A new variant of Covid is around the corner and the world is huddling to deal with it.

UK on Thursday banned flights from six African countries where the variant with multiple mutations was found, and the WHO is holding a meeting on Friday to decide whether to call B.1.1.529 a 'variant of concern'.

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COVID-19 UPDATE:<a href="https://twitter.com/UKHSA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UKHSA</a> is investigating a new variant. More data is needed but we're taking precautions now. 
 
From noon tomorrow six African countries will be added to the red list, flights will be temporarily banned, and UK travellers must quarantine.
— Sajid Javid (@sajidjavid) <a href="https://twitter.com/sajidjavid/status/1463973520497684480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The World Health Organization is holding the special meeting to discuss the variant that has an unusually high number of mutations to its spike protein, up to 10 by some accounts.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/as-new-variant-emerges-india-to-tighten-covid-testing-for-international-tourists-432018">As new variant emerges, India to tighten Covid testing for international tourists</a> &nbsp;

The move comes even as parts of the world is still struggling with the deadly Delta variant, and other parts are reopening&nbsp;after nearly two years of on-and-off lockdowns that have debilitated their economies.

“We don’t know very much about this yet. What we do know is that this variant has a large number of mutations. And the concern is that when you have so many mutations, it can have an impact on how the virus behaves,” said Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO’s technical lead on Covid-19.

Watch:&nbsp;New COVID variant discovered in South Africa

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The WHO meeting on Friday will discuss the impact&nbsp;of the new variant on the ongoing vaccines and treatments.

After the variant was detected in South Africa, the UK has&nbsp;suspended flights from six African countries: South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe and Botswana.&nbsp;

Also read :&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-coronavirus-variant-having-large-number-of-mutations-detected-in-south-africa-431892">New coronavirus variant, having large number of mutations, detected in South Africa</a>

The UK health secretary Sajid Javid made the announcement of banning flights connecting soon after the WHO briefing on the varient.

“More data is needed but we’re taking precautions now. From noon tomorrow six African countries will be added to the red list, flights will be temporarily banned, and UK travellers must quarantine,” Javid wrote on Twitter.

It could be devastating for Africa if the new variant spreads, as the continent is far behind in vaccination for the pandemic. In South Africa, for instance, only 43% of the adult population has been fully vaccinated.

The new strain has been detected in 22 patients in South Africa. The pathogen was also found in Hong Kong and Botswana.

The new variant has 10 mutations in the spike protein, which scientists described as a 'big jump in the evolution' of the coronavirus pathogen. Delta variant, which wreaked havoc across the world much of this year, has two mutations,&nbsp;&nbsp;whereas the Beta variant has three, according to experts.

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A new variant of Covid is around the corner and the world is huddling to deal with it. UK on Thursday banned flights from six African countries where the variant with multiple mutations was found, and the WHO is holding a meeting on Friday to decide whether to call B.

A new variant of Covid is around the corner and the world is huddling to deal with it. UK on Thursday banned flights from six African countries where the variant with multiple mutations was found, and the WHO is holding a meeting on Friday to decide whether to call B.1.1.529 a 'variant of concern'. COVID-19 UPDATE:@UKHSA is investigating a new variant. More data is needed but we're taking precautions now. From noon tomorrow six African countries will be added to the red list, flights will be temporarily banned, and UK travellers must quarantine. — Sajid Javid (@sajidjavid) November 25, 2021 × The World Health Organization is holding the special meeting to discuss the variant that has an unusually high number of mutations to its spike protein, up to 10 by some accounts. Also read: As new variant emerges, India to tighten Covid testing for international tourists The move comes even as parts of the world is still struggling with the deadly Delta variant, and other parts are reopening after nearly two years of on-and-off lockdowns that have debilitated their economies. “We don’t know very much about this yet. What we do know is that this variant has a large number of mutations. And the concern is that when you have so many mutations, it can have an impact on how the virus behaves,” said Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO’s technical lead on Covid-19. Watch: New COVID variant discovered in South Africa × The WHO meeting on Friday will discuss the impact of the new variant on the ongoing vaccines and treatments. After the variant was detected in South Africa, the UK has suspended flights from six African countries: South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe and Botswana. Also read : New coronavirus variant, having large number of mutations, detected in South Africa The UK health secretary Sajid Javid made the announcement of banning flights connecting soon after the WHO briefing on the varient. “More data is needed but we’re taking precautions now. From noon tomorrow six African countries will be added to the red list, flights will be temporarily banned, and UK travellers must quarantine,” Javid wrote on Twitter. It could be devastating for Africa if the new variant spreads, as the continent is far behind in vaccination for the pandemic. In South Africa, for instance, only 43% of the adult population has been fully vaccinated. The new strain has been detected in 22 patients in South Africa. The pathogen was also found in Hong Kong and Botswana. The new variant has 10 mutations in the spike protein, which scientists described as a 'big jump in the evolution' of the coronavirus pathogen. Delta variant, which wreaked havoc across the world much of this year, has two mutations, whereas the Beta variant has three, according to experts.

Highly mutated new Covid variant: UK bans 6 African nations' flights, WHO calls special meeting

A spy for the Chinese Ministry of State Security has been convicted by a federal jury of plotting to steal trade secrets from several US&nbsp;aviation and aerospace companies, the Justice Department said on Friday.

Yanjun Xu, the first Chinese operative extradited to the United States for trial, was convicted of two counts of conspiring and attempting to commit economic espionage, in addition to a count of conspiracy to commit trade secret theft and two counts of attempted theft of trade secrets.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-doesnt-want-deeper-us-india-relations-taking-actions-to-press-territorial-claims-with-neighbour-us-426795">China doesn’t want deeper US-India relations, taking 'actions’ to press territorial claims with neighbour: US</a>

The ruling means Yanjun could face up to 60 years in prison total for all violations and fines totaling more than $5 million, according to a press release. He will be sentenced by a federal district court judge.

In a statement, FBI Assistant Director Alan Kohler Jr. said the bureau was working with dozens of US&nbsp;agencies to share information and resources to combat operations by the People's Republic of China.

"For those who doubt the real goals of the PRC, this should be a wakeup call; they are stealing American technology to benefit their economy and military," he said.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/32-nations-to-remove-china-from-preferential-tariff-treatment-on-december-1-426551">32 nations to remove China from preferential tariff treatment on December 1&nbsp;</a>

Going back as far as 2013, Yanjun was accused of using multiple aliases to carry out economic espionage and steal trade secrets on behalf of China. Multiple US&nbsp;aviation and aerospace companies, including GE Aviation, a unit of General Electric Co, were his targets, the release said.

A spy for the Chinese Ministry of State Security has been convicted by a federal jury of plotting to steal trade secrets from several US aviation and aerospace companies, the Justice Department said on Friday.

A spy for the Chinese Ministry of State Security has been convicted by a federal jury of plotting to steal trade secrets from several US aviation and aerospace companies, the Justice Department said on Friday. Yanjun Xu, the first Chinese operative extradited to the United States for trial, was convicted of two counts of conspiring and attempting to commit economic espionage, in addition to a count of conspiracy to commit trade secret theft and two counts of attempted theft of trade secrets. Also Read | China doesn’t want deeper US-India relations, taking 'actions’ to press territorial claims with neighbour: US The ruling means Yanjun could face up to 60 years in prison total for all violations and fines totaling more than $5 million, according to a press release. He will be sentenced by a federal district court judge. In a statement, FBI Assistant Director Alan Kohler Jr. said the bureau was working with dozens of US agencies to share information and resources to combat operations by the People's Republic of China. "For those who doubt the real goals of the PRC, this should be a wakeup call; they are stealing American technology to benefit their economy and military," he said. Also Read | 32 nations to remove China from preferential tariff treatment on December 1 Going back as far as 2013, Yanjun was accused of using multiple aliases to carry out economic espionage and steal trade secrets on behalf of China. Multiple US aviation and aerospace companies, including GE Aviation, a unit of General Electric Co, were his targets, the release said.

Chinese spy convicted of trying to steal US aviation trade secrets

Bloodstains still mark the spot where assassins gunned down Mohib Ullah, an activist who was a leading voice for the 850,000 Rohingya living in fear in Bangladeshi refugee camps.

In the weeks since the murder, a senior member of the now-shellshocked volunteer group that Ullah headed has received phone calls telling him he'll be next. And he's not alone.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/about-37000-people-displaced-in-myanmars-northwest-many-have-fled-into-india-426296">About 37,000 people displaced in Myanmar's northwest, many have fled into India</a>

"They can hunt you down the way they have brazenly shot dead our leader and so many people," Noor, too frightened to give his real name or be filmed, told AFP.

"They", he believes, are members of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), an insurgent group fighting the Myanmar military but also thought to be behind a wave of killings and criminal activity in the camps.

ARSA has denied it killed Ullah.

Most of the Rohingya have been in the camps since 2017 when they fled a brutal military offensive in Buddhist-majority Myanmar, where the predominantly Muslim minority are reviled and seen as illegal immigrants.

Refusing to go back until they are assured of security and equal rights, the refugees remain stuck in bamboo-and-tarp shacks with no work, poor sanitation and little education for their children.&nbsp;

Overflowing latrines fill narrow mud lanes with excrement in monsoon season, and fires can rip through the flimsy homes in minutes during the hot summers.

By day the Bangladesh authorities provide some security. But at night the camps become the domain of gangs -- allegedly linked to ARSA -- that traffic millions of dollars worth of methamphetamine from Myanmar.

"The scenario is different as soon as the sun sets," Israfil, a Rohingya refugee who goes by one name, told AFP.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/information-combat-inside-the-fight-for-myanmars-soul-the-armys-parallel-fight-online-426151">'Information combat': Inside the fight for Myanmar's soul. The army's parallel fight online.</a>

"The dark time is the long hours when they do whatever they want to do," he added.

'Brutal carnage'

Working among the chaos and unease in the camps, Ullah and his colleagues quietly documented the crimes that his people suffered at the hands of the Myanmar military, while pressing for better conditions.

The former schoolteacher shot to prominence in 2019 when he organised a protest of around 100,000 people in the camps to mark two years since their exodus.

That year he met US President Donald Trump in the White House and addressed a UN meeting in Geneva.

But his fame appears to have gone down badly with ARSA.&nbsp;

They saw Ullah as threatening their place as the sole voice representing the Rohingya -- one who was opposed to their violence, his colleagues and rights activists say.&nbsp;

"He became a thorn in ARSA's side," said Nur Khan Liton, a top rights activist in Bangladesh.

"ARSA was also frightened by his enormous popularity."&nbsp;

Three weeks after Ullah's murder in late September, gunmen and machete-wielding attackers slaughtered seven people in an Islamic seminary that had allegedly refused to pay protection money to ARSA.

Also Read |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-attacks-on-shia-minority-trigger-mass-exodus-to-iran-426615">Afghanistan: Attacks on Shia minority trigger mass exodus to Iran</a>

"The brutal carnage bore all the marks of ARSA. The group previously slaughtered at least two top Islamic clerics because they didn't back ARSA's violent struggle," said a top expatriate Rohingya activist.

"ARSA has carried out the murders to establish its full control in the camps. After the latest carnage, everyone seems to be silenced," he added, asking to remain anonymous.

'No presence'&nbsp;

After the attack on the seminary, the UN refugee agency urged the Bangladesh authorities "to take immediate measures to improve the security in the refugee camps".

A series of turf war killings in 2019 prompted the Bangladesh army to erect barbed-wire fences around the camps. The elite Armed Police Battalion was tasked with patrolling the area.

Police have also carried out a series of security operations that have killed dozens of alleged Rohingya drug traffickers.

But although they have arrested dozens of people over Ullah's killing, they are in denial about ARSA's activity, blaming instead "rivalries" in the camps.

"ARSA has no presence in the camps," Naimul Haque, the commanding officer of the Kutupalong camp, insisted to AFP.

'Extreme fear'&nbsp;

Members of Ullah's group are far from reassured, saying that their security concerns fall on deaf ears.&nbsp;

Some even mutter that ARSA and the Bangladesh security forces are in cahoots -- something Dhaka vehemently denies.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/isis-poses-a-growing-threat-to-new-taliban-government-in-afghanistan-426533">ISIS poses a growing threat to new Taliban government in Afghanistan</a>

Kyaw Min, a top Rohingya leader, said police assist ARSA to "reign" at night by "conveniently" not being around when they operate.

A month before he died Ullah sent a letter, seen by AFP but which could not be independently verified, to the Bangladesh authorities.

He named 70 men in the camps he said were ARSA members, and said he and his colleagues feared for their lives.

Bangladesh's refugee commissioner Shah Rezwan Hayat and camp-in-charge Atiqul Mamun denied receiving any such letter.

Family members of senior Rohingya leaders told AFP that Bangladesh security forces have since relocated at least six families including Ullah's, fearing they will be targeted.&nbsp;

"We thought we would be safe in Bangladesh. But now we don't know when the killers will knock on our doors," activist Sa Phyo Thida told AFP.

"Just like those genocide days in Myanmar in 2017 when we were living in fear of the military death squad, we now live in extreme fear.

Bloodstains still mark the spot where assassins gunned down Mohib Ullah, an activist who was a leading voice for the 850,000 Rohingya living in fear in Bangladeshi refugee camps.

Bloodstains still mark the spot where assassins gunned down Mohib Ullah, an activist who was a leading voice for the 850,000 Rohingya living in fear in Bangladeshi refugee camps. In the weeks since the murder, a senior member of the now-shellshocked volunteer group that Ullah headed has received phone calls telling him he'll be next. And he's not alone. Also Read | About 37,000 people displaced in Myanmar's northwest, many have fled into India "They can hunt you down the way they have brazenly shot dead our leader and so many people," Noor, too frightened to give his real name or be filmed, told AFP. "They", he believes, are members of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), an insurgent group fighting the Myanmar military but also thought to be behind a wave of killings and criminal activity in the camps. ARSA has denied it killed Ullah. Most of the Rohingya have been in the camps since 2017 when they fled a brutal military offensive in Buddhist-majority Myanmar, where the predominantly Muslim minority are reviled and seen as illegal immigrants. Refusing to go back until they are assured of security and equal rights, the refugees remain stuck in bamboo-and-tarp shacks with no work, poor sanitation and little education for their children. Overflowing latrines fill narrow mud lanes with excrement in monsoon season, and fires can rip through the flimsy homes in minutes during the hot summers. By day the Bangladesh authorities provide some security. But at night the camps become the domain of gangs -- allegedly linked to ARSA -- that traffic millions of dollars worth of methamphetamine from Myanmar. "The scenario is different as soon as the sun sets," Israfil, a Rohingya refugee who goes by one name, told AFP. Also Read | 'Information combat': Inside the fight for Myanmar's soul. The army's parallel fight online. "The dark time is the long hours when they do whatever they want to do," he added. 'Brutal carnage' Working among the chaos and unease in the camps, Ullah and his colleagues quietly documented the crimes that his people suffered at the hands of the Myanmar military, while pressing for better conditions. The former schoolteacher shot to prominence in 2019 when he organised a protest of around 100,000 people in the camps to mark two years since their exodus. That year he met US President Donald Trump in the White House and addressed a UN meeting in Geneva. But his fame appears to have gone down badly with ARSA. They saw Ullah as threatening their place as the sole voice representing the Rohingya -- one who was opposed to their violence, his colleagues and rights activists say. "He became a thorn in ARSA's side," said Nur Khan Liton, a top rights activist in Bangladesh. "ARSA was also frightened by his enormous popularity." Three weeks after Ullah's murder in late September, gunmen and machete-wielding attackers slaughtered seven people in an Islamic seminary that had allegedly refused to pay protection money to ARSA. Also Read | Afghanistan: Attacks on Shia minority trigger mass exodus to Iran "The brutal carnage bore all the marks of ARSA. The group previously slaughtered at least two top Islamic clerics because they didn't back ARSA's violent struggle," said a top expatriate Rohingya activist. "ARSA has carried out the murders to establish its full control in the camps. After the latest carnage, everyone seems to be silenced," he added, asking to remain anonymous. 'No presence' After the attack on the seminary, the UN refugee agency urged the Bangladesh authorities "to take immediate measures to improve the security in the refugee camps". A series of turf war killings in 2019 prompted the Bangladesh army to erect barbed-wire fences around the camps. The elite Armed Police Battalion was tasked with patrolling the area. Police have also carried out a series of security operations that have killed dozens of alleged Rohingya drug traffickers. But although they have arrested dozens of people over Ullah's killing, they are in denial about ARSA's activity, blaming instead "rivalries" in the camps. "ARSA has no presence in the camps," Naimul Haque, the commanding officer of the Kutupalong camp, insisted to AFP. 'Extreme fear' Members of Ullah's group are far from reassured, saying that their security concerns fall on deaf ears. Some even mutter that ARSA and the Bangladesh security forces are in cahoots -- something Dhaka vehemently denies. Also Read | ISIS poses a growing threat to new Taliban government in Afghanistan Kyaw Min, a top Rohingya leader, said police assist ARSA to "reign" at night by "conveniently" not being around when they operate. A month before he died Ullah sent a letter, seen by AFP but which could not be independently verified, to the Bangladesh authorities. He named 70 men in the camps he said were ARSA members, and said he and his colleagues feared for their lives. Bangladesh's refugee commissioner Shah Rezwan Hayat and camp-in-charge Atiqul Mamun denied receiving any such letter. Family members of senior Rohingya leaders told AFP that Bangladesh security forces have since relocated at least six families including Ullah's, fearing they will be targeted. "We thought we would be safe in Bangladesh. But now we don't know when the killers will knock on our doors," activist Sa Phyo Thida told AFP. "Just like those genocide days in Myanmar in 2017 when we were living in fear of the military death squad, we now live in extreme fear.

Fear stalks Rohingya refugee camps after murders

China has built a large 100-home civilian village inside disputed territory between the Tibet Autonomous Region and India's Arunachal Pradesh, claimed the US Department of Defense in its annual report to Congress on military and security developments involving China.

These and other infrastructure development efforts along the India-China border have been a source of consternation in the Indian government and media, it stated.

Also Read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-has-less-nukes-than-pakistan-china-new-analysis-of-capabilities-426600">&nbsp;India has less nukes than Pakistan, China: New analysis of capabilities</a>

The report also specifically points out that China has attempted to blame India for provoking the standoff through India's "increased infrastructure development" near the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Asserting that its deployments to the LAC were in response to Indian provocation, Beijing has refused to withdraw any forces until India's forces have withdrawn behind the its version of the LAC and ceased infrastructure improvements in the area, it stated.

Chinese state-controlled media forcefully asserted China's intent to refuse any territorial concessions demanded by India.

"PRC (People's Republic of China) officials, through official statements and state media, had also sought unsuccessfully to prevent India from deepening its relationship with the US during and subsequent to the standoff, while accusing India of being a mere 'instrument'&nbsp;of US policy in the region," it stated.

The department also asserted that Chinese officials have warned US officials to not interfere with the their relationship with India.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/china-is-blocking-marine-exports-from-india-using-non-tariff-barriers-amid-tensions-426366">China is blocking marine exports from India using non-tariff barriers amid tensions</a>

Elaborating about India and China border dispute in the last 18 months, it stated that despite the ongoing diplomatic and military dialogues to reduce border tensions, the PRC has continued taking incremental and tactical actions to press its claims at the LAC.

The report stated that tensions with India along the LAC sparked an ongoing standoff between Chinese and Indian troops in mid-May 2020, which lasted through the winter.

The standoff escalated on June 15, 2020 after a skirmish ensued in the Galwan Valley in Ladakh between the Indian Army and PLA troops that resulted in casualties on both sides, including the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers.

In February 2021, the Central Military Commission (CMC) announced posthumous awards for four PLA soldiers, "though the total number of PRC casualties remains unknown".

The current standoff between the two nations resulted in the first deaths in the last 45 years.

Despite agreements to disengage in the spring of 2021, both sides maintain troops along the LAC as Corps Commander-level negotiations progress slowly.

The report stated that differing perceptions of border demarcations along the LAC joined with recent infrastructure construction, led to multiple unarmed clashes, an ongoing standoff, and military buildups on both sides of the border.

Also Read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-steps-up-himalayan-border-defences-after-2020-clash-with-china-426509">&nbsp;India steps up Himalayan border defences after 2020 clash with China</a>

It also stated that throughout the standoff, PRC officials sought to downplay the severity of the crisis, emphasising Beijing's intent to preserve border stability and prevent the standoff from harming other areas of its bilateral relationship with India.

The PRC seeks to prevent border tensions from causing India to partner more closely with the US.

As of June 2021, the PRC and India continue to maintain large-scale deployments along the LAC and make preparations to sustain these forces while disengagement negotiations have made limited progress, the report stated.

China has built a large 100-home civilian village inside disputed territory between the Tibet Autonomous Region and India's Arunachal Pradesh, claimed the US Department of Defense in its annual report to Congress on military and security developments involving China.

China has built a large 100-home civilian village inside disputed territory between the Tibet Autonomous Region and India's Arunachal Pradesh, claimed the US Department of Defense in its annual report to Congress on military and security developments involving China. These and other infrastructure development efforts along the India-China border have been a source of consternation in the Indian government and media, it stated. Also Read | India has less nukes than Pakistan, China: New analysis of capabilities The report also specifically points out that China has attempted to blame India for provoking the standoff through India's "increased infrastructure development" near the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Asserting that its deployments to the LAC were in response to Indian provocation, Beijing has refused to withdraw any forces until India's forces have withdrawn behind the its version of the LAC and ceased infrastructure improvements in the area, it stated. Chinese state-controlled media forcefully asserted China's intent to refuse any territorial concessions demanded by India. "PRC (People's Republic of China) officials, through official statements and state media, had also sought unsuccessfully to prevent India from deepening its relationship with the US during and subsequent to the standoff, while accusing India of being a mere 'instrument' of US policy in the region," it stated. The department also asserted that Chinese officials have warned US officials to not interfere with the their relationship with India. Also Read | China is blocking marine exports from India using non-tariff barriers amid tensions Elaborating about India and China border dispute in the last 18 months, it stated that despite the ongoing diplomatic and military dialogues to reduce border tensions, the PRC has continued taking incremental and tactical actions to press its claims at the LAC. The report stated that tensions with India along the LAC sparked an ongoing standoff between Chinese and Indian troops in mid-May 2020, which lasted through the winter. The standoff escalated on June 15, 2020 after a skirmish ensued in the Galwan Valley in Ladakh between the Indian Army and PLA troops that resulted in casualties on both sides, including the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers. In February 2021, the Central Military Commission (CMC) announced posthumous awards for four PLA soldiers, "though the total number of PRC casualties remains unknown". The current standoff between the two nations resulted in the first deaths in the last 45 years. Despite agreements to disengage in the spring of 2021, both sides maintain troops along the LAC as Corps Commander-level negotiations progress slowly. The report stated that differing perceptions of border demarcations along the LAC joined with recent infrastructure construction, led to multiple unarmed clashes, an ongoing standoff, and military buildups on both sides of the border. Also Read | India steps up Himalayan border defences after 2020 clash with China It also stated that throughout the standoff, PRC officials sought to downplay the severity of the crisis, emphasising Beijing's intent to preserve border stability and prevent the standoff from harming other areas of its bilateral relationship with India. The PRC seeks to prevent border tensions from causing India to partner more closely with the US. As of June 2021, the PRC and India continue to maintain large-scale deployments along the LAC and make preparations to sustain these forces while disengagement negotiations have made limited progress, the report stated.

China built village inside disputed territory with India's Arunachal Pradesh: US

India has sent 100 tonnes of Nano Nitrogen fertiliser to Sri Lanka in the backdrop of latter barring the use of contaminated Chinese fertilisers.

Sri Lanka had barred shipment of Chinese organic fertiliser after it was found to be contaminated with bacteria, a development that has miffed Beijing which was quick to blacklist People’s Bank of Sri Lanka in a quid pro quo move. The People's Bank is the second largest commercial bank in Sri Lanka.

Indian supplies reached on two Indian Air force Globemaster aircraft on Thursday, which was Diwali day. The supplies were requested by Sri Lankan government.

A release by the Indian high commission in Colombo said, "the deployment was essentially to support the government of Sri Lanka's initiative towards organic farming and to expedite availability of Nano Nitrogen fertiliser to the Sri Lankan farmers".

The C17 aircraft operations were coordinated in close liaison with Sri Lanka Air Force.

The Indian mission pointed out that the close coordination between the two services led to the "quick deployment....and expeditious disembarkation" of IAF aircraft.

The Indian crew was received by Chief of Staff,&nbsp;Sri Lanka Air Force AVM Prasanna Payoe.

This is not for the first time that New Delhi has reached out to Colombo as part of its "Neighbourhood First' policy" and 'First Responder' in the region.

Indian Navy and Coast Guard have promptly responded to several crises in Sri Lanka such as containing the fire onboard MT New Diamond and MV XPress Pearl.

India also sent 100 T Liquid Medical Oxygen during the fourth wave of Covid pandemic via INS Shakti.

Supplies of vaccines and medicines from India to Sri Lanka have been key element of ties amid the Covid crisis.

New Delhi has provided 1 million doses of Covishield vaccine to Sri Lanka with 50% of it being gifted by India.

India has sent 100 tonnes of Nano Nitrogen fertiliser to Sri Lanka in the backdrop of latter barring the use of contaminated Chinese fertilisers. Sri Lanka had barred shipment of Chinese organic fertiliser after it was found to be contaminated with bacteria, a development that has miffed Beijing which was quick to blacklist People’s Bank of Sri Lanka in a quid pro quo move.

India has sent 100 tonnes of Nano Nitrogen fertiliser to Sri Lanka in the backdrop of latter barring the use of contaminated Chinese fertilisers. Sri Lanka had barred shipment of Chinese organic fertiliser after it was found to be contaminated with bacteria, a development that has miffed Beijing which was quick to blacklist People’s Bank of Sri Lanka in a quid pro quo move. The People's Bank is the second largest commercial bank in Sri Lanka. Indian supplies reached on two Indian Air force Globemaster aircraft on Thursday, which was Diwali day. The supplies were requested by Sri Lankan government. A release by the Indian high commission in Colombo said, "the deployment was essentially to support the government of Sri Lanka's initiative towards organic farming and to expedite availability of Nano Nitrogen fertiliser to the Sri Lankan farmers". The C17 aircraft operations were coordinated in close liaison with Sri Lanka Air Force. The Indian mission pointed out that the close coordination between the two services led to the "quick deployment....and expeditious disembarkation" of IAF aircraft. The Indian crew was received by Chief of Staff, Sri Lanka Air Force AVM Prasanna Payoe. This is not for the first time that New Delhi has reached out to Colombo as part of its "Neighbourhood First' policy" and 'First Responder' in the region. Indian Navy and Coast Guard have promptly responded to several crises in Sri Lanka such as containing the fire onboard MT New Diamond and MV XPress Pearl. India also sent 100 T Liquid Medical Oxygen during the fourth wave of Covid pandemic via INS Shakti. Supplies of vaccines and medicines from India to Sri Lanka have been key element of ties amid the Covid crisis. New Delhi has provided 1 million doses of Covishield vaccine to Sri Lanka with 50% of it being gifted by India.

India sends in 100 tonne fertiliser to Sri Lanka amid Colombo's row with China over contamination

India on Saturday recorded 10,929 fresh coronavirus cases that took its infection tally to 3,43,44,683, while 392 more fatalities pushed the death toll to 4,60,265, according to Union health ministry data.

The number of active cases came down to 1,46,950 from 1,48,922 on Friday, the data updated at 8 am showed.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pfizers-experimental-covid-pill-reduces-hospitalisations-and-deaths-company-claims-426982">Pfizer's experimental Covid pill reduces hospitalisations and deaths, company claims</a>

The daily rise in COVID-19 cases has been below 20,000 for 29 straight days. Less than 50,000 daily cases have been reported for 132 consecutive days now.

The active cases comprise 0.43 per cent of the total infections, the lowest since March last year. The national recovery rate stands at 98.23 per cent, the highest since March last year, the ministry said.

The daily positivity rate was recorded at 1.35 per cent. It has remained below 2 per cent for the last 33 days. The weekly positivity rate was recorded at 1.27 per cent. It has remained below 2 per cent for the last 43 days, the data stated.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-becomes-first-country-to-approve-mercks-anti-covid-19-pill-426742">Britain becomes first country to approve Merck's anti-COVID-19 pill</a>

India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16. It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19.

India's caseload crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4 and three crore on June 23.&nbsp;

India on Saturday recorded 10,929 fresh coronavirus cases that took its infection tally to 3,43,44,683, while 392 more fatalities pushed the death toll to 4,60,265, according to Union health ministry data.

India on Saturday recorded 10,929 fresh coronavirus cases that took its infection tally to 3,43,44,683, while 392 more fatalities pushed the death toll to 4,60,265, according to Union health ministry data. The number of active cases came down to 1,46,950 from 1,48,922 on Friday, the data updated at 8 am showed. Also Read | Pfizer's experimental Covid pill reduces hospitalisations and deaths, company claims The daily rise in COVID-19 cases has been below 20,000 for 29 straight days. Less than 50,000 daily cases have been reported for 132 consecutive days now. The active cases comprise 0.43 per cent of the total infections, the lowest since March last year. The national recovery rate stands at 98.23 per cent, the highest since March last year, the ministry said. The daily positivity rate was recorded at 1.35 per cent. It has remained below 2 per cent for the last 33 days. The weekly positivity rate was recorded at 1.27 per cent. It has remained below 2 per cent for the last 43 days, the data stated. Also Read | Britain becomes first country to approve Merck's anti-COVID-19 pill India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16. It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19. India's caseload crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4 and three crore on June 23.

India adds 10,929 COVID-19 cases, 392 deaths

US company Ocugen announced Friday that it had asked authorities for emergency use authorisation for COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin, which was developed in India, for ages 2 to 18.

Ocugen's data, gathered from clinical trials conducted outside of the United States with only a small group of children, may not be enough for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to grant the request.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pfizers-experimental-covid-pill-reduces-hospitalisations-and-deaths-company-claims-426982">Pfizer's experimental Covid pill reduces hospitalisations and deaths, company claims</a>

Covaxin, developed in India by Ocugen's partner, Bharat Biotech, gained emergency approval from the World Health Organization on Wednesday and has already been cleared for use in 17 countries.&nbsp;

Tens of millions of doses have been administered to adults outside of the United States, notably in India.

The immunisation uses inactivated virus technology, common in other childhood vaccines including polio shots.

The approval request is based on results from a study of 526 kids between ages 2 and 18 who received two doses of Covaxin 28 days apart.

The findings were compared with those from a group of 25,800 adults in India, which suggested "similar protection in children, ages 2-18, to that demonstrated in adults older than 18 years," the company said.

Ocugen co-founder Shankar Musunuri in a press release called the move "a significant step toward our hope to make our vaccine candidate available here."

Also Read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-cancels-contract-with-covid-vaccine-maker-whose-plant-contaminated-15-million-jj-jabs-426896">&nbsp;US cancels contract with Covid vaccine maker whose plant contaminated 15 million J&amp;J jabs</a>

In the clinical trial with 526 children, no serious adverse events or hospitalizations were observed, but the study's sample size may not have been large enough to detect rare side effects.

The FDA asked Pfizer and Moderna, whose COVID-19&nbsp;vaccines have already been authorized in the United States, to conduct trials with thousands of children to have a better insight into any side effects.

Pfizer's shot is the only one approved in the United States for children under the age of 18, and health authorities cleared the way this week for 5 to 11-year-olds to receive the vaccine.

US company Ocugen announced Friday that it had asked authorities for emergency use authorisation for COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin, which was developed in India, for ages 2 to 18.

US company Ocugen announced Friday that it had asked authorities for emergency use authorisation for COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin, which was developed in India, for ages 2 to 18. Ocugen's data, gathered from clinical trials conducted outside of the United States with only a small group of children, may not be enough for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to grant the request. Also Read | Pfizer's experimental Covid pill reduces hospitalisations and deaths, company claims Covaxin, developed in India by Ocugen's partner, Bharat Biotech, gained emergency approval from the World Health Organization on Wednesday and has already been cleared for use in 17 countries. Tens of millions of doses have been administered to adults outside of the United States, notably in India. The immunisation uses inactivated virus technology, common in other childhood vaccines including polio shots. The approval request is based on results from a study of 526 kids between ages 2 and 18 who received two doses of Covaxin 28 days apart. The findings were compared with those from a group of 25,800 adults in India, which suggested "similar protection in children, ages 2-18, to that demonstrated in adults older than 18 years," the company said. Ocugen co-founder Shankar Musunuri in a press release called the move "a significant step toward our hope to make our vaccine candidate available here." Also Read | US cancels contract with Covid vaccine maker whose plant contaminated 15 million J&J jabs In the clinical trial with 526 children, no serious adverse events or hospitalizations were observed, but the study's sample size may not have been large enough to detect rare side effects. The FDA asked Pfizer and Moderna, whose COVID-19 vaccines have already been authorized in the United States, to conduct trials with thousands of children to have a better insight into any side effects. Pfizer's shot is the only one approved in the United States for children under the age of 18, and health authorities cleared the way this week for 5 to 11-year-olds to receive the vaccine.

Approval sought in US for India-made Covaxin's use on those aged 2 to 18

Unidentified gunmen killed 11 soldiers defending a village in a remote part of southwest Niger where Islamist militants operate, the defence ministry said on Friday.

The heavily armed attackers approached in a convoy of cars and motorbikes on Thursday afternoon, clashing with soldiers stationed outside the village of Dagne near the border with Mali, it said in a statement.

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The attack was repulsed, but 11 soldiers were killed and nine are missing.

No group has claimed responsibility for the assault. A local affiliate of Islamic State has killed hundreds of civilians in a series of attacks in the same area this year despite government efforts to regain control.

Thursday's raid came two days after 69 people were killed in another area near the Malian border about 100 miles (160 km) away.

Armed groups have stepped up attacks in a poverty-stricken, arid zone of West Africa encompassing the borderlands of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso in recent years.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nigeria-at-least-4-people-killed-as-building-collapses-people-trapped-425922">Nigeria: At least 4 people killed as building collapses; people trapped</a>

Some linked with al Qaeda and Islamic State have sought to seize control of communities and drive out local and international military forces. Thousands of civilians have died and millions have fled.

Unidentified gunmen killed 11 soldiers defending a village in a remote part of southwest Niger where Islamist militants operate, the defence ministry said on Friday.

Unidentified gunmen killed 11 soldiers defending a village in a remote part of southwest Niger where Islamist militants operate, the defence ministry said on Friday. The heavily armed attackers approached in a convoy of cars and motorbikes on Thursday afternoon, clashing with soldiers stationed outside the village of Dagne near the border with Mali, it said in a statement. Also Read | Nigeria: Gunmen abduct staff, children in rare attack on a university The attack was repulsed, but 11 soldiers were killed and nine are missing. No group has claimed responsibility for the assault. A local affiliate of Islamic State has killed hundreds of civilians in a series of attacks in the same area this year despite government efforts to regain control. Thursday's raid came two days after 69 people were killed in another area near the Malian border about 100 miles (160 km) away. Armed groups have stepped up attacks in a poverty-stricken, arid zone of West Africa encompassing the borderlands of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso in recent years. Also Read | Nigeria: At least 4 people killed as building collapses; people trapped Some linked with al Qaeda and Islamic State have sought to seize control of communities and drive out local and international military forces. Thousands of civilians have died and millions have fled.

Gunmen kill 11 soldiers in southwest Niger

The UN&nbsp;Security Council on Friday called for an end to the fighting in Ethiopia and for talks on a lasting ceasefire as the 15-member body expressed deep concern in a rare statement about the expansion and intensification of military clashes.

The council also "called for refraining from inflammatory hate speech and incitement to violence and divisiveness."

Also Read&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ethiopia-declares-nationwide-emergency-as-insurgents-threaten-the-capital-426337">Ethiopia declares nationwide emergency as insurgents threaten the capital</a>

It had been negotiating a statement for several days and eventually reached a compromise with Russia on the text, diplomats said. Such statements have to be agreed by consensus.

Russia and China have long made clear they believe the year-long conflict, which started in the northern region of Tigray, is an internal affair for Ethiopia. Both countries are council veto-powers - along with the United States, Britain and France - so any strong council action, like sanctions, is unlikely.

The war, which has killed thousands of people and forced more than two million from their homes, has intensified in recent weeks. With rebels threatening to move on the capital Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian army on Friday called on former troops to rejoin to fight them, state media said.

A planned Security Council meeting on Ethiopia on Friday was postponed until Monday, said Mexico's UN&nbsp;Ambassador Juan Ramón de la Fuente Ramírez, council president for November.

The statement on Ethiopia - drafted by Ireland, Kenya, Niger, Tunisia and St Vincent and the Grenadines - was only the second by the Security Council in the past year.

Also Read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joint-un-ethiopia-rights-team-all-sides-committed-abuses-in-tigray-426477">&nbsp;Joint UN, Ethiopia rights team: all sides committed abuses in Tigray</a>

"Today the Security Council breaks six months of silence and speaks again with one united voice on the deeply concerning situation in Ethiopia," Ireland's UN&nbsp;Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason said in a statement.

"For the first time, the council clearly calls for a cessation of hostilities. We believe this should happen immediately, and that all civilians must be protected," she said.

The United Nations has said that up to 7 million people in the Ethiopian regions of Tigray, Amhara and Afar need help, including 5 million in Tigray where some 400,000 people are estimated to be living in famine-like conditions.

The Security Council "called for the respect of international humanitarian law, for safe and unhindered humanitarian access, the re-establishment of public services, and further urged the scaling up of humanitarian assistance."

The UN Security Council on Friday called for an end to the fighting in Ethiopia and for talks on a lasting ceasefire as the 15-member body expressed deep concern in a rare statement about the expansion and intensification of military clashes.

The UN Security Council on Friday called for an end to the fighting in Ethiopia and for talks on a lasting ceasefire as the 15-member body expressed deep concern in a rare statement about the expansion and intensification of military clashes. The council also "called for refraining from inflammatory hate speech and incitement to violence and divisiveness." Also Read Ethiopia declares nationwide emergency as insurgents threaten the capital It had been negotiating a statement for several days and eventually reached a compromise with Russia on the text, diplomats said. Such statements have to be agreed by consensus. Russia and China have long made clear they believe the year-long conflict, which started in the northern region of Tigray, is an internal affair for Ethiopia. Both countries are council veto-powers - along with the United States, Britain and France - so any strong council action, like sanctions, is unlikely. The war, which has killed thousands of people and forced more than two million from their homes, has intensified in recent weeks. With rebels threatening to move on the capital Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian army on Friday called on former troops to rejoin to fight them, state media said. A planned Security Council meeting on Ethiopia on Friday was postponed until Monday, said Mexico's UN Ambassador Juan Ramón de la Fuente Ramírez, council president for November. The statement on Ethiopia - drafted by Ireland, Kenya, Niger, Tunisia and St Vincent and the Grenadines - was only the second by the Security Council in the past year. Also Read | Joint UN, Ethiopia rights team: all sides committed abuses in Tigray "Today the Security Council breaks six months of silence and speaks again with one united voice on the deeply concerning situation in Ethiopia," Ireland's UN Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason said in a statement. "For the first time, the council clearly calls for a cessation of hostilities. We believe this should happen immediately, and that all civilians must be protected," she said. The United Nations has said that up to 7 million people in the Ethiopian regions of Tigray, Amhara and Afar need help, including 5 million in Tigray where some 400,000 people are estimated to be living in famine-like conditions. The Security Council "called for the respect of international humanitarian law, for safe and unhindered humanitarian access, the re-establishment of public services, and further urged the scaling up of humanitarian assistance."

UN Security Council calls for end to Ethiopia conflict

More than 1,000 people demonstrated on Saturday in Australia's biggest cities of Sydney and Melbourne to protest against the government's climate policies and the strategies it offered at a UN&nbsp;climate summit in Glasgow.

Sydney's first legal protest after a months-long COVID-19 lockdown saw about 1,000 people march in support of global action day for climate justice, a worldwide movement mobilised during the COP26 meeting.

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"We're all out here to show that we want more from our government," said Georgia, one of the protesters.

Marchers carried signs reading, "We need human change, not climate change" and "Code Red for Humanity", in images shown by media.

A week of government speeches and pledges at the two-week gathering in Glasgow brought promises to phase out coal, slash emissions of the potent greenhouse gas methane and cut deforestation.

Australia, however, has rejected the global methane pledge and campaigners and pressure groups have not been impressed by the commitments of other world leaders.

"The COP 26 agreements were happening and it's not turning out the best for Australia at the moment," added Georgia, the Sydney protester, who gave only one name.

Also Read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cop26-protesters-gather-in-london-ahead-of-climate-summit-425060">&nbsp;COP26: Protesters gather in London ahead of climate summit</a>

Melbourne's protest was smaller than Sydney's, with just a few hundred people turning out for a rally that featured a giant koala bear emitting plumes of smoke, and protesters dressed as skeletons on bikes.

Several smaller events were held elsewhere in Australia.

Swedish teenage activist Greta Thunberg was among thousands of young campaigners who marched in Glasgow on Friday, demanding urgent action.

More than 1,000 people demonstrated on Saturday in Australia's biggest cities of Sydney and Melbourne to protest against the government's climate policies and the strategies it offered at a UN climate summit in Glasgow.

More than 1,000 people demonstrated on Saturday in Australia's biggest cities of Sydney and Melbourne to protest against the government's climate policies and the strategies it offered at a UN climate summit in Glasgow. Sydney's first legal protest after a months-long COVID-19 lockdown saw about 1,000 people march in support of global action day for climate justice, a worldwide movement mobilised during the COP26 meeting. Also Read | In pics: Climate activists demand action ahead of COP26 summit "We're all out here to show that we want more from our government," said Georgia, one of the protesters. Marchers carried signs reading, "We need human change, not climate change" and "Code Red for Humanity", in images shown by media. A week of government speeches and pledges at the two-week gathering in Glasgow brought promises to phase out coal, slash emissions of the potent greenhouse gas methane and cut deforestation. Australia, however, has rejected the global methane pledge and campaigners and pressure groups have not been impressed by the commitments of other world leaders. "The COP 26 agreements were happening and it's not turning out the best for Australia at the moment," added Georgia, the Sydney protester, who gave only one name. Also Read | COP26: Protesters gather in London ahead of climate summit Melbourne's protest was smaller than Sydney's, with just a few hundred people turning out for a rally that featured a giant koala bear emitting plumes of smoke, and protesters dressed as skeletons on bikes. Several smaller events were held elsewhere in Australia. Swedish teenage activist Greta Thunberg was among thousands of young campaigners who marched in Glasgow on Friday, demanding urgent action.

Rallies held in Sydney, Melbourne against Australia's climate policy

&nbsp;Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is expected to appoint former education minister Yoshimasa Hayashi as new foreign minister, Jiji news agency reported on Saturday (November 6).

The appointment will be part of a new cabinet that Kishida is expected to craft on Wednesday, after his ruling party won a Lower House election on October 31.

Kishida had earlier said he may take on the role of foreign minister until a new Cabinet is formed this month, as the incumbent foreign minister took over a key ruling party post.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is expected to appoint former education minister Yoshimasa Hayashi as new foreign minister, Jiji news agency reported on Saturday (November 6).

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is expected to appoint former education minister Yoshimasa Hayashi as new foreign minister, Jiji news agency reported on Saturday (November 6). The appointment will be part of a new cabinet that Kishida is expected to craft on Wednesday, after his ruling party won a Lower House election on October 31. Kishida had earlier said he may take on the role of foreign minister until a new Cabinet is formed this month, as the incumbent foreign minister took over a key ruling party post.

Japan PM Kishida to appoint ex-education minister Hayashi as foreign minister: Report

A New York county prosecutor on Friday asked a judge to delay for two months the arraignment of former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on a misdemeanor sex offense charge, saying a local sheriff may have botched the case by rushing to file the complaint.

Cuomo resigned in August in the middle of his third term as governor after a five-month official inquiry found that he had sexually harassed 11 women.

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Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple filed a "forcible touching" charge against Cuomo last month based on one woman's accusation that Cuomo groped her under her blouse at the Executive Mansion in the New York state capital of Albany.

But the charge against Cuomo was "potentially defective," Albany County District Attorney David Soares wrote in a letter to the judge dated Thursday because it failed to include a sworn statement from the accuser.

Soares asked Albany City Court Judge Holly Trexler to delay Cuomo's arraignment, which had been scheduled for Nov. 17, for 60 days to give his office more time to review the case and possibly avoid a procedural dismissal. Cuomo's attorney supported the request, and the judge granted the delay, scheduling Cuomo's arraignment for January&nbsp;7, a spokesperson for Soares said.

Soares said in his letter that his office had been investigating Cuomo for months when the sheriff surprised him with a criminal filing.

"We were in the middle of that investigation when the Sheriff unilaterally and inexplicably filed a complaint in this Court. Unfortunately the filings is this matter are potentially defective in that the police-officer-complainant failed to include a sworn statement by the victim such that the (state) could proceed with a prosecution," the Soares letter said.

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Soares also said his office was still reviewing hundreds of hours of videotaped testimony and volumes of documents produced by the five-month probe that was conducted by independent lawyers under the direction of state Attorney General Tish James.

Sheriff Apple did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. In comments to the Albany Times Union, he said his office followed proper procedures.

"There was sworn testimony included, and we followed the policies and protocols set to interview victims of sex crimes," Apple said.

Apple previously regretted that Soares and others were surprised by his charge, saying his office filed the paperwork for review and intended to meet with prosecutors to determine whether a criminal arrest warrant or a criminal summons would be issued.

The process, however, moved much more quickly than planned, and the information was leaked to the news media, he said.

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Apple also rejected Cuomo's accusations of political motivations, saying his office had conducted a "comprehensive and methodical" investigation.

Cuomo, who has maintained his innocence, said he only resigned in order to avoid putting the state through the turmoil that would follow his efforts to fight the charges.

If convicted on the misdemeanor charge, he would face a possible sentence of up to a year in jail.

A New York county prosecutor on Friday asked a judge to delay for two months the arraignment of former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on a misdemeanor sex offense charge, saying a local sheriff may have botched the case by rushing to file the complaint.

A New York county prosecutor on Friday asked a judge to delay for two months the arraignment of former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on a misdemeanor sex offense charge, saying a local sheriff may have botched the case by rushing to file the complaint. Cuomo resigned in August in the middle of his third term as governor after a five-month official inquiry found that he had sexually harassed 11 women. Also Read | At least 8 dead, many hurt at Travis Scott’s Astroworld music festival in US Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple filed a "forcible touching" charge against Cuomo last month based on one woman's accusation that Cuomo groped her under her blouse at the Executive Mansion in the New York state capital of Albany. But the charge against Cuomo was "potentially defective," Albany County District Attorney David Soares wrote in a letter to the judge dated Thursday because it failed to include a sworn statement from the accuser. Soares asked Albany City Court Judge Holly Trexler to delay Cuomo's arraignment, which had been scheduled for Nov. 17, for 60 days to give his office more time to review the case and possibly avoid a procedural dismissal. Cuomo's attorney supported the request, and the judge granted the delay, scheduling Cuomo's arraignment for January 7, a spokesperson for Soares said. Soares said in his letter that his office had been investigating Cuomo for months when the sheriff surprised him with a criminal filing. "We were in the middle of that investigation when the Sheriff unilaterally and inexplicably filed a complaint in this Court. Unfortunately the filings is this matter are potentially defective in that the police-officer-complainant failed to include a sworn statement by the victim such that the (state) could proceed with a prosecution," the Soares letter said. Also Read | Chinese spy convicted of trying to steal US aviation trade secrets Soares also said his office was still reviewing hundreds of hours of videotaped testimony and volumes of documents produced by the five-month probe that was conducted by independent lawyers under the direction of state Attorney General Tish James. Sheriff Apple did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. In comments to the Albany Times Union, he said his office followed proper procedures. "There was sworn testimony included, and we followed the policies and protocols set to interview victims of sex crimes," Apple said. Apple previously regretted that Soares and others were surprised by his charge, saying his office filed the paperwork for review and intended to meet with prosecutors to determine whether a criminal arrest warrant or a criminal summons would be issued. The process, however, moved much more quickly than planned, and the information was leaked to the news media, he said. Also Read | Eight camels, a llama on loose: Spanish cops end circus animals’ night out Apple also rejected Cuomo's accusations of political motivations, saying his office had conducted a "comprehensive and methodical" investigation. Cuomo, who has maintained his innocence, said he only resigned in order to avoid putting the state through the turmoil that would follow his efforts to fight the charges. If convicted on the misdemeanor charge, he would face a possible sentence of up to a year in jail.

New York county prosecutor casts doubt on sex offense charge against Cuomo

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