In yet another crackdown to uphold its austere brand of Islam, Taliban has now taken action on illegal sale of alcohol. &nbsp;

As per the country's spy agency on Sunday, a team of intelligence agents poured around 3,000 litres of liquor into a canal in Kabul. &nbsp;

Watch: It's 'liquor' time? Now, Taliban cracks down on alcohol, pours 3,000 litres into canal

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A video of the action has also been released by the General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI) of Afghanistan government. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/calling-breach-of-sharia-law-taliban-to-behead-mannequins-in-afghanistan-441735">Calling breach of Sharia law, Taliban to behead 'mannequins' in Afghanistan</a>

In the video footage, agents can be seen pouring the alcohol, which was stored in barrels, into canal. &nbsp;&nbsp;

During a raid in the capital, the authorities had seized the alcohol. Some people were also arrested in the case. &nbsp;

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د ا.ا.ا د استخباراتو لوی ریاست ځانګړې عملیاتي قطعې د یو لړ مؤثقو کشفي معلومات پر اساس د کابل ښار کارته چهار سیمه کې درې تنه شراب پلورونکي له شاوخوا درې زره لېتره شرابو/الکولو سره یو ځای ونیول. 
نیول شوي شراب له منځه یوړل شول او شراب پلورونکي عدلي او قضايي ارګانونو ته وسپارل شول. <a href="https://t.co/qD7D5ZIsuL">pic.twitter.com/qD7D5ZIsuL</a>
— د استخباراتو لوی ریاست-GDI (@GDI1415) <a href="https://twitter.com/GDI1415/status/1477305279171682307?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2022</a></blockquote>
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In the footage posted by the agency on Twitter, an intelligence official on Sunday said, “Muslims have to seriously abstain from making and delivering alcohol.” &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-and-taliban-forces-clash-at-durand-line-again-over-border-fencing-issue-441432" hreflang="en">Pakistan and Taliban forces clash at Durand Line again over border fencing</a>

Although the timing of the raid is not clear, three dealers were nabbed in the operation, a statement issued by the agency said. &nbsp;

The exact date of the action has not been shared by the Taliban authorities. &nbsp;

Selling and consuming alcohol has been banned for several years in the country. Taliban also have strict opposition to the consumption of liquor. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

In yet another crackdown to uphold its austere brand of Islam, Taliban has now taken action on illegal sale of alcohol. As per the country's spy agency on Sunday, a team of intelligence agents poured around 3,000 litres of liquor into a canal in Kabul.

In yet another crackdown to uphold its austere brand of Islam, Taliban has now taken action on illegal sale of alcohol. As per the country's spy agency on Sunday, a team of intelligence agents poured around 3,000 litres of liquor into a canal in Kabul. Watch: It's 'liquor' time? Now, Taliban cracks down on alcohol, pours 3,000 litres into canal × A video of the action has also been released by the General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI) of Afghanistan government. Also Read: Calling breach of Sharia law, Taliban to behead 'mannequins' in Afghanistan In the video footage, agents can be seen pouring the alcohol, which was stored in barrels, into canal. During a raid in the capital, the authorities had seized the alcohol. Some people were also arrested in the case. د ا.ا.ا د استخباراتو لوی ریاست ځانګړې عملیاتي قطعې د یو لړ مؤثقو کشفي معلومات پر اساس د کابل ښار کارته چهار سیمه کې درې تنه شراب پلورونکي له شاوخوا درې زره لېتره شرابو/الکولو سره یو ځای ونیول. نیول شوي شراب له منځه یوړل شول او شراب پلورونکي عدلي او قضايي ارګانونو ته وسپارل شول. pic.twitter.com/qD7D5ZIsuL — د استخباراتو لوی ریاست-GDI (@GDI1415) January 1, 2022 × In the footage posted by the agency on Twitter, an intelligence official on Sunday said, “Muslims have to seriously abstain from making and delivering alcohol.” Also Read: Pakistan and Taliban forces clash at Durand Line again over border fencing Although the timing of the raid is not clear, three dealers were nabbed in the operation, a statement issued by the agency said. The exact date of the action has not been shared by the Taliban authorities. Selling and consuming alcohol has been banned for several years in the country. Taliban also have strict opposition to the consumption of liquor. (With inputs from agencies)

Watch: Taliban agents pour 3,000 litres of alcohol into canal as spate of crackdowns continues

As the battle against the third wave of COVID-19 continues, Australia has surpassed 100,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus disease. &nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;

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As per the figures from the Department of Health, there were 99,032 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported in the country on Monday afternoon. &nbsp;

On Tuesday morning, over 1,700 new locally acquired cases were reported. It took the total number of confirmed cases to beyond 100,000 since the beginning of the pandemic. &nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-japan-to-ease-emergency-measures-gradually-as-number-of-cases-fall-416687" hreflang="en">COVID-19: Japan to ease emergency measures gradually as number of cases fall &nbsp;</a>

Health Minister Greg Hunt on Tuesday said that from November 1, Australians will be able to test themselves for COVID-19 at home. He also invited test manufacturers to apply for at-home use. &nbsp;

"This is an important additional protection for Australians. One of the important things is that we can supplement what is known as PCR testing - the testing that we all know if we go to a Commonwealth or a state clinic - with the home testing," Hunt told reporters. &nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-pandemic-ceos-of-pfizer-and-moderna-say-life-will-be-back-to-normal-in-a-year-416527" hreflang="en">Covid pandemic: CEOs of Pfizer and Moderna say life will be back to normal in a year</a>

In a media release, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) said that to support the safe use of rapid antigen self-tests, it will make a new regulation that will allow companies to formally apply for TGA regulatory approval after October 1 to legally supply their self-tests for use at home in Australia. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

As the battle against the third wave of COVID-19 continues, Australia has surpassed 100,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus disease. Watch: × As per the figures from the Department of Health, there were 99,032 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported in the country on Monday afternoon.

As the battle against the third wave of COVID-19 continues, Australia has surpassed 100,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus disease. Watch: × As per the figures from the Department of Health, there were 99,032 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported in the country on Monday afternoon. On Tuesday morning, over 1,700 new locally acquired cases were reported. It took the total number of confirmed cases to beyond 100,000 since the beginning of the pandemic. Also Read | COVID-19: Japan to ease emergency measures gradually as number of cases fall Health Minister Greg Hunt on Tuesday said that from November 1, Australians will be able to test themselves for COVID-19 at home. He also invited test manufacturers to apply for at-home use. "This is an important additional protection for Australians. One of the important things is that we can supplement what is known as PCR testing - the testing that we all know if we go to a Commonwealth or a state clinic - with the home testing," Hunt told reporters. Also Read | Covid pandemic: CEOs of Pfizer and Moderna say life will be back to normal in a year In a media release, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) said that to support the safe use of rapid antigen self-tests, it will make a new regulation that will allow companies to formally apply for TGA regulatory approval after October 1 to legally supply their self-tests for use at home in Australia. (With inputs from agencies)

COVID-19: Australia surpasses 100,000 cases as third wave continues

For several months,&nbsp;Philippines and China have been&nbsp;locking horns in&nbsp;South China Sea.&nbsp;

In the recent development,&nbsp;the Philippines Coast Guard said it drove away a Chinese warship in the waterway.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The tension between the two countries has been rising&nbsp;in the disputed waters.&nbsp;

Citing a July 13 report, the Coast Guard&nbsp;in a statement on&nbsp;Monday&nbsp;said,&nbsp;it challenged a Chinese warship spotted near Marie Louise Bank. The vessel eventually&nbsp;left the area.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Giving details about the incident,&nbsp;the Coast Guard said, the&nbsp;vessel sent a radio message identifying itself as&nbsp;'Chinese Navy Warship 189'&nbsp;and asked the Philippine ship tailing it to keep distance.&nbsp;

At a regular press briefing on Monday in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao&nbsp;Lijian&nbsp;said that he was unaware of the matter.&nbsp;

Earlier,&nbsp;the Philippines had protested China's continuing 'illegal presence and activities' near an island in the South China Sea held by the Southeast Asian nation.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Manila had lodged the diplomatic protest over the 'incessant deployment, prolonged presence, and illegal activities of Chinese maritime assets and fishing vessels' in the vicinity of&nbsp;Thitu&nbsp;island.&nbsp;It demanded its giant&nbsp;neighbour&nbsp;withdraw the vessels.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Chinese embassy in Manila had not immediately&nbsp;respond&nbsp;to a request for comment outside business hours.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Tensions between Manila and Beijing have escalated over the months-long presence of hundreds of Chinese boats in the Philippines' 200-mile exclusive economic zone. The Philippines says it believes the vessels were manned by militia, while Beijing has said they were fishing boats sheltering from bad weather.&nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

For several months, Philippines and China have been locking horns in South China Sea. In the recent development, the Philippines Coast Guard said it drove away a Chinese warship in the waterway.

For several months, Philippines and China have been locking horns in South China Sea. In the recent development, the Philippines Coast Guard said it drove away a Chinese warship in the waterway. The tension between the two countries has been rising in the disputed waters. Citing a July 13 report, the Coast Guard in a statement on Monday said, it challenged a Chinese warship spotted near Marie Louise Bank. The vessel eventually left the area. Giving details about the incident, the Coast Guard said, the vessel sent a radio message identifying itself as 'Chinese Navy Warship 189' and asked the Philippine ship tailing it to keep distance. At a regular press briefing on Monday in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said that he was unaware of the matter. Earlier, the Philippines had protested China's continuing 'illegal presence and activities' near an island in the South China Sea held by the Southeast Asian nation. Manila had lodged the diplomatic protest over the 'incessant deployment, prolonged presence, and illegal activities of Chinese maritime assets and fishing vessels' in the vicinity of Thitu island. It demanded its giant neighbour withdraw the vessels. The Chinese embassy in Manila had not immediately respond to a request for comment outside business hours. Tensions between Manila and Beijing have escalated over the months-long presence of hundreds of Chinese boats in the Philippines' 200-mile exclusive economic zone. The Philippines says it believes the vessels were manned by militia, while Beijing has said they were fishing boats sheltering from bad weather. (With inputs from agencies)

Philippines-China tussle continues in South China Sea 

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Yuvajana Shramika Rythu (YSR) Congress Party on Wednesday again press for taking up the no-confidence motion in Parliament.&nbsp;

The Lok Sabha has so far failed to take up the motion amid continuing uproar in the House over a host of issues.&nbsp;

The two Andhra Pradesh parties are seeking to move the motion on trust vote against the Narendra Modi government over its refusal to grant special category status to the southern state.

&quot;The discussions are zero, while on the other hand, money worth crores are getting spent,&quot; said Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi.

The Lok Sabha has so far failed to take up the motion amid continuing uproar in the House over a host of issues.

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Yuvajana Shramika Rythu (YSR) Congress Party on Wednesday again press for taking up the no-confidence motion in Parliament. The Lok Sabha has so far failed to take up the motion amid continuing uproar in the House over a host of issues. The two Andhra Pradesh parties are seeking to move the motion on trust vote against the Narendra Modi government over its refusal to grant special category status to the southern state. "The discussions are zero, while on the other hand, money worth crores are getting spent," said Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi.

Ruckus continues, Rajya Sabha adjourned till tomorrow 

Spain may be forced to hold a third round of elections, acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy warned on Tuesday after his Socialist rival refused to back his efforts to form a government. 
 
Spain has been without a fully functioning government for more than seven months following two inconclusive polls, leaving it in political limbo in a sensitive economic and political period. But even as parties reiterate the crucial need for a stable government after repeat elections in June, none appear ready as yet to overcome their differences and seal a coalition deal, including Socialist party chief Pedro Sanchez. 
 
&quot;If Mr Sanchez continues to say no, we will go to repeat elections,&quot; Rajoy, whose conservative Popular Party (PP) came first in June polls and who has therefore been tasked by the king to form a coalition or minority government, told reporters. &quot;A country that holds three elections in a year, or one in which its political leaders are incapable of agreeing, will not see its reputation improve,&quot; he said, adding it would be an &quot;absurdity&quot;. 
 
Spain is currently ruled by a caretaker conservative government with limited room for manoeuvre just as it needs to take urgent steps to reduce its deficit, establish a budget for the coming year and address a growing separatist movement in the Catalonia region. 
 
The country&#39;s political paralysis started after elections on December 20 failed to give any party an absolute parliamentary majority, as upstart groupings Ciudadanos and Podemos shook up Spain&#39;s long-established two-party system. 
 
Fed up with years of crisis-sparked austerity and repeated corruption scandals, millions of Spaniards tasked the two upstarts to revitalise the country. But efforts to forge a coalition were unsuccessful as rival parties were unable to overcome their differences, prompting repeat elections in June with a similar result. 
 
Rajoy&#39;s PP, in power since 2011, won the June 26 vote but fell short of an absolute majority, winning 137 seats out of 350. He has since been tasked by the king to form a coalition or minority government, which he will have to push through a parliamentary vote of confidence. 
 
In order to do so, Rajoy will need an absolute majority in the vote. If he fails, a second vote will be held in which he would only need a simple majority. 
 
But Sanchez, whose Socialist party came second in June elections and whose 85 seats would give any Rajoy-led government proposal a significant boost in a parliamentary vote refuses to back him. &quot;We are not going to back something we want to change... the left will not back the right,&quot; Sanchez told reporters after meeting the acting prime minister. &nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
However, he appeared to leave the door open for the possibility that the Socialists would abstain in a vote of confidence, saying that the party&#39;s leadership committee would have the ultimate say in whether the grouping changes its posture or not. 
 
Several high-ranking members of the Socialist party, including former prime minister Felipe Gonzalez, have pushed for an abstention to let a minority government led by Rajoy through, and thus end the political paralysis. And a high-ranking Socialist party source, who refuses to be named, has said an abstention in the second parliamentary vote is the most likely scenario. 
 
Rajoy is also due to meet Albert Rivera, the chief of centre-right upstart Ciudadanos, on Wednesday as his search for support continues.&nbsp;Rivera has said his party would be willing to abstain in the vote of confidence, but with just 32 seats, that would not be enough to push Rajoy&#39;s government proposal through. 
 
(AFP)

The country has been without a fully functional government for more than seven months following two inconclusive polls

Spain may be forced to hold a third round of elections, acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy warned on Tuesday after his Socialist rival refused to back his efforts to form a government. Spain has been without a fully functioning government for more than seven months following two inconclusive polls, leaving it in political limbo in a sensitive economic and political period. But even as parties reiterate the crucial need for a stable government after repeat elections in June, none appear ready as yet to overcome their differences and seal a coalition deal, including Socialist party chief Pedro Sanchez. "If Mr Sanchez continues to say no, we will go to repeat elections," Rajoy, whose conservative Popular Party (PP) came first in June polls and who has therefore been tasked by the king to form a coalition or minority government, told reporters. "A country that holds three elections in a year, or one in which its political leaders are incapable of agreeing, will not see its reputation improve," he said, adding it would be an "absurdity". Spain is currently ruled by a caretaker conservative government with limited room for manoeuvre just as it needs to take urgent steps to reduce its deficit, establish a budget for the coming year and address a growing separatist movement in the Catalonia region. The country's political paralysis started after elections on December 20 failed to give any party an absolute parliamentary majority, as upstart groupings Ciudadanos and Podemos shook up Spain's long-established two-party system. Fed up with years of crisis-sparked austerity and repeated corruption scandals, millions of Spaniards tasked the two upstarts to revitalise the country. But efforts to forge a coalition were unsuccessful as rival parties were unable to overcome their differences, prompting repeat elections in June with a similar result. Rajoy's PP, in power since 2011, won the June 26 vote but fell short of an absolute majority, winning 137 seats out of 350. He has since been tasked by the king to form a coalition or minority government, which he will have to push through a parliamentary vote of confidence. In order to do so, Rajoy will need an absolute majority in the vote. If he fails, a second vote will be held in which he would only need a simple majority. But Sanchez, whose Socialist party came second in June elections and whose 85 seats would give any Rajoy-led government proposal a significant boost in a parliamentary vote refuses to back him. "We are not going to back something we want to change... the left will not back the right," Sanchez told reporters after meeting the acting prime minister. However, he appeared to leave the door open for the possibility that the Socialists would abstain in a vote of confidence, saying that the party's leadership committee would have the ultimate say in whether the grouping changes its posture or not. Several high-ranking members of the Socialist party, including former prime minister Felipe Gonzalez, have pushed for an abstention to let a minority government led by Rajoy through, and thus end the political paralysis. And a high-ranking Socialist party source, who refuses to be named, has said an abstention in the second parliamentary vote is the most likely scenario. Rajoy is also due to meet Albert Rivera, the chief of centre-right upstart Ciudadanos, on Wednesday as his search for support continues. Rivera has said his party would be willing to abstain in the vote of confidence, but with just 32 seats, that would not be enough to push Rajoy's government proposal through. (AFP)

Spain PM warns third round of elections possible as deadlock continues

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