A Bangkok court found Thitisan Utthanaphon, a cop nicknamed &nbsp;"Joe Ferrari" for his taste in fast cars, guilty of murder by torture in a case that caused public outrage and shone a rare light on police brutality and corruption in the kingdom, and was sentenced to be jailed for life on Wednesday

Leaked viral footage showed Thitisan and six other officers wrapping seven plastic bags around 24-year-old Jirapong Thanapat's head while questioning him and trying to extort $60,000, leading to his death.

The judge at Bangkok's Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases sentenced the 41-year-old to death but immediately commuted it to life imprisonment.

"I felt helpless during the ruling, and my wife was crying," Jakkrit Klandi, the victim's father, said outside the court. "All seven officers should learn their lesson and pay for their crime," he said.

The court reduced Thitisan's sentence to life imprisonment because he had attempted to revive the suspect, and had paid for the funeral expenses for the family.&nbsp;

But Penh Thanapat, the Jirapong's mother, was not satisfied, telling reporters she never wanted to see&nbsp;Thitisan's face. "I want (the death sentence). I want things to happen to him as they happened to my son," she said.

Thitisan looked healthy and was seen chuckling with guards inside the courtroom before the verdict, but closed his eyes as the sentence was read.&nbsp;

Five of the other six officers involved in the case were found guilty of murder and also received life sentences. A seventh got five years and four months, following his testimony. Thitisan and the other officers have a month to appeal against the verdict, according to their lawyers.

The victim's parents said they were unhappy with the officers' offer of 600,000 baht ($17,000) compensation, with Jakkrit telling reporters he would consult lawyers. They had initially asked the court for 1.6 million baht.

After the footage leaked in August last year, the officer -- a former district chief in the northern province of Nakhon Sawan -- surrendered himself to police, who raided his Bangkok mansion and found several luxury cars. In a press conference after his surrender, he said Jirapong's death was an accident.

[with inputs from agencies]

A Bangkok court found Thitisan Utthanaphon, a cop nicknamed "Joe Ferrari" for his taste in fast cars, guilty of murder by torture in a case that caused public outrage and shone a rare light on police brutality and corruption in the kingdom, and was sentenced to be jailed for life on Wednesday Leaked viral footage showed Thitisan and six other officers wrapping seven plastic bags around 24-year-old Jirapong Thanapat's head while questioning him and trying to extort $60,000, leading to his death.

A Bangkok court found Thitisan Utthanaphon, a cop nicknamed "Joe Ferrari" for his taste in fast cars, guilty of murder by torture in a case that caused public outrage and shone a rare light on police brutality and corruption in the kingdom, and was sentenced to be jailed for life on Wednesday Leaked viral footage showed Thitisan and six other officers wrapping seven plastic bags around 24-year-old Jirapong Thanapat's head while questioning him and trying to extort $60,000, leading to his death. The judge at Bangkok's Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases sentenced the 41-year-old to death but immediately commuted it to life imprisonment. "I felt helpless during the ruling, and my wife was crying," Jakkrit Klandi, the victim's father, said outside the court. "All seven officers should learn their lesson and pay for their crime," he said. The court reduced Thitisan's sentence to life imprisonment because he had attempted to revive the suspect, and had paid for the funeral expenses for the family. But Penh Thanapat, the Jirapong's mother, was not satisfied, telling reporters she never wanted to see Thitisan's face. "I want (the death sentence). I want things to happen to him as they happened to my son," she said. Thitisan looked healthy and was seen chuckling with guards inside the courtroom before the verdict, but closed his eyes as the sentence was read. Five of the other six officers involved in the case were found guilty of murder and also received life sentences. A seventh got five years and four months, following his testimony. Thitisan and the other officers have a month to appeal against the verdict, according to their lawyers. The victim's parents said they were unhappy with the officers' offer of 600,000 baht ($17,000) compensation, with Jakkrit telling reporters he would consult lawyers. They had initially asked the court for 1.6 million baht. After the footage leaked in August last year, the officer -- a former district chief in the northern province of Nakhon Sawan -- surrendered himself to police, who raided his Bangkok mansion and found several luxury cars. In a press conference after his surrender, he said Jirapong's death was an accident. [with inputs from agencies]

Thai cop found guilty of murder by torture jailed for life

France heads to the polls on June 12 and 19 for parliamentary elections. &nbsp;Support for President Emmanuel Macron's Ensemble (Together) alliance is falling, raising questions over whether he will win an absolute majority in parliament.

Macron's 'Ensemble' bloc is seen winning 28% of votes in the first round, versus 27.5% for the left-wing 'Nupes' bloc.

It added that Macron's centrist camp was expected to win between 275 and 315 seats in the French parliament, where an absolute majority requires 289 seats. Macron needs a majority to help implement pro-business reforms.

Why winning the Presidential election is not enough?

Macron won a second mandate in April as France's centrist, pro-European president. But that is not enough. He also needs to win a majority in the lower house of parliament this month to maintain full control over his reform agenda.&nbsp;

What do the polls forecast?

Voter surveys had until recently shown Macron's party and its allies - collectively known as Ensemble - winning an absolutely majority in the 577 seat parliament. But that outcome has become less certain in recent days.&nbsp;

Momentum is on the side of a left-wing coalition led by hard-left veteran Jean-Luc Melenchon. Melenchon is unlikely to win the 289 seats required for an absolute majority but may win enough to deprive Macron of the same.&nbsp;

What if Macron falls short of the majority?

Falling short of an absolute majority would be a big setback for Macron. It would force him to broaden his alliance. The broader the alliance the more complicated deal-making, and dictating policy decisions become.

The left-wing coalition led by hard-left veteran Jean-Luc Melenchon is seen second in polls, but the conservative Les Republicains could end up being kingmakers if Macron's Ensemble alliance falls short of an absolute majority.

A minority cabinet or coalition government would be an unusual scenario for modern-day France. The Fifth Republic was designed to avoid unwieldy coalitions.&nbsp;

If an opposition grouping were to surprise and win a majority, Macron would have to name a prime minister from the winning camp, ushering in a period of so-called cohabitation.He would retain the lead on foreign policy but leave responsibility for most day-to-day policy matters to the government. 
&nbsp;

How does the polling take place?

Voting takes place between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. (0600-1800 GMT) on June 12. In constituencies where no candidate gets 50% of votes in the first round, a run-off vote is held on June 19, with every candidate who won the support of at least 12.5% of registered voters eligible to advance.&nbsp;

Polling for legislative elections is trickier than the presidential election as different dynamics on the ground make it harder to predict who will win nationwide.

What are the parties fighting for?

Macron's La Republique en Marche party single-handedly won 314 seats in the 2017 legislative elections but gradually lost lawmakers to stand at just under 270 now. It maintained control over parliament thanks to its allies, who have around 80 lawmakers.&nbsp;

France's two mainstream centre-left and centre-right parties dominated the French political landscape until Macron's election in 2017. Five years on both are still fighting for political relevance and the tectonic plates have shifted.

[with inputs from agencies]

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France heads to the polls on June 12 and 19 for parliamentary elections. Support for President Emmanuel Macron's Ensemble (Together) alliance is falling, raising questions over whether he will win an absolute majority in parliament.

France heads to the polls on June 12 and 19 for parliamentary elections. Support for President Emmanuel Macron's Ensemble (Together) alliance is falling, raising questions over whether he will win an absolute majority in parliament. Macron's 'Ensemble' bloc is seen winning 28% of votes in the first round, versus 27.5% for the left-wing 'Nupes' bloc. It added that Macron's centrist camp was expected to win between 275 and 315 seats in the French parliament, where an absolute majority requires 289 seats. Macron needs a majority to help implement pro-business reforms. Why winning the Presidential election is not enough? Macron won a second mandate in April as France's centrist, pro-European president. But that is not enough. He also needs to win a majority in the lower house of parliament this month to maintain full control over his reform agenda. What do the polls forecast? Voter surveys had until recently shown Macron's party and its allies - collectively known as Ensemble - winning an absolutely majority in the 577 seat parliament. But that outcome has become less certain in recent days. Momentum is on the side of a left-wing coalition led by hard-left veteran Jean-Luc Melenchon. Melenchon is unlikely to win the 289 seats required for an absolute majority but may win enough to deprive Macron of the same. What if Macron falls short of the majority? Falling short of an absolute majority would be a big setback for Macron. It would force him to broaden his alliance. The broader the alliance the more complicated deal-making, and dictating policy decisions become. The left-wing coalition led by hard-left veteran Jean-Luc Melenchon is seen second in polls, but the conservative Les Republicains could end up being kingmakers if Macron's Ensemble alliance falls short of an absolute majority. A minority cabinet or coalition government would be an unusual scenario for modern-day France. The Fifth Republic was designed to avoid unwieldy coalitions. If an opposition grouping were to surprise and win a majority, Macron would have to name a prime minister from the winning camp, ushering in a period of so-called cohabitation.He would retain the lead on foreign policy but leave responsibility for most day-to-day policy matters to the government. How does the polling take place? Voting takes place between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. (0600-1800 GMT) on June 12. In constituencies where no candidate gets 50% of votes in the first round, a run-off vote is held on June 19, with every candidate who won the support of at least 12.5% of registered voters eligible to advance. Polling for legislative elections is trickier than the presidential election as different dynamics on the ground make it harder to predict who will win nationwide. What are the parties fighting for? Macron's La Republique en Marche party single-handedly won 314 seats in the 2017 legislative elections but gradually lost lawmakers to stand at just under 270 now. It maintained control over parliament thanks to its allies, who have around 80 lawmakers. France's two mainstream centre-left and centre-right parties dominated the French political landscape until Macron's election in 2017. Five years on both are still fighting for political relevance and the tectonic plates have shifted. [with inputs from agencies] WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Explainer: Why does France need another election? Can it dethrone Macron?

Daily Covid cases have been increasing in the Chinese city of Dandong, which shares a border with North Korea, raising suspicion that wind blowing in from North Korea could be a reason behind it.

Despite being locked down since the end of April, daily cases have been trending up in Dandong, a city of 2.19 million.

According to the city’s Center for Disease Control, most of the infected people found in the community during the past week had not been outside of their housing compounds for at least four days prior to their diagnosis.

North Korean state media has said that the Covid wave has abated, after daily numbers of people with fever topped 390,000 about two weeks ago, but the World Health Organization has cast doubts on North Korea's claims of progress in the fight against a COVID-19 outbreak, saying it believes the situation is getting worse, not better, amid an absence of independent data.

Pyongyang has never directly confirmed how many people have tested positive for the virus but experts suspect underreporting in the figures released through government-controlled media, making it difficult to assess the scale of the situation.

The Chinese authorities have urged the residents living by the Yalu River that runs between the two countries to close their windows on days with southerly winds and go for regular testing.

There is not any clear scientific evidence backing up the theory. Research shows that infections through airborne transmission are unlikely over long distances, particularly in outdoor settings without repeated exposure.&nbsp;

[With inputs from agencies] 
&nbsp;

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Daily Covid cases have been increasing in the Chinese city of Dandong, which shares a border with North Korea, raising suspicion that wind blowing in from North Korea could be a reason behind it.

Daily Covid cases have been increasing in the Chinese city of Dandong, which shares a border with North Korea, raising suspicion that wind blowing in from North Korea could be a reason behind it. Despite being locked down since the end of April, daily cases have been trending up in Dandong, a city of 2.19 million. According to the city’s Center for Disease Control, most of the infected people found in the community during the past week had not been outside of their housing compounds for at least four days prior to their diagnosis. North Korean state media has said that the Covid wave has abated, after daily numbers of people with fever topped 390,000 about two weeks ago, but the World Health Organization has cast doubts on North Korea's claims of progress in the fight against a COVID-19 outbreak, saying it believes the situation is getting worse, not better, amid an absence of independent data. Pyongyang has never directly confirmed how many people have tested positive for the virus but experts suspect underreporting in the figures released through government-controlled media, making it difficult to assess the scale of the situation. The Chinese authorities have urged the residents living by the Yalu River that runs between the two countries to close their windows on days with southerly winds and go for regular testing. There is not any clear scientific evidence backing up the theory. Research shows that infections through airborne transmission are unlikely over long distances, particularly in outdoor settings without repeated exposure. [With inputs from agencies] WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

China suspects wind blowing from North Korea leading to Covid wave in Dandong

Scientists have made a bathymetric chart mapping the ocean floor of Antarctica’s encircling southern ocean covering 48 million sq km.

Knowing the depth and shape of the seafloor is fundamental for understanding ocean circulation, tides, tsunami forecasting, fishing resources, sediment transport, environmental change, underwater geo-hazards, infrastructure construction and maintenance, cable and pipeline routing and much more.

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The Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica is a region that is key to a range of climatic and oceanographic processes with worldwide effects and is characterised by high biological productivity and biodiversity. Since 2013, the International Bathymetric Chart of the Southern Ocean (IBCSO) has represented the most comprehensive compilation of bathymetry for the Southern Ocean south of 60°S. Recently, the IBCSO Project has combined its efforts with the Nippon Foundation -GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project supporting the goal of mapping the world's oceans by 2030.

Seabed 2030 is a collaborative project between the Nippon Foundation, a Japanese non-profit philanthropic organisation and the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans(GEBCO), an international group of mapping experts. It aims to bring together all available bathymetric data to produce the definitive map of the world ocean floor by 2030 and make it available to all.

The project was launched at the United Nations (UN) Ocean Conference in June 2017 and is aligned with the UN's Sustainable Development Goal #14 to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources.

Despite many years of effort, less than 20 per cent of the world’s ocean seafloor has been mapped. A coordinated international effort is needed to bring together all existing data sets and to identify areas for future surveys - to help 'map the gaps'.

The Southern Ocean is a major component of the coupled ocean-atmosphere climate system and includes the largest ocean current on earth, the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC). It is furthermore the most important ocean region for the uptake of anthropogenic carbon dioxide and heat from the atmosphere and cold and dense bottom waters form on the shelves surrounding Antarctica.&nbsp;

Interactions of the Southern Ocean with Antarctic glaciers and ice shelves are the main drivers of present, past, and future Antarctic ice sheet mass balance and thus global sea-level change. Biologically, the Southern Ocean is a high-productivity area with high biodiversity. The Southern Ocean is also one of the most remote and harshest areas of the world with extensive sea-ice cover and year-round severe weather conditions. Despite its remoteness and hostility, human activities are increasingly extending into this distant part of the world, examples including research, fisheries, and tourism.

Precise bathymetric information as e.g. provided by the International Bathymetric Chart of the Southern Ocean (IBCSO) and the Digital Bathymetric Model of the Drake Passage (DBM-BATDRAKE) is paramount to better understand the Southern Ocean and its processes as well as for human activities and conservation and management measures. IBCSO aims to provide the most comprehensive compilation of bathymetric data for this region.

[ with inputs from&nbsp;International Bathymetric Chart of the Southern Ocean and&nbsp;Nippon Foundation -GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project]

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Scientists have made a bathymetric chart mapping the ocean floor of Antarctica’s encircling southern ocean covering 48 million sq km. Knowing the depth and shape of the seafloor is fundamental for understanding ocean circulation, tides, tsunami forecasting, fishing resources, sediment transport, environmental change, underwater geo-hazards, infrastructure construction and maintenance, cable and pipeline routing and much more.

Scientists have made a bathymetric chart mapping the ocean floor of Antarctica’s encircling southern ocean covering 48 million sq km. Knowing the depth and shape of the seafloor is fundamental for understanding ocean circulation, tides, tsunami forecasting, fishing resources, sediment transport, environmental change, underwater geo-hazards, infrastructure construction and maintenance, cable and pipeline routing and much more. The Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica is a region that is key to a range of climatic and oceanographic processes with worldwide effects and is characterised by high biological productivity and biodiversity. Since 2013, the International Bathymetric Chart of the Southern Ocean (IBCSO) has represented the most comprehensive compilation of bathymetry for the Southern Ocean south of 60°S. Recently, the IBCSO Project has combined its efforts with the Nippon Foundation -GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project supporting the goal of mapping the world's oceans by 2030. Seabed 2030 is a collaborative project between the Nippon Foundation, a Japanese non-profit philanthropic organisation and the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans(GEBCO), an international group of mapping experts. It aims to bring together all available bathymetric data to produce the definitive map of the world ocean floor by 2030 and make it available to all. The project was launched at the United Nations (UN) Ocean Conference in June 2017 and is aligned with the UN's Sustainable Development Goal #14 to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources. Despite many years of effort, less than 20 per cent of the world’s ocean seafloor has been mapped. A coordinated international effort is needed to bring together all existing data sets and to identify areas for future surveys - to help 'map the gaps'. The Southern Ocean is a major component of the coupled ocean-atmosphere climate system and includes the largest ocean current on earth, the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC). It is furthermore the most important ocean region for the uptake of anthropogenic carbon dioxide and heat from the atmosphere and cold and dense bottom waters form on the shelves surrounding Antarctica. Interactions of the Southern Ocean with Antarctic glaciers and ice shelves are the main drivers of present, past, and future Antarctic ice sheet mass balance and thus global sea-level change. Biologically, the Southern Ocean is a high-productivity area with high biodiversity. The Southern Ocean is also one of the most remote and harshest areas of the world with extensive sea-ice cover and year-round severe weather conditions. Despite its remoteness and hostility, human activities are increasingly extending into this distant part of the world, examples including research, fisheries, and tourism. Precise bathymetric information as e.g. provided by the International Bathymetric Chart of the Southern Ocean (IBCSO) and the Digital Bathymetric Model of the Drake Passage (DBM-BATDRAKE) is paramount to better understand the Southern Ocean and its processes as well as for human activities and conservation and management measures. IBCSO aims to provide the most comprehensive compilation of bathymetric data for this region. [ with inputs from International Bathymetric Chart of the Southern Ocean and Nippon Foundation -GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project] WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Scientists map Antarctic ocean, reveal never-before-seen visuals

Indian para swimmer Mohammed Shams Aalam Shaikh alleged that he had to wait for nearly 90 minutes to get his wheelchair at IGI airport in New Delhi on Monday, after landing post a 12-hour-long journey from Melbourne.

Aalam said he had informed Air India's cabin crew that he wanted his own wheelchair after landing but was provided one that was "uncomfortable" and sized XL. However, an Air India spokesperson said Aalam was provided with an aisle wheelchair "as per procedure from the aircraft as soon as the flight landed".

"His personal wheelchair arrived at the belt in a while after due security clearance. He was escorted by airport handling personnel throughout. The inconvenience caused by the delay, which was beyond our control, in the arrival of his wheelchair is regretted," said the spokesperson.

"The wheelchairs at airports are big. Nobody can drive them on their own, they have to be pushed. How can I ask someone to come to the washroom? If other countries can provide their own wheelchairs, why are we not getting them in India? It's not the first time I have faced this, it has happened in the past on domestic flights," said Aalam, who tweeted about the issue.

"I got my wheelchair after waiting for one-and-a-half hours. Through my tweets, I wanted to raise awareness that if someone is asking to use his or her own wheelchair, please allow them. Everybody can not fit in the same size and they are not comfortable in a wheelchair where they need someone's support to push them from behind" he added.

[with inputs from agencies]

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Indian para swimmer Mohammed Shams Aalam Shaikh alleged that he had to wait for nearly 90 minutes to get his wheelchair at IGI airport in New Delhi on Monday, after landing post a 12-hour-long journey from Melbourne.

Indian para swimmer Mohammed Shams Aalam Shaikh alleged that he had to wait for nearly 90 minutes to get his wheelchair at IGI airport in New Delhi on Monday, after landing post a 12-hour-long journey from Melbourne. Aalam said he had informed Air India's cabin crew that he wanted his own wheelchair after landing but was provided one that was "uncomfortable" and sized XL. However, an Air India spokesperson said Aalam was provided with an aisle wheelchair "as per procedure from the aircraft as soon as the flight landed". "His personal wheelchair arrived at the belt in a while after due security clearance. He was escorted by airport handling personnel throughout. The inconvenience caused by the delay, which was beyond our control, in the arrival of his wheelchair is regretted," said the spokesperson. "The wheelchairs at airports are big. Nobody can drive them on their own, they have to be pushed. How can I ask someone to come to the washroom? If other countries can provide their own wheelchairs, why are we not getting them in India? It's not the first time I have faced this, it has happened in the past on domestic flights," said Aalam, who tweeted about the issue. "I got my wheelchair after waiting for one-and-a-half hours. Through my tweets, I wanted to raise awareness that if someone is asking to use his or her own wheelchair, please allow them. Everybody can not fit in the same size and they are not comfortable in a wheelchair where they need someone's support to push them from behind" he added. [with inputs from agencies] WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Indian para swimmer waited for one-and-a-half hours to get a wheelchair at IGI airport

While on her Pakistan visit on Tuesday, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock tested positive for Covid 19, forcing her to cut short her trip and return to Germany.

Germany's ministry of foreign affairs confirmed her reports saying that "Annalena Baerbock had a positive screening test after lunch today" the News International reported.

After testing positive for the virus, the minister cancelled all further dates of the trip, which also included stops in Greece and Turkey, the ministry said.

As per the official Twitter handle of the ministry, Baerbock regularly tests herself for the virus. It further said that she was tested negative for the virus in the morning, the News International reported.

German FM Annalena Baerbock reached Pakistan today, where she was welcomed by the Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar and other senior officials.

The minister along with her Pakistani counterpart Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also planted a sapling on the premises of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Baerbock's visit to Pakistan was scheduled for June 7 and 8 to hold a discussion on bilateral and global issues with her counterpart from Pakistan. This comes as a response to the invitation of Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

The two sides attach special importance to strengthening bilateral cooperation in diverse fields, including trade and investment, energy, defence, and people-to-people contacts, said the ministry.

The visit of the German foreign minister is part of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries and is expected to further boost the multi-faceted Pakistan-Germany relationship, according to the statement.

This year both countries are celebrating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. The German Foreign Minister's visit is part of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries.&nbsp;

[with inputs from agencies]

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While on her Pakistan visit on Tuesday, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock tested positive for Covid 19, forcing her to cut short her trip and return to Germany.

While on her Pakistan visit on Tuesday, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock tested positive for Covid 19, forcing her to cut short her trip and return to Germany. Germany's ministry of foreign affairs confirmed her reports saying that "Annalena Baerbock had a positive screening test after lunch today" the News International reported. After testing positive for the virus, the minister cancelled all further dates of the trip, which also included stops in Greece and Turkey, the ministry said. As per the official Twitter handle of the ministry, Baerbock regularly tests herself for the virus. It further said that she was tested negative for the virus in the morning, the News International reported. German FM Annalena Baerbock reached Pakistan today, where she was welcomed by the Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar and other senior officials. The minister along with her Pakistani counterpart Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also planted a sapling on the premises of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Baerbock's visit to Pakistan was scheduled for June 7 and 8 to hold a discussion on bilateral and global issues with her counterpart from Pakistan. This comes as a response to the invitation of Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. The two sides attach special importance to strengthening bilateral cooperation in diverse fields, including trade and investment, energy, defence, and people-to-people contacts, said the ministry. The visit of the German foreign minister is part of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries and is expected to further boost the multi-faceted Pakistan-Germany relationship, according to the statement. This year both countries are celebrating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. The German Foreign Minister's visit is part of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries. [with inputs from agencies] WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

German foreign minister tests Covid positive during her visit to Pakistan

The United States on Wednesday announced a $100 million initiative to train half a million health workers across Latin America at a summit that was conceived as a platform to showcase U.S. leadership in reviving Latin American economies and tackling migratory pressures.

The pandemic "showed us the many cracks in our global health systems and underscored the importance of strong and resilient health systems for the entire population," a White House statement said.

But, the United States President Joe Biden’s plan to unveil a package to spur recovery in Latin America, help stem immigration and counter China's growing regional economic clout has been marred by a partial boycott by leaders upset at Washington's decision to exclude Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua from the summit.

U.S. officials hope the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles and a parallel gathering of top business executives can pave the way for greater economic cooperation as regional nations grappling with higher inflation work to bring supply chains stretched by the COVID-19 pandemic closer to home.

"It's much better for us ... to have a supply chain here in the Americas than it is for us to be dependent on a supply chain that comes from China," U.S. ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar told Reuters on the sidelines of the summit.

Seeking to present alternatives to China, U.S. officials said Biden would unveil an "Americas Partnership" on Wednesday to speed pandemic recovery by building on existing trade deals.

The plan would aim to mobilize investments, reinvigorate the Inter-American Development Bank, create clean energy jobs, strengthen supply chains and promote "sustainable and inclusive trade" in the region, one administration official said.

Still, an initiative that promotes jobs abroad could face U.S. protectionist pushback, as well as questions about how many widely divergent economies could make it work.

[With inputs from agencies] 
&nbsp;

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The United States on Wednesday announced a $100 million initiative to train half a million health workers across Latin America at a summit that was conceived as a platform to showcase U.

The United States on Wednesday announced a $100 million initiative to train half a million health workers across Latin America at a summit that was conceived as a platform to showcase U.S. leadership in reviving Latin American economies and tackling migratory pressures. The pandemic "showed us the many cracks in our global health systems and underscored the importance of strong and resilient health systems for the entire population," a White House statement said. But, the United States President Joe Biden’s plan to unveil a package to spur recovery in Latin America, help stem immigration and counter China's growing regional economic clout has been marred by a partial boycott by leaders upset at Washington's decision to exclude Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua from the summit. U.S. officials hope the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles and a parallel gathering of top business executives can pave the way for greater economic cooperation as regional nations grappling with higher inflation work to bring supply chains stretched by the COVID-19 pandemic closer to home. "It's much better for us ... to have a supply chain here in the Americas than it is for us to be dependent on a supply chain that comes from China," U.S. ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar told Reuters on the sidelines of the summit. Seeking to present alternatives to China, U.S. officials said Biden would unveil an "Americas Partnership" on Wednesday to speed pandemic recovery by building on existing trade deals. The plan would aim to mobilize investments, reinvigorate the Inter-American Development Bank, create clean energy jobs, strengthen supply chains and promote "sustainable and inclusive trade" in the region, one administration official said. Still, an initiative that promotes jobs abroad could face U.S. protectionist pushback, as well as questions about how many widely divergent economies could make it work. [With inputs from agencies] WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US announces $100 million healthcare training plan at Summit of Americas amid partial boycott by leaders

A 21-year-old Texas man,&nbsp;Brian Hernandez was&nbsp;accused of breaking into the Dallas Museum of Art on Wednesday night and&nbsp;destroying art worth millions of dollars because he was upset with his girlfriend,as reported by Oxygen true crime.

The Texas man is presently being held&nbsp;at the Dallas County Jail on a $100,000 bond and has been charged with&nbsp;criminal mischief charge greater than $300,000.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/watch-man-disguised-as-old-lady-smears-cake-on-mona-lisa-painting-483488">Watch: Man disguised as old lady smears cake on Mona Lisa painting</a>

On Thursday, the museum released a statement that they are "devastated by this incident,” however, they are ”grateful that no one was harmed.”&nbsp;

The statement also added that "This was an isolated incident perpetrated by one individual acting alone, whose intent was not theft of art or any objects on view at the museum."

According to an arrest warrant obtained by&nbsp;KXAS-TV reports,&nbsp;the man allegedly broke in&nbsp;by smashing the front entrance with a metal chair and damaging several pieces of art, including pots, statues and other artefacts. Estimates made by the Investigators found that the accused has&nbsp;destroyed artwork worth $5,153,000 using a stool.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/louvre-probe-prosecutors-seize-five-egyptian-antiques-from-the-metropolitan-museum-of-art-484590">Louvre probe: Prosecutors seize five Egyptian antiques from the Metropolitan Museum of Art</a>

A 6th Century ceramic cup called "Kylix Herakles and Nemeon Lion," valued at $100,000 was among&nbsp;the destroyed artifacts along with the "Black Figure Panel Amphora 6th Century Greece" pot and the&nbsp;"Red Figure Pyxis 450 B.C." pot, together valued at&nbsp;$5 million.

A glass case was also smashed by the man using a sanitizer stand that contained a 2018 ceramic piece called&nbsp;Batah Kuhuh Alligator Gar Fish Effigy Bottle, reports Smithsonian Magazine.

The incident comes after a man&nbsp;smeared some cream cake over the framed Mona Lisa at the Louvre Museum in Paris.&nbsp;

(with inputs from agencies)

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A 21-year-old Texas man, Brian Hernandez was accused of breaking into the Dallas Museum of Art on Wednesday night and destroying art worth millions of dollars because he was upset with his girlfriend,as reported by Oxygen true crime.

A 21-year-old Texas man, Brian Hernandez was accused of breaking into the Dallas Museum of Art on Wednesday night and destroying art worth millions of dollars because he was upset with his girlfriend,as reported by Oxygen true crime. The Texas man is presently being held at the Dallas County Jail on a $100,000 bond and has been charged with criminal mischief charge greater than $300,000. Also read | Watch: Man disguised as old lady smears cake on Mona Lisa painting On Thursday, the museum released a statement that they are "devastated by this incident,” however, they are ”grateful that no one was harmed.” The statement also added that "This was an isolated incident perpetrated by one individual acting alone, whose intent was not theft of art or any objects on view at the museum." According to an arrest warrant obtained by KXAS-TV reports, the man allegedly broke in by smashing the front entrance with a metal chair and damaging several pieces of art, including pots, statues and other artefacts. Estimates made by the Investigators found that the accused has destroyed artwork worth $5,153,000 using a stool. Also read | Louvre probe: Prosecutors seize five Egyptian antiques from the Metropolitan Museum of Art A 6th Century ceramic cup called "Kylix Herakles and Nemeon Lion," valued at $100,000 was among the destroyed artifacts along with the "Black Figure Panel Amphora 6th Century Greece" pot and the "Red Figure Pyxis 450 B.C." pot, together valued at $5 million. A glass case was also smashed by the man using a sanitizer stand that contained a 2018 ceramic piece called Batah Kuhuh Alligator Gar Fish Effigy Bottle, reports Smithsonian Magazine. The incident comes after a man smeared some cream cake over the framed Mona Lisa at the Louvre Museum in Paris. (with inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Man destroys $5 million worth of artifacts at Dallas Museum of Art because he was 'Mad at his girl'

The United States President Joe Biden on Monday will suspend tariffs for two years on solar panel imports from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, but not China, as the US seeks to boost domestic clean energy manufacturing, the White House said.

The Biden administration will invoke the Defence Production Act (DPA) to accelerate domestic production, and use the federal government's purchasing power to increase the demand.

"Today's clean energy technologies are a critical part of the arsenal we must harness to lower energy costs for families, reduce risks to our power grid, and tackle the urgent crisis of a changing climate," a White House spokesperson said.

China is excluded as the Commerce Department investigates whether certain Chinese companies are circumventing US customs duties by assembling parts in the four countries. China is a dominant player in solar panel production with about 80% of the world’s solar manufacturing supply chain running through China.

As compared to when Biden took office, the US was on track to triple domestic solar manufacturing capacity by 2024, from 7.5 gigawatts to 22.5 gigawatts, enough to enable 3.3 million homes to switch to solar each year. 
Monday's actions include invoking the DPA to force the manufacture of clean energy in key areas including solar parts like photovoltaic modules and module components.

Former President Donald Trump previously used the same powers during the Covid pandemic to increase the production of medicines and equipment, and it was also invoked during World War II.

The two-year tariff suspension window meanwhile is intended as a bridge to ensure the United States has access to a sufficient supply of parts to meet electricity generation needs while domestic capacity scales up.

[With inputs from agencies]

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The United States President Joe Biden on Monday will suspend tariffs for two years on solar panel imports from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, but not China, as the US seeks to boost domestic clean energy manufacturing, the White House said.

The United States President Joe Biden on Monday will suspend tariffs for two years on solar panel imports from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, but not China, as the US seeks to boost domestic clean energy manufacturing, the White House said. The Biden administration will invoke the Defence Production Act (DPA) to accelerate domestic production, and use the federal government's purchasing power to increase the demand. "Today's clean energy technologies are a critical part of the arsenal we must harness to lower energy costs for families, reduce risks to our power grid, and tackle the urgent crisis of a changing climate," a White House spokesperson said. China is excluded as the Commerce Department investigates whether certain Chinese companies are circumventing US customs duties by assembling parts in the four countries. China is a dominant player in solar panel production with about 80% of the world’s solar manufacturing supply chain running through China. As compared to when Biden took office, the US was on track to triple domestic solar manufacturing capacity by 2024, from 7.5 gigawatts to 22.5 gigawatts, enough to enable 3.3 million homes to switch to solar each year. Monday's actions include invoking the DPA to force the manufacture of clean energy in key areas including solar parts like photovoltaic modules and module components. Former President Donald Trump previously used the same powers during the Covid pandemic to increase the production of medicines and equipment, and it was also invoked during World War II. The two-year tariff suspension window meanwhile is intended as a bridge to ensure the United States has access to a sufficient supply of parts to meet electricity generation needs while domestic capacity scales up. [With inputs from agencies] WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Biden to not suspend tariff on solar panels for China, exempts four other South Asian countries

Since the emergency use authorisation of the first Covid&nbsp;vaccines in the country last winter, federal data show that US states received a staggering 720 million Covid&nbsp;doses, and more than 570 million of those shots have been administered, according to a report by ABC News.&nbsp;Millions of unused Covid-19 doses in the United States are set to go wasted as the country's vaccination rates continued to decline amid an uptick in new infections.

However, state-provided data found that millions of those vaccine shots have not ended up in arms, largely due to a significant decline in the number of individuals willing to get vaccinated, Xinhua news agency reported.

Many vaccine doses are now left unused in refrigerators or discarded in trash cans across the country.

Millions of Covid&nbsp;vaccine doses have either gone to waste, remain unused, or will expire in the coming weeks and months, according to the ABC News report, citing officials from health departments in states and state-provided data.

"It is a tremendous loss of opportunity for these vaccines to not make it into the shoulders of those who need them," said C. Buddy Creech, Director of the Vanderbilt Vaccine Research Program and professor at the Department of Pediatrics at Vanderbilt University.

"Not only is it a financial loss for the purchaser of vaccines -- the US government -- but also a significant health loss for those who are not yet protected from Covid and its complications," he added.

Nearly 66.1 per cent of the US population is fully vaccinated against Covid as of Monday, according to the latest data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Covid-19 boosters have been authorised in the US for adults since November. However, CDC data show less than 50 per cent of eligible Americans have received their first booster.

Vaccination rates continued to drop in the country amid declining demand for vaccines and hesitancy, leading to the waste of unused millions of doses currently in state stockpiles and at risk of expiring. As of April 20, the seven-day average number of administered vaccine doses per day was 470,903, a 13.2 per cent decrease from the previous week, according to the latest CDC data.

The country is witnessing an increase of new Covid-19 infections recently again, with an average of about 44,000 new cases and 310 new deaths each day, CDC data show.

"The pool of people that are unvaccinated is likely to remain unconvinced of the importance of vaccine-induced protection," said John Brownstein, an epidemiologist at Boston Children's Hospital and an ABC News contributor, adding that convincing those still hesitant to get the vaccine shot will be a difficult feat. 
Some politicians and public health experts have raised concerns over the ethical implications of so many vaccine shots going to waste.

"The wastage of millions of doses is a stark reminder of the privilege we have had in accessing vaccines while the majority of the world had to wait months. Extraordinary resources and financial investment will ultimately go to waste," Brownstein added.

[With inputs from agencies] 
&nbsp;

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Since the emergency use authorisation of the first Covid vaccines in the country last winter, federal data show that US states received a staggering 720 million Covid doses, and more than 570 million of those shots have been administered, according to a report by ABC News.

Since the emergency use authorisation of the first Covid vaccines in the country last winter, federal data show that US states received a staggering 720 million Covid doses, and more than 570 million of those shots have been administered, according to a report by ABC News. Millions of unused Covid-19 doses in the United States are set to go wasted as the country's vaccination rates continued to decline amid an uptick in new infections. However, state-provided data found that millions of those vaccine shots have not ended up in arms, largely due to a significant decline in the number of individuals willing to get vaccinated, Xinhua news agency reported. Many vaccine doses are now left unused in refrigerators or discarded in trash cans across the country. Millions of Covid vaccine doses have either gone to waste, remain unused, or will expire in the coming weeks and months, according to the ABC News report, citing officials from health departments in states and state-provided data. "It is a tremendous loss of opportunity for these vaccines to not make it into the shoulders of those who need them," said C. Buddy Creech, Director of the Vanderbilt Vaccine Research Program and professor at the Department of Pediatrics at Vanderbilt University. "Not only is it a financial loss for the purchaser of vaccines -- the US government -- but also a significant health loss for those who are not yet protected from Covid and its complications," he added. Nearly 66.1 per cent of the US population is fully vaccinated against Covid as of Monday, according to the latest data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Covid-19 boosters have been authorised in the US for adults since November. However, CDC data show less than 50 per cent of eligible Americans have received their first booster. Vaccination rates continued to drop in the country amid declining demand for vaccines and hesitancy, leading to the waste of unused millions of doses currently in state stockpiles and at risk of expiring. As of April 20, the seven-day average number of administered vaccine doses per day was 470,903, a 13.2 per cent decrease from the previous week, according to the latest CDC data. The country is witnessing an increase of new Covid-19 infections recently again, with an average of about 44,000 new cases and 310 new deaths each day, CDC data show. "The pool of people that are unvaccinated is likely to remain unconvinced of the importance of vaccine-induced protection," said John Brownstein, an epidemiologist at Boston Children's Hospital and an ABC News contributor, adding that convincing those still hesitant to get the vaccine shot will be a difficult feat. Some politicians and public health experts have raised concerns over the ethical implications of so many vaccine shots going to waste. "The wastage of millions of doses is a stark reminder of the privilege we have had in accessing vaccines while the majority of the world had to wait months. Extraordinary resources and financial investment will ultimately go to waste," Brownstein added. [With inputs from agencies] WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Millions of unused Covid doses going to waste in United States

An Iraqi court on Monday sentenced a British retired geologist to 15 years in prison for trying to smuggle antiquities out of the country but released a German co-accused, who was found not to have criminal intent in the case.

The maximum penalty for the offence is death by hanging but the court decided on a lesser sentence for James Fitton, 66, "because of the advanced age of the accused," the judge said. Fitton's lawyer said that he would appeal. &nbsp;

The court found "insufficient evidence" to convict co-accused Volker Waldmann, 60, who was visiting Iraq with Fitton on an organised tour when they were arrested in March at Baghdad airport.&nbsp;

War-ravaged Iraq's tourism infrastructure is almost non-existent but the country is timidly opening to visitors. Iraq has also been trying to recover antiquities that were looted over a period of decades from the country whose civilisation dates back thousands of years.

When the judge asked the men whether they were guilty or not guilty "of trafficking antiquities," each replied: "Not guilty."

They appeared in court dressed in yellow prisoners' clothing, but not handcuffed, said an AFP journalist at the hearing. They were charged under a 2002 law against "intentionally taking or trying to take out of Iraq an antiquity".

According to statements from customs officers and witnesses, Fitton's baggage contained about a dozen stone fragments, pieces of pottery or ceramics. Waldmann, a Berlin psychologist, allegedly had two pieces but at the trial's opening on May 15 denied they were his.

When the judge asked Fitton why he tried to take the artefacts out of Iraq, he cited his "hobby" and said he did not mean to do anything illegal. "I didn't realise that taking them was against the law," Fitton said, adding that some of the ancient sites were open and unguarded.

In his verdict, the judge found that Fitton was "aware" that the location from where he collected the fragments was "an archaeological site" and that it was illegal to take them. The judge concluded there was criminal intent.

Defence lawyer Thaer Massoud denied this, and called the judgement "extreme". In Waldmann's case, the judge accepted the defence argument that the German did not know the pieces from Fitton were antiquities.

[With inputs from agencies] 
&nbsp;

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An Iraqi court on Monday sentenced a British retired geologist to 15 years in prison for trying to smuggle antiquities out of the country but released a German co-accused, who was found not to have criminal intent in the case.

An Iraqi court on Monday sentenced a British retired geologist to 15 years in prison for trying to smuggle antiquities out of the country but released a German co-accused, who was found not to have criminal intent in the case. The maximum penalty for the offence is death by hanging but the court decided on a lesser sentence for James Fitton, 66, "because of the advanced age of the accused," the judge said. Fitton's lawyer said that he would appeal. The court found "insufficient evidence" to convict co-accused Volker Waldmann, 60, who was visiting Iraq with Fitton on an organised tour when they were arrested in March at Baghdad airport. War-ravaged Iraq's tourism infrastructure is almost non-existent but the country is timidly opening to visitors. Iraq has also been trying to recover antiquities that were looted over a period of decades from the country whose civilisation dates back thousands of years. When the judge asked the men whether they were guilty or not guilty "of trafficking antiquities," each replied: "Not guilty." They appeared in court dressed in yellow prisoners' clothing, but not handcuffed, said an AFP journalist at the hearing. They were charged under a 2002 law against "intentionally taking or trying to take out of Iraq an antiquity". According to statements from customs officers and witnesses, Fitton's baggage contained about a dozen stone fragments, pieces of pottery or ceramics. Waldmann, a Berlin psychologist, allegedly had two pieces but at the trial's opening on May 15 denied they were his. When the judge asked Fitton why he tried to take the artefacts out of Iraq, he cited his "hobby" and said he did not mean to do anything illegal. "I didn't realise that taking them was against the law," Fitton said, adding that some of the ancient sites were open and unguarded. In his verdict, the judge found that Fitton was "aware" that the location from where he collected the fragments was "an archaeological site" and that it was illegal to take them. The judge concluded there was criminal intent. Defence lawyer Thaer Massoud denied this, and called the judgement "extreme". In Waldmann's case, the judge accepted the defence argument that the German did not know the pieces from Fitton were antiquities. [With inputs from agencies] WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

British geologist sent to prison for trying to smuggle antiquities out of Iraq

After Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah issued a warning regarding Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's possible arrest upon the expiry of his three-week transit bail granted on June 2 by the security officials deployed outside his Bani Gala residence, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) members warned of a “strong backlash” from its workers.

PTI Vice-Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi asked PTI workers to come up with a "quick response" if Imran Khan is arrested, reported Geo News. "The PTI will retaliate in a strong manner if Imran Khan is arrested. And if PTI workers receive news of Imran Khan's arrest, they should come upon with a quick response to it," Qureshi said in a press conference after attending the party's core committee meeting.

Peshawar High Court on June 2 granted Imran Khan three-week transit bail against a surety bond of Pakistani rupees 50,000, ahead of PTI's second long march to Islamabad. Rana Sanaullah has said that Imran Khan has been charged in over two dozen cases including rioting, sedition, chaos and armed attacks at the federation, The News International reported.

While responding to Qureshi's press conference, Sanaullah said that whoever breaks the law will be dealt with by the law. "Martyrdom of an innocent police officer, using weapons and ammunition is not a political reaction," said the interior minister. He added that the government cannot act as a mere spectator if the PTI "lies and creates anarchy" in the country.

"The law and order will be strictly implemented, we will not break the law nor will we allow it," said the interior minister, adding that as soon as Imran Khan returned to Bani Gala, he started spreading a "new pack of lies".

A few hours earlier, the interior minister had revealed that the decision to deploy security officials at Bani Gala to guard PTI Chairman Imran Khan was made as per the law, however, the "same security" officials will arrest him once his bail expires, reported Geo News.

[With inputs from agencies] 
&nbsp;

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After Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah issued a warning regarding Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's possible arrest upon the expiry of his three-week transit bail granted on June 2 by the security officials deployed outside his Bani Gala residence, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) members warned of a “strong backlash” from its workers.

After Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah issued a warning regarding Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's possible arrest upon the expiry of his three-week transit bail granted on June 2 by the security officials deployed outside his Bani Gala residence, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) members warned of a “strong backlash” from its workers. PTI Vice-Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi asked PTI workers to come up with a "quick response" if Imran Khan is arrested, reported Geo News. "The PTI will retaliate in a strong manner if Imran Khan is arrested. And if PTI workers receive news of Imran Khan's arrest, they should come upon with a quick response to it," Qureshi said in a press conference after attending the party's core committee meeting. Peshawar High Court on June 2 granted Imran Khan three-week transit bail against a surety bond of Pakistani rupees 50,000, ahead of PTI's second long march to Islamabad. Rana Sanaullah has said that Imran Khan has been charged in over two dozen cases including rioting, sedition, chaos and armed attacks at the federation, The News International reported. While responding to Qureshi's press conference, Sanaullah said that whoever breaks the law will be dealt with by the law. "Martyrdom of an innocent police officer, using weapons and ammunition is not a political reaction," said the interior minister. He added that the government cannot act as a mere spectator if the PTI "lies and creates anarchy" in the country. "The law and order will be strictly implemented, we will not break the law nor will we allow it," said the interior minister, adding that as soon as Imran Khan returned to Bani Gala, he started spreading a "new pack of lies". A few hours earlier, the interior minister had revealed that the decision to deploy security officials at Bani Gala to guard PTI Chairman Imran Khan was made as per the law, however, the "same security" officials will arrest him once his bail expires, reported Geo News. [With inputs from agencies] WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

PTI warns of ‘strong backlash’ if Imran Khan arrested after transit bail expires

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