Nepal Prime Minister K P Oli on Tuesday said the coronavirus outbreak should not be used to target his government, even as the main Opposition party called for a probe into the alleged irregularities in the procurement of medical kits and protective gear.

The prime minister's comments come amid the rising number of fresh virus cases in the Himalayan nation. With 59 new cases in the last 24 hours, Nepal's COVID-19 tally now stands at 21,009 with 58 deaths.

In a meeting with health experts and politicians at the prime minister's official residence in Baluwatar, Oli said the government's efforts need to be backed up by wide spread public awareness.

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"This coronavirus pandemic is a big challenge for all of us, so don't make it an opportunity to criticise the government," the prime minister said, adding that discipline in following government advice was a prerequisite in tackling the virus.

The prime minister had called for the meeting to take suggestions from experts on ways to tackle the pandemic.

Leader of the main Opposition Nepali Congress Sher Bahadur Deuba told the gathering that an investigation was needed to look into the allegations of corruption in the procurement of medical kits and protective gear.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-to-reopen-everest-to-climbers-despite-coronavirus-case-rise-317135">Nepal to reopen Everest to climbers despite coronavirus case rise</a>

The government should stop protecting the people involved in corruption, the four-time former prime minister said.

Secretary of Council of Ministers Mahendra Guragain said the government had established laboratories across the country, gaining the capacity to conduct 18,000 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests per day.

So far, over 400,000 tests have been conducted in Nepal. Of the 7,687 tests conducted in the last 24 hours, 259 patients were found to be COVID-19 positive, spokesperson of Ministry of Health and Population Jageshwar Gautam said in a daily briefing.

Of the new cases, 62 patients were from Kathmandu valley. On Sunday, the valley reported 31 coronavirus positive cases and on Monday 51 new cases were detected.

Presently, 5,925 patients are undergoing treatment at different health facilities. The number of recovered people rose to 15,026 after 65 people were declared virus-free in the last 24 hours, Gautam said.

Nepal's COVID-19 death toll rose to 58 on Monday after a 77-year-old man was reported dead due to the virus. The deceased was a diabetic.&nbsp;

Nepal Prime Minister K P Oli on Tuesday said the coronavirus outbreak should not be used to target his government, even as the main Opposition party called for a probe into the alleged irregularities in the procurement of medical kits and protective gear.

Nepal Prime Minister K P Oli on Tuesday said the coronavirus outbreak should not be used to target his government, even as the main Opposition party called for a probe into the alleged irregularities in the procurement of medical kits and protective gear. The prime minister's comments come amid the rising number of fresh virus cases in the Himalayan nation. With 59 new cases in the last 24 hours, Nepal's COVID-19 tally now stands at 21,009 with 58 deaths. In a meeting with health experts and politicians at the prime minister's official residence in Baluwatar, Oli said the government's efforts need to be backed up by wide spread public awareness. Also read: Landslides kill 10 in Nepal as heavy rains take toll in South Asia "This coronavirus pandemic is a big challenge for all of us, so don't make it an opportunity to criticise the government," the prime minister said, adding that discipline in following government advice was a prerequisite in tackling the virus. The prime minister had called for the meeting to take suggestions from experts on ways to tackle the pandemic. Leader of the main Opposition Nepali Congress Sher Bahadur Deuba told the gathering that an investigation was needed to look into the allegations of corruption in the procurement of medical kits and protective gear. Also read: Nepal to reopen Everest to climbers despite coronavirus case rise The government should stop protecting the people involved in corruption, the four-time former prime minister said. Secretary of Council of Ministers Mahendra Guragain said the government had established laboratories across the country, gaining the capacity to conduct 18,000 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests per day. So far, over 400,000 tests have been conducted in Nepal. Of the 7,687 tests conducted in the last 24 hours, 259 patients were found to be COVID-19 positive, spokesperson of Ministry of Health and Population Jageshwar Gautam said in a daily briefing. Of the new cases, 62 patients were from Kathmandu valley. On Sunday, the valley reported 31 coronavirus positive cases and on Monday 51 new cases were detected. Presently, 5,925 patients are undergoing treatment at different health facilities. The number of recovered people rose to 15,026 after 65 people were declared virus-free in the last 24 hours, Gautam said. Nepal's COVID-19 death toll rose to 58 on Monday after a 77-year-old man was reported dead due to the virus. The deceased was a diabetic.

Coronavirus outbreak should not be used to target government: Nepal PM Oli

The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) last month sacked 63 of its employees, including 5 pilots, on charges of fake degrees, embezzlement and absence from duty.

All five of the sacked pilots were holding fake licences, said PIA spokesperson Abdullah Khan, adding that all the employees were dismissed in accordance to the law.

Twenty-eight employees were removed for fake education credentials and 27 employees were sacked for being absent from duty without notice, Khan said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-reports-432-new-cases-of-coronavirus-ministry-318061" hreflang="en">Pak reports 432 new cases of coronavirus: Ministry</a>

Two employees were fired on charges of embezzlement and one employee was fired for incompetence.

Further, the airlines demoted four employees for refusing to work, and held back increments of three employees for violating standard operating procedures.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/china-tells-pakistan-to-not-get-emotional-over-uighur-crisis-317929" hreflang="en">China tells Pakistan to not get 'emotional' over Uighur crisis</a>

Last month, the airline had sacked 17 pilots on the order of the federal cabinet. The 12 captains and five first officers were found to have 'dubious' flying licences.

The pilots were dismissed following Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan's probe into the May 22 Karachi plane crash.

In June, the minister had told the Parliament that 262 pilots in the country held "suspicious flying licences" and would be grounded immediately.

The domestic flight from Lahore to Karachi crashed in a residential area near the Jinnah International Airport in Karachi on May 22.

The aviation minister's probe report blamed the pilots and the air traffic control for the tragedy that killed 97 people.&nbsp;

The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) last month sacked 63 of its employees, including 5 pilots, on charges of fake degrees, embezzlement and absence from duty.

The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) last month sacked 63 of its employees, including 5 pilots, on charges of fake degrees, embezzlement and absence from duty. All five of the sacked pilots were holding fake licences, said PIA spokesperson Abdullah Khan, adding that all the employees were dismissed in accordance to the law. Twenty-eight employees were removed for fake education credentials and 27 employees were sacked for being absent from duty without notice, Khan said. Also read: Pak reports 432 new cases of coronavirus: Ministry Two employees were fired on charges of embezzlement and one employee was fired for incompetence. Further, the airlines demoted four employees for refusing to work, and held back increments of three employees for violating standard operating procedures. Also read: China tells Pakistan to not get 'emotional' over Uighur crisis Last month, the airline had sacked 17 pilots on the order of the federal cabinet. The 12 captains and five first officers were found to have 'dubious' flying licences. The pilots were dismissed following Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan's probe into the May 22 Karachi plane crash. In June, the minister had told the Parliament that 262 pilots in the country held "suspicious flying licences" and would be grounded immediately. The domestic flight from Lahore to Karachi crashed in a residential area near the Jinnah International Airport in Karachi on May 22. The aviation minister's probe report blamed the pilots and the air traffic control for the tragedy that killed 97 people.

PIA sacks 63 employees for fake degrees, embezzlement

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Tuesday accused Russia of lying about the presence of Russian security contractors in Belarus and said unnamed forces were trying to carry out a revolution but would fail.

The 65-year-old has ruled over the ex-Soviet country wedged between Russia and Europe with an authoritarian grip for 26 years and has cracked down on the country's emboldened opposition in the lead-up to Sunday's election.

Belarus detained the Russian contractors last week and opened a criminal case into them, saying it suspected "the preparation of terrorist acts". It suggested the men may be linked to Lukashenko's political rivals.

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Russia, traditionally a close ally, has said the detained men were merely transiting via Belarus en route to a third country and had no plans to try to influence Belarusian domestic politics.

During a televised address to the nation, Lukashenko slammed what he said were attempts by his opponents to organise "a massacre" on the streets of the capital Minsk, claiming his critics were being backed by "billion-dollar resources" to create unrest.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/belarus-says-russians-plotted-attacks-kremlin-denies-317199">Belarus says Russians plotted attacks; Kremlin denies</a>

"Will Belarus survive? Will it survive this hybrid war?" he said, sweating profusely and repeatedly mopping his brow.

"We will not give the country to you. Independence is expensive, but it is worth it," he said during his speech which lasted more than an hour and a half.

There was no immediate reaction from Moscow, which has in the past dismissed Lukashenko's criticism of it as emotional.

Lukashenko used his speech to cast himself as a guarantor of stability in a chaotic world and pledged to protect his country from rivals he portrayed as childish wreckers being controlled by "puppet masters" abroad.

The former collective farm director turned Europe's longest-serving ruler is seeking a sixth term in the upcoming ballot after barring his main rivals from contesting the vote and jailing some of them.

He has accused European countries and Russia of meddling in the elections and last week the Belarusian security service, the KGB, arrested 33 Russian "militants" that the authorities said were plotting mass riots with the opposition.

&nbsp;

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Tuesday accused Russia of lying about the presence of Russian security contractors in Belarus and said unnamed forces were trying to carry out a revolution but would fail.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Tuesday accused Russia of lying about the presence of Russian security contractors in Belarus and said unnamed forces were trying to carry out a revolution but would fail. The 65-year-old has ruled over the ex-Soviet country wedged between Russia and Europe with an authoritarian grip for 26 years and has cracked down on the country's emboldened opposition in the lead-up to Sunday's election. Belarus detained the Russian contractors last week and opened a criminal case into them, saying it suspected "the preparation of terrorist acts". It suggested the men may be linked to Lukashenko's political rivals. Russia, traditionally a close ally, has said the detained men were merely transiting via Belarus en route to a third country and had no plans to try to influence Belarusian domestic politics. During a televised address to the nation, Lukashenko slammed what he said were attempts by his opponents to organise "a massacre" on the streets of the capital Minsk, claiming his critics were being backed by "billion-dollar resources" to create unrest. Also read: Belarus says Russians plotted attacks; Kremlin denies "Will Belarus survive? Will it survive this hybrid war?" he said, sweating profusely and repeatedly mopping his brow. "We will not give the country to you. Independence is expensive, but it is worth it," he said during his speech which lasted more than an hour and a half. There was no immediate reaction from Moscow, which has in the past dismissed Lukashenko's criticism of it as emotional. Lukashenko used his speech to cast himself as a guarantor of stability in a chaotic world and pledged to protect his country from rivals he portrayed as childish wreckers being controlled by "puppet masters" abroad. The former collective farm director turned Europe's longest-serving ruler is seeking a sixth term in the upcoming ballot after barring his main rivals from contesting the vote and jailing some of them. He has accused European countries and Russia of meddling in the elections and last week the Belarusian security service, the KGB, arrested 33 Russian "militants" that the authorities said were plotting mass riots with the opposition.

Belarus leader accuses Russia of 'lying', warns of 'revolution' plot

A World Health Organization (WHO) team sent to China to launch a probe into the origins of the new coronavirus had "extensive discussions" with Chinese counterparts, including video exchanges with scientists in Wuhan where the outbreak was first detected, a spokesman said on Tuesday.

The final results of the investigation are keenly awaited by scientists and governments around the world, none more so than Washington, which lobbied hard for the mission.

The Trump administration has accused&nbsp;the WHO of being China-centric and plans to leave the agency over its handling of the pandemic.

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"The team had extensive discussions with Chinese counterparts and received updates on epidemiological studies, biologic and genetic analysis and animal health research," WHO's Christian Lindmeier told reporters.

The three-week advance mission comprising two specialists in animal health and epidemiology was tasked with laying the groundwork for a broader team of Chinese and international experts that will seek to discover how the virus that causes COVID-19 jumped the species barrier from animals to humans.

Lindmeier did not provide details on the timing or composition of the broader mission.

Terms of reference for the broader mission have been produced together with Chinese authorities in draft form, he said, and were not yet publicly available.

A World Health Organization (WHO) team sent to China to launch a probe into the origins of the new coronavirus had "extensive discussions" with Chinese counterparts, including video exchanges with scientists in Wuhan where the outbreak was first detected, a spokesman said on Tuesday.

A World Health Organization (WHO) team sent to China to launch a probe into the origins of the new coronavirus had "extensive discussions" with Chinese counterparts, including video exchanges with scientists in Wuhan where the outbreak was first detected, a spokesman said on Tuesday. The final results of the investigation are keenly awaited by scientists and governments around the world, none more so than Washington, which lobbied hard for the mission. The Trump administration has accused the WHO of being China-centric and plans to leave the agency over its handling of the pandemic. Also read: China will retaliate against US bullying: Chinese media "The team had extensive discussions with Chinese counterparts and received updates on epidemiological studies, biologic and genetic analysis and animal health research," WHO's Christian Lindmeier told reporters. The three-week advance mission comprising two specialists in animal health and epidemiology was tasked with laying the groundwork for a broader team of Chinese and international experts that will seek to discover how the virus that causes COVID-19 jumped the species barrier from animals to humans. Lindmeier did not provide details on the timing or composition of the broader mission. Terms of reference for the broader mission have been produced together with Chinese authorities in draft form, he said, and were not yet publicly available.

WHO says China team interviewed Wuhan scientists over coronavirus origins

Russian scientists have managed to recover around 80 per cent&nbsp;of the stunningly well-preserved bones of a woolly&nbsp;mammoth&nbsp;that roamed the earth at least 10,000 years ago, director of the Centre for Arctic Research Dmitry Frolov told Reuters on Monday.

Part of its skull, several ribs and foreleg bones, some with soft tissue still attached to them, were retrieved from Russia's remote Yamal peninsula above the Arctic circle in July by local residents.

Researchers have still not recovered the tusks, which might have been lost for a long time, Frolov said.

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The newly discovered skeleton was found on the Yamal peninsula, in Siberia, Russia. Photograph: Dmitrii Frolov

Similar finds in Russia's vast Siberian region have happened with increasing regularity as climate change warming the Arctic at a faster pace than the rest of the world has thawed the ground in some areas long locked in permafrost.

Scientists circulated images in December of a prehistoric puppy, thought to be 18,000 years old, that was found in the permafrost region of Russia's Far East in 2018.

The&nbsp;mammoth&nbsp;remains are at least 10,000 years old, although researchers don't yet know exactly when it walked the earth or how old it was when it died, said Dmitry Frolov, director of the Scientific Centre for Arctic studies.

Russian scientists have managed to recover around 80 per cent of the stunningly well-preserved bones of a woolly mammoth that roamed the earth at least 10,000 years ago, director of the Centre for Arctic Research Dmitry Frolov told Reuters on Monday.

Russian scientists have managed to recover around 80 per cent of the stunningly well-preserved bones of a woolly mammoth that roamed the earth at least 10,000 years ago, director of the Centre for Arctic Research Dmitry Frolov told Reuters on Monday. Part of its skull, several ribs and foreleg bones, some with soft tissue still attached to them, were retrieved from Russia's remote Yamal peninsula above the Arctic circle in July by local residents. Researchers have still not recovered the tusks, which might have been lost for a long time, Frolov said. The newly discovered skeleton was found on the Yamal peninsula, in Siberia, Russia. Photograph: Dmitrii Frolov Similar finds in Russia's vast Siberian region have happened with increasing regularity as climate change warming the Arctic at a faster pace than the rest of the world has thawed the ground in some areas long locked in permafrost. Scientists circulated images in December of a prehistoric puppy, thought to be 18,000 years old, that was found in the permafrost region of Russia's Far East in 2018. The mammoth remains are at least 10,000 years old, although researchers don't yet know exactly when it walked the earth or how old it was when it died, said Dmitry Frolov, director of the Scientific Centre for Arctic studies.

Remains of 10,000-year-old woolly mammoth pulled from Siberian lake

Computer engineers in Chicago have developed a tool to protect one's online photos from facial recognition.

In an attempt to foil facial recognition&nbsp;technologies, the&nbsp;researchers from the University of Chicago have&nbsp;has developed a tool that disguises photos with pixel-level changes that confuse facial recognition systems.

The tool called&nbsp;Fawkes, named after Guy&nbsp;Fawkes,&nbsp;the software was made available to developers on the researchers' website last month.

It has been downloaded more than 50,000 times after a&nbsp;free app version&nbsp;was introduced for non-coders.

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In the researchers' parlance,&nbsp;Fawkes "cloaks" an image by subtly altering some of the features that facial recognition systems depend on when they construct a person's face print.

The tool and be a broadside if it is deployed&nbsp;against facial recognition systems, poisoning the accuracy of the data sets they gather from the Web.

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Dr Ben Zhao, a professor of computer science at the University of Chicago,&nbsp;said "Our goal is to make Clearview go away."

Many tech companies use&nbsp;scrapes&nbsp;billions of online photos to build tools for police to reveal a person's identity. This includes the infacial&nbsp;recognition&nbsp;technology company Clearview AI.

The New York-based company bills itself as a tool for law enforcement, scraping the internet for publicly available photos and using&nbsp;facial&nbsp;recognition&nbsp;to identify potential suspects and victims.

Critics raised concerns earlier this year about the lack of consent of those searched and the potential for misuse of the service, leading to a joint investigation launched in February into the company by the privacy commissioners of British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec and the federal government.

The company is under investigation in Britain, Canada, and Australia&nbsp;where Clearview said it would no longer offer its&nbsp;facial&nbsp;recognition&nbsp;services.

Computer engineers in Chicago have developed a tool to protect one's online photos from facial recognition. In an attempt to foil facial recognition technologies, the researchers from the University of Chicago have has developed a tool that disguises photos with pixel-level changes that confuse facial recognition systems.

Computer engineers in Chicago have developed a tool to protect one's online photos from facial recognition. In an attempt to foil facial recognition technologies, the researchers from the University of Chicago have has developed a tool that disguises photos with pixel-level changes that confuse facial recognition systems. The tool called Fawkes, named after Guy Fawkes, the software was made available to developers on the researchers' website last month. It has been downloaded more than 50,000 times after a free app version was introduced for non-coders. Also read: Twitter could face a fine of upto $250 million for unauthorised usage of user data In the researchers' parlance, Fawkes "cloaks" an image by subtly altering some of the features that facial recognition systems depend on when they construct a person's face print. The tool and be a broadside if it is deployed against facial recognition systems, poisoning the accuracy of the data sets they gather from the Web. Also read: Spanish pizzeria takes social distancing to another level with new mobile application! Dr Ben Zhao, a professor of computer science at the University of Chicago, said "Our goal is to make Clearview go away." Many tech companies use scrapes billions of online photos to build tools for police to reveal a person's identity. This includes the infacial recognition technology company Clearview AI. The New York-based company bills itself as a tool for law enforcement, scraping the internet for publicly available photos and using facial recognition to identify potential suspects and victims. Critics raised concerns earlier this year about the lack of consent of those searched and the potential for misuse of the service, leading to a joint investigation launched in February into the company by the privacy commissioners of British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec and the federal government. The company is under investigation in Britain, Canada, and Australia where Clearview said it would no longer offer its facial recognition services.

Engineers develop tool called 'Fawkes' to protect online photos from facial recognition

Thailand's attorney general ordered a new investigation Tuesday into the heir to the Red Bull billions accused of a fatal hit-and-run, following public outrage after his charges were dropped last month.

Vorayuth "Boss" Yoovidhya was accused of killing a police officer in 2012 when he crashed his Ferrari in Bangkok's most exclusive neighbourhood.

The case has dragged on for years, and Vorayuth, the grandson of Red Bull co-founder Chaleo Yoovidhya and one of the heirs to the family fortune, fled the kingdom in 2017.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/red-bull-heir-boss-free-of-hit-and-run-charges-315750">Red Bull heir 'Boss' free of hit-and-run charges</a>

Last month, police and prosecutors said all charges against the 38-year-old had been dropped, including reckless driving causing death, citing new evidence.

The move spurred widespread anger amplified by trending hashtags on Twitter such as #BoycottRedBull, as his case was perceived as an example of the impunity apparently enjoyed by the kingdom's powerful billionaire class.

It also led to a rare statement by eight members of the sprawling Yoovidhya clan, considered Thailand's second-richest family according to Forbes,&nbsp;who broke ranks to decry it.&nbsp;

Under growing pressure, the attorney general's office, police and the prime minister's office have now each opened probes into why the charges were dropped.&nbsp;

Following a review of the case, the Attorney General's Office (AGO) announced Tuesday they will order police to conduct new investigations into the accident and Vorayuth's alleged drug use.&nbsp;

Traces of cocaine were detected in Vorayuth's system after the accident, according to a police report.

Police told a parliamentary committee last week that they had not pressed drug charges because Vorayuth's dentist said the cocaine was administered for dental treatment.&nbsp;

The AGO said it "agrees to firstly inform police investigators to press charges against him on the use of... cocaine", said Prayut Bejaguna, deputy spokesman.&nbsp;

"They must also open the new investigation on the charge of reckless driving cause death, which has seven years left on the statute of limitations."

He cited new evidence showing discrepancies between the original police report of Vorayuth's speed.&nbsp;

"The case is not over yet."&nbsp;

Last week, a defence witness key to clearing Vorayut's name was killed in a motorbike accident in the northern city of Chiang Mai.&nbsp;

Charuchart Martthong had told investigators that Vorayut was not speeding, an account apparently delivered years after the 2012 accident.&nbsp;

The probes launched by multiple Thai agencies would likely have seen the truck driver questioned again.&nbsp;

His sudden death on Thursday prompted premier Prayut Chan-O-Cha to order a new autopsy.&nbsp;

The former army general on Tuesday urged for calm from the public, calling for them to be patient for the results of all probes.&nbsp;

The Red Bull case has served as a fresh conduit for anger against Prayut's administration, which enjoys close alliances with Thailand's billionaire clans, as it struggles with a flatlining economy due to the epidemic.&nbsp;

Thailand's attorney general ordered a new investigation Tuesday into the heir to the Red Bull billions accused of a fatal hit-and-run, following public outrage after his charges were dropped last month.

Thailand's attorney general ordered a new investigation Tuesday into the heir to the Red Bull billions accused of a fatal hit-and-run, following public outrage after his charges were dropped last month. Vorayuth "Boss" Yoovidhya was accused of killing a police officer in 2012 when he crashed his Ferrari in Bangkok's most exclusive neighbourhood. The case has dragged on for years, and Vorayuth, the grandson of Red Bull co-founder Chaleo Yoovidhya and one of the heirs to the family fortune, fled the kingdom in 2017. Also read: Red Bull heir 'Boss' free of hit-and-run charges Last month, police and prosecutors said all charges against the 38-year-old had been dropped, including reckless driving causing death, citing new evidence. The move spurred widespread anger amplified by trending hashtags on Twitter such as #BoycottRedBull, as his case was perceived as an example of the impunity apparently enjoyed by the kingdom's powerful billionaire class. It also led to a rare statement by eight members of the sprawling Yoovidhya clan, considered Thailand's second-richest family according to Forbes, who broke ranks to decry it. Under growing pressure, the attorney general's office, police and the prime minister's office have now each opened probes into why the charges were dropped. Following a review of the case, the Attorney General's Office (AGO) announced Tuesday they will order police to conduct new investigations into the accident and Vorayuth's alleged drug use. Traces of cocaine were detected in Vorayuth's system after the accident, according to a police report. Police told a parliamentary committee last week that they had not pressed drug charges because Vorayuth's dentist said the cocaine was administered for dental treatment. The AGO said it "agrees to firstly inform police investigators to press charges against him on the use of... cocaine", said Prayut Bejaguna, deputy spokesman. "They must also open the new investigation on the charge of reckless driving cause death, which has seven years left on the statute of limitations." He cited new evidence showing discrepancies between the original police report of Vorayuth's speed. "The case is not over yet." Last week, a defence witness key to clearing Vorayut's name was killed in a motorbike accident in the northern city of Chiang Mai. Charuchart Martthong had told investigators that Vorayut was not speeding, an account apparently delivered years after the 2012 accident. The probes launched by multiple Thai agencies would likely have seen the truck driver questioned again. His sudden death on Thursday prompted premier Prayut Chan-O-Cha to order a new autopsy. The former army general on Tuesday urged for calm from the public, calling for them to be patient for the results of all probes. The Red Bull case has served as a fresh conduit for anger against Prayut's administration, which enjoys close alliances with Thailand's billionaire clans, as it struggles with a flatlining economy due to the epidemic.

Thailand launches another probe in Red Bull heir's 'hit-and-run'

Chinese foreign ministry criticized France on Tuesday&nbsp;after Paris announced the suspension of extradition treaty with Hong Kong.

"The erroneous remarks and actions concerning Hong Kong made by France are interfering with China's internal affairs. China firmly opposes to this," said Wang Wenbin, the spokesman of Chinese foreign ministry in a daily news briefing.

France said on Monday&nbsp;it would not ratify a 2017 extradition treaty with Hong Kong after China introduced a controversial national security law for the global financial hub.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/now-china-suspends-extradition-agreement-with-new-zealand-317843" hreflang="en">Now, China suspends extradition agreement with New Zealand</a>

"In view of the latest developments, France will not proceed as it stands with the ratification of the extradition agreement signed on May 4, 2017 between France and the Hong Kong Special Administrative region," a French Foreign Ministry statement said.

It said the national security law for Hong Kong was "a change that compromises the inherited framework of the 1997 handover" to China from British rule, and also challenged the “one country, two systems” principle, respect for Hong Kong’s “high degree of autonomy” and "related fundamental freedoms".

New Zealand, Canada, Britain, Australia and Germany have already suspended extradition treaties with Hong Kong since the security law was introduced in June.

Chinese foreign ministry criticized France on Tuesday after Paris announced the suspension of extradition treaty with Hong Kong. "The erroneous remarks and actions concerning Hong Kong made by France are interfering with China's internal affairs.

Chinese foreign ministry criticized France on Tuesday after Paris announced the suspension of extradition treaty with Hong Kong. "The erroneous remarks and actions concerning Hong Kong made by France are interfering with China's internal affairs. China firmly opposes to this," said Wang Wenbin, the spokesman of Chinese foreign ministry in a daily news briefing. France said on Monday it would not ratify a 2017 extradition treaty with Hong Kong after China introduced a controversial national security law for the global financial hub. Also read: Now, China suspends extradition agreement with New Zealand "In view of the latest developments, France will not proceed as it stands with the ratification of the extradition agreement signed on May 4, 2017 between France and the Hong Kong Special Administrative region," a French Foreign Ministry statement said. It said the national security law for Hong Kong was "a change that compromises the inherited framework of the 1997 handover" to China from British rule, and also challenged the “one country, two systems” principle, respect for Hong Kong’s “high degree of autonomy” and "related fundamental freedoms". New Zealand, Canada, Britain, Australia and Germany have already suspended extradition treaties with Hong Kong since the security law was introduced in June.

China condemns France's decision of halting ratification extradition treaty with Hong Kong

A latest study has revealed that in a bid to save its beloved pandas, China has ignored other species such as leopards and other carnivores species in the past three decades.

The panda's status was changed from "endangered" to "vulnerable" in 2016, in a sign that decades of Chinese conservation efforts had paid off.

However, several carnivorous populations have seen their numbers drop sharply during the same period, potentially placing the larger ecosystem at risk, according to a new study released monday by a joint china-united states team.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/first-ever-giant-panda-cub-born-in-south-korean-zoo-315448">First-ever giant panda cub born in South Korean zoo</a>

The study, published in the journal Nature Ecology and&nbsp;Evolution, examined 73 protected areas in China, including 66 giant panda nature reserves.

Pandas are known in China as an umbrella species, which means experts believe measures to protect pandas would help protect other species, as well as the larger ecosystem. This may be true for some species, such as small carnivores but this approach has failed large carnivores, which have different habitat needs and behaviors, and are now under threat.

Using historical data and camera-trap surveys, researchers found four species, leopards, snow leopards, wolves and dholes, have vanished from many of these reserves since they were set up about 50 to 60 years ago.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canada-zoo-is-sending-two-pandas-back-to-china-because-it-cant-get-enough-bamboo-to-feed-them-298500">Canada zoo is sending two pandas back to China because it can't get enough bamboo to feed them</a>

Snow leopards have disappeared from 38 per cent&nbsp;of the reserves. That figure rises to 77&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;for wolves, 81&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;for leopards, and a staggering 95&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;for dholes, a type of wild dog.

"These findings warn against the heavy reliance on a single-species conservation policy for biodiversity conservation in the region," said the researchers, urging immediate action to protect these fragile ecosystems.

The 73 protected areas were spread out across five mountain ranges with panda population distribution, largely running through central China.

The researchers used camera traps at 7,830 locations across these areas in the hopes of recording sightings of the animals.

Despite this massive effort, the researchers only registered four dhole sightings, 11 wolf sightings, 45 leopard sightings and 309 snow leopard sightings. The snow leopards might have survived a little better due to their high-altitude alpine homes, where fewer humans live, the study said.

These low numbers are highly alarming, said the researchers, and suggest "that they no longer fulfill their ecological roles as apex predators in those ranges."

Saving the giant panda

Since the 1970s, the giant panda, native to china and beloved worldwide has been the focus of an intensive, high-profile campaign, as desperate scientists raced to save the species from extinction.

They are famously hard to breed but chinese conservation efforts finally paid off, with wild panda populations on the rise.

A key part of these efforts are the establishment of sprawling panda reserves. Pandas have long suffered from habitat loss, so china built giant reserves across several mountain ranges where bamboo is plentiful to keep the animals safe and in one place.

In 2017, China announced plans for a 27,134-square kilometer&nbsp;reserve, three times the size of Yellowstone National Park.

A latest study has revealed that in a bid to save its beloved pandas, China has ignored other species such as leopards and other carnivores species in the past three decades.

A latest study has revealed that in a bid to save its beloved pandas, China has ignored other species such as leopards and other carnivores species in the past three decades. The panda's status was changed from "endangered" to "vulnerable" in 2016, in a sign that decades of Chinese conservation efforts had paid off. However, several carnivorous populations have seen their numbers drop sharply during the same period, potentially placing the larger ecosystem at risk, according to a new study released monday by a joint china-united states team. Also read: First-ever giant panda cub born in South Korean zoo The study, published in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution, examined 73 protected areas in China, including 66 giant panda nature reserves. Pandas are known in China as an umbrella species, which means experts believe measures to protect pandas would help protect other species, as well as the larger ecosystem. This may be true for some species, such as small carnivores but this approach has failed large carnivores, which have different habitat needs and behaviors, and are now under threat. Using historical data and camera-trap surveys, researchers found four species, leopards, snow leopards, wolves and dholes, have vanished from many of these reserves since they were set up about 50 to 60 years ago. Also read: Canada zoo is sending two pandas back to China because it can't get enough bamboo to feed them Snow leopards have disappeared from 38 per cent of the reserves. That figure rises to 77 per cent for wolves, 81 per cent for leopards, and a staggering 95 per cent for dholes, a type of wild dog. "These findings warn against the heavy reliance on a single-species conservation policy for biodiversity conservation in the region," said the researchers, urging immediate action to protect these fragile ecosystems. The 73 protected areas were spread out across five mountain ranges with panda population distribution, largely running through central China. The researchers used camera traps at 7,830 locations across these areas in the hopes of recording sightings of the animals. Despite this massive effort, the researchers only registered four dhole sightings, 11 wolf sightings, 45 leopard sightings and 309 snow leopard sightings. The snow leopards might have survived a little better due to their high-altitude alpine homes, where fewer humans live, the study said. These low numbers are highly alarming, said the researchers, and suggest "that they no longer fulfill their ecological roles as apex predators in those ranges." Saving the giant panda Since the 1970s, the giant panda, native to china and beloved worldwide has been the focus of an intensive, high-profile campaign, as desperate scientists raced to save the species from extinction. They are famously hard to breed but chinese conservation efforts finally paid off, with wild panda populations on the rise. A key part of these efforts are the establishment of sprawling panda reserves. Pandas have long suffered from habitat loss, so china built giant reserves across several mountain ranges where bamboo is plentiful to keep the animals safe and in one place. In 2017, China announced plans for a 27,134-square kilometer reserve, three times the size of Yellowstone National Park.

In efforts to protect giant pandas, China neglected other species: Study

A top Pakistani court has named three senior lawyers as amici curiae in the case of Kulbhushan Jadhav as it ordered the Pakistan government to give "another chance" to India to appoint a counsel for the death-row prisoner.

Jadhav, the 50-year-old retired Indian Navy officer, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of espionage and terrorism in April 2017.

India approached the International Court of Justice against Pakistan for denial of consular access to Jadhav and challenging the death sentence.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-gets-consular-access-for-kulbhushan-jadhav-in-pakistan-313675">India gets consular access for Kulbhushan Jadhav in Pakistan</a>

The Hague-based ICJ ruled in July 2019 that Pakistan must undertake an "effective review and reconsideration" of the conviction and sentence of Jadhav and also to grant consular access to India without further delay.

A two-member bench of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) comprising Chief Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb appointed the three lawyers on Monday as it held a hearing of the petition filed by the Pakistan government to appoint a lawyer for Jadhav.

Amicus Curiae is a lawyer appointed by a court to assist in any matter or case.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-claims-kulbhushan-jadhav-had-refused-review-petition-311612">Pakistan claims Kulbhushan Jadhav had refused review petition</a>

The court also ordered a larger bench to be set up for the case. It also directed the registrar of the court to fix the proceedings at 2 pm on September 3 before a larger bench.

We appoint Mr Abid Hassan Manto, Mr Hamid Khan, Senior Advocates of the Supreme Court and former presidents of the Supreme Court Bar Association, and Mr Makhdoom Ali Khan, Senior Advocate Supreme Court and former Attorney General of Pakistan, as amici curiae for our legal assistance in general and, in particular, to ensure that the judgement of the International Court is effectively implemented,&nbsp;the court said in its order.

The Pakistan government in its petition has claimed that Jadhav refused to file a review petition or an application to reconsider the verdict against him by the military court.

We feel that in order to ensure the effectiveness of the review and reconsideration of the conviction and sentence of Commander Jadhav, a reasonable opportunity ought to be extended to the latter and the Government of India to arrange legal representation and to file a petition.

"We, therefore, at this stage restrain ourselves from appointing a counsel on behalf of Commander Jadhav and advise the Government of Pakistan to extend an opportunity to Jadhav and the Government of India for arranging legal representation in terms of Article 32(1)(c) of the Convention and in accordance with the applicable laws,? the court order said.

The court also asked the Pakistan government to communicate the order to the Indian government. Responding to the judge's remarks, Pakistan's Attorney General Khalid Javed Khan said an ordinance was issued to give an opportunity to India and Jadhav to file a review petition against the sentence.

"We will contact India again through the Foreign Office," he said.

He told the court that Jadhav was being taken care of and was in good health.

On July 16, Pakistan provided consular access to Jadhav, but the Indian government said the access was "neither meaningful nor credible" and he appeared visibly under stress.

In New Delhi, External affairs ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava last month said Pakistan has once again exposed its "farcical" approach by denying available legal remedies to Jadhav against his death sentence which is also in contravention of the ICJ verdict, and asserted that India will explore further options in the case.

Srivastava said Pakistan has blocked all the avenues for an effective remedy available to India in the case, while noting that New Delhi has so far requested consular access to Jadhav for 12 times over the past one year.

The MEA spokesperson said Pakistan is not only in violation of the judgment of ICJ, but also of its own ordinance.

A top Pakistani court has named three senior lawyers as amici curiae in the case of Kulbhushan Jadhav as it ordered the Pakistan government to give "another chance" to India to appoint a counsel for the death-row prisoner.

A top Pakistani court has named three senior lawyers as amici curiae in the case of Kulbhushan Jadhav as it ordered the Pakistan government to give "another chance" to India to appoint a counsel for the death-row prisoner. Jadhav, the 50-year-old retired Indian Navy officer, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of espionage and terrorism in April 2017. India approached the International Court of Justice against Pakistan for denial of consular access to Jadhav and challenging the death sentence. Also read: India gets consular access for Kulbhushan Jadhav in Pakistan The Hague-based ICJ ruled in July 2019 that Pakistan must undertake an "effective review and reconsideration" of the conviction and sentence of Jadhav and also to grant consular access to India without further delay. A two-member bench of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) comprising Chief Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb appointed the three lawyers on Monday as it held a hearing of the petition filed by the Pakistan government to appoint a lawyer for Jadhav. Amicus Curiae is a lawyer appointed by a court to assist in any matter or case. Also read: Pakistan claims Kulbhushan Jadhav had refused review petition The court also ordered a larger bench to be set up for the case. It also directed the registrar of the court to fix the proceedings at 2 pm on September 3 before a larger bench. We appoint Mr Abid Hassan Manto, Mr Hamid Khan, Senior Advocates of the Supreme Court and former presidents of the Supreme Court Bar Association, and Mr Makhdoom Ali Khan, Senior Advocate Supreme Court and former Attorney General of Pakistan, as amici curiae for our legal assistance in general and, in particular, to ensure that the judgement of the International Court is effectively implemented, the court said in its order. The Pakistan government in its petition has claimed that Jadhav refused to file a review petition or an application to reconsider the verdict against him by the military court. We feel that in order to ensure the effectiveness of the review and reconsideration of the conviction and sentence of Commander Jadhav, a reasonable opportunity ought to be extended to the latter and the Government of India to arrange legal representation and to file a petition. "We, therefore, at this stage restrain ourselves from appointing a counsel on behalf of Commander Jadhav and advise the Government of Pakistan to extend an opportunity to Jadhav and the Government of India for arranging legal representation in terms of Article 32(1)(c) of the Convention and in accordance with the applicable laws,? the court order said. The court also asked the Pakistan government to communicate the order to the Indian government. Responding to the judge's remarks, Pakistan's Attorney General Khalid Javed Khan said an ordinance was issued to give an opportunity to India and Jadhav to file a review petition against the sentence. "We will contact India again through the Foreign Office," he said. He told the court that Jadhav was being taken care of and was in good health. On July 16, Pakistan provided consular access to Jadhav, but the Indian government said the access was "neither meaningful nor credible" and he appeared visibly under stress. In New Delhi, External affairs ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava last month said Pakistan has once again exposed its "farcical" approach by denying available legal remedies to Jadhav against his death sentence which is also in contravention of the ICJ verdict, and asserted that India will explore further options in the case. Srivastava said Pakistan has blocked all the avenues for an effective remedy available to India in the case, while noting that New Delhi has so far requested consular access to Jadhav for 12 times over the past one year. The MEA spokesperson said Pakistan is not only in violation of the judgment of ICJ, but also of its own ordinance.

Pak court appoints three senior lawyers as amici curiae in Jadhav's case

Seventy-two days after resuming domestic flight operations post-COVID-19 lockdown, domestic operations continue to soar, said Union Minister for Civil Aviation Hardeep Singh Puri on Tuesday.

Taking to Twitter, the Minister said, "Domestic operations continue to soar. 3rd August 2020, Day 72 till 23:59 hrs. Departures were 849. 78,155 passengers handled.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Domestic operations continue to soar. 
 
3rd August 2020, Day 72 till 2359 hrs. 
Departures 849 
78,155 passengers handled. 
Arrivals 846 
77,558 passengers handled. 
Total movements 1695 
Footfalls at airports 1,55,713 
Total number of flyers 78,155 <a href="https://t.co/nAzgSDA1PF">pic.twitter.com/nAzgSDA1PF</a>
— Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) <a href="https://twitter.com/HardeepSPuri/status/1290534309175029767?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 4, 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>

Arrivals were 846. 77,558 passengers handled. Total movements were 1695. Footfalls at airports were 1,55,713. Total number of flyers were 78,155.

"Following the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown, all domestic and international flight operations were suspended in March. Domestic operations were resumed on May 25.

Seventy-two days after resuming domestic flight operations post-COVID-19 lockdown, domestic operations continue to soar, said Union Minister for Civil Aviation Hardeep Singh Puri on Tuesday.

Seventy-two days after resuming domestic flight operations post-COVID-19 lockdown, domestic operations continue to soar, said Union Minister for Civil Aviation Hardeep Singh Puri on Tuesday. Taking to Twitter, the Minister said, "Domestic operations continue to soar. 3rd August 2020, Day 72 till 23:59 hrs. Departures were 849. 78,155 passengers handled. Domestic operations continue to soar. 3rd August 2020, Day 72 till 2359 hrs. Departures 849 78,155 passengers handled. Arrivals 846 77,558 passengers handled. Total movements 1695 Footfalls at airports 1,55,713 Total number of flyers 78,155 pic.twitter.com/nAzgSDA1PF — Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) August 4, 2020 × Arrivals were 846. 77,558 passengers handled. Total movements were 1695. Footfalls at airports were 1,55,713. Total number of flyers were 78,155. "Following the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown, all domestic and international flight operations were suspended in March. Domestic operations were resumed on May 25.

Domestic flight operations continue to soar: Hardeep Singh Puri

Israeli aircraft attacked targets in Syria on Monday, the military said, describing the strikes as retaliation for an attempted bombing of the border fence by an enemy squad.

In Damascus, the state-run news agency Sana said Israeli helicopters rocketed Syrian army positions near Quneitra in the south but caused only material damage. It also said air defences had gone into action near the Syrian capital.

Tensions have risen along&nbsp;Israel's northern front since a fighter with the Iranian-backed Lebanese movement Hezbollah was killed in an apparent&nbsp;Israeli air strike in Syria two weeks ago.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-strikes-syrian-army-bases-after-golan-heights-attack-318018/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Monday's strikes hit Syrian observation posts, intelligence collection systems, anti-aircraft batteries and command-and-control bases, an&nbsp;Israeli military statement said.

Syrian state media said&nbsp;Israeli helicopters fired at Syrian checkpoints in al-Qunaitra, on the Golan Heights, causing material losses. There was no immediate word of any casualties.

The&nbsp;Israeli military said it was responding to an attempt by a group of four people to plant explosives on a patrolled fence along the Golan armistice line between&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;and Syria.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-strikes-hamas-sites-after-gaza-rocket-intercepted-317820/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

In that incident, reported by&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;early on Monday, the military fired on the squad. Surveillance video showed the group engulfed in an explosion. An&nbsp;Israeli military spokesman referred to them as "former terrorists," suggesting they had been killed.

The military spokesman, Lieutenant-Colonel Jonathan Conricus, said it was too soon to say if the squad belonged to any organization, but that&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;held "the Syrian regime accountable".

There was no comment from Syria on the fence incident.

The overnight encounter occurred at the same spot where until two years ago,&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;had operated a field hospital to treat Syrians who had been wounded in the Syrian civil war, Conricus told reporters.

Israel&nbsp;had noticed "irregular activity" in that area for about a week and had a commando team waiting there in ambush, Conricus said.

Last month, Israeli army helicopters struck military targets in southern Syria in retaliation for earlier "munitions" fire towards Israel.

Israel did not directly blame Syrian forces for the munitions fire, but said it held the Damascus government responsible.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Israeli aircraft attacked targets in Syria on Monday, the military said, describing the strikes as retaliation for an attempted bombing of the border fence by an enemy squad.

Israeli aircraft attacked targets in Syria on Monday, the military said, describing the strikes as retaliation for an attempted bombing of the border fence by an enemy squad. In Damascus, the state-run news agency Sana said Israeli helicopters rocketed Syrian army positions near Quneitra in the south but caused only material damage. It also said air defences had gone into action near the Syrian capital. Tensions have risen along Israel's northern front since a fighter with the Iranian-backed Lebanese movement Hezbollah was killed in an apparent Israeli air strike in Syria two weeks ago. Monday's strikes hit Syrian observation posts, intelligence collection systems, anti-aircraft batteries and command-and-control bases, an Israeli military statement said. Syrian state media said Israeli helicopters fired at Syrian checkpoints in al-Qunaitra, on the Golan Heights, causing material losses. There was no immediate word of any casualties. The Israeli military said it was responding to an attempt by a group of four people to plant explosives on a patrolled fence along the Golan armistice line between Israel and Syria. In that incident, reported by Israel early on Monday, the military fired on the squad. Surveillance video showed the group engulfed in an explosion. An Israeli military spokesman referred to them as "former terrorists," suggesting they had been killed. The military spokesman, Lieutenant-Colonel Jonathan Conricus, said it was too soon to say if the squad belonged to any organization, but that Israel held "the Syrian regime accountable". There was no comment from Syria on the fence incident. The overnight encounter occurred at the same spot where until two years ago, Israel had operated a field hospital to treat Syrians who had been wounded in the Syrian civil war, Conricus told reporters. Israel had noticed "irregular activity" in that area for about a week and had a commando team waiting there in ambush, Conricus said. Last month, Israeli army helicopters struck military targets in southern Syria in retaliation for earlier "munitions" fire towards Israel. Israel did not directly blame Syrian forces for the munitions fire, but said it held the Damascus government responsible.

Israel launches air strikes on Syria after thwarted border attack

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