governments agree to receive them. "State and local governments are best positioned to know the resources and capacities they may or may not have available," the order said, "which maximizes the likelihood refugees placed in the area will become self-sufficient and free from long-term dependence on public assistance." The administration said refugee resettlement was a drain on government resources but immigration experts said new arrivals, who come with a legal status, often quickly fill jobs and contribute to local tax revenues. Mark Hetfield, chief executive of Jewish non-profit refugee assistance organization HIAS said the executive order was an attempt by Trump to "allow governors and mayors to imitate his own refugee ban, state by state and town by town."

Trump administration plans to slash number of refugees for US resettlement

Two Rohingya refugees were killed in a gun battle with Bangladeshi border guards as they tried to cross into Bangladesh from Myanmar on Friday, officials said.

More than 730,000 <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-to-fence-rohingya-camps-in-further-crackdown-252243/amp">Rohingya</a> refugees live in Bangladesh, having fled persecution in neighbouring Myanmar where security forces are accused of carrying out killings, gang rape and arson in a crackdown after attacks on police posts by Rohingya insurgents in&nbsp;August 2017.

Bangladesh is hosting refugees in cramped conditions in camps in the border district of Cox's Bazar, but wants to move them to a remote island in the Bay of Bengal, citing monsoons and an increasingly deteriorating law and order situation fueled by drug smuggling.

Mohammad Faisal Hasan Khan, the commanding officer of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in the Teknaf sub-district of Cox's Bazar, said that in early hours on Friday a group of Rohingya were crossing a river on the border by boat when border guards challenged them and asked them to surrender.

"But instead of surrendering they responded with firearms," Hasan said.

"When attack and counter-attack stopped the BGB members went to the spot and found two Rohingya laid down on the ground with bullet (wounds)," he told Reuters.

They were pronounced dead on arrival at a local hospital. The BGB said it recovered 70,000 methamphetamine tablets, known locally as Yaba, along with a rifle and bullets, from the bodies.

Iqbal Hossain, additional police superintendent in the Cox's Bazar district, said that 44 Rohingya have been killed in gunfights with law enforcement agencies from January to date.

"All of them were engaged with drug peddling, robbery, human trafficking, and arms trade," Hossain told Reuters.

"In recent months a section of Rohingya are getting involved in crimes and out of them some were killed in gunfights with law enforcement agencies."

Prodeep Kumar Das, officer in charge of Teknaf police station, told Reuters that several police officers have been injured in gun battles with refugees.

Rohingya rights groups say they want the killings investigated.

"We don't support any criminal activities, but we cannot accept such killing. We demand thorough investigations of all such killings," said Syed Ullah, general secretary of Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights of Kutupalong camp in Teknaf.

"Rohingyas can not do it without the support and help from local people."

Two Rohingya refugees were killed in a gun battle with Bangladeshi border guards as they tried to cross into Bangladesh from Myanmar on Friday, officials said. More than 730,000 Rohingya refugees live in Bangladesh, having fled persecution in neighbouring Myanmar where security forces are accused of carrying out killings, gang rape and arson in a crackdown after attacks on police posts by Rohingya insurgents in August 2017.

Two Rohingya refugees were killed in a gun battle with Bangladeshi border guards as they tried to cross into Bangladesh from Myanmar on Friday, officials said. More than 730,000 Rohingya refugees live in Bangladesh, having fled persecution in neighbouring Myanmar where security forces are accused of carrying out killings, gang rape and arson in a crackdown after attacks on police posts by Rohingya insurgents in August 2017. Bangladesh is hosting refugees in cramped conditions in camps in the border district of Cox's Bazar, but wants to move them to a remote island in the Bay of Bengal, citing monsoons and an increasingly deteriorating law and order situation fueled by drug smuggling. Mohammad Faisal Hasan Khan, the commanding officer of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in the Teknaf sub-district of Cox's Bazar, said that in early hours on Friday a group of Rohingya were crossing a river on the border by boat when border guards challenged them and asked them to surrender. "But instead of surrendering they responded with firearms," Hasan said. "When attack and counter-attack stopped the BGB members went to the spot and found two Rohingya laid down on the ground with bullet (wounds)," he told Reuters. They were pronounced dead on arrival at a local hospital. The BGB said it recovered 70,000 methamphetamine tablets, known locally as Yaba, along with a rifle and bullets, from the bodies. Iqbal Hossain, additional police superintendent in the Cox's Bazar district, said that 44 Rohingya have been killed in gunfights with law enforcement agencies from January to date. "All of them were engaged with drug peddling, robbery, human trafficking, and arms trade," Hossain told Reuters. "In recent months a section of Rohingya are getting involved in crimes and out of them some were killed in gunfights with law enforcement agencies." Prodeep Kumar Das, officer in charge of Teknaf police station, told Reuters that several police officers have been injured in gun battles with refugees. Rohingya rights groups say they want the killings investigated. "We don't support any criminal activities, but we cannot accept such killing. We demand thorough investigations of all such killings," said Syed Ullah, general secretary of Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights of Kutupalong camp in Teknaf. "Rohingyas can not do it without the support and help from local people."

Two Rohingya killed in gun battle with Bangladesh border guards

&nbsp;Social media platforms will observe a voluntary code of ethics during "the ongoing Haryana and Maharashtra Assembly polls" as well as in all future elections, the Election Commission (EC) said on Thursday.

"The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) on behalf of its members has agreed to observe the voluntary code of ethics during all future elections including the ongoing general elections to the Haryana and Maharashtra Legislative Assemblies and various bye-elections being held simultaneously," an official statement said.

"This came into immediate effect from the day it was presented to the Commission on March 20. During the election period, social media platforms took action on 909 violative cases, reported by the EC," the statement added.

Under it, social media platforms have created a high priority dedicated grievance redressal channel for taking prompt action on the cases reported by the electoral body. The social media platforms and the Commission have developed a notification mechanism by which poll panel can notify the platforms for potential violations of electoral laws, said the statement.

The platforms will ensure that all political advertisements on their platforms are pre-certified from the media certification and monitoring committees of the EC. Besides, they will voluntarily undertake information, education and communication campaigns to build awareness related to electoral laws and other related instructions, the statement said.

The social media platforms and the EC have developed a notification mechanism and by this, the electoral body can notify the relevant platforms of potential violations of Section 126 of the R.P. Act, 1951, and other electoral laws.

Platforms will ensure that all political advertisements are pre-certified from the media certification and monitoring committees as per the directions of the Supreme Court. Participating platforms are committed to facilitate transparency in paid political advertisements, including utilizing their pre-existing labels/disclosure technology for such advertisements.

Social media platforms will observe a voluntary code of ethics during "the ongoing Haryana and Maharashtra Assembly polls" as well as in all future elections, the Election Commission (EC) said on Thursday.

Social media platforms will observe a voluntary code of ethics during "the ongoing Haryana and Maharashtra Assembly polls" as well as in all future elections, the Election Commission (EC) said on Thursday. "The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) on behalf of its members has agreed to observe the voluntary code of ethics during all future elections including the ongoing general elections to the Haryana and Maharashtra Legislative Assemblies and various bye-elections being held simultaneously," an official statement said. "This came into immediate effect from the day it was presented to the Commission on March 20. During the election period, social media platforms took action on 909 violative cases, reported by the EC," the statement added. Under it, social media platforms have created a high priority dedicated grievance redressal channel for taking prompt action on the cases reported by the electoral body. The social media platforms and the Commission have developed a notification mechanism by which poll panel can notify the platforms for potential violations of electoral laws, said the statement. The platforms will ensure that all political advertisements on their platforms are pre-certified from the media certification and monitoring committees of the EC. Besides, they will voluntarily undertake information, education and communication campaigns to build awareness related to electoral laws and other related instructions, the statement said. The social media platforms and the EC have developed a notification mechanism and by this, the electoral body can notify the relevant platforms of potential violations of Section 126 of the R.P. Act, 1951, and other electoral laws. Platforms will ensure that all political advertisements are pre-certified from the media certification and monitoring committees as per the directions of the Supreme Court. Participating platforms are committed to facilitate transparency in paid political advertisements, including utilizing their pre-existing labels/disclosure technology for such advertisements.

Social media platforms to observe voluntary code of ethics during elections: Election Commission

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