Libya's unity government Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah said on Friday, he was unaware of any understanding between Russia and Turkey on a withdrawal of their foreign fighters, but that such a move would be welcomed. 
 
Speaking to Reuters in New York, Dbeibah also said he was committed to holding elections on December&nbsp;24, but warned that some lawmakers may be reluctant to give up power. Dbeibah, a businessman appointed interim prime minister in February, said he has not yet decided whether to run for office. 
 
Libya has had little stability since a 2011 NATO-backed uprising against Muammar Gaddafi, then head of state. A UN-led peace process brought a ceasefire last summer, after fighting between rival factions paused, and then a unity government. 
 
Following a UN-backed conference in Berlin last month, German and US&nbsp;officials said Turkey and Russia, which back opposing sides in Libya, reached an initial understanding on a step-by-step withdrawal of their foreign fighters. 
 
"I have not heard of this agreement regarding the withdrawal of fighters. But we welcome any agreement ... and we welcome the exit of any forces, fighters or mercenaries with any support from any party," Dbeibah said. "We are talking with all parties regarding the withdrawal of foreign forces from Libya." 
 
UN&nbsp;sanctions monitors have reported that thousands of Syrians had been fighting in Libya either alongside unity government troops, who were also advised by Turkish troops, or with Russia's Wagner group in support of eastern commander Khalifa Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA). 
 
Under the ceasefire reached last October, all foreign fighters were supposed to have left Libya by January. 
 
Russia's deputy UN&nbsp;Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy told the Security Council on Thursday that Moscow supported a "step-by-step phased withdrawal of all foreign forces and contingents." 
 
"At the same time, we need to make sure that the current balance of forces on the ground not be disrupted, because it is thanks to this balance that the situation in Libya remains calm and no threats of armed escalation emerge," Polyanskiy added. 
 
Addressing the Security Council, Dbeibah said the continued presence of foreign fighters poses "a real and serious risk to the current political process and it also threatens the efforts to continue the ceasefire" and to uniting the army in Libya. 
 
Dbeibah told Reuters it would be "very difficult" to unify Libya's military. UN&nbsp;special envoy for Libya, Jan Kubis, said on Thursday that the LNA has not allowed Dbeibah`s unity government to take control of the area it commands. 
 
"Of course, communicating with Haftar, he is a difficult military person, but we communicate with him. But things are not easy," Dbeibah said during an interview at Libya's UN&nbsp;mission.

Libya's unity government Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah said on Friday, he was unaware of any understanding between Russia and Turkey on a withdrawal of their foreign fighters, but that such a move would be welcomed.

Libya's unity government Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah said on Friday, he was unaware of any understanding between Russia and Turkey on a withdrawal of their foreign fighters, but that such a move would be welcomed. Speaking to Reuters in New York, Dbeibah also said he was committed to holding elections on December 24, but warned that some lawmakers may be reluctant to give up power. Dbeibah, a businessman appointed interim prime minister in February, said he has not yet decided whether to run for office. Libya has had little stability since a 2011 NATO-backed uprising against Muammar Gaddafi, then head of state. A UN-led peace process brought a ceasefire last summer, after fighting between rival factions paused, and then a unity government. Following a UN-backed conference in Berlin last month, German and US officials said Turkey and Russia, which back opposing sides in Libya, reached an initial understanding on a step-by-step withdrawal of their foreign fighters. "I have not heard of this agreement regarding the withdrawal of fighters. But we welcome any agreement ... and we welcome the exit of any forces, fighters or mercenaries with any support from any party," Dbeibah said. "We are talking with all parties regarding the withdrawal of foreign forces from Libya." UN sanctions monitors have reported that thousands of Syrians had been fighting in Libya either alongside unity government troops, who were also advised by Turkish troops, or with Russia's Wagner group in support of eastern commander Khalifa Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA). Under the ceasefire reached last October, all foreign fighters were supposed to have left Libya by January. Russia's deputy UN Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy told the Security Council on Thursday that Moscow supported a "step-by-step phased withdrawal of all foreign forces and contingents." "At the same time, we need to make sure that the current balance of forces on the ground not be disrupted, because it is thanks to this balance that the situation in Libya remains calm and no threats of armed escalation emerge," Polyanskiy added. Addressing the Security Council, Dbeibah said the continued presence of foreign fighters poses "a real and serious risk to the current political process and it also threatens the efforts to continue the ceasefire" and to uniting the army in Libya. Dbeibah told Reuters it would be "very difficult" to unify Libya's military. UN special envoy for Libya, Jan Kubis, said on Thursday that the LNA has not allowed Dbeibah`s unity government to take control of the area it commands. "Of course, communicating with Haftar, he is a difficult military person, but we communicate with him. But things are not easy," Dbeibah said during an interview at Libya's UN mission.

Libya PM unaware of Russia, Turkey deal on foreign fighters

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will vow on Thursday to "level up" the forgotten parts of Britain without damaging those areas that are already thriving when he sets out plans for the flagship policy that helped him win election.

Johnson, who won a 2019 national vote thanks largely to voters in struggling regions of&nbsp;England, will set out his vision which he hopes will also relieve pressure on other densely populated parts of the country.

The British economy is dominated by London and the southeast and a 2020 report for the government found that gaps in economic productivity between the capital and other regions of the United Kingdom were as wide as they were in 1901.

Many governments have vowed, and failed, to bring more jobs and prosperity to the areas around the former industrial towns in northern&nbsp;England, and Johnson has promised to "level up" in part through higher spending on infrastructure.

"We don't want to decapitate the tall poppies," he will say in a speech in the West Midlands, central&nbsp;England, according to excerpts released by his office. "We don't think you can make the poor parts of the country richer by making the rich parts poorer."

Johnson will argue that previous governments directed investment in areas where house prices were already high and transport already congested. He hopes that by investing in areas with lower growth, people there will not have to move to secure better jobs.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-hope-you-crawl-back-under-the-rock-uk-pm-johnson-condemns-racial-abuse-of-england-football-stars-397699">Also read |&nbsp;I hope you crawl back under the rock, UK PM Johnson condemns racial abuse of England football stars</a>

"We will have made progress in Levelling Up when we have begun to raise living standards, spread opportunity, improved our public services and restored people's sense of pride in their community," he will say.

Hit by a pandemic at the start of 2020, Johnson has so far given few concrete examples of how he hopes to transform the fortunes of the country's poorer towns, but the government is looking to invest in the green economy and attract foreign investment.

It has been given a boost in recent weeks with the news that Nissan and Stellantis both plan to invest more in Britain, to build a battery plant and electric vans in the north east and north west of the country respectively.

Even with that Britain is still lagging other big European countries in the race to produce batteries for the new cleaner vehicles of the future. Coventry Airport, in the West Midlands, is also vying to become the site for a gigafactory.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will vow on Thursday to "level up" the forgotten parts of Britain without damaging those areas that are already thriving when he sets out plans for the flagship policy that helped him win election.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will vow on Thursday to "level up" the forgotten parts of Britain without damaging those areas that are already thriving when he sets out plans for the flagship policy that helped him win election. Johnson, who won a 2019 national vote thanks largely to voters in struggling regions of England, will set out his vision which he hopes will also relieve pressure on other densely populated parts of the country. The British economy is dominated by London and the southeast and a 2020 report for the government found that gaps in economic productivity between the capital and other regions of the United Kingdom were as wide as they were in 1901. Many governments have vowed, and failed, to bring more jobs and prosperity to the areas around the former industrial towns in northern England, and Johnson has promised to "level up" in part through higher spending on infrastructure. "We don't want to decapitate the tall poppies," he will say in a speech in the West Midlands, central England, according to excerpts released by his office. "We don't think you can make the poor parts of the country richer by making the rich parts poorer." Johnson will argue that previous governments directed investment in areas where house prices were already high and transport already congested. He hopes that by investing in areas with lower growth, people there will not have to move to secure better jobs. Also read | I hope you crawl back under the rock, UK PM Johnson condemns racial abuse of England football stars "We will have made progress in Levelling Up when we have begun to raise living standards, spread opportunity, improved our public services and restored people's sense of pride in their community," he will say. Hit by a pandemic at the start of 2020, Johnson has so far given few concrete examples of how he hopes to transform the fortunes of the country's poorer towns, but the government is looking to invest in the green economy and attract foreign investment. It has been given a boost in recent weeks with the news that Nissan and Stellantis both plan to invest more in Britain, to build a battery plant and electric vans in the north east and north west of the country respectively. Even with that Britain is still lagging other big European countries in the race to produce batteries for the new cleaner vehicles of the future. Coventry Airport, in the West Midlands, is also vying to become the site for a gigafactory.

PM Johnson to set out plan to 'level up' Britain

Israel&nbsp;is discussing&nbsp;COVID-19&nbsp;booster&nbsp;shots with drug&nbsp;companies, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said on Wednesday, as the country grapples with an outbreak of the fast-spreading Delta variant.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday the Delta variant has been detected in at least 111 countries in the last two months and was likely to become the dominant variant globally over the coming months. In&nbsp;Israel, it makes up&nbsp;about&nbsp;90 per cent&nbsp;of confirmed cases, according to the Health Ministry.

"We are in a dialogue with the&nbsp;pharma&nbsp;companies&nbsp;about&nbsp;the&nbsp;booster&nbsp;issue, whether a&nbsp;booster&nbsp;of the original shot or an adapted&nbsp;booster&nbsp;shot," Bennett told a news conference in Jerusalem, where he detailed his cabinet's strategy for curbing the Delta outbreak.

In&nbsp;Israel,&nbsp;about&nbsp;60 per cent&nbsp;of the 9.3 million population has received at least one dose of the vaccine produced by Pfizer&nbsp;and partner BioNTech. Pfizer did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The variant, first identified in India, has led to a surge in cases worldwide and is setting back economic recovery plans.

Researchers and drugmakers are looking at tweaking vaccines quickly to prevent them from losing effectiveness against new, emerging variants.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-orders-massive-reinforcement-of-forces-to-quell-unrest-in-cities-after-gaza-violence-384790">Also read |&nbsp;Israel orders 'massive reinforcement' of forces to quell unrest in cities after Gaza violence</a>

Having driven down coronavirus infections to single-digit numbers and zero deaths,&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;lifted its social-distancing restrictions by mid-June. But the sharp rise in daily infections presently stands at a weekly average of&nbsp;about&nbsp;500 and some curbs have been re-introduced.

Bennett appealed to the public and said Delta can be beaten back within five weeks without a costly lockdown if people act responsibly by getting vaccinated, wearing masks indoors and keeping social distancing.

His strategy rests on an approach that&nbsp;says&nbsp;the high vaccination rates among risk groups will see far less severe&nbsp;COVID-19 cases than in previous outbreaks, even as infections climb.

Pfizer/BioNTech plans to ask US&nbsp;regulators within weeks to authorise a&nbsp;booster&nbsp;dose of its&nbsp;COVID-19 vaccine, citing thus far unpublished evidence of greater risk of infection six months after inoculation and Delta's spread.

US&nbsp;and European Union authorities have said it's unclear yet whether&nbsp;booster&nbsp;shots are needed. Scientists have said the&nbsp;companies' move was premature.

Israel's health ministry said on Monday&nbsp;there was still not enough unequivocal evidence for the necessity of a third&nbsp;booster&nbsp;shot for the wider public, though it has approved a third&nbsp;jab&nbsp;for people with compromised immune systems on a case by case basis.

Some studies have shown Pfizer's vaccine to be highly effective against Delta, though somewhat reduced in comparison with other coronavirus strains.

Israel is discussing COVID-19 booster shots with drug companies, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said on Wednesday, as the country grapples with an outbreak of the fast-spreading Delta variant.

Israel is discussing COVID-19 booster shots with drug companies, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said on Wednesday, as the country grapples with an outbreak of the fast-spreading Delta variant. The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday the Delta variant has been detected in at least 111 countries in the last two months and was likely to become the dominant variant globally over the coming months. In Israel, it makes up about 90 per cent of confirmed cases, according to the Health Ministry. "We are in a dialogue with the pharma companies about the booster issue, whether a booster of the original shot or an adapted booster shot," Bennett told a news conference in Jerusalem, where he detailed his cabinet's strategy for curbing the Delta outbreak. In Israel, about 60 per cent of the 9.3 million population has received at least one dose of the vaccine produced by Pfizer and partner BioNTech. Pfizer did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The variant, first identified in India, has led to a surge in cases worldwide and is setting back economic recovery plans. Researchers and drugmakers are looking at tweaking vaccines quickly to prevent them from losing effectiveness against new, emerging variants. Also read | Israel orders 'massive reinforcement' of forces to quell unrest in cities after Gaza violence Having driven down coronavirus infections to single-digit numbers and zero deaths, Israel lifted its social-distancing restrictions by mid-June. But the sharp rise in daily infections presently stands at a weekly average of about 500 and some curbs have been re-introduced. Bennett appealed to the public and said Delta can be beaten back within five weeks without a costly lockdown if people act responsibly by getting vaccinated, wearing masks indoors and keeping social distancing. His strategy rests on an approach that says the high vaccination rates among risk groups will see far less severe COVID-19 cases than in previous outbreaks, even as infections climb. Pfizer/BioNTech plans to ask US regulators within weeks to authorise a booster dose of its COVID-19 vaccine, citing thus far unpublished evidence of greater risk of infection six months after inoculation and Delta's spread. US and European Union authorities have said it's unclear yet whether booster shots are needed. Scientists have said the companies' move was premature. Israel's health ministry said on Monday there was still not enough unequivocal evidence for the necessity of a third booster shot for the wider public, though it has approved a third jab for people with compromised immune systems on a case by case basis. Some studies have shown Pfizer's vaccine to be highly effective against Delta, though somewhat reduced in comparison with other coronavirus strains.

Israel in talks with pharma companies about COVID-19 booster jab, says PM

In a landmark verdict, Nepal's Supreme Court on Monday directed President Bidya Devi Bhandari to appoint Nepali Congress chief Sher Bahadur Deuba as prime minister by Tuesday and reinstated the dissolved House of Representatives for a second time in five months.

A five-member Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court led by Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana issued the verdict stating that President Bhandari's decision to dissolve the lower house upon a recommendation of Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli was an unconstitutional act, delivering a major blow to the veteran Communist leader, who was preparing for snap polls.

The bench issued a mandamus to appoint Deuba as the Prime Minister by Tuesday. Deuba, 74, has served as the prime minister on four occasions.

The court also ordered summoning new session of House of Representatives at 5 PM on July 18.&nbsp;

Chief Justice Rana also said that the bench has concluded that party whip does not apply when lawmakers take part in the voting to elect new Prime Minister as per Article 76(5) of the Constitution.

The bench comprising four other senior most justices, Dipak Kumar Karki, Mira Khadka, Ishwar Prasad Khatiwada and Dr Ananda Mohan Bhattarai, had concluded hearings in the case last week.

President Bhandari had dissolved the 275-member lower house for the second time in five months on May 22 at the recommendation of Prime Minister Oli and announced snap elections on November 12 and November 19.

In a landmark verdict, Nepal's Supreme Court on Monday directed President Bidya Devi Bhandari to appoint Nepali Congress chief Sher Bahadur Deuba as prime minister by Tuesday and reinstated the dissolved House of Representatives for a second time in five months.

In a landmark verdict, Nepal's Supreme Court on Monday directed President Bidya Devi Bhandari to appoint Nepali Congress chief Sher Bahadur Deuba as prime minister by Tuesday and reinstated the dissolved House of Representatives for a second time in five months. A five-member Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court led by Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana issued the verdict stating that President Bhandari's decision to dissolve the lower house upon a recommendation of Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli was an unconstitutional act, delivering a major blow to the veteran Communist leader, who was preparing for snap polls. The bench issued a mandamus to appoint Deuba as the Prime Minister by Tuesday. Deuba, 74, has served as the prime minister on four occasions. The court also ordered summoning new session of House of Representatives at 5 PM on July 18. Chief Justice Rana also said that the bench has concluded that party whip does not apply when lawmakers take part in the voting to elect new Prime Minister as per Article 76(5) of the Constitution. The bench comprising four other senior most justices, Dipak Kumar Karki, Mira Khadka, Ishwar Prasad Khatiwada and Dr Ananda Mohan Bhattarai, had concluded hearings in the case last week. President Bhandari had dissolved the 275-member lower house for the second time in five months on May 22 at the recommendation of Prime Minister Oli and announced snap elections on November 12 and November 19.

Nepal's apex court orders appointment of Deuba as prime minister; reinstates dissolved lower house

To fulfill his promise to 'level up' the country's economy,&nbsp;British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will set out next week plans to regenerate the country's high streets by expanding outdoor dining and investing more in sports facilities.

The prime minister has said he wants to tackle regional inequalities and make sure areas outside of the economic powerhouse, London, have more opportunities.&nbsp;Johnson had&nbsp;won 2019 elections, all thanks to voters in struggling regions of England.

In a speech next week, PM&nbsp;will explain how a new High Streets strategy will help local communities thrive&nbsp;by allowing dining on pavements, helping eateries to serve more customers. Under the plans, local sports facilities will receive a 25 million pound ($35 million) boost. 
 
A statement by his office said on Saturday, temporary permissions given to pubs during the pandemic, allowing them to serve 'takeaway pints' will also be extended for another year. 
 
"The Prime Minister is determined to level up the UK and deliver a fairer, stronger society,&nbsp;one where whatever your background and wherever you live, everyone can access the opportunities they need to succeed," a government spokesperson said in the statement. 
 
As part of his plan, Johnson has announced a series of urban renewal projects worth 830 million pounds in towns and cities away from London, as well as establishing of eight Freeports in England. He also&nbsp;backs green technology jobs. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

To fulfill his promise to 'level up' the country's economy, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will set out next week plans to regenerate the country's high streets by expanding outdoor dining and investing more in sports facilities.

To fulfill his promise to 'level up' the country's economy, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will set out next week plans to regenerate the country's high streets by expanding outdoor dining and investing more in sports facilities. The prime minister has said he wants to tackle regional inequalities and make sure areas outside of the economic powerhouse, London, have more opportunities. Johnson had won 2019 elections, all thanks to voters in struggling regions of England. In a speech next week, PM will explain how a new High Streets strategy will help local communities thrive by allowing dining on pavements, helping eateries to serve more customers. Under the plans, local sports facilities will receive a 25 million pound ($35 million) boost. A statement by his office said on Saturday, temporary permissions given to pubs during the pandemic, allowing them to serve 'takeaway pints' will also be extended for another year. "The Prime Minister is determined to level up the UK and deliver a fairer, stronger society, one where whatever your background and wherever you live, everyone can access the opportunities they need to succeed," a government spokesperson said in the statement. As part of his plan, Johnson has announced a series of urban renewal projects worth 830 million pounds in towns and cities away from London, as well as establishing of eight Freeports in England. He also backs green technology jobs. (With inputs from agencies)

UK PM to announce high street regeneration plans next week

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will set out plans for the final step of easing lockdown in England on Monday, including guidance on social distancing, face coverings and working from home, the government said. 
 
The remaining legal restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are due to be lifted on July 19, with the decision whether to go ahead scheduled for July 12. 
 
Data suggests that cases will continue to rise as restrictions are eased, but the link to hospitalisations and deaths has been weakened by the vaccination programme, the government said. 
 
People will learn to live with COVID-19 as they do already with flu, Johnson is expected to say, meaning that hospitalisations, serious illness and deaths will continue but at a much lower level than before widespread vaccination. 
 
"Thanks to the successful rollout of our vaccination programme, we are progressing cautiously through our roadmap," Johnson said in a statement. 
 
"But I must stress that the pandemic is not over and that cases will continue to rise over the coming weeks. 
 
"As we begin to learn to live with this virus, we must all continue to carefully manage the risks from COVID-19 and exercise judgement when going about our lives." 
 
The take-up of vaccines in Britain has been strong, with 86% of adults receiving a first dose and 64% receiving two doses as of Sunday, government data shows. 
 
However, cases of COVID-19 have risen in recent weeks, driven by the now-dominant Delta variant, and the final step of lockdown easing was delayed by four weeks to enable more people to be vaccinated. 
 
Data from Public Health England shows that vaccines are highly effective in preventing severe illness and hospitalisation from this variant, the government said. 
 
Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said on Sunday face masks would no longer be mandatory after the final step in lockdown easing. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will set out plans for the final step of easing lockdown in England on Monday, including guidance on social distancing, face coverings and working from home, the government said.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will set out plans for the final step of easing lockdown in England on Monday, including guidance on social distancing, face coverings and working from home, the government said. The remaining legal restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are due to be lifted on July 19, with the decision whether to go ahead scheduled for July 12. Data suggests that cases will continue to rise as restrictions are eased, but the link to hospitalisations and deaths has been weakened by the vaccination programme, the government said. People will learn to live with COVID-19 as they do already with flu, Johnson is expected to say, meaning that hospitalisations, serious illness and deaths will continue but at a much lower level than before widespread vaccination. "Thanks to the successful rollout of our vaccination programme, we are progressing cautiously through our roadmap," Johnson said in a statement. "But I must stress that the pandemic is not over and that cases will continue to rise over the coming weeks. "As we begin to learn to live with this virus, we must all continue to carefully manage the risks from COVID-19 and exercise judgement when going about our lives." The take-up of vaccines in Britain has been strong, with 86% of adults receiving a first dose and 64% receiving two doses as of Sunday, government data shows. However, cases of COVID-19 have risen in recent weeks, driven by the now-dominant Delta variant, and the final step of lockdown easing was delayed by four weeks to enable more people to be vaccinated. Data from Public Health England shows that vaccines are highly effective in preventing severe illness and hospitalisation from this variant, the government said. Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said on Sunday face masks would no longer be mandatory after the final step in lockdown easing. (With inputs from agencies)

UK PM Johnson to set out plans for final step of easing Covid lockdown

Israel's government has reached a deal for Jewish settlers to vacate an illegal West Bank outpost. Dozens of settler families several weeks ago started to build the Eviatar wildcat settlement in defiance of both international and Israeli law.

Israel's government has reached a deal for Jewish settlers to vacate an illegal West Bank outpost. Dozens of settler families several weeks ago started to build the Eviatar wildcat settlement in defiance of both international and Israeli law. This sparked protests from Palestinians in nearby villages. The Palestinians harassed the settlers by burning car tyres, sounding horns and pointing laser beams at them, leading to deadly clashes with Israeli security forces. The hilltop area where the settlers have established their settlement of trailer homes and tents lies near Nablus in the West Bank, which is a Palestinian territory occupied by Israel since 1967. According to the reports by AFP, the settlers will leave by 4:00 pm (1300 GMT) Friday. However, their temporary homes will remain and the Israeli army will establish a presence in the area. Also Read | US drops sanctions on three Iranians, says move unrelated to nuclear talks Palestinians in the nearby village of Beita have rejected any outcome other than a permanent evacuation of the settlers. "This agreement was made between settlers and the army and we have nothing to do with it," Beita's deputy mayor Mussa Hamayel told AFP. "Obviously, as long as any settler, or any soldier, remains on our land, clashes and protests will continue." All Jewish settlements in the West Bank are considered 'illegal' by most of the international community. However, the settlement expansion has proliferated in recent years, with 475,000 Jewish Israelis now living in the West Bank alongside roughly 2.8 million Palestinians. As of now, four Palestinians have been killed by Israeli troops in unrest over Eviatar. Further pressures may emerge as the settlers agitate for a return to the site, where they paved asphalt roads and connected some 50 trailers to electricity and plumbing in the time span of a week.

Israel PM strikes deal for settlers to leave West Bank outpost

Sweden moved closer to a snap election on Monday after fruitless attempts to form a government by both the centre-left and centre-right blocs left Prime Minister Stefan Lofven until the end of the day to resign or call a national vote. 
 
Lofven lost a motion of no-confidence in parliament on June 21 after the Left Party withdrew its support, triggering frenzied talks as both the centre-left and centre-right tried to line up enough support to form a government. 
 
"The decision that will shake up Swedish politics," daily Dagens Nyheter said in its front page headline on Lofven's dilemma. "Deadlock with just hours to go," tabloid Aftonbladet said. 
 
Lofven, a former welder has headed a fragile minority coalition with the Greens since 2018, relying on support from two small centre-right parties and the Left Party to remain in power. 
 
Since then, he has been juggling the goals of the business-friendly Centre and Liberals with that of Sweden's former communist party, finally dropping the ball over reform of the highly regulated rental market. 
 
His mismatched government is a result of the rise of the Sweden Democrats, a party with roots in the far-right fringe, which is now the third biggest in parliament. 
 
The centre-right split over whether to seek a political accord with them after the 2018 elections, with the Centre and Liberals choosing to support their former rivals instead of giving the Sweden Democrats a chance to influence policy. 
 
The Liberals have now changed their minds and returned to the centre-right mainstream. 
 
But even with their support, and that of the Sweden Democrats, the Moderates - the biggest centre-right party - does not have the votes to form a government either. 
 
Lofven has until midnight tonight to either hand in his resignation to the speaker of parliament or to call a snap election. Most commentators see a vote in September as the most likely outcome. 
 
Opinion polls show a general election might not alter the make up of parliament. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Sweden moved closer to a snap election on Monday after fruitless attempts to form a government by both the centre-left and centre-right blocs left Prime Minister Stefan Lofven until the end of the day to resign or call a national vote.

Sweden moved closer to a snap election on Monday after fruitless attempts to form a government by both the centre-left and centre-right blocs left Prime Minister Stefan Lofven until the end of the day to resign or call a national vote. Lofven lost a motion of no-confidence in parliament on June 21 after the Left Party withdrew its support, triggering frenzied talks as both the centre-left and centre-right tried to line up enough support to form a government. "The decision that will shake up Swedish politics," daily Dagens Nyheter said in its front page headline on Lofven's dilemma. "Deadlock with just hours to go," tabloid Aftonbladet said. Lofven, a former welder has headed a fragile minority coalition with the Greens since 2018, relying on support from two small centre-right parties and the Left Party to remain in power. Since then, he has been juggling the goals of the business-friendly Centre and Liberals with that of Sweden's former communist party, finally dropping the ball over reform of the highly regulated rental market. His mismatched government is a result of the rise of the Sweden Democrats, a party with roots in the far-right fringe, which is now the third biggest in parliament. The centre-right split over whether to seek a political accord with them after the 2018 elections, with the Centre and Liberals choosing to support their former rivals instead of giving the Sweden Democrats a chance to influence policy. The Liberals have now changed their minds and returned to the centre-right mainstream. But even with their support, and that of the Sweden Democrats, the Moderates - the biggest centre-right party - does not have the votes to form a government either. Lofven has until midnight tonight to either hand in his resignation to the speaker of parliament or to call a snap election. Most commentators see a vote in September as the most likely outcome. Opinion polls show a general election might not alter the make up of parliament. (With inputs from agencies)

Clock is ticking for Swedish PM Lofven as snap election looms

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Friday, he has asked the pope to come to Canada to apologise for the Catholic Church's role running residential schools for indigenous children, after nearly 1,000 bodies were found in two mass graves. 
 
"I have spoken personally directly with His Holiness Pope Francis to press upon him how important it is not just that he makes an apology but that he makes an apology to indigenous Canadians on Canadian soil," Trudeau told reporters in Ottawa. 
 
"I know that the Catholic church leadership is looking and very actively engaged in what next steps can be taken." 
 
Cowessess First Nation said on Thursday some 751 unmarked graves had been found at the site of Marieval Residential School in Saskatchewan, just weeks after 215 unmarked graves were discovered at a former school in British Columbia. 
 
The residential school system, which operated between 1831 and 1996, removed about 150,000 indigenous children from their families and brought them to Christian residential schools, mostly Catholic, run on behalf of the federal government. 
 
A federal commission's report found the residential school system enacted cultural genocide on Canada's indigenous people. 
 
"I have heard directly from many Catholics across this country who want to see the church play a positive role in this," Trudeau added. 
 
Earlier this month, Pope Francis stopped short of a direct apology but said he was pained by the discovery of the remains of 215 children and called for respect for the rights and cultures of native peoples. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Friday, he has asked the pope to come to Canada to apologise for the Catholic Church's role running residential schools for indigenous children, after nearly 1,000 bodies were found in two mass graves.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Friday, he has asked the pope to come to Canada to apologise for the Catholic Church's role running residential schools for indigenous children, after nearly 1,000 bodies were found in two mass graves. "I have spoken personally directly with His Holiness Pope Francis to press upon him how important it is not just that he makes an apology but that he makes an apology to indigenous Canadians on Canadian soil," Trudeau told reporters in Ottawa. "I know that the Catholic church leadership is looking and very actively engaged in what next steps can be taken." Cowessess First Nation said on Thursday some 751 unmarked graves had been found at the site of Marieval Residential School in Saskatchewan, just weeks after 215 unmarked graves were discovered at a former school in British Columbia. The residential school system, which operated between 1831 and 1996, removed about 150,000 indigenous children from their families and brought them to Christian residential schools, mostly Catholic, run on behalf of the federal government. A federal commission's report found the residential school system enacted cultural genocide on Canada's indigenous people. "I have heard directly from many Catholics across this country who want to see the church play a positive role in this," Trudeau added. Earlier this month, Pope Francis stopped short of a direct apology but said he was pained by the discovery of the remains of 215 children and called for respect for the rights and cultures of native peoples. (With inputs from agencies)

Trudeau says Pope should apologise on Canadian soil for church's role in residential schools

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson rejected calls on Friday to fire his health secretary, after pictures appeared of him embracing and kissing an aide in his office, in what he acknowledged was a breach of coronavirus rules. 
 
The Sun newspaper, which published the photographs of Matt Hancock and the aide on its front page, said the images were taken last month, before the government lifted rules banning intimate contact with people outside a person's household. 
 
The aide had been a friend of Hancock's before she was appointed to his staff. Hancock is married. 
 
"I accept that I breached the social distancing guidance in these circumstances," Hancock said. "I have let people down and am very sorry. I remain focused on working to get the country out of this pandemic, and would be grateful for privacy for my family on this personal matter." 
 
Hancock, 42, has been at the centre of the government's fight against the pandemic, often appearing on television to tell the public to follow strict rules and to defend his department against criticism of its response to the crisis. 
 
A spokesperson for Johnson said the prime minister had accepted Hancock's apology, had full confidence in him, and 'considers the matter closed'. 
 
The opposition Labour Party called on Johnson to fire Hancock and demanded an investigation into whether he breached the code governing the behaviour of ministers. 
 
"This matter is definitely not closed, despite the government's attempts to cover it up," a Labour spokesperson said. "Matt Hancock appears to have been caught breaking the laws he created, while having a secret relationship with an aide he appointed to a taxpayer-funded job."

(With inputs from agencies)

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson rejected calls on Friday to fire his health secretary, after pictures appeared of him embracing and kissing an aide in his office, in what he acknowledged was a breach of coronavirus rules.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson rejected calls on Friday to fire his health secretary, after pictures appeared of him embracing and kissing an aide in his office, in what he acknowledged was a breach of coronavirus rules. The Sun newspaper, which published the photographs of Matt Hancock and the aide on its front page, said the images were taken last month, before the government lifted rules banning intimate contact with people outside a person's household. The aide had been a friend of Hancock's before she was appointed to his staff. Hancock is married. "I accept that I breached the social distancing guidance in these circumstances," Hancock said. "I have let people down and am very sorry. I remain focused on working to get the country out of this pandemic, and would be grateful for privacy for my family on this personal matter." Hancock, 42, has been at the centre of the government's fight against the pandemic, often appearing on television to tell the public to follow strict rules and to defend his department against criticism of its response to the crisis. A spokesperson for Johnson said the prime minister had accepted Hancock's apology, had full confidence in him, and 'considers the matter closed'. The opposition Labour Party called on Johnson to fire Hancock and demanded an investigation into whether he breached the code governing the behaviour of ministers. "This matter is definitely not closed, despite the government's attempts to cover it up," a Labour spokesperson said. "Matt Hancock appears to have been caught breaking the laws he created, while having a secret relationship with an aide he appointed to a taxpayer-funded job." (With inputs from agencies)

UK PM Johnson stands by health secretary, who broke COVID-19 rules by kissing aide

Prime Minister Stefan Lofven looked destined to be the first Swedish premier to be ousted by parliament on Monday after his government's weekend efforts to broker a deal to win back the support of the Left Party fell through. 
 
That would leave Lofven with one week to either resign or call snap elections, unseen in Sweden since 1958. In either case, national elections set for September next year would proceed as planned. 
 
"It is looking like we will have a historic day in parliament," national daily Dagens Nyheter said on its front page. 
 
Lofven secured a second term in 2018 only after months of negotiations following an election in which the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats made big gains to redraw the political map. 
 
A former union boss known for his negotiating skills, Lofven has since led a fragile minority government of Social Democrats and Greens, supported by former political rivals the Centre Party and the Liberals. 
 
While not part of any formal agreement, the government has also needed the tacit backing of the Left Party. That changed last week after the government signaled it would move to ease rent control for new-build apartments, a red flag for the Left.&nbsp; 
 
The formerly communist Left Party demanded that the government withdraw any such plans. 
 
While the Social Democrats and the party's partners took steps to placate the Left over the weekend, the last-gasp moves appeared to have failed to stave off the political crisis. 
 
The motion of no confidence called by the fiercely nationalist Sweden Democrats, set to be voted by parliament at about 0800 GMT, now looks all but certain to gather the votes needed to oust Lofven. 
 
Economists have said they do not expect the political uncertainty to weigh on the economy, given the strict fiscal rules under which the country operates.

Prime Minister Stefan Lofven looked destined to be the first Swedish premier to be ousted by parliament on Monday after his government's weekend efforts to broker a deal to win back the support of the Left Party fell through.

Prime Minister Stefan Lofven looked destined to be the first Swedish premier to be ousted by parliament on Monday after his government's weekend efforts to broker a deal to win back the support of the Left Party fell through. That would leave Lofven with one week to either resign or call snap elections, unseen in Sweden since 1958. In either case, national elections set for September next year would proceed as planned. "It is looking like we will have a historic day in parliament," national daily Dagens Nyheter said on its front page. Lofven secured a second term in 2018 only after months of negotiations following an election in which the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats made big gains to redraw the political map. A former union boss known for his negotiating skills, Lofven has since led a fragile minority government of Social Democrats and Greens, supported by former political rivals the Centre Party and the Liberals. While not part of any formal agreement, the government has also needed the tacit backing of the Left Party. That changed last week after the government signaled it would move to ease rent control for new-build apartments, a red flag for the Left. The formerly communist Left Party demanded that the government withdraw any such plans. While the Social Democrats and the party's partners took steps to placate the Left over the weekend, the last-gasp moves appeared to have failed to stave off the political crisis. The motion of no confidence called by the fiercely nationalist Sweden Democrats, set to be voted by parliament at about 0800 GMT, now looks all but certain to gather the votes needed to oust Lofven. Economists have said they do not expect the political uncertainty to weigh on the economy, given the strict fiscal rules under which the country operates.

Swedish PM on the brink as parliament readies Monday no-confidence vote

Armenia's acting prime minister, Nikol Pashinyan, claimed victory in a parliamentary election on Sunday after his Civil Contract party took an early lead as votes were counted. 
 
With 30% of results declared, Pashinyan's party had 58.52% of the vote, compared with 18.56% for former President Robert Kocharyan's Armenia Alliance, the RIA news agency reported, citing the Central Election Commission (CEC). 
 
"Not all the votes have been counted yet, but it is clear that we will have a convincing majority," Interfax quoted Pashinyan as saying early on Monday. 
 
Kocharyan's bloc questioned the credibility of the preliminary results, the Sputnik media outlet reported. 
 
Opinion polls had put the two parties neck and neck in a snap election the government called to try to end a political crisis that erupted after ethnic Armenian forces lost a six-week war against Azerbaijan last year and ceded territory in and around the Nagorno-Karabakh region. 
 
Pashinyan has since been under pressure, with regular street protests demanding he step down over the terms of the peace agreement that ended the conflict. Under the deal, which was brokered by Russia, Azerbaijan regained control of territory it had lost during a war in the early 1990s. 
 
Pashinyan himself described the agreement as a disaster, but said he had been compelled to sign it in order to prevent greater human and territorial losses. 
 
Whoever forms a majority in the south Caucasus country's parliament gets to elect the prime minister, who is nominated by the president. 
 
There were 319 reports of voting irregularities, RIA reported, citing the general prosecutor's office. The CEC said elections were largely in line with legal norms. 
 
The Defence Ministry rejected allegations that servicemen were being forced to vote, saying conscripts voting in groups was systematically beneficial and that it was continuing to monitor the voting process. 
 
Nationwide turnout stood at 49.4% when polls closed at 1600 GMT, RIA reported.

Armenia, which hosts a Russian military base, is a close ally of Moscow, although Pashinyan, who came to power on the back of street protests and on an anti-corruption agenda in 2018, has had cooler relations with the Kremlin. 
 
Turkey, which supported Azerbaijan in last year's conflict, will also be watching closely. 
 
Kocharyan is a native of Nagorno-Karabakh. The enclave is internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan but has long been claimed by its mainly ethnic Armenian population. 
 
Kocharyan was president of Armenia from 1998 to 2008 and was accused of acting unlawfully when he introduced a state of emergency in March 2008 after a disputed election. At least 10 people were killed in the clashes that followed between police and protesters. 
 
In a recent interview with Russia's RT TV channel, Kocharyan accused Armenia's leadership of inaction during last year's war and pledged to start negotiations on Nagorno-Karabakh's borders if he came to power. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Armenia's acting prime minister, Nikol Pashinyan, claimed victory in a parliamentary election on Sunday after his Civil Contract party took an early lead as votes were counted.

Armenia's acting prime minister, Nikol Pashinyan, claimed victory in a parliamentary election on Sunday after his Civil Contract party took an early lead as votes were counted. With 30% of results declared, Pashinyan's party had 58.52% of the vote, compared with 18.56% for former President Robert Kocharyan's Armenia Alliance, the RIA news agency reported, citing the Central Election Commission (CEC). "Not all the votes have been counted yet, but it is clear that we will have a convincing majority," Interfax quoted Pashinyan as saying early on Monday. Kocharyan's bloc questioned the credibility of the preliminary results, the Sputnik media outlet reported. Opinion polls had put the two parties neck and neck in a snap election the government called to try to end a political crisis that erupted after ethnic Armenian forces lost a six-week war against Azerbaijan last year and ceded territory in and around the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Pashinyan has since been under pressure, with regular street protests demanding he step down over the terms of the peace agreement that ended the conflict. Under the deal, which was brokered by Russia, Azerbaijan regained control of territory it had lost during a war in the early 1990s. Pashinyan himself described the agreement as a disaster, but said he had been compelled to sign it in order to prevent greater human and territorial losses. Whoever forms a majority in the south Caucasus country's parliament gets to elect the prime minister, who is nominated by the president. There were 319 reports of voting irregularities, RIA reported, citing the general prosecutor's office. The CEC said elections were largely in line with legal norms. The Defence Ministry rejected allegations that servicemen were being forced to vote, saying conscripts voting in groups was systematically beneficial and that it was continuing to monitor the voting process. Nationwide turnout stood at 49.4% when polls closed at 1600 GMT, RIA reported. Armenia, which hosts a Russian military base, is a close ally of Moscow, although Pashinyan, who came to power on the back of street protests and on an anti-corruption agenda in 2018, has had cooler relations with the Kremlin. Turkey, which supported Azerbaijan in last year's conflict, will also be watching closely. Kocharyan is a native of Nagorno-Karabakh. The enclave is internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan but has long been claimed by its mainly ethnic Armenian population. Kocharyan was president of Armenia from 1998 to 2008 and was accused of acting unlawfully when he introduced a state of emergency in March 2008 after a disputed election. At least 10 people were killed in the clashes that followed between police and protesters. In a recent interview with Russia's RT TV channel, Kocharyan accused Armenia's leadership of inaction during last year's war and pledged to start negotiations on Nagorno-Karabakh's borders if he came to power. (With inputs from agencies)

Armenia's acting PM claims victory as party takes early lead in parliamentary election

Barnaby Joyce will be Australia's new deputy prime minister after winning a leadership contest in the government's junior coalition partner on Monday, local media reported. 
 
Joyce was previously Australia's deputy prime minister from 2016 to 2018 but resigned after a row over an extramarital affair with a former staff member. 
 
Meanwhile, Australian states and territories will get more doses of COVID-19 vaccines soon, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Monday, as authorities look to avoid further delays in an immunisation drive that has hit several roadblocks.

Australian states have been asking for increased supplies of vaccines after Australia last week announced a policy shift that recommended AstraZeneca shots for people only above 60 years due to clot concerns, throwing the rollout into disarray.

"They are all getting additional doses ... it scales up again in July when the additional Pfizer doses go out," Morrison told radio station 2GB on Monday. Morrison did not specify the number of shots each state would get.

Australia's nationwide vaccination programme missed several initial targets due to patchy international vaccine supplies while changing medical advice on AstraZeneca doses further slowed down an already sluggish programme.

Only 4% of Australia's adult population of 20 million have been fully vaccinated while more than 25% have had at least their first dose.

To accelerate the rollout drive, the federal government plans to distribute around 2.3 million doses of Pfizer vaccine in June to the states and territories, and looks to ramp it up to 3.4 million through July.

Australia has to rely on overseas shipments for its Pfizer shots while the AstraZeneca ones are produced locally.

Morrison has called a meeting of the national cabinet, the group of federal, state and territory leaders, on Monday, three weeks earlier than scheduled amid the turmoil in its vaccination programme. The next meeting was scheduled on July 9.

The government's promise of more doses for states come as New South Wales (NSW), Australia's most populous state, fights to contain a latest outbreak, which grew to nine cases over the weekend.

Victoria state on Monday reported one new locally acquired case linked to an existing cluster while Queensland, which reported one new infection on Sunday, reported no new cases. NSW is expected to report its latest numbers later on Monday.

(With inputs from agencies)

Barnaby Joyce will be Australia's new deputy prime minister after winning a leadership contest in the government's junior coalition partner on Monday, local media reported.

Barnaby Joyce will be Australia's new deputy prime minister after winning a leadership contest in the government's junior coalition partner on Monday, local media reported. Joyce was previously Australia's deputy prime minister from 2016 to 2018 but resigned after a row over an extramarital affair with a former staff member. Meanwhile, Australian states and territories will get more doses of COVID-19 vaccines soon, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Monday, as authorities look to avoid further delays in an immunisation drive that has hit several roadblocks. Australian states have been asking for increased supplies of vaccines after Australia last week announced a policy shift that recommended AstraZeneca shots for people only above 60 years due to clot concerns, throwing the rollout into disarray. "They are all getting additional doses ... it scales up again in July when the additional Pfizer doses go out," Morrison told radio station 2GB on Monday. Morrison did not specify the number of shots each state would get. Australia's nationwide vaccination programme missed several initial targets due to patchy international vaccine supplies while changing medical advice on AstraZeneca doses further slowed down an already sluggish programme. Only 4% of Australia's adult population of 20 million have been fully vaccinated while more than 25% have had at least their first dose. To accelerate the rollout drive, the federal government plans to distribute around 2.3 million doses of Pfizer vaccine in June to the states and territories, and looks to ramp it up to 3.4 million through July. Australia has to rely on overseas shipments for its Pfizer shots while the AstraZeneca ones are produced locally. Morrison has called a meeting of the national cabinet, the group of federal, state and territory leaders, on Monday, three weeks earlier than scheduled amid the turmoil in its vaccination programme. The next meeting was scheduled on July 9. The government's promise of more doses for states come as New South Wales (NSW), Australia's most populous state, fights to contain a latest outbreak, which grew to nine cases over the weekend. Victoria state on Monday reported one new locally acquired case linked to an existing cluster while Queensland, which reported one new infection on Sunday, reported no new cases. NSW is expected to report its latest numbers later on Monday. (With inputs from agencies)

Barnaby Joyce to be Australia's new deputy prime minister: Reports

A new survey by an American data intelligence firm, Morning Consult reveals that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi continues to do better than various other global leaders in terms of approval ratings.

A new survey by an American data intelligence firm, Morning Consult reveals that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi continues to do better than various other global leaders in terms of approval ratings. As per the firm, the daily global survey data relies on a seven-day moving average of all adults in a given country with a +/- 1-3 per cent margin of error. All the survey interviews were conducted online and among nationally representative samples of adults. In India, the sample was representative of the literate population. PM Narendra Modi’s global approval ratings have stood at 66 per cent. This comes after a decline in popularity ratings during the devastating second wave of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic. This rating is considered to be better than various other world leaders of over 13 countries including the US, UK, Russia, Australia, France, Canada, Brazil and Germany. However, the rating has fallen by 9 per cent as it was 75 per cent a year ago. Also Read | Farhan Akhtar pens heartfelt note on legendary sprinter Milkha Singh's demise The survey had a sample size of over 2,126 adults in India and was last updated on June 17. As per the survey, about 28 per cent disapproved of PM Modi, up from what was 20 per cent a year ago. The prime minister’s approval rating was at 84 per cent on May 2-3, 2020. Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi finished second in terms of the global approval rating at 65 per cent, followed by Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador at 63 per cent. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison stood at fourth position with 54 per cent, followed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel with 53 per cent. The US President Joe Biden had 53 per cent approval rating, while Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with 48 per cent, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson with 44 per cent, South Korean President Moon Jae-In with 37 per cent, followed by Spanish Spain Pedro Sánchez with 36 per cent, Brazilian President Jaire Bolsonaro with 35 per cent, French President Emmanuel Macron with 35 per cent and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga with 29 per cent.

PM Modi’s approval rating highest among world leaders at 66%, says survey

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to announce on Monday that the end of COVID-19 restrictions will be delayed following concern about the rapid rise of infections of the Delta variant of the coronavirus. 
 
Under a roadmap outlined by Johnson back in February, the government signalled all social restrictions imposed to control the spread of the disease would be lifted 'no earlier' than June 21, when pubs, clubs and other hospitality venues could fully reopen. 
 
But, in recent weeks there has been a fast growth again in the number of new cases caused by the Delta variant, first discovered in India, which health officials believe to be 60% more transmissible than the previous dominant strain and scientists warn could trigger a third wave of infections. 
 
Johnson has refused to deny suggestions in the British media that the end of lockdown would be delayed by up to a month, saying in recent days there was 'serious concern' about rising infections and hospitalisations. 
 
"We're continuing to look at the data, no final decision has been taken and the right time to fill everybody in on what we're going to do with ... June the 21st is tomorrow," Johnson told reporters at the conclusion of the Group of Seven leader's summit on Sunday. 
 
"That's when we'll be putting out the whole package of information so that everybody can see it together." 
 
On Sunday, Britain recorded 7,490 new COVID-19 cases and eight deaths, with the number of new infections rising almost 50% between June 7 and 13 compared with the previous week. Hospitalisations were up 15% between June 2 and 8 compared with the previous seven days. 
 
The government has stressed any easing of restrictions would be irreversible, meaning it would always act with caution. 
 
The hesitancy comes despite Britain having one of the fastest rollouts of COVID-19 vaccinations in the world, with more than 41 million people having had their first shot. Nearly 30 million receiving both doses - about 56% of the adult population. 
 
Foreign minister Dominic Raab said the critical issue was data on the link between transmission of the virus and hospitalisations. 
 
"We know we've made great progress and weakening the link between transmission ... and hospitalisation and of course those who are more seriously sick," he told BBC TV on Sunday. "The question is whether we've severed and broken it." 
 
Hospitality bosses have said there must be more government support for businesses to keep them afloat if the lockdown restrictions are kept in place. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to announce on Monday that the end of COVID-19 restrictions will be delayed following concern about the rapid rise of infections of the Delta variant of the coronavirus.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to announce on Monday that the end of COVID-19 restrictions will be delayed following concern about the rapid rise of infections of the Delta variant of the coronavirus. Under a roadmap outlined by Johnson back in February, the government signalled all social restrictions imposed to control the spread of the disease would be lifted 'no earlier' than June 21, when pubs, clubs and other hospitality venues could fully reopen. But, in recent weeks there has been a fast growth again in the number of new cases caused by the Delta variant, first discovered in India, which health officials believe to be 60% more transmissible than the previous dominant strain and scientists warn could trigger a third wave of infections. Johnson has refused to deny suggestions in the British media that the end of lockdown would be delayed by up to a month, saying in recent days there was 'serious concern' about rising infections and hospitalisations. "We're continuing to look at the data, no final decision has been taken and the right time to fill everybody in on what we're going to do with ... June the 21st is tomorrow," Johnson told reporters at the conclusion of the Group of Seven leader's summit on Sunday. "That's when we'll be putting out the whole package of information so that everybody can see it together." On Sunday, Britain recorded 7,490 new COVID-19 cases and eight deaths, with the number of new infections rising almost 50% between June 7 and 13 compared with the previous week. Hospitalisations were up 15% between June 2 and 8 compared with the previous seven days. The government has stressed any easing of restrictions would be irreversible, meaning it would always act with caution. The hesitancy comes despite Britain having one of the fastest rollouts of COVID-19 vaccinations in the world, with more than 41 million people having had their first shot. Nearly 30 million receiving both doses - about 56% of the adult population. Foreign minister Dominic Raab said the critical issue was data on the link between transmission of the virus and hospitalisations. "We know we've made great progress and weakening the link between transmission ... and hospitalisation and of course those who are more seriously sick," he told BBC TV on Sunday. "The question is whether we've severed and broken it." Hospitality bosses have said there must be more government support for businesses to keep them afloat if the lockdown restrictions are kept in place. (With inputs from agencies)

UK PM set to announce delay to end of COVID-19 restrictions

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday that New Zealand's Muslim community should be the focus of any film about the Christchurch mosque attacks after some people raised objections to a movie focussing on her response to the bloodshed. 
 
A film called 'They Are Us' is being planned about the attacks on two mosques by a white supremacist gunman on March 15, 2019, in which 51 people were killed, the Hollywood Reporter said last week. 
 
The magazine described the film as an 'inspirational story' about Ardern's response to the violence. 
 
Ardern's office said last week, she and the government had no involvement with the film. Asked about it at a news conference, she said the Muslim community should be at the centre of any film about the shootings, not her. 
 
"This is very raw event for New Zealand and even more so for the community that experienced it," Ardern said. 
 
"I agree that there are stories that at some point should be told from March 15. But they are the stories from our Muslim community so they need to be at the centre of that. I don't consider mine to be one of the stories that needs to be told," she said. 
 
She said, however, it was not for her to say whether a project should go ahead or not. 
 
The film's title is drawn from Ardern's words on the day of the shootings. The 40-year-old leader's compassionate response united her shocked country and was praised globally. 
 
New Zealander Andrew Niccol would write and direct the film, the Hollywood Reporter said. It quoted him as saying it was not so much about the attacks but Ardern's handling of it. 
 
But some Muslims questioned the plan to make a film when the pain of victims' families, friends and the wider community was still so raw. They also questioned the plan to focus the film on the prime minister and not the victims. 
 
Muslim community advocate Guled Mire told the 1 NEWS network that he thought the film was 'distasteful'. 
 
"It completely feeds into this white saviour mentality," he said. 
 
Armed with high-capacity semi-automatic weapons, Australian Brenton Tarrant killed the 51 people and injured dozens when he opened fire in the two mosques during Friday prayers in Christchurch. 
 
Tarrant was last year sentenced to life in prison without parole. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday that New Zealand's Muslim community should be the focus of any film about the Christchurch mosque attacks after some people raised objections to a movie focussing on her response to the bloodshed.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday that New Zealand's Muslim community should be the focus of any film about the Christchurch mosque attacks after some people raised objections to a movie focussing on her response to the bloodshed. A film called 'They Are Us' is being planned about the attacks on two mosques by a white supremacist gunman on March 15, 2019, in which 51 people were killed, the Hollywood Reporter said last week. The magazine described the film as an 'inspirational story' about Ardern's response to the violence. Ardern's office said last week, she and the government had no involvement with the film. Asked about it at a news conference, she said the Muslim community should be at the centre of any film about the shootings, not her. "This is very raw event for New Zealand and even more so for the community that experienced it," Ardern said. "I agree that there are stories that at some point should be told from March 15. But they are the stories from our Muslim community so they need to be at the centre of that. I don't consider mine to be one of the stories that needs to be told," she said. She said, however, it was not for her to say whether a project should go ahead or not. The film's title is drawn from Ardern's words on the day of the shootings. The 40-year-old leader's compassionate response united her shocked country and was praised globally. New Zealander Andrew Niccol would write and direct the film, the Hollywood Reporter said. It quoted him as saying it was not so much about the attacks but Ardern's handling of it. But some Muslims questioned the plan to make a film when the pain of victims' families, friends and the wider community was still so raw. They also questioned the plan to focus the film on the prime minister and not the victims. Muslim community advocate Guled Mire told the 1 NEWS network that he thought the film was 'distasteful'. "It completely feeds into this white saviour mentality," he said. Armed with high-capacity semi-automatic weapons, Australian Brenton Tarrant killed the 51 people and injured dozens when he opened fire in the two mosques during Friday prayers in Christchurch. Tarrant was last year sentenced to life in prison without parole. (With inputs from agencies)

Ardern says New Zealand mosque attack film should focus on Muslim community, not her

Israel celebrates Naftali Bennett's victory, beginning of a new era

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday gave his strongest hint till now that lifting of all coronavirus restrictions would be delayed. Concerns over spread of the new variant is causing the delay.

The Delta variant has caused a surge in Covid cases in Britain, throwing into doubt government plans to ease curbs from June 21.

Johnson said that the spread was a matter of "serious, serious concern". He was speaking on the sidelines of G7 leaders' summit in England.

As per reports, the government&nbsp;may announce a delay of up to four weeks.

Asked if he was less optimistic than he was at the end of May that restrictions could be eased as planned, a downbeat Johnson responded: "Yes, that's certainly fair."

He added that while some data was "still open to question", a formal announcement would come on Monday.

On Friday, the government said the Delta variant was 60 percent more transmissible in households than the variant that forced the country into its last complete lockdown in January.

The research from Public Health England also showed there had been 42,323 identified cases of the Delta variant in the UK, according to data -- up from 29,892 on June 2.

The Alpha variant, first identified in Kent, southeast England, drove a huge surge of Covid cases in January, and hit early in Britain's mass vaccination campaign.

It caused a wave of Covid cases that stretched the state-run National Health Service (NHS) close to breaking point.&nbsp;

Johnson said the current situation was "dramatically different from what it was in either of the first two waves of the pandemic" because of what he called the "effectiveness of the vaccine rollout".

Faced with the Delta variant, the UK has stepped up its vaccine programme, and has now administered nearly 71 million jabs, with over 40 percent of the total population fully vaccinated.

(With inputs from agencies)

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday gave his strongest hint till now that lifting of all coronavirus restrictions would be delayed. Concerns over spread of the new variant is causing the delay.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday gave his strongest hint till now that lifting of all coronavirus restrictions would be delayed. Concerns over spread of the new variant is causing the delay. The Delta variant has caused a surge in Covid cases in Britain, throwing into doubt government plans to ease curbs from June 21. Johnson said that the spread was a matter of "serious, serious concern". He was speaking on the sidelines of G7 leaders' summit in England. As per reports, the government may announce a delay of up to four weeks. Asked if he was less optimistic than he was at the end of May that restrictions could be eased as planned, a downbeat Johnson responded: "Yes, that's certainly fair." He added that while some data was "still open to question", a formal announcement would come on Monday. On Friday, the government said the Delta variant was 60 percent more transmissible in households than the variant that forced the country into its last complete lockdown in January. The research from Public Health England also showed there had been 42,323 identified cases of the Delta variant in the UK, according to data -- up from 29,892 on June 2. The Alpha variant, first identified in Kent, southeast England, drove a huge surge of Covid cases in January, and hit early in Britain's mass vaccination campaign. It caused a wave of Covid cases that stretched the state-run National Health Service (NHS) close to breaking point. Johnson said the current situation was "dramatically different from what it was in either of the first two waves of the pandemic" because of what he called the "effectiveness of the vaccine rollout". Faced with the Delta variant, the UK has stepped up its vaccine programme, and has now administered nearly 71 million jabs, with over 40 percent of the total population fully vaccinated. (With inputs from agencies)

Johnson hints at delay in lifting coronavirus curbs

European Union leaders will threaten British Prime Minister Boris Johnson with a trade war over Northern Ireland, The Times reported on Friday, without citing sources. 
 
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron will use one-to-one meetings with Johnson on Saturday to demand that Britain honours the terms of the Brexit deal in relation to Northern Ireland, The Times reported. 
 
Downing Street said that Johnson would dismiss the EU’s threats and make clear he was ready to override a key part of the agreement this month unless the bloc backs down, The Times reported.

European Union leaders will threaten British Prime Minister Boris Johnson with a trade war over Northern Ireland, The Times reported on Friday, without citing sources.

European Union leaders will threaten British Prime Minister Boris Johnson with a trade war over Northern Ireland, The Times reported on Friday, without citing sources. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron will use one-to-one meetings with Johnson on Saturday to demand that Britain honours the terms of the Brexit deal in relation to Northern Ireland, The Times reported. Downing Street said that Johnson would dismiss the EU’s threats and make clear he was ready to override a key part of the agreement this month unless the bloc backs down, The Times reported.

EU leaders to threaten UK PM with trade war over Northern Ireland: The Times

The UK's chief negotiator called on the European Union to show 'pragmatism and common sense',&nbsp;instead of threatening to retaliate, as the two sides meet to resolve differences over the deal that was supposed to keep trade flowing after Brexit.

David Frost made the comments after his EU counterpart said the bloc was ready to act 'firmly and resolutely' if the UK fails to honor its commitments under the divorce agreement.

The two men are scheduled to meet on Wednesday in London amid rising tensions over implementation of the deal in Northern Ireland, the only part of the UK that shares a land border with the bloc.

Central to the talks are provisions of the deal that effectively created a customs border between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, angering many pro-British residents of the island.

While Britain has called for compromise, the EU says the new rules are needed to protect the bloc's single market. Both sides fear the tensions could fuel a return to violence in Northern Ireland.

"Further threats of legal action and trade retaliation from the EU won't make life any easier for the shopper in Strabane, who can't buy their favorite product," Frost said, referring to a town in Northern Ireland.

"What is needed is pragmatism and common sense solutions to resolve the issues as they are before us. This work is important, and it is ever more urgent."

The divorce deal, which took effect on January&nbsp;1, included a number of grace periods that gave Britain time to put in place new systems to check a variety of goods coming into Northern Ireland to ensure they comply with EU rules. Those grace periods are now ending, causing headaches for businesses and consumers in Northern Ireland.

The UK angered Brussels earlier this year when it unilaterally extended the grace period covering many supermarket items, delaying the required inspections for six months. The EU has threatened legal action over that decision.

The Daily Telegraph, a British newspaper, reported on Tuesday that the UK may also extend the grace period covering chilled meats such as sausages and ground beef, which is scheduled to end at the end of this month.

Maros Sefcovic, the EU's chief negotiator, cautioned against such action, saying the two sides should strive to achieve 'mutually agreed compliance paths'.

"If this does not happen, and if the UK takes further unilateral action over the coming weeks, the EU will not be shy in reacting swiftly, firmly and resolutely to ensure that the UK abides by its international law obligations," Sefcovic wrote on Tuesday in the Telegraph.

While Sefcovic didn't specify what those actions might be, the Times of London quoted an unidentified EU official as saying the bloc was ready to impose trade sanctions and retaliatory tariffs.

Sefcovic described the so-called Northern Ireland protocol as an opportunity that will give the region access to more than 500 million customers in both the UK and European Union. But Frost said compromise is needed to make this a reality.

The UK has sent 10 papers to the EU offering solutions to many of the issues that divide the two sides, but has received no written responses from the bloc, he said.

"When I meet Maros Sefcovic later today my message will be clear: time is short and practical solutions are needed now to make the Protocol work," Frost said.

Britain accused the EU of taking an unnecessarily 'purist approach' to the new rules. "There's no case whatsoever for preventing chilled meats from being sold in Northern Ireland," said Prime Minister Boris Johnson's spokesman, Max Blain.

"We are working very hard to try and resolve these issues consensually. Time is starting to run out and solutions are urgently needed," he added.

(With inputs from agencies)

The UK's chief negotiator called on the European Union to show 'pragmatism and common sense', instead of threatening to retaliate, as the two sides meet to resolve differences over the deal that was supposed to keep trade flowing after Brexit.

The UK's chief negotiator called on the European Union to show 'pragmatism and common sense', instead of threatening to retaliate, as the two sides meet to resolve differences over the deal that was supposed to keep trade flowing after Brexit. David Frost made the comments after his EU counterpart said the bloc was ready to act 'firmly and resolutely' if the UK fails to honor its commitments under the divorce agreement. The two men are scheduled to meet on Wednesday in London amid rising tensions over implementation of the deal in Northern Ireland, the only part of the UK that shares a land border with the bloc. Central to the talks are provisions of the deal that effectively created a customs border between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, angering many pro-British residents of the island. While Britain has called for compromise, the EU says the new rules are needed to protect the bloc's single market. Both sides fear the tensions could fuel a return to violence in Northern Ireland. "Further threats of legal action and trade retaliation from the EU won't make life any easier for the shopper in Strabane, who can't buy their favorite product," Frost said, referring to a town in Northern Ireland. "What is needed is pragmatism and common sense solutions to resolve the issues as they are before us. This work is important, and it is ever more urgent." The divorce deal, which took effect on January 1, included a number of grace periods that gave Britain time to put in place new systems to check a variety of goods coming into Northern Ireland to ensure they comply with EU rules. Those grace periods are now ending, causing headaches for businesses and consumers in Northern Ireland. The UK angered Brussels earlier this year when it unilaterally extended the grace period covering many supermarket items, delaying the required inspections for six months. The EU has threatened legal action over that decision. The Daily Telegraph, a British newspaper, reported on Tuesday that the UK may also extend the grace period covering chilled meats such as sausages and ground beef, which is scheduled to end at the end of this month. Maros Sefcovic, the EU's chief negotiator, cautioned against such action, saying the two sides should strive to achieve 'mutually agreed compliance paths'. "If this does not happen, and if the UK takes further unilateral action over the coming weeks, the EU will not be shy in reacting swiftly, firmly and resolutely to ensure that the UK abides by its international law obligations," Sefcovic wrote on Tuesday in the Telegraph. While Sefcovic didn't specify what those actions might be, the Times of London quoted an unidentified EU official as saying the bloc was ready to impose trade sanctions and retaliatory tariffs. Sefcovic described the so-called Northern Ireland protocol as an opportunity that will give the region access to more than 500 million customers in both the UK and European Union. But Frost said compromise is needed to make this a reality. The UK has sent 10 papers to the EU offering solutions to many of the issues that divide the two sides, but has received no written responses from the bloc, he said. "When I meet Maros Sefcovic later today my message will be clear: time is short and practical solutions are needed now to make the Protocol work," Frost said. Britain accused the EU of taking an unnecessarily 'purist approach' to the new rules. "There's no case whatsoever for preventing chilled meats from being sold in Northern Ireland," said Prime Minister Boris Johnson's spokesman, Max Blain. "We are working very hard to try and resolve these issues consensually. Time is starting to run out and solutions are urgently needed," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

UK urges EU to show 'common sense' in post-Brexit talks

The Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda has started investigations into the alleged abduction of absconding diamantaire Mehul Choksi to neighbouring Dominica on a complaint filed by his lawyers, Prime Minister Gaston Browne told a local media outlet.

Browne said that Choksi's lawyers gave the names of people involved in the alleged abduction to the police commissioner in a complaint, the Antigua News Room reported.

The Antigua and Barbuda prime minister also said that if the claims are true, then it is a serious matter. Browne said police are taking the complaint seriously, the report said.

<img alt="Mehul" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3be56e0b-a41d-458b-8a61-d0e98aeb77e8" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Mehul%20Choksi%201.jpg" />

"Choksi has filed a complaint with the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda to the extant that he was abducted. He made a formal claim through his attorneys that he was abducted from Antigua and taken to Dominica so it is a report that police is taking seriously and they are currently investigating the abduction," Browne said.

Another report in the Associates Times poked holes in the theory of Dominica opposition leader Lennox Linton, who had reportedly claimed that Choksi was brought to Dominica in the Yacht Calliope of Arne around 10 pm on May 23.

The family of Choksi had claimed that he was in Antigua till 5 pm on May 23, which makes it impossible to cover a 120-mile distance in four to five hours, which approximately takes about 12-13 hours, the publication said.

The report said that according to Customs document, the boat had left Antigua at 10 am on May 23, whereas Choksi's domestic staff had said that he was in his residence till 5 pm, which indicates that Choksi did not travel by the boat which Linton is claiming.

It quoted unnamed doctors of the Dominica China Friendship Hospital, where Choksi is admitted, that a nail injury cited by his lawyers is an old one while other bruises could be new and could have been caused by even by a "slight push".

Choksi had mysteriously gone missing on May 23 from Antigua and Barbuda where he has been staying since 2018 as a citizen. He was detained in the neighbouring island country, Dominica, for illegal entry after a possible romantic escapade with his rumoured girlfriend.

His lawyers alleged that he was kidnapped from Jolly Harbour in Antigua by policemen looking Antiguan and Indian and brought to Dominica on a boat.

Choksi was brought before a Roseau magistrate, on the orders of the Dominica high court, to answer charges of illegal entry where he pleaded not guilty but was denied bail.

He was admitted in the Dominica China Friendship Hospital. The Dominica High Court has adjourned the hearing of the habeas corpus petition filed by his lawyers.

Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi had fled India in the first week of January 2018 weeks before Rs 13,500 crore scam in Punjab National Bank (PNB) rocked the Indian banking industry.

The duo allegedly bribed the officials of the state-run bank to get Letters of Undertaking (LoU) on the basis of which they availed from overseas banks which remained unpaid.

The allegedly corrupt officials did not enter these LoUs in the core banking software of PNB, thus evading any scrutiny. The non-payment of these LoUs or bank guarantees worth Rs 13,500 crore resulted in default and became a liability on bank.

Modi escaped to Europe and was finally held in London where he is contesting his extradition to India while Choksi took citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda in 2017 where he had been staying since his escape from Delhi.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda has started investigations into the alleged abduction of absconding diamantaire Mehul Choksi to neighbouring Dominica on a complaint filed by his lawyers, Prime Minister Gaston Browne told a local media outlet.

The Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda has started investigations into the alleged abduction of absconding diamantaire Mehul Choksi to neighbouring Dominica on a complaint filed by his lawyers, Prime Minister Gaston Browne told a local media outlet. Browne said that Choksi's lawyers gave the names of people involved in the alleged abduction to the police commissioner in a complaint, the Antigua News Room reported. The Antigua and Barbuda prime minister also said that if the claims are true, then it is a serious matter. Browne said police are taking the complaint seriously, the report said. "Choksi has filed a complaint with the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda to the extant that he was abducted. He made a formal claim through his attorneys that he was abducted from Antigua and taken to Dominica so it is a report that police is taking seriously and they are currently investigating the abduction," Browne said. Another report in the Associates Times poked holes in the theory of Dominica opposition leader Lennox Linton, who had reportedly claimed that Choksi was brought to Dominica in the Yacht Calliope of Arne around 10 pm on May 23. The family of Choksi had claimed that he was in Antigua till 5 pm on May 23, which makes it impossible to cover a 120-mile distance in four to five hours, which approximately takes about 12-13 hours, the publication said. The report said that according to Customs document, the boat had left Antigua at 10 am on May 23, whereas Choksi's domestic staff had said that he was in his residence till 5 pm, which indicates that Choksi did not travel by the boat which Linton is claiming. It quoted unnamed doctors of the Dominica China Friendship Hospital, where Choksi is admitted, that a nail injury cited by his lawyers is an old one while other bruises could be new and could have been caused by even by a "slight push". Choksi had mysteriously gone missing on May 23 from Antigua and Barbuda where he has been staying since 2018 as a citizen. He was detained in the neighbouring island country, Dominica, for illegal entry after a possible romantic escapade with his rumoured girlfriend. His lawyers alleged that he was kidnapped from Jolly Harbour in Antigua by policemen looking Antiguan and Indian and brought to Dominica on a boat. Choksi was brought before a Roseau magistrate, on the orders of the Dominica high court, to answer charges of illegal entry where he pleaded not guilty but was denied bail. He was admitted in the Dominica China Friendship Hospital. The Dominica High Court has adjourned the hearing of the habeas corpus petition filed by his lawyers. Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi had fled India in the first week of January 2018 weeks before Rs 13,500 crore scam in Punjab National Bank (PNB) rocked the Indian banking industry. The duo allegedly bribed the officials of the state-run bank to get Letters of Undertaking (LoU) on the basis of which they availed from overseas banks which remained unpaid. The allegedly corrupt officials did not enter these LoUs in the core banking software of PNB, thus evading any scrutiny. The non-payment of these LoUs or bank guarantees worth Rs 13,500 crore resulted in default and became a liability on bank. Modi escaped to Europe and was finally held in London where he is contesting his extradition to India while Choksi took citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda in 2017 where he had been staying since his escape from Delhi. (With inputs from agencies)

Antigua police has started investigating Choksi's 'abduction': PM Gaston Browne

Nepal's embattled Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli has said that 'misunderstandings' with India have been resolved and that the two countries should move forward looking at the future, asserting that neighbours share both love and problems.

In a recent interview to BBC Hindi Service, Oli accepted the fact that once, there were misunderstandings between the two neighbours. However, he did not elaborate on those issues.

Oli, in a televised address to the nation last month, said that the outstanding issues relating to the border issue with India will be resolved through diplomatic channels on the basis of historical accords, maps and factual documents.

He told BBC: "Yes, there were misunderstandings at one time, but now those misunderstandings are gone. We should not be stuck in past misunderstandings but move forward looking at the future. We have to pursue a positive relationship,"&nbsp;the 69-year-old Nepal Prime Minister, now heading a minority government, said.

Nepal's Opposition alliance has approached the Supreme Court against the 'unconstitutional' move of President Bidya Devi Bhandari to dissolve the House of Representatives and fresh elections on the recommendation of Prime Minister Oli.

Nepal has a unique relationship with India, unlike with any other country, Oli said. "Neighbours share both love and problems. Don't people in Chile or Argentina have a problem," he asked.

Ties between India and Nepal came under severe strain after Nepal last year published the new political map that showed three Indian territories - Limpiyadhura, Kalapani and Lipulekh - as part of Nepal.

After Nepal released the map, India reacted sharply, calling it a 'unilateral act' and cautioning Kathmandu that such 'artificial enlargement' of territorial claims will not be acceptable to it.

India said that Nepal's action violated an understanding reached between the two countries to resolve the boundary issues through talks. The bilateral exchanges that had stalled due to the bitter boundary dispute were reset in the later part of 2020 with a series of high-level visits, as New Delhi emphasised that it sees itself as the Himalayan nation's 'foremost friend' and development partner.

Then Nepalese Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali visited New Delhi in January this year and held wide-ranging talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar covering the entire expanse of bilateral ties.

Gyawali said both the countries have a common commitment to resolve the issue. "We have the common commitment to resolve it. The sanctity and security of the border is extremely important for expanding the overall developmental cooperation... We both have realised the urgency (to resolve the border issue)," he had said. Gyawali was the senior-most political leader from Nepal to visit India after relations nosedived following the boundary row.

On the issue of COVID-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Oli said that India should help in a different way than other countries in controlling and ending the spread of the contagion.

Nepal and India have open borders, he said, adding that India should pay special attention to help Nepal in some places. Oli said that if the COVID-19 pandemic is controlled in India and not in Nepal, it would have no meaning as the virus would ultimately spread.

He thanked India for providing the vaccine for the first time and other healthcare supplies, but regretted that Nepal did not get as much help as it needed from India. There were high expectations from India, he said, adding that he would like to make a request to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"In view of these times and our friendly relations, India should extend full cooperation to Nepal. That doesn't mean I haven't got help from India. At this time, Nepal needs vaccinations, for which Nepal will and is urging both its neighbours and all countries. Whoever provides us vaccines, be it India, China, the US or the UK, it is fine to receive vaccines. It is not necessary to politicise it and we thank both our neighbours very much," Oli said.

"On one hand, China has given us 1.8 million vaccines and on the other India has given 2.1 million vaccines. We have the help of both. We are also getting medical equipment from both. So, thank you both," the Prime Minister added.

Nepal's COVID-19 caseload crossed the 6,00,000 mark on Sunday as 3,479 more people were infected with the virus.

Nepal's embattled Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli has said that 'misunderstandings' with India have been resolved and that the two countries should move forward looking at the future, asserting that neighbours share both love and problems.

Nepal's embattled Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli has said that 'misunderstandings' with India have been resolved and that the two countries should move forward looking at the future, asserting that neighbours share both love and problems. In a recent interview to BBC Hindi Service, Oli accepted the fact that once, there were misunderstandings between the two neighbours. However, he did not elaborate on those issues. Oli, in a televised address to the nation last month, said that the outstanding issues relating to the border issue with India will be resolved through diplomatic channels on the basis of historical accords, maps and factual documents. He told BBC: "Yes, there were misunderstandings at one time, but now those misunderstandings are gone. We should not be stuck in past misunderstandings but move forward looking at the future. We have to pursue a positive relationship," the 69-year-old Nepal Prime Minister, now heading a minority government, said. Nepal's Opposition alliance has approached the Supreme Court against the 'unconstitutional' move of President Bidya Devi Bhandari to dissolve the House of Representatives and fresh elections on the recommendation of Prime Minister Oli. Nepal has a unique relationship with India, unlike with any other country, Oli said. "Neighbours share both love and problems. Don't people in Chile or Argentina have a problem," he asked. Ties between India and Nepal came under severe strain after Nepal last year published the new political map that showed three Indian territories - Limpiyadhura, Kalapani and Lipulekh - as part of Nepal. After Nepal released the map, India reacted sharply, calling it a 'unilateral act' and cautioning Kathmandu that such 'artificial enlargement' of territorial claims will not be acceptable to it. India said that Nepal's action violated an understanding reached between the two countries to resolve the boundary issues through talks. The bilateral exchanges that had stalled due to the bitter boundary dispute were reset in the later part of 2020 with a series of high-level visits, as New Delhi emphasised that it sees itself as the Himalayan nation's 'foremost friend' and development partner. Then Nepalese Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali visited New Delhi in January this year and held wide-ranging talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar covering the entire expanse of bilateral ties. Gyawali said both the countries have a common commitment to resolve the issue. "We have the common commitment to resolve it. The sanctity and security of the border is extremely important for expanding the overall developmental cooperation... We both have realised the urgency (to resolve the border issue)," he had said. Gyawali was the senior-most political leader from Nepal to visit India after relations nosedived following the boundary row. On the issue of COVID-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Oli said that India should help in a different way than other countries in controlling and ending the spread of the contagion. Nepal and India have open borders, he said, adding that India should pay special attention to help Nepal in some places. Oli said that if the COVID-19 pandemic is controlled in India and not in Nepal, it would have no meaning as the virus would ultimately spread. He thanked India for providing the vaccine for the first time and other healthcare supplies, but regretted that Nepal did not get as much help as it needed from India. There were high expectations from India, he said, adding that he would like to make a request to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "In view of these times and our friendly relations, India should extend full cooperation to Nepal. That doesn't mean I haven't got help from India. At this time, Nepal needs vaccinations, for which Nepal will and is urging both its neighbours and all countries. Whoever provides us vaccines, be it India, China, the US or the UK, it is fine to receive vaccines. It is not necessary to politicise it and we thank both our neighbours very much," Oli said. "On one hand, China has given us 1.8 million vaccines and on the other India has given 2.1 million vaccines. We have the help of both. We are also getting medical equipment from both. So, thank you both," the Prime Minister added. Nepal's COVID-19 caseload crossed the 6,00,000 mark on Sunday as 3,479 more people were infected with the virus.

Nepal PM Oli says 'misunderstandings' with India resolved

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

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

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

UK PM Johnson marries fiancee in secret ceremony: Reports 

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's former chief adviser will on Wednesday cast his former boss as a dithering leader surrounded by fools whose ineptitude led to a 'disastrous' response to the most devastating global pandemic in decades.&nbsp;

With almost 128,000 deaths, the United Kingdom has the world's fifth worst official Covid toll, and Johnson was slow to appreciate the significance of the threat from the virus in early 2020 as it spread from China towards Britain's shores.&nbsp;

Dominic Cummings, the strategist behind the 2016 Brexit campaign and Johnson's landslide election win in 2019, will be quizzed by British lawmakers from 0830 GMT on the lessons that can be learned from the pandemic.&nbsp;

Cummings, who left the government late last year, has said the British health ministry was a 'smoking ruin', that Western governments failed during the crisis, and that the secretive British state was woefully unprepared for the pandemic.&nbsp;

"The Covid plan was supposed to be 'world class' but turned out to be part disaster, part non-existent," Cummings said on May 18 in one of dozens of tweets forming a critique of Britain's response.&nbsp;

"If we'd had the right preparations + competent people in charge, we would probably have avoided lockdown1, *definitely* no need for lockdowns 2&amp;3," he said.&nbsp;

Cummings, played by Benedict Cumberbatch in the film 'Brexit: The Uncivil War', casts the British state as an outdated system run by incompetent amateurs, who are resistant to any innovation that would bring them closer to the modern world.&nbsp;

British officials, he said, failed to learn the early Covid lessons from Asia, were resistant to new ideas from young scientists, overly secretive, overly bureaucratic and lacked any real scrutiny from a compliant domestic media.&nbsp;

Asked about Cummings' criticism, Johnson's spokesman said. "At all times, we have been guided by the data and the latest evidence we had."&nbsp;

In a series of investigations, it was reported how the British government made several errors: it was slow to spot the infections arriving, it was late with a lockdown and it continued to discharge infected hospital patients into care homes.&nbsp;

The government's chief scientific adviser, Patrick Vallance, said in March 2020 that 20,000 deaths would be a good outcome. Soon after, a worst-case scenario prepared by government scientific advisers put the possible death toll at 50,000. The toll is now close to 128,000.&nbsp;

Johnson has admitted that mistakes were made and that lessons need to be learned, but his ministers say they were working at pace in the biggest public health crisis in a century.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's former chief adviser will on Wednesday cast his former boss as a dithering leader surrounded by fools whose ineptitude led to a 'disastrous' response to the most devastating global pandemic in decades.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's former chief adviser will on Wednesday cast his former boss as a dithering leader surrounded by fools whose ineptitude led to a 'disastrous' response to the most devastating global pandemic in decades. With almost 128,000 deaths, the United Kingdom has the world's fifth worst official Covid toll, and Johnson was slow to appreciate the significance of the threat from the virus in early 2020 as it spread from China towards Britain's shores. Dominic Cummings, the strategist behind the 2016 Brexit campaign and Johnson's landslide election win in 2019, will be quizzed by British lawmakers from 0830 GMT on the lessons that can be learned from the pandemic. Cummings, who left the government late last year, has said the British health ministry was a 'smoking ruin', that Western governments failed during the crisis, and that the secretive British state was woefully unprepared for the pandemic. "The Covid plan was supposed to be 'world class' but turned out to be part disaster, part non-existent," Cummings said on May 18 in one of dozens of tweets forming a critique of Britain's response. "If we'd had the right preparations + competent people in charge, we would probably have avoided lockdown1, *definitely* no need for lockdowns 2&3," he said. Cummings, played by Benedict Cumberbatch in the film 'Brexit: The Uncivil War', casts the British state as an outdated system run by incompetent amateurs, who are resistant to any innovation that would bring them closer to the modern world. British officials, he said, failed to learn the early Covid lessons from Asia, were resistant to new ideas from young scientists, overly secretive, overly bureaucratic and lacked any real scrutiny from a compliant domestic media. Asked about Cummings' criticism, Johnson's spokesman said. "At all times, we have been guided by the data and the latest evidence we had." In a series of investigations, it was reported how the British government made several errors: it was slow to spot the infections arriving, it was late with a lockdown and it continued to discharge infected hospital patients into care homes. The government's chief scientific adviser, Patrick Vallance, said in March 2020 that 20,000 deaths would be a good outcome. Soon after, a worst-case scenario prepared by government scientific advisers put the possible death toll at 50,000. The toll is now close to 128,000. Johnson has admitted that mistakes were made and that lessons need to be learned, but his ministers say they were working at pace in the biggest public health crisis in a century. (With inputs from agencies)

UK's Covid 'disaster' to be laid bare by PM Johnson's ex-chief adviser Dominic Cummings

Defying election results and court rulings, Samoa's veteran leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi is determined to cling to power, convinced only divine intervention can end his 22-year-rule of the Pacific island nation.&nbsp;

Malielegaoi is not accustomed to losing, until recently the 76-year-old's authority was virtually absolute in a devoutly Christian nation of 220,000 where respect for one's elders is deeply ingrained.&nbsp;

A trained economist, Malielegaoi has cast a long shadow over public life since he was elected to Samoa's parliament in 1980.&nbsp;

As well as being prime minister, he appointed himself foreign minister and chairman of the Samoa Rugby Union, a high-profile role in the rugby-mad nation.&nbsp;

But his grip on power is now being challenged by former ally Fiame Naomi Mata'afa, who won a shock majority in a general election on April 9, opening the door to her becoming Samoa's first woman prime minister.&nbsp;

Far from conceding and stepping down, Malielegaoi precipitated a constitutional crisis that has international observers warning Samoa's young democracy could falter.&nbsp;

He first tried to tilt parliamentary numbers in his favour, saying the election did not return enough women to parliament and had violated gender quota rules.&nbsp;

He then tried to force through an election rerun.&nbsp;

When the courts rejected both moves, Malielegaoi then accused them of bias towards his rival.&nbsp;

His allies on Monday physically locked the prime minister-elect out of parliament to stop her from being sworn in. An impromptu ceremony took place anyway, in a tent on the lawn outside. &nbsp;

Talking to reporters earlier this month, Malielegaoi made it clear he believes he answers to no mere mortal.&nbsp;

"I am appointed by God," he said, after protests against his rule.&nbsp;

"If they want me to stand down, they should go to a church and pray instead of protesting in front of the courthouse. &nbsp;

"The judiciary has no authority over my appointment as prime minister."&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Defying election results and court rulings, Samoa's veteran leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi is determined to cling to power, convinced only divine intervention can end his 22-year-rule of the Pacific island nation.

Defying election results and court rulings, Samoa's veteran leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi is determined to cling to power, convinced only divine intervention can end his 22-year-rule of the Pacific island nation. Malielegaoi is not accustomed to losing, until recently the 76-year-old's authority was virtually absolute in a devoutly Christian nation of 220,000 where respect for one's elders is deeply ingrained. A trained economist, Malielegaoi has cast a long shadow over public life since he was elected to Samoa's parliament in 1980. As well as being prime minister, he appointed himself foreign minister and chairman of the Samoa Rugby Union, a high-profile role in the rugby-mad nation. But his grip on power is now being challenged by former ally Fiame Naomi Mata'afa, who won a shock majority in a general election on April 9, opening the door to her becoming Samoa's first woman prime minister. Far from conceding and stepping down, Malielegaoi precipitated a constitutional crisis that has international observers warning Samoa's young democracy could falter. He first tried to tilt parliamentary numbers in his favour, saying the election did not return enough women to parliament and had violated gender quota rules. He then tried to force through an election rerun. When the courts rejected both moves, Malielegaoi then accused them of bias towards his rival. His allies on Monday physically locked the prime minister-elect out of parliament to stop her from being sworn in. An impromptu ceremony took place anyway, in a tent on the lawn outside. Talking to reporters earlier this month, Malielegaoi made it clear he believes he answers to no mere mortal. "I am appointed by God," he said, after protests against his rule. "If they want me to stand down, they should go to a church and pray instead of protesting in front of the courthouse. "The judiciary has no authority over my appointment as prime minister." (With inputs from agencies)

'Appointed by God': Samoan leader defiant after vote 

Samoa's Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said on Monday he would remain in office, despite an order by the country's Supreme Court that lawmakers sit to appoint a new leader.&nbsp;

Samoa's Supreme Court last week overruled an attempt by the head of state Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II to void April's election results, which ended Tuilaepa’s grip on power.&nbsp;

Opposition leader Fiame Naomi Mataafa was set to become Samoa's first female prime minister following the election.&nbsp;

Fiame has pledged to cancel a $100 million Chinese-backed port development, calling it excessive for the small Pacific island that is already heavily indebted to China.&nbsp;

China’s growing reach in the South Pacific is unsettling for the United States and its allies, who have been the dominant powers in the Pacific since World War Two.&nbsp;

The Supreme Court on the weekend ordered parliament to sit on Monday to appoint a new prime minister, but head of state Tuimalealiifano cancelled the session and Tuilaepa said he would stay in office.&nbsp;

"We remain in this role and operate business as usual," Tuilaepa told reporters in the capital Apia.&nbsp;

"There is one Head of State, he has the power to Convene Parliament, and only him."&nbsp;

Supporters of the opposition parties gathered outside parliament on Monday singing songs from Samoa's independence movement more than 50 years ago, reported local media.&nbsp;

With no sign that the stand-off would end soon, Australia's Foreign Minister Marise Payne urged calm.&nbsp;

"It is important that all parties respect the rule of law and democratic processes. We have faith in Samoa’s institutions including the judiciary," Payne tweeted.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;

Samoa's Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said on Monday he would remain in office, despite an order by the country's Supreme Court that lawmakers sit to appoint a new leader.

Samoa's Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said on Monday he would remain in office, despite an order by the country's Supreme Court that lawmakers sit to appoint a new leader. Samoa's Supreme Court last week overruled an attempt by the head of state Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II to void April's election results, which ended Tuilaepa’s grip on power. Opposition leader Fiame Naomi Mataafa was set to become Samoa's first female prime minister following the election. Fiame has pledged to cancel a $100 million Chinese-backed port development, calling it excessive for the small Pacific island that is already heavily indebted to China. China’s growing reach in the South Pacific is unsettling for the United States and its allies, who have been the dominant powers in the Pacific since World War Two. The Supreme Court on the weekend ordered parliament to sit on Monday to appoint a new prime minister, but head of state Tuimalealiifano cancelled the session and Tuilaepa said he would stay in office. "We remain in this role and operate business as usual," Tuilaepa told reporters in the capital Apia. "There is one Head of State, he has the power to Convene Parliament, and only him." Supporters of the opposition parties gathered outside parliament on Monday singing songs from Samoa's independence movement more than 50 years ago, reported local media. With no sign that the stand-off would end soon, Australia's Foreign Minister Marise Payne urged calm. "It is important that all parties respect the rule of law and democratic processes. We have faith in Samoa’s institutions including the judiciary," Payne tweeted. (With inputs from agencies)

Ousted Samoa PM refuses to cede power, despite election loss 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a meeting, which will be attended by key ministers and officials, on Sunday to review preparations to deal with the approaching cyclone Yaas.&nbsp;

Representatives from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), secretaries from Telecom, Power, Civil aviation and Earth Sciences ministries will attend the meeting besides the home minister among others.&nbsp;

Cyclone Yaas is likely to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm and cross the Odisha and the West Bengal coasts on May 26, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said. &nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a meeting, which will be attended by key ministers and officials, on Sunday to review preparations to deal with the approaching cyclone Yaas.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a meeting, which will be attended by key ministers and officials, on Sunday to review preparations to deal with the approaching cyclone Yaas. Representatives from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), secretaries from Telecom, Power, Civil aviation and Earth Sciences ministries will attend the meeting besides the home minister among others. Cyclone Yaas is likely to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm and cross the Odisha and the West Bengal coasts on May 26, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said.

PM Modi to review preparations to deal with cyclone Yaas 

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Saturday that world leaders and tech firms looking to stamp out violent extremism online would need to focus efforts on understanding social media algorithms that drive content. &nbsp;

Ardern was speaking at a virtual summit to mark the second anniversary of the global initiative to end online hate, called the Christchurch Call, launched by Ardern and French President Emmanuel Macron in 2019 after a white supremacist killed 51 people at two mosques in the New Zealand city of Christchurch while live-streaming his rampage on Facebook.&nbsp;

Since then, more than 50 countries, international organisations and tech firms have supported the initiative including firms, such as Facebook, Google, Twitter and Microsoft.&nbsp;

"The existence of algorithms themselves is not necessarily the problem, it's whether or not they are ethically used. That is one of the biggest focus for the community over the next year alongside expanding the network itself," Ardern said a news conference after the forum.&nbsp;

Ardern said major tech firms expressed a real desire at the forum to use algorithms for positive interventions. She, however, did not elaborate on how firms would change the use of algorithms that drive harmful content and lead to radicalisation. &nbsp;

The Christchurch Call was joined for the first time by the United States, which made a policy change two years after the administration of former president Donald Trump declined to participate citing concerns of free speech.&nbsp;

The event was attended by global leaders including Macron, and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.&nbsp;

The Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT), an NGO founded by Facebook, Microsoft, Twitter and YouTube that joined the Christchurch Call, said progress has been made since 2019.&nbsp;

The agency responded to over 140 incidents since 2019 with member companies sharing information and situational awareness to understand if an attack has a particular online dimension, it said in a separate statement.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Saturday that world leaders and tech firms looking to stamp out violent extremism online would need to focus efforts on understanding social media algorithms that drive content.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Saturday that world leaders and tech firms looking to stamp out violent extremism online would need to focus efforts on understanding social media algorithms that drive content. Ardern was speaking at a virtual summit to mark the second anniversary of the global initiative to end online hate, called the Christchurch Call, launched by Ardern and French President Emmanuel Macron in 2019 after a white supremacist killed 51 people at two mosques in the New Zealand city of Christchurch while live-streaming his rampage on Facebook. Since then, more than 50 countries, international organisations and tech firms have supported the initiative including firms, such as Facebook, Google, Twitter and Microsoft. "The existence of algorithms themselves is not necessarily the problem, it's whether or not they are ethically used. That is one of the biggest focus for the community over the next year alongside expanding the network itself," Ardern said a news conference after the forum. Ardern said major tech firms expressed a real desire at the forum to use algorithms for positive interventions. She, however, did not elaborate on how firms would change the use of algorithms that drive harmful content and lead to radicalisation. The Christchurch Call was joined for the first time by the United States, which made a policy change two years after the administration of former president Donald Trump declined to participate citing concerns of free speech. The event was attended by global leaders including Macron, and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT), an NGO founded by Facebook, Microsoft, Twitter and YouTube that joined the Christchurch Call, said progress has been made since 2019. The agency responded to over 140 incidents since 2019 with member companies sharing information and situational awareness to understand if an attack has a particular online dimension, it said in a separate statement. (With inputs from agencies)

New Zealand PM says to fight hate, study social media algorithms 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday paid tributes to Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore on his 160th birth anniversary. &nbsp;

Tagore was born on May 7 but his birthday is celebrated in West Bengal, where he was born and is revered, according to the traditional Bengali calendar, and this year, it falls on Sunday. &nbsp;

"On Tagore Jayanti, I bow to the great Gurudev Tagore. May his exemplary ideals keep giving us strength and inspiration to build the India he dreamt of," he said, paying tributes to the man of many talents. &nbsp;

Tagore was a playwright, philosopher, composer and poet. He had won the Nobel prize for literature. &nbsp;

The prime minister also paid tributes to freedom fighter Gopal Krishna Gokhale and celebrated warrior king Maharana Pratap, both of whom were born on this day. &nbsp;

Gokhale's life was devoted to serving the nation, and it will always inspire the countrymen, the prime minister said. &nbsp;

Paying tributes to Maharana Pratap, Modi said he brought glory to India with his valour, boundless courage and battle skills. His sacrifice and devotion to the motherland will always be memorable, he said.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday paid tributes to Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore on his 160th birth anniversary. Tagore was born on May 7 but his birthday is celebrated in West Bengal, where he was born and is revered, according to the traditional Bengali calendar, and this year, it falls on Sunday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday paid tributes to Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore on his 160th birth anniversary. Tagore was born on May 7 but his birthday is celebrated in West Bengal, where he was born and is revered, according to the traditional Bengali calendar, and this year, it falls on Sunday. "On Tagore Jayanti, I bow to the great Gurudev Tagore. May his exemplary ideals keep giving us strength and inspiration to build the India he dreamt of," he said, paying tributes to the man of many talents. Tagore was a playwright, philosopher, composer and poet. He had won the Nobel prize for literature. The prime minister also paid tributes to freedom fighter Gopal Krishna Gokhale and celebrated warrior king Maharana Pratap, both of whom were born on this day. Gokhale's life was devoted to serving the nation, and it will always inspire the countrymen, the prime minister said. Paying tributes to Maharana Pratap, Modi said he brought glory to India with his valour, boundless courage and battle skills. His sacrifice and devotion to the motherland will always be memorable, he said. (With inputs from agencies)

PM Modi pays tributes to Tagore, Gokhale, Maharana Pratap on their birth anniversaries 

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting immediate supply of additional medical oxygen, in line with what was agreed in government meetings held on May 1 and 2.

The letter mentions that Tamil Nadu is facing a looming oxygen crisis and that the requirement of medical oxygen is projected to go from the current 440MT to 840MT.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Referring to the National Oxygen Plan, Stalin says that only 220MT was allocated for Tamil Nadu, following which the officials had requested DPIIT&nbsp;(on May 1 and 2) for an immediate supply. It is added that despite DPITT having agreed to provide 476MT of medical oxygen, such an order has not been issued.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The letter,&nbsp;which was released to the media,&nbsp;also adds that revised allotment orders for nearly 220MTs of medical oxygen from sources in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Rourkela are awaited.&nbsp;

Besides mentioning the death of 13 patients at the&nbsp;Chengalpattu&nbsp;Government hospital near Chennai a few days back, Stalin also requested the Central Government to provide at least 20 ISO Cryogenic Containers and trains to transport oxygen to Tamil Nadu.&nbsp;&nbsp;

On Friday, Tamil Nadu witnessed 26,465 new COVID-19 cases, 22.381 recoveries, thus taking the active cases to 1,35,355. 197 deaths were recorded over the last 24 hours.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting immediate supply of additional medical oxygen, in line with what was agreed in government meetings held on May 1 and 2.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting immediate supply of additional medical oxygen, in line with what was agreed in government meetings held on May 1 and 2. The letter mentions that Tamil Nadu is facing a looming oxygen crisis and that the requirement of medical oxygen is projected to go from the current 440MT to 840MT. Referring to the National Oxygen Plan, Stalin says that only 220MT was allocated for Tamil Nadu, following which the officials had requested DPIIT (on May 1 and 2) for an immediate supply. It is added that despite DPITT having agreed to provide 476MT of medical oxygen, such an order has not been issued. The letter, which was released to the media, also adds that revised allotment orders for nearly 220MTs of medical oxygen from sources in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Rourkela are awaited. Besides mentioning the death of 13 patients at the Chengalpattu Government hospital near Chennai a few days back, Stalin also requested the Central Government to provide at least 20 ISO Cryogenic Containers and trains to transport oxygen to Tamil Nadu. On Friday, Tamil Nadu witnessed 26,465 new COVID-19 cases, 22.381 recoveries, thus taking the active cases to 1,35,355. 197 deaths were recorded over the last 24 hours.

Oxygen availability in Tamil Nadu critical, Stalin writes to PM Modi 

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern plans to get married during summer but did not disclose the date, local media reported on Wednesday.&nbsp;

Ardern told Coast Radio that she and her partner television host Clarke Gayford have 'finally got a date' for the wedding, New Zealand Herald said in a report.&nbsp;

"That doesn't mean we've told anyone yet, so I feel like we should probably put some invites out," Ardern was quoted as saying by the report.&nbsp;

Ardern, 40, got engaged to Gayford, 44, during the Easter holidays in 2019 and they have a two-year-old daughter.&nbsp;

The wedding being planned in summer, which runs from December to February in the southern hemisphere, might not be celebrated in the traditional way as Ardern admitted she "feels a bit too old to have a bridal party", media reports quoted her as saying.&nbsp;

There is "nothing further to add over what has been reported this morning", a spokesman in the prime minister's office said.&nbsp;

Ardern became New Zealand's youngest prime minister when she took office in 2017 and is one of the few elected leaders to hold office while pregnant. &nbsp;

She returned to power last October delivering the biggest election victory for her centre-left Labour Party in half a century largely due to her government's decisive response to contain the COVID-19 outbreak.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern plans to get married during summer but did not disclose the date, local media reported on Wednesday. Ardern told Coast Radio that she and her partner television host Clarke Gayford have 'finally got a date' for the wedding, New Zealand Herald said in a report.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern plans to get married during summer but did not disclose the date, local media reported on Wednesday. Ardern told Coast Radio that she and her partner television host Clarke Gayford have 'finally got a date' for the wedding, New Zealand Herald said in a report. "That doesn't mean we've told anyone yet, so I feel like we should probably put some invites out," Ardern was quoted as saying by the report. Ardern, 40, got engaged to Gayford, 44, during the Easter holidays in 2019 and they have a two-year-old daughter. The wedding being planned in summer, which runs from December to February in the southern hemisphere, might not be celebrated in the traditional way as Ardern admitted she "feels a bit too old to have a bridal party", media reports quoted her as saying. There is "nothing further to add over what has been reported this morning", a spokesman in the prime minister's office said. Ardern became New Zealand's youngest prime minister when she took office in 2017 and is one of the few elected leaders to hold office while pregnant. She returned to power last October delivering the biggest election victory for her centre-left Labour Party in half a century largely due to her government's decisive response to contain the COVID-19 outbreak. (With inputs from agencies)

New Zealand PM Ardern plans summer wedding: Report 

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