Sri Lanka has again taken a U-turn as it has allowed a Chinese vessel to dock in Sri Lanka's Hambanthota port. Now, Washington and Delhi raised a concern.

Sri Lanka allows Chinese vessel to dock, Washington and Delhi raise

Do you know when the first passenger train ran in India? Which is the first privatised train in India? When was the first Rajdhani Express Introduced? Watch our Independence day show special Indian Railways: 170 years and going strong

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International Space Station wished India's space agency ISRO ahead of India's Independence day. An astronaut shared a video message from space.

International Space Station wishes ISRO ahead of India's Independence day

Despite India's worries that it would spy on New Delhi's military facilities, authorities said Sri Lanka's government on Saturday authorised a contentious Chinese research vessel to visit the island. International shipping and analytics websites refer to the Yuan Wang 5 as a research and survey vessel, however, Indian media describes it as a dual-purpose espionage ship.

Beijing's expanding presence in the Indian Ocean and influence in Sri Lanka raise suspicion in New Delhi, which sees both as firmly within its area of influence. The Chinese-run Hambantota port in Sri Lanka was scheduled to receive the Yuan Wang 5 on August 11, but Colombo requested Beijing to postpone the visit indefinitely after India raised concerns. Sri Lanka's harbour master Nirmal P. Silva, however, claimed that he had obtained permission from the foreign ministry for the ship to call in Hambantota from August 16 to 22.

According to officials in the foreign ministry, Colombo had extended the first clearance for the visit, which had been given on July 12—the day before the former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country after months of unrest over the nation's worst-ever economic crisis. After escaping to Singapore, Rajapaksa—whose brother Mahinda borrowed extensively from China while serving as president from 2005 to 2015—resigned.

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Following accusations of poor leadership during an economic crisis that resulted in severe shortages of food, fuel, and medications, tens of thousands of demonstrators occupied Rajapaksa's palace and residence in Colombo. On Friday night, according to port officials, the Chinese ship was roughly 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) southeast of Sri Lanka and slowly making its way into the Hambantota deep sea port.

Sri Lanka paid less than the $1.4 billion to a Chinese company to build the port, and leased it to China for 99 years for $1.12 billion. Indian reports claim that the Yuan Wang 5 has specialised applications for intercontinental ballistic missile launches and may be used for tracking satellites and spacecraft.

(with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Despite India's worries that it would spy on New Delhi's military facilities, authorities said Sri Lanka's government on Saturday authorised a contentious Chinese research vessel to visit the island.

Despite India's worries that it would spy on New Delhi's military facilities, authorities said Sri Lanka's government on Saturday authorised a contentious Chinese research vessel to visit the island. International shipping and analytics websites refer to the Yuan Wang 5 as a research and survey vessel, however, Indian media describes it as a dual-purpose espionage ship. Beijing's expanding presence in the Indian Ocean and influence in Sri Lanka raise suspicion in New Delhi, which sees both as firmly within its area of influence. The Chinese-run Hambantota port in Sri Lanka was scheduled to receive the Yuan Wang 5 on August 11, but Colombo requested Beijing to postpone the visit indefinitely after India raised concerns. Sri Lanka's harbour master Nirmal P. Silva, however, claimed that he had obtained permission from the foreign ministry for the ship to call in Hambantota from August 16 to 22. According to officials in the foreign ministry, Colombo had extended the first clearance for the visit, which had been given on July 12—the day before the former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country after months of unrest over the nation's worst-ever economic crisis. After escaping to Singapore, Rajapaksa—whose brother Mahinda borrowed extensively from China while serving as president from 2005 to 2015—resigned. Also Read: In pics: Study reveals Arctic warming four times and Svalbard seven times faster than rest of planet Following accusations of poor leadership during an economic crisis that resulted in severe shortages of food, fuel, and medications, tens of thousands of demonstrators occupied Rajapaksa's palace and residence in Colombo. On Friday night, according to port officials, the Chinese ship was roughly 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) southeast of Sri Lanka and slowly making its way into the Hambantota deep sea port. Sri Lanka paid less than the $1.4 billion to a Chinese company to build the port, and leased it to China for 99 years for $1.12 billion. Indian reports claim that the Yuan Wang 5 has specialised applications for intercontinental ballistic missile launches and may be used for tracking satellites and spacecraft. (with inputs from agencies)

Chinese 'research' vessel given entry in Sri Lanka despite India's concerns that it is dual-use spy ship

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India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the athletes of commonwealth games held in Birmingham this year. India won a total of 61 medals, standing on the fourth position in the totals table.

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India is all set to welcome cheetahs, the large carnivores which went extinct in the country in 1952, with a team of experts in Namibia making preparations for their translocation most likely within this month. &nbsp;&nbsp;

WION confirms that all arrangements for relocation of another set of cheetahs from South Africa are already in place but the agreement between India and SA is in its final stages pending signatures from the authorities.&nbsp;&nbsp;

India's environment ministry says that preparations have been made at India’s Kuno National Park in the state of Madhya Pradesh to welcome Cheetahs in August. However, top reliable sources in the ministry said that cheetahs will not arrive in India before its 75th&nbsp;Independence Day on 15th August, as expected earlier.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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WION spoke to Y V Jhala, the man representing India as an in-charge of the relocation and who is overseeing the developments in Namibia presently.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Mode of Travel&nbsp;&nbsp;

Jhala, who is the Dean of Wildlife Institute of India (WII), said cheetahs will be airlifted from Namibia and South Africa and brought to either Jaipur or Gwalior airports, in Indian states of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh respectively, considering their close proximity to their new home in Kuno National Park. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Another official confirmed the same and said that cheetahs will be brought in chartered plane with veterinarians from South Africa and Namibia onboard and the animals will be transferred from Jaipur/Gwalior airports to Kuno via choppers.

Back up ambulances have also been arranged in case they need to be transported through road. The total travel time is expected to be around 12 hours.

Will Cheetahs be tranquilised, quarantined?&nbsp;

According to Jhala, the Cheetahs will be kept awake under mild tranquilization for the duration of the journey.&nbsp;

However, S P Yadav, member secretary, National Tiger Conservation Authority and additional director general, Project Tiger, said Cheetahs won’t be tranquilized even mildly as it may affect the animal’s health. &nbsp;&nbsp;

However, he said that if the Cheetahs show any sign of agitation or abnormal behaviour, a sedative can be given to control them.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Tranquilizers or sedatives are injected into animals to control their anxiety, stress and agitation. It makes them drowsy and calm and sometimes even in a state of sleep depending on the dosage &nbsp;

According to both Jhala and Yadav, the cheetahs will undergo 30 days of quarantine at Kuno national park after undergoing the same in their host countries.&nbsp;

“Cheetahs will be quarantined in Kuno for 30 days to check for any abnormalities or disease. Two experts each from SA and Namibia will come and stay here during this period,” Yadav told WION.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Why Kuno National Park, MP?&nbsp;

Wildlife experts identified Kuno-Palpur National Park in India’s Madhya Pradesh for its suitable landscape for cheetahs. &nbsp;

Established in 1981,&nbsp;Kuno National Park is spread over an area of 748.76 square km and is a part of the Kuno National Park division which covers an area of 1235.39 square km. Kuno river, one of the major tributaries of Chambal river, flows through the entire length bisecting the National Park division.&nbsp;

Kuno park is home to&nbsp;tigers, jackal, chinkara and leopards. It has the potential to carry populations of all four of India's big cats the tiger, the leopard, the Asiatic lion and also cheetah, all four of which have coexisted within the same habitats historically.&nbsp;

According to NTCA,&nbsp;leopards in Kuno are being released in different enclosures to avoid their conflict with cheetahs.&nbsp;&nbsp;

India is confident that it will provide the best environment to cheetahs, Yadav said, adding that experts from South Africa and Namibia visited the Kuno national park and were very impressed with the location.

India MoUs with Namibia and SA&nbsp;

The Memorandum of Understanding between India and Namibia on translocation of cheetahs has already been signed but the one between India and South Africa is pending signatures.&nbsp;

Officials said that the MoU has been finalized from India’s side and has to just be signed by the President of South Africa. &nbsp;

Speaking to WION, Albi Modise, Spokesperson, Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa, said that translocation of Cheetahs from South Africa to India is a “historic moment” and that discussions are going on between the two countries which will culminate into signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between them.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Discussions between South Africa and Indian officials have been ongoing for past few months. The discussions are part of the request and efforts to translocate a few cheetahs from SA to India. The discussions are largely at the point where the two countries have agreed on the parameters within which the MoU which is a memorandum of understanding to be signed by ministers with environment portfolio in South Africa and India.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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“At this point one cannot say much except to say that indeed those discussions are happening, and those discussions will ultimately culminate in the signing of the MoU between South Africa and India facilitating the translocation of the cheetah from SA to India,” Modise said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“It is a historic moment for us and we want to ensure that as and when it happens, it happens within the parameters of clearly defined laws and also respect the requirements and specifications when it comes to translocation of that particular nature,” he told WION. &nbsp;&nbsp;

India’s environment ministry says that the endeavour to bring Cheetahs to India will enhance the country’s capacity to sequester carbon through ecosystem restoration activities in cheetah conservation areas and thereby contribute towards the global climate change mitigation goals.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“The project aims to establish viable cheetah metapopulation in India that allows the cheetah to perform its functional role as a top predator and provide space for its expansion within its historical range thereby contributing to its global conservation efforts,” the Indian ministry said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

It said that the goal is also to use cheetah as a charismatic flagship and umbrella species to garner resources for restoring open forest and savanna systems that will benefit biodiversity and ecosystem services from these ecosystems.&nbsp;&nbsp;

It also aims to manage any conflict by cheetah or other wildlife with local communities within cheetah conservation areas expediently through compensation, awareness, and management actions to win community support, the ministry said. &nbsp;

India is all set to welcome cheetahs, the large carnivores which went extinct in the country in 1952, with a team of experts in Namibia making preparations for their translocation most likely within this month.

India is all set to welcome cheetahs, the large carnivores which went extinct in the country in 1952, with a team of experts in Namibia making preparations for their translocation most likely within this month. WION confirms that all arrangements for relocation of another set of cheetahs from South Africa are already in place but the agreement between India and SA is in its final stages pending signatures from the authorities. India's environment ministry says that preparations have been made at India’s Kuno National Park in the state of Madhya Pradesh to welcome Cheetahs in August. However, top reliable sources in the ministry said that cheetahs will not arrive in India before its 75th Independence Day on 15th August, as expected earlier. Also read | Salman Rushdie stabbed: NY governor says he's alive, being treated at hospital WION spoke to Y V Jhala, the man representing India as an in-charge of the relocation and who is overseeing the developments in Namibia presently. Mode of Travel Jhala, who is the Dean of Wildlife Institute of India (WII), said cheetahs will be airlifted from Namibia and South Africa and brought to either Jaipur or Gwalior airports, in Indian states of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh respectively, considering their close proximity to their new home in Kuno National Park. Another official confirmed the same and said that cheetahs will be brought in chartered plane with veterinarians from South Africa and Namibia onboard and the animals will be transferred from Jaipur/Gwalior airports to Kuno via choppers. Back up ambulances have also been arranged in case they need to be transported through road. The total travel time is expected to be around 12 hours. Will Cheetahs be tranquilised, quarantined? According to Jhala, the Cheetahs will be kept awake under mild tranquilization for the duration of the journey. However, S P Yadav, member secretary, National Tiger Conservation Authority and additional director general, Project Tiger, said Cheetahs won’t be tranquilized even mildly as it may affect the animal’s health. However, he said that if the Cheetahs show any sign of agitation or abnormal behaviour, a sedative can be given to control them. Also read | Amid heatwave, UK declares drought across eight areas of England Tranquilizers or sedatives are injected into animals to control their anxiety, stress and agitation. It makes them drowsy and calm and sometimes even in a state of sleep depending on the dosage According to both Jhala and Yadav, the cheetahs will undergo 30 days of quarantine at Kuno national park after undergoing the same in their host countries. “Cheetahs will be quarantined in Kuno for 30 days to check for any abnormalities or disease. Two experts each from SA and Namibia will come and stay here during this period,” Yadav told WION. Why Kuno National Park, MP? Wildlife experts identified Kuno-Palpur National Park in India’s Madhya Pradesh for its suitable landscape for cheetahs. Established in 1981, Kuno National Park is spread over an area of 748.76 square km and is a part of the Kuno National Park division which covers an area of 1235.39 square km. Kuno river, one of the major tributaries of Chambal river, flows through the entire length bisecting the National Park division. Kuno park is home to tigers, jackal, chinkara and leopards. It has the potential to carry populations of all four of India's big cats the tiger, the leopard, the Asiatic lion and also cheetah, all four of which have coexisted within the same habitats historically. According to NTCA, leopards in Kuno are being released in different enclosures to avoid their conflict with cheetahs. India is confident that it will provide the best environment to cheetahs, Yadav said, adding that experts from South Africa and Namibia visited the Kuno national park and were very impressed with the location. India MoUs with Namibia and SA The Memorandum of Understanding between India and Namibia on translocation of cheetahs has already been signed but the one between India and South Africa is pending signatures. Officials said that the MoU has been finalized from India’s side and has to just be signed by the President of South Africa. Speaking to WION, Albi Modise, Spokesperson, Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa, said that translocation of Cheetahs from South Africa to India is a “historic moment” and that discussions are going on between the two countries which will culminate into signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between them. “Discussions between South Africa and Indian officials have been ongoing for past few months. The discussions are part of the request and efforts to translocate a few cheetahs from SA to India. The discussions are largely at the point where the two countries have agreed on the parameters within which the MoU which is a memorandum of understanding to be signed by ministers with environment portfolio in South Africa and India. Also read | Iran may accept compromise on nuclear deal, hints state news agency “At this point one cannot say much except to say that indeed those discussions are happening, and those discussions will ultimately culminate in the signing of the MoU between South Africa and India facilitating the translocation of the cheetah from SA to India,” Modise said. “It is a historic moment for us and we want to ensure that as and when it happens, it happens within the parameters of clearly defined laws and also respect the requirements and specifications when it comes to translocation of that particular nature,” he told WION. India’s environment ministry says that the endeavour to bring Cheetahs to India will enhance the country’s capacity to sequester carbon through ecosystem restoration activities in cheetah conservation areas and thereby contribute towards the global climate change mitigation goals. “The project aims to establish viable cheetah metapopulation in India that allows the cheetah to perform its functional role as a top predator and provide space for its expansion within its historical range thereby contributing to its global conservation efforts,” the Indian ministry said. It said that the goal is also to use cheetah as a charismatic flagship and umbrella species to garner resources for restoring open forest and savanna systems that will benefit biodiversity and ecosystem services from these ecosystems. It also aims to manage any conflict by cheetah or other wildlife with local communities within cheetah conservation areas expediently through compensation, awareness, and management actions to win community support, the ministry said.

After 7 decades, India all set to become home for cheetahs

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In 2008, India was reeling after the dastardly Mumbai terror attacks. The investigative agencies were exposed for failing to gather intel. It was the lack of an agency to probe such terrorism cases at a national level that led to creation of National Investigation Agency or NIA.

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Addressing a media briefing on the Taiwan crisis, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that India it is concerned over the developments and called for avoiding unilateral action to change the status quo in the region.

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As India celebrates the 75 years of independence from British rule, here's what happened in year 1992 and how it changed India.

India@75:  The year 1992 and how it changed India

India@75: How education became

In 1942, when the Quit India Movement was just getting started, a radio station echoed with a woman's voice. Her name was Dr Usha Mehta. Here's her story.

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Backing India’s long-standing demand, France has called for “urgent” United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reforms.

Speaking at a UNSC’s Arria Formula meet, French Diplomat Sheraz Gasri said, “France is in favour of expanding the Security Council to strengthen its authority and representativeness while preserving its decision-making character. This has been&nbsp;emphasised by India. This reform is urgent.”

Arria Formula is an informal UNSC mechanism under which issues are discussed without the usual formulations at the high table. It was first implemented in&nbsp;March 1992.

The French diplomat called for support of the “Franco-Mexican initiative on the use of the veto in the event of mass atrocities to strengthen the council’s effectiveness.”

Speaking at the same meet, India’s deputy Permanent Representative to UN, R Ravindra said, “A more representative, effective and transparent Security Council is a key pillar to India’s overall approach to the subject of reformed multilateralism.”

He added, “We are still far from a truly inclusive security council in which all its members, elected and permanent, equally share the burden&nbsp;of contributing international peace and security.”

The meet was called to discuss the issue of penholdership, and co-penholdership at the UNSC. A penholder is an informal arrangement at the UNSC to initiate and chair the informal drafting process at the high table.

The Indian&nbsp;diplomat proposed several ways to make penholdership “democratic and inclusive” which will enhance the decision making process.

R Ravindra proposed that “neighbouring countries of the topic concerned should be considered for penholdership.”

France also expressed support for the issue.

“France is open&nbsp;to co-penning, in&nbsp;order to get the best out of expertise and experience. This year we have presented texts on&nbsp;the Great Lakes, sometimes with the A3 countries (Niger, Kenya and Tunisia), and recently with India,” French diplomat Gasri said.

Notably, Norway and Estonia were penholders on Afghanistan last year at UNSC, a year that saw the Afghan republic collapse.

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Backing India’s long-standing demand, France has called for “urgent” United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reforms. Speaking at a UNSC’s Arria Formula meet, French Diplomat Sheraz Gasri said, “France is in favour of expanding the Security Council to strengthen its authority and representativeness while preserving its decision-making character.

Backing India’s long-standing demand, France has called for “urgent” United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reforms. Speaking at a UNSC’s Arria Formula meet, French Diplomat Sheraz Gasri said, “France is in favour of expanding the Security Council to strengthen its authority and representativeness while preserving its decision-making character. This has been emphasised by India. This reform is urgent.” Arria Formula is an informal UNSC mechanism under which issues are discussed without the usual formulations at the high table. It was first implemented in March 1992. The French diplomat called for support of the “Franco-Mexican initiative on the use of the veto in the event of mass atrocities to strengthen the council’s effectiveness.” Speaking at the same meet, India’s deputy Permanent Representative to UN, R Ravindra said, “A more representative, effective and transparent Security Council is a key pillar to India’s overall approach to the subject of reformed multilateralism.” He added, “We are still far from a truly inclusive security council in which all its members, elected and permanent, equally share the burden of contributing international peace and security.” The meet was called to discuss the issue of penholdership, and co-penholdership at the UNSC. A penholder is an informal arrangement at the UNSC to initiate and chair the informal drafting process at the high table. The Indian diplomat proposed several ways to make penholdership “democratic and inclusive” which will enhance the decision making process. R Ravindra proposed that “neighbouring countries of the topic concerned should be considered for penholdership.” France also expressed support for the issue. “France is open to co-penning, in order to get the best out of expertise and experience. This year we have presented texts on the Great Lakes, sometimes with the A3 countries (Niger, Kenya and Tunisia), and recently with India,” French diplomat Gasri said. Notably, Norway and Estonia were penholders on Afghanistan last year at UNSC, a year that saw the Afghan republic collapse. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

France backs India’s call for ‘urgent’ UN Security Council reforms

As India celebrated 75th year of Independence, here are eight great inventions the world can thank India for.

India@75: Eight great inventions the world can thank India for

In a round-up, a lot has been happening in the South Asian region with former Sri Lankan President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa fleeing to Thailand from Singapore. Meanwhile, India witnessed the oath taking ceremony of its 14th Vice-President, Jagdeep Dhankar. In the ongoing Ukraine war, Russia has now put fresh accusations of 'Xenophobia' on Latvia. In the economic realm, US gasoline prices seem to have dropped below $4, bringing a sigh of relief to many Americans.&nbsp;

Click on the headlines to read more:

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Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who fled his island nation last month after widespread protests, is expected to land in Thailand and spend some time there before moving on to another Southeast Asian nation.

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For the first time in more than five months, gas prices dropped to slightly under $4 per gallon in the United States. This is wonderful news for consumers who are dealing with high prices for many other necessities.

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A day after China ended its military drills near Taiwan, the island nation conducted live-fire drills on Thursday as reports claimed the army fired howitzers and flares as part of the defensive exercise.

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British police on Thursday charged a man alleged to be a&nbsp;member of the Islamic State (IS) terror cell nicknamed the "Beatles". Aine Davis, 38,&nbsp;was charged with terrorist offences. Davis reportedly landed at Luton airport on a flight from Turkey after being deported.

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An armed Lebanese man stormed into a bank in Beirut on Thursday, holding staff members hostage and threatening to light himself on fire with gasoline if he didn't receive his trapped savings.

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<img alt="India's 14th Vice-President, Jagdeep Dhankar" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c529730a-420b-4ad0-a8e0-864e0f6bd367" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Jagdeep-Dhankhar.jpeg" />

President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office to Dhankhar at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Dhankhar's predecessor M Venkaiah Naidu were also present during the swearing-in ceremony.

<meta charset="utf-8" /><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/justice-prevails-indian-man-beats-railways-in-22-year-old-legal-battle-over-overpriced-ticket-505950">'Justice prevails': Indian man wins 22-year-old legal battle with railways over overpriced ticket</a>

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In 1999, Chaturvedi bought two railway tickets for which he was charged 20 rupees ($0.25; £0.21) extra at Mathura cantonment railway station in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.

<meta charset="utf-8" /><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/colossal-waste-australia-deletes-failed-covid-19-app-505829">'Colossal waste': Australia deletes 'failed' COVID-19 app</a>

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Australia’s health minister Mark Butler&nbsp;claimed the “former government wasted more than $21 million of taxpayer’s money on this failed app.”

<meta charset="utf-8" /><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/now-israeli-students-accuse-ben-jerrys-of-occupying-us-tribal-land-505796">&nbsp;Now, Israeli students accuse Ben &amp; Jerry’s of occupying US tribal land</a>

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At least 1,000 Israeli students and academics have accused&nbsp;Ben &amp; Jerry’s of “hypocrisy” while stating in the letter that the land in Vermont once belonged to Abenaki native American tribe.&nbsp;

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In a round-up, a lot has been happening in the South Asian region with former Sri Lankan President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa fleeing to Thailand from Singapore. Meanwhile, India witnessed the oath taking ceremony of its 14th Vice-President, Jagdeep Dhankar.

In a round-up, a lot has been happening in the South Asian region with former Sri Lankan President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa fleeing to Thailand from Singapore. Meanwhile, India witnessed the oath taking ceremony of its 14th Vice-President, Jagdeep Dhankar. In the ongoing Ukraine war, Russia has now put fresh accusations of 'Xenophobia' on Latvia. In the economic realm, US gasoline prices seem to have dropped below $4, bringing a sigh of relief to many Americans. Click on the headlines to read more: Sri Lanka president on the run: Rajapaksa exits Singapore for Thailand Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who fled his island nation last month after widespread protests, is expected to land in Thailand and spend some time there before moving on to another Southeast Asian nation. For the first time since March, US gasoline costs drop below $4 For the first time in more than five months, gas prices dropped to slightly under $4 per gallon in the United States. This is wonderful news for consumers who are dealing with high prices for many other necessities. After Chinese military exercise, Taiwan conducts live-fire drills with howitzers A day after China ended its military drills near Taiwan, the island nation conducted live-fire drills on Thursday as reports claimed the army fired howitzers and flares as part of the defensive exercise. Islamic State 'Beatles' cell member held in UK; charged over terrorism offences British police on Thursday charged a man alleged to be a member of the Islamic State (IS) terror cell nicknamed the "Beatles". Aine Davis, 38, was charged with terrorist offences. Davis reportedly landed at Luton airport on a flight from Turkey after being deported. Armed man demanding savings holds Beirut bank staff hostage An armed Lebanese man stormed into a bank in Beirut on Thursday, holding staff members hostage and threatening to light himself on fire with gasoline if he didn't receive his trapped savings. Jagdeep Dhankhar takes oath as India’s 14th vice president President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office to Dhankhar at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Dhankhar's predecessor M Venkaiah Naidu were also present during the swearing-in ceremony. 'Justice prevails': Indian man wins 22-year-old legal battle with railways over overpriced ticket In 1999, Chaturvedi bought two railway tickets for which he was charged 20 rupees ($0.25; £0.21) extra at Mathura cantonment railway station in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. 'Colossal waste': Australia deletes 'failed' COVID-19 app Australia’s health minister Mark Butler claimed the “former government wasted more than $21 million of taxpayer’s money on this failed app.” Now, Israeli students accuse Ben & Jerry’s of occupying US tribal land At least 1,000 Israeli students and academics have accused Ben & Jerry’s of “hypocrisy” while stating in the letter that the land in Vermont once belonged to Abenaki native American tribe. WATCH | Anti-fascist groups criticise wine shops for selling wine with Adolf Hitler's face

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China has delayed a proposal by the United States and India to sanction Pakistan-based terrorist Abdul Rauf Azhar at UNSC meeting.

'Need time to study case,' China delays proposal to sanction Pak-based terrorist Abdul Rauf Azhar

India has termed&nbsp;China's putting a hold on the listing of Pakistan-based terrorists at the United Nations as "unfortunate" and one that smacks of "double speak and double standards". On Wednesday, China put a six-month hold on the listing of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM)'s second in command, Abdul Rauf Azhar (Asghar), as United Nations designated international terrorist.

The proposal was moved by India and co-sponsored by the US. China was the only country in the 15-member sanctions committee of the United Nations Security Council to put on hold the listing of Abdul Rauf, who is the younger brother of Masood Azhar. Listing of Rauf would have meant he would be financially sanctioned, and couldn't travel or buy weapons.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/china-puts-hold-on-listing-of-pakistan-based-ic814-plotter-abdul-rauf-azhar-505794">China puts hold on listing of Pakistan-based IC814 plotter Abdul Rauf Azhar</a>

Indian government sources said, "Sanctions committee has been prevented from playing its role due to political considerations."&nbsp;Abdul Rauf is among the plotters of the hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC814 in 1999, while his terror group has been involved in the Indian Parliament attack in 2001 and the Indian Air Base attack in Pathankot in 2016.

This is the second time this year that China has blocked the listing of a Pakistan-based terrorist. In June 2022, Beijing placed a hold on listing the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) deputy chief Abdul Rehman Makki, who has been involved in raising funds, recruiting, and radicalizing youths to resort to violence and planning attacks in India, including the Mumbai terror attacks in 2008.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/at-unsc-india-slams-china-pakistan-for-double-standards-on-terrorism-505306">At UNSC, India slams China, Pakistan for double standards on terrorism</a>

Sources said that there was "incontrovertible evidence" for listing both Azhar and Makki. Both have been sanctioned by the US under its domestic legislation and are among the most wanted men in India. As sources explained, "Such politically motivated actions by China, in nearly every listing case of a Pak-based terrorist, undermine the entire sanctity of the working methods of the UNSC Sanctions Committee."

The development comes just a day after India slammed China at the United Nations Security Council for the "practice of placing holds and blocks on listing requests without giving any justification," which the Indian ambassador to the UN, Ruchira Kamboj, said, "must end". She pointed out, "It is most regrettable that genuine and evidence-based listing proposals pertaining to some of the most notorious terrorists in the world are being placed on hold," explaining that "double standards and continuing politicisation have rendered the credibility of the Sanctions Regime at an all-time low."

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India has termed China's putting a hold on the listing of Pakistan-based terrorists at the United Nations as "unfortunate" and one that smacks of "double speak and double standards".

India has termed China's putting a hold on the listing of Pakistan-based terrorists at the United Nations as "unfortunate" and one that smacks of "double speak and double standards". On Wednesday, China put a six-month hold on the listing of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM)'s second in command, Abdul Rauf Azhar (Asghar), as United Nations designated international terrorist. The proposal was moved by India and co-sponsored by the US. China was the only country in the 15-member sanctions committee of the United Nations Security Council to put on hold the listing of Abdul Rauf, who is the younger brother of Masood Azhar. Listing of Rauf would have meant he would be financially sanctioned, and couldn't travel or buy weapons. Also read | China puts hold on listing of Pakistan-based IC814 plotter Abdul Rauf Azhar Indian government sources said, "Sanctions committee has been prevented from playing its role due to political considerations." Abdul Rauf is among the plotters of the hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC814 in 1999, while his terror group has been involved in the Indian Parliament attack in 2001 and the Indian Air Base attack in Pathankot in 2016. This is the second time this year that China has blocked the listing of a Pakistan-based terrorist. In June 2022, Beijing placed a hold on listing the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) deputy chief Abdul Rehman Makki, who has been involved in raising funds, recruiting, and radicalizing youths to resort to violence and planning attacks in India, including the Mumbai terror attacks in 2008. Also read | At UNSC, India slams China, Pakistan for double standards on terrorism Sources said that there was "incontrovertible evidence" for listing both Azhar and Makki. Both have been sanctioned by the US under its domestic legislation and are among the most wanted men in India. As sources explained, "Such politically motivated actions by China, in nearly every listing case of a Pak-based terrorist, undermine the entire sanctity of the working methods of the UNSC Sanctions Committee." The development comes just a day after India slammed China at the United Nations Security Council for the "practice of placing holds and blocks on listing requests without giving any justification," which the Indian ambassador to the UN, Ruchira Kamboj, said, "must end". She pointed out, "It is most regrettable that genuine and evidence-based listing proposals pertaining to some of the most notorious terrorists in the world are being placed on hold," explaining that "double standards and continuing politicisation have rendered the credibility of the Sanctions Regime at an all-time low." 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.

India terms China blocking Rauf's listing as international terrorist as 'unfortunate'

Mexican president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has proposed that the peace commission should include Pope Francis, the UN secretary general Antonio Guterres and the Indian prime minister Narendra Modi while addressing the media in Mexico.

Mexican President proposes commission for global peace led by 3 leaders including Indian PM Modi

China has delayed a proposal by the United States and India to sanction Pakistan-based terrorist Abdul Rauf Azhar at UNSC meeting. Indian authorities said, 'China's actions expose its double speak'.

China delays bid to sanction Jaish terrorist; India calls China's move 'politically motivated'

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