India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday (February 2) has slammed opposition leader Rahul Gandhi over his China-Pakistan remarks.&nbsp;

Gandhi in his Parliament speech said&nbsp;that the PM Narendra Modi's government and its foreign policies have brought China and Pakistan together.&nbsp;

Responding to the same, Jaishankar recalled some incidents when the Congress government was in office. He said, "Rahul Gandhi alleged in Lok Sabha that it is this Government which brought Pakistan and China together."&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/wont-endorse-it-us-on-rahuls-remark-that-china-pakistan-together-due-to-indias-foreign-policy-450010">'Won't endorse it': US on Rahul’s remark that China, Pakistan together due to India’s foreign policy</a>

He said that China built the Karakoram highway through PoK in the 1970s and CPEC was started in 2013 when Congress-led UPA was in power at the Centre.&nbsp;

"Perhaps, some history lessons are in order: In 1963,Pakistan illegally handed over the Shaksgam valley to China. -China built the Karakoram highway through PoK in the 1970s," Jaishankar tweeted.&nbsp;

He added, "From the 1970s, the two countries also had close nuclear collaboration. -In 2013, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor started. So, ask yourself: were China and Pakistan distant then?"

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-From the 1970s, the two countries also had close nuclear collaboration. 
 
-In 2013, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor started. 
 
So, ask yourself: were China and Pakistan distant then?
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1488884870449295362?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Meanwhile, the United States has also reacted to the controversial remarks by Gandhi, stating that it does not agree with Gandhi's claim that Modi's foreign policy has strengthened the Pakistan-China relationship.&nbsp;

On being asked about Gandhi's comments, US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said, "I will leave it to the Pakistanis and the PRC to speak to their relationship. I certainly would not – would not endorse those remarks."&nbsp;

Rahul Gandhi in his speech said the government has brought China and Pakistan together. "The Chinese have a very clear vision of what they want to do. The single biggest strategic goal of India's foreign policy has been to keep Pakistan and China separate. What you have done is, you have brought them together," he said.

"Do not be under any illusion, do not underestimate the force that is standing in front of you. You have brought Pakistan and China together. This is the single biggest crime that you could commit against the people of India," he added.

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday (February 2) has slammed opposition leader Rahul Gandhi over his China-Pakistan remarks. Gandhi in his Parliament speech said that the PM Narendra Modi's government and its foreign policies have brought China and Pakistan together.

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday (February 2) has slammed opposition leader Rahul Gandhi over his China-Pakistan remarks. Gandhi in his Parliament speech said that the PM Narendra Modi's government and its foreign policies have brought China and Pakistan together. Responding to the same, Jaishankar recalled some incidents when the Congress government was in office. He said, "Rahul Gandhi alleged in Lok Sabha that it is this Government which brought Pakistan and China together." ALSO READ | 'Won't endorse it': US on Rahul’s remark that China, Pakistan together due to India’s foreign policy He said that China built the Karakoram highway through PoK in the 1970s and CPEC was started in 2013 when Congress-led UPA was in power at the Centre. "Perhaps, some history lessons are in order: In 1963,Pakistan illegally handed over the Shaksgam valley to China. -China built the Karakoram highway through PoK in the 1970s," Jaishankar tweeted. He added, "From the 1970s, the two countries also had close nuclear collaboration. -In 2013, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor started. So, ask yourself: were China and Pakistan distant then?" -From the 1970s, the two countries also had close nuclear collaboration. -In 2013, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor started. So, ask yourself: were China and Pakistan distant then? — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) February 2, 2022 × Meanwhile, the United States has also reacted to the controversial remarks by Gandhi, stating that it does not agree with Gandhi's claim that Modi's foreign policy has strengthened the Pakistan-China relationship. On being asked about Gandhi's comments, US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said, "I will leave it to the Pakistanis and the PRC to speak to their relationship. I certainly would not – would not endorse those remarks." Rahul Gandhi in his speech said the government has brought China and Pakistan together. "The Chinese have a very clear vision of what they want to do. The single biggest strategic goal of India's foreign policy has been to keep Pakistan and China separate. What you have done is, you have brought them together," he said. "Do not be under any illusion, do not underestimate the force that is standing in front of you. You have brought Pakistan and China together. This is the single biggest crime that you could commit against the people of India," he added.

India: Jaishankar gives 'history lessons' to opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, slams over China-Pakistan remarks

New&nbsp;Zealand&nbsp;will start easing some of the world's toughest pandemic border restrictions this month but will not fully reopen until October, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Thursday.

Ardern announced a five-step plan to reconnect&nbsp;New&nbsp;Zealand&nbsp;to the rest of the world, beginning with waiving hotel quarantine requirements for its nationals stranded overseas by the pandemic.

"It's time to move again," said Ardern, who has been under pressure recently to relax border policies that have been largely unchanged since the beginning of the Covid-19 crisis almost two years ago.

"Families and friends need to reunite, our businesses need skills to grow, exporters need to travel to make&nbsp;new&nbsp;connections."

Ardern said&nbsp;New&nbsp;Zealanders in Australia could return home and self-isolate, rather than going into quarantine, from February 27, followed two weeks later by Kiwis elsewhere in the world.

The option will then be progressively made available to other groups such as skilled migrants, international students, Australians, and eventually all vaccinated foreign nationals.

It will involve international arrivals self-isolating for 10 days instead of undergoing a 10-day hotel quarantine monitored by&nbsp;New&nbsp;Zealand&nbsp;military personnel.

Only 800 rooms per month are available under the current system, with demand regularly exceeding supply tenfold.

Many&nbsp;New&nbsp;Zealanders have criticised it as too harsh on international arrivals,&nbsp;with business groups saying it was contributing to a labour shortage and crippling the tourism industry.

There have been numerous stories of fully vaccinated overseas-based&nbsp;New&nbsp;Zealanders unable to get home to see dying loved ones or give birth, such as pregnant journalist Charlotte Bellis.

Bellis prompted a rare about-face from officials this week when she said her initial failure to secure a quarantine spot left her no choice but to deliver her baby in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime.

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'Anguish and heartbreak'

Ardern said the quarantine system -- known locally as MIQ -- had been a key part of&nbsp;New&nbsp;Zealand's success containing the coronavirus, with only 53 deaths recorded in a population of five million.

"The anguish of MIQ has been real and heartbreaking but the choice to use it undeniably saved lives," she said.

New&nbsp;Zealand&nbsp;initially planned to start easing border controls last month and fully reopen in April&nbsp;but delayed the move as the Omicron variant emerged.

Ardern said&nbsp;New&nbsp;Zealand's high vaccination rate - almost 95 per cent of the population is double-jabbed, with a third also receiving a booster - meant change was now possible.

The prime minister said 92 per cent of adult Kiwis were expected to have a booster when the changes begin at the end of February.

The quarantine system will not be completely dismantled as it will still be needed to cater for unvaccinated international arrivals.

Air&nbsp;New&nbsp;Zealand&nbsp;said it was "thrilled" at the changes and was geared up to operate more than 300 flights between&nbsp;New&nbsp;Zealand&nbsp;and Australia in March.

"(It's) incredibly exciting news for&nbsp;New&nbsp;Zealanders overseas," spokeswoman Leanne Geraghty said.

New Zealand will start easing some of the world's toughest pandemic border restrictions this month but will not fully reopen until October, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Thursday.

New Zealand will start easing some of the world's toughest pandemic border restrictions this month but will not fully reopen until October, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Thursday. Ardern announced a five-step plan to reconnect New Zealand to the rest of the world, beginning with waiving hotel quarantine requirements for its nationals stranded overseas by the pandemic. "It's time to move again," said Ardern, who has been under pressure recently to relax border policies that have been largely unchanged since the beginning of the Covid-19 crisis almost two years ago. "Families and friends need to reunite, our businesses need skills to grow, exporters need to travel to make new connections." Ardern said New Zealanders in Australia could return home and self-isolate, rather than going into quarantine, from February 27, followed two weeks later by Kiwis elsewhere in the world. The option will then be progressively made available to other groups such as skilled migrants, international students, Australians, and eventually all vaccinated foreign nationals. It will involve international arrivals self-isolating for 10 days instead of undergoing a 10-day hotel quarantine monitored by New Zealand military personnel. Only 800 rooms per month are available under the current system, with demand regularly exceeding supply tenfold. Many New Zealanders have criticised it as too harsh on international arrivals, with business groups saying it was contributing to a labour shortage and crippling the tourism industry. There have been numerous stories of fully vaccinated overseas-based New Zealanders unable to get home to see dying loved ones or give birth, such as pregnant journalist Charlotte Bellis. Bellis prompted a rare about-face from officials this week when she said her initial failure to secure a quarantine spot left her no choice but to deliver her baby in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime. × 'Anguish and heartbreak' Ardern said the quarantine system -- known locally as MIQ -- had been a key part of New Zealand's success containing the coronavirus, with only 53 deaths recorded in a population of five million. "The anguish of MIQ has been real and heartbreaking but the choice to use it undeniably saved lives," she said. New Zealand initially planned to start easing border controls last month and fully reopen in April but delayed the move as the Omicron variant emerged. Ardern said New Zealand's high vaccination rate - almost 95 per cent of the population is double-jabbed, with a third also receiving a booster - meant change was now possible. The prime minister said 92 per cent of adult Kiwis were expected to have a booster when the changes begin at the end of February. The quarantine system will not be completely dismantled as it will still be needed to cater for unvaccinated international arrivals. Air New Zealand said it was "thrilled" at the changes and was geared up to operate more than 300 flights between New Zealand and Australia in March. "(It's) incredibly exciting news for New Zealanders overseas," spokeswoman Leanne Geraghty said.

New Zealand to start easing tough Covid border controls

An even-ball century by skipper Yash Dhull (110) and his 204-run partnership for the third wicket with Shaik Rasheed (94) set up India Under-19 for a 96-run victory against Australia in the semi-finals of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup.

India, the most successful nation in U19 Cricket World Cup history with four titles, thus reached the fourth successive final and will take on England in the summit clash. India last won the title in 2018 in the biennial event and had lost to Bangladesh in the final two years back.

Electing to bat first, India were in a spot of bother at 37/2 with both openers Angkrish Raghuvanshi (6) and Harnoor Singh (16) back in the pavilion. Skipper Dhull (110 off 110) and Rasheed (94 off 108) stitched together a majestic partnership of 204 runs to help the 2020 finalists reach 290/4 in 50 overs at the Coolidge Cricket Ground.

In reply, Australia U19 succumbed to the pressure created by the India U19 bowlers in the middle overs and lost their way despite a fighting half-century by Lachlan Shaw (51 off 66) to be eventually restricted to 194 all out in 41.5 overs, falling short by 96 runs.

Earlier, the Indian innings didn`t get off to the start skipper Dhull would have wanted as Raghuvanshi fell for a 30-ball six in the eighth over, with runs hard to come by in the Powerplay.

It was William Salzmann who picked up the early scalp, but Jack Nisbet was the most impressive bowler in the early stages, with his first six overs going for just 12 runs as India were put under huge pressure.

Nisbet got the reward for his tight spell with the wicket of the other opener Narnoor for 16, to leave India in a spot of bother on 37/2.

But that dismissal brought captain Dhull to the crease, `nd India didn`t look back, as the skipper and Rasheed patiently led the recovery and before upping the scoring rate significantly in a remarkable partnership.

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👊 Yash Dhull leading from the front 
🔥 India score 27 runs in the final over 
🌟 17-year-old Shaik Rasheed shines bright 
 
All the key talking points from today's blockbuster semi-final at the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/U19CWC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#U19CWC</a> 👇<a href="https://t.co/EWAsTprza4">https://t.co/EWAsTprza4</a>
— ICC (@ICC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ICC/status/1489014558526218243?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The pair were still at the crease going into the final ten overs and with both approaching a century. Captain Dhull did get to that milestone before signaling his intent with a smoked six off the very next delivery. The 19-year-old fell in an unfortunate manner, run out backing up at the non-striker`s end for a majestic run-a-ball 110.

And Rasheed fell to the next ball, caught at backward-point just six runs short of his own century.

The double-blow threatened to slow what had looked set to be an explosive finish to the innings, with Rasheed`s dismissal leaving India at 241/4 with four overs remaining.

But Rajvardhan Hangargekar (13 off 10) and Nishant Sindhu (12 not out off 10) ensured that the runs kept flowing, before Dinesh Bana (20 not out) finished the innings in style, hitting two sixes and two fours off the four deliveries he faced. Bana`s late cameo helped India reach 290/5, with 27 runs coming off the final over.

India`s innings was one of two distinct halves, with just 86 runs coming off a testing first 25 overs, and then 204 runs ransacked off the second 25, according to a report on ICC`s official website.

Australia`s hopes of reaching the target of 291 to set up a final against England suffered a big early blow when in-form opener Teague Wyllie was trapped in front in just the second over of the reply.

Wyllie had scored significantly at the top of the order in all three of Australia`s previous wins at the tournament, but his dismissal didn`t immediately seem to knock the team`s confidence, with Campbell Kellaway (30) and Corey Miller (38) scoring at a reasonable pace through the following 15 overs in a partnership worth 68.

However, India`s main threat was always expected to be their quality spin attack, and so it proved, with part-timer Raghuvanshi fooling Miller with a clever change of pace, and Vicky Ostwal picking up the scalp of Kellaway six balls later.

Wickets fell at regular intervals from there on, as India`s spinners took the game away from Australia, with only Lachlan Shaw surviving for any significant length of time for a hard-fought 51.

But with Shaw at risk of running out of partners, he went on the attack after reaching his half-century, bottom-edging a big heave onto his stumps to become the ninth wicket to fall.

And India sealed their spot in Saturday`s final with a runout, as a mix-up between Tom Whitney (19 off 17) and number eleven Jack Nisbet left the former stranded. 
 
Brief scores: 
 
India U19 290/5 in 50 overs (Yash Dhull 110, Shaik Rasheed 94; Jack Nisbet 2/41, William Salzmann 2/57) beat Australia U19 194 in 41.5 overs (Lachlan Shaw 51, Corey Miller 38; Vicky Ostwal 3/42, Nishant Sindhu 2/25, Ravi Kumar 2/37).

An even-ball century by skipper Yash Dhull (110) and his 204-run partnership for the third wicket with Shaik Rasheed (94) set up India Under-19 for a 96-run victory against Australia in the semi-finals of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup.

An even-ball century by skipper Yash Dhull (110) and his 204-run partnership for the third wicket with Shaik Rasheed (94) set up India Under-19 for a 96-run victory against Australia in the semi-finals of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup. India, the most successful nation in U19 Cricket World Cup history with four titles, thus reached the fourth successive final and will take on England in the summit clash. India last won the title in 2018 in the biennial event and had lost to Bangladesh in the final two years back. Electing to bat first, India were in a spot of bother at 37/2 with both openers Angkrish Raghuvanshi (6) and Harnoor Singh (16) back in the pavilion. Skipper Dhull (110 off 110) and Rasheed (94 off 108) stitched together a majestic partnership of 204 runs to help the 2020 finalists reach 290/4 in 50 overs at the Coolidge Cricket Ground. In reply, Australia U19 succumbed to the pressure created by the India U19 bowlers in the middle overs and lost their way despite a fighting half-century by Lachlan Shaw (51 off 66) to be eventually restricted to 194 all out in 41.5 overs, falling short by 96 runs. Earlier, the Indian innings didn`t get off to the start skipper Dhull would have wanted as Raghuvanshi fell for a 30-ball six in the eighth over, with runs hard to come by in the Powerplay. It was William Salzmann who picked up the early scalp, but Jack Nisbet was the most impressive bowler in the early stages, with his first six overs going for just 12 runs as India were put under huge pressure. Nisbet got the reward for his tight spell with the wicket of the other opener Narnoor for 16, to leave India in a spot of bother on 37/2. But that dismissal brought captain Dhull to the crease, `nd India didn`t look back, as the skipper and Rasheed patiently led the recovery and before upping the scoring rate significantly in a remarkable partnership. 👊 Yash Dhull leading from the front 🔥 India score 27 runs in the final over 🌟 17-year-old Shaik Rasheed shines bright All the key talking points from today's blockbuster semi-final at the #U19CWC 👇https://t.co/EWAsTprza4 — ICC (@ICC) February 2, 2022 × The pair were still at the crease going into the final ten overs and with both approaching a century. Captain Dhull did get to that milestone before signaling his intent with a smoked six off the very next delivery. The 19-year-old fell in an unfortunate manner, run out backing up at the non-striker`s end for a majestic run-a-ball 110. And Rasheed fell to the next ball, caught at backward-point just six runs short of his own century. The double-blow threatened to slow what had looked set to be an explosive finish to the innings, with Rasheed`s dismissal leaving India at 241/4 with four overs remaining. But Rajvardhan Hangargekar (13 off 10) and Nishant Sindhu (12 not out off 10) ensured that the runs kept flowing, before Dinesh Bana (20 not out) finished the innings in style, hitting two sixes and two fours off the four deliveries he faced. Bana`s late cameo helped India reach 290/5, with 27 runs coming off the final over. India`s innings was one of two distinct halves, with just 86 runs coming off a testing first 25 overs, and then 204 runs ransacked off the second 25, according to a report on ICC`s official website. Australia`s hopes of reaching the target of 291 to set up a final against England suffered a big early blow when in-form opener Teague Wyllie was trapped in front in just the second over of the reply. Wyllie had scored significantly at the top of the order in all three of Australia`s previous wins at the tournament, but his dismissal didn`t immediately seem to knock the team`s confidence, with Campbell Kellaway (30) and Corey Miller (38) scoring at a reasonable pace through the following 15 overs in a partnership worth 68. However, India`s main threat was always expected to be their quality spin attack, and so it proved, with part-timer Raghuvanshi fooling Miller with a clever change of pace, and Vicky Ostwal picking up the scalp of Kellaway six balls later. Wickets fell at regular intervals from there on, as India`s spinners took the game away from Australia, with only Lachlan Shaw surviving for any significant length of time for a hard-fought 51. But with Shaw at risk of running out of partners, he went on the attack after reaching his half-century, bottom-edging a big heave onto his stumps to become the ninth wicket to fall. And India sealed their spot in Saturday`s final with a runout, as a mix-up between Tom Whitney (19 off 17) and number eleven Jack Nisbet left the former stranded. Brief scores: India U19 290/5 in 50 overs (Yash Dhull 110, Shaik Rasheed 94; Jack Nisbet 2/41, William Salzmann 2/57) beat Australia U19 194 in 41.5 overs (Lachlan Shaw 51, Corey Miller 38; Vicky Ostwal 3/42, Nishant Sindhu 2/25, Ravi Kumar 2/37).

U19 World Cup: Yash Dhull, Shaik Rasheed shine as India thrash Australia, reach 4th final in a row

More than 200 Olympics-linked personnel have been infected by Covid-19 since January 23rd. China's much-hyped 'closed' loop is an 'open' invitation for the virus. Palki Sharma tells you how Beijing is crushing the Olympic spirit.

Gravitas: China's Olympics bubble turns virus hotspot

Here are some of the top stories to start your day: An Australian tabloid stated in an investigative report that China had suffered a devastating loss in the Galwan Valley encounter in 2020.

Here are some of the top stories to start your day: An Australian tabloid stated in an investigative report that China had suffered a devastating loss in the Galwan Valley encounter in 2020. Also, a probe panel in the US stated that pulsed electromagnetic energy from close distances could have caused the symptoms of Havana syndrome. Watch our report on the latest updates on the Ukraine-Russia crisis. Click on headlines to read the full report: China suffered a huge loss in the Galwan Valley clash, ‘fabricated’ stories to the world: Australian newspaper The Klaxon, an Australian tabloid, stated in an investigative report that China had suffered a devastating loss in the Galwan Valley encounter in 2020. According to the exclusive findings of the editor, Anthony Klan, China's casualties were significantly more than what was stated, since many men drowned while crossing a river in the valley. Intense directed energy by external device could have caused Havana syndrome The United States intelligence panel probing what's behind the mysterious brain injuries among some of the American diplomats and spies overseas released a report, not ruling out the possibility of deliberate attacks. More than 3000 personnel face getting discharged as US Army tightens vaccine mandate rules The US Army said Wednesday that soldiers who failed to comply with COVID-19 vaccination rules would be discharged. It claimed the move was essential to maintaining combat readiness. Meta shares sink 22% as Facebook loses one million daily users On Wednesday, Meta, Facebook's parent company, announced a gloomy mix of lower profits, fewer users and threats to its ad business that sent shares down by 22 per cent in after-hours trading. WATCH | French President Emmanuel Macron to hold talks with US Prez Joe Biden on Russia-Ukraine crisis ×

Morning news brief: Report on Havana syndrome, Meta shares sink 22%, and more

The United States intelligence panel probing what's behind the mysterious brain injuries among some of the American diplomats and spies overseas released a report, not ruling out the possibility of deliberate attacks.&nbsp;

On Wednesday (February 2), the expert panel in a report said that intense directed energy from an external source is the possible reason behind some of the cases of "Havana syndrome" among US diplomats.&nbsp;

"Havana syndrome" can be defined as a set of medical symptoms with unknown causes. It has been reported mostly abroad by US government officials and some of the military personnel.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/more-than-3000-personnel-face-getting-discharged-as-us-army-tightens-vaccine-mandate-rules-449993">More than 3000 personnel face getting discharged as US Army tightens vaccine mandate rules</a>

Those who are said to be affected have said that they have experienced symptoms like severe pain, ringing in the ears, cognitive difficulties.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, in the recent report, the panel of technological and medical experts found that pulsed electromagnetic energy and ultrasound, delivered from close distances, could have caused the symptoms of what is officially called anomalous health incidents (AHIs).&nbsp;

The cases were first reported in 2016 by the US and Canadian embassy staff in Havana, Cuba. In 2017 other including US intelligence and military personnel and their families also reported similar symptoms in other places, such as China and Europe.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/china-suffered-a-huge-loss-in-the-galwan-valley-clash-fabricated-stories-to-the-world-australian-newspaper-449997">China suffered a huge loss in the Galwan Valley clash, ‘fabricated’ stories to the world: Australian newspaper</a>

The experts have revealed that the technology exists to cause the uncommon mix of ear pains, vertigo, nausea and other symptoms.&nbsp;

An unclassified summary of the experts' report, released by the US director of national intelligence, said that out of hundreds of cases reported, "a subset of AHIs cannot be easily explained by known environmental or medical conditions and could be due to external stimuli".&nbsp;

Supporting the possibility of deliberate attacks, the experts have said that it is possible to create concealable devices that, using moderate amounts of energy, would direct electromagnetic energy or ultrasound waves to cause damage in a targeted person.&nbsp;

However, they did not say whether such devices exist. They also didn't mention who could have been behind them.&nbsp;

The Central Intelligence Agency recently found that all but about two dozen of some 1,000 reported AHI cases had conventional medical or environmental explanations.

(With inputs from agencies)

The United States intelligence panel probing what's behind the mysterious brain injuries among some of the American diplomats and spies overseas released a report, not ruling out the possibility of deliberate attacks.

The United States intelligence panel probing what's behind the mysterious brain injuries among some of the American diplomats and spies overseas released a report, not ruling out the possibility of deliberate attacks. On Wednesday (February 2), the expert panel in a report said that intense directed energy from an external source is the possible reason behind some of the cases of "Havana syndrome" among US diplomats. "Havana syndrome" can be defined as a set of medical symptoms with unknown causes. It has been reported mostly abroad by US government officials and some of the military personnel. ALSO READ | More than 3000 personnel face getting discharged as US Army tightens vaccine mandate rules Those who are said to be affected have said that they have experienced symptoms like severe pain, ringing in the ears, cognitive difficulties. Meanwhile, in the recent report, the panel of technological and medical experts found that pulsed electromagnetic energy and ultrasound, delivered from close distances, could have caused the symptoms of what is officially called anomalous health incidents (AHIs). The cases were first reported in 2016 by the US and Canadian embassy staff in Havana, Cuba. In 2017 other including US intelligence and military personnel and their families also reported similar symptoms in other places, such as China and Europe. ALSO READ | China suffered a huge loss in the Galwan Valley clash, ‘fabricated’ stories to the world: Australian newspaper The experts have revealed that the technology exists to cause the uncommon mix of ear pains, vertigo, nausea and other symptoms. An unclassified summary of the experts' report, released by the US director of national intelligence, said that out of hundreds of cases reported, "a subset of AHIs cannot be easily explained by known environmental or medical conditions and could be due to external stimuli". Supporting the possibility of deliberate attacks, the experts have said that it is possible to create concealable devices that, using moderate amounts of energy, would direct electromagnetic energy or ultrasound waves to cause damage in a targeted person. However, they did not say whether such devices exist. They also didn't mention who could have been behind them. The Central Intelligence Agency recently found that all but about two dozen of some 1,000 reported AHI cases had conventional medical or environmental explanations. (With inputs from agencies)

Intense directed energy by external device could have caused Havana syndrome

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Fifteen days after Election Day in 2020, James R. Troupis, a lawyer for the Trump campaign in Wisconsin, received a memo setting out what became the rationale for an audacious strategy: to put in place alternate slates of electors in states where President Donald Trump was trying to overturn his loss.

The memo, from a lawyer named Kenneth Chesebro, may not have been the first time that lawyers and allies of Trump had weighed the possibility of naming their own electors in the hopes that they might eventually succeed in flipping the outcome in battleground states through recounts and lawsuits baselessly asserting widespread fraud.

But the Nov. 18 memo and another three weeks later are among the earliest known efforts to put on paper proposals for preparing alternate electors. They helped to shape a crucial strategy that Trump would embrace with profound consequences for himself and the nation.

The memos show how just over two weeks after Election Day, Trump’s campaign was seeking to buy itself more time to undo the results. At the heart of the strategy was the idea that the real deadline was not Dec. 14, when official electors would be chosen to reflect the outcome in each state, but Jan. 6, when Congress would meet to certify the results.

And in that focus on Jan. 6 lay the seeds of what became a pressure campaign on Vice President Mike Pence to accept the validity of a challenge to the outcome and to block Congress from finalizing Joe Biden’s victory — a campaign that would also lead to a violent assault on the Capitol by Trump supporters and an extraordinary rupture in U.S. politics.

“It may seem odd that the electors pledged to Trump and Pence might meet and cast their votes on Dec. 14 even if, at that juncture, the Trump-Pence ticket is behind in the vote count, and no certificate of election has been issued in favor of Trump and Pence,” the Nov. 18 memo said. “However, a fair reading of the federal statutes suggests that this is a reasonable course of action.”

Federal prosecutors and the House committee investigating the events of Jan. 6 have recently confirmed that they are examining the effort to submit alternate slates of electors to the Electoral College. On Friday, congressional investigators issued subpoenas to 14 people who claimed to be official Trump electors in states that were actually won by Biden.

The two memos, obtained by The New York Times, were used by Trump’s top lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, and others like John Eastman as they developed a strategy intended to exploit ambiguities in the Electoral Count Act, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The memos were initially meant to address Trump’s challenge to the outcome in Wisconsin, but they ultimately became part of a broader conversation by members of Trump’s legal team as the president looked toward Jan. 6 and began to exert pressure on Pence to hold up certification of the Electoral College count.

Neither Troupis nor Chesebro responded to requests for comment about the memos. Even before the memos were written, legislative leaders in Arizona and Wisconsin sought advice from their own lawyers about whether they had the power to alter slates of electors after the election took place and were effectively told they did not, according to new documents obtained by American Oversight, a nonprofit watchdog group.

Trump has long embraced the scheme. Just this past weekend, he issued a statement reiterating that he was justified in using the process in Congress on Jan. 6 to challenge the outcome and asserting that Pence “could have overturned the election.”

The plan to employ alternate electors was one of Trump’s most expansive efforts to stave off defeat, beginning even before some states had finished counting ballots and culminating in the pressure placed on Pence when he presided over the joint congressional session Jan. 6. At various times, the scheme involved state lawmakers, White House aides and lawyers like Chesebro and Troupis.

In the weeks after the election, Troupis oversaw the Trump campaign’s recount effort in Wisconsin, which ultimately showed that Biden had won by more than 20,000 votes. In early December 2020, Troupis filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Trump campaign that sought to invalidate the use of absentee ballots in Milwaukee and Dane counties, which both have large numbers of Black voters.

At a hearing in front of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, one justice, Rebecca Dallet, noted that Troupis had not sought to invalidate votes in Wisconsin's 70 other counties but had focused only on the “most nonwhite, urban” parts of the state. Another justice, Jill Karofsky, echoed that sentiment, telling Troupis that his lawsuit “smacks of racism.”

In late December, Chesebro joined Troupis in asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review the question of whether competing slates of electors in Wisconsin and six other contested states could be considered Jan. 6. The high court denied their request.

The language and suggestions in the memos from Chesebro to Troupis closely echo tactics and talking points that were eventually adopted by Trump’s top lawyers.

The November memo, for example, called Jan. 6 the “hard deadline” for settling the results of the election and advised that the Trump campaign had nearly two months for “judicial proceedings” to challenge the outcome. It also suggested that Trump-friendly electors in Wisconsin needed to meet in Madison, the state capital, on Dec. 14, 2020, the day the Electoral College would be voting.

The second memo was dated Dec. 9, 2020, and expanded on the plan. It set forth an analysis of how to legally authorize alternate electors in six key swing states, including Wisconsin. It noted that the scheme was “unproblematic” in Arizona and Wisconsin, “slightly problematic” in Michigan, “somewhat dicey” in Georgia and Pennsylvania, and “very problematic” in Nevada.

Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., a member of the committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, said that the panel was examining the origins of the plans to put forward alternate electors. The panel already has in its possession memos that were written by Eastman and another Trump lawyer, Jenna Ellis, in late December 2020 and early January 2021; those memos laid out steps for Congress to take to cast aside Biden’s electors in key swing states.

“We know this was a coordinated effort on behalf of the former president and those around him to overturn a free and fair election,” Aguilar said. “We continue to learn new and more details. It’s incredibly troubling to know the lengths they went to support these efforts in multiple states.”

Aguilar said that he and others on the panel believed the plan to use the electors was connected to other aspects of Trump’s effort to remain in power, such as proposals to seize voting machines and to put intense pressure on Pence to throw out legitimate electoral votes.

“We need to know the depth of that plan, and we need to know the different ways in which they sought to operationalize their theory,” he said.

Fifteen days after Election Day in 2020, James R. Troupis, a lawyer for the Trump campaign in Wisconsin, received a memo setting out what became the rationale for an audacious strategy: to put in place alternate slates of electors in states where President Donald Trump was trying to overturn his loss.

Fifteen days after Election Day in 2020, James R. Troupis, a lawyer for the Trump campaign in Wisconsin, received a memo setting out what became the rationale for an audacious strategy: to put in place alternate slates of electors in states where President Donald Trump was trying to overturn his loss. The memo, from a lawyer named Kenneth Chesebro, may not have been the first time that lawyers and allies of Trump had weighed the possibility of naming their own electors in the hopes that they might eventually succeed in flipping the outcome in battleground states through recounts and lawsuits baselessly asserting widespread fraud. But the Nov. 18 memo and another three weeks later are among the earliest known efforts to put on paper proposals for preparing alternate electors. They helped to shape a crucial strategy that Trump would embrace with profound consequences for himself and the nation. The memos show how just over two weeks after Election Day, Trump’s campaign was seeking to buy itself more time to undo the results. At the heart of the strategy was the idea that the real deadline was not Dec. 14, when official electors would be chosen to reflect the outcome in each state, but Jan. 6, when Congress would meet to certify the results. And in that focus on Jan. 6 lay the seeds of what became a pressure campaign on Vice President Mike Pence to accept the validity of a challenge to the outcome and to block Congress from finalizing Joe Biden’s victory — a campaign that would also lead to a violent assault on the Capitol by Trump supporters and an extraordinary rupture in U.S. politics. “It may seem odd that the electors pledged to Trump and Pence might meet and cast their votes on Dec. 14 even if, at that juncture, the Trump-Pence ticket is behind in the vote count, and no certificate of election has been issued in favor of Trump and Pence,” the Nov. 18 memo said. “However, a fair reading of the federal statutes suggests that this is a reasonable course of action.” Federal prosecutors and the House committee investigating the events of Jan. 6 have recently confirmed that they are examining the effort to submit alternate slates of electors to the Electoral College. On Friday, congressional investigators issued subpoenas to 14 people who claimed to be official Trump electors in states that were actually won by Biden. The two memos, obtained by The New York Times, were used by Trump’s top lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, and others like John Eastman as they developed a strategy intended to exploit ambiguities in the Electoral Count Act, according to a person familiar with the matter. The memos were initially meant to address Trump’s challenge to the outcome in Wisconsin, but they ultimately became part of a broader conversation by members of Trump’s legal team as the president looked toward Jan. 6 and began to exert pressure on Pence to hold up certification of the Electoral College count. Neither Troupis nor Chesebro responded to requests for comment about the memos. Even before the memos were written, legislative leaders in Arizona and Wisconsin sought advice from their own lawyers about whether they had the power to alter slates of electors after the election took place and were effectively told they did not, according to new documents obtained by American Oversight, a nonprofit watchdog group. Trump has long embraced the scheme. Just this past weekend, he issued a statement reiterating that he was justified in using the process in Congress on Jan. 6 to challenge the outcome and asserting that Pence “could have overturned the election.” The plan to employ alternate electors was one of Trump’s most expansive efforts to stave off defeat, beginning even before some states had finished counting ballots and culminating in the pressure placed on Pence when he presided over the joint congressional session Jan. 6. At various times, the scheme involved state lawmakers, White House aides and lawyers like Chesebro and Troupis. In the weeks after the election, Troupis oversaw the Trump campaign’s recount effort in Wisconsin, which ultimately showed that Biden had won by more than 20,000 votes. In early December 2020, Troupis filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Trump campaign that sought to invalidate the use of absentee ballots in Milwaukee and Dane counties, which both have large numbers of Black voters. At a hearing in front of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, one justice, Rebecca Dallet, noted that Troupis had not sought to invalidate votes in Wisconsin's 70 other counties but had focused only on the “most nonwhite, urban” parts of the state. Another justice, Jill Karofsky, echoed that sentiment, telling Troupis that his lawsuit “smacks of racism.” In late December, Chesebro joined Troupis in asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review the question of whether competing slates of electors in Wisconsin and six other contested states could be considered Jan. 6. The high court denied their request. The language and suggestions in the memos from Chesebro to Troupis closely echo tactics and talking points that were eventually adopted by Trump’s top lawyers. The November memo, for example, called Jan. 6 the “hard deadline” for settling the results of the election and advised that the Trump campaign had nearly two months for “judicial proceedings” to challenge the outcome. It also suggested that Trump-friendly electors in Wisconsin needed to meet in Madison, the state capital, on Dec. 14, 2020, the day the Electoral College would be voting. The second memo was dated Dec. 9, 2020, and expanded on the plan. It set forth an analysis of how to legally authorize alternate electors in six key swing states, including Wisconsin. It noted that the scheme was “unproblematic” in Arizona and Wisconsin, “slightly problematic” in Michigan, “somewhat dicey” in Georgia and Pennsylvania, and “very problematic” in Nevada. Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., a member of the committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, said that the panel was examining the origins of the plans to put forward alternate electors. The panel already has in its possession memos that were written by Eastman and another Trump lawyer, Jenna Ellis, in late December 2020 and early January 2021; those memos laid out steps for Congress to take to cast aside Biden’s electors in key swing states. “We know this was a coordinated effort on behalf of the former president and those around him to overturn a free and fair election,” Aguilar said. “We continue to learn new and more details. It’s incredibly troubling to know the lengths they went to support these efforts in multiple states.” Aguilar said that he and others on the panel believed the plan to use the electors was connected to other aspects of Trump’s effort to remain in power, such as proposals to seize voting machines and to put intense pressure on Pence to throw out legitimate electoral votes. “We need to know the depth of that plan, and we need to know the different ways in which they sought to operationalize their theory,” he said.

Memos show roots of Trump’s focus on Jan. 6 and alternate electors

Rotterdam, a city in the Netherlands will dismantle a historic bridge temporarily to make way for a superyacht built for Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.&nbsp;

A Dutch firm Oceanco is reportedly building the gigantic yacht for the billionaire but it is&nbsp;too tall to fit through the historic Koningshaven Bridge, known to Rotterdammers as De Hef.&nbsp;

The iconic Koningshaven Bridge dates from 1878 and was rebuilt after being bombed by the Nazis in 1940 during World War II.&nbsp;

ALSO&nbsp;READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-discover-a-way-to-target-destroy-cancer-cells-heres-how-the-ground-breaking-therapy-works-450088">Scientists discover a way to target &amp; destroy cancer cells: Here's how the ground-breaking therapy works</a>

The superyacht is said to be worth $485 million and is said to be 417ft long as the shipyard building the three-masted mammoth in Alblasserdam, near Rotterdam.&nbsp;

The company has asked the local council to remove the bridge's central section so it can pass through. However, locals are angry over the decision to let it happen.&nbsp;

Reports have mentioned that the local council promised after a major renovation in 2017 that it would never again dismantle the bridge.&nbsp;

A spokesman for the mayor of Rotterdam told AFP, "It's the only route to the sea," adding that billionaire Bezos would foot the bill for the operation.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-reveals-when-it-will-crash-international-space-station-on-earth-449998">NASA reveals when it will crash International Space Station on Earth</a>

The mayor's office insisted on the economic benefits and jobs created by the construction of the boat. It has also been promised that the bridge would be rebuilt in its current form.

Local media reports mentioned that the middle section of the steel-girdered bridge will be removed to give enough clearance to the boat. However, the entire process will take a few weeks and is expected to happen this summer.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Rotterdam, a city in the Netherlands will dismantle a historic bridge temporarily to make way for a superyacht built for Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. A Dutch firm Oceanco is reportedly building the gigantic yacht for the billionaire but it is too tall to fit through the historic Koningshaven Bridge, known to Rotterdammers as De Hef.

Rotterdam, a city in the Netherlands will dismantle a historic bridge temporarily to make way for a superyacht built for Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. A Dutch firm Oceanco is reportedly building the gigantic yacht for the billionaire but it is too tall to fit through the historic Koningshaven Bridge, known to Rotterdammers as De Hef. The iconic Koningshaven Bridge dates from 1878 and was rebuilt after being bombed by the Nazis in 1940 during World War II. ALSO READ | Scientists discover a way to target & destroy cancer cells: Here's how the ground-breaking therapy works The superyacht is said to be worth $485 million and is said to be 417ft long as the shipyard building the three-masted mammoth in Alblasserdam, near Rotterdam. The company has asked the local council to remove the bridge's central section so it can pass through. However, locals are angry over the decision to let it happen. Reports have mentioned that the local council promised after a major renovation in 2017 that it would never again dismantle the bridge. A spokesman for the mayor of Rotterdam told AFP, "It's the only route to the sea," adding that billionaire Bezos would foot the bill for the operation. ALSO READ | NASA reveals when it will crash International Space Station on Earth The mayor's office insisted on the economic benefits and jobs created by the construction of the boat. It has also been promised that the bridge would be rebuilt in its current form. Local media reports mentioned that the middle section of the steel-girdered bridge will be removed to give enough clearance to the boat. However, the entire process will take a few weeks and is expected to happen this summer. (With inputs from agencies)

Here's how Jeff Bezos' superyacht messing up with history of this Dutch port city

A cute story of an eight-year-old boy has gone viral. Dillon Helbig, a second-grader hailing from Idaho in the United States got his storybook self-published.&nbsp;

It doesn't end here. The background story is really sweet and quite inspiring to millions of kids who dream of getting their books, comics and paintings published.&nbsp;

The book named "The Adventures of Dillon Helbig's Crismis" written and compiled by Dillon was discovered by the librarians. But the question is: who put it there?&nbsp;

ALSO&nbsp;READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-discover-a-way-to-target-destroy-cancer-cells-heres-how-the-ground-breaking-therapy-works-450088">Scientists discover a way to target &amp; destroy cancer cells: Here's how the ground-breaking therapy works</a>

Dillon snuck the book&nbsp;in the local library and put it on the bookshelf. No one noticed it but when the librarians found it there, they chose to not take it off the shelf. They made it an official library book.&nbsp;

"I always be sneaky, like how I get chocolate," Dillon told the KTVB television station.

He added, "There was a lot of librarians that I had to sneak past so do you know what I did? I covered up this part and covered the back with my body and just snuck it in and then started to walk, and then I came in this aisle – no, wait, this aisle – and then I put my book right here. Wait, right here."

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-reveals-when-it-will-crash-international-space-station-on-earth-449998">NASA reveals when it will crash International Space Station on Earth</a>

Dillon just wanted people to read his book. However, his clever marketing idea is appreciable as in the Idaho town of Boise, Helbig's storybook has now become a hit. It became&nbsp;so popular that several curious readers are waitlisted.&nbsp;

In the book (or novel), Dillon tells a fictional story of Christmas tree decoration, which exploded, transporting him to the year 1621 when the Thanksgiving holiday was first celebrated in the US.&nbsp;

A cute story of an eight-year-old boy has gone viral. Dillon Helbig, a second-grader hailing from Idaho in the United States got his storybook self-published. It doesn't end here.

A cute story of an eight-year-old boy has gone viral. Dillon Helbig, a second-grader hailing from Idaho in the United States got his storybook self-published. It doesn't end here. The background story is really sweet and quite inspiring to millions of kids who dream of getting their books, comics and paintings published. The book named "The Adventures of Dillon Helbig's Crismis" written and compiled by Dillon was discovered by the librarians. But the question is: who put it there? ALSO READ | Scientists discover a way to target & destroy cancer cells: Here's how the ground-breaking therapy works Dillon snuck the book in the local library and put it on the bookshelf. No one noticed it but when the librarians found it there, they chose to not take it off the shelf. They made it an official library book. "I always be sneaky, like how I get chocolate," Dillon told the KTVB television station. He added, "There was a lot of librarians that I had to sneak past so do you know what I did? I covered up this part and covered the back with my body and just snuck it in and then started to walk, and then I came in this aisle – no, wait, this aisle – and then I put my book right here. Wait, right here." ALSO READ | NASA reveals when it will crash International Space Station on Earth Dillon just wanted people to read his book. However, his clever marketing idea is appreciable as in the Idaho town of Boise, Helbig's storybook has now become a hit. It became so popular that several curious readers are waitlisted. In the book (or novel), Dillon tells a fictional story of Christmas tree decoration, which exploded, transporting him to the year 1621 when the Thanksgiving holiday was first celebrated in the US.

A cute 'Crismis' story: This 8-year-old hides self-made book on library shelf. It's a hit now

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned over the sub-variant of the highly contagious Omicron variant of coronavirus (COVID-19).&nbsp;

The sub-variant is said to be even more infectious than the original version and WHO said that it has been detected in at least 57 countries so far.&nbsp;

The Omicron variant was first detected last year in November and has caused a massive surge in the number of cases worldwide, becoming a dominant variant.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/omicron-sub-variant-highly-contagious-than-original-can-even-infect-booster-vaccinated-people-study-449703">Omicron sub-variant highly contagious than original, can even infect booster-vaccinated people: Study</a>

However, some experts claimed that despite being highly infectious, the fast-spreading and heavily mutated Omicron variant is not that lethal as compared to Delta.&nbsp;

The variant, which accounts for over 93 per cent of all coronavirus specimens collected in the past month, counts several sub-lineages: BA.1, BA.1.1, BA.2 and BA.3, WHO said in the weekly epidemiological update.&nbsp;

The global health agency added that there has been a clear rise in cases involving BA.2. As per the agency, the mentioned sub-variant BA.2. counts several different mutations from the original, including on the spike protein that dots the virus's surface and is key to entering human cells.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/only-5-fully-vaccinated-in-poor-countries-compared-to-72-in-rich-nations-study-449551">Only 5% fully vaccinated in poor countries compared to 72% in rich nations: Study</a>

"BA.2- designated sequences have been submitted to GISAID from 57 countries to date," WHO said. Important to note that several recent studies have hinted that BA.2 is more infectious than the original Omicron.&nbsp;

The UN health agency said little was known yet about the differences between the sub-variants, and called for studies into its characteristics, including its transmissibility, how good it is at dodging immune protections and its virulence.&nbsp;

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, "It’s premature for any country either to surrender, or to declare victory. This virus is dangerous, and it continues to evolve before our very eyes. WHO is currently tracking four sub-lineages of the Omicron variant of concern, including BA.2"&nbsp;

"Since Omicron was first identified just 10 weeks ago, almost 90 million cases have been reported to WHO - more than were reported in the whole of 2020. We are now starting to see a very worrying increase in deaths, in most regions of the world," he added.&nbsp;

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The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned over the sub-variant of the highly contagious Omicron variant of coronavirus (COVID-19). The sub-variant is said to be even more infectious than the original version and WHO said that it has been detected in at least 57 countries so far.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned over the sub-variant of the highly contagious Omicron variant of coronavirus (COVID-19). The sub-variant is said to be even more infectious than the original version and WHO said that it has been detected in at least 57 countries so far. The Omicron variant was first detected last year in November and has caused a massive surge in the number of cases worldwide, becoming a dominant variant. ALSO READ | Omicron sub-variant highly contagious than original, can even infect booster-vaccinated people: Study However, some experts claimed that despite being highly infectious, the fast-spreading and heavily mutated Omicron variant is not that lethal as compared to Delta. The variant, which accounts for over 93 per cent of all coronavirus specimens collected in the past month, counts several sub-lineages: BA.1, BA.1.1, BA.2 and BA.3, WHO said in the weekly epidemiological update. The global health agency added that there has been a clear rise in cases involving BA.2. As per the agency, the mentioned sub-variant BA.2. counts several different mutations from the original, including on the spike protein that dots the virus's surface and is key to entering human cells. ALSO READ | Only 5% fully vaccinated in poor countries compared to 72% in rich nations: Study "BA.2- designated sequences have been submitted to GISAID from 57 countries to date," WHO said. Important to note that several recent studies have hinted that BA.2 is more infectious than the original Omicron. The UN health agency said little was known yet about the differences between the sub-variants, and called for studies into its characteristics, including its transmissibility, how good it is at dodging immune protections and its virulence. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, "It’s premature for any country either to surrender, or to declare victory. This virus is dangerous, and it continues to evolve before our very eyes. WHO is currently tracking four sub-lineages of the Omicron variant of concern, including BA.2" "Since Omicron was first identified just 10 weeks ago, almost 90 million cases have been reported to WHO - more than were reported in the whole of 2020. We are now starting to see a very worrying increase in deaths, in most regions of the world," he added. ×

'Premature to declare victory' as highly infectious Omicron sub-variant found in 57 countries: WHO

Here are some of the top stories to start your day: Vladimir Putin said the West countries are ignoring "fundamental Russian concerns". Also, see a photo feature on Russia's military bases.

Here are some of the top stories to start your day: Vladimir Putin said the West countries are ignoring "fundamental Russian concerns". Also, see a photo feature on Russia's military bases. COVID-19 fears loom as two virus cases were detected amid relief efforts in disaster-hit Tonga. Click on headlines to read the full report: US drawing Russia into some kind of armed conflict, says President Putin Amid escalating tensions with Ukraine, Russia President Vladimir Putin said the West is ignoring "fundamental Russian concerns". "It is already clear that fundamental Russian concerns ended up being ignored," Putin said even as NATO and US rejected Russia's security document. Volcano-hit Tonga enters lockdown after recording two virus cases Tonga closed its borders on Wednesday after two virus cases were detected amid relief efforts after it was hit by a major volcano and a tsunami last month. FBI asks US athletes to use burner phones during Bejing Olympics 2022 citing 'malicious' cyber activities Citing a potential threat of "malicious" cyber activities, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has asked the United States athletes to use burner phones (temporary phones) during Winter Olympics 2022 in China and leave their personal cell phones at home. Satellite photos of Russia's military bases & Putin's Ukraine obsession After Ukraine's Orange Revolution in the winter of 2004, Putin had waged natural gas wars against the country destabilising it economically. NFL icon Tom Brady confirms retirement, ends 'thrilling ride' NFL star Tom Brady confirmed his retirement from the sport on Tuesday, officially bringing the curtain down on a glittering 22-season career. WATCH | WHO: Sub-variant of Omicron detected in 57 countries, likely to be more severe ×

Morning news brief: Russia slams US, Covid fears in Tonga, and more

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