<p>Social media company&nbsp;Twitter&nbsp;Inc on Monday flagged a tweet by US&nbsp;President Donald Trump about mail-in ballots, adding a disclaimer describing the post's content as "disputed" and potentially misleading.</p>

<p>"Big problems and discrepancies with Mail-In Ballots all over the USA. Must have a final total on November 3rd", Trump tweeted late on Monday, with the tweet giving no evidence for his assertion.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Big problems and discrepancies with Mail In Ballots all over the USA. Must have final total on November 3rd.</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1320873664296804354?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>"Some or all of the content shared in this Tweet is disputed and might be misleading about how to participate in an election or another civic process",&nbsp;Twitter's disclaimer said. The disclaimer included a link to a page highlighting how mail voting was legal and safe.</p>

<p><img alt="Trump" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="764bcdd7-6892-4f0b-ae9d-8d5fc8037ff4" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Capture_4.PNG" /></p>

<p>Many states have expanded early voting and the use of mail-in ballots ahead of the Nov. 3 election, as some Americans try to avoid crowded polls during the coronavirus pandemic.</p>

<p>Trump has repeatedly attacked mail-in voting, claiming without evidence that it will lead to widespread fraud. Democrats have argued it is a safe and reliable alternative to in-person voting.</p>

<p>Twitter&nbsp;has also previously flagged posts from Trump, including a tweet earlier this month in which Trump claimed he was immune to the coronavirus, with the social media company saying the tweet had made "misleading health claims".</p>


Social media company Twitter Inc on Monday flagged a tweet by US President Donald Trump about mail-in ballots, adding a disclaimer describing the post's content as "disputed" and potentially misleading.

Social media company Twitter Inc on Monday flagged a tweet by US President Donald Trump about mail-in ballots, adding a disclaimer describing the post's content as "disputed" and potentially misleading. "Big problems and discrepancies with Mail-In Ballots all over the USA. Must have a final total on November 3rd", Trump tweeted late on Monday, with the tweet giving no evidence for his assertion. Big problems and discrepancies with Mail In Ballots all over the USA. Must have final total on November 3rd. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 26, 2020 × "Some or all of the content shared in this Tweet is disputed and might be misleading about how to participate in an election or another civic process", Twitter's disclaimer said. The disclaimer included a link to a page highlighting how mail voting was legal and safe. Many states have expanded early voting and the use of mail-in ballots ahead of the Nov. 3 election, as some Americans try to avoid crowded polls during the coronavirus pandemic. Trump has repeatedly attacked mail-in voting, claiming without evidence that it will lead to widespread fraud. Democrats have argued it is a safe and reliable alternative to in-person voting. Twitter has also previously flagged posts from Trump, including a tweet earlier this month in which Trump claimed he was immune to the coronavirus, with the social media company saying the tweet had made "misleading health claims".

Twitter flags Trump tweet on mail-in ballots over 'disputed' content

<p>Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, on Tuesday condemned cartoons offending the Prophet Mohammad and any attempts to link Islam with terrorism.</p>

<p>A foreign ministry official also said in a statement that the Gulf state condemns all acts of terrorism, in an apparent reference to the beheading of a teacher in Paris this month by an Islamist radical avenging the use of cartoons of the Prophet in a class on freedom of expression.</p>

<p>"Freedom of expression and culture should be a beacon of respect, tolerance, and peace that rejects practices and acts which generate hatred, violence, and extremism and are contrary to coexistence," said the statement carried by state media.</p>

<p>The images of the Prophet have sparked anger in the Muslim world with Turkey's leader calling for a boycott of French goods and Pakistan's parliament passing a resolution urging the government to recall its envoy from Paris.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kuwaits-retail-co-ops-boycott-french-products-over-prophet-mohammads-cartoons-337958">Kuwait's retail co-ops boycott French products over Prophet Mohammad's cartoons</a></strong></p>

<p>Speaking after teacher Samuel Paty was beheaded for showing caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed to pupils in a lesson on free speech earlier this month, Macron vowed France would "not give up cartoons" and said Paty "was killed because Islamists want our future".</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We will not give in, ever.<br />
We respect all differences in a spirit of peace. We do not accept hate speech and defend reasonable debate. We will always be on the side of human dignity and universal values.</p>
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) <a href="https://twitter.com/EmmanuelMacron/status/1320419059016617985?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Boycotts of French goods are underway in supermarkets in Qatar and Kuwait, with further calls to spurn French products in Jordan and other states.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Kuwait started who’s next <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%D8%A5%D9%84%D8%A7_%D8%B1%D8%B3%D9%88%D9%84_%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D9%87?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#إلا_رسول_الله</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Koweit?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Koweit</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kuwait?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kuwait</a> <a href="https://t.co/0t7wEE5DRq">pic.twitter.com/0t7wEE5DRq</a></p>
— عـبداللـه العويهان (@a_alowaihan1) <a href="https://twitter.com/a_alowaihan1/status/1319837101135900672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 24, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>In Saudi Arabia, the largest economy in the Arab world, boycotting French supermarket retailer Carrefour was the second most trending hashtag on Sunday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In an October 23 circular, the non-governmental Union of Consumer Co-operative Societies, which comprises over 70 establishments, issued the boycott directive.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Several co-ops emptied the shelves of items such as hair and beauty products manufactured by French companies.</p>

<p>France's foreign ministry confirmed that several Middle Eastern nations are calling for a boycott of French products, especially related to food, and demonstrating against France over Prophet's cartoons, as reported by news agency Reuters. &nbsp;</p>

<p>"These calls for boycott are baseless and should stop immediately, as well as all attacks against our country, which are being pushed by a radical minority," the French foreign ministry said.</p>

<p>The backlash against President Emmanuel Macron's comments on Islam intensified Sunday, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan again urging him to have "mental checks" and protests in Muslim-majority nations.</p>

<p>Erdogan said that the French president had&nbsp;"lost his way",&nbsp;in his second sharp criticism of the French leader in two days over the treatment of Muslims.</p>


Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, on Tuesday condemned cartoons offending the Prophet Mohammad and any attempts to link Islam with terrorism. A foreign ministry official also said in a statement that the Gulf state condemns all acts of terrorism, in an apparent reference to the beheading of a teacher in Paris this month by an Islamist radical avenging the use of cartoons of the Prophet in a class on freedom of expression.

Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, on Tuesday condemned cartoons offending the Prophet Mohammad and any attempts to link Islam with terrorism. A foreign ministry official also said in a statement that the Gulf state condemns all acts of terrorism, in an apparent reference to the beheading of a teacher in Paris this month by an Islamist radical avenging the use of cartoons of the Prophet in a class on freedom of expression. "Freedom of expression and culture should be a beacon of respect, tolerance, and peace that rejects practices and acts which generate hatred, violence, and extremism and are contrary to coexistence," said the statement carried by state media. The images of the Prophet have sparked anger in the Muslim world with Turkey's leader calling for a boycott of French goods and Pakistan's parliament passing a resolution urging the government to recall its envoy from Paris. Also read: Kuwait's retail co-ops boycott French products over Prophet Mohammad's cartoons Speaking after teacher Samuel Paty was beheaded for showing caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed to pupils in a lesson on free speech earlier this month, Macron vowed France would "not give up cartoons" and said Paty "was killed because Islamists want our future". We will not give in, ever. We respect all differences in a spirit of peace. We do not accept hate speech and defend reasonable debate. We will always be on the side of human dignity and universal values. — Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) October 25, 2020 × Boycotts of French goods are underway in supermarkets in Qatar and Kuwait, with further calls to spurn French products in Jordan and other states. Kuwait started who’s next #إلا_رسول_الله#Koweit #kuwait pic.twitter.com/0t7wEE5DRq — عـبداللـه العويهان (@a_alowaihan1) October 24, 2020 × In Saudi Arabia, the largest economy in the Arab world, boycotting French supermarket retailer Carrefour was the second most trending hashtag on Sunday. In an October 23 circular, the non-governmental Union of Consumer Co-operative Societies, which comprises over 70 establishments, issued the boycott directive. Several co-ops emptied the shelves of items such as hair and beauty products manufactured by French companies. France's foreign ministry confirmed that several Middle Eastern nations are calling for a boycott of French products, especially related to food, and demonstrating against France over Prophet's cartoons, as reported by news agency Reuters. "These calls for boycott are baseless and should stop immediately, as well as all attacks against our country, which are being pushed by a radical minority," the French foreign ministry said. The backlash against President Emmanuel Macron's comments on Islam intensified Sunday, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan again urging him to have "mental checks" and protests in Muslim-majority nations. Erdogan said that the French president had "lost his way", in his second sharp criticism of the French leader in two days over the treatment of Muslims.

Saudi Arabia condemns cartoons offending Prophet Mohammad

<p>Saddam Hussein's right-hand man Izzat Ibrahim al-Duri, a long-time fugitive, has died, the executed Iraqi dictator's daughter and his Baath party said Monday.</p>

<p>After&nbsp;Saddam's capture following the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq, the wiry, red-haired general remained the "King of Clubs" in Washington's deck of cards of wanted regime figures with a $10-million bounty on his head.</p>

<p>"I offer condolences... to all Iraqis and all his (Duri's) admirers in the Arab world and around the world," tweeted Raghad&nbsp;Saddam&nbsp;Hussein, along with a picture of Duri and her father, who was convicted and hanged in 2006.</p>

<p>The Baath party, which ruled Iraq until&nbsp;Saddam's overthrow, issued a statement announcing the death of 78-year-old Duri, but it also gave no details on where or the cause.</p>

<p>Known as the "Iceman" for his humble origins selling blocks of ice, he has previously been reported dead or captured only to resurface in audio or video messages.</p>

<p>In 2016, an unauthenticated recording showed Duri praising Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State jihadist group.</p>

<p>Disaffected ex-Baathists reportedly played a key role in insurgencies after the invasion.</p>

<p>Duri rose to become the number two in the all-powerful Revolutionary Command Council of&nbsp;Saddam's regime.</p>


Saddam Hussein's right-hand man Izzat Ibrahim al-Duri, a long-time fugitive, has died, the executed Iraqi dictator's daughter and his Baath party said Monday. After Saddam's capture following the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq, the wiry, red-haired general remained the "King of Clubs" in Washington's deck of cards of wanted regime figures with a $10-million bounty on his head.

Saddam Hussein's right-hand man Izzat Ibrahim al-Duri, a long-time fugitive, has died, the executed Iraqi dictator's daughter and his Baath party said Monday. After Saddam's capture following the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq, the wiry, red-haired general remained the "King of Clubs" in Washington's deck of cards of wanted regime figures with a $10-million bounty on his head. "I offer condolences... to all Iraqis and all his (Duri's) admirers in the Arab world and around the world," tweeted Raghad Saddam Hussein, along with a picture of Duri and her father, who was convicted and hanged in 2006. The Baath party, which ruled Iraq until Saddam's overthrow, issued a statement announcing the death of 78-year-old Duri, but it also gave no details on where or the cause. Known as the "Iceman" for his humble origins selling blocks of ice, he has previously been reported dead or captured only to resurface in audio or video messages. In 2016, an unauthenticated recording showed Duri praising Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State jihadist group. Disaffected ex-Baathists reportedly played a key role in insurgencies after the invasion. Duri rose to become the number two in the all-powerful Revolutionary Command Council of Saddam's regime.

Saddam Hussein’s right-hand man dies after years as fugitive

<p>The number of coronavirus cases reported in India in a span of 24 hours dropped below 40,000 after over three months, while the new fatalities&nbsp;registered during the same period remained under 500,?according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday.</p>

<p>India's COVID-19 caseload mounted to 79,46,429, with 36,470 new infections being reported in a day, while the death toll due to the disease climbed to 1,19,502 with 488 new fatalities being recorded, the data updated at 8 am showed.</p>

<p>A total of 72,01,070 people have recuperated from COVID-19 so far, pushing the&nbsp;national recovery rate to 90.62 per cent while the case fatality rate stands at 1.50 per cent.</p>

<p>The number of active cases of coronavirus infection has remained below 7 lakh for five days in a row.</p>

<p>There are 6,25,857 active cases of coronavirus infection in the country as on date which comprises 7.88 per cent of the total caseload, the data stated.</p>

<p>India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7,?the 30-lakh mark on August 23 and 40 lakh cases on September 5.</p>

<p>It went past 50 lakh on September 16,??60 lakh cases on September 28, and crossed 70 lakh on October 11.</p>

<p>According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), a cumulative total of 10,44,20,894 samples have been tested up to October 24 with 9,58,116 samples being tested on Monday.</p>


The number of coronavirus cases reported in India in a span of 24 hours dropped below 40,000 after over three months, while the new fatalities registered during the same period remained under 500,?

The number of coronavirus cases reported in India in a span of 24 hours dropped below 40,000 after over three months, while the new fatalities registered during the same period remained under 500,?according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday. India's COVID-19 caseload mounted to 79,46,429, with 36,470 new infections being reported in a day, while the death toll due to the disease climbed to 1,19,502 with 488 new fatalities being recorded, the data updated at 8 am showed. A total of 72,01,070 people have recuperated from COVID-19 so far, pushing the national recovery rate to 90.62 per cent while the case fatality rate stands at 1.50 per cent. The number of active cases of coronavirus infection has remained below 7 lakh for five days in a row. There are 6,25,857 active cases of coronavirus infection in the country as on date which comprises 7.88 per cent of the total caseload, the data stated. India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7,?the 30-lakh mark on August 23 and 40 lakh cases on September 5. It went past 50 lakh on September 16,??60 lakh cases on September 28, and crossed 70 lakh on October 11. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), a cumulative total of 10,44,20,894 samples have been tested up to October 24 with 9,58,116 samples being tested on Monday.

After over 3 months, India reports less than 40,000 COVID-19 cases in single day

<p>Israeli intelligence agency Mossad has brought China's&nbsp;coronavirus vaccine for 'study', local media reported.</p>

<p>Israel&nbsp;will begin human trials for a potential COVID-19 vaccine developed by a research institute overseen by the Defence Ministry on November&nbsp;1 after receiving regulatory approval.</p>

<p>The goal of the procurement is said to be a study of the Chinese compound and further exploring vaccination options.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A senior health ministry official said ''There are several diplomatic efforts going on behind the scenes. We are trying everything we can to ensure Israeli citizens have access to a vaccine as soon as possible.''</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-to-roll-out-its-vaccine-starting-november-but-can-we-trust-it-327765">China to roll out its vaccine starting November, but can we trust it?</a></strong></p>

<p>The&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;Institute for Biological Research (IIBR) began animal trials for its "BriLife" vaccine in March. The Health Ministry and an oversight committee have now given the green light to take it to the next stage.</p>

<p>Eighty volunteers aged between 18 and 55 will be monitored for three weeks to see if virus antibodies develop, the ministry said in a statement. A second phase, expected to begin in December, will involve 960 people over the age of 18.</p>

<p>Should those succeed, a third, large-scale phase with 30,000 volunteers is scheduled for April/May. If successful, the vaccine may then be approved for mass use.</p>

<p>The vaccine, the ministry said, has already tested well on a number of animal models and the IIBR has produced more than 25,000 doses for the first and second phases of the clinical trials.</p>

<p>"Our final goal is 15 million rations for the residents of the State of&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;and for our close neighbours," said IIBR Director Shmuel Shapira.</p>

<p>There are no internationally approved vaccines yet, but several are in advanced trials, including from Pfizer Inc, Johnson &amp; Johnson, AstraZeneca Plc and Moderna.</p>

<p>Israel, with a population of 9 million, has begun easing a second nationwide coronavirus lockdown after a steady decline in the rate of daily infections. The country saw 692 new cases on Saturday - down from a peak of more than 9,000 several weeks ago. It has reported 2,372 deaths from the pandemic.</p>


Israeli intelligence agency Mossad has brought China's coronavirus vaccine for 'study', local media reported. Israel will begin human trials for a potential COVID-19 vaccine developed by a research institute overseen by the Defence Ministry on November 1 after receiving regulatory approval.

Israeli intelligence agency Mossad has brought China's coronavirus vaccine for 'study', local media reported. Israel will begin human trials for a potential COVID-19 vaccine developed by a research institute overseen by the Defence Ministry on November 1 after receiving regulatory approval. The goal of the procurement is said to be a study of the Chinese compound and further exploring vaccination options. A senior health ministry official said ''There are several diplomatic efforts going on behind the scenes. We are trying everything we can to ensure Israeli citizens have access to a vaccine as soon as possible.'' Also read: China to roll out its vaccine starting November, but can we trust it? The Israel Institute for Biological Research (IIBR) began animal trials for its "BriLife" vaccine in March. The Health Ministry and an oversight committee have now given the green light to take it to the next stage. Eighty volunteers aged between 18 and 55 will be monitored for three weeks to see if virus antibodies develop, the ministry said in a statement. A second phase, expected to begin in December, will involve 960 people over the age of 18. Should those succeed, a third, large-scale phase with 30,000 volunteers is scheduled for April/May. If successful, the vaccine may then be approved for mass use. The vaccine, the ministry said, has already tested well on a number of animal models and the IIBR has produced more than 25,000 doses for the first and second phases of the clinical trials. "Our final goal is 15 million rations for the residents of the State of Israel and for our close neighbours," said IIBR Director Shmuel Shapira. There are no internationally approved vaccines yet, but several are in advanced trials, including from Pfizer Inc, Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca Plc and Moderna. Israel, with a population of 9 million, has begun easing a second nationwide coronavirus lockdown after a steady decline in the rate of daily infections. The country saw 692 new cases on Saturday - down from a peak of more than 9,000 several weeks ago. It has reported 2,372 deaths from the pandemic.

Israeli intelligence agency Mossad acquires China's coronavirus vaccine for 'study'

<p>US President Donald Trump's iconic gold-trimmed 1989 Sikorsky S-76B&nbsp;helicopter worth $875,000&nbsp;is up for <a href="https://www.controller.com/listings/for-sale/sikorsky/turbine-helicopters/7">sale</a>.</p>

<p>The luxurious, leather-seated, gold and African mahogany-trimmed helicopter belonging to Trump that featured in&nbsp;the opening sequence of US President Donald Trump’s hit show “The Apprentice”, is being sold at $2,800,000.</p>

<p>The sale comes after reports that&nbsp;Trump’s billion-dollar campaign has lost its 'cash advantage'.</p>

<p><img alt="Trump" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f9a108fe-add8-4125-8412-f6f287b69d4a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/102511940-Trump1.jpg" /></p>

<p><strong>In picture: Inside Donald Trump's private helicopter&nbsp;Boeing 757 (</strong><strong>Source: International Jet Interiors)</strong></p>

<p>The chopper that featured in CNBC’s “Secret Lives of the Super Rich” in a section titled “Pimp My Chopper”.</p>

<p>According to the ad, the aircraft has logged roughly 6,259 hours of flight time. However, one major feature has&nbsp;been removed: the big “TRUMP” logo painted on the chopper’s tail section.</p>

<p>The Republican presidential candidate&nbsp;also used the chopper as part of his campaign, giving kids helicopter rides at the 2015 Iowa State Fair, a major venue for presidential candidates during the primary races where they are expected to make stump speeches to small crowds, press the flesh with would-be voters and do generally endearing things like downing corn dogs for a scrutinizing mainstream media.</p>

<p>The New York Times reported in April 2016,&nbsp;as Trump’s campaign for president was gaining real steam, that he owned&nbsp;two other choppers of the same make.</p>


US President Donald Trump's iconic gold-trimmed 1989 Sikorsky S-76B helicopter worth $875,000 is up for sale. The luxurious, leather-seated, gold and African mahogany-trimmed helicopter belonging to Trump that featured in the opening sequence of US President Donald Trump’s hit show “The Apprentice”, is being sold at $2,800,000.

US President Donald Trump's iconic gold-trimmed 1989 Sikorsky S-76B helicopter worth $875,000 is up for sale. The luxurious, leather-seated, gold and African mahogany-trimmed helicopter belonging to Trump that featured in the opening sequence of US President Donald Trump’s hit show “The Apprentice”, is being sold at $2,800,000. The sale comes after reports that Trump’s billion-dollar campaign has lost its 'cash advantage'. In picture: Inside Donald Trump's private helicopter Boeing 757 (Source: International Jet Interiors) The chopper that featured in CNBC’s “Secret Lives of the Super Rich” in a section titled “Pimp My Chopper”. According to the ad, the aircraft has logged roughly 6,259 hours of flight time. However, one major feature has been removed: the big “TRUMP” logo painted on the chopper’s tail section. The Republican presidential candidate also used the chopper as part of his campaign, giving kids helicopter rides at the 2015 Iowa State Fair, a major venue for presidential candidates during the primary races where they are expected to make stump speeches to small crowds, press the flesh with would-be voters and do generally endearing things like downing corn dogs for a scrutinizing mainstream media. The New York Times reported in April 2016, as Trump’s campaign for president was gaining real steam, that he owned two other choppers of the same make.

US President Donald Trump's gold-trimmed helicopter is up for sale

<p>The US&nbsp;State Department has approved the potential sale of 100 Boeing-made Harpoon Coastal Defense Systems to&nbsp;Taiwan&nbsp;in a deal that has a potential value of up to $2.37 billion, the Pentagon said on Monday.</p>

<p>The announcement came just hours after Beijing said it would sanction US firms involved in an earlier arms sales to the democratic self-ruled island.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/your-story-china-to-impose-curbs-on-us-entities-over-arms-sales-338118/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>The proposed sale of the Harpoon systems "will help improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance... and progress in the region," the State Department said in a statement.</p>

<p>The deal involves 100 Harpoon Coastal Defense Systems (HCDS), which includes 400 RGM-84L-4 Harpoon Block II surface-launched missiles with a range of around 78 miles (125 kilometers).</p>

<p>The missiles, manufactured by Boeing, can be positioned on fixed platforms or mounted on trucks.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-helps-taiwan-build-defences-against-china-us-to-sell-missiles-artillery-to-taiwan-337202/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>The office of Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen released a <a href="https://english.president.gov.tw/News/6060">statement</a> thanking the United States for the sale, saying it would "upgrade asymmetric warfare capabilities."</p>

<p>Democratic and self-ruled Taiwan lives under constant threat of invasion by authoritarian China, whose leaders view the island as part of their territory.</p>

<p>They have vowed to one day seize the territory, by force if necessary.</p>

<p title="title"><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-taiwan-china-relations-since-1949-188037">In pictures: Taiwan-China relations since 1949</a></strong></p>

<p>On Monday in Beijing, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman told reporters China will impose sanctions on Lockheed Martin, Boeing Defense, Raytheon, and other US&nbsp;companies it says are involved in Washington's arms sales to&nbsp;Taiwan.</p>

<p>Beijing has ramped up diplomatic and military pressure on Taiwan since the 2016 election of Tsai, who views the island as a de facto sovereign nation and not part of "one China."</p>

<p>Chinese fighter jets and bombers have entered Taiwan's air defense zone with unprecedented frequency in recent months, while propaganda films have shown simulated attacks on Taiwan-like territories and US bases in Guam.</p>

<p><strong>'Strategic ambiguity'</strong></p>

<p>Washington diplomatically recognizes Beijing over Taipei but it is also bound by an act of Congress to sell Taiwan weapons to defend itself.</p>

<p>In contrast to treaty allies like Japan, South Korea and the Philippines, the US has never openly committed to defending Taiwan if it was invaded -- a policy known as "strategic ambiguity."&nbsp;</p>

<p>But it maintains that any change to Taiwan's future status must not be done by force.</p>

<p>Taiwan's military is dwarfed by China's People's Liberation Army and much of its equipment, including its fleet of fighter jets, is aging.</p>

<p>Recent US administrations were wary of big-ticket arms sales to Taiwan for fear of provoking Beijing.</p>

<p>But US President Donald Trump has been much less squeamish, signing off on multiple sales worth billions in recent years, as he clashes with China on a host of issues.</p>

<p>Last Wednesday, the US said it had approved the $1 billion sale of 135&nbsp;precision-guided, air-launched AGM-84H SLAM-ER cruise missiles -- which unlike the Harpoon have a range greater than the width of the Taiwan Strait that separates the island from mainland China.</p>

<p>In response, Beijing on Monday said it would impose sanctions on Lockheed Martin, a Boeing defense division and other US firms involved in the arms sale.</p>

<p>Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian&nbsp;said the sanctions were "to safeguard national interests" and would apply to those who have "behaved badly in the process of arms sales to Taiwan."</p>

<p>"We deplore Beijing’s efforts to retaliate against the US&nbsp;and foreign companies for their sales that support&nbsp;Taiwan’s legitimate self-defense requirements,"&nbsp;US&nbsp;State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The US State Department has approved the potential sale of 100 Boeing-made Harpoon Coastal Defense Systems to Taiwan in a deal that has a potential value of up to $2.

The US State Department has approved the potential sale of 100 Boeing-made Harpoon Coastal Defense Systems to Taiwan in a deal that has a potential value of up to $2.37 billion, the Pentagon said on Monday. The announcement came just hours after Beijing said it would sanction US firms involved in an earlier arms sales to the democratic self-ruled island. The proposed sale of the Harpoon systems "will help improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance... and progress in the region," the State Department said in a statement. The deal involves 100 Harpoon Coastal Defense Systems (HCDS), which includes 400 RGM-84L-4 Harpoon Block II surface-launched missiles with a range of around 78 miles (125 kilometers). The missiles, manufactured by Boeing, can be positioned on fixed platforms or mounted on trucks. The office of Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen released a statement thanking the United States for the sale, saying it would "upgrade asymmetric warfare capabilities." Democratic and self-ruled Taiwan lives under constant threat of invasion by authoritarian China, whose leaders view the island as part of their territory. They have vowed to one day seize the territory, by force if necessary. In pictures: Taiwan-China relations since 1949 On Monday in Beijing, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman told reporters China will impose sanctions on Lockheed Martin, Boeing Defense, Raytheon, and other US companies it says are involved in Washington's arms sales to Taiwan. Beijing has ramped up diplomatic and military pressure on Taiwan since the 2016 election of Tsai, who views the island as a de facto sovereign nation and not part of "one China." Chinese fighter jets and bombers have entered Taiwan's air defense zone with unprecedented frequency in recent months, while propaganda films have shown simulated attacks on Taiwan-like territories and US bases in Guam. 'Strategic ambiguity' Washington diplomatically recognizes Beijing over Taipei but it is also bound by an act of Congress to sell Taiwan weapons to defend itself. In contrast to treaty allies like Japan, South Korea and the Philippines, the US has never openly committed to defending Taiwan if it was invaded -- a policy known as "strategic ambiguity." But it maintains that any change to Taiwan's future status must not be done by force. Taiwan's military is dwarfed by China's People's Liberation Army and much of its equipment, including its fleet of fighter jets, is aging. Recent US administrations were wary of big-ticket arms sales to Taiwan for fear of provoking Beijing. But US President Donald Trump has been much less squeamish, signing off on multiple sales worth billions in recent years, as he clashes with China on a host of issues. Last Wednesday, the US said it had approved the $1 billion sale of 135 precision-guided, air-launched AGM-84H SLAM-ER cruise missiles -- which unlike the Harpoon have a range greater than the width of the Taiwan Strait that separates the island from mainland China. In response, Beijing on Monday said it would impose sanctions on Lockheed Martin, a Boeing defense division and other US firms involved in the arms sale. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said the sanctions were "to safeguard national interests" and would apply to those who have "behaved badly in the process of arms sales to Taiwan." "We deplore Beijing’s efforts to retaliate against the US and foreign companies for their sales that support Taiwan’s legitimate self-defense requirements," US State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement.

Defying China, US announces $2.4 billion sale of coastal defense systems to Taiwan

October 27 in history: Killing of Armenia's prime minister in an open fire and more

<p>Osiris-Rex spacecraft of&nbsp;the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is set to begin on Tuesday a delicate operation&nbsp;to stow its samples collected from asteroid Bennu.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">One week ahead of schedule &amp; exceeding all expectations, our <a href="https://twitter.com/OSIRISREx?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OSIRISREx</a> spacecraft is ready to stow its samples collected from asteroid Bennu!<br />
<br />
Read more about the latest mission developments <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ToBennuAndBack?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ToBennuAndBack</a>: <a href="https://t.co/GFjKADhuaT">https://t.co/GFjKADhuaT</a> <a href="https://t.co/ciTXUD73Kj">pic.twitter.com/ciTXUD73Kj</a></p>
— NASA (@NASA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1320836379383877632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>The probe is on a mission to collect fragments that scientists hope will help unravel the origins of our solar system, but that hit a snag after it picked up too big of a sample.</p>

<p>On October 22,&nbsp;the OSIRIS-REx mission team received images that showed the spacecraft’s collector head overflowing with material collected from Bennu’s surface, well over the two-ounce (60-gram) mission requirement, and that some of these particles appeared to be slowly escaping from the collection head, called the Touch-And-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism (TAGSAM).</p>

<p>A mylar flap on the TAGSAM allows the material to easily enter the collector's head and should seal shut once the particles pass through. However, larger rocks that didn’t fully pass through the flap into the TAGSAM appear to have wedged this flap open, allowing bits of the sample to leak out.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-collected-an-asteroid-sample-but-some-of-it-is-leaking-into-space-337667" hreflang="en">NASA collected an asteroid sample. But some of it is leaking into space</a></strong></p>

<p>Because the first sample collection event was so successful, NASA’s Science Mission Directorate has given the mission team the go-ahead to expedite sample stowage, originally scheduled for November&nbsp;2, in the spacecraft’s Sample Return Capsule (SRC) to minimize further sample loss.</p>

<p>"The abundance of material we collected from Bennu made it possible to expedite our decision to stow,” said Dante Lauretta, OSIRIS-REx principal investigator at the University of Arizona, Tucson. “The team is now working around the clock to accelerate the stowage timeline so that we can protect as much of this material as possible for a return to Earth."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Tomorrow, the OSIRIS-REx mission will begin the process to stow its abundant sample of asteroid Bennu. It’s a few days earlier than originally anticipated, but the team is working hard to make sure we get every bit of Bennu we possibly can. More details: <a href="https://t.co/b7Wnoz219q">https://t.co/b7Wnoz219q</a> <a href="https://t.co/PXIlkZhnzi">pic.twitter.com/PXIlkZhnzi</a></p>
— NASA's OSIRIS-REx (@OSIRISREx) <a href="https://twitter.com/OSIRISREx/status/1320826816202825728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Fragments from the asteroid's surface area in a collector at the end of the probe's three-meter (10-foot) arm, slowly escaping into space because some rocks have prevented the compartment from closing completely.</p>

<p>That arm is what came into contact with Bennu for a few seconds last Tuesday in the culmination of a mission launched from Earth some four years ago.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The team will send the preliminary commands to the spacecraft to start the stow sequence and, once OSIRIS-REx completes each step in the sequence, the spacecraft sends telemetry and images back to the team on Earth and waits for the team’s confirmation to proceed with the next step.</p>

<p>Osiris-Rex is set to come home in September 2023, hopefully with the largest sample returned from space since the Apollo era.</p>

<p>The stowing operation will take several days, NASA said, because it requires the team's oversight and input unlike some of Osiris-Rex's other operations that run autonomously.</p>

<p>After each step in the process, the spacecraft will send information and images back to Earth so scientists can make sure everything is proceeding correctly.</p>

<p>The probe is so far away that it takes 18.5 minutes for its transmissions to reach Earth, and any signal from the control room requires the same amount of time to reach Osiris-Rex.</p>


Osiris-Rex spacecraft of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is set to begin on Tuesday a delicate operation to stow its samples collected from asteroid Bennu.

Osiris-Rex spacecraft of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is set to begin on Tuesday a delicate operation to stow its samples collected from asteroid Bennu. One week ahead of schedule & exceeding all expectations, our @OSIRISREx spacecraft is ready to stow its samples collected from asteroid Bennu! Read more about the latest mission developments #ToBennuAndBack: https://t.co/GFjKADhuaT pic.twitter.com/ciTXUD73Kj — NASA (@NASA) October 26, 2020 × The probe is on a mission to collect fragments that scientists hope will help unravel the origins of our solar system, but that hit a snag after it picked up too big of a sample. On October 22, the OSIRIS-REx mission team received images that showed the spacecraft’s collector head overflowing with material collected from Bennu’s surface, well over the two-ounce (60-gram) mission requirement, and that some of these particles appeared to be slowly escaping from the collection head, called the Touch-And-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism (TAGSAM). A mylar flap on the TAGSAM allows the material to easily enter the collector's head and should seal shut once the particles pass through. However, larger rocks that didn’t fully pass through the flap into the TAGSAM appear to have wedged this flap open, allowing bits of the sample to leak out. Also read: NASA collected an asteroid sample. But some of it is leaking into space Because the first sample collection event was so successful, NASA’s Science Mission Directorate has given the mission team the go-ahead to expedite sample stowage, originally scheduled for November 2, in the spacecraft’s Sample Return Capsule (SRC) to minimize further sample loss. "The abundance of material we collected from Bennu made it possible to expedite our decision to stow,” said Dante Lauretta, OSIRIS-REx principal investigator at the University of Arizona, Tucson. “The team is now working around the clock to accelerate the stowage timeline so that we can protect as much of this material as possible for a return to Earth." Tomorrow, the OSIRIS-REx mission will begin the process to stow its abundant sample of asteroid Bennu. It’s a few days earlier than originally anticipated, but the team is working hard to make sure we get every bit of Bennu we possibly can. More details: https://t.co/b7Wnoz219q pic.twitter.com/PXIlkZhnzi — NASA's OSIRIS-REx (@OSIRISREx) October 26, 2020 × Fragments from the asteroid's surface area in a collector at the end of the probe's three-meter (10-foot) arm, slowly escaping into space because some rocks have prevented the compartment from closing completely. That arm is what came into contact with Bennu for a few seconds last Tuesday in the culmination of a mission launched from Earth some four years ago. The team will send the preliminary commands to the spacecraft to start the stow sequence and, once OSIRIS-REx completes each step in the sequence, the spacecraft sends telemetry and images back to the team on Earth and waits for the team’s confirmation to proceed with the next step. Osiris-Rex is set to come home in September 2023, hopefully with the largest sample returned from space since the Apollo era. The stowing operation will take several days, NASA said, because it requires the team's oversight and input unlike some of Osiris-Rex's other operations that run autonomously. After each step in the process, the spacecraft will send information and images back to Earth so scientists can make sure everything is proceeding correctly. The probe is so far away that it takes 18.5 minutes for its transmissions to reach Earth, and any signal from the control room requires the same amount of time to reach Osiris-Rex.

NASA's Osiris-Rex ready to stow its samples collected from asteroid Bennu

<p>The backlash against President Emmanuel Macron's comments on Islam intensified Sunday, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan again urging him to have "mental checks" and protests in Muslim-majority nations.</p>

<p>Erdogan said that the French president had&nbsp;"lost his way",&nbsp;in his second sharp criticism of the French leader in two days over the treatment of Muslims.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-erdogan-imran-khan-unite-against-macron-338158/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>As a result of the&nbsp;rebuke, France&nbsp;recalled its&nbsp;ambassador from Ankara and&nbsp;said the move was aimed at fanning hate at home and abroad.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-imran-khan-accuses-french-president-emmanuel-macron-of-attacking-islam-337836" hreflang="en">Pakistan's Imran Khan accuses French President Macron of 'attacking Islam'</a></strong></p>

<p>Earlier,&nbsp;Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan has accused Macron&nbsp;of "attacking Islam" after the French leader defended the publication of the controversial&nbsp;cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed.</p>

<p>The French foreign ministry meanwhile called on authorities in affected countries to ensure the security of French citizens.</p>

<p>French authorities denounced Turkish&nbsp;propaganda and&nbsp;described some social media calls for protests as "heinous", lamenting manipulations "by a radical minority" and dubbing nascent boycotts of French goods "groundless".</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/french-police-raid-islamist-groups-after-teachers-beheading-336438">French police raid Islamist groups after teacher's beheading</a></strong></p>

<p>Speaking after teacher Samuel Paty was beheaded for showing caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed to pupils in a lesson on free speech earlier this month, Macron vowed France would "not give up cartoons" and said Paty "was killed because Islamists want our future".</p>

<p>But Erdogan on Saturday urged Macron to have "mental checks" for treating "millions of members from different faith groups this way",&nbsp;comments which prompted Paris to recall its envoy to Ankara.</p>

<p>The Turkish leader doubled down on Sunday, again contending that Macron "really needs to have checks" and this time also accusing him of being "obsessed with Erdogan day and night".&nbsp;</p>

<p>Macron later took to Twitter to say, "We will not give in, ever," insisting that his country respects "all differences in a spirit of peace."</p>

<p>"We do not accept hate speech and... will always be on the side of human dignity and universal values," he added.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We will not give in, ever.<br />
We respect all differences in a spirit of peace. We do not accept hate speech and defend reasonable debate. We will always be on the side of human dignity and universal values.</p>
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) <a href="https://twitter.com/EmmanuelMacron/status/1320419059016617985?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Relations between Macron and Erdogan have become increasingly strained over geopolitical issues ranging from a Greek-Turkish maritime dispute to the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The European Union's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, called the comments Erdogan made on Saturday "unacceptable" and urged Turkey "to cease this dangerous spiral of confrontation."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Anger at Macron has spilled over into the streets in several Muslim-majority countries.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Boycotts of French goods were underway in some nations, including by supermarkets in Qatar and Kuwait, with calls to spurn French products in several other states.</p>


The backlash against President Emmanuel Macron's comments on Islam intensified Sunday, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan again urging him to have "mental checks" and protests in Muslim-majority nations.

The backlash against President Emmanuel Macron's comments on Islam intensified Sunday, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan again urging him to have "mental checks" and protests in Muslim-majority nations. Erdogan said that the French president had "lost his way", in his second sharp criticism of the French leader in two days over the treatment of Muslims. As a result of the rebuke, France recalled its ambassador from Ankara and said the move was aimed at fanning hate at home and abroad. Also read: Pakistan's Imran Khan accuses French President Macron of 'attacking Islam' Earlier, Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan has accused Macron of "attacking Islam" after the French leader defended the publication of the controversial cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed. The French foreign ministry meanwhile called on authorities in affected countries to ensure the security of French citizens. French authorities denounced Turkish propaganda and described some social media calls for protests as "heinous", lamenting manipulations "by a radical minority" and dubbing nascent boycotts of French goods "groundless". Also read: French police raid Islamist groups after teacher's beheading Speaking after teacher Samuel Paty was beheaded for showing caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed to pupils in a lesson on free speech earlier this month, Macron vowed France would "not give up cartoons" and said Paty "was killed because Islamists want our future". But Erdogan on Saturday urged Macron to have "mental checks" for treating "millions of members from different faith groups this way", comments which prompted Paris to recall its envoy to Ankara. The Turkish leader doubled down on Sunday, again contending that Macron "really needs to have checks" and this time also accusing him of being "obsessed with Erdogan day and night". Macron later took to Twitter to say, "We will not give in, ever," insisting that his country respects "all differences in a spirit of peace." "We do not accept hate speech and... will always be on the side of human dignity and universal values," he added. We will not give in, ever. We respect all differences in a spirit of peace. We do not accept hate speech and defend reasonable debate. We will always be on the side of human dignity and universal values. — Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) October 25, 2020 × Relations between Macron and Erdogan have become increasingly strained over geopolitical issues ranging from a Greek-Turkish maritime dispute to the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The European Union's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, called the comments Erdogan made on Saturday "unacceptable" and urged Turkey "to cease this dangerous spiral of confrontation." Anger at Macron has spilled over into the streets in several Muslim-majority countries. Boycotts of French goods were underway in some nations, including by supermarkets in Qatar and Kuwait, with calls to spurn French products in several other states.

After Imran Khan, Recep Erdogan doubles down in backlash against Macron's Islam comments

<p>A new picture of the first lady of the United States&nbsp;Melania Trump has sparked a&nbsp;&nbsp;bizarre social media conspiracy of&nbsp;'body double'.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-why-fake-melania-was-trending-on-social-media-338157/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>The “<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23FakeMelania&amp;src=typeahead_click">FakeMelania</a>” hashtag has been around since at least 2017, Trump’s first year in office, with Twitter searches producing numerous photos of the first lady and unfounded commentary that the woman in the images is not Melania Trump.</p>

<p><strong>Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/us-election-2020-flotus-melania-trump-and-her-recent-controversies-337452">US Election 2020: FLOTUS Melania Trump and her recent controversies</a></strong></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Yeah ok, but um, why the Melania double?<br />
Paging <a href="https://twitter.com/SWWCreative?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SWWCreative</a> ... <a href="https://t.co/nqbA0LOWaH">https://t.co/nqbA0LOWaH</a> <a href="https://t.co/2dadMjXxEV">pic.twitter.com/2dadMjXxEV</a></p>
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) <a href="https://twitter.com/kathygriffin/status/1320188037465210882?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The only thing I'll miss from this administration is them swapping in new Melanias and just pretending we won't notice like a 4-year-old with a guppy <a href="https://t.co/8J0A4E9z5H">pic.twitter.com/8J0A4E9z5H</a></p>
— Zack Bornstein (@ZackBornstein) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZackBornstein/status/1320163251536105472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">OMG...THAT'S. NOT. MELANIA.<br />
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 <a href="https://t.co/1KDat3xYJa">https://t.co/1KDat3xYJa</a></p>
— BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@mmpadellan) <a href="https://twitter.com/mmpadellan/status/1320180676889628672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Trump's spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham, said&nbsp;"Once again we find ourselves consumed with a ridiculous non-story when we could be talking about the work the first lady is doing on behalf of children, including the opioid crisis that is gripping our nation."</p>

<p><strong>Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/not-just-putin-meet-political-leaders-who-had-body-doubles-283386" hreflang="en">Not just Putin, meet political leaders who had body doubles</a></strong></p>

<p>After ''settling that the woman with Trump was not Melania, Twitter users even discussed who could be it be.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Is that Dick Sargent? <a href="https://t.co/dMufMh34QQ">pic.twitter.com/dMufMh34QQ</a></p>
— Randy Rainbow (@RandyRainbow) <a href="https://twitter.com/RandyRainbow/status/1320188831015067650?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Plot twist: It's actually Sacha Baron Cohen dressed as Melania. <a href="https://t.co/v7AMTtggwq">pic.twitter.com/v7AMTtggwq</a></p>
— Nick Jack Pappas (@Pappiness) <a href="https://twitter.com/Pappiness/status/1320190951323627521?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/sacha-baron-cohen-responds-to-donald-trump-unfunny-creep-comment-i-dont-find-you-funny-either-337808" hreflang="en">Sacha Baron Cohen responds to Donald Trump 'unfunny creep' comment: I don't find you funny either</a></strong></p>

<p>The&nbsp;conspiracy theory that FLOTUS has a body double has emerged so many times that even Donald Trump tweeted about it last year.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Fake News photoshopped pictures of Melania, then propelled conspiracy theories that it’s actually not her by my side in Alabama and other places. They are only getting more deranged with time!</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1105827007991025666?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


A new picture of the first lady of the United States Melania Trump has sparked a bizarre social media conspiracy of 'body double'. The “FakeMelania” hashtag has been around since at least 2017, Trump’s first year in office, with Twitter searches producing numerous photos of the first lady and unfounded commentary that the woman in the images is not Melania Trump.

A new picture of the first lady of the United States Melania Trump has sparked a bizarre social media conspiracy of 'body double'. The “FakeMelania” hashtag has been around since at least 2017, Trump’s first year in office, with Twitter searches producing numerous photos of the first lady and unfounded commentary that the woman in the images is not Melania Trump. Also see: US Election 2020: FLOTUS Melania Trump and her recent controversies Yeah ok, but um, why the Melania double? Paging @SWWCreative ... https://t.co/nqbA0LOWaH pic.twitter.com/2dadMjXxEV — Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) October 25, 2020 × The only thing I'll miss from this administration is them swapping in new Melanias and just pretending we won't notice like a 4-year-old with a guppy pic.twitter.com/8J0A4E9z5H — Zack Bornstein (@ZackBornstein) October 25, 2020 × OMG...THAT'S. NOT. MELANIA. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/1KDat3xYJa — BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@mmpadellan) October 25, 2020 × Trump's spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham, said "Once again we find ourselves consumed with a ridiculous non-story when we could be talking about the work the first lady is doing on behalf of children, including the opioid crisis that is gripping our nation." Also see: Not just Putin, meet political leaders who had body doubles After ''settling that the woman with Trump was not Melania, Twitter users even discussed who could be it be. Is that Dick Sargent? pic.twitter.com/dMufMh34QQ — Randy Rainbow (@RandyRainbow) October 25, 2020 × Plot twist: It's actually Sacha Baron Cohen dressed as Melania. pic.twitter.com/v7AMTtggwq — Nick Jack Pappas (@Pappiness) October 25, 2020 × Also read: Sacha Baron Cohen responds to Donald Trump 'unfunny creep' comment: I don't find you funny either The conspiracy theory that FLOTUS has a body double has emerged so many times that even Donald Trump tweeted about it last year. The Fake News photoshopped pictures of Melania, then propelled conspiracy theories that it’s actually not her by my side in Alabama and other places. They are only getting more deranged with time! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 13, 2019 ×

Melania Trump 'body double' photo sparks bizarre social media conspiracy

<p>Instagram will update its policy on nudity&nbsp;following a campaign by a Black British plus-sized model in order to help end discrimination and ensure all body types are treated fairly.</p>

<p>Instagram and its parent company Facebook made the announcement in an exclusive interview with 'The Observer' after&nbsp;Nyome Nicholas-Williams accused them of removing her images showing her covering her breasts with her arms betrayed "racial biases" in its algorithm.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>As campaigning victories go, forcing Mark Zuckerberg’s social media empire to admit a discriminatory flaw in its policy is no small feat.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/facebooks-zuckerberg-twitters-dorsey-to-testify-before-us-senate-panel-after-us-election-337677" hreflang="en">Facebook's Zuckerberg, Twitter's Dorsey to testify before US Senate panel after US election</a></strong></p>

<p>The companies&nbsp;said it would now allow pictures of women holding, cupping, or wrapping their arms around their breasts, adjusting previous guidelines that led to the removal of some such images on the grounds they were pornographic.</p>

<p>"It may take some time to ensure we're correctly enforcing these new updates, but we're committed to getting this right," an Instagram spokeswoman said, acknowledging that it had incorrectly removed pictures of Nyome Nicholas-Williams.</p>

<p>"Hearing her feedback helped us understand where this policy was falling short, and how we could refine it," the spokeswoman said in an emailed statement.</p>

<p>Nicholas-Williams welcomed the company's decision and said she would continue to monitor the platform to make sure the new guidelines were implemented.</p>

<p>"Overall I'm very glad about the policy change and what this could mean for Black plus-size bodies," she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.</p>

<p>Instagram, which is owned by Facebook, apologised last month to Nicholas-Williams and said it would update its policy, amid global concern over racism in technology following the global Black Lives Matter protests this year.</p>

<p>Instagram has not responded directly to charges of racial bias, but said: "Separate to this policy change, earlier this year we committed to broader equity work to help ensure we better support the Black community on our platform."</p>

<p>The platform said the prior ban on breast-squeezing images had been incorrectly applied when Nicholas-William's photos were first taken down in July, and that the policy overhaul aimed to ensure all body types were "treated fairly".</p>

<p>Gina Martin, a feminist activist who worked with photographer Alexandra Cameron and Nicholas-Williams on their #IWantToSeeNyome campaign, said they had met Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri and been consulted on the new policy.</p>

<p>"It's rare that communities that are marginalised and misrepresented on Instagram get to have this kind of literally direct and one-on-one consultation with the CEO... it's rare that you're this involved in a policy change."</p>

<p>"It's a really nice example of what happens when women get together," said Martin, who successfully campaigned for "upskirting" - covertly taking intimate photos of someone without their consent - to be criminalised in Britain.</p>


Instagram will update its policy on nudity following a campaign by a Black British plus-sized model in order to help end discrimination and ensure all body types are treated fairly.

Instagram will update its policy on nudity following a campaign by a Black British plus-sized model in order to help end discrimination and ensure all body types are treated fairly. Instagram and its parent company Facebook made the announcement in an exclusive interview with 'The Observer' after Nyome Nicholas-Williams accused them of removing her images showing her covering her breasts with her arms betrayed "racial biases" in its algorithm. As campaigning victories go, forcing Mark Zuckerberg’s social media empire to admit a discriminatory flaw in its policy is no small feat. Also read: Facebook's Zuckerberg, Twitter's Dorsey to testify before US Senate panel after US election The companies said it would now allow pictures of women holding, cupping, or wrapping their arms around their breasts, adjusting previous guidelines that led to the removal of some such images on the grounds they were pornographic. "It may take some time to ensure we're correctly enforcing these new updates, but we're committed to getting this right," an Instagram spokeswoman said, acknowledging that it had incorrectly removed pictures of Nyome Nicholas-Williams. "Hearing her feedback helped us understand where this policy was falling short, and how we could refine it," the spokeswoman said in an emailed statement. Nicholas-Williams welcomed the company's decision and said she would continue to monitor the platform to make sure the new guidelines were implemented. "Overall I'm very glad about the policy change and what this could mean for Black plus-size bodies," she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Instagram, which is owned by Facebook, apologised last month to Nicholas-Williams and said it would update its policy, amid global concern over racism in technology following the global Black Lives Matter protests this year. Instagram has not responded directly to charges of racial bias, but said: "Separate to this policy change, earlier this year we committed to broader equity work to help ensure we better support the Black community on our platform." The platform said the prior ban on breast-squeezing images had been incorrectly applied when Nicholas-William's photos were first taken down in July, and that the policy overhaul aimed to ensure all body types were "treated fairly". Gina Martin, a feminist activist who worked with photographer Alexandra Cameron and Nicholas-Williams on their #IWantToSeeNyome campaign, said they had met Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri and been consulted on the new policy. "It's rare that communities that are marginalised and misrepresented on Instagram get to have this kind of literally direct and one-on-one consultation with the CEO... it's rare that you're this involved in a policy change." "It's a really nice example of what happens when women get together," said Martin, who successfully campaigned for "upskirting" - covertly taking intimate photos of someone without their consent - to be criminalised in Britain.

Campaign by plus-size model forces Instagram to alter nudity policy

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