<p>Former Taiwan President&nbsp;Lee&nbsp;Teng-hui, dubbed "Mr. Democracy" for ending autocratic rule in favour of free elections, was cremated in a private ceremony on Friday, after his remains were taken on a symbolic last trip around Taipei.</p>

<p>Doctors wearing yellow memorial ribbons gathered at a hospital in northern Taipei as the body of&nbsp;Lee, a committed Christian who died last month at 97, was driven downtown, past the presidential office and on to the Chi-Nan Presbyterian Church.</p>

<p><img alt="A hearse with former Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui's casket makes its way to a private cremation in Taipei, Taiwan" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a43a837c-7f98-4a81-8314-8f953b203ca8" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Oil%20spill%20%284%29.jpg" /></p>

<p><em><strong>A hearse with former Taiwan President&nbsp;Lee&nbsp;Teng-hui's casket makes its way to a private cremation in Taipei, Taiwan</strong></em></p>

<p>Senior government officials, including top security official Wellington Koo, stood outside the presidential office in tribute to&nbsp;Lee&nbsp;as the hearse passed by.</p>

<p>"Thank you, former President&nbsp;Lee," President Tsai Ing-wen wrote on her Facebook page. "We will continue to protect democratic Taiwan."</p>

<p>Family and friends attended a service at the church before the cremation. A formal state funeral is still being organised, however, and a final resting place has yet to be announced.</p>

<p>Lee, who was president from 1988 to 2000, championed Taiwan's separate identity from China, which claims the island as its own territory, angering Beijing.</p>

<p>At a memorial hall near the presidential office, people have been leaving messages of condolence for&nbsp;Lee, though not everyone remembered him fondly.</p>

<p>Police had detained one person for throwing red paint at a picture of&nbsp;Lee&nbsp;at the hall, the presidential office said on Friday.</p>

<p>A message was also left by US&nbsp;Health Secretary Alex Azar, who visited Taipei this week.</p>

<p>"President&nbsp;Lee's democratic legacy will forever propel the US-Taiwan relationship forward," Azar, the highest US&nbsp;official to visit in four decades, wrote on Wednesday before concluding his trip.</p>


Former Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui, dubbed "Mr. Democracy" for ending autocratic rule in favour of free elections, was cremated in a private ceremony on Friday, after his remains were taken on a symbolic last trip around Taipei.

Former Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui, dubbed "Mr. Democracy" for ending autocratic rule in favour of free elections, was cremated in a private ceremony on Friday, after his remains were taken on a symbolic last trip around Taipei. Doctors wearing yellow memorial ribbons gathered at a hospital in northern Taipei as the body of Lee, a committed Christian who died last month at 97, was driven downtown, past the presidential office and on to the Chi-Nan Presbyterian Church. A hearse with former Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui's casket makes its way to a private cremation in Taipei, Taiwan Senior government officials, including top security official Wellington Koo, stood outside the presidential office in tribute to Lee as the hearse passed by. "Thank you, former President Lee," President Tsai Ing-wen wrote on her Facebook page. "We will continue to protect democratic Taiwan." Family and friends attended a service at the church before the cremation. A formal state funeral is still being organised, however, and a final resting place has yet to be announced. Lee, who was president from 1988 to 2000, championed Taiwan's separate identity from China, which claims the island as its own territory, angering Beijing. At a memorial hall near the presidential office, people have been leaving messages of condolence for Lee, though not everyone remembered him fondly. Police had detained one person for throwing red paint at a picture of Lee at the hall, the presidential office said on Friday. A message was also left by US Health Secretary Alex Azar, who visited Taipei this week. "President Lee's democratic legacy will forever propel the US-Taiwan relationship forward," Azar, the highest US official to visit in four decades, wrote on Wednesday before concluding his trip.

Former Taiwanese president Lee Teng-hui cremated after symbolic final tour

<p>Fielding Indian-origin Kamala Harris for the post of the vice president of&nbsp;the United States amid the Black Lives Matter movement can be considered a masterstroke by the Democrats.</p>

<p>Democrats&nbsp;already enjoy the votes of people of colour and black people. But by the nomination of Harris, they can pick up on&nbsp;swing votes as well because she is likely to be their candidate of choice.</p>

<p>Two body camera videos are going viral in the US: one of an&nbsp;8-year-old boy with disabilities who was arrested at school and the other of George Floyd. They have one thing in common. They were both a victim of police brutality.</p>

<p>The former was arrested in 2018 by&nbsp;Florida's Key West police&nbsp;on a felony battery charge,&nbsp;only to realise the boy's wrists were too small for the handcuffs.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-bodycam-footage-shows-8-year-old-boy-with-disabilities-arrested-at-school-319975" hreflang="en">US: Bodycam footage shows 8-year-old boy with disabilities arrested at school</a></strong></p>

<p>The video has resurfaced after a part of body-camera footage was&nbsp;released on Monday by civil rights attorney Ben Crump,&nbsp;who is representing the boy's mother,&nbsp;Bianca N. Digennaro.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Unbelievable!! <a href="https://twitter.com/KWPOLICE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KWPOLICE</a> used “scared straight” tactics on 8yo boy with special needs. He's 3.5 ft tall and 64 lbs, but they thought it was appropriate to handcuff and transport him to an adult prison for processing!! He was so small the cuffs fell off his wrists! <a href="https://t.co/iSTlXdKas6">pic.twitter.com/iSTlXdKas6</a></p>
— Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/AttorneyCrump/status/1292671725214347264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>She has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit over the incident. She believes her son was arrested and almost handcuffed after experiencing a mental health crisis at school. He has been diagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder, depression, anxiety, and ADHD.</p>

<p>In the clip, police officers&nbsp;instruct him to stand up and place his hands on a metal cabinet in the hallway of his elementary school for a pat-down. Quivering with tears, the boy puts his hands behind his back, but his wrists are so slight that the handcuffs keep slipping off.</p>

<p>The two-minute clip had racked up more than 2 million views as of early Tuesday.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/minneapolis-police-bodycam-videos-show-struggle-before-floyd-death-319852" hreflang="en">Minneapolis police bodycam videos show struggle before Floyd death</a></strong></p>

<p>Similary,&nbsp;Minneapolis police body-camera videos of George Floyd's fatal arrest showed him begging for an officer to remove a knee from his neck in the moments before his death.</p>

<p>The videos, roughly an hour in length, came from the body cameras of former officers Thomas Lane and J. Alexander Kueng, who were the first to respond to a store where Floyd was accused of passing a fake $20 bill.</p>

<p>Floyd's death had sparked outrage all across the United States and led to multiple protests and clash between the protesters and the police. It also led to the beginning of the Black Lives Matter Movement to ensure that he gets justice.</p>

<p>Racism is deep rooted in the country and has its roots lie in the slavery under which black people were subjected to atrocities and exploitation. However, Floyd's death made it a prominent subject of conversation on the dinner table.</p>


Fielding Indian-origin Kamala Harris for the post of the vice president of the United States amid the Black Lives Matter movement can be considered a masterstroke by the Democrats.

Fielding Indian-origin Kamala Harris for the post of the vice president of the United States amid the Black Lives Matter movement can be considered a masterstroke by the Democrats. Democrats already enjoy the votes of people of colour and black people. But by the nomination of Harris, they can pick up on swing votes as well because she is likely to be their candidate of choice. Two body camera videos are going viral in the US: one of an 8-year-old boy with disabilities who was arrested at school and the other of George Floyd. They have one thing in common. They were both a victim of police brutality. The former was arrested in 2018 by Florida's Key West police on a felony battery charge, only to realise the boy's wrists were too small for the handcuffs. Also read: US: Bodycam footage shows 8-year-old boy with disabilities arrested at school The video has resurfaced after a part of body-camera footage was released on Monday by civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is representing the boy's mother, Bianca N. Digennaro. Unbelievable!! @KWPOLICE used “scared straight” tactics on 8yo boy with special needs. He's 3.5 ft tall and 64 lbs, but they thought it was appropriate to handcuff and transport him to an adult prison for processing!! He was so small the cuffs fell off his wrists! pic.twitter.com/iSTlXdKas6 — Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) August 10, 2020 × She has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit over the incident. She believes her son was arrested and almost handcuffed after experiencing a mental health crisis at school. He has been diagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder, depression, anxiety, and ADHD. In the clip, police officers instruct him to stand up and place his hands on a metal cabinet in the hallway of his elementary school for a pat-down. Quivering with tears, the boy puts his hands behind his back, but his wrists are so slight that the handcuffs keep slipping off. The two-minute clip had racked up more than 2 million views as of early Tuesday. Also read: Minneapolis police bodycam videos show struggle before Floyd death Similary, Minneapolis police body-camera videos of George Floyd's fatal arrest showed him begging for an officer to remove a knee from his neck in the moments before his death. The videos, roughly an hour in length, came from the body cameras of former officers Thomas Lane and J. Alexander Kueng, who were the first to respond to a store where Floyd was accused of passing a fake $20 bill. Floyd's death had sparked outrage all across the United States and led to multiple protests and clash between the protesters and the police. It also led to the beginning of the Black Lives Matter Movement to ensure that he gets justice. Racism is deep rooted in the country and has its roots lie in the slavery under which black people were subjected to atrocities and exploitation. However, Floyd's death made it a prominent subject of conversation on the dinner table.

How fielding Harris is a Democratic masterstroke amid Black Lives Matter Movement

August 13 in history: First woman to join US Marine Corps, Michael Phelps makes world record and more

<p>US&nbsp;Secretary of State Mike&nbsp;Pompeo&nbsp;on Wednesday said he warned his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov that there would be "an enormous price to pay" if Moscow is offering bounties to kill US&nbsp;soldiers or other Western troops in Afghanistan.</p>

<p>Pompeo’s warning is the first known rebuke from a senior American official to Russia over the bounties program, and it runs counter to President Trump’s insistence that the intelligence from US&nbsp;government agencies over the matter is a “hoax.”</p>

<p>The New York Times in June reported that a Russian military intelligence unit secretly offered bounties to Taliban-linked militants for killing coalition forces in Afghanistan, including American troops, citing US&nbsp;intelligence officials.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pompeo-warns-russia-against-bounties-on-us-soldiers-320174/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>President Donald Trump said he was not told about the information because many US&nbsp;intelligence officials doubted its veracity, although several US&nbsp;and European sources contradicted his comments.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Zakharova?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Zakharova</a> 💬In a 📞telephone conversation with <a href="https://twitter.com/SecPompeo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecPompeo</a>, Russian FM Sergey Lavrov referred to allegations of “collusion between <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Russian?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Russian</a> special services and the Taliban” as malicious speculation, and asked <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Washington?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Washington</a> for evidence, but nothing was provided. <a href="https://t.co/cHTaEr7sDX">pic.twitter.com/cHTaEr7sDX</a></p>
— MFA Russia 🇷🇺 (@mfa_russia) <a href="https://twitter.com/mfa_russia/status/1293910144376430592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 13, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>In an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty,&nbsp;Pompeo&nbsp;declined to say whether he believed the intelligence was credible or if he thought Trump should have been briefed, but said Washington would not put up with such behavior.</p>

<p><strong>Also read-<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-not-briefed-because-russia-bounty-reports-uncorroborated-white-house-309949">Trump not briefed because Russia bounty reports uncorroborated: White House</a></strong></p>

<p>"If the Russians are offering money to kill Americans, or for that matter other Westerns as well, there will be an enormous price to pay. That's what I shared with foreign minister Lavrov,"&nbsp;Pompeo&nbsp;said in the interview, conducted during his official visit to the Czech Republic.</p>

<p>"I know our military has talked to their senior leaders as well. We won't brook that, we won't tolerate,"&nbsp;Pompeo&nbsp;said.</p>

<p>Last month, US and European sources familiar with intelligence reporting said that the United States had acquired fresh reporting backing up the allegations that Russia had encouraged Taliban-affiliated militants to kill US and allied soldiers in Afghanistan.</p>

<p>The intelligence reporting comes as the United States has been engaged in negotiating with the Taliban as well as the Afghan government to get a stalled peace agreement, struck in February for the withdrawal of U.S. troops, moving.</p>


US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday said he warned his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov that there would be "an enormous price to pay" if Moscow is offering bounties to kill US soldiers or other Western troops in Afghanistan.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday said he warned his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov that there would be "an enormous price to pay" if Moscow is offering bounties to kill US soldiers or other Western troops in Afghanistan. Pompeo’s warning is the first known rebuke from a senior American official to Russia over the bounties program, and it runs counter to President Trump’s insistence that the intelligence from US government agencies over the matter is a “hoax.” The New York Times in June reported that a Russian military intelligence unit secretly offered bounties to Taliban-linked militants for killing coalition forces in Afghanistan, including American troops, citing US intelligence officials. President Donald Trump said he was not told about the information because many US intelligence officials doubted its veracity, although several US and European sources contradicted his comments. #Zakharova 💬In a 📞telephone conversation with @SecPompeo, Russian FM Sergey Lavrov referred to allegations of “collusion between #Russian special services and the Taliban” as malicious speculation, and asked #Washington for evidence, but nothing was provided. pic.twitter.com/cHTaEr7sDX — MFA Russia 🇷🇺 (@mfa_russia) August 13, 2020 × In an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Pompeo declined to say whether he believed the intelligence was credible or if he thought Trump should have been briefed, but said Washington would not put up with such behavior. Also read-Trump not briefed because Russia bounty reports uncorroborated: White House "If the Russians are offering money to kill Americans, or for that matter other Westerns as well, there will be an enormous price to pay. That's what I shared with foreign minister Lavrov," Pompeo said in the interview, conducted during his official visit to the Czech Republic. "I know our military has talked to their senior leaders as well. We won't brook that, we won't tolerate," Pompeo said. Last month, US and European sources familiar with intelligence reporting said that the United States had acquired fresh reporting backing up the allegations that Russia had encouraged Taliban-affiliated militants to kill US and allied soldiers in Afghanistan. The intelligence reporting comes as the United States has been engaged in negotiating with the Taliban as well as the Afghan government to get a stalled peace agreement, struck in February for the withdrawal of U.S. troops, moving.

If Russians offer money to kill Americans, there will be enormous price to pay: Pompeo

<p>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday&nbsp;praised the historic peace deal between his country and United Arab Emirates by calling it&nbsp;start of a ''new era''.</p>

<p>Under the agreement, Israel has agreed to suspend applying sovereignty to areas of the West Bank that it has been discussing annexing, senior White House officials said.</p>

<p>The peace deal was the product of lengthy discussions between Israel, the UAE and the United States that accelerated recently, White House officials said.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-announces-peace-agreement-between-israel-uae-320287" hreflang="en">Trump announces 'peace agreement' between Israel, UAE</a></strong></p>

<p>The agreement was sealed in a phone call on Thursday between Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed, crown prince of Abu Dhabi.</p>

<p>The officials described the agreement, to be known as the Abraham Accords, as the first of its kind since Israel and Jordan signed a peace treaty in 1994. It also gives Trump a foreign policy success as he seeks re-election on November&nbsp;3.</p>

<p>White House officials said Trump senior adviser Jared Kushner, US&nbsp;Ambassador to Israel David Friedman and Middle East envoy Avi Berkowitz were deeply involved in negotiating the deal, as well as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and White House national security adviser Robert O'Brien.</p>

<p>A joint statement issued by the three nations said the three leaders had "agreed to the full normalization of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates."</p>

<p>Delegations from Israel and the United Arab Emirates will meet in the coming weeks to sign bilateral agreements regarding investment, tourism, direct flights, security, telecommunications and other issues, the statement said.</p>

<p>The two countries are expected soon to exchange ambassadors and embassies.</p>

<p>The agreement envisions giving Muslims greater access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in the Old City of Jerusalem by allowing them to fly from Abu Dhabi to Tel Aviv, White House officials said.</p>


Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday praised the historic peace deal between his country and United Arab Emirates by calling it start of a ''new era''.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday praised the historic peace deal between his country and United Arab Emirates by calling it start of a ''new era''. Under the agreement, Israel has agreed to suspend applying sovereignty to areas of the West Bank that it has been discussing annexing, senior White House officials said. The peace deal was the product of lengthy discussions between Israel, the UAE and the United States that accelerated recently, White House officials said. Also read: Trump announces 'peace agreement' between Israel, UAE The agreement was sealed in a phone call on Thursday between Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed, crown prince of Abu Dhabi. The officials described the agreement, to be known as the Abraham Accords, as the first of its kind since Israel and Jordan signed a peace treaty in 1994. It also gives Trump a foreign policy success as he seeks re-election on November 3. White House officials said Trump senior adviser Jared Kushner, US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman and Middle East envoy Avi Berkowitz were deeply involved in negotiating the deal, as well as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and White House national security adviser Robert O'Brien. A joint statement issued by the three nations said the three leaders had "agreed to the full normalization of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates." Delegations from Israel and the United Arab Emirates will meet in the coming weeks to sign bilateral agreements regarding investment, tourism, direct flights, security, telecommunications and other issues, the statement said. The two countries are expected soon to exchange ambassadors and embassies. The agreement envisions giving Muslims greater access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in the Old City of Jerusalem by allowing them to fly from Abu Dhabi to Tel Aviv, White House officials said.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hails peace deal with UAE

<p>Pakistan has often been called as the ''Mecca of terrorism'' as it&nbsp;provides a safe haven and finacial support&nbsp;to terrorists.</p>

<p>With an aim to to calm diplomatic strains over Kashmir issue, Pakistan’s army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa will visit Saudi Arabia this weekend.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-army-chief-general-qamar-javed-bajwa-to-visit-saudi-arabia-in-quest-to-smooth-ties-320171" hreflang="en">Pakistan Army chief to visit Saudi Arabia in quest to smooth ties</a></strong></p>

<p>Former Pakistani Taliban spokesperson Ehsanullah Ehsan has said Pakistani authorities had given him a hit list of people who they would like to be killed in the north-western province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.</p>

<p>Ehsanullah claims&nbsp;that after some time of his surrender he was given the list of prominent voices in order to facilitate the Pakistani state in eliminating rogue elements.</p>

<p>According to an audio&nbsp;that is in the possession of WION,&nbsp;Eshan said, "I was asked to lead a death squad.. and the list included people from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and they were Pashtuns from all walks of life including journalists".&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the audio, he talked about his conversations with military intelligence and the parleys that took place.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ehsanullah Ehsan, spokesman Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had escaped Pakistani custody earlier this year. Ehsan as spokesperson claimed the group was responsible for shooting Malala Yousafzai, 2014 Wagah border suicide attack and other terror attacks in the South Asian country.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-government-trolls-target-female-journalists-cyber-harassment-allegations-against-imran-khans-party-320069" hreflang="en">Pak govt trolls target female journos; cyber harassment allegation against PTI</a></strong></p>

<p>The development comes even as more than 30 women journalists in Pakistan have in a joint statement highlighted the "vicious attacks" on them through social media.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Women journalists include Benazir Shah, Amber Shamsi, Munizae Jahangir, Gul Bukhari, Gulalai Ismail.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Last year saw the killing of Arooj Iqbal, a 27-year-old women journalist who was shot dead in Lahore. While the main suspect is her husband, Arooj's family told RSF Reporters Without Borders that, "Arooj was clearly targeted because of her journalism work".</p>

<p>Pakistan is ranked 145th out of 180 countries and territories in RSF's 2020 World Press Freedom Index.</p>


Pakistan has often been called as the ''Mecca of terrorism'' as it provides a safe haven and finacial support to terrorists. With an aim to to calm diplomatic strains over Kashmir issue, Pakistan’s army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa will visit Saudi Arabia this weekend.

Pakistan has often been called as the ''Mecca of terrorism'' as it provides a safe haven and finacial support to terrorists. With an aim to to calm diplomatic strains over Kashmir issue, Pakistan’s army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa will visit Saudi Arabia this weekend. Also read: Pakistan Army chief to visit Saudi Arabia in quest to smooth ties Former Pakistani Taliban spokesperson Ehsanullah Ehsan has said Pakistani authorities had given him a hit list of people who they would like to be killed in the north-western province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Ehsanullah claims that after some time of his surrender he was given the list of prominent voices in order to facilitate the Pakistani state in eliminating rogue elements. According to an audio that is in the possession of WION, Eshan said, "I was asked to lead a death squad.. and the list included people from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and they were Pashtuns from all walks of life including journalists". In the audio, he talked about his conversations with military intelligence and the parleys that took place. Ehsanullah Ehsan, spokesman Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had escaped Pakistani custody earlier this year. Ehsan as spokesperson claimed the group was responsible for shooting Malala Yousafzai, 2014 Wagah border suicide attack and other terror attacks in the South Asian country. Also read: Pak govt trolls target female journos; cyber harassment allegation against PTI The development comes even as more than 30 women journalists in Pakistan have in a joint statement highlighted the "vicious attacks" on them through social media. Women journalists include Benazir Shah, Amber Shamsi, Munizae Jahangir, Gul Bukhari, Gulalai Ismail. Last year saw the killing of Arooj Iqbal, a 27-year-old women journalist who was shot dead in Lahore. While the main suspect is her husband, Arooj's family told RSF Reporters Without Borders that, "Arooj was clearly targeted because of her journalism work". Pakistan is ranked 145th out of 180 countries and territories in RSF's 2020 World Press Freedom Index.

Taliban terrorist Ehsanullah Ehsan confesses leading death squad on Pak Army's behest

<p>World leaders on Thursday&nbsp;praised the historic peace deal between his country and United Arab Emirates that US&nbsp;President Donald Trump helped broker.</p>

<p>Under the agreement, Israel has agreed to suspend applying sovereignty to areas of the West Bank that it has been discussing annexing, senior White House officials said.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-announces-peace-agreement-between-israel-uae-320287" hreflang="en">Trump announces 'peace agreement' between Israel, UAE</a></strong></p>

<p>The peace deal was the product of lengthy discussions between Israel, the UAE and the United States that accelerated recently, White House officials said.</p>

<p>The normalization of relations between the UAE and Israel is a "HUGE breakthrough" Trump tweeted, calling it a "Historic Peace Agreement between our two GREAT friends."</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">HUGE breakthrough today! Historic Peace Agreement between our two GREAT friends, Israel and the United Arab Emirates!</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1293922936609546240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 13, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu-hails-peace-deal-with-uae-320298">Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hails peace deal with UAE</a></strong></p>

<p>Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu&nbsp;hailed "a historic day"&nbsp;after the announcement of the agreement.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="rtl" lang="iw">יום היסטורי 🇮🇱 <a href="https://t.co/4mD6DzoTvE">https://t.co/4mD6DzoTvE</a></p>
— Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) <a href="https://twitter.com/netanyahu/status/1293924443086114819?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 13, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>UAE's&nbsp;Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said ''Most countries will see this as a bold step to secure a two-state solution, allowing time for negotiations.''</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">&nbsp;</div>

<p>Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi took to Twitter to praise&nbsp;the&nbsp;US-brokered deal&nbsp;that would halt Israeli annexation of Palestinian land.</p>

<p>"I read with interest and great appreciation the joint statement between the United States, the brotherly United Arab Emirates and Israel concerning the halt of Israel's annexation of Palestinian land," Sisi said in a tweet, adding that this would help bring "peace" to the Middle East.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="rtl" lang="ar">تابعت بإهتمام و تقدير بالغ البيان المشترك الثلاثي بين الولايات المتحدة الامريكية و دولة الامارات العربية الشقيقة وإسرائيل حول الاتفاق علي ايقاف ضم إسرائيل للاراضي الفلسطينية ..١/٢</p>
— Abdelfattah Elsisi (@AlsisiOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlsisiOfficial/status/1293935489569914882?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 13, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Congratulations to Israel and UAE for reaching a historic agreement that establishes full diplomatic relations between the two nations. Israel deserves diplomatic recognition from its neighbors and this is a critical step to contain Iranian aggression against both nations.</p>
— John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) <a href="https://twitter.com/AmbJohnBolton/status/1293938598451064834?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 13, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>However, the Gaza Strip's Islamist leaders Hamas&nbsp;rejected the agreement saying, it ''does not serve Palestinian cause.''</p>


World leaders on Thursday praised the historic peace deal between his country and United Arab Emirates that US President Donald Trump helped broker. Under the agreement, Israel has agreed to suspend applying sovereignty to areas of the West Bank that it has been discussing annexing, senior White House officials said.

World leaders on Thursday praised the historic peace deal between his country and United Arab Emirates that US President Donald Trump helped broker. Under the agreement, Israel has agreed to suspend applying sovereignty to areas of the West Bank that it has been discussing annexing, senior White House officials said. Also read: Trump announces 'peace agreement' between Israel, UAE The peace deal was the product of lengthy discussions between Israel, the UAE and the United States that accelerated recently, White House officials said. The normalization of relations between the UAE and Israel is a "HUGE breakthrough" Trump tweeted, calling it a "Historic Peace Agreement between our two GREAT friends." HUGE breakthrough today! Historic Peace Agreement between our two GREAT friends, Israel and the United Arab Emirates! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 13, 2020 × Also read: Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hails peace deal with UAE Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed "a historic day" after the announcement of the agreement. יום היסטורי 🇮🇱 https://t.co/4mD6DzoTvE — Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) August 13, 2020 × UAE's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said ''Most countries will see this as a bold step to secure a two-state solution, allowing time for negotiations.'' Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi took to Twitter to praise the US-brokered deal that would halt Israeli annexation of Palestinian land. "I read with interest and great appreciation the joint statement between the United States, the brotherly United Arab Emirates and Israel concerning the halt of Israel's annexation of Palestinian land," Sisi said in a tweet, adding that this would help bring "peace" to the Middle East. تابعت بإهتمام و تقدير بالغ البيان المشترك الثلاثي بين الولايات المتحدة الامريكية و دولة الامارات العربية الشقيقة وإسرائيل حول الاتفاق علي ايقاف ضم إسرائيل للاراضي الفلسطينية ..١/٢ — Abdelfattah Elsisi (@AlsisiOfficial) August 13, 2020 × Congratulations to Israel and UAE for reaching a historic agreement that establishes full diplomatic relations between the two nations. Israel deserves diplomatic recognition from its neighbors and this is a critical step to contain Iranian aggression against both nations. — John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) August 13, 2020 × However, the Gaza Strip's Islamist leaders Hamas rejected the agreement saying, it ''does not serve Palestinian cause.''

World leaders welcome UAE-Israel peace deal and halt to annexation

<p>The citizens of Pakistan who voted for Prime Minister Imran Khan are now regretting their decision after seeing his inability to handle difficult situations.</p>

<p>Heavy rains in the last three days have killed at least 58 people in Pakistan. The rains exposed Sindh capital Karachi's poor drainage system with several critical junctions flooded.</p>

<p>In response, Imran Khan enlisted the generals of the Pakistan army to clean up gutters.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I have asked the NDMA Chairman to go to Karachi immediately and start the clean up in the aftermath of the rain.</p>
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1288532013989994498?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 29, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said the northwestern province of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa was the worst-hit where 19 people were killed.</p>

<p>Another 12 died in the southern province of Sindh, while 10 died in Gilgit-Baltistan, eight in Punjab, eight in Balochistan and one in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, according to the NDMA, adding that another 15 people were injured.</p>

<p>It said that 158 houses were fully destroyed and another 128 partially damaged across the county.</p>

<p>The Army took up relief work in Sindh, one of the worst hit ares. They&nbsp;said a rescue operation was done in Dadu district where 20 villages were inundated.</p>

<p>People in&nbsp;Faisalabad were so furious with the hollow promises of the elected candidates of their region that they put their picture over sewages.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Citizens put pictures of elected members on gutters after sewerage system destroyed in Faisalabad, Pakistan.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ThursdayThoughts?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ThursdayThoughts</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pakistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Pakistan</a> <a href="https://t.co/WQa4i7rOMU">pic.twitter.com/WQa4i7rOMU</a></p>
— Madiha Abid Ali (@MadihaAbidAli) <a href="https://twitter.com/MadihaAbidAli/status/1293831340849336320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 13, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Streets of Lahore look the same and rains in Karachi almost turned fatal.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">ModelTown, Lahore. Several hours after the rain. Around 2.00 PM <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Monsoon2020?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Monsoon2020</a> <a href="https://t.co/j8EaciQ3up">pic.twitter.com/j8EaciQ3up</a></p>
— Amber Rahim Shamsi (@AmberRShamsi) <a href="https://twitter.com/AmberRShamsi/status/1292823411085979650?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Hoardings can be dangerous 😱<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KarachiRain?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KarachiRain</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Karachi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Karachi</a> <a href="https://t.co/imlPqV12w7">pic.twitter.com/imlPqV12w7</a></p>
— Danyal Gilani (@DanyalGilani) <a href="https://twitter.com/DanyalGilani/status/1291637769194868736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Lieutenant general Muhammad Afzal, a&nbsp;graduate of the national defense university in Islamabad, served the Pakistani army before he was appointed chairman of Pakistan's disaster management authority.</p>

<p>He was in charge of the entire operation. However, his shawdy work was exposed when the streets of the country returned to their original condition in two weeks despite the clean-up.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The citizens of Pakistan who voted for Prime Minister Imran Khan are now regretting their decision after seeing his inability to handle difficult situations. Heavy rains in the last three days have killed at least 58 people in Pakistan.

The citizens of Pakistan who voted for Prime Minister Imran Khan are now regretting their decision after seeing his inability to handle difficult situations. Heavy rains in the last three days have killed at least 58 people in Pakistan. The rains exposed Sindh capital Karachi's poor drainage system with several critical junctions flooded. In response, Imran Khan enlisted the generals of the Pakistan army to clean up gutters. I have asked the NDMA Chairman to go to Karachi immediately and start the clean up in the aftermath of the rain. — Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) July 29, 2020 × The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said the northwestern province of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa was the worst-hit where 19 people were killed. Another 12 died in the southern province of Sindh, while 10 died in Gilgit-Baltistan, eight in Punjab, eight in Balochistan and one in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, according to the NDMA, adding that another 15 people were injured. It said that 158 houses were fully destroyed and another 128 partially damaged across the county. The Army took up relief work in Sindh, one of the worst hit ares. They said a rescue operation was done in Dadu district where 20 villages were inundated. People in Faisalabad were so furious with the hollow promises of the elected candidates of their region that they put their picture over sewages. Citizens put pictures of elected members on gutters after sewerage system destroyed in Faisalabad, Pakistan.#ThursdayThoughts#Pakistan pic.twitter.com/WQa4i7rOMU — Madiha Abid Ali (@MadihaAbidAli) August 13, 2020 × Streets of Lahore look the same and rains in Karachi almost turned fatal. ModelTown, Lahore. Several hours after the rain. Around 2.00 PM #Monsoon2020 pic.twitter.com/j8EaciQ3up — Amber Rahim Shamsi (@AmberRShamsi) August 10, 2020 × Hoardings can be dangerous 😱#KarachiRain #Karachi pic.twitter.com/imlPqV12w7 — Danyal Gilani (@DanyalGilani) August 7, 2020 × Lieutenant general Muhammad Afzal, a graduate of the national defense university in Islamabad, served the Pakistani army before he was appointed chairman of Pakistan's disaster management authority. He was in charge of the entire operation. However, his shawdy work was exposed when the streets of the country returned to their original condition in two weeks despite the clean-up.

Army fails to contain floods in Pakistan

<p>Tourist operators in&nbsp;Mauritius&nbsp;fear that an oil spill from a Japanese ship will further damage their businesses, already reeling from the coronavirus epidemic, and could cost jobs if their pristine beaches are spoiled.</p>

<p>Tourism generated $1.6 billion&nbsp;for the economy last year. In May, the central bank said that in the past two months alone, the nation had lost 12 billion rupees in foreign exchange due to the fall in tourism.</p>

<p>Willow River-Tonkin, who owns a kite-surfing business, said local guides would be some of the hardest hit.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-environmental-emergency-mauritius-oil-spill-expands-10-times-its-original-size-320036" hreflang="en">Amid environmental emergency, Mauritius oil spill expands 10 times its original size</a></strong></p>

<p>"It is really going to affect the communities down there, especially for the fisherman, the local guys that live there, you know that's how they make money from tourists," he said.</p>

<p>"Taking them out to go diving to go snorkelling, to go wake boarding, to go see dolphins and all that sort of thing you know and all of that is going to affect it, if we don't get it under control very soon."</p>

<p>The MV Wakashio, owned by Nagashiki Shipping and operated by Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd, struck a reef and went aground off the Indian Ocean island's southeast coast on July 25. It began leaking oil last last week.</p>

<p>Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth declared a state of emergency last Friday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Mauritius&nbsp;avoided a second catastrophic oil spill Wednesday after salvage crews pumped the remaining fuel from the tanks of a cargo ship that ran aground off its coast, imperilling world-famous wildlife sanctuaries.</p>

<p>Romina Tello, the 30-year-old founder of sustainable tourism agency&nbsp;Mauritius&nbsp;Conscious, said that border closures due the coronavirus had already battered tourism.&nbsp;Mauritius&nbsp;shut its borders on March 19 and has had only 344 cases of COVID-19, of which 332 have recovered and 10 have died. It is still closed to international air travel.</p>

<p>The southeast coast where the oil spill happened is famous for snorkelling, kite surfing and people visiting the sea flora and the fauna of&nbsp;Mauritius, Tello said, as well as sailing, as boats tend to travel to the islands nearby.</p>


Tourist operators in Mauritius fear that an oil spill from a Japanese ship will further damage their businesses, already reeling from the coronavirus epidemic, and could cost jobs if their pristine beaches are spoiled.

Tourist operators in Mauritius fear that an oil spill from a Japanese ship will further damage their businesses, already reeling from the coronavirus epidemic, and could cost jobs if their pristine beaches are spoiled. Tourism generated $1.6 billion for the economy last year. In May, the central bank said that in the past two months alone, the nation had lost 12 billion rupees in foreign exchange due to the fall in tourism. Willow River-Tonkin, who owns a kite-surfing business, said local guides would be some of the hardest hit. Also read: Amid environmental emergency, Mauritius oil spill expands 10 times its original size "It is really going to affect the communities down there, especially for the fisherman, the local guys that live there, you know that's how they make money from tourists," he said. "Taking them out to go diving to go snorkelling, to go wake boarding, to go see dolphins and all that sort of thing you know and all of that is going to affect it, if we don't get it under control very soon." The MV Wakashio, owned by Nagashiki Shipping and operated by Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd, struck a reef and went aground off the Indian Ocean island's southeast coast on July 25. It began leaking oil last last week. Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth declared a state of emergency last Friday. Mauritius avoided a second catastrophic oil spill Wednesday after salvage crews pumped the remaining fuel from the tanks of a cargo ship that ran aground off its coast, imperilling world-famous wildlife sanctuaries. Romina Tello, the 30-year-old founder of sustainable tourism agency Mauritius Conscious, said that border closures due the coronavirus had already battered tourism. Mauritius shut its borders on March 19 and has had only 344 cases of COVID-19, of which 332 have recovered and 10 have died. It is still closed to international air travel. The southeast coast where the oil spill happened is famous for snorkelling, kite surfing and people visiting the sea flora and the fauna of Mauritius, Tello said, as well as sailing, as boats tend to travel to the islands nearby.

Mauritius tourism, reeling from coronavirus, now hit by oil spill

<p>A massive torch rally was held in Muzaffarabad city of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on Wednesday night to oppose the mega-dams to be constructed by Chinese firms on Neelum-Jhelum River.</p>

<p>The protestors from ``Darya Bachao, Muzaffarabad Bachao" (Save River, Save Muzaffarabad) Committee chanted slogans like "let the Neelum and Jhelum rivers flow, let us live.''</p>

<p>Recently, Pakistan and China signed agreements to construct Azad Pattan and Kohala Hydropower Projects in PoK.The Azad Pattan Hydel Power Project of 700.7 megawatts of electricity as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was signed on July 6.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-army-chief-general-qamar-javed-bajwa-to-visit-saudi-arabia-in-quest-to-smooth-ties-320171" hreflang="en">Pakistan Army chief to visit Saudi Arabia in quest to smooth ties</a></strong></p>

<p>The USD 1.54 billion project will be sponsored by the China Gezhouba Group Company (CGGC).The Kohala Hydroelectric Power Project which will be built on Jhelum River is roughly 7 km upstream of Azad Pattan Bridge in Sudhanoti district of PoK and 90 km from Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan.</p>

<p>The project, expected to be completed by 2026, will be sponsored by China Three Gorges Corporation, International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Silk Road Fund.</p>

<p>What really irks locals is the high Chinese presence in the area, massive construction of dams, and river diversions threatening their very existence.</p>

<p>Dr Amjad Ayub Mirza, a political activist from PoK, told ANI, "Such protests in PoK are continuing for a long time, but their voice is not heard. China`s Three Gorges Corporation is constructing these billion dollars projects like Kohala Hydropower Project and Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower project and they have changed the course of the rivers. This has caused a severe rise in temperature in Muzaffarabad."</p>

<p>He added, "Once roaring Neelum River now gives the looks of a small rivulet. It has severely affected the local residents as they even do not have drinking water. The river is flooded with sewage."</p>

<p>"China is investing huge money in the region and who will repay it?" Dr Mirza questioned while adding that poor people of PoK will suffer the most by repaying these debts.Pakistan and China are jointly plundering the natural resources of PoK and Gilgit Baltistan in the wake of CPEC. The resentment in the occupied territories is high against Pakistan and China.&nbsp;</p>


A massive torch rally was held in Muzaffarabad city of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on Wednesday night to oppose the mega-dams to be constructed by Chinese firms on Neelum-Jhelum River.

A massive torch rally was held in Muzaffarabad city of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on Wednesday night to oppose the mega-dams to be constructed by Chinese firms on Neelum-Jhelum River. The protestors from ``Darya Bachao, Muzaffarabad Bachao" (Save River, Save Muzaffarabad) Committee chanted slogans like "let the Neelum and Jhelum rivers flow, let us live.'' Recently, Pakistan and China signed agreements to construct Azad Pattan and Kohala Hydropower Projects in PoK.The Azad Pattan Hydel Power Project of 700.7 megawatts of electricity as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was signed on July 6. Also read: Pakistan Army chief to visit Saudi Arabia in quest to smooth ties The USD 1.54 billion project will be sponsored by the China Gezhouba Group Company (CGGC).The Kohala Hydroelectric Power Project which will be built on Jhelum River is roughly 7 km upstream of Azad Pattan Bridge in Sudhanoti district of PoK and 90 km from Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan. The project, expected to be completed by 2026, will be sponsored by China Three Gorges Corporation, International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Silk Road Fund. What really irks locals is the high Chinese presence in the area, massive construction of dams, and river diversions threatening their very existence. Dr Amjad Ayub Mirza, a political activist from PoK, told ANI, "Such protests in PoK are continuing for a long time, but their voice is not heard. China`s Three Gorges Corporation is constructing these billion dollars projects like Kohala Hydropower Project and Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower project and they have changed the course of the rivers. This has caused a severe rise in temperature in Muzaffarabad." He added, "Once roaring Neelum River now gives the looks of a small rivulet. It has severely affected the local residents as they even do not have drinking water. The river is flooded with sewage." "China is investing huge money in the region and who will repay it?" Dr Mirza questioned while adding that poor people of PoK will suffer the most by repaying these debts.Pakistan and China are jointly plundering the natural resources of PoK and Gilgit Baltistan in the wake of CPEC. The resentment in the occupied territories is high against Pakistan and China.

Protests erupt in PoK against construction of dams by China

<p>US President Donald Trump said Thursday that Hong Kong's global financial center will "go to hell" under tightened Chinese rule.</p>

<p>"Hong Kong can never succeed having China as opposed to the thousands of geniuses that ran it, having China run it," Trump told Fox Business news. "The Hong Kong markets will go to hell. Nobody's going to do business."</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pro-democracy-media-tycoon-jimmy-lai-says-hong-kong-needs-patient-campaign-320203">Pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai says Hong Kong needs patient campaign</a></strong></p>

<p>Trump announced in May that he was ending the special US trading relationship with Hong Kong in retaliation for Beijing's clampdown on the previously largely autonomous territory.</p>

<p>Trump told Fox Business that the end to the special status meant that Hong Kong would lose its ability to attract business and serve as one of the world's chief financial hubs, along with New York and London.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-china-fears-of-financial-iron-curtain-as-us-tensions-rise-320169" hreflang="en">In China, fears of financial Iron Curtain as US tensions rise</a></strong></p>

<p>Trump said he had approved of the longstanding relationship, which amounted to a "tremendous amount of money in the form of incentives to make Hong Kong free."</p>

<p>But "once China got aggressive and took it over, I took everything back. Everything's back now and it will fail," he said.</p>

<p>Trump has made a trade war with China, followed by a truce at the start of this year, a pillar of his foreign policy.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, hopes for a follow-up "phase two" trade deal that would resolve some of the underlying issues in the rivalry between the world's two largest economies have been dashed by tensions over the coronavirus pandemic.</p>

<p>Trump has seen his election chances seriously hurt by fallout from the pandemic and is increasingly focussing blame on China, where the virus first appeared.</p>

<p>"My mindset has changed on China since they allowed the plague," he said.</p>

<p>"It's before plague and after plague. Right now I view China differently than I did before plague."</p>

<p>Asked, however, if he agreed with critics that President Xi Jinping should step aside, he answered: "Look, they're running their country. We're running our country."</p>


US President Donald Trump said Thursday that Hong Kong's global financial center will "go to hell" under tightened Chinese rule. "Hong Kong can never succeed having China as opposed to the thousands of geniuses that ran it, having China run it," Trump told Fox Business news.

US President Donald Trump said Thursday that Hong Kong's global financial center will "go to hell" under tightened Chinese rule. "Hong Kong can never succeed having China as opposed to the thousands of geniuses that ran it, having China run it," Trump told Fox Business news. "The Hong Kong markets will go to hell. Nobody's going to do business." Also read: Pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai says Hong Kong needs patient campaign Trump announced in May that he was ending the special US trading relationship with Hong Kong in retaliation for Beijing's clampdown on the previously largely autonomous territory. Trump told Fox Business that the end to the special status meant that Hong Kong would lose its ability to attract business and serve as one of the world's chief financial hubs, along with New York and London. Also read: In China, fears of financial Iron Curtain as US tensions rise Trump said he had approved of the longstanding relationship, which amounted to a "tremendous amount of money in the form of incentives to make Hong Kong free." But "once China got aggressive and took it over, I took everything back. Everything's back now and it will fail," he said. Trump has made a trade war with China, followed by a truce at the start of this year, a pillar of his foreign policy. However, hopes for a follow-up "phase two" trade deal that would resolve some of the underlying issues in the rivalry between the world's two largest economies have been dashed by tensions over the coronavirus pandemic. Trump has seen his election chances seriously hurt by fallout from the pandemic and is increasingly focussing blame on China, where the virus first appeared. "My mindset has changed on China since they allowed the plague," he said. "It's before plague and after plague. Right now I view China differently than I did before plague." Asked, however, if he agreed with critics that President Xi Jinping should step aside, he answered: "Look, they're running their country. We're running our country."

Hong Kong can 'never succeed' under China's control: Trump

<p>China's Tencent said on Wednesday it did not believe a US&nbsp;move to ban transactions on its international messaging to payments&nbsp;WeChat&nbsp;app would apply to its domestic Weixin platform, potentially limiting fallout from the move.</p>

<p>Tencent is the latest Chinese tech giant caught in the crosshairs of an escalated Sino-US&nbsp;cyber war after President Trump said last week the United States would ban&nbsp;WeChat-related transactions in the country.</p>

<p>In a call after reporting a 37% rise in second-quarter net profit, executives tried to soothe market sentiment and said the company was in the process of seeking further clarification from relevant parties.</p>

<p>Chief financial officer John Lo said Tencent's initial reading was that the US&nbsp;executive order was focused on&nbsp;WeChat&nbsp;in the United States and it did not believe its other businesses there would be affected.</p>

<p>The US&nbsp;accounts for less than 2 per cent&nbsp;of Tencent's total revenue, said James Mitchell, chief strategy officer, and likely less than 1% of total advertising revenue.</p>

<p>"If you look at the executive orders from May 2019 and then obviously the executive order a couple of days ago, they specify very clearly they cover US&nbsp;jurisdiction, and consequently we don't see any impact on companies advertising on our platform in China," he said.</p>

<p>Revenue from online games, which accounts for one-third of total sales, jumped 40% in the second quarter, primarily driven by smart phone games including Peacekeeper Elite and Honour of Kings, as the coronavirus put a dent in other entertainment options.</p>

<p>However, the company postponed a blockbuster release of "Dungeon and Fighter Mobile" game, planned for August&nbsp;12, citing upgrades needed to the game's addiction prevention system. It did not indicate a new release date.</p>

<p>Social networks, fintech and business services, and social advertising revenues all grew by nearly 30%.</p>

<p>Media advertising revenues fell by 25&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;however, amid a "challenging macro environment" and delayed content production and releases.</p>

<p>The world's largest gaming firm by revenue booked $4.8 billion&nbsp;profit for the three months through June, ahead of an average analysts' estimate of 27.56 billion yuan, according to data from Refinitiv.</p>

<p>Revenue rose 29&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;to 114.88 billion yuan, versus market expectations of 112.76 billion yuan.</p>


China's Tencent said on Wednesday it did not believe a US move to ban transactions on its international messaging to payments WeChat app would apply to its domestic Weixin platform, potentially limiting fallout from the move.

China's Tencent said on Wednesday it did not believe a US move to ban transactions on its international messaging to payments WeChat app would apply to its domestic Weixin platform, potentially limiting fallout from the move. Tencent is the latest Chinese tech giant caught in the crosshairs of an escalated Sino-US cyber war after President Trump said last week the United States would ban WeChat-related transactions in the country. In a call after reporting a 37% rise in second-quarter net profit, executives tried to soothe market sentiment and said the company was in the process of seeking further clarification from relevant parties. Chief financial officer John Lo said Tencent's initial reading was that the US executive order was focused on WeChat in the United States and it did not believe its other businesses there would be affected. The US accounts for less than 2 per cent of Tencent's total revenue, said James Mitchell, chief strategy officer, and likely less than 1% of total advertising revenue. "If you look at the executive orders from May 2019 and then obviously the executive order a couple of days ago, they specify very clearly they cover US jurisdiction, and consequently we don't see any impact on companies advertising on our platform in China," he said. Revenue from online games, which accounts for one-third of total sales, jumped 40% in the second quarter, primarily driven by smart phone games including Peacekeeper Elite and Honour of Kings, as the coronavirus put a dent in other entertainment options. However, the company postponed a blockbuster release of "Dungeon and Fighter Mobile" game, planned for August 12, citing upgrades needed to the game's addiction prevention system. It did not indicate a new release date. Social networks, fintech and business services, and social advertising revenues all grew by nearly 30%. Media advertising revenues fell by 25 per cent however, amid a "challenging macro environment" and delayed content production and releases. The world's largest gaming firm by revenue booked $4.8 billion profit for the three months through June, ahead of an average analysts' estimate of 27.56 billion yuan, according to data from Refinitiv. Revenue rose 29 per cent to 114.88 billion yuan, versus market expectations of 112.76 billion yuan.

WeChat-owner tries to soothe concerns about Trump's proposed US ban

Author

Zee News Rajasthan

Editor

Vyomica Berry

Home

Live Tv

Latest

World

India

Business

Entertainment

Sports

Opinions

Videos

Photos

Gravitas

Lifestyle

Science

Tech

Rajasthan News in Hindi: In-depth coverage of Rajasthan Crime, Political News, Education, Rajasthan Weather Update and Latest Rajasthan News on Zee News Rajasthan.