Drones and projection mapping show: Here are a few stunning images from India's Beating Retreat ceremony

The families, the politicians and ordinary Americans stood Saturday in lower Manhattan where, 20 years earlier, on a similarly crystal-clear morning, two massive towers soared above New York City. At 8:46 a.m., the exact time in 2001 when a hijacked jet crashed into the north tower and their lives and the world began to change in ways then inconceivable, they fell silent.

For two decades, Americans have mourned a loss so deep it shook the country to its core. But even as time has passed, and the attacks have moved from fresh memory into the chronicles of history, the people who gathered in New York and near Washington and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, said the wounds from 9/11 have remained fresh.

In New York, President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden stood shoulder to shoulder at the Sept. 11 memorial plaza with two pairs of their Democratic predecessors, Barack and Michelle Obama and Bill and Hillary Clinton, who was a senator of New York 20 years ago. Nearby was Rudolph Giuliani, a Republican who was the mayor of New York during the attacks.

All of them watched as families of the victims read the names of the dead, tears streaming down their cheeks and their voices shaking.

At a memorial near Shanksville, the bells tolled at 10:03 a.m., the moment when United Airlines Flight 93 crashed after the crew and passengers fought back against the terrorists who had hijacked their flight and diverted it from their intended target in Washington.

Former President George W. Bush and Vice President Kamala Harris both attended a ceremony in which the names of the 40 passengers and crew members who died were read aloud.

The Department of Defense unfurled a large American flag on the side of the Pentagon, where a ceremony was also held to honor the 184 people killed after a plane hit the building’s west side.

“The hallways that we tread were the ones where so many of them walked,” said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. “It will always be our duty to fulfill their missions and live up to their goodness and to stand guard over this democracy.”

The families, the politicians and ordinary Americans stood Saturday in lower Manhattan where, 20 years earlier, on a similarly crystal-clear morning, two massive towers soared above New York City.

The families, the politicians and ordinary Americans stood Saturday in lower Manhattan where, 20 years earlier, on a similarly crystal-clear morning, two massive towers soared above New York City. At 8:46 a.m., the exact time in 2001 when a hijacked jet crashed into the north tower and their lives and the world began to change in ways then inconceivable, they fell silent. For two decades, Americans have mourned a loss so deep it shook the country to its core. But even as time has passed, and the attacks have moved from fresh memory into the chronicles of history, the people who gathered in New York and near Washington and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, said the wounds from 9/11 have remained fresh. In New York, President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden stood shoulder to shoulder at the Sept. 11 memorial plaza with two pairs of their Democratic predecessors, Barack and Michelle Obama and Bill and Hillary Clinton, who was a senator of New York 20 years ago. Nearby was Rudolph Giuliani, a Republican who was the mayor of New York during the attacks. All of them watched as families of the victims read the names of the dead, tears streaming down their cheeks and their voices shaking. At a memorial near Shanksville, the bells tolled at 10:03 a.m., the moment when United Airlines Flight 93 crashed after the crew and passengers fought back against the terrorists who had hijacked their flight and diverted it from their intended target in Washington. Former President George W. Bush and Vice President Kamala Harris both attended a ceremony in which the names of the 40 passengers and crew members who died were read aloud. The Department of Defense unfurled a large American flag on the side of the Pentagon, where a ceremony was also held to honor the 184 people killed after a plane hit the building’s west side. “The hallways that we tread were the ones where so many of them walked,” said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. “It will always be our duty to fulfill their missions and live up to their goodness and to stand guard over this democracy.”

At 9/11 ceremonies, moments of silence and tears

US President Joe Biden is being attacked for appearing to look at his watch during a ceremony for the 13 US service members killed in an ISIS-K suicide bombing near the Kabul airport.

In a video that has gone viral on the internet, Biden appears to look down at his watch, sparking criticism from conservatives.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/teachers-should-be-priority-group-for-covid-19-jabs-says-who-409369">Also read |&nbsp;Teachers should be priority group for COVID-19 jabs, says WHO</a>

Nicholas Fondacaro, a news analyst for the Media Research Center, tweeted the video, saying, "It's true. Joe Biden checked his watch during the dignified transfer of the servicemembers killing in Afghanistan at the airport. You can see him jerk his left hand to pull the watch out from under his sleeve, then look down at it".

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
It's true. Joe Biden checked his watch during the dignified transfer of the servicemembers killing in Afghanistan at the airport. You can see him jerk his left hand to pull the watch out from under his sleeve, then look down at it. <a href="https://t.co/M3QVzJbTIm">pic.twitter.com/M3QVzJbTIm</a>
— Nicholas Fondacaro (@NickFondacaro) <a href="https://twitter.com/NickFondacaro/status/1432046273666895875?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 29, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

"Many of us remember Pres Bush 41 checking his watch during a debate and how awful it looked (even though we all felt same way about that debate.) But this is shocking and will be remembered," former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, a Republican wrote.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Many of us remember Pres Bush 41 checking his watch during a debate and how awful it looked (even though we all felt same way about that debate.) But this is shocking and will be remembered. <a href="https://t.co/sFfW032JNm">https://t.co/sFfW032JNm</a>
— Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovMikeHuckabee/status/1432051833606918152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 29, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
What is really sad is that he stood there with his hand over his heart. As Commander and Chief he should have showed proper respect and saluted the fallen!!!
— Eddie St Martin (@EddieStMartin1) <a href="https://twitter.com/EddieStMartin1/status/1432074349884985346?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 29, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Disgusting <a href="https://t.co/wpmIiP2JpX">https://t.co/wpmIiP2JpX</a>
— Kelli Berry (@Berrykelli8) <a href="https://twitter.com/Berrykelli8/status/1432244915069603848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
He’s so rude <a href="https://t.co/kwYQ4H6oBr">https://t.co/kwYQ4H6oBr</a>
— RERE (@RobinAu02766894) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobinAu02766894/status/1432131854686109701?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The Department of Defense&nbsp;identified the 13 members of the US&nbsp;military who were killed in the attack on the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan&nbsp;as they worked to evacuate people to safety.

They hailed from across the country,&nbsp;from California to Wyoming to Tennessee, and had an average age of just over 22. Eleven were Marines, one was a Navy medic and another was a member of the Army.

&nbsp;

US President Joe Biden is being attacked for appearing to look at his watch during a ceremony for the 13 US service members killed in an ISIS-K suicide bombing near the Kabul airport.

US President Joe Biden is being attacked for appearing to look at his watch during a ceremony for the 13 US service members killed in an ISIS-K suicide bombing near the Kabul airport. In a video that has gone viral on the internet, Biden appears to look down at his watch, sparking criticism from conservatives. Also read | Teachers should be priority group for COVID-19 jabs, says WHO Nicholas Fondacaro, a news analyst for the Media Research Center, tweeted the video, saying, "It's true. Joe Biden checked his watch during the dignified transfer of the servicemembers killing in Afghanistan at the airport. You can see him jerk his left hand to pull the watch out from under his sleeve, then look down at it". It's true. Joe Biden checked his watch during the dignified transfer of the servicemembers killing in Afghanistan at the airport. You can see him jerk his left hand to pull the watch out from under his sleeve, then look down at it. pic.twitter.com/M3QVzJbTIm — Nicholas Fondacaro (@NickFondacaro) August 29, 2021 × "Many of us remember Pres Bush 41 checking his watch during a debate and how awful it looked (even though we all felt same way about that debate.) But this is shocking and will be remembered," former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, a Republican wrote. Many of us remember Pres Bush 41 checking his watch during a debate and how awful it looked (even though we all felt same way about that debate.) But this is shocking and will be remembered. https://t.co/sFfW032JNm — Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) August 29, 2021 × What is really sad is that he stood there with his hand over his heart. As Commander and Chief he should have showed proper respect and saluted the fallen!!! — Eddie St Martin (@EddieStMartin1) August 29, 2021 × Disgusting https://t.co/wpmIiP2JpX — Kelli Berry (@Berrykelli8) August 30, 2021 × He’s so rude https://t.co/kwYQ4H6oBr — RERE (@RobinAu02766894) August 30, 2021 × The Department of Defense identified the 13 members of the US military who were killed in the attack on the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan as they worked to evacuate people to safety. They hailed from across the country, from California to Wyoming to Tennessee, and had an average age of just over 22. Eleven were Marines, one was a Navy medic and another was a member of the Army.

Biden slammed for appearing to look at his watch during Marine homage ceremony

Hundreds of people gathered outside the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo on Friday, hoping for a glimpse of an opening ceremony that will take place behind closed doors because of strict anti-coronavirus rules.

Only a few hundred dignitaries and officials will be allowed into the 68,000-capacity venue to watch the opening extravaganza of the Games that were postponed last year because of the pandemic, but crowds of residents from Tokyo and beyond flocked to the venue looking to soak up the atmosphere.

"We're here for the atmosphere, the light-up and the fireworks," Mako Fukuhara told AFP outside the stadium.

"We're hoping to see the opening ceremony, or at least just get a feel for it," she said.

"Until now it didn't feel like the Olympics, but now we are by the stadium, it feels like the Olympics!"

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-2020-day-1-live-updates-opening-ceremony-live-telecast-to-begin-at-430-pm-ist-399834">Also read |&nbsp;Tokyo Olympics 2020 Day 1 Live Updates: Opening ceremony live telecast to begin at 4:30 pm IST</a>

Nearby, crowds milled around the Olympic museum next to the renovated stadium, and lined up for the chance to take a photo in front of an installation of the multi-coloured Games rings.

For months, polls showed people in Japan were opposed to holding the Games this summer, particularly as virus cases rise in Tokyo and beyond.

But opposition appeared to soften as athletes began arriving in the country, and thousands of people turned out across Tokyo earlier in the day for an Olympic aerial display by the Japanese air force.

Outside the Sendagaya train station near the stadium, around a dozen protesters held a small demonstration opposing the Olympics.

But others used loudspeakers to offer their support for the postponed Games.

"I welcome the opening of the Olympics, it's a proud moment for me as a Japanese person," one woman said.

Aiko Hirota arrived six hours before the ceremony to get a taste of the event.

"Despite the fact that it's going to be held without spectators, I'm impressed by the atmosphere of the people here," she said.

"I hope that even if the Games is held without spectators, the athletes can see that this many people support them."

Some came from even further afield to be part of the experience, including Chinese citizen Cho Kouko, who travelled from Osaka in western Japan.

"I'm here to support the athletes from China... I want to greet them when they drive past."

Han Yi-ting, a Tokyo resident from Taiwan, said she was hoping for a good view of the fireworks expected to light up the sky during the three-and-a-half hour long ceremony.

"I've waited for this for a year, I'm looking forward to it," she said.

"I thought it was a shame that it had to be postponed last year, but now it's happening again, and the atmosphere is great."

Hundreds of people gathered outside the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo on Friday, hoping for a glimpse of an opening ceremony that will take place behind closed doors because of strict anti-coronavirus rules.

Hundreds of people gathered outside the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo on Friday, hoping for a glimpse of an opening ceremony that will take place behind closed doors because of strict anti-coronavirus rules. Only a few hundred dignitaries and officials will be allowed into the 68,000-capacity venue to watch the opening extravaganza of the Games that were postponed last year because of the pandemic, but crowds of residents from Tokyo and beyond flocked to the venue looking to soak up the atmosphere. "We're here for the atmosphere, the light-up and the fireworks," Mako Fukuhara told AFP outside the stadium. "We're hoping to see the opening ceremony, or at least just get a feel for it," she said. "Until now it didn't feel like the Olympics, but now we are by the stadium, it feels like the Olympics!" Also read | Tokyo Olympics 2020 Day 1 Live Updates: Opening ceremony live telecast to begin at 4:30 pm IST Nearby, crowds milled around the Olympic museum next to the renovated stadium, and lined up for the chance to take a photo in front of an installation of the multi-coloured Games rings. For months, polls showed people in Japan were opposed to holding the Games this summer, particularly as virus cases rise in Tokyo and beyond. But opposition appeared to soften as athletes began arriving in the country, and thousands of people turned out across Tokyo earlier in the day for an Olympic aerial display by the Japanese air force. Outside the Sendagaya train station near the stadium, around a dozen protesters held a small demonstration opposing the Olympics. But others used loudspeakers to offer their support for the postponed Games. "I welcome the opening of the Olympics, it's a proud moment for me as a Japanese person," one woman said. Aiko Hirota arrived six hours before the ceremony to get a taste of the event. "Despite the fact that it's going to be held without spectators, I'm impressed by the atmosphere of the people here," she said. "I hope that even if the Games is held without spectators, the athletes can see that this many people support them." Some came from even further afield to be part of the experience, including Chinese citizen Cho Kouko, who travelled from Osaka in western Japan. "I'm here to support the athletes from China... I want to greet them when they drive past." Han Yi-ting, a Tokyo resident from Taiwan, said she was hoping for a good view of the fireworks expected to light up the sky during the three-and-a-half hour long ceremony. "I've waited for this for a year, I'm looking forward to it," she said. "I thought it was a shame that it had to be postponed last year, but now it's happening again, and the atmosphere is great."

Crowds gather outside Tokyo stadium for Olympics opening ceremony

On the&nbsp;eve&nbsp;of the Tokyo&nbsp;Games, organisers&nbsp;fired&nbsp;the&nbsp;director&nbsp;of the&nbsp;opening&nbsp;ceremony&nbsp;over&nbsp;a&nbsp;joke&nbsp;he made about the&nbsp;Holocaust, while media reported former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, a staunch advocate for the Tokyo&nbsp;Games, would skip the showpiece&nbsp;event.

The news is the latest in a series of embarrassments for Tokyo organisers that have sparked outrage and comes just days after a well known musician was forced to step down as composer for the&nbsp;ceremony&nbsp;after old reports of his bullying and abusive behaviour surfaced.

Earlier this year, the head of the Tokyo 2020 organising committee resigned after making sexist remarks and Tokyo&nbsp;Olympics&nbsp;creative head followed after he made derogatory comments about a popular Japanese female entertainer.

Tokyo&nbsp;Games&nbsp;organisers&nbsp;fired&nbsp;Kentaro Kobayashi on Thursday&nbsp;over&nbsp;a&nbsp;joke&nbsp;he made about the&nbsp;Holocaust&nbsp;as part of his comedy act in the 1990s that recently resurfaced in domestic media.

"I offer my deep apology for causing trouble and worry for many people concerned as well as Tokyo residents and Japanese people when the&nbsp;opening&nbsp;ceremony&nbsp;is almost upon us," said a sombre Seiko Hashimoto, who heads the organising committee.

Earlier, the Simon Wiesenthal Centre, an international Jewish human rights organisation, released a statement saying Kobayashi's association with the&nbsp;Olympics&nbsp;would "insult the memory" of the six million Jewish people who perished in the&nbsp;Holocaust.

Kobayashi apologised for his past comments in a statement.

Former PM Abe, who famously dressed up as the titular plumber from video game Super Mario at the Rio&nbsp;Games&nbsp;to represent Japan, played an outsized role in attracting the&nbsp;Olympics&nbsp;to Tokyo.

At the time of the bid, Abe and his supporters hoped the&nbsp;Olympics&nbsp;would parallel the 1964 Tokyo&nbsp;Games&nbsp;heralding the nation's revival after decades of economic stagnation and also mark its recovery from a devastating nuclear and natural disaster in 2011.

But the spectacle of last-minute personnel changes, the resurfacing of past abusive comments and the looming presence of the pandemic threatened to turn the&nbsp;Olympics&nbsp;into a "PR disaster," said Bob Pickard, a veteran PR executive at Signal Leadership Communication.

"Tokyo 2020 was supposed to be a global platform for the launch of a new Japan facing an international future with confidence. Instead, what we see here is the legacy of the old Japan's insular attitudes mired in past prejudices and dated stereotypes," he said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-canada-australia-to-assemble-with-10-percent-of-team-at-opening-ceremony-399612">Also read |&nbsp;Tokyo Olympics: Canada, Australia to assemble with 10 percent of team at opening ceremony</a>

NHK said Abe decided against attending the&nbsp;ceremony&nbsp;after the Japanese government declared a state of emergency and virus restrictions&nbsp;over&nbsp;Tokyo. Abe's office could not immediately be reached on Thursday, a public holiday in Japan.

The&nbsp;opening&nbsp;ceremony&nbsp;on Friday is set to be a subdued affair, with just 950 people - including only around 15 global leaders - set to attend. Spectators have been barred from most Olympic&nbsp;events as COVID-19 cases surge in the capital.

First Lady Jill Biden lands in Tokyo on Thursday afternoon for the&nbsp;Games'&nbsp;opening&nbsp;ceremony, raising expectations she might also use her attendance to discuss vaccines with Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.

Biden has been travelling across the United States urging more people to get inoculated.

Only a third of Japanese have had at least one dose of the vaccine, fuelling public concerns that the&nbsp;Olympics&nbsp;could become a super-spreader&nbsp;event.

In a recent poll, 68% of respondents expressed doubt about the ability of Olympic organisers to control coronavirus infections, with 55% saying they opposed the&nbsp;Games&nbsp;going ahead.

Already 87 Olympic-related personnel, including athletes, have tested positive for COVID-19, forcing athlete withdrawals and pushing teammates to isolate.

In light of new cases reported in the Olympic village, the US gymnastics team moved into a hotel, a coach said in a Twitter exchange earlier this week.

Olympic organisers referred Reuters questions on the topic to the US team.

Olympics&nbsp;competition has already begun, with the Japanese women's softball team getting the hosts off to a winning start on Wednesday.

Between matches in rural Fukushima, which was devastated by the 2011 nuclear disaster, softball players were on the lookout for a brown bear which had been spotted this week.

"I'm kind of disappointed I didn't get to see it," US pitcher Monica Abbott said.

On the eve of the Tokyo Games, organisers fired the director of the opening ceremony over a joke he made about the Holocaust, while media reported former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, a staunch advocate for the Tokyo Games, would skip the showpiece event.

On the eve of the Tokyo Games, organisers fired the director of the opening ceremony over a joke he made about the Holocaust, while media reported former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, a staunch advocate for the Tokyo Games, would skip the showpiece event. The news is the latest in a series of embarrassments for Tokyo organisers that have sparked outrage and comes just days after a well known musician was forced to step down as composer for the ceremony after old reports of his bullying and abusive behaviour surfaced. Earlier this year, the head of the Tokyo 2020 organising committee resigned after making sexist remarks and Tokyo Olympics creative head followed after he made derogatory comments about a popular Japanese female entertainer. Tokyo Games organisers fired Kentaro Kobayashi on Thursday over a joke he made about the Holocaust as part of his comedy act in the 1990s that recently resurfaced in domestic media. "I offer my deep apology for causing trouble and worry for many people concerned as well as Tokyo residents and Japanese people when the opening ceremony is almost upon us," said a sombre Seiko Hashimoto, who heads the organising committee. Earlier, the Simon Wiesenthal Centre, an international Jewish human rights organisation, released a statement saying Kobayashi's association with the Olympics would "insult the memory" of the six million Jewish people who perished in the Holocaust. Kobayashi apologised for his past comments in a statement. Former PM Abe, who famously dressed up as the titular plumber from video game Super Mario at the Rio Games to represent Japan, played an outsized role in attracting the Olympics to Tokyo. At the time of the bid, Abe and his supporters hoped the Olympics would parallel the 1964 Tokyo Games heralding the nation's revival after decades of economic stagnation and also mark its recovery from a devastating nuclear and natural disaster in 2011. But the spectacle of last-minute personnel changes, the resurfacing of past abusive comments and the looming presence of the pandemic threatened to turn the Olympics into a "PR disaster," said Bob Pickard, a veteran PR executive at Signal Leadership Communication. "Tokyo 2020 was supposed to be a global platform for the launch of a new Japan facing an international future with confidence. Instead, what we see here is the legacy of the old Japan's insular attitudes mired in past prejudices and dated stereotypes," he said. Also read | Tokyo Olympics: Canada, Australia to assemble with 10 percent of team at opening ceremony NHK said Abe decided against attending the ceremony after the Japanese government declared a state of emergency and virus restrictions over Tokyo. Abe's office could not immediately be reached on Thursday, a public holiday in Japan. The opening ceremony on Friday is set to be a subdued affair, with just 950 people - including only around 15 global leaders - set to attend. Spectators have been barred from most Olympic events as COVID-19 cases surge in the capital. First Lady Jill Biden lands in Tokyo on Thursday afternoon for the Games' opening ceremony, raising expectations she might also use her attendance to discuss vaccines with Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga. Biden has been travelling across the United States urging more people to get inoculated. Only a third of Japanese have had at least one dose of the vaccine, fuelling public concerns that the Olympics could become a super-spreader event. In a recent poll, 68% of respondents expressed doubt about the ability of Olympic organisers to control coronavirus infections, with 55% saying they opposed the Games going ahead. Already 87 Olympic-related personnel, including athletes, have tested positive for COVID-19, forcing athlete withdrawals and pushing teammates to isolate. In light of new cases reported in the Olympic village, the US gymnastics team moved into a hotel, a coach said in a Twitter exchange earlier this week. Olympic organisers referred Reuters questions on the topic to the US team. Olympics competition has already begun, with the Japanese women's softball team getting the hosts off to a winning start on Wednesday. Between matches in rural Fukushima, which was devastated by the 2011 nuclear disaster, softball players were on the lookout for a brown bear which had been spotted this week. "I'm kind of disappointed I didn't get to see it," US pitcher Monica Abbott said.

Olympics-Opening ceremony director fired over Holocaust joke on Games eve

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson married his fiancee Carrie Symonds in a secret ceremony at Westminster Cathedral on Saturday, the Sun and Mail on Sunday newspapers reported.&nbsp;

A spokeswoman for Johnson's Downing Street office declined to comment on the reports.&nbsp;

Both newspapers said guests were invited at the last minute to the central London ceremony, and said even senior members of Johnson's office were unaware of the wedding plans.&nbsp;

Weddings in England are currently limited to 30 people due to COVID-19 restrictions.&nbsp;

The Catholic cathedral was suddenly locked down at 1:30 pm (1230 GMT) and Symonds, 33, arrived 30 minutes later in a limo, in a long white dress with no veil, both reports said.&nbsp;

Johnson, 56, and Symonds, 33, have been living together in Downing Street since Johnson became prime minister in 2019.&nbsp;

Last year, they announced they were engaged and that they were expecting a child, and their son, Wilfred Lawrie Nicholas Johnson, was born in April 2020.&nbsp;

Earlier this month, the Sun had reported that wedding invitations had been sent to friends and family for July 2022.&nbsp;

Johnson, once dubbed 'Bonking Boris' by Britain's tabloid media, has a complicated private life.&nbsp;

He was once sacked from the Conservative Party's policy team while in opposition for lying about an extra-marital affair. He has been divorced twice and refuses to say how many children he has fathered.&nbsp;

Johnson's last marriage was to Marina Wheeler, a lawyer. They had four children together but announced in September 2018 that they had separated.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson married his fiancee Carrie Symonds in a secret ceremony at Westminster Cathedral on Saturday, the Sun and Mail on Sunday newspapers reported.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson married his fiancee Carrie Symonds in a secret ceremony at Westminster Cathedral on Saturday, the Sun and Mail on Sunday newspapers reported. A spokeswoman for Johnson's Downing Street office declined to comment on the reports. Both newspapers said guests were invited at the last minute to the central London ceremony, and said even senior members of Johnson's office were unaware of the wedding plans. Weddings in England are currently limited to 30 people due to COVID-19 restrictions. The Catholic cathedral was suddenly locked down at 1:30 pm (1230 GMT) and Symonds, 33, arrived 30 minutes later in a limo, in a long white dress with no veil, both reports said. Johnson, 56, and Symonds, 33, have been living together in Downing Street since Johnson became prime minister in 2019. Last year, they announced they were engaged and that they were expecting a child, and their son, Wilfred Lawrie Nicholas Johnson, was born in April 2020. Earlier this month, the Sun had reported that wedding invitations had been sent to friends and family for July 2022. Johnson, once dubbed 'Bonking Boris' by Britain's tabloid media, has a complicated private life. He was once sacked from the Conservative Party's policy team while in opposition for lying about an extra-marital affair. He has been divorced twice and refuses to say how many children he has fathered. Johnson's last marriage was to Marina Wheeler, a lawyer. They had four children together but announced in September 2018 that they had separated. (With inputs from agencies)

UK PM Johnson marries fiancee in secret ceremony: Reports 

As many as 1,100 Hindu and Muslim couples got married in a mass wedding ceremony in India's western Gujarat state on Saturday (February 08).

1,100 couples tie nuptial knot at mass wedding ceremony in India

With the defeat of two ministers, in the Lok Sabha elections, two fresh faces from Maharashtra -- Arvind Sawant from the Shiv Sena and Sanjay Dhotre from the BJP -- found place in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/narendra-modi-takes-oath-as-prime-minister-for-second-time-222847">Narendra Modi government Thursday</a>.

As in the previous government, there are seven ministers from the state this time too.

Hansraj Ahir of the BJP, who was a Minister of State (Home) in the first term of the Modi government, lost election from Chandrapur, while Anant Geete of the Shiv Sena, heavy industries minister, lost from Raigad constituency.

Both were not inducted in the new ministry.

The ministers from Maharashtra who took oath Thursday included Nitin Gadkari, Piyush Goyal and Prakash Javadekar (all three cabinet ministers in the first term), followed by RPI (A) leader Ramdas Athawale and Arvind Sawant, the sole Sena minister.

BJP's Raosaheb Danve and Sanjay Dhotre were also inducted. Danve was a Union minister for a brief period during the first term of the Modi government before he was sent back as the state BJP chief, a post which he is still holding.

Suresh Prabhu, who handled high-profile railways, commerce and civil aviation portfolios in the first term, did not take oath Thursday.

Maharashtra sends 48 MPs to the Lok Sabha, second- highest after Uttar Pradesh. The NDA had won 42 seats in the state in 2014. It won 41 seats this time.

V Muraleedharan, who hails from Kerala but who was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Maharashtra two years ago, was also sworn in as a minister of state Thursday.&nbsp;

With the defeat of two ministers, in the Lok Sabha elections, two fresh faces from Maharashtra -- Arvind Sawant from the Shiv Sena and Sanjay Dhotre from the BJP -- found place in the Narendra Modi government Thursday.

With the defeat of two ministers, in the Lok Sabha elections, two fresh faces from Maharashtra -- Arvind Sawant from the Shiv Sena and Sanjay Dhotre from the BJP -- found place in the Narendra Modi government Thursday. As in the previous government, there are seven ministers from the state this time too. Hansraj Ahir of the BJP, who was a Minister of State (Home) in the first term of the Modi government, lost election from Chandrapur, while Anant Geete of the Shiv Sena, heavy industries minister, lost from Raigad constituency. Both were not inducted in the new ministry. The ministers from Maharashtra who took oath Thursday included Nitin Gadkari, Piyush Goyal and Prakash Javadekar (all three cabinet ministers in the first term), followed by RPI (A) leader Ramdas Athawale and Arvind Sawant, the sole Sena minister. BJP's Raosaheb Danve and Sanjay Dhotre were also inducted. Danve was a Union minister for a brief period during the first term of the Modi government before he was sent back as the state BJP chief, a post which he is still holding. Suresh Prabhu, who handled high-profile railways, commerce and civil aviation portfolios in the first term, did not take oath Thursday. Maharashtra sends 48 MPs to the Lok Sabha, second- highest after Uttar Pradesh. The NDA had won 42 seats in the state in 2014. It won 41 seats this time. V Muraleedharan, who hails from Kerala but who was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Maharashtra two years ago, was also sworn in as a minister of state Thursday.

7 ministers from Maharashtra in new government; Arvind Sawant, Sanjay Dhotre new faces

Thailand's king is to be officially crowned in coronation ceremonies held May 4-6, the royal palace said in a statement on Tuesday.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn, 66, has been serving as monarch since shortly after his father died in 2016 after a 70-year reign.

"His Majesty deems it fit to hold the coronation ceremony per royal traditions for the good fortune of the nation and the kingdom, to be enjoyed by the hopeful people," the statement said.

His official coronation has been delayed until after<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/thailand-bids-final-goodbye-to-late-king-bhumibol-adulyadej-23024?amp"> a period of mourning for his father</a>, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who was revered as a semi-divine figure in Thailand.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn, 66, has been serving as monarch since shortly after his father died in 2016 after a 70-year reign.

Thailand's king is to be officially crowned in coronation ceremonies held May 4-6, the royal palace said in a statement on Tuesday. King Maha Vajiralongkorn, 66, has been serving as monarch since shortly after his father died in 2016 after a 70-year reign. "His Majesty deems it fit to hold the coronation ceremony per royal traditions for the good fortune of the nation and the kingdom, to be enjoyed by the hopeful people," the statement said. His official coronation has been delayed until after a period of mourning for his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who was revered as a semi-divine figure in Thailand.

Thai king to be crowned in coronation ceremonies May 4-6: Palace

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has been honored by European Union for strengthening Europe-India cultural ties.

 
The 75-year-old actor took to Twitter to share the pictures from the award ceremony and thanked EU Ambassador Tomasz Kozlowski for bestowing him with the honor.&nbsp;

 
"Thanks to #EU Ambassador Kozlowski @EU_Amb_India #EUIndiaEkSaath, for bestowing a prestigious award on me from the EU for being a bridge builder between India and Europe," Bachchan tweeted.&nbsp;

 
Kozlowski responded to the actor's post on the microblogging site saying his films bring European cinema lovers close to the Indian culture. ? "Thank you @SrBachchan for celebrating with us Europe Day and European Year of Cultural Heritage.&nbsp;Your artistic accomplishments & contributions to Europe-India cultural ties are unique. You bring Indian culture closer to European film lovers. We honor you for that! @EU_in_India," Kozlowski wrote.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Daughter Shweta accompanied Bachchan for the award ceremony.&nbsp;

 
Bachchan, whose last release "102 Not Out", co-starring Rishi Kapoor, was well-received by critics as well as audiences, will next be seen in "Thugs of Hindostan".&nbsp;

The 75-year-old actor took to Twitter to share the pictures from the award ceremony

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has been honored by European Union for strengthening Europe-India cultural ties. The 75-year-old actor took to Twitter to share the pictures from the award ceremony and thanked EU Ambassador Tomasz Kozlowski for bestowing him with the honor. "Thanks to #EU Ambassador Kozlowski @EU_Amb_India #EUIndiaEkSaath, for bestowing a prestigious award on me from the EU for being a bridge builder between India and Europe," Bachchan tweeted. Kozlowski responded to the actor's post on the microblogging site saying his films bring European cinema lovers close to the Indian culture. ? "Thank you @SrBachchan for celebrating with us Europe Day and European Year of Cultural Heritage. Your artistic accomplishments & contributions to Europe-India cultural ties are unique. You bring Indian culture closer to European film lovers. We honor you for that! @EU_in_India," Kozlowski wrote. Daughter Shweta accompanied Bachchan for the award ceremony. Bachchan, whose last release "102 Not Out", co-starring Rishi Kapoor, was well-received by critics as well as audiences, will next be seen in "Thugs of Hindostan".

Amitabh Bachchan honored for being 'bridge builder between India and Europe'.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi inaugurated the much-awaited Lyari Expressway Project on Sunday.&nbsp;

The event marked the culmination of the project of the dedicated speedy vehicular carriageway, whose completion had been delayed for more than 15 years.

The expressway is 38 kilometres long and costed Rs 10 billion for its construction - including four interchanges, one at Sorab Goth, Manghopir, Sir Shah Suleman and Maripur. Besides, 20 major bridges are also part of the project.

The project had taken over 10 years to complete due to &quot;technical difficulties and encroachments,&quot; the Pakistani Prime Minister said while addressing the inauguration ceremony.

Although parts of the Lyari Expressway were open to traffic, a section of it remained incomplete for a number of years, rendering a vast portion inoperational.&nbsp;

Abbasi, who is also expected to inaugurate the Northbound Carriageway in Karachi, will leave for Gwadar on Monday where he will chair an important meeting related to development projects in the province.

The event marked the culmination of the project of the dedicated speedy vehicular carriageway, whose completion had been delayed for more than 15 years

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi inaugurated the much-awaited Lyari Expressway Project on Sunday. The event marked the culmination of the project of the dedicated speedy vehicular carriageway, whose completion had been delayed for more than 15 years. The expressway is 38 kilometres long and costed Rs 10 billion for its construction - including four interchanges, one at Sorab Goth, Manghopir, Sir Shah Suleman and Maripur. Besides, 20 major bridges are also part of the project. The project had taken over 10 years to complete due to "technical difficulties and encroachments," the Pakistani Prime Minister said while addressing the inauguration ceremony. Although parts of the Lyari Expressway were open to traffic, a section of it remained incomplete for a number of years, rendering a vast portion inoperational. Abbasi, who is also expected to inaugurate the Northbound Carriageway in Karachi, will leave for Gwadar on Monday where he will chair an important meeting related to development projects in the province.

Karachi expressway operational after 15 years

Jairam Thakur<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jairam-thakur-to-be-new-himachal-pradesh-chief-minister-27582"> will be sworn in as chief minister of </a>Himachal Pradesh today.

The ceremony, to be held at the Ridge ground in Shimla, is expected to begin at&nbsp;11 am.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah will be attending, as will a number of other BJP leaders.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Himachal Pradesh&#39;s Shimla, received by CM elect <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JaiRamThakur?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JaiRamThakur</a> <a href="https://t.co/LNfGAZMI5v">pic.twitter.com/LNfGAZMI5v</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/945887948846784513?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 27, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Shimla: Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari, Rajnath Singh &amp; UP CM Yogi Adityanath present for soon to begin oath taking ceremony of Himachal Pradesh CM elect <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JaiRamThakur?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JaiRamThakur</a>; PM Narendra Modi to arrive shortly <a href="https://t.co/SroFVjwj4w">pic.twitter.com/SroFVjwj4w</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/945892184250769409?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 27, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

Former deputy prime minister LK Advani will also be attending.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rupani-sworn-in-as-gujarat-chief-minister-modi-shah-in-attendance-27723" target="_blank">Rupani </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rupani-sworn-in-as-gujarat-chief-minister-modi-shah-in-attendance-27723" target="_blank">sworn</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rupani-sworn-in-as-gujarat-chief-minister-modi-shah-in-attendance-27723" target="_blank"> in as Gujarat chief minister; Modi, Shah in attendance</a>&nbsp;

The oath of office will be administered by Governor Aacharya Devvrat.&nbsp;

The names of Thakur&#39;s ministers are still to be finalised, news reports said.

Also read:<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/i-thank-everyone-central-leadership-says-himachal-cm-elect-jairam-thakur-27585">&nbsp;&quot;I thank everyone, central leadership...,&quot; says Himachal CM-elect Jairam Thakur</a>

The five-time BJP MLA from the hill state&#39;s Seraj constituency was chosen to lead the state after the BJP&#39;s original chief ministerial candidate Prem Kumar Dhumal failed to win in the recent elections.

The BJP ousted the Congress from Himachal Pradesh after winning 44 of the 68 seats in the recently-held Assembly polls.

Prime Minister Modi and BJP President Amit Shah will be attending

Jairam Thakur will be sworn in as chief minister of Himachal Pradesh today. The ceremony, to be held at the Ridge ground in Shimla, is expected to begin at 11 am. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah will be attending, as will a number of other BJP leaders. Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Himachal Pradesh's Shimla, received by CM elect #JaiRamThakur pic.twitter.com/LNfGAZMI5v — ANI (@ANI) December 27, 2017 × Shimla: Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari, Rajnath Singh & UP CM Yogi Adityanath present for soon to begin oath taking ceremony of Himachal Pradesh CM elect #JaiRamThakur; PM Narendra Modi to arrive shortly pic.twitter.com/SroFVjwj4w — ANI (@ANI) December 27, 2017 × Former deputy prime minister LK Advani will also be attending. Also read: Rupani sworn in as Gujarat chief minister; Modi, Shah in attendance The oath of office will be administered by Governor Aacharya Devvrat. The names of Thakur's ministers are still to be finalised, news reports said. Also read: "I thank everyone, central leadership...," says Himachal CM-elect Jairam Thakur The five-time BJP MLA from the hill state's Seraj constituency was chosen to lead the state after the BJP's original chief ministerial candidate Prem Kumar Dhumal failed to win in the recent elections. The BJP ousted the Congress from Himachal Pradesh after winning 44 of the 68 seats in the recently-held Assembly polls.

Jairam Thakur sworn in as Himachal Pradesh chief minister

Brazil&#39;s interim President Michel Temer dismissed graft allegations against him as dishonest and reckless, pledging in a national address on Thursday that his government would not be distracted from fiscal reforms aimed at reviving the economy. 
 
Temer said it was &quot;irresponsible, ridiculous, mendacious and criminal&quot; to suggest, as former Petrobras executive Sergio Machado did in plea bargain testimony, that he had sought campaign funds for his party from a graft scheme at the state-run oil company. 
 
The testimony, made public by the Supreme Court on Wednesday, was the first direct link between Temer and the sweeping corruption probe that has thrown Brazil&#39;s politics into chaos and deepened its worst recession in decades. 
 
&quot;I say it again, when an idea as flippant as this comes out, it embarrasses or can embarrass the government&#39;s activity. But I want to say here, to register, loud and clear, nothing will embarrass our intentions, our mission, our task during the period in which I am in front of the presidency of the republic, with an extraordinary economic team, with a foreign affairs team which is equally as extraordinary, and a very adequate ministry. Nothing will impede us from continuing to work for the good of Brazil and the Brazilian people,&quot; said Temer in Brasilia on Thursday. 
 
The highly charged plea bargain implicating Temer and two dozen other elected officials, many of them senior members of his ruling coalition, stole the thunder from a landmark fiscal reform revealed the same day. 
 
Machado&#39;s plea deal included allegations that Temer had sought campaign funds for his party&#39;s 2012 Sao Paulo mayoral candidate from the graft scheme at Petrobras, the biggest ever uncovered in Brazil. 
 
The accusations provide more fodder for suspended President Dilma Rousseff and her allies, who accuse Temer and his party of&nbsp;&nbsp;mounting the impeachment process against her in order to distract from their own roles in the corruption scandal. Rousseff faces a trial in the Senate on unrelated charges of breaking budget rules. 
 
(Reuters)

The testimony by Petrobras executive Sergio Machado has thrown Brazil's politics into chaos and deepened its worst recession in decades

Brazil's interim President Michel Temer dismissed graft allegations against him as dishonest and reckless, pledging in a national address on Thursday that his government would not be distracted from fiscal reforms aimed at reviving the economy. Temer said it was "irresponsible, ridiculous, mendacious and criminal" to suggest, as former Petrobras executive Sergio Machado did in plea bargain testimony, that he had sought campaign funds for his party from a graft scheme at the state-run oil company. The testimony, made public by the Supreme Court on Wednesday, was the first direct link between Temer and the sweeping corruption probe that has thrown Brazil's politics into chaos and deepened its worst recession in decades. "I say it again, when an idea as flippant as this comes out, it embarrasses or can embarrass the government's activity. But I want to say here, to register, loud and clear, nothing will embarrass our intentions, our mission, our task during the period in which I am in front of the presidency of the republic, with an extraordinary economic team, with a foreign affairs team which is equally as extraordinary, and a very adequate ministry. Nothing will impede us from continuing to work for the good of Brazil and the Brazilian people," said Temer in Brasilia on Thursday. The highly charged plea bargain implicating Temer and two dozen other elected officials, many of them senior members of his ruling coalition, stole the thunder from a landmark fiscal reform revealed the same day. Machado's plea deal included allegations that Temer had sought campaign funds for his party's 2012 Sao Paulo mayoral candidate from the graft scheme at Petrobras, the biggest ever uncovered in Brazil. The accusations provide more fodder for suspended President Dilma Rousseff and her allies, who accuse Temer and his party of mounting the impeachment process against her in order to distract from their own roles in the corruption scandal. Rousseff faces a trial in the Senate on unrelated charges of breaking budget rules. (Reuters)

Brazil's Temer denies alleged link to Petrobras scandal

ceremony

Ceremony, News on Ceremony, stories on Ceremony, articles on Ceremony, Ceremony stories at Wion, Ceremony news, Ceremony latest news