<p>Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz has&nbsp;accused Lebanon of changing its position in talks on their disputed maritime border and warned it could lead to a "dead end" that would be damaging for the whole region.</p>

<p>The two countries, which remain technically at war, opened negotiations on the border dispute under US and UN auspices last month to clear the way for offshore oil and gas exploration.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-lebanon-border-tensions-israel-claimed-to-have-rebelled-fighters-316483/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>"Lebanon has changed its stance on its maritime border with Israel seven times," Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz tweeted late Thursday.</p>

<p>"Its current position contradicts not only its previous one but also Lebanon's stance on its maritime border with Syria, which takes into account Lebanese islands close to the border," Steinitz said.</p>

<p>Earlier on Thursday, Lebanese President Michel Aoun had set out his country's position on the maritime border, which he said should be "based on the line that departs on land from the point of Ras Naqoura".&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lebanon-and-israel-to-hold-un-mediated-talks-on-disputed-borders-331745">Lebanon and Israel to hold UN-mediated talks on disputed borders</a></strong></p>

<p>The demarcation should be "according to the general principle known as the median line, without taking into account any impact of the occupied Palestinian coastal islands," Aoun tweeted, referring to the Israeli coastline.</p>

<p>Israel and&nbsp;Lebanon&nbsp;launched the negotiations last month with delegations from the long-time foes convening at a UN&nbsp;base to try to agree on the border that has held up hydrocarbon exploration in the potentially gas-rich area.</p>

<p>A presidency statement said Aoun instructed the Lebanese team that the demarcation line should start from the land point of Ras Naqoura as defined under a 1923 agreement and extend seaward in a trajectory that a security source said extends the disputed area to some 2,300 square km (888 sq miles) from around 860 sq km.</p>

<p>Israel's energy minister, overseeing the talks with&nbsp;Lebanon, said&nbsp;Lebanon&nbsp;had now changed its position seven times and was contradicting its own assertions.</p>

<p>"Whoever wants prosperity in our region and seeks to safely develop natural resources must adhere to the principle of stability and settle the dispute along the lines that were submitted by Israel and&nbsp;Lebanon&nbsp;at the United Nations," Yuval Steinitz said.</p>

<p>Any deviation, Steinitz said, would lead to a "dead end".</p>

<p>Last month sources said the two sides presented contrasting maps for proposed borders. They said the Lebanese proposal extended farther south than the border&nbsp;Lebanon&nbsp;had years before presented to the United Nations and that of the Israeli team pushed the boundary farther north than Israel's original position.</p>

<p>The talks, the culmination of three years of diplomacy by Washington, are due to resume in December.</p>

<p>Israel pumps gas from huge offshore fields but&nbsp;Lebanon, which has yet to find commercial gas reserves in its own waters, is desperate for cash from foreign donors as it faces the worst economic crisis since its 1975-1990 civil war.</p>


Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz has accused Lebanon of changing its position in talks on their disputed maritime border and warned it could lead to a "dead end" that would be damaging for the whole region.

Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz has accused Lebanon of changing its position in talks on their disputed maritime border and warned it could lead to a "dead end" that would be damaging for the whole region. The two countries, which remain technically at war, opened negotiations on the border dispute under US and UN auspices last month to clear the way for offshore oil and gas exploration. "Lebanon has changed its stance on its maritime border with Israel seven times," Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz tweeted late Thursday. "Its current position contradicts not only its previous one but also Lebanon's stance on its maritime border with Syria, which takes into account Lebanese islands close to the border," Steinitz said. Earlier on Thursday, Lebanese President Michel Aoun had set out his country's position on the maritime border, which he said should be "based on the line that departs on land from the point of Ras Naqoura". Also read: Lebanon and Israel to hold UN-mediated talks on disputed borders The demarcation should be "according to the general principle known as the median line, without taking into account any impact of the occupied Palestinian coastal islands," Aoun tweeted, referring to the Israeli coastline. Israel and Lebanon launched the negotiations last month with delegations from the long-time foes convening at a UN base to try to agree on the border that has held up hydrocarbon exploration in the potentially gas-rich area. A presidency statement said Aoun instructed the Lebanese team that the demarcation line should start from the land point of Ras Naqoura as defined under a 1923 agreement and extend seaward in a trajectory that a security source said extends the disputed area to some 2,300 square km (888 sq miles) from around 860 sq km. Israel's energy minister, overseeing the talks with Lebanon, said Lebanon had now changed its position seven times and was contradicting its own assertions. "Whoever wants prosperity in our region and seeks to safely develop natural resources must adhere to the principle of stability and settle the dispute along the lines that were submitted by Israel and Lebanon at the United Nations," Yuval Steinitz said. Any deviation, Steinitz said, would lead to a "dead end". Last month sources said the two sides presented contrasting maps for proposed borders. They said the Lebanese proposal extended farther south than the border Lebanon had years before presented to the United Nations and that of the Israeli team pushed the boundary farther north than Israel's original position. The talks, the culmination of three years of diplomacy by Washington, are due to resume in December. Israel pumps gas from huge offshore fields but Lebanon, which has yet to find commercial gas reserves in its own waters, is desperate for cash from foreign donors as it faces the worst economic crisis since its 1975-1990 civil war.

'Dead end': Israel says Lebanon is changing stance on maritime border

<p>Pfizer and its partner BioNTech confirmed&nbsp;on Friday they&nbsp;have&nbsp;applied to US&nbsp;health regulators for emergency use authorisation (EUA) of its COVID-19 vaccine,&nbsp;becoming the first to do so in the US as the pandemic rages around the world.</p>

<p>The application to the US&nbsp;Food and Drug Administration (FDA) comes just days after Pfizer and German partner BioNTech SE reported final trial results that showed the vaccine was 95&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;effective in preventing COVID-19 with no major safety concerns.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-vaccine-tracker-344193/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Pfizer's shares rose 2 per cent&nbsp;and BioNTech climbed 5&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;on the news that a vaccine could soon be available, raising hopes for the end of a pandemic that has claimed more than a quarter of a million lives in the United States and over 1.3 million worldwide.</p>

<p>The companies expect the FDA to grant the EUA by mid-December and said they begin shipping doses almost immediately. Pfizer has said it expects to have 50 million vaccine doses ready this year, enough to protect 25 million people.</p>

<p>The vaccine has been under evaluation for weeks in the European Union, Australia, Canada, Japan and the United Kingdom, the companies said.</p>

<p>The Food and Drug Administration has not said how long it will take to study the vaccine data, but the government expects to give the green light for the vaccine in the first two weeks of December.</p>

<p>The European Union could also move quickly on the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, perhaps as soon as the second half of December, according to European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.</p>

<p>Hot on the heels of these companies is a vaccine developed by another biotech firm, Moderna, which says its product is also about 95 percent effective.</p>

<p>The speed with which these vaccines have been developed as the pandemic wreaks havoc around the world has no precedent. Over the past decade, the vaccines authorized in the US have taken an average of eight years to develop.</p>

<p>The US government says it plans to vaccinate more than 20 million people in December, and then another 25-30 million per month.</p>

<p>The final trial data showed the vaccine provided a similar level of protection across different ages and ethnicities,&nbsp;an encouraging result as the disease disproportionately hurts the elderly and minorities.</p>


Pfizer and its partner BioNTech confirmed on Friday they have applied to US health regulators for emergency use authorisation (EUA) of its COVID-19 vaccine, becoming the first to do so in the US as the pandemic rages around the world.

Pfizer and its partner BioNTech confirmed on Friday they have applied to US health regulators for emergency use authorisation (EUA) of its COVID-19 vaccine, becoming the first to do so in the US as the pandemic rages around the world. The application to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) comes just days after Pfizer and German partner BioNTech SE reported final trial results that showed the vaccine was 95 per cent effective in preventing COVID-19 with no major safety concerns. Pfizer's shares rose 2 per cent and BioNTech climbed 5 per cent on the news that a vaccine could soon be available, raising hopes for the end of a pandemic that has claimed more than a quarter of a million lives in the United States and over 1.3 million worldwide. The companies expect the FDA to grant the EUA by mid-December and said they begin shipping doses almost immediately. Pfizer has said it expects to have 50 million vaccine doses ready this year, enough to protect 25 million people. The vaccine has been under evaluation for weeks in the European Union, Australia, Canada, Japan and the United Kingdom, the companies said. The Food and Drug Administration has not said how long it will take to study the vaccine data, but the government expects to give the green light for the vaccine in the first two weeks of December. The European Union could also move quickly on the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, perhaps as soon as the second half of December, according to European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen. Hot on the heels of these companies is a vaccine developed by another biotech firm, Moderna, which says its product is also about 95 percent effective. The speed with which these vaccines have been developed as the pandemic wreaks havoc around the world has no precedent. Over the past decade, the vaccines authorized in the US have taken an average of eight years to develop. The US government says it plans to vaccinate more than 20 million people in December, and then another 25-30 million per month. The final trial data showed the vaccine provided a similar level of protection across different ages and ethnicities, an encouraging result as the disease disproportionately hurts the elderly and minorities.

Pfizer, BioNTech apply for emergency use of coronavirus vaccine in US

<p>A proposition by&nbsp;New York congresswoman&nbsp;Alexandria&nbsp;Ocasio-Cortez to pay American people staying at home triggered a spat on Twitter with former UN ambassador of the country&nbsp;Nikki Haley and another prominent Republican.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">To get the virus under control, we need to pay people to stay home.</p>
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) <a href="https://twitter.com/AOC/status/1329476792571351047?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>In response, the former Republican governor of South Carolina Nikki Haley,&nbsp;alluding to AOC's different recommendations,&nbsp;tweeted:</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">AOC, Are you suggesting you want to pay people to stay home from the money you take by defunding the police? Or was that for the student debts you wanted to pay off, the Green New Deal or Medicare for All? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WhereIsTheMoney?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WhereIsTheMoney</a> <a href="https://t.co/wZxxz67wcv">https://t.co/wZxxz67wcv</a></p>
— Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) <a href="https://twitter.com/NikkiHaley/status/1329551696931004416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Ocasio-Cortez immediately shot back that she needed Republicans to "discover the spine to face their corporate givers" and decision in favor of the Democrats' HEROES Act, which evidently does exclude a "Money Street bailout" this time.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Nikki, I’m suggesting Republicans find the spine to stand up to their corporate donors &amp; vote for the same measures they did in March, except without the Wall St bailout this time.<br />
<br />
And I know you’re confused abt actual governance but police budgets are municipal, not federal. <a href="https://t.co/GCyUagbruG">https://t.co/GCyUagbruG</a></p>
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) <a href="https://twitter.com/AOC/status/1329555684980121602?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Republicans&nbsp;have scrutinised the HEROES Act over what they state are billions in bailouts for Democrat-run expresses that would compensate their lead representatives for unforgiving lockdowns as opposed to helping individuals and organizations monetarily destroyed by them.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Congressperson Kelly Loeffler (R-Georgia) additionally joined the conflict, tweeting:</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">AOC wants to lock down our economy, lock the American people in their homes, and put the government in charge of every single part of our lives.<br />
<br />
No wonder she supports <a href="https://twitter.com/ReverendWarnock?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ReverendWarnock</a>.<br />
<br />
It’s not going to happen on my watch. <a href="https://t.co/NMAQYu29ZI">https://t.co/NMAQYu29ZI</a></p>
— Kelly Loeffler (@KLoeffler) <a href="https://twitter.com/KLoeffler/status/1329563116896727041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>AOC reacted by blaming Loeffler for having no reason for having a problem with utilisation of public assets, citing a case that she had "talented yourself personal luxury plane on an open dime and abused degenerate assessment escape clauses to do it."&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">.<a href="https://twitter.com/KLoeffler?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KLoeffler</a> disclosures show you seem to have gifted yourself private jet on public dime &amp; exploited corrupt tax loopholes to do it.<br />
<br />
If you’re happy helping yourself to public funds, maybe take a seat before arguing against stimulus checks to help everyday people in a pandemic. <a href="https://t.co/ZlhL2DjzpB">https://t.co/ZlhL2DjzpB</a></p>
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) <a href="https://twitter.com/AOC/status/1329567488829513730?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Loeffler considered the allegation a "some conspicuous lie to occupy from your communist closure" and raised AOC's own duty issues from a year ago.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Hi!<br />
<br />
Not surprising you’d babble some blatant lie to distract from your socialist shutdown.<br />
<br />
Anyway, while we’re on the subject, Georgians don’t want any of your $93 trillion tax increase. Also, have you paid your own?<br />
<br />
Have a great night! <a href="https://t.co/Yp0FDYhlM7">https://t.co/Yp0FDYhlM7</a> <a href="https://t.co/Hl4jb7zKVf">https://t.co/Hl4jb7zKVf</a></p>
— Kelly Loeffler (@KLoeffler) <a href="https://twitter.com/KLoeffler/status/1329581352245714944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>While their separate fan bases savored the Twitter contention, it doesn't appear to have convinced anybody of the general benefits of any of the proposition in question.</p>


A proposition by New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to pay American people staying at home triggered a spat on Twitter with former UN ambassador of the country Nikki Haley and another prominent Republican.

A proposition by New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to pay American people staying at home triggered a spat on Twitter with former UN ambassador of the country Nikki Haley and another prominent Republican. To get the virus under control, we need to pay people to stay home. — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) November 19, 2020 × In response, the former Republican governor of South Carolina Nikki Haley, alluding to AOC's different recommendations, tweeted: AOC, Are you suggesting you want to pay people to stay home from the money you take by defunding the police? Or was that for the student debts you wanted to pay off, the Green New Deal or Medicare for All? #WhereIsTheMoney https://t.co/wZxxz67wcv — Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) November 19, 2020 × Ocasio-Cortez immediately shot back that she needed Republicans to "discover the spine to face their corporate givers" and decision in favor of the Democrats' HEROES Act, which evidently does exclude a "Money Street bailout" this time. Nikki, I’m suggesting Republicans find the spine to stand up to their corporate donors & vote for the same measures they did in March, except without the Wall St bailout this time. And I know you’re confused abt actual governance but police budgets are municipal, not federal. https://t.co/GCyUagbruG — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) November 19, 2020 × Republicans have scrutinised the HEROES Act over what they state are billions in bailouts for Democrat-run expresses that would compensate their lead representatives for unforgiving lockdowns as opposed to helping individuals and organizations monetarily destroyed by them. Congressperson Kelly Loeffler (R-Georgia) additionally joined the conflict, tweeting: AOC wants to lock down our economy, lock the American people in their homes, and put the government in charge of every single part of our lives. No wonder she supports @ReverendWarnock. It’s not going to happen on my watch. https://t.co/NMAQYu29ZI — Kelly Loeffler (@KLoeffler) November 19, 2020 × AOC reacted by blaming Loeffler for having no reason for having a problem with utilisation of public assets, citing a case that she had "talented yourself personal luxury plane on an open dime and abused degenerate assessment escape clauses to do it." .@KLoeffler disclosures show you seem to have gifted yourself private jet on public dime & exploited corrupt tax loopholes to do it. If you’re happy helping yourself to public funds, maybe take a seat before arguing against stimulus checks to help everyday people in a pandemic. https://t.co/ZlhL2DjzpB — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) November 19, 2020 × Loeffler considered the allegation a "some conspicuous lie to occupy from your communist closure" and raised AOC's own duty issues from a year ago. Hi! Not surprising you’d babble some blatant lie to distract from your socialist shutdown. Anyway, while we’re on the subject, Georgians don’t want any of your $93 trillion tax increase. Also, have you paid your own? Have a great night! https://t.co/Yp0FDYhlM7 https://t.co/Hl4jb7zKVf — Kelly Loeffler (@KLoeffler) November 20, 2020 × While their separate fan bases savored the Twitter contention, it doesn't appear to have convinced anybody of the general benefits of any of the proposition in question.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's proposal on coronavirus triggers Twitter spat with Nikki Haley

<p>Social media giant&nbsp;Facebook on Friday offered the&nbsp;first-ever estimate of hate speech prevalence on its platform.</p>

<p>Facebook's rivals Twitter and YouTube, owned by Alphabet Inc's Google, do not disclose comparable prevalence metrics.</p>

<p>The world's largest social media company&nbsp;said&nbsp;out of every 10,000 content views in the third quarter, 10-11 were hate speech.</p>

<p>Facebook, under scrutiny over its policing of abuses, particularly around November's US&nbsp;presidential election, released the estimate in its quarterly content moderation report.</p>

<p><strong>Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-social-media-companies-will-handle-post-us-election-scenarios-337122" hreflang="en">How social media companies will handle post-US election scenarios</a></strong></p>

<p>The tech giant, which has 1.82 billion daily users globally, has drawn flak in the past for its handling of hate speech on the platform in India, which is among its biggest markets.</p>

<p>In its Community Standards Enforcement Report for September 2020 quarter, Facebook said it is including the prevalence of hate speech on its platform globally "for the first time".</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/facebook-takes-down-group-stop-the-steal-alleging-voter-fraud-by-democrats-342138" hreflang="en">Facebook takes down group 'Stop The Steal' alleging voter fraud by Democrats</a></strong></p>

<p>Facebook&nbsp;said it took action on 22.1 million pieces of hate speech content in the third quarter, about 95&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;of which was proactively identified, compared to 22.5 million in the previous quarter.</p>

<p>The company defines 'taking action' as removing content, covering it with a warning, disabling accounts, or escalating it to external agencies.</p>

<p>On Instagram, the company took action on 6.5 million pieces of hate speech content (up from 3.2 million in June quarter), about 95 per cent of which was proactively identified (up from about 85 per cent in the previous quarter), it added.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/instagram-to-let-users-live-stream-for-up-to-four-hours-338583" hreflang="en">Instagram to let users live stream for up to four hours</a></strong></p>

<p>The latest Community Standards Enforcement Report provides metrics on how Facebook enforced its policies from July to September, and includes metrics across 12 policies on Facebook and 10 policies on Instagram.</p>

<p>Facebook Vice President (Integrity) Guy Rosen said the company is also updating its Community Standards website to include additional policies that require more context and can't always be applied at scale.</p>

<p>These policies often require specialised teams to gather more information on a given issue in order to make decisions, he added.<br />
The Community Standards Enforcement Report is published in conjunction with Facebook's biannual Transparency Report.</p>

<p>The Transparency Report shares numbers on government requests for user data, content restrictions based on local law, intellectual property takedowns and internet disruptions.</p>

<p>During the first six months of 2020, government requests for user data increased by 23 per cent from 140,875 to 173,592, it said.</p>

<p>This summer, civil rights groups organized a widespread advertising boycott to try to pressure&nbsp;Facebook&nbsp;to act against hate speech.</p>

<p>The company agreed to disclose the hate speech metric, calculated by examining a representative sample of content seen on&nbsp;Facebook, and submit itself to an independent audit of its enforcement record.</p>

<p>On a call with reporters,&nbsp;Facebook's head of safety and integrity Guy Rosen said the audit would be completed "over the course of 2021."</p>

<p>The Anti-Defamation League, one of the groups behind the boycott, said&nbsp;Facebook's new metric still lacked sufficient context for a full assessment of its performance.</p>

<p>"We still don't know from this report exactly how many pieces of content users are flagging to&nbsp;Facebook, whether or not the action was taken," said ADL spokesman Todd Gutnick. That data matters, he said, as "there are many forms of hate speech that are not being removed, even after they're flagged."</p>


Social media giant Facebook on Friday offered the first-ever estimate of hate speech prevalence on its platform. Facebook's rivals Twitter and YouTube, owned by Alphabet Inc's Google, do not disclose comparable prevalence metrics.

Social media giant Facebook on Friday offered the first-ever estimate of hate speech prevalence on its platform. Facebook's rivals Twitter and YouTube, owned by Alphabet Inc's Google, do not disclose comparable prevalence metrics. The world's largest social media company said out of every 10,000 content views in the third quarter, 10-11 were hate speech. Facebook, under scrutiny over its policing of abuses, particularly around November's US presidential election, released the estimate in its quarterly content moderation report. Also see: How social media companies will handle post-US election scenarios The tech giant, which has 1.82 billion daily users globally, has drawn flak in the past for its handling of hate speech on the platform in India, which is among its biggest markets. In its Community Standards Enforcement Report for September 2020 quarter, Facebook said it is including the prevalence of hate speech on its platform globally "for the first time". Also read: Facebook takes down group 'Stop The Steal' alleging voter fraud by Democrats Facebook said it took action on 22.1 million pieces of hate speech content in the third quarter, about 95 per cent of which was proactively identified, compared to 22.5 million in the previous quarter. The company defines 'taking action' as removing content, covering it with a warning, disabling accounts, or escalating it to external agencies. On Instagram, the company took action on 6.5 million pieces of hate speech content (up from 3.2 million in June quarter), about 95 per cent of which was proactively identified (up from about 85 per cent in the previous quarter), it added. Also read: Instagram to let users live stream for up to four hours The latest Community Standards Enforcement Report provides metrics on how Facebook enforced its policies from July to September, and includes metrics across 12 policies on Facebook and 10 policies on Instagram. Facebook Vice President (Integrity) Guy Rosen said the company is also updating its Community Standards website to include additional policies that require more context and can't always be applied at scale. These policies often require specialised teams to gather more information on a given issue in order to make decisions, he added. The Community Standards Enforcement Report is published in conjunction with Facebook's biannual Transparency Report. The Transparency Report shares numbers on government requests for user data, content restrictions based on local law, intellectual property takedowns and internet disruptions. During the first six months of 2020, government requests for user data increased by 23 per cent from 140,875 to 173,592, it said. This summer, civil rights groups organized a widespread advertising boycott to try to pressure Facebook to act against hate speech. The company agreed to disclose the hate speech metric, calculated by examining a representative sample of content seen on Facebook, and submit itself to an independent audit of its enforcement record. On a call with reporters, Facebook's head of safety and integrity Guy Rosen said the audit would be completed "over the course of 2021." The Anti-Defamation League, one of the groups behind the boycott, said Facebook's new metric still lacked sufficient context for a full assessment of its performance. "We still don't know from this report exactly how many pieces of content users are flagging to Facebook, whether or not the action was taken," said ADL spokesman Todd Gutnick. That data matters, he said, as "there are many forms of hate speech that are not being removed, even after they're flagged."

In a first, Facebook offers estimate of hate speech prevalence on its platform

<p>China National Pharmaceutical Group (Sinopharm) said on Thursday that it has inoculated almost a million people with its vaccine in the country.</p>

<p>The&nbsp;Chinese company&nbsp;has not yet provided any clear clinical evidence of efficacy. However, Sinopharm said that&nbsp;the data from large-scale, late-stage clinical trials for its unit's COVID-19 vaccine are "better than expected".</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fauci-guarantees-accuracy-in-pfizer-moderna-covid-19-vaccine-data-344204">Fauci guarantees accuracy in Pfizer, Moderna COVID-19 vaccine data</a></strong></p>

<p>Sinopharm's unit China National Biotec Group (CNBG) has moved two vaccine candidates into Phase 3 clinical trials outside China in multiple countries including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt involving more than 50,000 participants in total.</p>

<p>China has been giving experimental Covid-19 vaccines to people including state employees, international students, and essential workers heading abroad since July.</p>

<p><strong>Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/oxford-astrazeneca-vaccine-safe-for-older-adults-results-show-344093">Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine safe for older adults, results show</a></strong></p>

<p>Sinopharm's chairman told media this week that nearly a million people<strong>&nbsp;</strong>have now received their vaccine for emergency use, though he did not provide a specific figure.</p>

<p>"We have not received a single report of the severe adverse reaction, and only a few had some mild symptoms," Liu Jingzhen said in an interview re-published by the state-owned firm on Wednesday.</p>

<p>China has been bullish about the development of its vaccine for the new virus,&nbsp;which first emerged in the centre of the country late last year -- with four vaccines now in late-stage testing.</p>

<p>Many of the trials are taking place overseas, as China has largely brought the virus under control within its borders.</p>

<p>Sinopharm&nbsp;is testing two vaccines in late-stage trials in countries including the UAE, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Peru, and Argentina.</p>

<p>The company claimed this week to be "leading the world in all aspects" of vaccine development, although it did not offer clinical evidence from ongoing trials.</p>

<p>Instead, it cited anecdotal experiences from those who have been inoculated, including "construction personnel, diplomats, and overseas students" who it said have gone on to visit more than 150 countries after vaccination without being infected.</p>

<p>President Xi Jinping has declared that any Chinese vaccine would be a "global public good", after the country came under criticism, particularly from the US, for its early handling of the outbreak.</p>

<p>Many who have been inoculated in China are not formal participants in drugmakers' trials and are said to have done so voluntarily.</p>

<p>Competition has intensified among pharmaceutical companies racing to develop a Covid-19 shot, with two vaccines -- one by US company Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech, and another by US firm Moderna -- publishing large-scale trial data this month that showed their jabs were around 95 percent effective against Covid-19.</p>


China National Pharmaceutical Group (Sinopharm) said on Thursday that it has inoculated almost a million people with its vaccine in the country. The Chinese company has not yet provided any clear clinical evidence of efficacy.

China National Pharmaceutical Group (Sinopharm) said on Thursday that it has inoculated almost a million people with its vaccine in the country. The Chinese company has not yet provided any clear clinical evidence of efficacy. However, Sinopharm said that the data from large-scale, late-stage clinical trials for its unit's COVID-19 vaccine are "better than expected". Also read: Fauci guarantees accuracy in Pfizer, Moderna COVID-19 vaccine data Sinopharm's unit China National Biotec Group (CNBG) has moved two vaccine candidates into Phase 3 clinical trials outside China in multiple countries including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt involving more than 50,000 participants in total. China has been giving experimental Covid-19 vaccines to people including state employees, international students, and essential workers heading abroad since July. Also read| Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine safe for older adults, results show Sinopharm's chairman told media this week that nearly a million people have now received their vaccine for emergency use, though he did not provide a specific figure. "We have not received a single report of the severe adverse reaction, and only a few had some mild symptoms," Liu Jingzhen said in an interview re-published by the state-owned firm on Wednesday. China has been bullish about the development of its vaccine for the new virus, which first emerged in the centre of the country late last year -- with four vaccines now in late-stage testing. Many of the trials are taking place overseas, as China has largely brought the virus under control within its borders. Sinopharm is testing two vaccines in late-stage trials in countries including the UAE, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Peru, and Argentina. The company claimed this week to be "leading the world in all aspects" of vaccine development, although it did not offer clinical evidence from ongoing trials. Instead, it cited anecdotal experiences from those who have been inoculated, including "construction personnel, diplomats, and overseas students" who it said have gone on to visit more than 150 countries after vaccination without being infected. President Xi Jinping has declared that any Chinese vaccine would be a "global public good", after the country came under criticism, particularly from the US, for its early handling of the outbreak. Many who have been inoculated in China are not formal participants in drugmakers' trials and are said to have done so voluntarily. Competition has intensified among pharmaceutical companies racing to develop a Covid-19 shot, with two vaccines -- one by US company Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech, and another by US firm Moderna -- publishing large-scale trial data this month that showed their jabs were around 95 percent effective against Covid-19.

China inoculates almost a million citizens with Sinopharm vaccine

<p>In the latest challenge in the US election,&nbsp;US President Donald Trump's campaign&nbsp;on Wednesday asked a judge to declare him the winner in Pennsylvania, saying the state's Republican-controlled legislature should select the electors that will cast votes in the US&nbsp;Electoral College system.</p>

<p>In a court filing, the campaign asked US&nbsp;District Judge Matthew Brann to consider issuing an order that "the results of the 2020 presidential general election are defective and providing for the Pennsylvania General Assembly to choose Pennsylvania’s electors."</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/post-election-political-chaos-in-us-endangering-its-democracy-343969" hreflang="en">Post election political chaos in US endangering its democracy</a></strong></p>

<p>The request was part of a larger bid by the campaign to amend a November&nbsp;9 lawsuit challenging the outcome in Pennsylvania.</p>

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<p>Democratic candidate&nbsp;Joe Biden won with 306 electoral votes to Trump's 232 nationwide. The winner needs 270, and Trump would have to flip the outcome in Pennsylvania, with 20 electoral votes, and two other states. Biden won Pennsylvania by around 82,000 votes, according to Edison Research.</p>

<p>On Tuesday a Pennsylvania judge challenged&nbsp;Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani to back up his sweeping claims of electoral fraud, in a case which was actually focused on whether voting officials correctly followed procedures.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/post-election-political-chaos-in-us-endangering-its-democracy-343969" hreflang="en">Post election political chaos in US endangering its democracy</a></strong></p>

<p>"This is not a fraud case," Giuliani finally admitted.</p>

<p>Giuliani "talked only about fraud, gigantic conspiracies," Mark Aronchick, who represented the state's interests in the case, told CNN.</p>

<p>"It bore no relationship to what we were actually sitting there doing in court."</p>

<p>Trump's legal team, led by his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, also sought permission from Brann to put back legal claims that it dropped on Sunday from the lawsuit. They said Republican observers were denied access to the counting of mail-in ballots, an assertion election officials dispute.</p>

<p>The lawsuit also alleges inconsistent treatment by county election officials of mail-in ballots. Some counties notified voters that they could fix minor defects such as missing "secrecy envelopes" while others did not.</p>

<p>Brann expressed skepticism of the lawsuit at a hearing on Tuesday.</p>

<p>Trump's case is deeply flawed and does not give Trump "any viable path to overturning the results," said Justin Levitt, a Loyola Law School professor who has been tracking the litigation.</p>

<p>The amended filing "does not offer any indication that a number of ballots sufficient to make up the difference in the election were invalid," Levitt said, adding that "courts won't toss ballots out (or otherwise stop an election tally in progress) without actual proof that the ballots in question were invalid."</p>

<p>Republican Trump's campaign has filed a flurry of lawsuits in a long-shot bid to reverse the election. Trump has claimed without evidence that the election was stolen.</p>


In the latest challenge in the US election, US President Donald Trump's campaign on Wednesday asked a judge to declare him the winner in Pennsylvania, saying the state's Republican-controlled legislature should select the electors that will cast votes in the US Electoral College system.

In the latest challenge in the US election, US President Donald Trump's campaign on Wednesday asked a judge to declare him the winner in Pennsylvania, saying the state's Republican-controlled legislature should select the electors that will cast votes in the US Electoral College system. In a court filing, the campaign asked US District Judge Matthew Brann to consider issuing an order that "the results of the 2020 presidential general election are defective and providing for the Pennsylvania General Assembly to choose Pennsylvania’s electors." Also read: Post election political chaos in US endangering its democracy The request was part of a larger bid by the campaign to amend a November 9 lawsuit challenging the outcome in Pennsylvania. Democratic candidate Joe Biden won with 306 electoral votes to Trump's 232 nationwide. The winner needs 270, and Trump would have to flip the outcome in Pennsylvania, with 20 electoral votes, and two other states. Biden won Pennsylvania by around 82,000 votes, according to Edison Research. On Tuesday a Pennsylvania judge challenged Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani to back up his sweeping claims of electoral fraud, in a case which was actually focused on whether voting officials correctly followed procedures. Also read: Post election political chaos in US endangering its democracy "This is not a fraud case," Giuliani finally admitted. Giuliani "talked only about fraud, gigantic conspiracies," Mark Aronchick, who represented the state's interests in the case, told CNN. "It bore no relationship to what we were actually sitting there doing in court." Trump's legal team, led by his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, also sought permission from Brann to put back legal claims that it dropped on Sunday from the lawsuit. They said Republican observers were denied access to the counting of mail-in ballots, an assertion election officials dispute. The lawsuit also alleges inconsistent treatment by county election officials of mail-in ballots. Some counties notified voters that they could fix minor defects such as missing "secrecy envelopes" while others did not. Brann expressed skepticism of the lawsuit at a hearing on Tuesday. Trump's case is deeply flawed and does not give Trump "any viable path to overturning the results," said Justin Levitt, a Loyola Law School professor who has been tracking the litigation. The amended filing "does not offer any indication that a number of ballots sufficient to make up the difference in the election were invalid," Levitt said, adding that "courts won't toss ballots out (or otherwise stop an election tally in progress) without actual proof that the ballots in question were invalid." Republican Trump's campaign has filed a flurry of lawsuits in a long-shot bid to reverse the election. Trump has claimed without evidence that the election was stolen.

Donald Trump asks judge to declare him winner in Pennsylvania

<p>US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday announced that the<strong>&nbsp;</strong>country&nbsp;will&nbsp;label exports from West Bank settlements as 'Made in Israel'.</p>

<p>"All producers within areas where Israel exercises the relevant authorities... &nbsp;will be required to &nbsp;mark &nbsp;goods as &nbsp;'Israel', 'Product of Israel', or 'Made in Israel'  when exporting to the United States," Pompeo said in a statement.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said the new guidelines apply "most notably" to Area C, the large part of the West Bank where Israel retains full civil and military control and where much of the settler population lives.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-wine-made-legally-says-israeli-settler-344105" hreflang="en">'Pompeo' wine made legally, says Israeli settler</a></strong></p>

<p>Area C also includes the strategic Jordan Valley and many Palestinian communities, areas that Israel considers to be disputed territory.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Pompeo's announcement seems to imply that even Palestinian exports from Area C should be tagged as Israeli products.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Area C producers operate within the economic and administrative framework of Israel and their goods should be treated accordingly," he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Pompeo became the first&nbsp;American top diplomat to visit the Israel-occupied Golan Heights after a stop in a West Bank Jewish settlement that infuriated Palestinians.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-air-strikes-in-syria-kill-three-troops-hit-iranian-targets-343817" hreflang="en">Israel air strikes in Syria kill three troops, hit Iranian targets</a></strong></p>

<p>Pompeo’s predecessors as secretary of state have only visited the West Bank under the auspices of the Palestinian Authority, but never in a settlement because they held Israel’s presence there to be illegitimate.</p>

<p>The envoy of US President Donald Trump, who has made a staunchly pro-Israel stance a hallmark of his turbulent term in power, also called the pro-Palestinian BDS movement a "cancer" that Washington would designate as anti-Semitic.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After meeting close ally Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Pompeo&nbsp;announced that "today I will get a chance to visit the Golan Heights," the strategic territory the Jewish state seized from Syria in the Six-Day War of 1967.</p>

<p>Trump delighted Israel in 2019 by recognising Israel's claim to sovereignty over the area of the Golan Heights that it captured from Syria in a 1967 war and later annexed, in a move that was not recognised by most of the international community.</p>

<p>Last year,&nbsp;Pompeo, an evangelical Christian, broke with decades of U.S. foreign policy to announce that the United States under Trump no longer viewed Israel's settlements in the West Bank as "inconsistent with international law".</p>

<p>These and other decisions were greeted with dismay by the Palestinians, who boycotted the Trump White House for nearly three years, accusing it of consistent pro-Israel bias.</p>

<p>The Palestinians have indicated they would resume relations as normal with Washington once President-elect Joe Biden takes office, widely seen as a gesture of goodwill towards his future administration.</p>

<p>Israel says the Golan,&nbsp;which overlooks northern Israel, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan,&nbsp;is a bulwark against Syria and Iranian forces based there. On Wednesday (November 18), Israel launched air raids against what it called a wide range of Syrian and Iranian targets in Syria in retaliation for what it said was an attempted bomb attack.</p>

<p>Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, said of the proposed Golan visit: "Pompeo's visit to occupied land is an active partnership in this occupation."</p>

<p>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked&nbsp;Pompeo&nbsp;and Trump for their Middle East policy.</p>

<p>Pompeo, who announced new US&nbsp;sanctions on Iran while in Israel, said Washington would also step up action against pro-Palestinian efforts to isolate Israel economically and diplomatically.</p>


US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday announced that the country will label exports from West Bank settlements as 'Made in Israel'. "All producers within areas where Israel exercises the relevant authorities.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday announced that the country will label exports from West Bank settlements as 'Made in Israel'. "All producers within areas where Israel exercises the relevant authorities...  will be required to  mark  goods as  'Israel', 'Product of Israel', or 'Made in Israel'  when exporting to the United States," Pompeo said in a statement. He said the new guidelines apply "most notably" to Area C, the large part of the West Bank where Israel retains full civil and military control and where much of the settler population lives. Also read: 'Pompeo' wine made legally, says Israeli settler Area C also includes the strategic Jordan Valley and many Palestinian communities, areas that Israel considers to be disputed territory. Pompeo's announcement seems to imply that even Palestinian exports from Area C should be tagged as Israeli products. "Area C producers operate within the economic and administrative framework of Israel and their goods should be treated accordingly," he said. Pompeo became the first American top diplomat to visit the Israel-occupied Golan Heights after a stop in a West Bank Jewish settlement that infuriated Palestinians. Also read: Israel air strikes in Syria kill three troops, hit Iranian targets Pompeo’s predecessors as secretary of state have only visited the West Bank under the auspices of the Palestinian Authority, but never in a settlement because they held Israel’s presence there to be illegitimate. The envoy of US President Donald Trump, who has made a staunchly pro-Israel stance a hallmark of his turbulent term in power, also called the pro-Palestinian BDS movement a "cancer" that Washington would designate as anti-Semitic. After meeting close ally Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Pompeo announced that "today I will get a chance to visit the Golan Heights," the strategic territory the Jewish state seized from Syria in the Six-Day War of 1967. Trump delighted Israel in 2019 by recognising Israel's claim to sovereignty over the area of the Golan Heights that it captured from Syria in a 1967 war and later annexed, in a move that was not recognised by most of the international community. Last year, Pompeo, an evangelical Christian, broke with decades of U.S. foreign policy to announce that the United States under Trump no longer viewed Israel's settlements in the West Bank as "inconsistent with international law". These and other decisions were greeted with dismay by the Palestinians, who boycotted the Trump White House for nearly three years, accusing it of consistent pro-Israel bias. The Palestinians have indicated they would resume relations as normal with Washington once President-elect Joe Biden takes office, widely seen as a gesture of goodwill towards his future administration. Israel says the Golan, which overlooks northern Israel, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan, is a bulwark against Syria and Iranian forces based there. On Wednesday (November 18), Israel launched air raids against what it called a wide range of Syrian and Iranian targets in Syria in retaliation for what it said was an attempted bomb attack. Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, said of the proposed Golan visit: "Pompeo's visit to occupied land is an active partnership in this occupation." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked Pompeo and Trump for their Middle East policy. Pompeo, who announced new US sanctions on Iran while in Israel, said Washington would also step up action against pro-Palestinian efforts to isolate Israel economically and diplomatically.

Pompeo says US to label exports from West Bank settlements as 'Made in Israel'

<p>America has for some time been viewed as a guide for the free world, its quest for opportunity and freedom a focusing light for all to follow. In any case, that signal is projecting an alternate light, an admonition to the universe of the delicate idea of vote based system.&nbsp;</p>

<p>With the aftereffects of the US election&nbsp;2020&nbsp;clear to any unprejudiced spectator, the path to a peaceful transition of power seems anything but certain.</p>

<p>The way that President Donald Trump won't recognize the desire of American electors isn't unexpected, yet the quantity of other Republican political pioneers supporting his unmerited paranoid fears and edgy endeavors to stick to control put the eventual fate of the American examination in question.</p>

<p><strong>Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hasty-pullout-of-us-allied-troops-from-afghanistan-could-exact-very-high-price-nato-chief-stoltenberg-343712" hreflang="en">Hasty pullout of US &amp; allied troops from Afghanistan could exact 'very high' price: NATO chief Stoltenberg</a></strong></p>

<p>After firing Defence Secretary Mark Esper, US&nbsp;President Donald Trump has now fired America's top cybersecurity official, Christopher Krebs.</p>

<p>"The recent statement by Chris Krebs on the security of the 2020 Election was highly inaccurate, in that there were massive improprieties and fraud," Trump wrote in a tweet.</p>

<p>He has also announced the pulling out of more troops from Afghanistan.&nbsp;The US plan is to reportedly bring back 2,500 troops from Afghanistan and 2,500 in Iraq by January 15. There are currently around 4,500 US troops in Afghanistan and 3,000 troops in Iraq.</p>

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<p>The Taliban on Wednesday welcomed the Pentagon's announcement it would soon pull about 2,000 US troops from Afghanistan as a "good step" that will help end the country's long-running conflict.</p>

<p>However, in the deal between the US&nbsp;And the Taliban, Washington agreed to withdraw all US&nbsp;forces from Afghanistan by May 2021, given the Taliban fulfils Washington's conditions.&nbsp;As of today, the Taliban has not fulfilled those conditions.</p>

<p>Trump's lawyer Rudy Guliani was lambasted in a Pennsylvania court.&nbsp;The president himself was slammed by the former first lady- Michelle Obama&nbsp;for his refusal of moving forward with a transition of power.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/michelle-obama-slams-donald-trump-says-democracy-bigger-than-anybodys-ego-343717" hreflang="en">Michelle Obama slams Donald Trump; says democracy bigger than anybody's ego</a></strong></p>

<p>Taking a jibe at Trump for his unsubstantiated claims of victory in the US election 2020 and his refusal for vacating his seat, she said "Our democracy is so much bigger than anybody’s ego.”</p>

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<p>The official progress measure has not formally begun in light of the fact that Trump has unjustifiably would not acknowledge President-elect Joe Biden's triumph. The proper progress is probably going to stay on hold until the political decision is ensured by a Trump nominee inside the General Services Administration in a cycle known as ascertainment.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In an Instagram post, Obama said that it took "quality and development to set my outrage aside." In doing such, she continued to welcome Melania Trump to the White House.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Obama said she addressed Trump's inquiries concerning "the elevated investigation that accompanies being a first woman to what exactly it resembles to bring kids up in the White House."</p>

<p>As per reports, Melania Trump has yet to invite first lady-elect, Jill Biden,&nbsp;to the White House to proceed with the convention.</p>


America has for some time been viewed as a guide for the free world, its quest for opportunity and freedom a focusing light for all to follow. In any case, that signal is projecting an alternate light, an admonition to the universe of the delicate idea of vote based system.

America has for some time been viewed as a guide for the free world, its quest for opportunity and freedom a focusing light for all to follow. In any case, that signal is projecting an alternate light, an admonition to the universe of the delicate idea of vote based system. With the aftereffects of the US election 2020 clear to any unprejudiced spectator, the path to a peaceful transition of power seems anything but certain. The way that President Donald Trump won't recognize the desire of American electors isn't unexpected, yet the quantity of other Republican political pioneers supporting his unmerited paranoid fears and edgy endeavors to stick to control put the eventual fate of the American examination in question. Also read| Hasty pullout of US & allied troops from Afghanistan could exact 'very high' price: NATO chief Stoltenberg After firing Defence Secretary Mark Esper, US President Donald Trump has now fired America's top cybersecurity official, Christopher Krebs. "The recent statement by Chris Krebs on the security of the 2020 Election was highly inaccurate, in that there were massive improprieties and fraud," Trump wrote in a tweet. He has also announced the pulling out of more troops from Afghanistan. The US plan is to reportedly bring back 2,500 troops from Afghanistan and 2,500 in Iraq by January 15. There are currently around 4,500 US troops in Afghanistan and 3,000 troops in Iraq. × The Taliban on Wednesday welcomed the Pentagon's announcement it would soon pull about 2,000 US troops from Afghanistan as a "good step" that will help end the country's long-running conflict. However, in the deal between the US And the Taliban, Washington agreed to withdraw all US forces from Afghanistan by May 2021, given the Taliban fulfils Washington's conditions. As of today, the Taliban has not fulfilled those conditions. Trump's lawyer Rudy Guliani was lambasted in a Pennsylvania court. The president himself was slammed by the former first lady- Michelle Obama for his refusal of moving forward with a transition of power. Also read: Michelle Obama slams Donald Trump; says democracy bigger than anybody's ego Taking a jibe at Trump for his unsubstantiated claims of victory in the US election 2020 and his refusal for vacating his seat, she said "Our democracy is so much bigger than anybody’s ego.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Michelle Obama (@michelleobama) The official progress measure has not formally begun in light of the fact that Trump has unjustifiably would not acknowledge President-elect Joe Biden's triumph. The proper progress is probably going to stay on hold until the political decision is ensured by a Trump nominee inside the General Services Administration in a cycle known as ascertainment. In an Instagram post, Obama said that it took "quality and development to set my outrage aside." In doing such, she continued to welcome Melania Trump to the White House. Obama said she addressed Trump's inquiries concerning "the elevated investigation that accompanies being a first woman to what exactly it resembles to bring kids up in the White House." As per reports, Melania Trump has yet to invite first lady-elect, Jill Biden, to the White House to proceed with the convention.

Post election political chaos in US endangering its democracy

<p>Russia's lower house of parliament on Tuesday passed in its first reading a bill that would grant former presidents immunity once they leave office.</p>

<p>The legislation, published on the lower house State Duma website, is among constitutional amendments that were approved this summer in a nationwide vote and will allow President Vladimir&nbsp;Putin&nbsp;to again run for office when his fourth term ends in 2024.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-submits-bill-to-grant-ex-presidents-immunity-from-prosecution-340857">Russia submits bill to grant ex-presidents immunity from prosecution</a></strong></p>

<p>If passed, the bill grants former presidents and their families immunity from persecution for crimes committed during their lifetime. They will also be exempt from searches, arrests or questioning.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Currently, former presidents are only immune from persecution for crimes committed while in office.</p>

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<p>The State Duma on Tuesday approved the bill in the first of three readings.&nbsp;</p>

<p>To be passed into law the bill will need approval from the upper house,&nbsp;the Federation Council,&nbsp;and&nbsp;Putin's signature.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Under the bill, a former president could be stripped of immunity if accused of treason or other grave crimes and the charges are confirmed by the Supreme and Consitutional courts.</p>

<p>Then both chambers of parliament must support the motion by a two-thirds majority.</p>

<p>Lawmaker Pavel Krasheninnikov, one of the bill's authors, told state news agency RIA Novosti that the new legislation will not apply to Mikhail Gorbachev, who was president of the Soviet Union until its dissolution in 1991.</p>

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<p>As&nbsp;Putin&nbsp;is still in office, Dmitry Medvedev -- who was head of state between 2008-2012 -- is Russia's only living former president.</p>

<p>The State Duma on Tuesday also passed in its first reading another bill that will grant ex-presidents a lifetime seat in the Federation Council, a position that also provides immunity from prosecution.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The bills have sparked rumours that&nbsp;Putin, 68, is planning to step down, but the Kremlin denied this saying he is in good health.</p>


Russia's lower house of parliament on Tuesday passed in its first reading a bill that would grant former presidents immunity once they leave office. The legislation, published on the lower house State Duma website, is among constitutional amendments that were approved this summer in a nationwide vote and will allow President Vladimir Putin to again run for office when his fourth term ends in 2024.

Russia's lower house of parliament on Tuesday passed in its first reading a bill that would grant former presidents immunity once they leave office. The legislation, published on the lower house State Duma website, is among constitutional amendments that were approved this summer in a nationwide vote and will allow President Vladimir Putin to again run for office when his fourth term ends in 2024. Also read: Russia submits bill to grant ex-presidents immunity from prosecution If passed, the bill grants former presidents and their families immunity from persecution for crimes committed during their lifetime. They will also be exempt from searches, arrests or questioning. Currently, former presidents are only immune from persecution for crimes committed while in office. The State Duma on Tuesday approved the bill in the first of three readings. To be passed into law the bill will need approval from the upper house, the Federation Council, and Putin's signature. Under the bill, a former president could be stripped of immunity if accused of treason or other grave crimes and the charges are confirmed by the Supreme and Consitutional courts. Then both chambers of parliament must support the motion by a two-thirds majority. Lawmaker Pavel Krasheninnikov, one of the bill's authors, told state news agency RIA Novosti that the new legislation will not apply to Mikhail Gorbachev, who was president of the Soviet Union until its dissolution in 1991. × As Putin is still in office, Dmitry Medvedev -- who was head of state between 2008-2012 -- is Russia's only living former president. The State Duma on Tuesday also passed in its first reading another bill that will grant ex-presidents a lifetime seat in the Federation Council, a position that also provides immunity from prosecution. The bills have sparked rumours that Putin, 68, is planning to step down, but the Kremlin denied this saying he is in good health.

Russia's lower house of parliament approves bill to give Putin lifetime immunity

<p>Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan visited war-torn neighbour Afghanistan on Thursday, where he vowed to help reduce spiralling violence and push for a ceasefire between the Taliban and Afghan forces.</p>

<p>Khan's maiden visit to Kabul comes amid surging violence across Afghanistan that has worsened despite Afghan government negotiators and the Taliban launching peace talks in the Qatari capital Doha in September.</p>

<p>"We notice with concern that the level of violence despite the talks in Qatar ... is rising," Khan told reporters outside the presidential palace after meeting with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.</p>

<p>"Pakistan will do everything, whatever is possible, we will do to help reduce this violence and in fact move towards a ceasefire."</p>

<p>Khan said it was Pakistan that first persuaded the Taliban to talk to Washington in 2018 for negotiations that eventually yielded a withdrawal deal for all foreign forces.</p>

<p>He also credited Islamabad's efforts in helping start the peace talks in Doha.</p>

<p>"We the people and government of Pakistan have only one concern, and that concern is ... that we want peace (in Afghanistan)," Khan said.</p>

<p>Diplomatic ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan have long been strained.</p>

<p>Many Afghans are furious with their eastern neighbour, which they accuse of meddling in domestic affairs, aiding the Taliban and deliberately destabilising Afghanistan.</p>

<p>Islamabad has long denied such claims, though many senior Taliban leaders live in the city of Quetta in southwest Pakistan and militants have in the past enjoyed relatively unhindered movement across the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.</p>

<p>Pakistan last week accused Afghanistan of allowing India to set up camps on Afghan soil for "training, harbouring and launching terrorists into Pakistan."</p>

<p>Both New Delhi and Kabul deny these charges.</p>

<p>Ghani, whose repeated calls for a ceasefire have been rebuffed by the Taliban, reiterated the need for an immediate truce.</p>

<p>"Violence is not an answer," Ghani said.</p>

<p>Earlier this year, the Taliban announced two short ceasefires to mark the Muslim holidays of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.</p>

<p>The Doha talks, which started September 12, have so far failed to make significant progress.</p>

<p>In the past six months, the Taliban carried out 53 suicide attacks and 1,250 explosions that left 1,210 civilians dead and 2,500 wounded, interior ministry spokesman Tariq Arian said Thursday.</p>

<p>The Afghan government has also blamed the insurgents for a pair of attacks on Kabul education centres that killed dozens of students.</p>

<p>The Taliban have denied involvement, and the attacks were claimed by the Islamic State group.</p>


Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan visited war-torn neighbour Afghanistan on Thursday, where he vowed to help reduce spiralling violence and push for a ceasefire between the Taliban and Afghan forces.

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan visited war-torn neighbour Afghanistan on Thursday, where he vowed to help reduce spiralling violence and push for a ceasefire between the Taliban and Afghan forces. Khan's maiden visit to Kabul comes amid surging violence across Afghanistan that has worsened despite Afghan government negotiators and the Taliban launching peace talks in the Qatari capital Doha in September. "We notice with concern that the level of violence despite the talks in Qatar ... is rising," Khan told reporters outside the presidential palace after meeting with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. "Pakistan will do everything, whatever is possible, we will do to help reduce this violence and in fact move towards a ceasefire." Khan said it was Pakistan that first persuaded the Taliban to talk to Washington in 2018 for negotiations that eventually yielded a withdrawal deal for all foreign forces. He also credited Islamabad's efforts in helping start the peace talks in Doha. "We the people and government of Pakistan have only one concern, and that concern is ... that we want peace (in Afghanistan)," Khan said. Diplomatic ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan have long been strained. Many Afghans are furious with their eastern neighbour, which they accuse of meddling in domestic affairs, aiding the Taliban and deliberately destabilising Afghanistan. Islamabad has long denied such claims, though many senior Taliban leaders live in the city of Quetta in southwest Pakistan and militants have in the past enjoyed relatively unhindered movement across the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Pakistan last week accused Afghanistan of allowing India to set up camps on Afghan soil for "training, harbouring and launching terrorists into Pakistan." Both New Delhi and Kabul deny these charges. Ghani, whose repeated calls for a ceasefire have been rebuffed by the Taliban, reiterated the need for an immediate truce. "Violence is not an answer," Ghani said. Earlier this year, the Taliban announced two short ceasefires to mark the Muslim holidays of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. The Doha talks, which started September 12, have so far failed to make significant progress. In the past six months, the Taliban carried out 53 suicide attacks and 1,250 explosions that left 1,210 civilians dead and 2,500 wounded, interior ministry spokesman Tariq Arian said Thursday. The Afghan government has also blamed the insurgents for a pair of attacks on Kabul education centres that killed dozens of students. The Taliban have denied involvement, and the attacks were claimed by the Islamic State group.

Pakistan's Imran Khan vows to help stem Afghan bloodshed

<p>When authorities went to arrest Matthew Piercey on Monday for what they said was his role in running a $35 million Ponzi scheme, he took off in his truck and led them to Shasta Lake, the largest man-made reservoir in California.</p>

<p>Tracked by air and trailed by FBI agents and members of the California Highway Patrol, Piercey, 44, of Palo Cedro, California, was seen removing something from his truck and entering the frigid water with it in his street clothes, authorities said. After about 25 minutes in the lake, part of which he spent submerged, a very cold and wet Piercey emerged and was arrested, the Justice Department said.</p>

<p>The agents allowed him to change into dry clothes that they had obtained from his wife before escorting him to the nearest FBI field office, in Sacramento, the department said.</p>

<p>Piercey’s red Yamaha 350Li, an underwater sea scooter, was taken as evidence, authorities said. The commercially available, battery-powered scooter has an enclosed propeller that can pull a diver underwater at just under 4 mph, much faster than humans can move with fins.</p>

<p>It was not clear how long Piercey was underwater. Neither the FBI nor the Justice Department answered questions about whether he used a snorkel or any kind of scuba gear to stay submerged.</p>

<p>The Justice Department noted in a detention memorandum, however, that Piercey “spent some time out of sight underwater where law enforcement could only see bubbles.”</p>

<p>Piercey was accused in a federal indictment of running a Ponzi scheme that bilked investors out of approximately $35 million between 2016 and earlier this year through two companies he helped run, Family Wealth Legacy and Zolla Financial.</p>

<p>Family Wealth Legacy solicited investments in securities, cryptocurrency mining and life insurance, the indictment says. Zolla Financial raised funds through transactions that “were typically styled as loans offering a fixed return, with the company’s returns purportedly generated through algorithmic trading,” according to the Justice Department.</p>

<p>“Piercey often paid off his lines of credit, credit cards, and personal and business expenses with investor funds, and his companies did not generate revenue sufficient to cover overhead and expenses while still paying investors the returns they were promised or otherwise led to expect,” the Justice Department said in the detention memorandum.</p>

<p>The Justice Department said Piercey had a pattern of paying old investors with money he raised from new investors “while making various false and misleading statements, half-truths, and omissions” to hide his “constant downward financial spiral.”</p>

<p>Piercey faces 31 felony counts, including wire fraud, mail fraud, witness tampering and money laundering. Each count carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.</p>

<p>A colleague of Piercey’s, Kenneth Winton, 67, of Oroville, California, was charged separately Monday with a single count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.</p>

<p>Messages left with David Fischer, a lawyer representing Piercey, were not immediately returned. Adam Gasner, a lawyer for Winton, said in a statement that his client “was made aware of these allegations and will immediately and voluntarily appear in court.”</p>

<p>“Mr. Winton is a family man with no prior criminal record and wishes to address the conduct alleged to have been committed by him and not be prejudiced by the actions of others charged in this case,” Gasner said.</p>

<p>Josh Kons, a lawyer who represents investors in securities fraud matters, said he was stunned by Piercey’s attempt to elude law enforcement.</p>

<p>“You never really know what people are thinking about when they get indicted or when the FBI tries to bang down their door, but certainly this one goes down in the books,” said Kons, who has consulted with people who say they lost money to Piercey. “I don’t know if we’ll ever see a more novel escape attempt by a Ponzi scheme artist again.”</p>

<p>The audacity of Piercy’s run from the law, Kons said, should not obscure the human costs of this kind of fraud.</p>

<p>“Ponzi schemes really hurt people,” he said. “It’s fairly rare that victims get more than pennies on the dollar at all, and it certainly seems that these people may suffer a complete loss.”</p>


When authorities went to arrest Matthew Piercey on Monday for what they said was his role in running a $35 million Ponzi scheme, he took off in his truck and led them to Shasta Lake, the largest man-made reservoir in California.

When authorities went to arrest Matthew Piercey on Monday for what they said was his role in running a $35 million Ponzi scheme, he took off in his truck and led them to Shasta Lake, the largest man-made reservoir in California. Tracked by air and trailed by FBI agents and members of the California Highway Patrol, Piercey, 44, of Palo Cedro, California, was seen removing something from his truck and entering the frigid water with it in his street clothes, authorities said. After about 25 minutes in the lake, part of which he spent submerged, a very cold and wet Piercey emerged and was arrested, the Justice Department said. The agents allowed him to change into dry clothes that they had obtained from his wife before escorting him to the nearest FBI field office, in Sacramento, the department said. Piercey’s red Yamaha 350Li, an underwater sea scooter, was taken as evidence, authorities said. The commercially available, battery-powered scooter has an enclosed propeller that can pull a diver underwater at just under 4 mph, much faster than humans can move with fins. It was not clear how long Piercey was underwater. Neither the FBI nor the Justice Department answered questions about whether he used a snorkel or any kind of scuba gear to stay submerged. The Justice Department noted in a detention memorandum, however, that Piercey “spent some time out of sight underwater where law enforcement could only see bubbles.” Piercey was accused in a federal indictment of running a Ponzi scheme that bilked investors out of approximately $35 million between 2016 and earlier this year through two companies he helped run, Family Wealth Legacy and Zolla Financial. Family Wealth Legacy solicited investments in securities, cryptocurrency mining and life insurance, the indictment says. Zolla Financial raised funds through transactions that “were typically styled as loans offering a fixed return, with the company’s returns purportedly generated through algorithmic trading,” according to the Justice Department. “Piercey often paid off his lines of credit, credit cards, and personal and business expenses with investor funds, and his companies did not generate revenue sufficient to cover overhead and expenses while still paying investors the returns they were promised or otherwise led to expect,” the Justice Department said in the detention memorandum. The Justice Department said Piercey had a pattern of paying old investors with money he raised from new investors “while making various false and misleading statements, half-truths, and omissions” to hide his “constant downward financial spiral.” Piercey faces 31 felony counts, including wire fraud, mail fraud, witness tampering and money laundering. Each count carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A colleague of Piercey’s, Kenneth Winton, 67, of Oroville, California, was charged separately Monday with a single count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Messages left with David Fischer, a lawyer representing Piercey, were not immediately returned. Adam Gasner, a lawyer for Winton, said in a statement that his client “was made aware of these allegations and will immediately and voluntarily appear in court.” “Mr. Winton is a family man with no prior criminal record and wishes to address the conduct alleged to have been committed by him and not be prejudiced by the actions of others charged in this case,” Gasner said. Josh Kons, a lawyer who represents investors in securities fraud matters, said he was stunned by Piercey’s attempt to elude law enforcement. “You never really know what people are thinking about when they get indicted or when the FBI tries to bang down their door, but certainly this one goes down in the books,” said Kons, who has consulted with people who say they lost money to Piercey. “I don’t know if we’ll ever see a more novel escape attempt by a Ponzi scheme artist again.” The audacity of Piercy’s run from the law, Kons said, should not obscure the human costs of this kind of fraud. “Ponzi schemes really hurt people,” he said. “It’s fairly rare that victims get more than pennies on the dollar at all, and it certainly seems that these people may suffer a complete loss.”

Ponzi scheme suspect uses underwater scooter to flee FBI

<p>High-stakes meetings between the chief negotiators in Brexit talks were suspended on Thursday after a member of the EU team tested positive for coronavirus, the EU's Michel Barnier said.</p>

<p>"One of the negotiators in my team has tested positive for COVID-19," Barnier said in a tweet, as lower-level meetings continued in Brussels.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">🇪🇺🇬🇧 update: one of the negotiators in my team has tested positive for COVID-19. With <a href="https://twitter.com/DavidGHFrost?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DavidGHFrost</a> we have decided to suspend the negotiations at our level for a short period. The teams will continue their work in full respect of guidelines.</p>
— Michel Barnier (@MichelBarnier) <a href="https://twitter.com/MichelBarnier/status/1329429958066925570?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>In coordination with UK counterpart David Frost, Barnier said, "we have decided to suspend the negotiations at our level for a short period. The teams will continue their work in full respect of guidelines."&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I am close contact with <a href="https://twitter.com/MichelBarnier?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@michelbarnier</a> about the situation. The health of our teams comes first. I would like to thank the <a href="https://twitter.com/EU_Commission?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EU_Commission</a> for their immediate help and support. <a href="https://t.co/bXPtY1EgHd">https://t.co/bXPtY1EgHd</a></p>
— David Frost (@DavidGHFrost) <a href="https://twitter.com/DavidGHFrost/status/1329431155037376519?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Officials earlier said the European Commission was holding off on updating EU contingency plans for a no-deal Brexit amid a final push in talks, with Britain to safeguard free trade from tariffs and quotas in six weeks' time.</p>

<p>Britain's standstill transition out of the European Union ends on December&nbsp;31 and the estranged allies are still trying, despite missed deadlines, to clinch a last-minute deal on a new partnership to avoid trade ruptures from 2021 and keep close ties on everything from security to energy and transport.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-to-unveil-largest-military-investment-in-three-decades-344010" hreflang="en">UK to unveil 'largest military investment' in three decades</a></strong></p>

<p>The Netherlands, France, Belgium and Spain have asked the executive Commission - which negotiates with Britain on behalf of the 27 EU states - to update emergency plans to mitigate the worst damage if no new trade deal is put in place in time.</p>

<p>"Now that we are this late in November... it's high time we ask the Commission to come out with (contingency measures) because we have to prepare, in case we cannot fix an agreement in time," said a senior EU diplomat.</p>

<p>But the Commission has so far resisted the request, saying it remains focused on getting a deal and that countries, businesses and people have had a long time to prepare for an abrupt split in ties.</p>

<p>The Commission's&nbsp;Brexit&nbsp;spokesman had no comment on Thursday. A spokesman for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he and his chief negotiator remained focused on securing a "zero-quota, zero-tariff" free trade agreement in the talks.</p>

<p><strong>Still&nbsp;no&nbsp;breakthrough</strong></p>

<p>Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen will briefly update the 27 EU national leaders on&nbsp;Brexit&nbsp;during a video call from 1700 GMT on Thursday intended to focus on the COVID-19 pandemic and the bloc's next budget and economic recovery plan.</p>

<p>Several EU leaders are expected to stress the need to prepare for the worst-case scenario, which would affect an estimated trillion dollars worth of annual bilateral trade.</p>

<p>On Friday the EU's&nbsp;Brexit&nbsp;negotiator Michel Barnier will update member states' envoys on latest developments in the talks.</p>

<p>Some EU sources interpreted the Commission's silence on no-deal preparations as a sign that it does not want to sour the atmosphere in the final phase of&nbsp;Brexit&nbsp;talks.</p>

<p>Diplomats told Reuters on Thursday there had been no breakthrough on the three persistent sticking points: divvying up fish stocks, ensuring economic fair play for companies including on state aid and agreeing ways to settle any future trade disputes.</p>

<p>"It's been going round and round in circles on the level playing field and fisheries," said an EU official involved in the negotiations. "There is no breakthrough yet, both sides are in full agreement that the other side needs to move."</p>

<p>"What is needed is a political decision from the very top in the UK. We don't know when that comes. Or if it comes at all."</p>


High-stakes meetings between the chief negotiators in Brexit talks were suspended on Thursday after a member of the EU team tested positive for coronavirus, the EU's Michel Barnier said.

High-stakes meetings between the chief negotiators in Brexit talks were suspended on Thursday after a member of the EU team tested positive for coronavirus, the EU's Michel Barnier said. "One of the negotiators in my team has tested positive for COVID-19," Barnier said in a tweet, as lower-level meetings continued in Brussels. 🇪🇺🇬🇧 update: one of the negotiators in my team has tested positive for COVID-19. With @DavidGHFrost we have decided to suspend the negotiations at our level for a short period. The teams will continue their work in full respect of guidelines. — Michel Barnier (@MichelBarnier) November 19, 2020 × In coordination with UK counterpart David Frost, Barnier said, "we have decided to suspend the negotiations at our level for a short period. The teams will continue their work in full respect of guidelines." I am close contact with @michelbarnier about the situation. The health of our teams comes first. I would like to thank the @EU_Commission for their immediate help and support. https://t.co/bXPtY1EgHd — David Frost (@DavidGHFrost) November 19, 2020 × Officials earlier said the European Commission was holding off on updating EU contingency plans for a no-deal Brexit amid a final push in talks, with Britain to safeguard free trade from tariffs and quotas in six weeks' time. Britain's standstill transition out of the European Union ends on December 31 and the estranged allies are still trying, despite missed deadlines, to clinch a last-minute deal on a new partnership to avoid trade ruptures from 2021 and keep close ties on everything from security to energy and transport. Also read: UK to unveil 'largest military investment' in three decades The Netherlands, France, Belgium and Spain have asked the executive Commission - which negotiates with Britain on behalf of the 27 EU states - to update emergency plans to mitigate the worst damage if no new trade deal is put in place in time. "Now that we are this late in November... it's high time we ask the Commission to come out with (contingency measures) because we have to prepare, in case we cannot fix an agreement in time," said a senior EU diplomat. But the Commission has so far resisted the request, saying it remains focused on getting a deal and that countries, businesses and people have had a long time to prepare for an abrupt split in ties. The Commission's Brexit spokesman had no comment on Thursday. A spokesman for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he and his chief negotiator remained focused on securing a "zero-quota, zero-tariff" free trade agreement in the talks. Still no breakthrough Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen will briefly update the 27 EU national leaders on Brexit during a video call from 1700 GMT on Thursday intended to focus on the COVID-19 pandemic and the bloc's next budget and economic recovery plan. Several EU leaders are expected to stress the need to prepare for the worst-case scenario, which would affect an estimated trillion dollars worth of annual bilateral trade. On Friday the EU's Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier will update member states' envoys on latest developments in the talks. Some EU sources interpreted the Commission's silence on no-deal preparations as a sign that it does not want to sour the atmosphere in the final phase of Brexit talks. Diplomats told Reuters on Thursday there had been no breakthrough on the three persistent sticking points: divvying up fish stocks, ensuring economic fair play for companies including on state aid and agreeing ways to settle any future trade disputes. "It's been going round and round in circles on the level playing field and fisheries," said an EU official involved in the negotiations. "There is no breakthrough yet, both sides are in full agreement that the other side needs to move." "What is needed is a political decision from the very top in the UK. We don't know when that comes. Or if it comes at all."

European Union halts Brexit talks after negotiator tests positive

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