A Rohingya Muslim has been barred from standing in Myanmar's upcoming election, in a decision decried by rights groups as discriminatory and a symptom of the "ongoing genocide" against the persecuted minority.

A 2017 military operation drove 750,000 Rohingya out of the country into sprawling refugee camps in neighbouring Bangladesh, prompting genocide charges at the UN's top court.&nbsp;

Myanmar has denied the allegations and justified the military operations as a means of rooting out terrorists.

Another 600,000 Rohingya remain in Myanmar, but most are not regarded as citizens and will have no vote, living in what Amnesty International describes as "apartheid" conditions.

Three Rohingya-led parties had hoped to field at least a dozen candidates in November's vote, according to regional watchdog Fortify Rights.

But Abdul Rasheed, 58, a member of the Democracy and Human Rights Party, told AFP on Wednesday that his candidacy was rejected by the district election commission in Rakhine state capital Sittwe a day earlier.

The commission said this was because his parents were not Myanmar citizens when he was born, Rasheed said, even though he had proof his parents and grandparents were granted citizenship in 1957, four years before his birth.

"This is not in line with the law," he said, adding he would appeal the decision. "The Rohingya are being degraded so we cannot compete."

The Muslim minority has had citizenship and other rights eroded over decades.

Rasheed, who said his father worked as a Myanmar government civil servant for more than 30 years, also tried without success to stand in the country's landmark 2015 election.

"This rejection is discriminatory and not unrelated to the ongoing genocide of Rohingya," said Matthew Smith from Fortify Rights, a group for which Rasheed also consults.

"The government of Myanmar must end its mass disenfranchisement of Rohingya."

The Rakhine State election commission in Sittwe denied any unfair treatment of Rasheed.

"He wasn't rejected because he is a Muslim but because his application was not in line with the electoral law," chairperson Tin Hlaing told AFP.

A Rohingya Muslim has been barred from standing in Myanmar's upcoming election, in a decision decried by rights groups as discriminatory and a symptom of the "ongoing genocide" against the persecuted minority.

A Rohingya Muslim has been barred from standing in Myanmar's upcoming election, in a decision decried by rights groups as discriminatory and a symptom of the "ongoing genocide" against the persecuted minority. A 2017 military operation drove 750,000 Rohingya out of the country into sprawling refugee camps in neighbouring Bangladesh, prompting genocide charges at the UN's top court. Myanmar has denied the allegations and justified the military operations as a means of rooting out terrorists. Another 600,000 Rohingya remain in Myanmar, but most are not regarded as citizens and will have no vote, living in what Amnesty International describes as "apartheid" conditions. Three Rohingya-led parties had hoped to field at least a dozen candidates in November's vote, according to regional watchdog Fortify Rights. But Abdul Rasheed, 58, a member of the Democracy and Human Rights Party, told AFP on Wednesday that his candidacy was rejected by the district election commission in Rakhine state capital Sittwe a day earlier. The commission said this was because his parents were not Myanmar citizens when he was born, Rasheed said, even though he had proof his parents and grandparents were granted citizenship in 1957, four years before his birth. "This is not in line with the law," he said, adding he would appeal the decision. "The Rohingya are being degraded so we cannot compete." The Muslim minority has had citizenship and other rights eroded over decades. Rasheed, who said his father worked as a Myanmar government civil servant for more than 30 years, also tried without success to stand in the country's landmark 2015 election. "This rejection is discriminatory and not unrelated to the ongoing genocide of Rohingya," said Matthew Smith from Fortify Rights, a group for which Rasheed also consults. "The government of Myanmar must end its mass disenfranchisement of Rohingya." The Rakhine State election commission in Sittwe denied any unfair treatment of Rasheed. "He wasn't rejected because he is a Muslim but because his application was not in line with the electoral law," chairperson Tin Hlaing told AFP.

Myanmar bars Rohingya candidate from contesting election

Belarusians should be given "the freedoms that they are demanding", US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday, urging authorities in the former Soviet republic not to harm protesters.

"We want the people of Belarus to have the freedoms that they are demanding... We urge that the non-violent protesters be protected, not harmed," Pompeo told reporters during a visit to Prague.

He was speaking alongside Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis, who called the events in Belarus "shocking" after a third night of protests following a disputed election in which President Alexander Lukashenko won a sixth term.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/water-cannons-tear-gas-stun-grenades-protesters-clash-with-belarus-police-after-election-results-319520">Water cannons, tear gas, stun grenades: Protesters clash with Belarus police after election results</a>

He was visiting Prague as part of a European tour that will also take him to Austria, Slovenia and Poland.

The agenda for the trip includes countering Chinese company Huawei's role in 5G network construction, as well as energy security and US troop deployments in the region.

Police in&nbsp;Belarus&nbsp;detained around 3,000 people at protests that erupted on Sunday following the presidential election, the&nbsp;Belarusian Interior Ministry said on Monday.

President Alexander Lukashenko won a landslide re-election victory, the central election commission said earlier, after bloody clashes between riot police and thousands of protesters who said the poll was rigged.

Belarusian opposition politician Svetlana Tikhanouskaya fled&nbsp;to Lithuania from&nbsp;Belarus&nbsp;amid the protests to protect herself and her family, Lithuania's Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius said.

Belarusians should be given "the freedoms that they are demanding", US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday, urging authorities in the former Soviet republic not to harm protesters.

Belarusians should be given "the freedoms that they are demanding", US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday, urging authorities in the former Soviet republic not to harm protesters. "We want the people of Belarus to have the freedoms that they are demanding... We urge that the non-violent protesters be protected, not harmed," Pompeo told reporters during a visit to Prague. He was speaking alongside Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis, who called the events in Belarus "shocking" after a third night of protests following a disputed election in which President Alexander Lukashenko won a sixth term. Also see: Water cannons, tear gas, stun grenades: Protesters clash with Belarus police after election results He was visiting Prague as part of a European tour that will also take him to Austria, Slovenia and Poland. The agenda for the trip includes countering Chinese company Huawei's role in 5G network construction, as well as energy security and US troop deployments in the region. Police in Belarus detained around 3,000 people at protests that erupted on Sunday following the presidential election, the Belarusian Interior Ministry said on Monday. President Alexander Lukashenko won a landslide re-election victory, the central election commission said earlier, after bloody clashes between riot police and thousands of protesters who said the poll was rigged. Belarusian opposition politician Svetlana Tikhanouskaya fled to Lithuania from Belarus amid the protests to protect herself and her family, Lithuania's Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius said.

Belarusians should have the 'freedoms that they are demanding': Pompeo

Social&nbsp;media platform Instagram, owned by tech giant Facebook, is&nbsp;facing a&nbsp;fresh lawsuit over illegal harvesting of biometrics.

The company is accused of collecting, storing and profiting from the biometric data of more than 100 million Instagram users, without their knowledge or consent in a&nbsp;new lawsuit, filed&nbsp;in state court in Redwood City, California.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/amazon-facebook-and-50-others-file-lawsuit-against-trumps-ban-of-h1b-visa-319640" hreflang="en">Amazon, Facebook and 50 others file lawsuit against Trump's ban of H1B visa</a>

According to the&nbsp;Illinois privacy law,&nbsp;unauthorised collection of biometric data is barred.&nbsp;Under the law, a company can be forced to pay $1,000 per violation, or $5,000 if it was found to have acted recklessly or intentionally.

Facebook started informing Instagram users at the beginning of this year that it was collecting the biometric data, according to the suit.

Facebook did not immediately respond to a request for comment, made after regular business hours.

Last month, the social media company offered to pay $650 million&nbsp;to settle a lawsuit in which it was accused of illegally collecting biometric data through a photo-tagging tool provided to Facebook users.

Social media platform Instagram, owned by tech giant Facebook, is facing a fresh lawsuit over illegal harvesting of biometrics. The company is accused of collecting, storing and profiting from the biometric data of more than 100 million Instagram users, without their knowledge or consent in a new lawsuit, filed in state court in Redwood City, California.

Social media platform Instagram, owned by tech giant Facebook, is facing a fresh lawsuit over illegal harvesting of biometrics. The company is accused of collecting, storing and profiting from the biometric data of more than 100 million Instagram users, without their knowledge or consent in a new lawsuit, filed in state court in Redwood City, California. Also read: Amazon, Facebook and 50 others file lawsuit against Trump's ban of H1B visa According to the Illinois privacy law, unauthorised collection of biometric data is barred. Under the law, a company can be forced to pay $1,000 per violation, or $5,000 if it was found to have acted recklessly or intentionally. Facebook started informing Instagram users at the beginning of this year that it was collecting the biometric data, according to the suit. Facebook did not immediately respond to a request for comment, made after regular business hours. Last month, the social media company offered to pay $650 million to settle a lawsuit in which it was accused of illegally collecting biometric data through a photo-tagging tool provided to Facebook users.

Instagram faces fresh lawsuit over illegal harvesting of biometrics

Florida's Key West police arrested an 8-year-old boy with disabilities from his elementary school on a felony battery charge in December 2018, only to realize the boy's wrists were too small for the handcuffs.

The mother of the&nbsp;little boy,&nbsp;Bianca N. Digennaro,&nbsp;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.

“I refuse to let them make him a criminal,” she said in a press conference Tuesday.

Part of body-camera footage was&nbsp;released on Monday by civil rights attorney Ben Crump,&nbsp;who is representing the boy's mother.

In the clip police officers can be seen making statments such as&nbsp;“You understand this is very serious, OK?” and&nbsp;“You know where you’re going? You’re going to jail.”

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
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>
— 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>

The officer then instructs 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.

<section>
Abandoning the cuffs, the officer tells the boy to put his hands in front of him as they escort him to the police car parked outside.

The case had been dismissed after a mental health evaluation was conducted on the boy, in conjunction with his attorney, and that determined it was in the child's best interest to dismiss the charges, based on the boy's age and mental evaluation.

The Key West Police Department defended the conduct of its officers in a brief statement.

“Based on the report, standard operating procedures were followed,” Key West Police Chief Sean T. Brandenburg said&nbsp;in a statement.

The two-minute clip had racked up more than 2 million views as of early Tuesday.&nbsp;
</section>

Florida's Key West police arrested an 8-year-old boy with disabilities from his elementary school on a felony battery charge in December 2018, only to realize the boy's wrists were too small for the handcuffs.

Florida's Key West police arrested an 8-year-old boy with disabilities from his elementary school on a felony battery charge in December 2018, only to realize the boy's wrists were too small for the handcuffs. The mother of the little boy, Bianca N. Digennaro, 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. “I refuse to let them make him a criminal,” she said in a press conference Tuesday. Part of body-camera footage was released on Monday by civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is representing the boy's mother. In the clip police officers can be seen making statments such as “You understand this is very serious, OK?” and “You know where you’re going? You’re going to jail.” 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 × The officer then instructs 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. Abandoning the cuffs, the officer tells the boy to put his hands in front of him as they escort him to the police car parked outside. The case had been dismissed after a mental health evaluation was conducted on the boy, in conjunction with his attorney, and that determined it was in the child's best interest to dismiss the charges, based on the boy's age and mental evaluation. The Key West Police Department defended the conduct of its officers in a brief statement. “Based on the report, standard operating procedures were followed,” Key West Police Chief Sean T. Brandenburg said in a statement. The two-minute clip had racked up more than 2 million views as of early Tuesday.

US: Bodycam footage shows 8-year-old boy with disabilities arrested at school

A combination of an&nbsp;unprecedented pressure campaign and&nbsp;coronavirus border closures and an by a&nbsp;South&nbsp;Korean government keen to engage with North&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;may destroy networks defectors have long used to start new lives, activist groups say.

South&nbsp;Korea's Unification Ministry said last month it will "inspect" 25 defector-run NGOs, citing their failure to file necessary documents, and check if 64 others are following conditions to stay registered. On Wednesday, the ministry expanded the investigation to a total of 289 organisations.

The sweeping probe comes as&nbsp;South&nbsp;Korean President Moon Jae-in's administration strives to restart dialogue and economic projects with Pyongyang, which is under strict international embargoes due to its nuclear weapons programme.

The ministry has already revoked the licenses of two defector groups that were sending anti-Pyongyang propaganda into the North, following complaints from North&nbsp;Korea.

<img alt="K" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="77aa4fb5-4f57-4f60-bf83-a50d70f11b46" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2825%29_19.jpg" />

FILE PHOTO: A portrait of deceased North&nbsp;Korean defector Hwang Jang-yop is hung on balloons as former North&nbsp;Korean defectors and anti-North&nbsp;Korean activists prepare to release them towards the North, near the demilitarized zone separating the two&nbsp;Koreas in Paju, north of Seoul, October 10, 2011. REUTERS

Only a handful of NGOs have been investigated since 1998, and just one other has previously been stripped of its license. Without a license, the organisations cannot get tax exemptions and hold fundraisers, though donations are still allowed.

Some 30 NGOs joined forces to issue a statement urging the ministry to halt what they called a "discriminatory crackdown".

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-south-korea-exchange-gunfire-at-guard-post-in-dimilitarised-zone-296348">North, South Korea exchange gunfire at guard post in dimilitarised zone</a>

Many of the groups have for decades worked with Seoul behind the scenes to bring defectors to the&nbsp;South&nbsp;via an informal network of brokers, charities and middlemen dubbed the North&nbsp;Korean "Underground Railroad".

Hired and funded by the NGOs, the intermediaries work as guides and offer shelter for defectors during their long, dangerous journey across China into&nbsp;Southeast Asia.

This year, the number of defectors arriving in&nbsp;South&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;plummeted to an all-time low at 147 as of June, mainly because the North closed borders on coronavirus concerns.

Moon's administration had already sharply cut funding and now the investigations are scaring away donors, activists said.

Several NGOs told Reuters the defector networks may never recover, even when borders reopen.

"Even if the investigation ends up with nothing, rescue networks would mostly be dismantled, defection routes gone and the NGOs closed by then," said Lee Young-hwan, the founder of the Transitional Justice Working Group, which works with defectors.

Unification Ministry spokesman Yeo Sang-gi said the investigation does not target defectors and was designed to ensure the NGOs follow rules.

Activists say Moon's administration has been less helpful than previous governments in navigating the delicate diplomacy to ensure defectors are not caught and forcibly repatriated to the North.

When 13 defectors were detained in Vietnam last year, U.S. diplomats came to rescue instead of&nbsp;South&nbsp;Korean authorities, two sources familiar with the matter said.

Ji Seong-ho, a defector-turned-lawmaker who previously ran a rescue network, said he managed to help another group of refugees caught in China get to&nbsp;South&nbsp;Korea, despite little help from Seoul officials.

Ji was astounded more than six months later when the officials said they were still striving to free the group.

"I was speechless," Ji said. "Government involvement may not always be successful, but how would they get the defectors released without even knowing where they were? In fact, they were already living well here."

A foreign ministry official said the government remains fully committed to defector support but some countries' relations with North&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;could complicate its efforts, without elaborating on the two cases.

When&nbsp;South&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;last year repatriated two North&nbsp;Korean sailors, calling them dangerous criminals who had killed 16 colleagues, some defectors feared they could be sent back, said Lim Il, a novelist who defected in 1997.

A coalition of 21 Seoul-based NGOs sent a petition to the United Nations last month, requesting a review of Moon's policies. Human Rights Watch and others urged Seoul to halt what they called a "political crackdown".

Imesh Pokharel, who oversees the U.N. rights agency's Seoul office, said any restrictions on the freedom of expression must be "proportionate and necessary," calling for Seoul to work with the NGOs to promote North&nbsp;Koreans' rights.

A combination of an unprecedented pressure campaign and coronavirus border closures and an by a South Korean government keen to engage with North Korea may destroy networks defectors have long used to start new lives, activist groups say.

A combination of an unprecedented pressure campaign and coronavirus border closures and an by a South Korean government keen to engage with North Korea may destroy networks defectors have long used to start new lives, activist groups say. South Korea's Unification Ministry said last month it will "inspect" 25 defector-run NGOs, citing their failure to file necessary documents, and check if 64 others are following conditions to stay registered. On Wednesday, the ministry expanded the investigation to a total of 289 organisations. The sweeping probe comes as South Korean President Moon Jae-in's administration strives to restart dialogue and economic projects with Pyongyang, which is under strict international embargoes due to its nuclear weapons programme. The ministry has already revoked the licenses of two defector groups that were sending anti-Pyongyang propaganda into the North, following complaints from North Korea. FILE PHOTO: A portrait of deceased North Korean defector Hwang Jang-yop is hung on balloons as former North Korean defectors and anti-North Korean activists prepare to release them towards the North, near the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas in Paju, north of Seoul, October 10, 2011. REUTERS Only a handful of NGOs have been investigated since 1998, and just one other has previously been stripped of its license. Without a license, the organisations cannot get tax exemptions and hold fundraisers, though donations are still allowed. Some 30 NGOs joined forces to issue a statement urging the ministry to halt what they called a "discriminatory crackdown". Also read: North, South Korea exchange gunfire at guard post in dimilitarised zone Many of the groups have for decades worked with Seoul behind the scenes to bring defectors to the South via an informal network of brokers, charities and middlemen dubbed the North Korean "Underground Railroad". Hired and funded by the NGOs, the intermediaries work as guides and offer shelter for defectors during their long, dangerous journey across China into Southeast Asia. This year, the number of defectors arriving in South Korea plummeted to an all-time low at 147 as of June, mainly because the North closed borders on coronavirus concerns. Moon's administration had already sharply cut funding and now the investigations are scaring away donors, activists said. Several NGOs told Reuters the defector networks may never recover, even when borders reopen. "Even if the investigation ends up with nothing, rescue networks would mostly be dismantled, defection routes gone and the NGOs closed by then," said Lee Young-hwan, the founder of the Transitional Justice Working Group, which works with defectors. Unification Ministry spokesman Yeo Sang-gi said the investigation does not target defectors and was designed to ensure the NGOs follow rules. Activists say Moon's administration has been less helpful than previous governments in navigating the delicate diplomacy to ensure defectors are not caught and forcibly repatriated to the North. When 13 defectors were detained in Vietnam last year, U.S. diplomats came to rescue instead of South Korean authorities, two sources familiar with the matter said. Ji Seong-ho, a defector-turned-lawmaker who previously ran a rescue network, said he managed to help another group of refugees caught in China get to South Korea, despite little help from Seoul officials. Ji was astounded more than six months later when the officials said they were still striving to free the group. "I was speechless," Ji said. "Government involvement may not always be successful, but how would they get the defectors released without even knowing where they were? In fact, they were already living well here." A foreign ministry official said the government remains fully committed to defector support but some countries' relations with North Korea could complicate its efforts, without elaborating on the two cases. When South Korea last year repatriated two North Korean sailors, calling them dangerous criminals who had killed 16 colleagues, some defectors feared they could be sent back, said Lim Il, a novelist who defected in 1997. A coalition of 21 Seoul-based NGOs sent a petition to the United Nations last month, requesting a review of Moon's policies. Human Rights Watch and others urged Seoul to halt what they called a "political crackdown". Imesh Pokharel, who oversees the U.N. rights agency's Seoul office, said any restrictions on the freedom of expression must be "proportionate and necessary," calling for Seoul to work with the NGOs to promote North Koreans' rights.

South Korea investigations threaten North Korea's 'underground railroad'

New&nbsp;Zealand&nbsp;Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Wednesday&nbsp;delayed a key step toward next month's general election, as the country was plunged back into lockdown after the discovery of the first COVID-19 cases in more than three months.

Ardern said she was suspending the dissolution of parliament, which was due to make way for an election scheduled to take place on September&nbsp;19, until Monday. No decision had yet been made on delaying the actual poll, she added.

New&nbsp;Zealand&nbsp;health officials are urgently tracing the source of four&nbsp;new&nbsp;cases of COVID-19, all within one family in Auckland, the country's largest city. They&nbsp;are investigating the possibility that its first virus cases in more than three months were imported by freight.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealand-pm-jacinda-ardern-puts-auckland-on-lockdown-after-four-coronavirus-cases-detected-319714">New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern puts Auckland on lockdown after four coronavirus cases detected</a>

The cluster, the first cases reported in the country for 102 days, led Ardern to announce the reimposition of lockdown measures late on Tuesday.

Director General of Health Ashley Bloomfield said the infected family was in strict isolation at home, but one woman had travelled to tourist spots in Rotorua while she was symptomatic.

Parliament was due to be dissolved on Wednesday to allow the election to take place, but the centre-left leader held off the move until Monday to monitor how the crisis evolves.

"At this stage, it's too early to make any decision but this means there is some flexibility if required," said Ardern, who is well ahead in opinion polls and expected to win a second term.

Leader of the opposition National Party Judith Collins called for a delay until late November, or even next year.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Wednesday delayed a key step toward next month's general election, as the country was plunged back into lockdown after the discovery of the first COVID-19 cases in more than three months.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Wednesday delayed a key step toward next month's general election, as the country was plunged back into lockdown after the discovery of the first COVID-19 cases in more than three months. Ardern said she was suspending the dissolution of parliament, which was due to make way for an election scheduled to take place on September 19, until Monday. No decision had yet been made on delaying the actual poll, she added. New Zealand health officials are urgently tracing the source of four new cases of COVID-19, all within one family in Auckland, the country's largest city. They are investigating the possibility that its first virus cases in more than three months were imported by freight. Also read: New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern puts Auckland on lockdown after four coronavirus cases detected The cluster, the first cases reported in the country for 102 days, led Ardern to announce the reimposition of lockdown measures late on Tuesday. Director General of Health Ashley Bloomfield said the infected family was in strict isolation at home, but one woman had travelled to tourist spots in Rotorua while she was symptomatic. Parliament was due to be dissolved on Wednesday to allow the election to take place, but the centre-left leader held off the move until Monday to monitor how the crisis evolves. "At this stage, it's too early to make any decision but this means there is some flexibility if required," said Ardern, who is well ahead in opinion polls and expected to win a second term. Leader of the opposition National Party Judith Collins called for a delay until late November, or even next year.

New Zealand defers parliament dissolution as it rushes to contain COVID-19 outbreak

The death toll from Beirut's massive August 4 explosion has climbed to 171, a health ministry spokesman said.

The new figure, up from 160, came exactly one week since the mega-blast ravaged swathes of the Lebanese capital, wounding more than 6,000 and temporarily displacing 300,000 people from their homes.&nbsp;

It was caused by the ignition of 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate that had been sitting at Beirut port for more than six years.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/beirut-blast-places-where-ammonium-nitrate-is-being-stored-around-the-world-319744" hreflang="en">Beirut blast: Places where ammonium nitrate is being stored around the world</a>

The explosion has fuelled popular outrage against the country's top political leaders and security agencies, and led to the resignation of the government on Monday.

Lebanon's president Michel Aoun, who accepted the&nbsp;resignation of&nbsp;Prime Minister Hassan Diab,&nbsp;&nbsp;had previously said explosive material was stored unsafely for years at the port. He later said the investigation would consider whether the cause was external interference as well as negligence or an accident.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/sursock-palace-19th-century-landmark-destroyed-in-beirut-blasts-319389">Sursock Palace, 19th century landmark, destroyed in Beirut blasts</a>

In the wake of the disaster, documents have come to light that show that top Lebanese officials knew about the existence of the stockpile in the heart of Beirut near residential areas, and did nothing about it.

It still wasn't clear what caused the fire in a port warehouse that triggered the explosion of the chemicals, which created a shockwave so powerful it was felt as far away as the island of Cyprus more than 200 kilometers across the Mediterranean.

The explosion, which obliterated the capital's port, damaged thousands of apartments and offices in the capital and came on top of an unprecedented economic and financial crisis the country the country has been mired in since late last year, compounding the nation's collective distress.

An international donor conference on Sunday (August 9) raised pledges worth nearly 253 million euros ($298 million) for immediate humanitarian relief, but foreign countries are demanding transparency over how the aid is used

The death toll from Beirut's massive August 4 explosion has climbed to 171, a health ministry spokesman said. The new figure, up from 160, came exactly one week since the mega-blast ravaged swathes of the Lebanese capital, wounding more than 6,000 and temporarily displacing 300,000 people from their homes.

The death toll from Beirut's massive August 4 explosion has climbed to 171, a health ministry spokesman said. The new figure, up from 160, came exactly one week since the mega-blast ravaged swathes of the Lebanese capital, wounding more than 6,000 and temporarily displacing 300,000 people from their homes. It was caused by the ignition of 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate that had been sitting at Beirut port for more than six years. Also see: Beirut blast: Places where ammonium nitrate is being stored around the world The explosion has fuelled popular outrage against the country's top political leaders and security agencies, and led to the resignation of the government on Monday. Lebanon's president Michel Aoun, who accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Hassan Diab, had previously said explosive material was stored unsafely for years at the port. He later said the investigation would consider whether the cause was external interference as well as negligence or an accident. Also see: Sursock Palace, 19th century landmark, destroyed in Beirut blasts In the wake of the disaster, documents have come to light that show that top Lebanese officials knew about the existence of the stockpile in the heart of Beirut near residential areas, and did nothing about it. It still wasn't clear what caused the fire in a port warehouse that triggered the explosion of the chemicals, which created a shockwave so powerful it was felt as far away as the island of Cyprus more than 200 kilometers across the Mediterranean. The explosion, which obliterated the capital's port, damaged thousands of apartments and offices in the capital and came on top of an unprecedented economic and financial crisis the country the country has been mired in since late last year, compounding the nation's collective distress. An international donor conference on Sunday (August 9) raised pledges worth nearly 253 million euros ($298 million) for immediate humanitarian relief, but foreign countries are demanding transparency over how the aid is used

Beirut: Death toll rises to 171 as Lebanon marks one week since deadly blast

Human rights violations&nbsp;in the&nbsp;Balochistan&nbsp;province of&nbsp;Pakistan&nbsp;have drawn concern in the international community.

The violations have taken place during the ongoing&nbsp;Balochistan conflict&nbsp;between&nbsp;Baloch nationalists,&nbsp;terrorists and the government of Pakistan&nbsp;over the rule of&nbsp;Balochistan. It is&nbsp;the largest province by land area of modern-day Pakistan and&nbsp;also the most oppressed.

The high handedness of the Pakistani army in Balochistan is well-known but&nbsp;the true extent of the persecution was revealed&nbsp;in 2017.

Also read- <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/balochistan-pakistans-land-of-mass-graves-206973">Balochistan: Pakistan's land of mass graves</a>

The country's battle for&nbsp;independence lasted&nbsp;well over 60 years. It has&nbsp;hundreds of unmarked graves with&nbsp;the&nbsp;military's stamp on forced disappearances.&nbsp;

In 2016, Pakistan was accused of dumping nearly one thousand dead bodies of activists and other Balochis. A&nbsp;revelation that had exposed large scale extrajudicial killings in Balochistan.

When a WION&nbsp;correspondent travelled deep inside Balochistan, a family narrated to us how they lost one of their own.

Nasrullah Baloch, a member of this family&nbsp;narrated&nbsp;how the Pakistani state goes after dissenters.&nbsp;Balochistan is the largest&nbsp;and most resource-rich province of Pakistan. Yet,&nbsp;the people of this region live in dire conditions.

75 per cent of Balochistan's population remains rural. The literacy rate of the province stands at 41 per cent and urban unemployment stands at over 12 per cent.

The injustice against the Balochis is well documented. Over the years, Pakistan has systematically suppressed development in Balochistan.

While squeezing out the natural resources from the region, Pakistan opened the doors of Balochistan for China, allowing the dragon to build infrastructure. It&nbsp;threatens to push out the Balochi population from their own lands.

The high-handed attitude of Pakistan has forced many Balochis to pick up arms.&nbsp;In February, Balochistan witnessed three attacks that killed nearly 30 people.&nbsp;The Baloch Liberation Army with a cadre of six thousand&nbsp;has emerged as the most prominent group which is targeting Pakistani and Chinese assets and people in Pakistan.

Human rights violations in the Balochistan province of Pakistan have drawn concern in the international community. The violations have taken place during the ongoing Balochistan conflict between Baloch nationalists, terrorists and the government of Pakistan over the rule of Balochistan.

Human rights violations in the Balochistan province of Pakistan have drawn concern in the international community. The violations have taken place during the ongoing Balochistan conflict between Baloch nationalists, terrorists and the government of Pakistan over the rule of Balochistan. It is the largest province by land area of modern-day Pakistan and also the most oppressed. The high handedness of the Pakistani army in Balochistan is well-known but the true extent of the persecution was revealed in 2017. Also read- Balochistan: Pakistan's land of mass graves The country's battle for independence lasted well over 60 years. It has hundreds of unmarked graves with the military's stamp on forced disappearances. In 2016, Pakistan was accused of dumping nearly one thousand dead bodies of activists and other Balochis. A revelation that had exposed large scale extrajudicial killings in Balochistan. When a WION correspondent travelled deep inside Balochistan, a family narrated to us how they lost one of their own. Nasrullah Baloch, a member of this family narrated how the Pakistani state goes after dissenters. Balochistan is the largest and most resource-rich province of Pakistan. Yet, the people of this region live in dire conditions. 75 per cent of Balochistan's population remains rural. The literacy rate of the province stands at 41 per cent and urban unemployment stands at over 12 per cent. The injustice against the Balochis is well documented. Over the years, Pakistan has systematically suppressed development in Balochistan. While squeezing out the natural resources from the region, Pakistan opened the doors of Balochistan for China, allowing the dragon to build infrastructure. It threatens to push out the Balochi population from their own lands. The high-handed attitude of Pakistan has forced many Balochis to pick up arms. In February, Balochistan witnessed three attacks that killed nearly 30 people. The Baloch Liberation Army with a cadre of six thousand has emerged as the most prominent group which is targeting Pakistani and Chinese assets and people in Pakistan.

Baloch Liberation Army targets Pakistan and Chinese assets

The condition of minorities is worsening in Pakistan and their numbers are declining by the day.

Minorities in Pakistan are severely charged on minor allegations, leading to punishments like the death penalty. Blasphemy laws, in most cases, are used to fulfill a personal vendetta.

Religious minorities are living a life under siege in Pakistan.&nbsp;The country's stance on them exposes its&nbsp;hypocrisy.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-failed-judicial-system-fails-14-year-old-christian-girl-318946">Pakistan's failed judicial system fails 14-year-old Christian girl</a>

In February, Imran Khan issued a warning that&nbsp;anyone targeting the non-muslim population of Pakistan will be dealt with strictly. He declared that minorities are equal citizens of his country. However, his actions have fallen way short of his lofty words.

Since August 2018,&nbsp;after Imran Khan took power,&nbsp;at least 31 members of the minority community have been killed, 58 have been injured in targeted attacks and 25 blasphemy cases have been filed. At least seven places of worship for the minorities have also come under attack.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/pakistan/another-minor-hindu-girl-kidnapped-in-pakistan-forcibly-converted-to-islam-308021">Another minor Hindu girl kidnapped in Pakistan forcibly converted to Islam</a>

The Shia Muslims, Christians, Ahmadis, Hindus and Sikhs make up the minority community in Pakistan. All of them, without exception, have been targeted under Imran Khan.

The Shias,&nbsp;specifically, the shia hazara community, continue to suffer violent attacks.

According to one claim,&nbsp;at least 509 Shia Hazaras have been killed in violence since the 2012.

Under Imran Khan, at least 24 members of this community were killed last year.

In April last year,&nbsp;an attacker detonated a bomb at a vegetable market in Quetta. The target were the Hazaras.

The Christian community in the country has been perpetual sufferers of violence and discrimination.

Asia Bibi, a woman belonging to this&nbsp;community had spent almost a decade in prison on blasphemy charges&nbsp;before&nbsp;she was acquitted in 2018.

But, she couldn't leave the prison for weeks because in Pakistan religious leaders are above the law.

When hardlines laid seige to major cities in Pakistan, Imran khan was helpless before the radicals.

He couldn't ensure the safety of Asia Bibi and her five children in their own country and they had to be whisked out of Pakistan and&nbsp;took asylum in France.

The Ahmadiyya community&nbsp;represents less than one percent of Pakistan's population continue to be&nbsp;attacked. They boycott elections in protest.

Nearly 90 percent of Ahmadis in Pakistan's Rabwah boycotted the election in 2018.

So far, no leader has addressed their concerns. Their places of worship have been vandalised.

There are laws that make it illegal for Ahmadi Muslims to recite the Quran. They are also not allowed to have Islamic inscriptions on headstones or even call their place of worship a&nbsp;mosque.

Under Imran Khan,&nbsp;nothing has changed. The Ahmadis remain doomed. They face constant attacks.

In this year alone, a group stormed into a mosque. Local authorities could not do anything. So, the Ahmadis had to hand over their mosque to hardliners.

And there's no end to stories of the plight of Hindus and Sikhs in Pakistan.

According to the human rights commission of Pakistan, close to one thousand young Hindus and Christians are forced to convert to Islam every year.

Last year,&nbsp;a 19-year-old sikh girl was forced to convert to islam. She came back home after a 30-member committee of the Sikh community put pressure on the government.

Attacks on hindu temples are frequent. Last year, a large mob in Sindh vandalised a temple. This was after a Hindu principal was accused of blasphemy.

In the month of may, the Imran Khan government announced the formation of the national commission on minorities.

The cabinet decided to include the Ahmadis, only to drop them later. The Pakistani government faced a backlash, it had to keep the Ahmadis out.

So, Pakistan's minority commission has no representation from the Ahmadis. The minority group,&nbsp;that faces the most severe persecution in Pakistan. This case alone exposes Imran Khan's farce on minorities.

The condition of minorities is worsening in Pakistan and their numbers are declining by the day. Minorities in Pakistan are severely charged on minor allegations, leading to punishments like the death penalty.

The condition of minorities is worsening in Pakistan and their numbers are declining by the day. Minorities in Pakistan are severely charged on minor allegations, leading to punishments like the death penalty. Blasphemy laws, in most cases, are used to fulfill a personal vendetta. Religious minorities are living a life under siege in Pakistan. The country's stance on them exposes its hypocrisy. Also read: Pakistan's failed judicial system fails 14-year-old Christian girl In February, Imran Khan issued a warning that anyone targeting the non-muslim population of Pakistan will be dealt with strictly. He declared that minorities are equal citizens of his country. However, his actions have fallen way short of his lofty words. Since August 2018, after Imran Khan took power, at least 31 members of the minority community have been killed, 58 have been injured in targeted attacks and 25 blasphemy cases have been filed. At least seven places of worship for the minorities have also come under attack. Also read: Another minor Hindu girl kidnapped in Pakistan forcibly converted to Islam The Shia Muslims, Christians, Ahmadis, Hindus and Sikhs make up the minority community in Pakistan. All of them, without exception, have been targeted under Imran Khan. The Shias, specifically, the shia hazara community, continue to suffer violent attacks. According to one claim, at least 509 Shia Hazaras have been killed in violence since the 2012. Under Imran Khan, at least 24 members of this community were killed last year. In April last year, an attacker detonated a bomb at a vegetable market in Quetta. The target were the Hazaras. The Christian community in the country has been perpetual sufferers of violence and discrimination. Asia Bibi, a woman belonging to this community had spent almost a decade in prison on blasphemy charges before she was acquitted in 2018. But, she couldn't leave the prison for weeks because in Pakistan religious leaders are above the law. When hardlines laid seige to major cities in Pakistan, Imran khan was helpless before the radicals. He couldn't ensure the safety of Asia Bibi and her five children in their own country and they had to be whisked out of Pakistan and took asylum in France. The Ahmadiyya community represents less than one percent of Pakistan's population continue to be attacked. They boycott elections in protest. Nearly 90 percent of Ahmadis in Pakistan's Rabwah boycotted the election in 2018. So far, no leader has addressed their concerns. Their places of worship have been vandalised. There are laws that make it illegal for Ahmadi Muslims to recite the Quran. They are also not allowed to have Islamic inscriptions on headstones or even call their place of worship a mosque. Under Imran Khan, nothing has changed. The Ahmadis remain doomed. They face constant attacks. In this year alone, a group stormed into a mosque. Local authorities could not do anything. So, the Ahmadis had to hand over their mosque to hardliners. And there's no end to stories of the plight of Hindus and Sikhs in Pakistan. According to the human rights commission of Pakistan, close to one thousand young Hindus and Christians are forced to convert to Islam every year. Last year, a 19-year-old sikh girl was forced to convert to islam. She came back home after a 30-member committee of the Sikh community put pressure on the government. Attacks on hindu temples are frequent. Last year, a large mob in Sindh vandalised a temple. This was after a Hindu principal was accused of blasphemy. In the month of may, the Imran Khan government announced the formation of the national commission on minorities. The cabinet decided to include the Ahmadis, only to drop them later. The Pakistani government faced a backlash, it had to keep the Ahmadis out. So, Pakistan's minority commission has no representation from the Ahmadis. The minority group, that faces the most severe persecution in Pakistan. This case alone exposes Imran Khan's farce on minorities.

Pakistan's stance on religious minorities exposes its hypocrisy

Greece demanded that Turkey withdraw a research ship at the heart of their growing dispute over maritime rights and warned it would defend its sovereignty, calling for an emergency meeting of EU foreign ministers to resolve the crisis.

The row flared Monday when Ankara sent the research ship Oruc Reis off the Greek island of Kastellorizo, where Turkey disputes Greek maritime rights.

Ankara announced on Monday that its research vessel Oruc Reis and two support vessels would be operating in the Mediterranean Sea between Cyprus and Greece until August 23. The vessel arrived in the area Monday morning, escorted by Turkish warships.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-calls-greek-reaction-to-hagia-sophia-prayers-hostile-315912">Turkey calls Greek reaction to Hagia Sophia prayers 'hostile'</a>

Greece slammed the decision as an illegal act that infringed on its sovereign rights, saying the Turkish research vessel was inside an area covered by the Greek continental shelf. Greek warships were in the area and were monitoring the Oruc Reis, and the military was on alert, officials said.

<img alt="Turkey" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c6057f14-f609-44b1-a282-2c3589571917" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2821%29_4.jpg" />

Turkish seismic research vessel Oruc Reis sails through Mediterranean after leaving a port in Antalya, Turkey, August 10, 2020. Turkish Ministry of Energy/ REUTERS

NATO allies and neighbours Greece and Turkey have traditionally had testy relations and have been at odds for decades over a wide variety of issues.

The two have come to the brink of war three times since the mid-1970s, including once over drilling exploration rights. Recent discoveries of natural gas and drilling plans across the east Mediterranean have led to renewed tension.

Ankara has been angered by a deal Greece signed with Egypt last Thursday delineating their bilateral maritime boundaries and exclusive economic zones for rights to the exploitation of resources.

Last year, Turkey signed a similar deal with the U.N.-backed Libyan government in Tripoli, sparking outrage in Greece, Egypt and Cyprus, which said the agreement infringed on their economic rights in the Mediterranean.

The European Union had said the deal was a violation of international law that threatened regional stability.

At the heart of the issue is how a country's continental shelf is calculated and whether islands should be included in the calculation. Turkey argues they should not, a position that Greece says violates international law.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis spoke with Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou Tuesday to inform her of the situation in the eastern Mediterranean, his office said. He was also to speak with the heads of the country's political parties.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, speaking after a four-hour Cabinet meeting Monday night, warned that Turkey would not confine its offshore exploration efforts to its immediate coastline, but otherwise appeared conciliatory.

Greece demanded that Turkey withdraw a research ship at the heart of their growing dispute over maritime rights and warned it would defend its sovereignty, calling for an emergency meeting of EU foreign ministers to resolve the crisis.

Greece demanded that Turkey withdraw a research ship at the heart of their growing dispute over maritime rights and warned it would defend its sovereignty, calling for an emergency meeting of EU foreign ministers to resolve the crisis. The row flared Monday when Ankara sent the research ship Oruc Reis off the Greek island of Kastellorizo, where Turkey disputes Greek maritime rights. Ankara announced on Monday that its research vessel Oruc Reis and two support vessels would be operating in the Mediterranean Sea between Cyprus and Greece until August 23. The vessel arrived in the area Monday morning, escorted by Turkish warships. Also read: Turkey calls Greek reaction to Hagia Sophia prayers 'hostile' Greece slammed the decision as an illegal act that infringed on its sovereign rights, saying the Turkish research vessel was inside an area covered by the Greek continental shelf. Greek warships were in the area and were monitoring the Oruc Reis, and the military was on alert, officials said. Turkish seismic research vessel Oruc Reis sails through Mediterranean after leaving a port in Antalya, Turkey, August 10, 2020. Turkish Ministry of Energy/ REUTERS NATO allies and neighbours Greece and Turkey have traditionally had testy relations and have been at odds for decades over a wide variety of issues. The two have come to the brink of war three times since the mid-1970s, including once over drilling exploration rights. Recent discoveries of natural gas and drilling plans across the east Mediterranean have led to renewed tension. Ankara has been angered by a deal Greece signed with Egypt last Thursday delineating their bilateral maritime boundaries and exclusive economic zones for rights to the exploitation of resources. Last year, Turkey signed a similar deal with the U.N.-backed Libyan government in Tripoli, sparking outrage in Greece, Egypt and Cyprus, which said the agreement infringed on their economic rights in the Mediterranean. The European Union had said the deal was a violation of international law that threatened regional stability. At the heart of the issue is how a country's continental shelf is calculated and whether islands should be included in the calculation. Turkey argues they should not, a position that Greece says violates international law. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis spoke with Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou Tuesday to inform her of the situation in the eastern Mediterranean, his office said. He was also to speak with the heads of the country's political parties. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, speaking after a four-hour Cabinet meeting Monday night, warned that Turkey would not confine its offshore exploration efforts to its immediate coastline, but otherwise appeared conciliatory.

Greece wants emergency EU meeting on Turkey amid high tensions in eastern Mediterranean

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that some men may feel "insulted" by his Democratic rival Joe Biden's committment to choose a woman as his vice presidential candidate.

"He roped himself into a certain group of people.&nbsp;Some people would say men are insulted by that and some people would say it is fine," Trump said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-expected-to-announce-us-presidential-running-mate-this-week-source-319628" hreflang="en">Biden expected to announce US presidential running mate this week: Source</a>

Declaring that he wants a government as diverse as the country itself, Biden committed early in his campaign, in March, that he would name a woman on the ticket. He is expected to announce his choice this week.

Only two other women have been nominated vice presidential candidates, Sarah Palin by the Republican party in 2008 and Geraldine Ferraro by the Democrats in 1984, and neither made it into the White House. No woman has won the presidency either.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joe-biden-is-considering-four-black-women-for-vice-president-315084">Joe Biden is considering four Black women for vice-president</a>

Trump, who is seeking re-election in the November&nbsp;3 US&nbsp;election, also said his relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping has frayed in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic and that he has not spoken to his Chinese counterpart in a long time.

"I used to have a very good relationship with him," Trump said in an interview, citing their Phase One trade deal last year. "I had a great relationship with President Xi. I like him, but I don't feel the same way now."

Trump made challenging China a key part of his 2016 presidential campaign and touted his friendly ties with Xi during much of his first term in office as he sought to make good on his trade deal promises.

But he said on Tuesday that the fallout from the outbreak was worse than the conflict over trade. "This is a thousand times the trade deal what happened with all of the death and ... the world had to shutdown. It's a disgrace," he told Fox.

First reports of the virus emerged from China in late 2019 and it has now infected more than 20 million people and killed at least 735,369 worldwide, including at least 5.1 million cases and at least 163,160 deaths in the United States.

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that some men may feel "insulted" by his Democratic rival Joe Biden's committment to choose a woman as his vice presidential candidate.

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that some men may feel "insulted" by his Democratic rival Joe Biden's committment to choose a woman as his vice presidential candidate. "He roped himself into a certain group of people. Some people would say men are insulted by that and some people would say it is fine," Trump said. Also read: Biden expected to announce US presidential running mate this week: Source Declaring that he wants a government as diverse as the country itself, Biden committed early in his campaign, in March, that he would name a woman on the ticket. He is expected to announce his choice this week. Only two other women have been nominated vice presidential candidates, Sarah Palin by the Republican party in 2008 and Geraldine Ferraro by the Democrats in 1984, and neither made it into the White House. No woman has won the presidency either. Also read: Joe Biden is considering four Black women for vice-president Trump, who is seeking re-election in the November 3 US election, also said his relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping has frayed in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic and that he has not spoken to his Chinese counterpart in a long time. "I used to have a very good relationship with him," Trump said in an interview, citing their Phase One trade deal last year. "I had a great relationship with President Xi. I like him, but I don't feel the same way now." Trump made challenging China a key part of his 2016 presidential campaign and touted his friendly ties with Xi during much of his first term in office as he sought to make good on his trade deal promises. But he said on Tuesday that the fallout from the outbreak was worse than the conflict over trade. "This is a thousand times the trade deal what happened with all of the death and ... the world had to shutdown. It's a disgrace," he told Fox. First reports of the virus emerged from China in late 2019 and it has now infected more than 20 million people and killed at least 735,369 worldwide, including at least 5.1 million cases and at least 163,160 deaths in the United States.

Men may be 'insulted' by Biden's female vice president pledge, says Trump

Ahead of an upcoming release of Taliban detainees held in Afghan prisons, the insurgent group warned the government in Kabul on Tuesday against any attacks on those released, saying such incidents would jeopardise the peace talks.

A Taliban spokesman said there have been at least 11 such attacks in the past several months&nbsp;instances when freed Taliban figures were killed, harassed and re-arrested by government forces.

Kabul officials denied unwarranted attacks on freed Taliban. The prisoner release is part of a deal the insurgents signed with the United States earlier this year. A final 400 Taliban prisoners remain in government prisons.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-president-signs-off-on-taliban-prisoner-release-peace-talks-expected-in-days-319572" hreflang="en">Afghan president signs off on Taliban prisoner release</a>

Over the weekend in Kabul, an Afghan traditional council, known as the Loya Jirga, agreed to free the final 400 imprisoned Taliban, paving the way for an early start to negotiations between Afghanistan's warring sides.

The council agreed to an immediate release of Taliban prisoners but by Tuesday, they had not been freed. Negotiations between Kabul's political leadership and the Taliban are expected to begin within weeks and will be held in the Mideast state of Qatar, where the Taliban maintain a political office. The Taliban said the talks could begin within a week of the final prisoner releases.

Taliban political spokesman Suhail Shaheen warned that attacks on newly freed prisoners will drive them back to the battlefield despite orders from their leaders to stay at home, with their families.&nbsp;Attacks on their homes will ?make it impossible for them to stay in their homes," Shaheen said.

''Such incidents have happened that they have been re-arrested and also killed," she added.

In recent months, both sides have freed prisoners in line with the deal the Taliban signed with Washington on February 29 to bring an end to decades of war. The government was to free 5,000&nbsp;and has already released all but the last 400. The Taliban freed the 1,000 members of the government forces and Afghan officials they had held captive.

Ahead of an upcoming release of Taliban detainees held in Afghan prisons, the insurgent group warned the government in Kabul on Tuesday against any attacks on those released, saying such incidents would jeopardise the peace talks.

Ahead of an upcoming release of Taliban detainees held in Afghan prisons, the insurgent group warned the government in Kabul on Tuesday against any attacks on those released, saying such incidents would jeopardise the peace talks. A Taliban spokesman said there have been at least 11 such attacks in the past several months instances when freed Taliban figures were killed, harassed and re-arrested by government forces. Kabul officials denied unwarranted attacks on freed Taliban. The prisoner release is part of a deal the insurgents signed with the United States earlier this year. A final 400 Taliban prisoners remain in government prisons. Also read: Afghan president signs off on Taliban prisoner release Over the weekend in Kabul, an Afghan traditional council, known as the Loya Jirga, agreed to free the final 400 imprisoned Taliban, paving the way for an early start to negotiations between Afghanistan's warring sides. The council agreed to an immediate release of Taliban prisoners but by Tuesday, they had not been freed. Negotiations between Kabul's political leadership and the Taliban are expected to begin within weeks and will be held in the Mideast state of Qatar, where the Taliban maintain a political office. The Taliban said the talks could begin within a week of the final prisoner releases. Taliban political spokesman Suhail Shaheen warned that attacks on newly freed prisoners will drive them back to the battlefield despite orders from their leaders to stay at home, with their families. Attacks on their homes will ?make it impossible for them to stay in their homes," Shaheen said. ''Such incidents have happened that they have been re-arrested and also killed," she added. In recent months, both sides have freed prisoners in line with the deal the Taliban signed with Washington on February 29 to bring an end to decades of war. The government was to free 5,000 and has already released all but the last 400. The Taliban freed the 1,000 members of the government forces and Afghan officials they had held captive.

Taliban warn against attacks on freed prisoners going home

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.