In pics: Ecuador government, Indigenous leaders sign deal to end protests

Pakistan has managed to raise financing for its economy by signing $2.3bn loan facility agreement with China. After this loan deal, Pak's foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto said, we're grateful to Xi Jinping.

Pakistan signs $2.3bn loan facility agreement with China

Globally, GDP is slowing due to supply-chain disruptions, and rising energy costs are driving inflation at a rate that hasn't been seen in decades. The crisis in Ukraine has heightened fears that the world may see something it hasn't seen in decades: stagflation

Stagflation: What is it and why is it a big deal now?

Iran on Tuesday said it still believes that negotiations can succeed to revive the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, despite a recent rebuke from the UN nuclear watchdog.

Tehran last week condemned as "unconstructive" a move by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to censure the country for failure to cooperate over its nuclear programme.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/two-iranian-aerospace-officials-martyred-while-on-mission-487829">Two Iranian aerospace officials ‘martyred while on mission’</a>

It also disconnected some of its cameras at nuclear sites, a move the IAEA warned could deal a "fatal blow" to negotiations to revive the nuclear deal.

"We believe negotiations and diplomacy are the best ways to reach the final point of the agreement," Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said during a joint press conference with his Pakistani counterpart Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in Tehran.

Talks began in April last year to bring the United States back into that landmark agreement, after then president Donald Trump withdrew in 2018 and left it hanging by a thread.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The negotiations also aim to lift sanctions on Iran and bring it back into compliance with nuclear commitments it made to world powers as part of the deal.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Iran removes surveillance cameras at nuclear sites

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But the ever-delicate dialogue has been stalled since March.

The IAEA's Board of Governors on Wednesday adopted a resolution censuring Iran for failing to adequately explain the previous discovery of traces of enriched uranium at three sites which Tehran had not declared as having hosted nuclear activities.

Amir-Abdollahian said that prior to the IAEA's move, Tehran had put forward a new initiative that the US had accepted, adding that Washington nonetheless moved to submit the resolution censuring Iran.

But the Islamic republic would not abandon negotiations, he said, adding that "contacts in the diplomatic fields will continue" through the European Union.

Iran "will not distance itself from diplomacy and negotiations to reach a good, strong and lasting agreement," Amir-Abdollahian noted.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-enriching-uranium-at-an-unprecedented-rate-dangerously-close-to-nukes-israeli-pm-bennett-487478">Iran enriching uranium at unprecedented rate, dangerously close to nukes: Israeli PM Bennett</a>

The deal, known formally as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), gave Iran sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear programme to guarantee that it could not develop a nuclear weapon, something Tehran has always denied wanting to do.

But the US withdrawal in 2018 prompted Iran to begin rolling back on its own commitments under the pact.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh on Monday said all the measures the country has taken to scale back on its obligations under the accord are "reversible".

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Iran on Tuesday said it still believes that negotiations can succeed to revive the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, despite a recent rebuke from the UN nuclear watchdog.

Iran on Tuesday said it still believes that negotiations can succeed to revive the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, despite a recent rebuke from the UN nuclear watchdog. Tehran last week condemned as "unconstructive" a move by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to censure the country for failure to cooperate over its nuclear programme. Also read | Two Iranian aerospace officials ‘martyred while on mission’ It also disconnected some of its cameras at nuclear sites, a move the IAEA warned could deal a "fatal blow" to negotiations to revive the nuclear deal. "We believe negotiations and diplomacy are the best ways to reach the final point of the agreement," Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said during a joint press conference with his Pakistani counterpart Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in Tehran. Talks began in April last year to bring the United States back into that landmark agreement, after then president Donald Trump withdrew in 2018 and left it hanging by a thread. The negotiations also aim to lift sanctions on Iran and bring it back into compliance with nuclear commitments it made to world powers as part of the deal. Watch | Gravitas: Iran removes surveillance cameras at nuclear sites But the ever-delicate dialogue has been stalled since March. The IAEA's Board of Governors on Wednesday adopted a resolution censuring Iran for failing to adequately explain the previous discovery of traces of enriched uranium at three sites which Tehran had not declared as having hosted nuclear activities. Amir-Abdollahian said that prior to the IAEA's move, Tehran had put forward a new initiative that the US had accepted, adding that Washington nonetheless moved to submit the resolution censuring Iran. But the Islamic republic would not abandon negotiations, he said, adding that "contacts in the diplomatic fields will continue" through the European Union. Iran "will not distance itself from diplomacy and negotiations to reach a good, strong and lasting agreement," Amir-Abdollahian noted. Also read | Iran enriching uranium at unprecedented rate, dangerously close to nukes: Israeli PM Bennett The deal, known formally as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), gave Iran sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear programme to guarantee that it could not develop a nuclear weapon, something Tehran has always denied wanting to do. But the US withdrawal in 2018 prompted Iran to begin rolling back on its own commitments under the pact. Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh on Monday said all the measures the country has taken to scale back on its obligations under the accord are "reversible". WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Iran says still believes nuclear talks can yield deal

Iran and Venezuela signed a 20-year cooperation plan in Tehran as the two countries are under stringent US sanctions. Is Venezuela-Iran coming close under US sanctions?

Iran and Venezuela sign 20-year cooperation plan

To repair the damage caused due to a controversial decision last year to scrap the French submarine deal, Australia's new Labor-led government has reached a 555 million euro($583.58 million)settlement, a move Canberra hopes will help repair the rift between the two countries.

Australia last year cancelled a multi-billion-dollar order for submarines with the French military shipyard Naval Group and opted instead for an alternative deal with the United States and Britain.

The move enraged Paris and triggered an unprecedented diplomatic crisis. It has also riled China, the major rising power in the Indo-Pacific region.

Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Saturday in a news conference in Sydney that his government had reached a "fair and equitable" settlement with the Naval Group.

The cancellation last year of Canberra's order for a new conventional submarine fleet with Naval Group - valued at $40 billion in 2016 and reckoned to cost much more today - came after the previous government signed a trilateral security partnership with the United States and Britain.&nbsp;

The trilateral deal was for a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines with U.S. and British technology.&nbsp;

Albanese said the settlement would allow Australia to move forward in its relationship with France.

"Given the gravity of the challenges that we face both in the region and globally, it is essential that Australia and France once again unite to defend our shared principles and interests," Albanese said in a separate statement.&nbsp;

Australia, the United States, France and its partners have all expressed concern about China's growing influence in the Pacific, a region that has traditionally been under their sway. Their concerns increased after China and the Solomon Islands signed a security pact earlier in the year.

"We deeply respect France’s role and active engagement in the Indo-Pacific," Albanese said.&nbsp; 
He added he was looking forward to taking up French President Emmanuel Macron's invitation to visit Paris.

[with inputs from agencies]

 
&nbsp;

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To repair the damage caused due to a controversial decision last year to scrap the French submarine deal, Australia's new Labor-led government has reached a 555 million euro($583.

To repair the damage caused due to a controversial decision last year to scrap the French submarine deal, Australia's new Labor-led government has reached a 555 million euro($583.58 million)settlement, a move Canberra hopes will help repair the rift between the two countries. Australia last year cancelled a multi-billion-dollar order for submarines with the French military shipyard Naval Group and opted instead for an alternative deal with the United States and Britain. The move enraged Paris and triggered an unprecedented diplomatic crisis. It has also riled China, the major rising power in the Indo-Pacific region. Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Saturday in a news conference in Sydney that his government had reached a "fair and equitable" settlement with the Naval Group. The cancellation last year of Canberra's order for a new conventional submarine fleet with Naval Group - valued at $40 billion in 2016 and reckoned to cost much more today - came after the previous government signed a trilateral security partnership with the United States and Britain. The trilateral deal was for a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines with U.S. and British technology. Albanese said the settlement would allow Australia to move forward in its relationship with France. "Given the gravity of the challenges that we face both in the region and globally, it is essential that Australia and France once again unite to defend our shared principles and interests," Albanese said in a separate statement. Australia, the United States, France and its partners have all expressed concern about China's growing influence in the Pacific, a region that has traditionally been under their sway. Their concerns increased after China and the Solomon Islands signed a security pact earlier in the year. "We deeply respect France’s role and active engagement in the Indo-Pacific," Albanese said. He added he was looking forward to taking up French President Emmanuel Macron's invitation to visit Paris. [with inputs from agencies] WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Australia-France reach 555 million euro settlement deal

Twitter has published details of deal negotiations with Elon Musk and it appears to show that the Tesla founder was in a bit of a rush to clinch a deal with his best and final offer.

Elon Musk's deal published on Twitter's proxy statement

In a proxy statement, Twitter Inc has shared its account over the negotiations of the deal with Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Tuesday, said media reports. It reveals that the billionaire had not asked anything about the business of the social media company. Musk had recently declared that the $44 billion acquisition of the social microblogging site is "on hold." On the weekend of April 23 and April 24, SpaceX CEO negotiated the deal with Twitter without carrying out any due diligence, the statement said. &nbsp;

The proxy statement shows Musk seemed to be in a rush to finalise the deal with his "best and final" offer. &nbsp;

Since the finalisation of the deal, the billionaire has been raising doubts over the accuracy of Twitter's public filings with regard to spam accounts. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/44-billion-twitter-purchase-will-not-go-ahead-without-clarity-on-fake-spam-accounts-elon-musk-479769" hreflang="en">$44 billion Twitter purchase will not go ahead without clarity on fake, spam accounts: Elon Musk</a>

The social media firm has said that spam accounts on the platform can be around 5% of its total user base. While the billionaire claims it to be at least 20%. &nbsp;&nbsp;

In its filings, Twitter has also said that the numbers may be higher than its estimates. Around 9% to 15% of Twitter profiles are bots, project independent researchers. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;The battle over Bots: Is Elon Musk trying to renegotiate the $44 billion Twitter offer?

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In proxy statement, Twitter said, "Mr Musk did not ask to enter into a confidentiality agreement or seek from Twitter any non-public info regarding Twitter." &nbsp;&nbsp;

The statement, however, did not make any mention of Musk’s threats of not going ahead with the deal. &nbsp;

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(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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&nbsp;

In a proxy statement, Twitter Inc has shared its account over the negotiations of the deal with Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Tuesday, said media reports. It reveals that the billionaire had not asked anything about the business of the social media company.

In a proxy statement, Twitter Inc has shared its account over the negotiations of the deal with Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Tuesday, said media reports. It reveals that the billionaire had not asked anything about the business of the social media company. Musk had recently declared that the $44 billion acquisition of the social microblogging site is "on hold." On the weekend of April 23 and April 24, SpaceX CEO negotiated the deal with Twitter without carrying out any due diligence, the statement said. The proxy statement shows Musk seemed to be in a rush to finalise the deal with his "best and final" offer. Since the finalisation of the deal, the billionaire has been raising doubts over the accuracy of Twitter's public filings with regard to spam accounts. Also Read: $44 billion Twitter purchase will not go ahead without clarity on fake, spam accounts: Elon Musk The social media firm has said that spam accounts on the platform can be around 5% of its total user base. While the billionaire claims it to be at least 20%. In its filings, Twitter has also said that the numbers may be higher than its estimates. Around 9% to 15% of Twitter profiles are bots, project independent researchers. Watch: The battle over Bots: Is Elon Musk trying to renegotiate the $44 billion Twitter offer? × In proxy statement, Twitter said, "Mr Musk did not ask to enter into a confidentiality agreement or seek from Twitter any non-public info regarding Twitter." The statement, however, did not make any mention of Musk’s threats of not going ahead with the deal. WATCH WION LIVE HERE (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Elon Musk did not ask anything about business while signing, says Twitter over ‘on hold’ deal

A long-awaited deal has been signed between Ontario and federal government for subsidised childcare. &nbsp;

It has also paved the way for a nationwide plan. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has hailed the deal as a “historic moment”. &nbsp;

On Monday, the prime minister, while unveiling the plan, pledged fees will eventually drop to C$10 a day by 2026. &nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/2000-covid-infected-children-separated-from-parents-in-a-month-in-hong-kong-report-466588" hreflang="en">2,000 Covid infected children separated from parents in a month in Hong Kong: Report</a>

The experts have also cautioned that the plan must be reckoned with the reality of staff shortages, huge demand for limited spaces and funding agreements. &nbsp;

Trudeau and Doug Ford, premier, Ontario, which is most populous province of Canada, announced billions in funding for the province. &nbsp;

It is part of a broader multibillion-dollar package.&nbsp;“Childcare is becoming a reality for all Canadians,” said Trudeau. &nbsp;

Watch: Southdown breed of Sheep gains popularity in Australia

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Ford is the last leader to sign the national childcare plan. Ontario has one of the highest childcare costs in the country. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Sarah Kaplan, director, Institute for Gender and the Economy at the University of Toronto, told the Guardian, “It’s unfortunate that it took this long, because the longer it takes to make the agreements, the longer it’s going to take to implement. Families in Ontario have been missing out on the progress that could have been made.” &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

A long-awaited deal has been signed between Ontario and federal government for subsidised childcare. It has also paved the way for a nationwide plan. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has hailed the deal as a “historic moment”.

A long-awaited deal has been signed between Ontario and federal government for subsidised childcare. It has also paved the way for a nationwide plan. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has hailed the deal as a “historic moment”. On Monday, the prime minister, while unveiling the plan, pledged fees will eventually drop to C$10 a day by 2026. Also Read | 2,000 Covid infected children separated from parents in a month in Hong Kong: Report The experts have also cautioned that the plan must be reckoned with the reality of staff shortages, huge demand for limited spaces and funding agreements. Trudeau and Doug Ford, premier, Ontario, which is most populous province of Canada, announced billions in funding for the province. It is part of a broader multibillion-dollar package. “Childcare is becoming a reality for all Canadians,” said Trudeau. Watch: Southdown breed of Sheep gains popularity in Australia × Ford is the last leader to sign the national childcare plan. Ontario has one of the highest childcare costs in the country. Sarah Kaplan, director, Institute for Gender and the Economy at the University of Toronto, told the Guardian, “It’s unfortunate that it took this long, because the longer it takes to make the agreements, the longer it’s going to take to implement. Families in Ontario have been missing out on the progress that could have been made.” (With inputs from agencies)

‘Historic moment’: Ontario strikes long-awaited deal with Canadian federal govt for $10-a-day childcare

In a preliminary deal signed recently, South Korea will sell mid-range surface-to-air missiles to the UAE. It seems to be a step further towards deepening of defence cooperation between the two nations. &nbsp;

The deal was inked after South Korean President Moon Jae-in held talks with UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in Dubai earlier on Sunday, reported Yonhap news agency, quoting the presidential office as saying. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-conducts-fourth-test-fires-missile-from-pyongyang-airport-says-south-korea-445282" hreflang="en">North Korea conducts fourth test, fires missile from Pyongyang airport, says South Korea</a>

Although the media reports indicated that the deal was worth $3.5 billion, the details of the memorandum of understanding were not shared immediately by the office. &nbsp;

During the talks, Moon and the UAE PM also discussed ways to expand cooperation in space, infrastructure and efforts to tackle climate change. The two leaders also discussed Korea's bid to host the Expo in 2030.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/to-upgrade-its-military-philippines-will-buy-32-new-black-hawk-helicopters-445223" hreflang="en">To upgrade its military, Philippines will buy 32 new Black Hawk helicopters</a> &nbsp;

The M-SAM system, which is also called Cheongung II, is a core element in multi-layered anti-missile programme of South Korea. Cheongung means heaven's bow in Korean language. &nbsp;

The missile employs "hit-to-kill" technology and has been designed to intercept hostile missiles coming in at altitudes below 40 km. &nbsp;

Moon is in Dubai for a three-day visit as part of his week-long trip to the Middle East. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

In a preliminary deal signed recently, South Korea will sell mid-range surface-to-air missiles to the UAE. It seems to be a step further towards deepening of defence cooperation between the two nations.

In a preliminary deal signed recently, South Korea will sell mid-range surface-to-air missiles to the UAE. It seems to be a step further towards deepening of defence cooperation between the two nations. The deal was inked after South Korean President Moon Jae-in held talks with UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in Dubai earlier on Sunday, reported Yonhap news agency, quoting the presidential office as saying. Also Read: North Korea conducts fourth test, fires missile from Pyongyang airport, says South Korea Although the media reports indicated that the deal was worth $3.5 billion, the details of the memorandum of understanding were not shared immediately by the office. During the talks, Moon and the UAE PM also discussed ways to expand cooperation in space, infrastructure and efforts to tackle climate change. The two leaders also discussed Korea's bid to host the Expo in 2030. Also Read: To upgrade its military, Philippines will buy 32 new Black Hawk helicopters The M-SAM system, which is also called Cheongung II, is a core element in multi-layered anti-missile programme of South Korea. Cheongung means heaven's bow in Korean language. The missile employs "hit-to-kill" technology and has been designed to intercept hostile missiles coming in at altitudes below 40 km. Moon is in Dubai for a three-day visit as part of his week-long trip to the Middle East. (With inputs from agencies)

South Korea inks deal with UAE to sell mid-range surface-to-air missiles

Student workers at Columbia University in New York gave their tentative blessing Friday to a new contract that raises their wages and improves their health benefits, ending a 10-week strike that disrupted some classes and strained relations with administrators.

Those on both sides of the bargaining said they were pleased that the standoff had ended.

“It has been a really, really long road,” said Lilian Coie, 27, a doctoral student in neurobiology and a member of the bargaining committee for Student Workers of Columbia, which represents about 3,000 graduate and undergraduate students. “Even though the agreement isn’t perfect, we’re very happy with it.”

With the tentative contract agreement in hand, union representatives said that about one-third of their members had voted on whether to end the strike and that more than 90% of those who voted supported doing so. A formal vote to ratify the contract, which runs for four years, is set for later this month.

In a statement, Mary C. Boyce, Columbia’s provost, said “there is no doubt that this has been a challenging period for the university.”

Still, she added, “all who were involved in collective bargaining shared the common goal of creating a stronger Columbia for those who teach and learn, conduct research, discover and innovate, work and study here.”

“I am optimistic that when the new academic term begins on Jan. 18, Columbia will fully return to the normal rhythm of academic life,” she said.

The Columbia strike was the latest such action at a prominent U.S. university. Student workers at New York University agreed to a contract after striking in spring 2021. At Harvard University, a three-day strike ended in late October and a second strike was narrowly avoided the following month after a tentative agreement was reached.

Tensions at Columbia ran high at times during the negotiations. In early December, university officials sent an email to student workers saying that those who did not return to work within a few days would not be guaranteed jobs for the spring semester. The workers responded by blocking campus entrances for a day.

Among other things, the tentative contract includes a 6% raise for workers with annual contracts and an increase in hourly wages to $21 from $15. Columbia has also agreed to cover 75% of the cost of student workers’ dental insurance and to create a $300,000 emergency fund that workers can tap for out-of-pocket medical expenses. The fund is scheduled to grow in future years.

The agreement also allows student workers, after the university investigates, to seek third-party arbitration in cases involving allegations of discrimination, harassment or both. That would give workers the opportunity to hire investigators or lawyers not affiliated with Columbia to evaluate complaints.

The recent strike was the second such action by student workers at Columbia. The first, this past spring, ended without a contract and with all of the union’s bargaining committee members stepping down.

“I think there were a lot of people who felt that when we were campaigning for the no vote last spring, we were leading people off a cliff,” Coie said. “But we actually made some really, really big improvements on the last tentative agreement.”

Several city officials applauded the agreement.

“Student workers are the backbone of Columbia University,” Mark Levine, Manhattan borough president, said in a statement. “And I’m relieved the union and the university have finally reached a tentative agreement that fairly compensates students for their teaching, research and operational expertise.”

Over the next three weeks, union leaders will contact as many union members as possible to make sure they understand the agreement’s terms before the ratification vote is held.

“What our members achieved is impressive,” said Nadeem Mansour, 32, a humanities doctoral student and bargaining committee member, “but this is only the start.”

Student workers at Columbia University in New York gave their tentative blessing Friday to a new contract that raises their wages and improves their health benefits, ending a 10-week strike that disrupted some classes and strained relations with administrators.

Student workers at Columbia University in New York gave their tentative blessing Friday to a new contract that raises their wages and improves their health benefits, ending a 10-week strike that disrupted some classes and strained relations with administrators. Those on both sides of the bargaining said they were pleased that the standoff had ended. “It has been a really, really long road,” said Lilian Coie, 27, a doctoral student in neurobiology and a member of the bargaining committee for Student Workers of Columbia, which represents about 3,000 graduate and undergraduate students. “Even though the agreement isn’t perfect, we’re very happy with it.” With the tentative contract agreement in hand, union representatives said that about one-third of their members had voted on whether to end the strike and that more than 90% of those who voted supported doing so. A formal vote to ratify the contract, which runs for four years, is set for later this month. In a statement, Mary C. Boyce, Columbia’s provost, said “there is no doubt that this has been a challenging period for the university.” Still, she added, “all who were involved in collective bargaining shared the common goal of creating a stronger Columbia for those who teach and learn, conduct research, discover and innovate, work and study here.” “I am optimistic that when the new academic term begins on Jan. 18, Columbia will fully return to the normal rhythm of academic life,” she said. The Columbia strike was the latest such action at a prominent U.S. university. Student workers at New York University agreed to a contract after striking in spring 2021. At Harvard University, a three-day strike ended in late October and a second strike was narrowly avoided the following month after a tentative agreement was reached. Tensions at Columbia ran high at times during the negotiations. In early December, university officials sent an email to student workers saying that those who did not return to work within a few days would not be guaranteed jobs for the spring semester. The workers responded by blocking campus entrances for a day. Among other things, the tentative contract includes a 6% raise for workers with annual contracts and an increase in hourly wages to $21 from $15. Columbia has also agreed to cover 75% of the cost of student workers’ dental insurance and to create a $300,000 emergency fund that workers can tap for out-of-pocket medical expenses. The fund is scheduled to grow in future years. The agreement also allows student workers, after the university investigates, to seek third-party arbitration in cases involving allegations of discrimination, harassment or both. That would give workers the opportunity to hire investigators or lawyers not affiliated with Columbia to evaluate complaints. The recent strike was the second such action by student workers at Columbia. The first, this past spring, ended without a contract and with all of the union’s bargaining committee members stepping down. “I think there were a lot of people who felt that when we were campaigning for the no vote last spring, we were leading people off a cliff,” Coie said. “But we actually made some really, really big improvements on the last tentative agreement.” Several city officials applauded the agreement. “Student workers are the backbone of Columbia University,” Mark Levine, Manhattan borough president, said in a statement. “And I’m relieved the union and the university have finally reached a tentative agreement that fairly compensates students for their teaching, research and operational expertise.” Over the next three weeks, union leaders will contact as many union members as possible to make sure they understand the agreement’s terms before the ratification vote is held. “What our members achieved is impressive,” said Nadeem Mansour, 32, a humanities doctoral student and bargaining committee member, “but this is only the start.”

Student workers at Columbia end 10-week strike after reaching a deal

In a major boost for India-Sri Lanka bilateral ties, the island nation has now confirmed that it will sign the mega oil tank farm deal with India.

India-Sri Lanka to sign mega oil tank farm deal

India's competition regulatory body CCI slapped a $27 Million fine on Amazon for making false and incorrect statements while seeking investment. CCI also suspended Amazon's deal with Future group.

India's CCI slaps $27 Million fine on Amazon

Even as US and China have been at loggerheads over various issues for a long time, a report has made headlines claiming that Apple Inc Chief Executive Tim Cook had signed an agreement worth $275 billion with Chinese officials.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The five-year deal seems to have been made to placate threats, which may have hit its devices and services in the country, a report by The Information said on Tuesday. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/server-error-outage-hits-amazon-web-services-users-hard-as-prime-video-duolingo-tinder-face-issues-434995" hreflang="en">Server error? Outage hits Amazon Web Services users hard as Prime Video, Duolingo, Tinder face issues &nbsp;</a>

In 2016, the deal was reached when the CEO visited China to avert regulatory actions against the company, the report said, citing internal documents of Apple and interviews. &nbsp;

To influence officials in China, who thought Apple was not doing enough for local economy, the CEO was forced to lobby and sign deal with an agency of Chinese government. Through this, concessions were made to China and it also got important legal exemptions in return, the report claimed. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/man-of-his-word-musk-again-fulfils-promise-owns-no-home-in-us-state-now-434970">Man of his word? Musk again fulfils promise, ‘owns no home’ in US state now</a>

This investment of the company would be utilised to come up with new research and development centers, retail stores and renewable energy projects, the report added. &nbsp;

Not just this, the company, as part of the agreement, also promised to utilise more components from Chinese suppliers in its devices, cooperate on technology with Chinese universities, ink deals with Chinese software firms, invest in tech companies of the country, the report also said. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Even as US and China have been at loggerheads over various issues for a long time, a report has made headlines claiming that Apple Inc Chief Executive Tim Cook had signed an agreement worth $275 billion with Chinese officials.

Even as US and China have been at loggerheads over various issues for a long time, a report has made headlines claiming that Apple Inc Chief Executive Tim Cook had signed an agreement worth $275 billion with Chinese officials. The five-year deal seems to have been made to placate threats, which may have hit its devices and services in the country, a report by The Information said on Tuesday. Also Read: Server error? Outage hits Amazon Web Services users hard as Prime Video, Duolingo, Tinder face issues In 2016, the deal was reached when the CEO visited China to avert regulatory actions against the company, the report said, citing internal documents of Apple and interviews. To influence officials in China, who thought Apple was not doing enough for local economy, the CEO was forced to lobby and sign deal with an agency of Chinese government. Through this, concessions were made to China and it also got important legal exemptions in return, the report claimed. Also Read: Man of his word? Musk again fulfils promise, ‘owns no home’ in US state now This investment of the company would be utilised to come up with new research and development centers, retail stores and renewable energy projects, the report added. Not just this, the company, as part of the agreement, also promised to utilise more components from Chinese suppliers in its devices, cooperate on technology with Chinese universities, ink deals with Chinese software firms, invest in tech companies of the country, the report also said. (With inputs from agencies)

To avert regulatory actions, Apple’s CEO inked $275 billion deal with Chinese officials, says report

Iran is five years away from developing a nuclear weapon, and international talks due to restart next week will do nothing to slow it down, Israel said on Tuesday, adding it reserved the right to act to protect itself.

Israel: Iran nuke program at the most advanced stage

Australia has responded after French President Emmanuel Macron accused Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison of "lying" over the multi-billion dollar&nbsp;submarine contract. Macron said that more needs to be done to rebuild trust between the two countries.&nbsp;

Australia's deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce, while speaking to the &nbsp;Australian Broadcasting Corporation said that defence was the nation's top priority and it had to take precedence over diplomacy. Speaking to reporters, Mr Joyce said, "It was a contract. We didn't steal an island. We didn't deface the Eiffel Tower."

When asked if Australia could have handled the situation better, he said, "In hindsight. You know, tomorrow the Melbourne Cup is on. If only I could put a bet on last year's one, I could make some money."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/aukus-row-australian-prime-minister-lied-over-submarine-deal-says-french-president-425734">Also read |&nbsp;AUKUS row: Australian prime minister lied over submarine deal, says French president</a>

In Rome for the G20 summit, Macron and Morrison met for the first time since Australia scrapped a submarine deal with France while announcing a new security alliance with the US and the UK in September dubbed AUKUS.&nbsp;

The new security alliance looks to give Australia access to nuclear-powered submarines. The&nbsp;announcement caught France off guard and saw the ambassadors of the country recalled from Washington and Canberra amid escalating tension.&nbsp;

"I have a lot of respect for your country. I have a lot of respect and a lot of friendship for your people. I just say when we have respect, you have to be true and you have to behave in line and consistently with this value," the French president told a group of Australian reporters, who travelled to cover the G20.&nbsp;

Asked if he thought Australian PM lied to him, the president replied, "I don't think, I know."

(With inputs from Agencies)

Australia has responded after French President Emmanuel Macron accused Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison of "lying" over the multi-billion dollar submarine contract.

Australia has responded after French President Emmanuel Macron accused Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison of "lying" over the multi-billion dollar submarine contract. Macron said that more needs to be done to rebuild trust between the two countries. Australia's deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce, while speaking to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation said that defence was the nation's top priority and it had to take precedence over diplomacy. Speaking to reporters, Mr Joyce said, "It was a contract. We didn't steal an island. We didn't deface the Eiffel Tower." When asked if Australia could have handled the situation better, he said, "In hindsight. You know, tomorrow the Melbourne Cup is on. If only I could put a bet on last year's one, I could make some money." Also read | AUKUS row: Australian prime minister lied over submarine deal, says French president In Rome for the G20 summit, Macron and Morrison met for the first time since Australia scrapped a submarine deal with France while announcing a new security alliance with the US and the UK in September dubbed AUKUS. The new security alliance looks to give Australia access to nuclear-powered submarines. The announcement caught France off guard and saw the ambassadors of the country recalled from Washington and Canberra amid escalating tension. "I have a lot of respect for your country. I have a lot of respect and a lot of friendship for your people. I just say when we have respect, you have to be true and you have to behave in line and consistently with this value," the French president told a group of Australian reporters, who travelled to cover the G20. Asked if he thought Australian PM lied to him, the president replied, "I don't think, I know." (With inputs from Agencies)

'We didn't deface the Eiffel Tower': Australian deputy prime minister hits out at France in submarine row

Pakistan on Saturday rejected reports about an agreement with the United States on the use of its airspace for intelligence operations in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.

The Foreign Office (FO) issued a statement in response to media queries regarding the news report alluding to formalisation of an agreement between the two countries to conduct military and intelligence operations against Afghanistan. The FO statement read: No such understanding was in place.

However, it added: "Pakistan and the US have long-standing cooperation on regional security and counter-terrorism and the two sides remain engaged in regular consultations."

Also Read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-fails-in-convincing-to-resume-6-billion-extended-loan-facility-423278">&nbsp;Pakistan fails in convincing to resume $6 billion extended loan facility</a>

CNN News had reported quoting three sources familiar with the details of a classified briefing with members of the US Congress that took place on Friday that the US was nearing an agreement with Pakistan for use of its airspace to conduct operations in Afghanistan.

The Pakistan Opposition parties had also demanded the government to give an explanation on the reports that Pakistan had allowed the US military to use its airspace.

Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan in an interview had categorically said that Pakistan would "absolutely not" allow any bases and use of its territory for any sort of action inside Afghanistan.

"Absolutely not. There is no way we are going to allow any bases, any sort of action from Pakistani territory into Afghanistan. Absolutely not," Khan had told 'Axios on HBO' in an interview in June.

The Taliban seized power in Afghanistan on August 15, two weeks before the US&nbsp;complete troop withdrawal on August 31 after a costly two-decade war.

Pakistan on Saturday rejected reports about an agreement with the United States on the use of its airspace for intelligence operations in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.

Pakistan on Saturday rejected reports about an agreement with the United States on the use of its airspace for intelligence operations in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. The Foreign Office (FO) issued a statement in response to media queries regarding the news report alluding to formalisation of an agreement between the two countries to conduct military and intelligence operations against Afghanistan. The FO statement read: No such understanding was in place. However, it added: "Pakistan and the US have long-standing cooperation on regional security and counter-terrorism and the two sides remain engaged in regular consultations." Also Read | Pakistan fails in convincing to resume $6 billion extended loan facility CNN News had reported quoting three sources familiar with the details of a classified briefing with members of the US Congress that took place on Friday that the US was nearing an agreement with Pakistan for use of its airspace to conduct operations in Afghanistan. The Pakistan Opposition parties had also demanded the government to give an explanation on the reports that Pakistan had allowed the US military to use its airspace. Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan in an interview had categorically said that Pakistan would "absolutely not" allow any bases and use of its territory for any sort of action inside Afghanistan. "Absolutely not. There is no way we are going to allow any bases, any sort of action from Pakistani territory into Afghanistan. Absolutely not," Khan had told 'Axios on HBO' in an interview in June. The Taliban seized power in Afghanistan on August 15, two weeks before the US complete troop withdrawal on August 31 after a costly two-decade war.

Pakistan rejects reports of agreement with US to conduct air operations in Afghanistan

In a historic deal, the world's oldest tropical rainforest, Australia's Daintree, has been returned to its Aboriginal owners. &nbsp;

This UNESCO World Heritage site is over 180-million-year-old. It is also home to several Aboriginal people. &nbsp;

The national park will now be managed by the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people in association with Queensland's state government. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealands-kea-parrots-trained-to-use-touchscreens-but-cant-tell-difference-between-real-and-virtual-world-416966" hreflang="en">New Zealand’s kea parrots trained to use touchscreens, but can’t tell difference between real and virtual world</a>

The Daintree, which is one of Australia's top tourism drawcards, is famed for its ancient ecosystem and rugged, natural beauty, which includes wild rivers, forest vistas, gorges, waterfalls and white sandy beaches. It also borders the Great Barrier Reef. &nbsp;

The deal also entails other national parks of Queensland, such as Cedar Bay (Ngalba Bulal), Black Mountain (Kalkajaka) and Hope Islands. It is a total area of over 160,000 hectares. &nbsp;

While handing over formal ownership back to the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people on Wednesday, the government of Queensland recognised "one of the world's oldest living cultures". &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canaries-volcano-lava-reaches-sea-raising-toxic-gas-fears-416824" hreflang="en">Canaries volcano lava reaches sea, raising toxic gas fears</a>

Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon in a statement said, "This agreement recognises their right to own and manage their country, to protect their culture, and to share it with visitors as they become leaders in the tourism industry." &nbsp;&nbsp;

The deal came after four years of discussions, reported local media. &nbsp;

Negotiator Chrissy Grant said, the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people wished to eventually solely manage the forests and other wet tropics regions. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

In a historic deal, the world's oldest tropical rainforest, Australia's Daintree, has been returned to its Aboriginal owners. This UNESCO World Heritage site is over 180-million-year-old.

In a historic deal, the world's oldest tropical rainforest, Australia's Daintree, has been returned to its Aboriginal owners. This UNESCO World Heritage site is over 180-million-year-old. It is also home to several Aboriginal people. The national park will now be managed by the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people in association with Queensland's state government. Also Read: New Zealand’s kea parrots trained to use touchscreens, but can’t tell difference between real and virtual world The Daintree, which is one of Australia's top tourism drawcards, is famed for its ancient ecosystem and rugged, natural beauty, which includes wild rivers, forest vistas, gorges, waterfalls and white sandy beaches. It also borders the Great Barrier Reef. The deal also entails other national parks of Queensland, such as Cedar Bay (Ngalba Bulal), Black Mountain (Kalkajaka) and Hope Islands. It is a total area of over 160,000 hectares. While handing over formal ownership back to the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people on Wednesday, the government of Queensland recognised "one of the world's oldest living cultures". Also Read: Canaries volcano lava reaches sea, raising toxic gas fears Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon in a statement said, "This agreement recognises their right to own and manage their country, to protect their culture, and to share it with visitors as they become leaders in the tourism industry." The deal came after four years of discussions, reported local media. Negotiator Chrissy Grant said, the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people wished to eventually solely manage the forests and other wet tropics regions. (With inputs from agencies)

In a deal, Aboriginal owners get back world's oldest tropical rainforest

France&nbsp;accused US&nbsp;President Joe&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;on Thursday of stabbing it in the back and acting&nbsp;like&nbsp;his predecessor Donald&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;after Paris was pushed aside from a lucrative&nbsp;defence&nbsp;deal&nbsp;that it had signed with&nbsp;Australia&nbsp;for submarines.

The United States, Britain and&nbsp;Australia&nbsp;said they would establish a security partnership for the Indo-Pacific that will help&nbsp;Australia&nbsp;acquire US&nbsp;nuclear-powered submarines and scrap the $40 billion French-designed submarine&nbsp;deal.

"This brutal, unilateral and unpredictable decision reminds me a lot of what Mr&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;used to do," Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told&nbsp;franceinfo radio. "I am angry and bitter. This isn't done between allies."

In 2016,&nbsp;Australia&nbsp;had selected French shipbuilder Naval Group to build a new submarine fleet worth $40 billion to replace its more than two-decades-old Collins submarines.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uks-boris-johnson-reshuffles-his-cabinet-dominic-raab-ousted-for-afghan-crisis-413578">Also read |&nbsp;UK's Boris Johnson reshuffles his cabinet; Dominic Raab ousted for Afghan crisis</a>

Two weeks ago, the&nbsp;Australian&nbsp;defence&nbsp;and foreign ministers had reconfirmed the&nbsp;deal&nbsp;to&nbsp;France, and French President Emmanuel Macron lauded decades of future cooperation when hosting&nbsp;Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in June.

"It's a stab in the back. We created a relationship of trust with&nbsp;Australia&nbsp;and that trust has been broken," Le Drian said.

Relations between&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;and Macron soured during&nbsp;Trump's presidency, and diplomats say there have been concerns in recent months that&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;is not being forthright with his European allies.

Washington's actions in&nbsp;Australia&nbsp;are&nbsp;likely to further strain Transatlantic ties. The European Union was due to roll out its Indo-Pacific strategy later on Thursday and Paris is preparing to take on the EU presidency.

"This is a clap of thunder and for many in Paris a Trafalgar moment," Bruno Tertrais, Deputy Director of the Paris-based think tank the Foundation of Strategic Research said on Twitter, referring to a French naval defeat in 1805 that was followed by British naval supremacy.

He said it would "complicate the transatlantic cooperation in and about the region. Beijing will benefit."

Biden&nbsp;said on Wednesday&nbsp;France&nbsp;remained a "key partner in the Indo-Pacific zone."

Morrison said in a statement that&nbsp;Australia&nbsp;looked forward to continuing to work "closely and positively" with&nbsp;France, adding: "France&nbsp;is a key friend and partner to&nbsp;Australia&nbsp;and the Indo-Pacific."

&nbsp;

France accused US President Joe Biden on Thursday of stabbing it in the back and acting like his predecessor Donald Trump after Paris was pushed aside from a lucrative defence deal that it had signed with Australia for submarines.

France accused US President Joe Biden on Thursday of stabbing it in the back and acting like his predecessor Donald Trump after Paris was pushed aside from a lucrative defence deal that it had signed with Australia for submarines. The United States, Britain and Australia said they would establish a security partnership for the Indo-Pacific that will help Australia acquire US nuclear-powered submarines and scrap the $40 billion French-designed submarine deal. "This brutal, unilateral and unpredictable decision reminds me a lot of what Mr Trump used to do," Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told franceinfo radio. "I am angry and bitter. This isn't done between allies." In 2016, Australia had selected French shipbuilder Naval Group to build a new submarine fleet worth $40 billion to replace its more than two-decades-old Collins submarines. Also read | UK's Boris Johnson reshuffles his cabinet; Dominic Raab ousted for Afghan crisis Two weeks ago, the Australian defence and foreign ministers had reconfirmed the deal to France, and French President Emmanuel Macron lauded decades of future cooperation when hosting Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in June. "It's a stab in the back. We created a relationship of trust with Australia and that trust has been broken," Le Drian said. Relations between Trump and Macron soured during Trump's presidency, and diplomats say there have been concerns in recent months that Biden is not being forthright with his European allies. Washington's actions in Australia are likely to further strain Transatlantic ties. The European Union was due to roll out its Indo-Pacific strategy later on Thursday and Paris is preparing to take on the EU presidency. "This is a clap of thunder and for many in Paris a Trafalgar moment," Bruno Tertrais, Deputy Director of the Paris-based think tank the Foundation of Strategic Research said on Twitter, referring to a French naval defeat in 1805 that was followed by British naval supremacy. He said it would "complicate the transatlantic cooperation in and about the region. Beijing will benefit." Biden said on Wednesday France remained a "key partner in the Indo-Pacific zone." Morrison said in a statement that Australia looked forward to continuing to work "closely and positively" with France, adding: "France is a key friend and partner to Australia and the Indo-Pacific."

France says Biden acted like Trump to sink Australia defence deal

Greece&nbsp;and the US are in talks to extend their&nbsp;defence&nbsp;deals by five years, instead of one-year renewals now in force, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Sunday.

"We are discussing a five-year extension to the&nbsp;defence&nbsp;cooperation agreement, so that we don't have to renew it on an annual basis," Mitsotakis told a news conference at the Thessaloniki International Fair.&nbsp;

There would be a "more important US presence in our country, possibly in areas where they currently do not have a presence," he said, without elaborating.

Mitsotakis added that Greek-US strategic cooperation "is at its best level ever".

In 2019, Athens and Washington signed a&nbsp;defence&nbsp;agreement allowing US forces a broader use of Greek military facilities during a visit by then US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

This however "does not shut the door to other strategic agreements", the premier said on Sunday, citing an ongoing "very close" relationship with France.

Greece&nbsp;and France in January signed a 2.5-billion-euro ($3 billion)&nbsp;deal&nbsp;for 18 Rafale jets,&nbsp;12 used and six new as part of a burgeoning arms programme to counter Turkish challenges in the eastern Mediterranean.

On Saturday, Mitsotakis said&nbsp;Greece&nbsp;would "soon" purchase an additional six Rafales.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/people-in-madrid-protest-against-rise-in-homophobic-attacks-412579">Also read |&nbsp;People in Madrid protest against rise in homophobic attacks</a>

"The first among them will be flying in Greek skies before the end of the year," the&nbsp;PM&nbsp;said, without giving further detail.

The announcement was welcomed Sunday by French&nbsp;Defence&nbsp;Minister Florence Parly, who tweeted: "Together, we are making progress in constructing true European autonomy."

Athens also supports efforts by French President Emmanuel Macron to improve the EU's independent operational capabilities, Mitsotakis said on Sunday.

Macron will visit Athens on Friday for a meeting of the Med7&nbsp;summit of southern EU countries.

Greece&nbsp;spends more than two percent of its national output on&nbsp;defence, the&nbsp;PM&nbsp;said.

Mitsotakis last year announced&nbsp;Greece's most ambitious arms spending programme in two decades, including 15,000 additional troops, frigates, missiles and warplanes.

Greece and the US are in talks to extend their defence deals by five years, instead of one-year renewals now in force, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Sunday.

Greece and the US are in talks to extend their defence deals by five years, instead of one-year renewals now in force, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Sunday. "We are discussing a five-year extension to the defence cooperation agreement, so that we don't have to renew it on an annual basis," Mitsotakis told a news conference at the Thessaloniki International Fair. There would be a "more important US presence in our country, possibly in areas where they currently do not have a presence," he said, without elaborating. Mitsotakis added that Greek-US strategic cooperation "is at its best level ever". In 2019, Athens and Washington signed a defence agreement allowing US forces a broader use of Greek military facilities during a visit by then US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. This however "does not shut the door to other strategic agreements", the premier said on Sunday, citing an ongoing "very close" relationship with France. Greece and France in January signed a 2.5-billion-euro ($3 billion) deal for 18 Rafale jets, 12 used and six new as part of a burgeoning arms programme to counter Turkish challenges in the eastern Mediterranean. On Saturday, Mitsotakis said Greece would "soon" purchase an additional six Rafales. Also read | People in Madrid protest against rise in homophobic attacks "The first among them will be flying in Greek skies before the end of the year," the PM said, without giving further detail. The announcement was welcomed Sunday by French Defence Minister Florence Parly, who tweeted: "Together, we are making progress in constructing true European autonomy." Athens also supports efforts by French President Emmanuel Macron to improve the EU's independent operational capabilities, Mitsotakis said on Sunday. Macron will visit Athens on Friday for a meeting of the Med7 summit of southern EU countries. Greece spends more than two percent of its national output on defence, the PM said. Mitsotakis last year announced Greece's most ambitious arms spending programme in two decades, including 15,000 additional troops, frigates, missiles and warplanes.

Greece to discuss 5-year US defence deal: PM

Iran's ultraconservative Ebrahim&nbsp;Raisi&nbsp;will be inaugurated&nbsp;on&nbsp;Tuesday as the new president of the Islamic republic, a country mired in deep&nbsp;economic crisis&nbsp;and hit by crippling US sanctions.

He replaces moderate president Hassan Rouhani, whose landmark achievement was the 2015&nbsp;nuclear&nbsp;deal&nbsp;between&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;and six world powers.

Raisi, 60, will have to tackle the&nbsp;nuclear&nbsp;talks aimed at reviving the&nbsp;deal&nbsp;from which the US unilaterally withdrew.&nbsp;

Two days after Tuesday's inauguration by the Islamic republic's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei,&nbsp;Raisi&nbsp;will take the oath before parliament.

He won June's election when more than half the voters stayed away after many political heavyweights were barred from standing.

A former judiciary chief,&nbsp;Raisi&nbsp;has been criticised by the West for his human rights record.

Iran's economic problems, exacerbated by the American sanctions, will be the new president's greatest challenge, according to Clement Therme, a researcher at the European University Institute in Italy.

"His main objective will be to improve the economic situation by reinforcing the Islamic republic's economic relations with neighbouring countries," Therme told AFP.

"The goal would be to build a business model that would protect&nbsp;Iran's economic growth from American policies and decisions."

Therme believes&nbsp;Raisi's main priority will be to "remove US sanctions" so&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;can bolster trade with its neighbours and non-Western countries such as China and Russia.

The 2015&nbsp;deal&nbsp;saw&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;accept curbs&nbsp;on&nbsp;its&nbsp;nuclear&nbsp;capabilities in return for an easing of sanctions.

But former US president Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the accord three years later and ramped up sanctions again, prompting Tehran to pull back from most of its&nbsp;nuclear&nbsp;commitments.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/blinken-says-nuclear-talks-with-iran-cannot-go-on-indefinitely-401458">Also read |&nbsp;Blinken says nuclear talks with Iran 'cannot go on indefinitely'</a>

Trump's successor Joe Biden has signalled his readiness to return to the&nbsp;deal&nbsp;and engaged in indirect negotiations with&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;alongside formal talks with the agreement's remaining parties -- Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia.

Economic malaise&nbsp;

The US sanctions choked&nbsp;Iran, including by seeking to stop its oil exports, and the&nbsp;economy&nbsp;contracted by more than six percent in both 2018 and 2019.

This was a blow to Rouhani who had hoped to liberalise the&nbsp;economy&nbsp;and develop the private sector.

In the winter of 2017-2018, and again in 2019, street protests sparked by economic woes rocked the country.

And in July this year, demonstrators in the oil-rich Khuzestan province, which has been hit by drought, took to the streets to vent their anger.

The economic malaise has been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic, which has left many Iranians struggling to get by.

Iranian reformist economist Saeed Laylaz said that the outgoing president was an "idealist" in his approach to the West.

"Rouhani believed he would be able to solve all the country's problems quickly," said Laylaz, who has acted as an adviser to Iranian presidents.

Laylaz believes that&nbsp;Raisi&nbsp;will choose a different path.

After his election,&nbsp;Raisi&nbsp;made clear that his key foreign policy would be to improve ties with regional countries.

In mid-July, Rouhani said he hoped his successor can clinch a&nbsp;deal&nbsp;to lift US sanctions and conclude&nbsp;nuclear&nbsp;talks.

But Khamenei, who will preside over&nbsp;Raisi's inauguration&nbsp;on&nbsp;Tuesday and whose word is final in policy matters, has warned against trusting the West.

Nuclear&nbsp;talks

Raisi&nbsp;himself has already said he will not negotiate with the other parties to the&nbsp;nuclear&nbsp;deal, and indirectly with the US, just for the sake of negotiations.

His government will support talks that "guarantee national interests", he has said.

Six rounds of&nbsp;nuclear&nbsp;talks between&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;and world powers were held in Vienna between April and June. The last round concluded&nbsp;on&nbsp;June 20, and no date has been&nbsp;set&nbsp;for another.

Officials in Tehran said there would be no new talks until&nbsp;Raisi&nbsp;assumed office.

According to Therme, the new administration in Tehran, where the ultra-conservative camp deeply distrusts the United States, has no wish to press things.

There is a will in Tehran "to show the American side there is no urgency for a quick compromise", he said.

The new government also wants to show "it can clinch a better&nbsp;deal&nbsp;than the previous one", Therme added.

According to Laylaz, the future of the&nbsp;nuclear&nbsp;deal&nbsp;will be one of the factors that will affect the fate of the&nbsp;economy.

"If&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;declares its intention not to pursue the negotiations, the sanctions will remain," he said.

But he also expects Washington and Tehran to reach a compromise. "Iran&nbsp;and the United States cannot continue with the status quo," Laylaz said.

Iran's ultraconservative Ebrahim Raisi will be inaugurated on Tuesday as the new president of the Islamic republic, a country mired in deep economic crisis and hit by crippling US sanctions.

Iran's ultraconservative Ebrahim Raisi will be inaugurated on Tuesday as the new president of the Islamic republic, a country mired in deep economic crisis and hit by crippling US sanctions. He replaces moderate president Hassan Rouhani, whose landmark achievement was the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers. Raisi, 60, will have to tackle the nuclear talks aimed at reviving the deal from which the US unilaterally withdrew. Two days after Tuesday's inauguration by the Islamic republic's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Raisi will take the oath before parliament. He won June's election when more than half the voters stayed away after many political heavyweights were barred from standing. A former judiciary chief, Raisi has been criticised by the West for his human rights record. Iran's economic problems, exacerbated by the American sanctions, will be the new president's greatest challenge, according to Clement Therme, a researcher at the European University Institute in Italy. "His main objective will be to improve the economic situation by reinforcing the Islamic republic's economic relations with neighbouring countries," Therme told AFP. "The goal would be to build a business model that would protect Iran's economic growth from American policies and decisions." Therme believes Raisi's main priority will be to "remove US sanctions" so Iran can bolster trade with its neighbours and non-Western countries such as China and Russia. The 2015 deal saw Iran accept curbs on its nuclear capabilities in return for an easing of sanctions. But former US president Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the accord three years later and ramped up sanctions again, prompting Tehran to pull back from most of its nuclear commitments. Also read | Blinken says nuclear talks with Iran 'cannot go on indefinitely' Trump's successor Joe Biden has signalled his readiness to return to the deal and engaged in indirect negotiations with Iran alongside formal talks with the agreement's remaining parties -- Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia. Economic malaise The US sanctions choked Iran, including by seeking to stop its oil exports, and the economy contracted by more than six percent in both 2018 and 2019. This was a blow to Rouhani who had hoped to liberalise the economy and develop the private sector. In the winter of 2017-2018, and again in 2019, street protests sparked by economic woes rocked the country. And in July this year, demonstrators in the oil-rich Khuzestan province, which has been hit by drought, took to the streets to vent their anger. The economic malaise has been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic, which has left many Iranians struggling to get by. Iranian reformist economist Saeed Laylaz said that the outgoing president was an "idealist" in his approach to the West. "Rouhani believed he would be able to solve all the country's problems quickly," said Laylaz, who has acted as an adviser to Iranian presidents. Laylaz believes that Raisi will choose a different path. After his election, Raisi made clear that his key foreign policy would be to improve ties with regional countries. In mid-July, Rouhani said he hoped his successor can clinch a deal to lift US sanctions and conclude nuclear talks. But Khamenei, who will preside over Raisi's inauguration on Tuesday and whose word is final in policy matters, has warned against trusting the West. Nuclear talks Raisi himself has already said he will not negotiate with the other parties to the nuclear deal, and indirectly with the US, just for the sake of negotiations. His government will support talks that "guarantee national interests", he has said. Six rounds of nuclear talks between Iran and world powers were held in Vienna between April and June. The last round concluded on June 20, and no date has been set for another. Officials in Tehran said there would be no new talks until Raisi assumed office. According to Therme, the new administration in Tehran, where the ultra-conservative camp deeply distrusts the United States, has no wish to press things. There is a will in Tehran "to show the American side there is no urgency for a quick compromise", he said. The new government also wants to show "it can clinch a better deal than the previous one", Therme added. According to Laylaz, the future of the nuclear deal will be one of the factors that will affect the fate of the economy. "If Iran declares its intention not to pursue the negotiations, the sanctions will remain," he said. But he also expects Washington and Tehran to reach a compromise. "Iran and the United States cannot continue with the status quo," Laylaz said.

Iran's Raisi set to focus on economy and nuclear deal

The United States and Germany are expected to announce in coming days a deal resolving their long-standing dispute over Russia's $11 billion Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline, sources familiar with the matter said on Monday. 
 
President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Angela Merkel failed to settle their differences over the undersea pipeline when they met last week, but agreed Moscow must not be allowed to use energy as a weapon against its neighbours. 
 
A deal is now in sight after discussions among US&nbsp;and German officials about US&nbsp;concerns that the pipeline, which is 98% complete, will increase Europe's dependence on Russian gas, and could rob Ukraine of the transit fees it now collects on gas pumped through an existing pipeline. 
 
An agreement would avert the resumption of currently waived US&nbsp;sanctions against Nord Stream 2 AG, the company behind the pipeline, and its chief executive. 
 
Details were not immediately available, but the sources said the deal would include commitments by both sides to ensure increased investment in Ukraine's energy sector to offset any negative fallout from the new pipeline, which will bring gas from the Arctic to Germany under the Baltic Sea. 
 
"It's looking good," said one of the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the talks are still ongoing. "We expect those conversations to reach resolution in coming days." 
 
A second source said the two sides were nearing an agreement that would assuage concerns raised by US&nbsp;lawmakers, as well as those of Ukraine. 
 
Derek Chollet, a senior adviser to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, will meet with senior Ukrainian government officials in Kyiv on Tuesday and Wednesday to reinforce the strategic value of US-Ukrainian ties, the State Department said on Monday. 
 
One of the sources said the United States was eager to ensure that Ukraine supported the expected agreement with Germany. 
 
The Biden administration concluded in May that Nord Stream 2 AG and its CEO engaged in sanctionable behavior. But Biden waived the sanctions to allow time to work out a deal and keep rebuilding ties with Germany that were badly frayed during former President Donald Trump`s administration. 
 
In addition to assurances by Germany about its willingness to "reverse flow" gas to Ukraine if Russia ever cuts off supplies to Eastern Europe, the sources said the agreement would include a pledge by both countries to invest in Ukraine's energy transformation, energy efficiency and energy security. 
 
It was not immediately clear whether both countries would announce significant government investments, or whether they would seek to leverage private investments in Ukraine.

The United States and Germany are expected to announce in coming days a deal resolving their long-standing dispute over Russia's $11 billion Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline, sources familiar with the matter said on Monday.

The United States and Germany are expected to announce in coming days a deal resolving their long-standing dispute over Russia's $11 billion Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline, sources familiar with the matter said on Monday. President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Angela Merkel failed to settle their differences over the undersea pipeline when they met last week, but agreed Moscow must not be allowed to use energy as a weapon against its neighbours. A deal is now in sight after discussions among US and German officials about US concerns that the pipeline, which is 98% complete, will increase Europe's dependence on Russian gas, and could rob Ukraine of the transit fees it now collects on gas pumped through an existing pipeline. An agreement would avert the resumption of currently waived US sanctions against Nord Stream 2 AG, the company behind the pipeline, and its chief executive. Details were not immediately available, but the sources said the deal would include commitments by both sides to ensure increased investment in Ukraine's energy sector to offset any negative fallout from the new pipeline, which will bring gas from the Arctic to Germany under the Baltic Sea. "It's looking good," said one of the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the talks are still ongoing. "We expect those conversations to reach resolution in coming days." A second source said the two sides were nearing an agreement that would assuage concerns raised by US lawmakers, as well as those of Ukraine. Derek Chollet, a senior adviser to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, will meet with senior Ukrainian government officials in Kyiv on Tuesday and Wednesday to reinforce the strategic value of US-Ukrainian ties, the State Department said on Monday. One of the sources said the United States was eager to ensure that Ukraine supported the expected agreement with Germany. The Biden administration concluded in May that Nord Stream 2 AG and its CEO engaged in sanctionable behavior. But Biden waived the sanctions to allow time to work out a deal and keep rebuilding ties with Germany that were badly frayed during former President Donald Trump`s administration. In addition to assurances by Germany about its willingness to "reverse flow" gas to Ukraine if Russia ever cuts off supplies to Eastern Europe, the sources said the agreement would include a pledge by both countries to invest in Ukraine's energy transformation, energy efficiency and energy security. It was not immediately clear whether both countries would announce significant government investments, or whether they would seek to leverage private investments in Ukraine.

US, Germany to announce deal on Nord Stream 2 pipeline in coming days: Sources

Brazil will suspend a $324 million Indian COVID-19 vaccine contract that has mired President Jair Bolsonaro in accusations of irregularities, the health minister said on Tuesday, following the guidance of the federal comptroller, the CGU. 
 
The deal to buy 20 million doses of Bharat Biotech's Covaxin shot has become a headache for Bolsonaro after whistleblowers went public, alleging irregularities. One Health Ministry official said he alerted the president about his concerns. 
 
Bolsonaro, whose popularity has faded as Brazil's COVID-19 death toll climbed past 500,000, has denied any wrongdoing.

On Monday, he said he was not aware of any irregularities. But thorny questions refuse to go away, and may pose problems for him ahead of next year's presidential vote. 
 
Brazil Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga said at a news conference, his team would probe the allegations during the suspension. 
 
"According to the preliminary analysis of the CGU, there are no irregularities in the contract but, for compliance, the Health Ministry chose to suspend the contract," the ministry said in a statement. 
 
Earlier on Thursday, CNN Brasil reported that the ministry had decided to cancel the contract. 
 
Brazilian federal prosecutors have opened an investigation into the deal, citing comparatively high prices, quick talks and pending regulatory approvals as red flags. It is also being probed by a Senate panel investigating the government's handling of the pandemic. 
 
One of the leading opposition senators on that panel filed a formal criminal complaint against Bolsonaro at the Supreme Court on Monday. Senator Randolfe Rodrigues said he wanted the court to investigate 'the serious allegations' and to find out why Bolsonaro 'did not take any action after being notified of the existence of a giant corruption scheme in the Health Ministry'. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Brazil will suspend a $324 million Indian COVID-19 vaccine contract that has mired President Jair Bolsonaro in accusations of irregularities, the health minister said on Tuesday, following the guidance of the federal comptroller, the CGU.

Brazil will suspend a $324 million Indian COVID-19 vaccine contract that has mired President Jair Bolsonaro in accusations of irregularities, the health minister said on Tuesday, following the guidance of the federal comptroller, the CGU. The deal to buy 20 million doses of Bharat Biotech's Covaxin shot has become a headache for Bolsonaro after whistleblowers went public, alleging irregularities. One Health Ministry official said he alerted the president about his concerns. Bolsonaro, whose popularity has faded as Brazil's COVID-19 death toll climbed past 500,000, has denied any wrongdoing. On Monday, he said he was not aware of any irregularities. But thorny questions refuse to go away, and may pose problems for him ahead of next year's presidential vote. Brazil Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga said at a news conference, his team would probe the allegations during the suspension. "According to the preliminary analysis of the CGU, there are no irregularities in the contract but, for compliance, the Health Ministry chose to suspend the contract," the ministry said in a statement. Earlier on Thursday, CNN Brasil reported that the ministry had decided to cancel the contract. Brazilian federal prosecutors have opened an investigation into the deal, citing comparatively high prices, quick talks and pending regulatory approvals as red flags. It is also being probed by a Senate panel investigating the government's handling of the pandemic. One of the leading opposition senators on that panel filed a formal criminal complaint against Bolsonaro at the Supreme Court on Monday. Senator Randolfe Rodrigues said he wanted the court to investigate 'the serious allegations' and to find out why Bolsonaro 'did not take any action after being notified of the existence of a giant corruption scheme in the Health Ministry'. (With inputs from agencies)

Brazil to suspend Indian COVID-19 vaccine deal as graft allegations probed

French carmaker Renault said on Monday, it had sealed partnerships with China's Envision AESC and France's Verkor to produce electric car batteries in northern France. 
 
Carmakers globally are racing to keep ahead of rivals in producing cleaner vehicles, a technology shift that is already prompting Germany's Volkswagen to build six battery cell plants of its own in Europe. 
 
Renault made the announcement, which confirmed earlier media reports, before a visit of President Emanuel Macron to the Douai site in northern France where Envision is investing up to 2 billion euros ($2.4 billion) close to 'Renault ElectriCity' electric car hub to create 2,500 new jobs by 2030. 
 
Renault also said it signed a memorandum of understanding with the French start-up Verkor to co-develop and then manufacture high-performance batteries, with a view to owning a more than 20% stake in Verkor. 
 
"The combination of these two partnerships with Renault ElectriCity will create nearly 4,500 direct jobs in France by 2030, while developing a robust battery manufacturing ecosystem in the heart of Europe," the statement said. 
 
Envision AESC's gigafactory in Douai will have a capacity of 9 gigawatt hours (GWh) in 2024 and with aim of reaching 24 GWh by 2030. 
 
The proximity of the Envision AESC’s gigafactory to Renault ElectriCity production sites at Douai, Maubeuge and Ruitz, will create 700 additional jobs in the Hauts-de-France region. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

French carmaker Renault said on Monday, it had sealed partnerships with China's Envision AESC and France's Verkor to produce electric car batteries in northern France.

French carmaker Renault said on Monday, it had sealed partnerships with China's Envision AESC and France's Verkor to produce electric car batteries in northern France. Carmakers globally are racing to keep ahead of rivals in producing cleaner vehicles, a technology shift that is already prompting Germany's Volkswagen to build six battery cell plants of its own in Europe. Renault made the announcement, which confirmed earlier media reports, before a visit of President Emanuel Macron to the Douai site in northern France where Envision is investing up to 2 billion euros ($2.4 billion) close to 'Renault ElectriCity' electric car hub to create 2,500 new jobs by 2030. Renault also said it signed a memorandum of understanding with the French start-up Verkor to co-develop and then manufacture high-performance batteries, with a view to owning a more than 20% stake in Verkor. "The combination of these two partnerships with Renault ElectriCity will create nearly 4,500 direct jobs in France by 2030, while developing a robust battery manufacturing ecosystem in the heart of Europe," the statement said. Envision AESC's gigafactory in Douai will have a capacity of 9 gigawatt hours (GWh) in 2024 and with aim of reaching 24 GWh by 2030. The proximity of the Envision AESC’s gigafactory to Renault ElectriCity production sites at Douai, Maubeuge and Ruitz, will create 700 additional jobs in the Hauts-de-France region. (With inputs from agencies)

Renault seals electric car battery deals with Envision, Verkor

The speaker of Iran's parliament said on Sunday, Tehran will never hand over images from inside of some Iranian nuclear sites to the UN&nbsp;nuclear watchdog as a monitoring agreement with the agency had expired, Iranian state media reported. 
 
"The agreement has expired...any of the information recorded will never be given to the International Atomic Energy Agency and the data and images will remain in the possession of Iran," said Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf. 
 
The IAEA and Tehran struck the three-month monitoring agreement in February to cushion the blow of Iran reducing its cooperation with the agency, and it allowed monitoring of some activities that would otherwise have been axed to continue. The agreement was later extended for a month until June 24.

Earlier, the UN nuclear watchdog demanded an immediate reply from Iran on whether it would extend a monitoring agreement that expired overnight, prompting an Iranian envoy to respond that Tehran was under no obligation to provide an answer.

The agreement continued the International Atomic Energy Agency's collection of data on some of Tehran's activities, cushioning the blow of Iran's decision in February to reduce cooperation with the agency.

"An immediate response from Iran is needed in this regard," the IAEA said in a statement summarising a report by its chief Rafael Grossi to its 35-nation Board of Governors.

Grossi wrote to Iran last week 'to understand Iran's position regarding the possible continued collection, recording and retention of data', the report said. As of Friday, Iran had not indicated if it intended to maintain the arrangement, it said.

Iran's ambassador to the IAEA, Kazem Gharibabadi, said 'Iran was not required to comply' with the IAEA head's request, Iran's semi-official news agency Tasnim reported.

Washington believes Tehran should engage the IAEA without further delay and a failure to do so would contradict Iran's stated desire for both to resume compliance with the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action nuclear deal as soon as possible, said a US State Department official.

"Iran should engage the IAEA without further delay to ensure appropriate measures remain in place so the IAEA's continuity of knowledge on JCPOA monitoring can be readily re-established," the US official said on condition of anonymity.

Iran and the United States have been holding indirect talks on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and major powers that imposed restrictions on Tehran's nuclear activities in exchange for lifting international sanctions.

The Vienna talks, which began in April, are now in a pause that had been expected to last until early July, but failure to extend the monitoring accord could throw those negotiations into disarray.

"Regarding the IAEA, this remains a serious concern," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking before Grossi updated the board, told a news conference in Paris alongside his French counterpart, Jean-Yves Le Drian. "The concern has been communicated to Iran and needs to be resolved."

The speaker of Iran's parliament said on Sunday, Tehran will never hand over images from inside of some Iranian nuclear sites to the UN nuclear watchdog as a monitoring agreement with the agency had expired, Iranian state media reported.

The speaker of Iran's parliament said on Sunday, Tehran will never hand over images from inside of some Iranian nuclear sites to the UN nuclear watchdog as a monitoring agreement with the agency had expired, Iranian state media reported. "The agreement has expired...any of the information recorded will never be given to the International Atomic Energy Agency and the data and images will remain in the possession of Iran," said Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf. The IAEA and Tehran struck the three-month monitoring agreement in February to cushion the blow of Iran reducing its cooperation with the agency, and it allowed monitoring of some activities that would otherwise have been axed to continue. The agreement was later extended for a month until June 24. Earlier, the UN nuclear watchdog demanded an immediate reply from Iran on whether it would extend a monitoring agreement that expired overnight, prompting an Iranian envoy to respond that Tehran was under no obligation to provide an answer. The agreement continued the International Atomic Energy Agency's collection of data on some of Tehran's activities, cushioning the blow of Iran's decision in February to reduce cooperation with the agency. "An immediate response from Iran is needed in this regard," the IAEA said in a statement summarising a report by its chief Rafael Grossi to its 35-nation Board of Governors. Grossi wrote to Iran last week 'to understand Iran's position regarding the possible continued collection, recording and retention of data', the report said. As of Friday, Iran had not indicated if it intended to maintain the arrangement, it said. Iran's ambassador to the IAEA, Kazem Gharibabadi, said 'Iran was not required to comply' with the IAEA head's request, Iran's semi-official news agency Tasnim reported. Washington believes Tehran should engage the IAEA without further delay and a failure to do so would contradict Iran's stated desire for both to resume compliance with the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action nuclear deal as soon as possible, said a US State Department official. "Iran should engage the IAEA without further delay to ensure appropriate measures remain in place so the IAEA's continuity of knowledge on JCPOA monitoring can be readily re-established," the US official said on condition of anonymity. Iran and the United States have been holding indirect talks on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and major powers that imposed restrictions on Tehran's nuclear activities in exchange for lifting international sanctions. The Vienna talks, which began in April, are now in a pause that had been expected to last until early July, but failure to extend the monitoring accord could throw those negotiations into disarray. "Regarding the IAEA, this remains a serious concern," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking before Grossi updated the board, told a news conference in Paris alongside his French counterpart, Jean-Yves Le Drian. "The concern has been communicated to Iran and needs to be resolved."

Iran says nuclear site images won't be given to IAEA as deal has expired

The Palestinian Authority (PA) cancelled a deal on Friday to receive soon-to-expire COVID-19 vaccines from Israel after an initial Israeli shipment showed an expiration date sooner than had been agreed, the PA health minister said. 
 
Israel and the PA announced a vaccine swap deal earlier on Friday that would have seen Israel send up to 1.4 million Pfizer-BioNTech doses to the PA, in exchange for receiving a reciprocal number of doses from the PA later this year. 
 
The doses were due to 'expire soon', Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's office said in a statement announcing the deal. The PA said they had been 'approved in order to speed up the vaccination process' in the occupied West Bank and Gaza. 
 
"They told us the expiration date was in July or August, which would allow lots of time for use," PA Health Minister Mai Alkaila told reporters later on Friday. 
 
"But (the expiration) turned out to be in June. That's not enough time to use them, so we rejected them," she said. 
 
The PA cancelled the deal over the date issue, a PA spokesman said, and sent the initial shipment of around 90,000 doses back to Israel. 
 
Bennett's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 
 
Rights groups have criticised Israel, which led one of the world's swiftest vaccination campaigns, for not doing more to ensure Palestinian access to doses in the West Bank and Gaza, territory it captured in a 1967 war. 
 
Israeli officials argue that under the Oslo peace accords, the PA health ministry is responsible for vaccinating people in Gaza and parts of the West Bank where it has limited self-rule. 
 
The vaccine deal was among initial policy moves towards the Palestinians by Bennett, who was sworn in on Sunday and replaced veteran leader Benjamin Netanyahu. 
 
Around 55% of Israel's 9.3 million population are fully vaccinated - a coverage rate largely unchanged by this month's expansion of eligibility to include 12- to 15-year-olds. 
 
Some 30% of eligible Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, home to a combined 5.2 million people, have received at least one vaccine dose, according to Palestinian officials. 
 
According to a poll released on Tuesday by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, 40% of Palestinians are willing to take the vaccine once it is available, while 35% say they and their families are not willing to get vaccinated. 
 
The Palestinians have received vaccine doses from Israel, Russia, China, the United Arab Emirates and the global COVAX vaccine-sharing initiative. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

The Palestinian Authority (PA) cancelled a deal on Friday to receive soon-to-expire COVID-19 vaccines from Israel after an initial Israeli shipment showed an expiration date sooner than had been agreed, the PA health minister said.

The Palestinian Authority (PA) cancelled a deal on Friday to receive soon-to-expire COVID-19 vaccines from Israel after an initial Israeli shipment showed an expiration date sooner than had been agreed, the PA health minister said. Israel and the PA announced a vaccine swap deal earlier on Friday that would have seen Israel send up to 1.4 million Pfizer-BioNTech doses to the PA, in exchange for receiving a reciprocal number of doses from the PA later this year. The doses were due to 'expire soon', Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's office said in a statement announcing the deal. The PA said they had been 'approved in order to speed up the vaccination process' in the occupied West Bank and Gaza. "They told us the expiration date was in July or August, which would allow lots of time for use," PA Health Minister Mai Alkaila told reporters later on Friday. "But (the expiration) turned out to be in June. That's not enough time to use them, so we rejected them," she said. The PA cancelled the deal over the date issue, a PA spokesman said, and sent the initial shipment of around 90,000 doses back to Israel. Bennett's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Rights groups have criticised Israel, which led one of the world's swiftest vaccination campaigns, for not doing more to ensure Palestinian access to doses in the West Bank and Gaza, territory it captured in a 1967 war. Israeli officials argue that under the Oslo peace accords, the PA health ministry is responsible for vaccinating people in Gaza and parts of the West Bank where it has limited self-rule. The vaccine deal was among initial policy moves towards the Palestinians by Bennett, who was sworn in on Sunday and replaced veteran leader Benjamin Netanyahu. Around 55% of Israel's 9.3 million population are fully vaccinated - a coverage rate largely unchanged by this month's expansion of eligibility to include 12- to 15-year-olds. Some 30% of eligible Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, home to a combined 5.2 million people, have received at least one vaccine dose, according to Palestinian officials. According to a poll released on Tuesday by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, 40% of Palestinians are willing to take the vaccine once it is available, while 35% say they and their families are not willing to get vaccinated. The Palestinians have received vaccine doses from Israel, Russia, China, the United Arab Emirates and the global COVAX vaccine-sharing initiative. (With inputs from agencies)

Palestinians cancel deal for near-expired COVID-19 vaccines from Israel

Reviving the 2015 Iran nuclear accord will have to await the formation of a new Iranian government, the head of the UN&nbsp;nuclear watchdog said in remarks published on Wednesday, adding a deal needed political will from all parties. 
 
"Everyone knows that, at this point, it will be necessary to wait for the new Iranian government," Rafael Grossi said in an interview with Italian daily La Repubblica, in reply to a question about what stage negotiations on the deal were at. 
 
Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), appeared to be referring to Iran's presidential elections, due on Friday. 
 
Iran's new president is expected to name his cabinet by mid-August. The term of current President Hassan Rouhani ends on August&nbsp;3, a government spokesman said. 
 
The sixth round of talks to revive the deal resumed in Vienna on Saturday between Iran and world powers. 
 
The IAEA does not take any direct part in the negotiations but has been called on to verify them and continue inspections in the country. 
 
"The discussions that have been going on for weeks have dealt with very complex and delicate technical questions, but what is needed is the political will of the parties," Grossi said.

Reviving the 2015 Iran nuclear accord will have to await the formation of a new Iranian government, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog said in remarks published on Wednesday, adding a deal needed political will from all parties.

Reviving the 2015 Iran nuclear accord will have to await the formation of a new Iranian government, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog said in remarks published on Wednesday, adding a deal needed political will from all parties. "Everyone knows that, at this point, it will be necessary to wait for the new Iranian government," Rafael Grossi said in an interview with Italian daily La Repubblica, in reply to a question about what stage negotiations on the deal were at. Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), appeared to be referring to Iran's presidential elections, due on Friday. Iran's new president is expected to name his cabinet by mid-August. The term of current President Hassan Rouhani ends on August 3, a government spokesman said. The sixth round of talks to revive the deal resumed in Vienna on Saturday between Iran and world powers. The IAEA does not take any direct part in the negotiations but has been called on to verify them and continue inspections in the country. "The discussions that have been going on for weeks have dealt with very complex and delicate technical questions, but what is needed is the political will of the parties," Grossi said.

Nuclear deal must await new Iran govt: IAEA executive tells paper

Nvidia Corp has submitted an application to Chinese competition regulators to review a $40 billion takeover of UK chip designer Arm, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter. 
 
The application was made in recent weeks and sets in motion a period of scrutiny that could take up to 18 months, according to Chinese antitrust lawyers, the report added. 
 
Nvidia said last month it expects to close the Arm acquisition by March 2022, after having struck a deal with Japan's SoftBank Group in September 2020. 
 
In February, Bloomberg News reported that the US&nbsp;Federal Trade Commission had opened an in-depth probe into Nvidia's agreement to buy Arm.

Nvidia Corp has submitted an application to Chinese competition regulators to review a $40 billion takeover of UK chip designer Arm, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Nvidia Corp has submitted an application to Chinese competition regulators to review a $40 billion takeover of UK chip designer Arm, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter. The application was made in recent weeks and sets in motion a period of scrutiny that could take up to 18 months, according to Chinese antitrust lawyers, the report added. Nvidia said last month it expects to close the Arm acquisition by March 2022, after having struck a deal with Japan's SoftBank Group in September 2020. In February, Bloomberg News reported that the US Federal Trade Commission had opened an in-depth probe into Nvidia's agreement to buy Arm.

Nvidia seeks Chinese regulators' nod for $40bn deal to aquire chip firm Arm: Report

Nine Entertainment Co Holdings Ltd said on Tuesday, it had signed multi-year content-supply deals with Google and Facebook under Australia's news media bargaining code. 
 
The agreement, terms of which were not disclosed, comes after rival Seven West Media Ltd and News Corp signed similar deals following the enactment of tough laws to make US&nbsp;tech giants pay for displaying news on their platforms. 
 
The multi-media firm said it would supply content for Google's News Showcase platform for five years and to a similar Facebook product for three. 
 
Google would also expand its marketing ventures across Nine's platforms, the publisher of the Australian Financial Review, The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald newspapers added. 
 
After considering these new deals and ongoing subscription revenue for Nine's mastheads, the Sydney-based company said it expected growth of A$30 million to A$40 million ($23.2 million to $31 million) in its publishing unit's fiscal 2022 core earnings.

(With inputs from agencies)

Nine Entertainment Co Holdings Ltd said on Tuesday, it had signed multi-year content-supply deals with Google and Facebook under Australia's news media bargaining code.

Nine Entertainment Co Holdings Ltd said on Tuesday, it had signed multi-year content-supply deals with Google and Facebook under Australia's news media bargaining code. The agreement, terms of which were not disclosed, comes after rival Seven West Media Ltd and News Corp signed similar deals following the enactment of tough laws to make US tech giants pay for displaying news on their platforms. The multi-media firm said it would supply content for Google's News Showcase platform for five years and to a similar Facebook product for three. Google would also expand its marketing ventures across Nine's platforms, the publisher of the Australian Financial Review, The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald newspapers added. After considering these new deals and ongoing subscription revenue for Nine's mastheads, the Sydney-based company said it expected growth of A$30 million to A$40 million ($23.2 million to $31 million) in its publishing unit's fiscal 2022 core earnings. (With inputs from agencies)

Australia's Nine Entertainment signs content deal with Facebook, Google

The Biden administration and House Democrats have reached a tentative deal to allow President Donald Trump’s former White House counsel, Donald McGahn, to testify before Congress about Trump’s efforts to obstruct the Russia inquiry, according to a court filing late Tuesday.

The deal appears likely to avert a definitive court precedent that would draw a clear line in an ambiguous areas: the scope and limits of Congress’ constitutional power to compel testimony for its oversight responsibilities, and a president’s constitutional power to keep secret conversations with a White House lawyer.

An appeals court had been set to hear arguments on the case next week, but lawyers for the Justice Department, which has been defending McGahn since 2019 against a House subpoena seeking to compel his testimony, and for the House of Representatives asked the court in a joint letter to drop that plan as mooted by the deal.

“The Committee on the Judiciary and the executive branch have reached an agreement in principle on an accommodation and anticipate filing, as soon as possible, a joint motion asking the court to remove this case from the May 19, 2021, oral argument calendar in order to allow the parties to implement the accommodation,” the letter said.

What to do about the subpoena case, which President Joe Biden inherited from the Trump administration, has been a rare locus of institutional disagreement among Democrats in the two branches.

Lawyers in the Biden White House have been hesitant about establishing a precedent that Republicans might someday use to force them to testify about their own internal matters. House Democrats under Speaker Nancy Pelosi have been determined to push forward after frustration that the Trump administration’s uncompromising approach and litigation strategy ran out the clock, preventing any testimony by McGahn before the 2020 presidential election.

The two sides had been negotiating for several months, leading to delays in the appeals court case. The filing was terse and offered no details about the deal, including what limits, if any, there would be — like whether McGahn would testify in public and the scope of what lawmakers could ask him to disclose.

But the filing also flagged a potential wild card: “Former President Trump, who is not a party to this case, is not a party to the agreement in principle regarding an accommodation,” it said.

That absence leaves open the question of whether Trump could try to intervene to block McGahn from testifying by asserting executive privilege. An attempt to invoke it by Trump would raise novel questions about the extent to which a former president may assert the privilege when the incumbent president declines to do so.

Should Trump try to intervene, a rare but limited precedent is a 1977 case, Nixon v. Administrator of General Services, in which the Supreme Court ruled that Richard Nixon could assert executive privilege claims over official records from his White House even though he was no longer the president — but it also weighed that assertion against the contrary view of Jimmy Carter, the president at the time.

That dispute, however, centered on control of Nixon-era White House documents, not a subpoena for a former White House lawyer’s testimony.

The present dispute centers on the House Judiciary Committee’s desire to question McGahn about matters related to his role as a key witness in the report by the special counsel, Robert Mueller, about efforts by Trump to obstruct the Russia investigation.

After the Justice Department made most of the report public, Democrats on the Judiciary Committee subpoenaed McGahn to testify. After he refused to appear, on Trump’s instructions, the committee sued.

The case has gone through several rounds of convoluted legal fights over constitutional issues that have lacked definitive precedents because previous disputes have generally been resolved with a negotiated compromise, averting a need for a court ruling.

But the lawsuit over the McGahn subpoena is one of an unprecedented number of cases pitting the two branches against each other in court that arose after Democrats took the House in the 2018 midterm elections and Trump vowed to stonewall “all” subpoenas.

First, the Justice Department under Trump had argued that McGahn was “absolutely immune” from any compelled appearance before Congress to testify about his work duties. Last year, the full District of Columbia Circuit rejected that theory.

The Justice Department then continued to fight the subpoena on other legal grounds, arguing that Congress had no “cause of action” that authorized it to sue the executive branch. (The executive branch has taken that position under administrations of both parties, and the Biden administration had signaled that it was prepared to keep arguing it.)

The apparent resolution of the McGahn subpoena case — unless Trump disrupts it — is similar to a dispute in 2009, when President Barack Obama took office and inherited a House lawsuit over a subpoena for testimony by President George W. Bush’s former White House counsel Harriet Miers related to the firings of U.S. attorneys.

The Obama administration, a lawyer for the House and a legal representative of Bush worked out a deal under which Democrats were able to confidentially interview Miers about the topic, with limits. That accommodation mooted the case, so the District of Columbia Circuit never issued a binding ruling, leaving the legal questions it rose unresolved.

The Biden administration and House Democrats have reached a tentative deal to allow President Donald Trump’s former White House counsel, Donald McGahn, to testify before Congress about Trump’s efforts to obstruct the Russia inquiry, according to a court filing late Tuesday.

The Biden administration and House Democrats have reached a tentative deal to allow President Donald Trump’s former White House counsel, Donald McGahn, to testify before Congress about Trump’s efforts to obstruct the Russia inquiry, according to a court filing late Tuesday. The deal appears likely to avert a definitive court precedent that would draw a clear line in an ambiguous areas: the scope and limits of Congress’ constitutional power to compel testimony for its oversight responsibilities, and a president’s constitutional power to keep secret conversations with a White House lawyer. An appeals court had been set to hear arguments on the case next week, but lawyers for the Justice Department, which has been defending McGahn since 2019 against a House subpoena seeking to compel his testimony, and for the House of Representatives asked the court in a joint letter to drop that plan as mooted by the deal. “The Committee on the Judiciary and the executive branch have reached an agreement in principle on an accommodation and anticipate filing, as soon as possible, a joint motion asking the court to remove this case from the May 19, 2021, oral argument calendar in order to allow the parties to implement the accommodation,” the letter said. What to do about the subpoena case, which President Joe Biden inherited from the Trump administration, has been a rare locus of institutional disagreement among Democrats in the two branches. Lawyers in the Biden White House have been hesitant about establishing a precedent that Republicans might someday use to force them to testify about their own internal matters. House Democrats under Speaker Nancy Pelosi have been determined to push forward after frustration that the Trump administration’s uncompromising approach and litigation strategy ran out the clock, preventing any testimony by McGahn before the 2020 presidential election. The two sides had been negotiating for several months, leading to delays in the appeals court case. The filing was terse and offered no details about the deal, including what limits, if any, there would be — like whether McGahn would testify in public and the scope of what lawmakers could ask him to disclose. But the filing also flagged a potential wild card: “Former President Trump, who is not a party to this case, is not a party to the agreement in principle regarding an accommodation,” it said. That absence leaves open the question of whether Trump could try to intervene to block McGahn from testifying by asserting executive privilege. An attempt to invoke it by Trump would raise novel questions about the extent to which a former president may assert the privilege when the incumbent president declines to do so. Should Trump try to intervene, a rare but limited precedent is a 1977 case, Nixon v. Administrator of General Services, in which the Supreme Court ruled that Richard Nixon could assert executive privilege claims over official records from his White House even though he was no longer the president — but it also weighed that assertion against the contrary view of Jimmy Carter, the president at the time. That dispute, however, centered on control of Nixon-era White House documents, not a subpoena for a former White House lawyer’s testimony. The present dispute centers on the House Judiciary Committee’s desire to question McGahn about matters related to his role as a key witness in the report by the special counsel, Robert Mueller, about efforts by Trump to obstruct the Russia investigation. After the Justice Department made most of the report public, Democrats on the Judiciary Committee subpoenaed McGahn to testify. After he refused to appear, on Trump’s instructions, the committee sued. The case has gone through several rounds of convoluted legal fights over constitutional issues that have lacked definitive precedents because previous disputes have generally been resolved with a negotiated compromise, averting a need for a court ruling. But the lawsuit over the McGahn subpoena is one of an unprecedented number of cases pitting the two branches against each other in court that arose after Democrats took the House in the 2018 midterm elections and Trump vowed to stonewall “all” subpoenas. First, the Justice Department under Trump had argued that McGahn was “absolutely immune” from any compelled appearance before Congress to testify about his work duties. Last year, the full District of Columbia Circuit rejected that theory. The Justice Department then continued to fight the subpoena on other legal grounds, arguing that Congress had no “cause of action” that authorized it to sue the executive branch. (The executive branch has taken that position under administrations of both parties, and the Biden administration had signaled that it was prepared to keep arguing it.) The apparent resolution of the McGahn subpoena case — unless Trump disrupts it — is similar to a dispute in 2009, when President Barack Obama took office and inherited a House lawsuit over a subpoena for testimony by President George W. Bush’s former White House counsel Harriet Miers related to the firings of U.S. attorneys. The Obama administration, a lawyer for the House and a legal representative of Bush worked out a deal under which Democrats were able to confidentially interview Miers about the topic, with limits. That accommodation mooted the case, so the District of Columbia Circuit never issued a binding ruling, leaving the legal questions it rose unresolved.

House Democrats and White House reach deal on Russia enquiry testimony by ex-Trump aide

U.S. diplomats are trying to build on parts of the peace deal made with the Taliban last year, specifically the classified portions that outlined what military actions — on both sides — were supposed to be prohibited under the signed agreement, according to American, Afghan and Taliban officials.

The negotiations, which have been quietly underway for months, have morphed into the Biden administration’s last-ditch diplomatic effort to achieve a reduction in violence, which could enable the United States to still exit the country should broader peace talks fail to yield progress in the coming weeks.

If these discussions and the separate talks between the Afghan government and Taliban falter, the United States will likely find itself with thousands of troops in Afghanistan beyond May 1. That is the deadline by which all U.S. military forces are meant to withdraw from the country under the 2020 agreement with the Taliban and would come at a time when the insurgent group likely will have begun its spring offensive against the beleaguered Afghan security forces.

Both of these conditions would almost certainly set back any progress made in the past months toward a political settlement, despite both the Trump and the Biden administrations’ fervent attempts to end the U.S.’ longest-running war.

“Time is really running out for the Biden administration,” said Asfandyar Mir, an analyst at the Center for International Security and Cooperation at Stanford University. “If there is no breakthrough in the next two to three weeks, Biden will have scored his first major foreign policy failure.”

The proposed agreement specific to two annexes of the 2020 deal, which were deemed classified by the Trump administration, is intended to stave off an insurgent victory on the battlefield during the peace talks by limiting Taliban military operations against Afghan forces, according to U.S. officials and others familiar with the negotiations. In return, the United States would push for the release of all Taliban prisoners still imprisoned by the Afghan government and the lifting of United Nations sanctions against the Taliban — two goals outlined in the original deal.

These new negotiations, which exclude representatives from the Afghan government, are being carried out amid a contentious logjam between the Taliban and the Afghans, despite pressure from international and regional actors on both sides to commit to some form of a path forward.

With May 1 just a few weeks away, there is a growing sense of urgency and uncertainty looming over all sides.

The United States currently has around 3,500 troops in the country, alongside thousands of contractors and international forces still on the ground. Withdrawing those forces and all their equipment by May 1 is, at this point, almost logistically impossible, experts and officials said.

The U.S.’ unilateral negotiations with the Taliban have drawn ire from Afghan negotiators, who see the side discussions as a distraction from the broader peace talks. Even if the United States and the Taliban reach a deal to reduce violence, it is not likely to result in a full cease-fire, said one of the Afghan government negotiators, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Specifically, the United States is pushing for three months of reduced violence and has been for some time — though U.S. diplomats hope that timeline could be extended.

But in recent months, the Taliban submitted their own proposal, first reported by Tolo News, with requests that were not fully accepted by the U.S. negotiators and included severe restrictions on U.S. air power.

Many of the delays in securing a new deal to reduce violence stem from the original February 2020 agreement.

That deal loosely called for the Taliban to stop suicide attacks and large-scale offensives in exchange for the U.S. forces scaling back drone strikes and raids, among other types of military assaults. But both sides interpreted those terms differently, officials said, and both have accused one another of violating the deal. The Taliban are also supposed to cut ties with al-Qaida and other terrorist groups, but the U.S. intelligence community has seen little movement toward that goal.

Under the current arrangement, U.S. forces can defend their Afghan allies if they are being attacked, but the Taliban said U.S. airstrikes have been carried out against their fighters who were not attacking Afghan forces.

Digital spreadsheets maintained by the Taliban and viewed by The New York Times detail hundreds of purported U.S. violations. They record in detail the group’s wounded and killed, along with civilian casualties and property damage. However, the Taliban often do not distinguish between offensive operations carried out by Afghan security forces from those by U.S. forces, and several of the events the Times was able to independently verify from June 2020 did not involve U.S. troops.

The new terms for a reduction in violence have been a serious point of contention during the past several months, during meetings frequently held at the Sharq Village and Spa, a luxurious resort in Doha, Qatar.

Meetings between U.S. officials and the Taliban in Doha — including with high-level officials like then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in November and the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley, in December — attempted to scale back Taliban attacks and stop the bloody assassination campaign wreaking havoc across the country but made little headway.

With time running out, the Biden administration is hoping for more success, though these discussions continue to hit roadblocks.

Negotiations between the Afghans and the Taliban, which began in September, have practically come to a halt as the insurgent group has remained reluctant to discuss any future government or power-sharing deal while the United States remains noncommittal about whether it will withdraw from Afghanistan by May 1.

The Biden administration’s recent push for talks in Turkey could be promising, officials and experts said, but the Taliban have yet to agree to attend.

The insurgent group thinks Biden’s negotiators are manipulating the proposed agreement to reduce violence by asking for “extreme” measures, such as halting the use of roadside bombs and pausing attacks on checkpoints, according to people close to the negotiations.

Taliban negotiators say they believe the U.S.' requests equate to a cease-fire, while U.S. military officials say that if certain parameters are not clearly outlined, then the Taliban will shift their tactics to exploit any loopholes they can find — like they have done in the past.

Some of the more striking episodes happened in the past week when CIA-backed militia forces were accused of killing more than a dozen civilians in a Taliban-controlled village in Khost province in southeastern Afghanistan.

In retaliation, the Taliban authorized their fighters to attack the U.S. military and CIA base there and publicly took responsibility for the rocket attack that followed: a first for the insurgent group since it has mostly stopped, or refused to acknowledge, attacks against U.S. bases and troops, per the terms of the 2020 deal.

Some Taliban officials believe the CIA-backed forces should be disbanded and their operations stopped if the insurgent group agrees to any further reduction in violence, according to people close to the negotiations, but it is unclear if the insurgent group has raised those concerns directly. Regardless, any such request is likely to fall on deaf ears, as the U.S. military and intelligence community views these forces as some of the Afghans’ most effective, despite the litany of human rights abuses leveled against them.

The Khost incident highlights the difficulty of reaching an understanding when it comes to decreasing the intensity of the war, and the need for an international third-party monitoring body, such as the United Nations, in any future cease-fires or agreements to reduce violence, experts said.

It is unlikely the United States and Taliban will reach a new deal before May 1, analysts say, unless U.S. officials are willing to make serious concessions to prevent a violent offensive this spring, one that seems to already have started given the series of large attacks and assassinations by the Taliban in recent days.

Some experts have criticized the U.S.’ narrow focus on a short-term reduction of violence as a distraction from the larger effort of reaching a political settlement between the Afghan government and the Taliban.

“I am hard-pressed to see what payoff there’s been for the amount of effort that has been put into trying to get limited violence reduction front-loaded in the peace process,” said Laurel Miller, a former top State Department official who worked on Afghanistan and Pakistan diplomacy under the previous two administrations. “It might be helpful for political optics in covering for an American withdrawal. But what’s going to make this stick afterward if there isn’t a real settlement? Nothing.”

U.S. diplomats are trying to build on parts of the peace deal made with the Taliban last year, specifically the classified portions that outlined what military actions — on both sides — were supposed to be prohibited under the signed agreement, according to American, Afghan and Taliban officials.

U.S. diplomats are trying to build on parts of the peace deal made with the Taliban last year, specifically the classified portions that outlined what military actions — on both sides — were supposed to be prohibited under the signed agreement, according to American, Afghan and Taliban officials. The negotiations, which have been quietly underway for months, have morphed into the Biden administration’s last-ditch diplomatic effort to achieve a reduction in violence, which could enable the United States to still exit the country should broader peace talks fail to yield progress in the coming weeks. If these discussions and the separate talks between the Afghan government and Taliban falter, the United States will likely find itself with thousands of troops in Afghanistan beyond May 1. That is the deadline by which all U.S. military forces are meant to withdraw from the country under the 2020 agreement with the Taliban and would come at a time when the insurgent group likely will have begun its spring offensive against the beleaguered Afghan security forces. Both of these conditions would almost certainly set back any progress made in the past months toward a political settlement, despite both the Trump and the Biden administrations’ fervent attempts to end the U.S.’ longest-running war. “Time is really running out for the Biden administration,” said Asfandyar Mir, an analyst at the Center for International Security and Cooperation at Stanford University. “If there is no breakthrough in the next two to three weeks, Biden will have scored his first major foreign policy failure.” The proposed agreement specific to two annexes of the 2020 deal, which were deemed classified by the Trump administration, is intended to stave off an insurgent victory on the battlefield during the peace talks by limiting Taliban military operations against Afghan forces, according to U.S. officials and others familiar with the negotiations. In return, the United States would push for the release of all Taliban prisoners still imprisoned by the Afghan government and the lifting of United Nations sanctions against the Taliban — two goals outlined in the original deal. These new negotiations, which exclude representatives from the Afghan government, are being carried out amid a contentious logjam between the Taliban and the Afghans, despite pressure from international and regional actors on both sides to commit to some form of a path forward. With May 1 just a few weeks away, there is a growing sense of urgency and uncertainty looming over all sides. The United States currently has around 3,500 troops in the country, alongside thousands of contractors and international forces still on the ground. Withdrawing those forces and all their equipment by May 1 is, at this point, almost logistically impossible, experts and officials said. The U.S.’ unilateral negotiations with the Taliban have drawn ire from Afghan negotiators, who see the side discussions as a distraction from the broader peace talks. Even if the United States and the Taliban reach a deal to reduce violence, it is not likely to result in a full cease-fire, said one of the Afghan government negotiators, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Specifically, the United States is pushing for three months of reduced violence and has been for some time — though U.S. diplomats hope that timeline could be extended. But in recent months, the Taliban submitted their own proposal, first reported by Tolo News, with requests that were not fully accepted by the U.S. negotiators and included severe restrictions on U.S. air power. Many of the delays in securing a new deal to reduce violence stem from the original February 2020 agreement. That deal loosely called for the Taliban to stop suicide attacks and large-scale offensives in exchange for the U.S. forces scaling back drone strikes and raids, among other types of military assaults. But both sides interpreted those terms differently, officials said, and both have accused one another of violating the deal. The Taliban are also supposed to cut ties with al-Qaida and other terrorist groups, but the U.S. intelligence community has seen little movement toward that goal. Under the current arrangement, U.S. forces can defend their Afghan allies if they are being attacked, but the Taliban said U.S. airstrikes have been carried out against their fighters who were not attacking Afghan forces. Digital spreadsheets maintained by the Taliban and viewed by The New York Times detail hundreds of purported U.S. violations. They record in detail the group’s wounded and killed, along with civilian casualties and property damage. However, the Taliban often do not distinguish between offensive operations carried out by Afghan security forces from those by U.S. forces, and several of the events the Times was able to independently verify from June 2020 did not involve U.S. troops. The new terms for a reduction in violence have been a serious point of contention during the past several months, during meetings frequently held at the Sharq Village and Spa, a luxurious resort in Doha, Qatar. Meetings between U.S. officials and the Taliban in Doha — including with high-level officials like then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in November and the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley, in December — attempted to scale back Taliban attacks and stop the bloody assassination campaign wreaking havoc across the country but made little headway. With time running out, the Biden administration is hoping for more success, though these discussions continue to hit roadblocks. Negotiations between the Afghans and the Taliban, which began in September, have practically come to a halt as the insurgent group has remained reluctant to discuss any future government or power-sharing deal while the United States remains noncommittal about whether it will withdraw from Afghanistan by May 1. The Biden administration’s recent push for talks in Turkey could be promising, officials and experts said, but the Taliban have yet to agree to attend. The insurgent group thinks Biden’s negotiators are manipulating the proposed agreement to reduce violence by asking for “extreme” measures, such as halting the use of roadside bombs and pausing attacks on checkpoints, according to people close to the negotiations. Taliban negotiators say they believe the U.S.' requests equate to a cease-fire, while U.S. military officials say that if certain parameters are not clearly outlined, then the Taliban will shift their tactics to exploit any loopholes they can find — like they have done in the past. Some of the more striking episodes happened in the past week when CIA-backed militia forces were accused of killing more than a dozen civilians in a Taliban-controlled village in Khost province in southeastern Afghanistan. In retaliation, the Taliban authorized their fighters to attack the U.S. military and CIA base there and publicly took responsibility for the rocket attack that followed: a first for the insurgent group since it has mostly stopped, or refused to acknowledge, attacks against U.S. bases and troops, per the terms of the 2020 deal. Some Taliban officials believe the CIA-backed forces should be disbanded and their operations stopped if the insurgent group agrees to any further reduction in violence, according to people close to the negotiations, but it is unclear if the insurgent group has raised those concerns directly. Regardless, any such request is likely to fall on deaf ears, as the U.S. military and intelligence community views these forces as some of the Afghans’ most effective, despite the litany of human rights abuses leveled against them. The Khost incident highlights the difficulty of reaching an understanding when it comes to decreasing the intensity of the war, and the need for an international third-party monitoring body, such as the United Nations, in any future cease-fires or agreements to reduce violence, experts said. It is unlikely the United States and Taliban will reach a new deal before May 1, analysts say, unless U.S. officials are willing to make serious concessions to prevent a violent offensive this spring, one that seems to already have started given the series of large attacks and assassinations by the Taliban in recent days. Some experts have criticized the U.S.’ narrow focus on a short-term reduction of violence as a distraction from the larger effort of reaching a political settlement between the Afghan government and the Taliban. “I am hard-pressed to see what payoff there’s been for the amount of effort that has been put into trying to get limited violence reduction front-loaded in the peace process,” said Laurel Miller, a former top State Department official who worked on Afghanistan and Pakistan diplomacy under the previous two administrations. “It might be helpful for political optics in covering for an American withdrawal. But what’s going to make this stick afterward if there isn’t a real settlement? Nothing.”

U.S. looks to build on secret portions of Taliban deal to reduce violence

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