The UK is now being termed as the bank scam capital of the world with a massive surge in the incidents of online scams.&nbsp;

In the first six months of 2021, an amount of 1 billion dollars was&nbsp;stolen. The bank scams in the UK have gone up by 30 per cent since last year.&nbsp;

UK's super fast payment infrastructure is being blamed for this surge as it makes money transfers less secure. Also, there is weak policing of fraud-related crimes.&nbsp;

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People of the UK are also being seen as easy targets because of their language. The wide use of the English language has made the UK an ideal testbed for such scams.&nbsp;

The scammers target victims using this language. The targets are found through the internet by buying badges of leaked personal data from the dark net.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-18-year-old-afghan-refugee-stabbed-to-death-in-london-420669">Also read |&nbsp;UK: 18-year-old Afghan refugee stabbed to death in London</a>

A 2019 exposed the system in the UK as it analysed 400 corruption and money laundering cases.&nbsp;The survey revealed that nearly 600 businesses, institutions and individuals in the UK help in laundering money for the corrupt.

The total amount came down to over 400 billion dollars.&nbsp;

It was further revealed that 118 luxury goods and services firms, 81 law firms, 86 banks and financial institutions, and 62 accountancy firms have been involved in such acts.&nbsp;

Even the Educational institutions accepted suspicious funds. A total of 178 such institutions took more than 5 million dollars.&nbsp;

Some of these institutions include the Charterhouse Square School, Harrow School, University College London, and the University of St. Andrews.&nbsp;

Reports reveal that more than 42,000 properties are owned by offshore companies.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/californias-alisal-fire-continues-to-burn-14500-acres-420718">Also read |&nbsp;California's Alisal fire continues to burn 14,500-acres</a>

Money launderers have found a new home in London as for years now, the UK has allowed criminals to get away with stealing. Indian businessman Vijay Malya defaulted on loans worth 1 billion dollars. While India has been trying to extradite him, he seems to have found a new home in the UK.&nbsp;

Luxury properties in London have become a way for the corrupt to hide their cash. Former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif's children, who have set up three offshore companies owned at least six upscale properties. In 2017, after he resigned following the Panama Papers verdict, he found a home in London to avoid his jail time.&nbsp;

The UK is now being termed as the bank scam capital of the world with a massive surge in the incidents of online scams. In the first six months of 2021, an amount of 1 billion dollars was stolen.

The UK is now being termed as the bank scam capital of the world with a massive surge in the incidents of online scams. In the first six months of 2021, an amount of 1 billion dollars was stolen. The bank scams in the UK have gone up by 30 per cent since last year. UK's super fast payment infrastructure is being blamed for this surge as it makes money transfers less secure. Also, there is weak policing of fraud-related crimes. × People of the UK are also being seen as easy targets because of their language. The wide use of the English language has made the UK an ideal testbed for such scams. The scammers target victims using this language. The targets are found through the internet by buying badges of leaked personal data from the dark net. Also read | UK: 18-year-old Afghan refugee stabbed to death in London A 2019 exposed the system in the UK as it analysed 400 corruption and money laundering cases. The survey revealed that nearly 600 businesses, institutions and individuals in the UK help in laundering money for the corrupt. The total amount came down to over 400 billion dollars. It was further revealed that 118 luxury goods and services firms, 81 law firms, 86 banks and financial institutions, and 62 accountancy firms have been involved in such acts. Even the Educational institutions accepted suspicious funds. A total of 178 such institutions took more than 5 million dollars. Some of these institutions include the Charterhouse Square School, Harrow School, University College London, and the University of St. Andrews. Reports reveal that more than 42,000 properties are owned by offshore companies. Also read | California's Alisal fire continues to burn 14,500-acres Money launderers have found a new home in London as for years now, the UK has allowed criminals to get away with stealing. Indian businessman Vijay Malya defaulted on loans worth 1 billion dollars. While India has been trying to extradite him, he seems to have found a new home in the UK. Luxury properties in London have become a way for the corrupt to hide their cash. Former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif's children, who have set up three offshore companies owned at least six upscale properties. In 2017, after he resigned following the Panama Papers verdict, he found a home in London to avoid his jail time.

UK now being termed as the bank scam capital of the world, here is why

Witnessing an improvement in the&nbsp;COVID-19 situation in Indian Capital, the&nbsp;government&nbsp;announced on Friday that schools for classes IX to XII, colleges and coaching institutions will reopen from September 1.

The government's decision was taken at a recent meeting of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA). The panel, which was&nbsp;set up by the DDMA earlier this week, submitted its report. It&nbsp;recommended a phase-wise reopening of schools in the national capital.

Watch: Some Sri Lankans opt for cardboard coffins amid COVID-19 surge

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Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said a final decision was yet to be made regarding junior classes, adding that a call would be taken after analysing the effect of reopening schools for senior classes.

The sources indicated that schools for classes VI to VIII may reopen from September 8.&nbsp;

In order to ensure the reopening does not lead to a spike in the cases again,&nbsp;the Delhi government has also directed private aided and unaided schools to vaccinate their teachers and staff ahead of the September 1 deadline.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/india-news/india-records-46759-covid-19-cases-509-deaths-408954" hreflang="en">India records 46,759 COVID-19 cases, 509 deaths</a>

The Directorate of Education of the city's government has also issued a circular in this regard. "It is the prime concern of Directorate of Education, GNCT of Delhi to ensure the vaccination of all teachers and staff working in schools of Delhi. Therefore, all the HOS/managers of private aided/unaided schools in Delhi, are hereby directed to ensure that their teachers and staff get vaccinated immediately," it read.

"In the above context, all the private aided/unaided schools are also advised to facilitate their teachers and staff by making special arrangements for vaccination at schools/cluster levels in consultation and coordination with concerned authorities," the circular said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Witnessing an improvement in the COVID-19 situation in Indian Capital, the government announced on Friday that schools for classes IX to XII, colleges and coaching institutions will reopen from September 1.

Witnessing an improvement in the COVID-19 situation in Indian Capital, the government announced on Friday that schools for classes IX to XII, colleges and coaching institutions will reopen from September 1. The government's decision was taken at a recent meeting of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA). The panel, which was set up by the DDMA earlier this week, submitted its report. It recommended a phase-wise reopening of schools in the national capital. Watch: Some Sri Lankans opt for cardboard coffins amid COVID-19 surge × Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said a final decision was yet to be made regarding junior classes, adding that a call would be taken after analysing the effect of reopening schools for senior classes. The sources indicated that schools for classes VI to VIII may reopen from September 8. In order to ensure the reopening does not lead to a spike in the cases again, the Delhi government has also directed private aided and unaided schools to vaccinate their teachers and staff ahead of the September 1 deadline. Also Read: India records 46,759 COVID-19 cases, 509 deaths The Directorate of Education of the city's government has also issued a circular in this regard. "It is the prime concern of Directorate of Education, GNCT of Delhi to ensure the vaccination of all teachers and staff working in schools of Delhi. Therefore, all the HOS/managers of private aided/unaided schools in Delhi, are hereby directed to ensure that their teachers and staff get vaccinated immediately," it read. "In the above context, all the private aided/unaided schools are also advised to facilitate their teachers and staff by making special arrangements for vaccination at schools/cluster levels in consultation and coordination with concerned authorities," the circular said. (With inputs from agencies)

Indian Capital reopens schools for classes IX to XII from September 1

A&nbsp;wildfire&nbsp;that erupted outside&nbsp;California's&nbsp;state&nbsp;capital&nbsp;just a few days ago had exploded to cover 54,000 acres by Wednesday, an eight-fold increase in 24 hours.

At least two people had to be airlifted to hospital as the Caldor Fire tore through a small town around 80 kilometres (50 miles) from Sacramento.

Thousands of people have been told to seek safety, with the blaze raging uncontrolled through the Eldorado National Forest.

"Please, please heed the warnings, and then when you're asked to get out, get out," Fire Chief Thom Porter said, according to the Sacramento Bee newspaper.

"We need you out of the way so we can protect your homes from these fires."

In a stunning demonstration of the way these blazes transform, the Caldor Fire, which began on Saturday, grew from around 6,500 acres on Tuesday morning, fanned by strong winds and huge reserves of tinder-dry fuel.

The Caldor Fire is one of scores raging across the desiccated western United States, as man-made climate change alters weather patterns and brings chronic drought to the region.

On Wednesday, the Lake County Sheriff's Office issued evacuation orders for parts of the town of Lower Lake, including two schools and a mobile home park, after a&nbsp;new&nbsp;blaze erupted there.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/belarus-news-agency-targetted-by-police-amid-crackdown-406629">Also read |&nbsp;Belarus: News agency targetted by police amid crackdown</a>

"If you're in Lower Lake, you should probably get out of here," Sheriff Brian Martin said in a Facebook video.

"We've got some pretty sticky situations going on. This is a very, very serious event."

The Lake County News said firefighters had seen RVs ablaze, with reports that authorities were going door-to-door to urge people to flee the quickly developing Cache Fire.

Dixie Fire still burning

Further north, the huge Dixie Fire continued to burn.

It has now scorched more than 600,000 acres in the month since it started, and is the second biggest blaze in&nbsp;California's history.

Photos taken by an AFP journalist show towering flames consuming the trees along the side of a highway, as firefighters try to set containment lines.

In the town of Janesville, the burned out hulks of cars sit among the still-smoking undergrowth; elsewhere, mailboxes exposed to the ferocious heat of the flames have melted out of shape.

The acrid smoke created by wildfires sparked an air quality advisory Wednesday for residents in and around San Francisco.

Utility PG&amp;E on Tuesday began shutting off power supply to more than 50,000 customers.

The company, which has acknowledged that its equipment may have started the Dixie Fire, said the shut-offs were to avoid the danger of live lines falling on dry vegetation.

The last decade has seen a huge rise in the number of wildfires in the west of the United States.

Climate change linked to the burning of fossil fuels has made the region dryer and hotter for longer, creating ideal conditions for the blazes to rage.

A wildfire that erupted outside California's state capital just a few days ago had exploded to cover 54,000 acres by Wednesday, an eight-fold increase in 24 hours.

A wildfire that erupted outside California's state capital just a few days ago had exploded to cover 54,000 acres by Wednesday, an eight-fold increase in 24 hours. At least two people had to be airlifted to hospital as the Caldor Fire tore through a small town around 80 kilometres (50 miles) from Sacramento. Thousands of people have been told to seek safety, with the blaze raging uncontrolled through the Eldorado National Forest. "Please, please heed the warnings, and then when you're asked to get out, get out," Fire Chief Thom Porter said, according to the Sacramento Bee newspaper. "We need you out of the way so we can protect your homes from these fires." In a stunning demonstration of the way these blazes transform, the Caldor Fire, which began on Saturday, grew from around 6,500 acres on Tuesday morning, fanned by strong winds and huge reserves of tinder-dry fuel. The Caldor Fire is one of scores raging across the desiccated western United States, as man-made climate change alters weather patterns and brings chronic drought to the region. On Wednesday, the Lake County Sheriff's Office issued evacuation orders for parts of the town of Lower Lake, including two schools and a mobile home park, after a new blaze erupted there. Also read | Belarus: News agency targetted by police amid crackdown "If you're in Lower Lake, you should probably get out of here," Sheriff Brian Martin said in a Facebook video. "We've got some pretty sticky situations going on. This is a very, very serious event." The Lake County News said firefighters had seen RVs ablaze, with reports that authorities were going door-to-door to urge people to flee the quickly developing Cache Fire. Dixie Fire still burning Further north, the huge Dixie Fire continued to burn. It has now scorched more than 600,000 acres in the month since it started, and is the second biggest blaze in California's history. Photos taken by an AFP journalist show towering flames consuming the trees along the side of a highway, as firefighters try to set containment lines. In the town of Janesville, the burned out hulks of cars sit among the still-smoking undergrowth; elsewhere, mailboxes exposed to the ferocious heat of the flames have melted out of shape. The acrid smoke created by wildfires sparked an air quality advisory Wednesday for residents in and around San Francisco. Utility PG&E on Tuesday began shutting off power supply to more than 50,000 customers. The company, which has acknowledged that its equipment may have started the Dixie Fire, said the shut-offs were to avoid the danger of live lines falling on dry vegetation. The last decade has seen a huge rise in the number of wildfires in the west of the United States. Climate change linked to the burning of fossil fuels has made the region dryer and hotter for longer, creating ideal conditions for the blazes to rage.

New wildfire explodes near California state capital

Some 135 years after the arrival of&nbsp;its&nbsp;big sister in New York, a relatively diminutive replica&nbsp;Statue&nbsp;of&nbsp;Liberty&nbsp;was unveiled Wednesday in the US capital as a token of American-French friendship.

The replica, standing at around 10 feet (three meters) tall -- compared to the famed 300-foot-tall New York version -- was inaugurated by French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and his US counterpart, Antony Blinken.&nbsp;

The bronze&nbsp;statue&nbsp;was erected in the garden of the residence of France's ambassador in&nbsp;Washington.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-states-report-surge-in-virus-cases-as-vaccinations-lag-398106">Also read |&nbsp;US states report surge in virus cases as vaccinations lag</a>

On&nbsp;its&nbsp;journey from Paris, it travelled via&nbsp;Liberty&nbsp;Island, south of Manhattan, home of the iconic "Liberty&nbsp;Enlightening the World"&nbsp;statue&nbsp;presented by France to the United States in the late 19th century.

"The little sister has arrived," said Philippe Etienne, France's envoy in&nbsp;Washington.

"She spent a week in New York for the American national holiday -- Independence Day -- she was on Ellis Island, she looked at her big sister. And now she is in place for July 14," he added, referring to the French Bastille Day holiday.

On loan from France's National Conservatory of Arts and Trades (Cnam) and cast from the same mold used by sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, the&nbsp;statue&nbsp;travelled in a specially designed Plexiglas case in a container transported by French shipping company CMA-CGM.

Some 135 years after the arrival of its big sister in New York, a relatively diminutive replica Statue of Liberty was unveiled Wednesday in the US capital as a token of American-French friendship.

Some 135 years after the arrival of its big sister in New York, a relatively diminutive replica Statue of Liberty was unveiled Wednesday in the US capital as a token of American-French friendship. The replica, standing at around 10 feet (three meters) tall -- compared to the famed 300-foot-tall New York version -- was inaugurated by French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and his US counterpart, Antony Blinken. The bronze statue was erected in the garden of the residence of France's ambassador in Washington. Also read | US states report surge in virus cases as vaccinations lag On its journey from Paris, it travelled via Liberty Island, south of Manhattan, home of the iconic "Liberty Enlightening the World" statue presented by France to the United States in the late 19th century. "The little sister has arrived," said Philippe Etienne, France's envoy in Washington. "She spent a week in New York for the American national holiday -- Independence Day -- she was on Ellis Island, she looked at her big sister. And now she is in place for July 14," he added, referring to the French Bastille Day holiday. On loan from France's National Conservatory of Arts and Trades (Cnam) and cast from the same mold used by sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, the statue travelled in a specially designed Plexiglas case in a container transported by French shipping company CMA-CGM.

US capital gets its own, petite Statue of Liberty

South Korea will&nbsp;raise&nbsp;coronavirus curbs to their&nbsp;highest&nbsp;level&nbsp;in the Seoul metropolitan area, the country's prime minister said Friday, warning a record spike in new cases had reached "maximum crisis&nbsp;level".

The country had previously been held up as a model of how to combat the pandemic, with the public largely following social distancing and other rules, but it was slow to start its vaccine rollout due to supply shortages.

On Friday it recorded 1,316 cases, its&nbsp;highest&nbsp;daily rise since the pandemic began, with most new infections in&nbsp;capital&nbsp;Seoul and its surrounding areas, home to almost half the South Korean population.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pentagon-deeply-concerned-by-recent-attacks-on-personnel-in-iraq-syria-396839">Also read |&nbsp;Pentagon 'deeply concerned' by recent attacks on personnel in Iraq, Syria</a>

Cluster infections have surfaced in areas including schools, offices and shopping malls, with people in their 20s and 30s -- most of whom are not yet eligible for vaccinations -- driving up the numbers, according to health authorities.&nbsp;

Under the new&nbsp;restrictions, set to come into force on Monday and last for two weeks, gatherings of more than two people will be banned after 6 pm and schools will be closed.

Cafes and restaurants are allowed limited seating and dine-in services are prohibited after 10 pm.

Entertainment establishments, including bars and clubs, will be shut, and all public rallies are banned except for one-person protests.&nbsp;

South Korea will raise coronavirus curbs to their highest level in the Seoul metropolitan area, the country's prime minister said Friday, warning a record spike in new cases had reached "maximum crisis level".

South Korea will raise coronavirus curbs to their highest level in the Seoul metropolitan area, the country's prime minister said Friday, warning a record spike in new cases had reached "maximum crisis level". The country had previously been held up as a model of how to combat the pandemic, with the public largely following social distancing and other rules, but it was slow to start its vaccine rollout due to supply shortages. On Friday it recorded 1,316 cases, its highest daily rise since the pandemic began, with most new infections in capital Seoul and its surrounding areas, home to almost half the South Korean population. Also read | Pentagon 'deeply concerned' by recent attacks on personnel in Iraq, Syria Cluster infections have surfaced in areas including schools, offices and shopping malls, with people in their 20s and 30s -- most of whom are not yet eligible for vaccinations -- driving up the numbers, according to health authorities. Under the new restrictions, set to come into force on Monday and last for two weeks, gatherings of more than two people will be banned after 6 pm and schools will be closed. Cafes and restaurants are allowed limited seating and dine-in services are prohibited after 10 pm. Entertainment establishments, including bars and clubs, will be shut, and all public rallies are banned except for one-person protests.

South Korea to raise Covid-19 restrictions to highest level in capital

Israel "firmly rejects" pressure not to build in Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin&nbsp;Netanyahu&nbsp;said on Sunday following days of unrest and spreading international condemnation of planned evictions of Palestinians from homes in the city claimed by Jewish settlers.

Tensions over Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in East Jerusalem have stoked daily confrontations. Washington said Saturday it was "deeply concerned" and wanted "authorities to approach the residents ... with compassion and respect".

East Jerusalem is among territories that Palestinians seek for a future state. US-sponsored statehood negotiations with Israel stalled in 2014. Israel deems of all Jerusalem its capital - a status not recognised abroad.

"We firmly reject the pressure not to build in Jerusalem. To my regret, this pressure has been increasing of late,"&nbsp;Netanyahu&nbsp;said during a televised address ahead of national commemorations of the Israeli capture of East Jerusalem in a 1967 war.

"I say also to the best of our friends: Jerusalem is Israel's capital and just as every nation builds in its capital and builds up its capital, we also have the right to build in Jerusalem and to build up Jerusalem. That is what we have done and that is what we will continue to do,"&nbsp;Netanyahu&nbsp;said.

East Jerusalem tensions have spilled over into clashes between Israeli police and Palestinians around Al-Aqsa, Islam's third-holiest mosque, at the height of the Ramadan fast month.

On Saturday night, Islam's holy night of Laylat al-Qadr, Palestinian youth threw stones, lit fires and tore down police barricades in the streets leading to the walled Old City gates as officers on horseback and in riot gear used stun grenades and water cannons to repel them.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkeys-erdogan-calls-israel-terror-state-over-palestinian-clashes-at-al-aqsa-383800">Turkey's Erdogan calls Israel 'terror state' over Palestinian clashes at Al-Aqsa&nbsp;</a>

Netanyahu&nbsp;said Israel allows freedom of worship but "we will not allow any extremist element to disturb the peace in Jerusalem ... We will not allow violent unrest."

Pope Francis called for an end to violence in Jerusalem, saying he was following events there with concern and inviting parties to seek solutions in order to respect the multicultural identity of the Holy City.

"Violence breeds violence, stop clashes," the pope told pilgrims who gathered in St. Peter's Square in Rome on Sunday.

Israel "firmly rejects" pressure not to build in Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday following days of unrest and spreading international condemnation of planned evictions of Palestinians from homes in the city claimed by Jewish settlers.

Israel "firmly rejects" pressure not to build in Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday following days of unrest and spreading international condemnation of planned evictions of Palestinians from homes in the city claimed by Jewish settlers. Tensions over Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in East Jerusalem have stoked daily confrontations. Washington said Saturday it was "deeply concerned" and wanted "authorities to approach the residents ... with compassion and respect". East Jerusalem is among territories that Palestinians seek for a future state. US-sponsored statehood negotiations with Israel stalled in 2014. Israel deems of all Jerusalem its capital - a status not recognised abroad. "We firmly reject the pressure not to build in Jerusalem. To my regret, this pressure has been increasing of late," Netanyahu said during a televised address ahead of national commemorations of the Israeli capture of East Jerusalem in a 1967 war. "I say also to the best of our friends: Jerusalem is Israel's capital and just as every nation builds in its capital and builds up its capital, we also have the right to build in Jerusalem and to build up Jerusalem. That is what we have done and that is what we will continue to do," Netanyahu said. East Jerusalem tensions have spilled over into clashes between Israeli police and Palestinians around Al-Aqsa, Islam's third-holiest mosque, at the height of the Ramadan fast month. On Saturday night, Islam's holy night of Laylat al-Qadr, Palestinian youth threw stones, lit fires and tore down police barricades in the streets leading to the walled Old City gates as officers on horseback and in riot gear used stun grenades and water cannons to repel them. Also read | Turkey's Erdogan calls Israel 'terror state' over Palestinian clashes at Al-Aqsa Netanyahu said Israel allows freedom of worship but "we will not allow any extremist element to disturb the peace in Jerusalem ... We will not allow violent unrest." Pope Francis called for an end to violence in Jerusalem, saying he was following events there with concern and inviting parties to seek solutions in order to respect the multicultural identity of the Holy City. "Violence breeds violence, stop clashes," the pope told pilgrims who gathered in St. Peter's Square in Rome on Sunday.

Netanyahu says Israel firm on Jerusalem as global concern mounts

Stock market indices, Sensex and Nifty ended higher Wednesday led across the board gains after the RBI kept policy rates unchanged but committed to a massive government bond purchase programme.&nbsp;

BSE Sensex index leapt 700 points and hit the day's high of 49,900. The Nifty50, meanwhile, jumped nearly 200 points and hit 14,880 on the back of an across-the-board buying.&nbsp;

Banking and financial stocks outperformed on Wednesday with the Nifty Bank, Private Bank, and PSU Bank indices settling higher in the range of 1.5 per cent to 2 per cent.

Global markets

Asian shares pulled back from a three-week high on Wednesday, dragged lower by Chinese stocks. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside of Japan was last down 0.1 per cent after Chinese and Hong Kong shares opened in the red. China’s blue-chip CSI300 index was down about 1 per cent while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index fell 0.8 per cent.

That said, Japan’s Nikkei was a shade higher while Australian shares rose 0.6 per cent and South Korea’s KOSPI added 0.3 per cent. New Zealand ended 0.7 per cent higher.

In Europe, the pan-European STOXX 600 index fell 0.2 per cent while the German DAX and France’s CAC 40 were flat. The UK’s exporter-heavy FTSE 100, however, gained 0.3 per cent as a weaker pound lifted the dollar earners.

(With inputs from Reuters)

Stock market indices, Sensex and Nifty ended higher Wednesday led across the board gains after the RBI kept policy rates unchanged but committed to a massive government bond purchase programme.

Stock market indices, Sensex and Nifty ended higher Wednesday led across the board gains after the RBI kept policy rates unchanged but committed to a massive government bond purchase programme. BSE Sensex index leapt 700 points and hit the day's high of 49,900. The Nifty50, meanwhile, jumped nearly 200 points and hit 14,880 on the back of an across-the-board buying. Banking and financial stocks outperformed on Wednesday with the Nifty Bank, Private Bank, and PSU Bank indices settling higher in the range of 1.5 per cent to 2 per cent. Global markets Asian shares pulled back from a three-week high on Wednesday, dragged lower by Chinese stocks. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside of Japan was last down 0.1 per cent after Chinese and Hong Kong shares opened in the red. China’s blue-chip CSI300 index was down about 1 per cent while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index fell 0.8 per cent. That said, Japan’s Nikkei was a shade higher while Australian shares rose 0.6 per cent and South Korea’s KOSPI added 0.3 per cent. New Zealand ended 0.7 per cent higher. In Europe, the pan-European STOXX 600 index fell 0.2 per cent while the German DAX and France’s CAC 40 were flat. The UK’s exporter-heavy FTSE 100, however, gained 0.3 per cent as a weaker pound lifted the dollar earners. (With inputs from Reuters)

Sensex ends at 49,661, Nifty above 14,800

Indian stock market indices Sensex and Nifty on Thursday rose up to fresh highs after US-China signed an initial trade deal which helped them reduce tensions in the ongoing trade war. The investors shifted focus to domestic corporate earnings.

The BSE Sensex opened at 41,959.19, climbing 86 points from the last closing. Nifty too, has jumped to its record high of 12,357.

At 10.50 am Sensex was up by 52 points at 41,924.79 and Nifty at 12,349.50.

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Private-sector lender Yes Bank Ltd, up as much as 2.3%, was the top gainer on the Nifty. Drugmaker Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd climbed 1.3% to a near seven-week high.

Cable television company DEN Networks Ltd jumped 5% to its highest since Sept. 25, 2019, after reporting a profit for the December quarter, compared with a loss last year.

The Nifty Metal index dropped 0.9%. Miner Vedanta Ltd, the biggest loser in the Nifty index, dropped as much as 1.8%, while Tata Steel Ltd and JSW Steel Ltd declined 1.2 per cent and 1.8 per cent, respectively.

(With inputs from agencies)

Indian stock market indices Sensex and Nifty on Thursday rose up to fresh highs after US-China signed an initial trade deal which helped them reduce tensions in the ongoing trade war.

Indian stock market indices Sensex and Nifty on Thursday rose up to fresh highs after US-China signed an initial trade deal which helped them reduce tensions in the ongoing trade war. The investors shifted focus to domestic corporate earnings. The BSE Sensex opened at 41,959.19, climbing 86 points from the last closing. Nifty too, has jumped to its record high of 12,357. At 10.50 am Sensex was up by 52 points at 41,924.79 and Nifty at 12,349.50. Private-sector lender Yes Bank Ltd, up as much as 2.3%, was the top gainer on the Nifty. Drugmaker Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd climbed 1.3% to a near seven-week high. Cable television company DEN Networks Ltd jumped 5% to its highest since Sept. 25, 2019, after reporting a profit for the December quarter, compared with a loss last year. The Nifty Metal index dropped 0.9%. Miner Vedanta Ltd, the biggest loser in the Nifty index, dropped as much as 1.8%, while Tata Steel Ltd and JSW Steel Ltd declined 1.2 per cent and 1.8 per cent, respectively. (With inputs from agencies)

Sensex hits 42,000 for first time, Nifty at a record high

Why Is Indonesia Planning To Build A Brand New Capital

Gravitas: Indonesia to build new capital in Borneo

Major Security lapse in Thailand, 6 Blasts took place at 3 separate locations in Bangkok.

WION Dispatch: Blasts at 3 separate locations in Bangkok

6 Blasts at 3 separate locations in Bangkok

Thousands took to the streets of Buenos Aires on Monday (June 3) for the capital's annual march against gender-based violence. Thousands of women were joined by men in the peaceful march that looked to call on the government to enact stricter policies to protect women and not allow their attackers to walk free. Demonstrators used the hashtag #NiUnaMenos, or #NotOneMore (woman) to promote the movement on social media.

Thousands of Argentines protest violence against women

At least three loud blasts were heard and three clouds of smoke could be seen in the sky above the centre of Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh on Wednesday, according to Reuters witnesses.

There was no immediate comment from the government.

At least three loud blasts were heard and three clouds of smoke could be seen in the sky above the centre of Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh

At least three loud blasts were heard and three clouds of smoke could be seen in the sky above the centre of Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh on Wednesday, according to Reuters witnesses. There was no immediate comment from the government.

Loud blasts heard in Saudi capital Riyadh

Twin car bombs killed 18 people in Somalia`s capital Mogadishu on Friday in an attack by the Islamist militant group al Shabaab, but security forces shot dead five assailants, officials said.

Shooting broke out near the president`s residence at the time of the explosions, police and ambulance services said.

&quot;So far we carried 18 dead people and 20 others injured from the blasts tonight,&quot; Abdikadir Abdirahman, the director of Amin Ambulances, told Reuters.

Police said the first car bomb went off after militants breached a checkpoint near the president`s residence by shooting at security personnel. The second blast was a car bomb parked in front of a hotel away from the palace.

&quot;The militants got off when they neared the palace, the suicide car bomb exploded outside the palace where there were many military soldiers who guarded the street adjacent to the palace,&quot; Major Omar Abdullahi told Reuters.

Al Shabaab, who have claimed responsibility for previous bombings and gun attacks in the capital, said they killed 15 soldiers in Friday`s attack, but this could not be confirmed.

&quot;Two operations including two car bomb martyrdoms went on around the presidential palace and a national security forces&rsquo; base called Habar Kadija,&quot; al Shabaab military spokesman Abdiasis Abu Musab said.

The group, which is linked to al Qaeda, wants to overthrow the Somali government and impose its own harsh interpretation of Islamic law. It has killed hundreds of civilians across East Africa and thousands of Somalis in a decade-long insurgency.

Security Minister Mohamed Abukar Islow said the security forces had subdued the al Shabaab attackers and killed five of them.

&quot;The security minister confirmed the operation was concluded and that the five militants who launched the attack were shot dead,&quot; the state news aganey quoted him as saying.

Al Shabaab`s Abu Musab said their fighters were yet to be subdued.

The streets around the palace and the hotel were surrounded by security forces, witnesses said.

In October, more than 500 people were killed in twin bomb blasts in Mogadishu. The bomb attacks were the deadliest since al Shabaab began an insurgency in 2007. Al Shabaab did not claim responsibility for that incident.

At least 18 people have been killed and 20 others injured in twin bomb attacks in Somali capital Mogadishu

Twin car bombs killed 18 people in Somalia`s capital Mogadishu on Friday in an attack by the Islamist militant group al Shabaab, but security forces shot dead five assailants, officials said. Shooting broke out near the president`s residence at the time of the explosions, police and ambulance services said. "So far we carried 18 dead people and 20 others injured from the blasts tonight," Abdikadir Abdirahman, the director of Amin Ambulances, told Reuters. Police said the first car bomb went off after militants breached a checkpoint near the president`s residence by shooting at security personnel. The second blast was a car bomb parked in front of a hotel away from the palace. "The militants got off when they neared the palace, the suicide car bomb exploded outside the palace where there were many military soldiers who guarded the street adjacent to the palace," Major Omar Abdullahi told Reuters. Al Shabaab, who have claimed responsibility for previous bombings and gun attacks in the capital, said they killed 15 soldiers in Friday`s attack, but this could not be confirmed. "Two operations including two car bomb martyrdoms went on around the presidential palace and a national security forces’ base called Habar Kadija," al Shabaab military spokesman Abdiasis Abu Musab said. The group, which is linked to al Qaeda, wants to overthrow the Somali government and impose its own harsh interpretation of Islamic law. It has killed hundreds of civilians across East Africa and thousands of Somalis in a decade-long insurgency. Security Minister Mohamed Abukar Islow said the security forces had subdued the al Shabaab attackers and killed five of them. "The security minister confirmed the operation was concluded and that the five militants who launched the attack were shot dead," the state news aganey quoted him as saying. Al Shabaab`s Abu Musab said their fighters were yet to be subdued. The streets around the palace and the hotel were surrounded by security forces, witnesses said. In October, more than 500 people were killed in twin bomb blasts in Mogadishu. The bomb attacks were the deadliest since al Shabaab began an insurgency in 2007. Al Shabaab did not claim responsibility for that incident.

18 killed after two car bombs explode in Somalia's capital Mogadishu

UN member-states were poised Thursday to vote on a motion rejecting US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital, after President Donald Trump threatened to cut funding to countries that back the measure.&nbsp;

Gathered in an emergency session, the General Assembly is to decide on a draft resolution reaffirming that the status of Jerusalem must be resolved through negotiations, and that any decision reached outside of that framework has no legal effect and must be rescinded.

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad al-Malki, addressing the assembly as the session got underway, appealed for support and referenced America&#39;s warning that it was &quot;taking names&quot; among countries that oppose it at the UN.

&quot;This organization is now undergoing an unprecedented test,&quot; al-Malki said.

&quot;History records names, it remembers names -- the names of those who stand by what is right and the names of those who speak falsehood. Today we are seekers of rights and peace.&quot;

Trump&#39;s decision on December 6 to recognize Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital broke with international consensus and unleashed protests across the Muslim world, prompting a flurry of appeals to the United Nations.&nbsp;

The status of the Holy City is one of the thorniest issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with both sides claiming it as their capital.

A draft resolution rejecting the US move was sent to the General Assembly after it was vetoed by the United States at the Security Council on Monday, although all other 14 council members voted in favor.

Trump warned that Washington would closely watch how nations voted on Thursday, suggesting there could be financial reprisals for countries that back the motion put forward by Yemen and Turkey on behalf of Arab and Muslim countries.

&quot;They take hundreds of millions of dollars and even billions of dollars and then they vote against us,&quot; Trump said at the White House.

&quot;Well, we&#39;re watching those votes. Let them vote against us. We&#39;ll save a lot. We don&#39;t care.&quot;

&#39;House of lies&#39; 
The draft resolution mirrors the text that was vetoed on Monday, and although it does not mention Trump&#39;s decision, it expresses &quot;deep regret at recent decisions&quot; concerning the city&#39;s status.&nbsp;

Ahead of the vote, Israel&#39;s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blasted the UN as a &quot;house of lies,&quot; saying Israel &quot;rejects outright this vote, even before it passes.&quot;

&quot;The attitude to Israel of many nations in the world, in all the continents, is changing outside of the UN walls, and will eventually filter into the UN as well -- the house of lies,&quot; he said.

Diplomats expect strong support for the resolution, which is non-binding, despite the US pressure to either abstain, vote against it or simply not turn up for the vote.&nbsp;

America&#39;s neighbors Canada and Mexico were both expected to abstain, according to diplomats.

On Tuesday, US Ambassador Nikki Haley sent an email to fellow UN envoys to put them on notice that &quot;the president will be watching this vote carefully and has requested I report back on those countries who voted against us.&quot;

&quot;We will take note of each and every vote on this issue,&quot; she wrote in the message seen by AFP.

And on Twitter she said &quot;the US will be taking names&quot; when ambassadors of the 193-nation assembly cast their votes.&nbsp;

&quot;Nikki, that was the right message,&quot; Trump said.

But Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said UN member states should not be swayed by Trump&#39;s threat.

&quot;I am calling on the whole world: never sell your democratic will in return for petty dollars,&quot; he said in a televised speech in Ankara, predicting that &quot;the world will teach a very good lesson to America today.&quot;

Voting with their conscience 
No country has veto powers in the General Assembly, unlike in the 15-member Security Council where the United States, along with Britain, China, France and Russia, can block any resolution.

Among the 14 countries voting in favor on Monday were Britain, France, Italy, Japan and Ukraine who were expected to do the same at the assembly.

While resolutions by the General Assembly are non-binding, a strong vote in support of the resolution would carry political weight.

Israel seized the largely-Arab eastern sector of Jerusalem during the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed it, claiming both sides of the city as its &quot;eternal and undivided capital.&quot;

But the Palestinians want the eastern sector as capital of their future state and fiercely oppose any Israeli attempt to extend sovereignty there.

Several UN resolutions call on Israel to withdraw from territory seized in 1967 and the draft resolution contains the same language as past motions adopted by the assembly.

UN member states will vote to reject the US's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital

UN member-states were poised Thursday to vote on a motion rejecting US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, after President Donald Trump threatened to cut funding to countries that back the measure. Gathered in an emergency session, the General Assembly is to decide on a draft resolution reaffirming that the status of Jerusalem must be resolved through negotiations, and that any decision reached outside of that framework has no legal effect and must be rescinded. Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad al-Malki, addressing the assembly as the session got underway, appealed for support and referenced America's warning that it was "taking names" among countries that oppose it at the UN. "This organization is now undergoing an unprecedented test," al-Malki said. "History records names, it remembers names -- the names of those who stand by what is right and the names of those who speak falsehood. Today we are seekers of rights and peace." Trump's decision on December 6 to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital broke with international consensus and unleashed protests across the Muslim world, prompting a flurry of appeals to the United Nations. The status of the Holy City is one of the thorniest issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with both sides claiming it as their capital. A draft resolution rejecting the US move was sent to the General Assembly after it was vetoed by the United States at the Security Council on Monday, although all other 14 council members voted in favor. Trump warned that Washington would closely watch how nations voted on Thursday, suggesting there could be financial reprisals for countries that back the motion put forward by Yemen and Turkey on behalf of Arab and Muslim countries. "They take hundreds of millions of dollars and even billions of dollars and then they vote against us," Trump said at the White House. "Well, we're watching those votes. Let them vote against us. We'll save a lot. We don't care." 'House of lies' The draft resolution mirrors the text that was vetoed on Monday, and although it does not mention Trump's decision, it expresses "deep regret at recent decisions" concerning the city's status. Ahead of the vote, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blasted the UN as a "house of lies," saying Israel "rejects outright this vote, even before it passes." "The attitude to Israel of many nations in the world, in all the continents, is changing outside of the UN walls, and will eventually filter into the UN as well -- the house of lies," he said. Diplomats expect strong support for the resolution, which is non-binding, despite the US pressure to either abstain, vote against it or simply not turn up for the vote. America's neighbors Canada and Mexico were both expected to abstain, according to diplomats. On Tuesday, US Ambassador Nikki Haley sent an email to fellow UN envoys to put them on notice that "the president will be watching this vote carefully and has requested I report back on those countries who voted against us." "We will take note of each and every vote on this issue," she wrote in the message seen by AFP. And on Twitter she said "the US will be taking names" when ambassadors of the 193-nation assembly cast their votes. "Nikki, that was the right message," Trump said. But Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said UN member states should not be swayed by Trump's threat. "I am calling on the whole world: never sell your democratic will in return for petty dollars," he said in a televised speech in Ankara, predicting that "the world will teach a very good lesson to America today." Voting with their conscience No country has veto powers in the General Assembly, unlike in the 15-member Security Council where the United States, along with Britain, China, France and Russia, can block any resolution. Among the 14 countries voting in favor on Monday were Britain, France, Italy, Japan and Ukraine who were expected to do the same at the assembly. While resolutions by the General Assembly are non-binding, a strong vote in support of the resolution would carry political weight. Israel seized the largely-Arab eastern sector of Jerusalem during the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed it, claiming both sides of the city as its "eternal and undivided capital." But the Palestinians want the eastern sector as capital of their future state and fiercely oppose any Israeli attempt to extend sovereignty there. Several UN resolutions call on Israel to withdraw from territory seized in 1967 and the draft resolution contains the same language as past motions adopted by the assembly.

UN votes on Jerusalem after Trump warns 'we're watching'

China&#39;s exports and imports unexpectedly accelerated last month in an encouraging sign for the world&#39;s second-biggest economy, though analysts expect growth to continue cooling amid a government crackdown on financial risks and polluting factories.&nbsp;

As global demand has surprised with its strength, consumers have lapped up Chinese goods at a rapid rate this year, giving the economy a boost and providing policymakers, room to tighten rules to curb high-risk lending.&nbsp;Exports in November rose 12.3 percent year-on-year, the fastest pace in eight months, led by strong sales of electronics and high-tech goods, while commodity purchases helped lift imports. The number beat analysts&#39; forecast of a 5.0 percent increase and compared with 6.9 percent growth in October.&nbsp;

Imports grew 17.7 percent year-on-year in November, the General Administration of Customs said on Friday, also well above expectations of 11.3 percent growth and rising at the fastest pace since September.&nbsp;The numbers may help to ease concerns of slowing momentum in Asia&#39;s economic powerhouse, which had surprised markets with robust growth of nearly 6.9 percent in the first nine months of this year, thanks to a government-led infrastructure spending spree and unexpected strength in exports.

&quot;While we still expect China&#39;s domestic economy to cool in 2018 on gradually tighter fiscal policies, the November import data shows that there are upside risks to our China outlook&quot;, said Louis Kuijs, head of Asia Economics at Oxford Economics in Hong Kong.&nbsp;Tighter rules to rein in risks from a rapid build-up in debt and cut pollution have weighed on overall activity since the third quarter.

Besides ramped-up efforts to reduce winter pollution, authorities unveiled fresh regulatory measures last month for the financial sector, clamping down on high-risk lending and halting some dubious infrastructure projects that would swell local governments&#39; debt.

Imports Bounce To Tail Off?

Some of China&#39;s northern provinces have ordered factories to throttle back or halt output to reduce notoriously thick winter smog.&nbsp;While the war on pollution had been expected to reduce raw materials imports, Friday&#39;s trade numbers showed commodity imports rebounded last month.&nbsp;

China&#39;s natural gas imports in November rose to a record as domestic demand surged while crude imports were the second-highest ever, as refiners ramped up output to cash in on strong profits as fuel prices soar.&nbsp;China&#39;s iron ore imports rose in November even as steel mills are cutting output as part of a government drive against pollution as some analysts said traders were stockpiling inventory.&nbsp;

Iron ore imports &quot;were not necessarily just by steel mills but could have been also purchased by traders&quot;, said Helen Lau at Argonaut Securities in Hong Kong. He added, &quot;They&#39;re trying to accumulate stocks and will do so maybe through March in anticipation of Chinese mills resuming production when China lifts the winter restrictions&quot;.&nbsp;

Steel exports rose from the previous month to 5.35 million tonnes in November, data showed.&nbsp;The rebound in imports comes as China&#39;s yuan has fallen 2.8 percent against the dollar since hitting its 2017 peak on September 8.&nbsp;The latest data showed the country posted a trade surplus of $40.21 billion for the month versus expectations of $35 billion in November after October&#39;s $38.185 billion. Despite the overall strength of the November data, imports could come under pressure as China&#39;s economy cools, analysts say.&nbsp;

&quot;Chinese trade looks to have been surprisingly strong last month. We expect exports to continue to perform well in the coming months on the back of strong global demand&quot;, Capital Economics China economist Julian Evans-Pritchard wrote in a note.&nbsp;&quot;However, we are skeptical that the strength of imports can be sustained given that the delayed impact of policy tightening and a cooling property market are set to weigh on Chinese demand for commodities in coming quarters&quot;.

China's natural gas imports and iron imports rose in November, while steel mills are trying to cut output in a drive against pollution. The growth is still phenomenal for world's second-biggest economy

China's exports and imports unexpectedly accelerated last month in an encouraging sign for the world's second-biggest economy, though analysts expect growth to continue cooling amid a government crackdown on financial risks and polluting factories. As global demand has surprised with its strength, consumers have lapped up Chinese goods at a rapid rate this year, giving the economy a boost and providing policymakers, room to tighten rules to curb high-risk lending. Exports in November rose 12.3 percent year-on-year, the fastest pace in eight months, led by strong sales of electronics and high-tech goods, while commodity purchases helped lift imports. The number beat analysts' forecast of a 5.0 percent increase and compared with 6.9 percent growth in October. Imports grew 17.7 percent year-on-year in November, the General Administration of Customs said on Friday, also well above expectations of 11.3 percent growth and rising at the fastest pace since September. The numbers may help to ease concerns of slowing momentum in Asia's economic powerhouse, which had surprised markets with robust growth of nearly 6.9 percent in the first nine months of this year, thanks to a government-led infrastructure spending spree and unexpected strength in exports. "While we still expect China's domestic economy to cool in 2018 on gradually tighter fiscal policies, the November import data shows that there are upside risks to our China outlook", said Louis Kuijs, head of Asia Economics at Oxford Economics in Hong Kong. Tighter rules to rein in risks from a rapid build-up in debt and cut pollution have weighed on overall activity since the third quarter. Besides ramped-up efforts to reduce winter pollution, authorities unveiled fresh regulatory measures last month for the financial sector, clamping down on high-risk lending and halting some dubious infrastructure projects that would swell local governments' debt. Imports Bounce To Tail Off? Some of China's northern provinces have ordered factories to throttle back or halt output to reduce notoriously thick winter smog. While the war on pollution had been expected to reduce raw materials imports, Friday's trade numbers showed commodity imports rebounded last month. China's natural gas imports in November rose to a record as domestic demand surged while crude imports were the second-highest ever, as refiners ramped up output to cash in on strong profits as fuel prices soar. China's iron ore imports rose in November even as steel mills are cutting output as part of a government drive against pollution as some analysts said traders were stockpiling inventory. Iron ore imports "were not necessarily just by steel mills but could have been also purchased by traders", said Helen Lau at Argonaut Securities in Hong Kong. He added, "They're trying to accumulate stocks and will do so maybe through March in anticipation of Chinese mills resuming production when China lifts the winter restrictions". Steel exports rose from the previous month to 5.35 million tonnes in November, data showed. The rebound in imports comes as China's yuan has fallen 2.8 percent against the dollar since hitting its 2017 peak on September 8. The latest data showed the country posted a trade surplus of $40.21 billion for the month versus expectations of $35 billion in November after October's $38.185 billion. Despite the overall strength of the November data, imports could come under pressure as China's economy cools, analysts say. "Chinese trade looks to have been surprisingly strong last month. We expect exports to continue to perform well in the coming months on the back of strong global demand", Capital Economics China economist Julian Evans-Pritchard wrote in a note. "However, we are skeptical that the strength of imports can be sustained given that the delayed impact of policy tightening and a cooling property market are set to weigh on Chinese demand for commodities in coming quarters".

China exports growth hits eight-month high, imports defy pollution curbs

President Donald Trump will recognize Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital Wednesday, upending decades of careful US policy and ignoring dire warnings of a historic misstep that could trigger a surge of violence in the Middle East.

A senior administration official said Trump would make the landmark announcement -- which flies in the face of warnings from America&#39;s allies across the region and the world -- at 1 pm (1800 GMT) from the White House.

&quot;He will say that that the United States government recognizes that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel,&quot; a senior administration official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

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<h5>He views this as a recognition of reality, both historic reality and modern reality&#39;</h5>
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&quot;He views this as a recognition of reality, both historic reality,&quot; the source added, &quot;and modern reality.&quot;

Plunging further into a bitter centuries-old argument between Jews, Muslims and Christians, Trump will also order planning to begin on moving the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

&quot;It will take some time to find a site, to address security concerns, design a new facility, fund a new facility and build it,&quot; the official said, indicating that the move will not be immediate.

&quot;It will be a matter of some years, it won&#39;t be months, it&#39;s going to take time.&quot;

The status of Jerusalem is a central issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with both sides claiming the city as their capital, and expectations of Trump&#39;s announcement have roiled the combustible region.

In a frantic series of calls on its eve, the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the EU, France, Germany and Turkey all warned Trump against the move.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-tells-mideast-leaders-he-will-move-embassy-to-jerusalem-breaking-with-us-policy-25980" target="_blank">Also read: Trump tells Arab, Israeli leaders he plans to move embassy to Jerusalem</a>

Anticipating widespread demonstrations, US government officials have been ordered to avoid Jerusalem&#39;s Old City and the West Bank.

But Trump&#39;s move comes close to fulfilling a campaign promise and will delight his political donors and the conservative and evangelical base that is so vital for the embattled president.

&#39;Red line&#39; 
Most of the international community does not formally recognize Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital, insisting the issue can only be resolved in final status negotiations.

US officials talk of &quot;threading the needle&quot; -- fulfilling Trump&#39;s campaign pledge, while keeping the peace process on the rails.

The White House argues that such a move would not prejudge final talks and would represent the reality that west Jerusalem is and will continue to be part of Israel under any settlement.

&quot;President Trump remains committed to achieving a lasting peace agreement between the Israelis and the Palestinians and is optimistic that peace can be achieved,&quot; a second official said.

&quot;President Trump is prepared to support a two State solution... If agreed to by the two parties.&quot;

But critics say Trump&#39;s approach is more like &quot;splitting the baby&quot; and could also extinguish his own much-vaunted efforts to broker Middle East peace while igniting the flames of conflict in a region already reeling from crises in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Qatar.

The armed Islamist Hamas movement has threatened to launch a new &quot;intifada&quot; or uprising.

Saudi Arabia&#39;s King Salman warned his close ally that moving the US embassy was a &quot;dangerous step&quot; that could rile Muslims around the world.

&quot;Mr Trump! Jerusalem is a red line for Muslims,&quot; Turkey&#39;s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a raucous televised speech, echoing alarm expressed by Palestinian and Arab leaders.

&#39;Embassy Act&#39; 
Israel seized the largely-Arab eastern sector of Jerusalem during the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed it, claiming both sides of the city as its &quot;eternal and undivided capital.&quot;

But the Palestinians want the eastern sector as the capital of their future state and fiercely oppose any Israeli attempt to extend sovereignty there.

Trump was pushed to act on the embassy as a result of the 1995 Jerusalem Embassy Act, which stated that the city &quot;should be recognized as the capital of the State of Israel&quot; and that the US embassy should be moved there.

An inbuilt waiver has been repeatedly invoked by successive US presidents, postponing the move on grounds of &quot;national security&quot; once every six months, meaning the law has never taken effect.

Several peace plans have unravelled over the issue of how to divide sovereignty or oversee sites in the city that are holy for Christians, Jews and Muslims.

The decision upends decades of US policy and risks fuelling violence in the Middle East

President Donald Trump will recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital Wednesday, upending decades of careful US policy and ignoring dire warnings of a historic misstep that could trigger a surge of violence in the Middle East. A senior administration official said Trump would make the landmark announcement -- which flies in the face of warnings from America's allies across the region and the world -- at 1 pm (1800 GMT) from the White House. "He will say that that the United States government recognizes that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel," a senior administration official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. He views this as a recognition of reality, both historic reality and modern reality' × "He views this as a recognition of reality, both historic reality," the source added, "and modern reality." Plunging further into a bitter centuries-old argument between Jews, Muslims and Christians, Trump will also order planning to begin on moving the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. "It will take some time to find a site, to address security concerns, design a new facility, fund a new facility and build it," the official said, indicating that the move will not be immediate. "It will be a matter of some years, it won't be months, it's going to take time." The status of Jerusalem is a central issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with both sides claiming the city as their capital, and expectations of Trump's announcement have roiled the combustible region. In a frantic series of calls on its eve, the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the EU, France, Germany and Turkey all warned Trump against the move. Also read: Trump tells Arab, Israeli leaders he plans to move embassy to Jerusalem Anticipating widespread demonstrations, US government officials have been ordered to avoid Jerusalem's Old City and the West Bank. But Trump's move comes close to fulfilling a campaign promise and will delight his political donors and the conservative and evangelical base that is so vital for the embattled president. 'Red line' Most of the international community does not formally recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, insisting the issue can only be resolved in final status negotiations. US officials talk of "threading the needle" -- fulfilling Trump's campaign pledge, while keeping the peace process on the rails. The White House argues that such a move would not prejudge final talks and would represent the reality that west Jerusalem is and will continue to be part of Israel under any settlement. "President Trump remains committed to achieving a lasting peace agreement between the Israelis and the Palestinians and is optimistic that peace can be achieved," a second official said. "President Trump is prepared to support a two State solution... If agreed to by the two parties." But critics say Trump's approach is more like "splitting the baby" and could also extinguish his own much-vaunted efforts to broker Middle East peace while igniting the flames of conflict in a region already reeling from crises in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Qatar. The armed Islamist Hamas movement has threatened to launch a new "intifada" or uprising. Saudi Arabia's King Salman warned his close ally that moving the US embassy was a "dangerous step" that could rile Muslims around the world. "Mr Trump! Jerusalem is a red line for Muslims," Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a raucous televised speech, echoing alarm expressed by Palestinian and Arab leaders. 'Embassy Act' Israel seized the largely-Arab eastern sector of Jerusalem during the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed it, claiming both sides of the city as its "eternal and undivided capital." But the Palestinians want the eastern sector as the capital of their future state and fiercely oppose any Israeli attempt to extend sovereignty there. Trump was pushed to act on the embassy as a result of the 1995 Jerusalem Embassy Act, which stated that the city "should be recognized as the capital of the State of Israel" and that the US embassy should be moved there. An inbuilt waiver has been repeatedly invoked by successive US presidents, postponing the move on grounds of "national security" once every six months, meaning the law has never taken effect. Several peace plans have unravelled over the issue of how to divide sovereignty or oversee sites in the city that are holy for Christians, Jews and Muslims.

Trump to recognise Jerusalem as Israel capital

A senior Turkish government official on Monday warned of a &quot;major catastrophe&quot; if the United States recognizes Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital despite a flood of warnings from the Arab world.

&quot;If the (current) status of Jerusalem is changed and another step is taken ... that would be a major catastrophe,&quot; Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag said during a televised press conference.

&quot;It would completely destroy the fragile peace process in the region, and lead to new conflicts, new disputes and new unrest.&quot;

The status of Jerusalem is one of the most contentious issues of the long-running Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

President Donald Trump faces a key decision this week on whether to recognise Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital, potentially reversing years of United States policy and drawing a furious response from the Palestinian leadership and the Arab world.

Most of the international community, including the US as well as Turkey, does not formally recognise Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital, insisting the issue can only be resolved through final status negotiations.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a champion of the Palestinian cause, often criticises Israel over its actions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, despite a 2016 reconciliation deal after years of severed ties following Israel&#39;s deadly raid on a Gaza-bound ship.&nbsp;

Bozdag, also government spokesman, on Monday said a US step to recognise Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital would benefit &quot;neither Israel ... nor the region.&quot;

&quot;It would not benefit anything. Rather than open new doors, it would drag the region into a new disaster.&quot;

President Donald Trump faces a key decision this week on whether to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, potentially reversing years of United States policy and drawing a furious response from the Palestinian leadership and the Arab world

A senior Turkish government official on Monday warned of a "major catastrophe" if the United States recognizes Jerusalem as Israel's capital despite a flood of warnings from the Arab world. "If the (current) status of Jerusalem is changed and another step is taken ... that would be a major catastrophe," Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag said during a televised press conference. "It would completely destroy the fragile peace process in the region, and lead to new conflicts, new disputes and new unrest." The status of Jerusalem is one of the most contentious issues of the long-running Israeli-Palestinian conflict. President Donald Trump faces a key decision this week on whether to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital, potentially reversing years of United States policy and drawing a furious response from the Palestinian leadership and the Arab world. Most of the international community, including the US as well as Turkey, does not formally recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital, insisting the issue can only be resolved through final status negotiations. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a champion of the Palestinian cause, often criticises Israel over its actions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, despite a 2016 reconciliation deal after years of severed ties following Israel's deadly raid on a Gaza-bound ship. Bozdag, also government spokesman, on Monday said a US step to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital would benefit "neither Israel ... nor the region." "It would not benefit anything. Rather than open new doors, it would drag the region into a new disaster."

Turkey warns of 'catastrophe' if US recognises Jerusalem as Israel capital

Protesters burnt vehicles and set tires on fire to barricade roads in South Africa&#39;s capital on Tuesday, June 21, after the ANC named a mayoral candidate not nominated by the ruling party&#39;s regional branches. 
 
The violence spread overnight from the townships and started after a member of the African National Congress (ANC) was shot dead on Sunday, June 19, as factions clashed at a meeting in Pretoria to decide on the candidates for mayor of Tshwane municipality, where Pretoria is located. 
 
The ANC then named senior party member and former cabinet minister, Thoko Didiza, as its candidate for Tshwane, saying that it made the decision after wrangling between members at the party&#39;s headquarters over who should lead the municipality. 
 
According to local media, residents want the incumbent mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa to be allowed to run on the ANC ticket but Ramokgopa has publicly backed Didiza&#39;s selection and called for calm. 
 
The ANC said its members were not to blame for the violence. 
 
Local elections in August pose a major test for the ANC as it gears up for a 2019 presidential vote in the face of a slowing economy and a strong challenge from the opposition 
 
(Reuters)

The violence spread overnight, starting after a member of the African National Congress was shot dead on Sunday

Protesters burnt vehicles and set tires on fire to barricade roads in South Africa's capital on Tuesday, June 21, after the ANC named a mayoral candidate not nominated by the ruling party's regional branches. The violence spread overnight from the townships and started after a member of the African National Congress (ANC) was shot dead on Sunday, June 19, as factions clashed at a meeting in Pretoria to decide on the candidates for mayor of Tshwane municipality, where Pretoria is located. The ANC then named senior party member and former cabinet minister, Thoko Didiza, as its candidate for Tshwane, saying that it made the decision after wrangling between members at the party's headquarters over who should lead the municipality. According to local media, residents want the incumbent mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa to be allowed to run on the ANC ticket but Ramokgopa has publicly backed Didiza's selection and called for calm. The ANC said its members were not to blame for the violence. Local elections in August pose a major test for the ANC as it gears up for a 2019 presidential vote in the face of a slowing economy and a strong challenge from the opposition (Reuters)

Protesters in Pretoria burn cars, tires after unnominated man becomes mayoral candidate

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