Thousands of protesters clashed with the Berlin police on Saturday against COVID-19 restrictions imposed by the government.

Four officers were injured while 50 demonstrators were detained for injuring cops, the police said.

Some people tried to get past barricades to the government district around the Reichstag parliament building and clashed with officers, police said.

The protesters, few of whom wore masks, waved banners marked with the messages ‘I have my own opinion’ and ‘Covid-84’—a reference to George Orwell’s book “1984” about a totalitarian state, Reuters reported.

The marches came a month before a federal election. The leading candidates vying to replace Chancellor Angela Merkel have promised to dispense with strict lockdowns on the country.

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Germany has reported more than 3.9 million Coronavirus cases and is believed to be facing a fourth wave of infections. It reported 10,303 new cases and 22 fatalities on Saturday, bringing the death toll to 92,096.

To exhort more people to get vaccinated, the government has said it will stop offering free tests from October 11, except for those for whom vaccination is not recommended, such as children and pregnant women.

The government will require people to be vaccinated, test negative or have a recovery certificate to enter indoor restaurants, participate in religious ceremonies or do indoor sport.

(With inputs from agencies)

Thousands of protesters clashed with the Berlin police on Saturday against COVID-19 restrictions imposed by the government. Four officers were injured while 50 demonstrators were detained for injuring cops, the police said.

Thousands of protesters clashed with the Berlin police on Saturday against COVID-19 restrictions imposed by the government. Four officers were injured while 50 demonstrators were detained for injuring cops, the police said. Some people tried to get past barricades to the government district around the Reichstag parliament building and clashed with officers, police said. The protesters, few of whom wore masks, waved banners marked with the messages ‘I have my own opinion’ and ‘Covid-84’—a reference to George Orwell’s book “1984” about a totalitarian state, Reuters reported. The marches came a month before a federal election. The leading candidates vying to replace Chancellor Angela Merkel have promised to dispense with strict lockdowns on the country. Also read | Unvaccinated travellers to undergo COVID-19 tests, declares Germany amid rise coronavirus cases Germany has reported more than 3.9 million Coronavirus cases and is believed to be facing a fourth wave of infections. It reported 10,303 new cases and 22 fatalities on Saturday, bringing the death toll to 92,096. To exhort more people to get vaccinated, the government has said it will stop offering free tests from October 11, except for those for whom vaccination is not recommended, such as children and pregnant women. The government will require people to be vaccinated, test negative or have a recovery certificate to enter indoor restaurants, participate in religious ceremonies or do indoor sport. (With inputs from agencies)

Thousands of protesters clash with Berlin police against COVID-19 curbs

A&nbsp;Thai&nbsp;police chief at the centre of a manhunt over accusations he tortured and suffocated a drug suspect to death surrendered on Thursday.

Thai&nbsp;police raided the Bangkok mansion of 41-year-old Thitisan Utthanaphon -- nicknamed 'Joe Ferrari' -- on Wednesday and found 13 luxury cars, local media reported.&nbsp;

National Police confirmed during a late night press conference Thursday that Thitisan gave himself up and was arrested in Chon Buri province south east of the capital.

"We will show the public that we will not protect wrongdoers," National police chief Suwat Jangyodsuk told reporters, adding that six other officers had also been arrested.

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"Everyone will be treated the same under the legal system. The police organisation must exist with people's trust."

Thitisan, who had served as chief of a district police station in northern Nakhon Sawan province, and some of his colleagues are facing criminal charges after video footage of a death in custody went viral on social media.

The clip shows a group of men -- allegedly including Thitisan -- wrapping a plastic bag around the suspect's head while questioning him on August 5.

The suspect loses consciousness and some officers try to resuscitate him, the footage shows.

"A prosecution fully independent of the&nbsp;Thai&nbsp;police is needed if there is any hope of justice," Human Rights Watch Asia Director Brad Adams said.

"Successive&nbsp;Thai&nbsp;governments have a long history of failing to ensure accountability for even the most ghastly police abuses against people in custody."

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Police investigating the case earlier this week said the station chief is suspected of causing the man's death while trying to extract a two million baht ($61,000) payment.

In an unprecedented move during the press conference, Thitisan answered questions from the media over a mobile phone held up to a microphone and denied he had been trying to extort money.

"I did not aim to kill him... It was an accident," Thitisan told the media by phone.

"This is not related to asking for money. I used a black plastic bag because I did not want him to see me but he tore the plastic bag so I had to tie his arms behind him."

Thitisan said he was doing his job and trying to crack down on illegal drugs.

"I accept what I did was not right," he said.

It's unclear when formal charges will be laid.

Later Thitisan -- wearing a green T-shirt and blue hat -- was led out of the Crime Suppression Division and through a large media pack to a waiting police van.

A Thai police chief at the centre of a manhunt over accusations he tortured and suffocated a drug suspect to death surrendered on Thursday. Thai police raided the Bangkok mansion of 41-year-old Thitisan Utthanaphon -- nicknamed 'Joe Ferrari' -- on Wednesday and found 13 luxury cars, local media reported.

A Thai police chief at the centre of a manhunt over accusations he tortured and suffocated a drug suspect to death surrendered on Thursday. Thai police raided the Bangkok mansion of 41-year-old Thitisan Utthanaphon -- nicknamed 'Joe Ferrari' -- on Wednesday and found 13 luxury cars, local media reported. National Police confirmed during a late night press conference Thursday that Thitisan gave himself up and was arrested in Chon Buri province south east of the capital. "We will show the public that we will not protect wrongdoers," National police chief Suwat Jangyodsuk told reporters, adding that six other officers had also been arrested. ALSO READ | What are internet recommendation algorithms and how do they affects users? "Everyone will be treated the same under the legal system. The police organisation must exist with people's trust." Thitisan, who had served as chief of a district police station in northern Nakhon Sawan province, and some of his colleagues are facing criminal charges after video footage of a death in custody went viral on social media. The clip shows a group of men -- allegedly including Thitisan -- wrapping a plastic bag around the suspect's head while questioning him on August 5. The suspect loses consciousness and some officers try to resuscitate him, the footage shows. "A prosecution fully independent of the Thai police is needed if there is any hope of justice," Human Rights Watch Asia Director Brad Adams said. "Successive Thai governments have a long history of failing to ensure accountability for even the most ghastly police abuses against people in custody." ALSO READ | From education to bitcoin, China's season of regulatory crackdown Police investigating the case earlier this week said the station chief is suspected of causing the man's death while trying to extract a two million baht ($61,000) payment. In an unprecedented move during the press conference, Thitisan answered questions from the media over a mobile phone held up to a microphone and denied he had been trying to extort money. "I did not aim to kill him... It was an accident," Thitisan told the media by phone. "This is not related to asking for money. I used a black plastic bag because I did not want him to see me but he tore the plastic bag so I had to tie his arms behind him." Thitisan said he was doing his job and trying to crack down on illegal drugs. "I accept what I did was not right," he said. It's unclear when formal charges will be laid. Later Thitisan -- wearing a green T-shirt and blue hat -- was led out of the Crime Suppression Division and through a large media pack to a waiting police van.

Thai police station chief arrested over death in custody

German police are probing an attempted murder after member of university showed symptoms of poisoning.

Darmstadt's Chief Prosecutor Robert Hartmann said that investigation was based on the fact that a substance was found in several foods which can be harmful and even lethal."

He said that authorities knew which substance was administered but the name couldn't be disclosed in order to not hamper the investigation.

A sign posted on a glass door on the university campus warned "all members of Darmstadt Technical University" that "drinks and water containers" at the Materials and Earth Sciences department had been "tampered with."

"As a precautionary measure we advise against the consumption of food and drinks left on university grounds in the coming days," the warning sign read.

According to local media, some of the seven people affected suffered from "serious poisoning" on Monday afternoon (August 23) which led to discomfort and discolourations of fingers and feet.

A 30-year-old student assistant was doing "much better" on Tuesday after his life was in danger a day earlier, according to "Hessenschau."

(With inputs from agencies)

German police are probing an attempted murder after member of university showed symptoms of poisoning. Darmstadt's Chief Prosecutor Robert Hartmann said that investigation was based on the fact that a substance was found in several foods which can be harmful and even lethal.

German police are probing an attempted murder after member of university showed symptoms of poisoning. Darmstadt's Chief Prosecutor Robert Hartmann said that investigation was based on the fact that a substance was found in several foods which can be harmful and even lethal." He said that authorities knew which substance was administered but the name couldn't be disclosed in order to not hamper the investigation. A sign posted on a glass door on the university campus warned "all members of Darmstadt Technical University" that "drinks and water containers" at the Materials and Earth Sciences department had been "tampered with." "As a precautionary measure we advise against the consumption of food and drinks left on university grounds in the coming days," the warning sign read. According to local media, some of the seven people affected suffered from "serious poisoning" on Monday afternoon (August 23) which led to discomfort and discolourations of fingers and feet. A 30-year-old student assistant was doing "much better" on Tuesday after his life was in danger a day earlier, according to "Hessenschau." (With inputs from agencies)

German police probe attempted murder after poisoning attack at university

In a shocking incident, a family of three who were found dead on a hiking trail in California may have been killed by poison algae. The investigators have confirmed the cause of death.

In a shocking incident, a family of three who were found dead on a hiking trail in California may have been killed by poison algae. The investigators have confirmed the cause of death. John Gerrish along with his wife, Ellen Chung, their one-year-old daughter, Muji, and their dog were found dead on a hiking trail in Mariposa county. The family was reported missing by a family friend on Monday evening. After the family friend was reported missing, the local police started a search and rescue mission to find the California family. Their vehicle was located near a gate of the Sierra national forest on Tuesday. Also read | Tissue paper used by Lionel Messi during Barcelona farewell is up for sale; check out the whopping price tag A little later the dead bodies of the family were found a mile away. The area the family was found in did not have any cellphone service and there was no obvious reason behind their death. Gerrish is known to be a software designer who "fell in love with the Mariposa area" and had also bought several homes in that area, said his friend. The couple loved hiking and were "a loving couple, they loved each other quite a bit".

Police reveals poison algae may have killed California family

Zimbabwe Police have charged a 26-year-old man of rape after a 15-year-old girl died while giving birth at a church shrine last month.

According to local media reports, the minor girl was buried last month at a church shrine in the eastern region of Marange. Her death sparked outrage among citizens and activists in Zimbabwe.

The girl’s parents are also accused of lying about her age and pledging their daughter to the same man, Hatirarami Momberume.

The girl’s parents have also been charged with obstructing justice and falsifying identification documents to conceal their daughter’s age.

Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi confirmed that Anna died on 15 July and was subsequently buried at the shrine.

“Investigations are in progress with a view of unravelling all the facts in this case,” The Guardian quoted a police statement as saying.

An online campaign is also trending on Twitter in Zimbabwe, and a petition to stop child marriage has received more than 92,000 signatures so far, reports the Guardian.

According to Amnesty International, <a href="https://www.amnesty.org/download/Documents/AFR4641122021ENGLISH.pdf">a</a>&nbsp;fifth of maternal deaths in Zimbabwe occur among girls aged 15 to 19.

Even though Zimbabwe’s constitutional court bans marriage under the age of 18, the UN in a report stated that one in three girls are still likely to be married before reaching that age.

Zimbabwe Police have charged a 26-year-old man of rape after a 15-year-old girl died while giving birth at a church shrine last month. According to local media reports, the minor girl was buried last month at a church shrine in the eastern region of Marange.

Zimbabwe Police have charged a 26-year-old man of rape after a 15-year-old girl died while giving birth at a church shrine last month. According to local media reports, the minor girl was buried last month at a church shrine in the eastern region of Marange. Her death sparked outrage among citizens and activists in Zimbabwe. The girl’s parents are also accused of lying about her age and pledging their daughter to the same man, Hatirarami Momberume. The girl’s parents have also been charged with obstructing justice and falsifying identification documents to conceal their daughter’s age. Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi confirmed that Anna died on 15 July and was subsequently buried at the shrine. “Investigations are in progress with a view of unravelling all the facts in this case,” The Guardian quoted a police statement as saying. An online campaign is also trending on Twitter in Zimbabwe, and a petition to stop child marriage has received more than 92,000 signatures so far, reports the Guardian. According to Amnesty International, a fifth of maternal deaths in Zimbabwe occur among girls aged 15 to 19. Even though Zimbabwe’s constitutional court bans marriage under the age of 18, the UN in a report stated that one in three girls are still likely to be married before reaching that age.

Zimbabwe: Man charged with rape after 15-year-old victim dies giving birth

Nicaraguan police on Friday raided the office of La Prensa, the only national newspaper, after President Daniel Ortega's government opened customs fraud and money laundering investigations against the publication. 
 
La Prensa has long been a thorn in the side of Ortega, repeatedly referring to him as a "dictator" after his security forces in 2018 crushed a wave of protests in the Central American country and 326 people died. 
 
On Thursday, the 95-year-old newspaper said it would only publish digital content as the authorities had impounded its ink and paper, forcing it to stop printing a paper edition. 
 
La Prensa's editor-in-chief, Eduardo Enríquez, told Reuters that policemen raided the newspaper's offices on Friday and prohibited staff from using their cell phones. Enriquez said he was not at the newspaper when the police arrived. 
 
The police raid follows a months-long crackdown by Ortega's government against its political rivals, including multiple presidential candidates, ahead of elections due in November. 
 
Ortega, who has ruled Nicaragua since returning to power in 2007, has said his administration was arresting and prosecuting criminals, who were plotting a coup against him. 
 
"The National Police initiated an investigation against La Prensa ... and its directors for customs fraud, money laundering," the police said in a statement. 
 
The directors could not immediately be reached for comment. 
 
La Prensa is owned by the Chamorro family, one of Nicaragua's most prominent. Several of its members, who aspired to contest the elections as presidential hopefuls in November, have been arrested in recent months. 
 
That includes Cristiana Chamorro, the 66-year-old vice president of La Prensa and daughter of the late leader Violeta, who ended Ortega's first stint in power when she won the 1990 presidential elections. 
 
Violeta's brother, opposition politician Pedro Joaquin, has also been detained, while her other brother, prominent Ortega critic and journalist Carlos Fernando Chamorro, fled abroad.

Nicaraguan police on Friday raided the office of La Prensa, the only national newspaper, after President Daniel Ortega's government opened customs fraud and money laundering investigations against the publication.

Nicaraguan police on Friday raided the office of La Prensa, the only national newspaper, after President Daniel Ortega's government opened customs fraud and money laundering investigations against the publication. La Prensa has long been a thorn in the side of Ortega, repeatedly referring to him as a "dictator" after his security forces in 2018 crushed a wave of protests in the Central American country and 326 people died. On Thursday, the 95-year-old newspaper said it would only publish digital content as the authorities had impounded its ink and paper, forcing it to stop printing a paper edition. La Prensa's editor-in-chief, Eduardo Enríquez, told Reuters that policemen raided the newspaper's offices on Friday and prohibited staff from using their cell phones. Enriquez said he was not at the newspaper when the police arrived. The police raid follows a months-long crackdown by Ortega's government against its political rivals, including multiple presidential candidates, ahead of elections due in November. Ortega, who has ruled Nicaragua since returning to power in 2007, has said his administration was arresting and prosecuting criminals, who were plotting a coup against him. "The National Police initiated an investigation against La Prensa ... and its directors for customs fraud, money laundering," the police said in a statement. The directors could not immediately be reached for comment. La Prensa is owned by the Chamorro family, one of Nicaragua's most prominent. Several of its members, who aspired to contest the elections as presidential hopefuls in November, have been arrested in recent months. That includes Cristiana Chamorro, the 66-year-old vice president of La Prensa and daughter of the late leader Violeta, who ended Ortega's first stint in power when she won the 1990 presidential elections. Violeta's brother, opposition politician Pedro Joaquin, has also been detained, while her other brother, prominent Ortega critic and journalist Carlos Fernando Chamorro, fled abroad.

Nicaraguan police raid La Prensa newspaper, charge directors with fraud

As many as 1,380 police personnel have been awarded medals on the occasion of Independence Day, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced on Saturday. 
 
Amongst 628 Gallantry Awards, one President's Police Medal for Gallantry (PPMG) has been given to the Jammu and Kashmir Police (J&amp;K Police) and one to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) posthumously.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-independence-diaspora-power-from-remittances-to-diplomacy-overseas-indians-script-indias-success-story-405316" hreflang="en">India Independence: Diaspora power - From remittances to diplomacy, overseas Indians script India's success story</a> 
 
Meanwhile, according to the MHA, 398 police personnel are being awarded for their gallant action in Jammu and Kashmir region, 155 personnel for their gallant action in Left Wing Extremism affected areas and 27 personnel in the North-East Region. 
 
The Gallantry medals'&nbsp;awardee, includes 256 from J&amp;K Police, 151 from CRPF, 23 from Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), 67 from Odisha Police, 25 from Maharashtra Police, 20 from Chhattisgarh and the remaining from the other states, Union Territories and other Central Armed Police Forces. 
 
Also, 88 medals have been awarded under the President`s Police Medal for Distinguished Service (PPM) whereas 662 personnel have been awarded the Police Medal for Meritorious Service (PM).

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J&amp;K Police Sub-Inspector Amar Deep has been awarded the highest gallantry award- PPMG, while the Head Constable late Kale Sunil Dattatraya of CRPF has been given PPMG posthumously. 
 
The President's Police Medal is a decoration awarded to the Police personnel in India. Established on March 1, 1951, the medal was originally called the President's Police and Fire Service Medal. 
 
The medal is awarded for either gallantry or distinguished service, with the gallantry version of the medal being accorded higher precedence. The medal is awarded annually on Republic Day and Independence Day.

As many as 1,380 police personnel have been awarded medals on the occasion of Independence Day, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced on Saturday. Amongst 628 Gallantry Awards, one President's Police Medal for Gallantry (PPMG) has been given to the Jammu and Kashmir Police (J&K Police) and one to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) posthumously.

As many as 1,380 police personnel have been awarded medals on the occasion of Independence Day, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced on Saturday. Amongst 628 Gallantry Awards, one President's Police Medal for Gallantry (PPMG) has been given to the Jammu and Kashmir Police (J&K Police) and one to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) posthumously. Also read | India Independence: Diaspora power - From remittances to diplomacy, overseas Indians script India's success story Meanwhile, according to the MHA, 398 police personnel are being awarded for their gallant action in Jammu and Kashmir region, 155 personnel for their gallant action in Left Wing Extremism affected areas and 27 personnel in the North-East Region. The Gallantry medals' awardee, includes 256 from J&K Police, 151 from CRPF, 23 from Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), 67 from Odisha Police, 25 from Maharashtra Police, 20 from Chhattisgarh and the remaining from the other states, Union Territories and other Central Armed Police Forces. Also, 88 medals have been awarded under the President`s Police Medal for Distinguished Service (PPM) whereas 662 personnel have been awarded the Police Medal for Meritorious Service (PM). Also read | PM Modi: August 14 to be observed as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day J&K Police Sub-Inspector Amar Deep has been awarded the highest gallantry award- PPMG, while the Head Constable late Kale Sunil Dattatraya of CRPF has been given PPMG posthumously. The President's Police Medal is a decoration awarded to the Police personnel in India. Established on March 1, 1951, the medal was originally called the President's Police and Fire Service Medal. The medal is awarded for either gallantry or distinguished service, with the gallantry version of the medal being accorded higher precedence. The medal is awarded annually on Republic Day and Independence Day.

India Independence day: 1,380 police personnel awarded medals, announces MHA

The French police are now investigating a series of COVID-19 vaccine certificate scams after several doctors reported having their health service accounts hacked.

The French police are now investigating a series of COVID-19 vaccine certificate scams after several doctors reported having their health service accounts hacked. In one instance, one of several forgery rackets under investigation, fraudsters gained access to the online account of a GP near Bordeaux and obtained 55 false documents. Another doctor in Marseilles reported being similarly hacked, and others have told the authorities that there had been attempts to access their accounts. Also read | Plymouth shooting: Jake Davison was licensed gun holder Also, the health authority has reported a growing number of forged certificates, with 46 incidents under police investigation since May. The forgers are also producing fake negative COVID-19 tests. Local deputy prefect, Martin Guespereau, told journalists, "Health pass fraud is very serious and is severely punished. Nobody should be cheating with the vaccine". Various hackers have been put under investigation in recent weeks in Paris, Grenoble and Bordeaux. During the end of July, a vaccine centre contract worker was jailed after he was found to have generated 200 false QR codes.

French police investigate soaring number of fake COVID-19 vaccine certificates

A black stone statue of Lord Vishnu, believed to be more than 1,000 years old, has been recovered by police in Bangladesh from a teacher, according to a media report on Thursday.

Police recovered the statue from Boro Goali village in Cumilla district, The Daily Star newspaper reported.

The height of the black stone statue is about 23 inches and its width is 9.5 inches. It weighs about 12kg.

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Nazrul Islam, officer-in-charge of Daudkandi Police Station, said: "A teacher named Abu Yusuf found the statue one and a half months ago. But he didn't inform us. On secret information, we recovered it from his house on Monday night."

However, Yusuf said: "I noticed this statue about 20-22 days ago while digging soil from a pond... We could not inform the police as we were busy with work."

"The unearthed Lord Vishnu statue is very valuable. It is possibly more than 1,000 years old. It should be immediately handed over to Mainamati museum for proper preservation," Ataur Rahman, former regional director of Chattogram divisional archaeology department, said.

A black stone statue of Lord Vishnu, believed to be more than 1,000 years old, has been recovered by police in Bangladesh from a teacher, according to a media report on Thursday.

A black stone statue of Lord Vishnu, believed to be more than 1,000 years old, has been recovered by police in Bangladesh from a teacher, according to a media report on Thursday. Police recovered the statue from Boro Goali village in Cumilla district, The Daily Star newspaper reported. The height of the black stone statue is about 23 inches and its width is 9.5 inches. It weighs about 12kg. Also read | Japan marks Hiroshima bomb anniversary with low-key ceremonies Nazrul Islam, officer-in-charge of Daudkandi Police Station, said: "A teacher named Abu Yusuf found the statue one and a half months ago. But he didn't inform us. On secret information, we recovered it from his house on Monday night." However, Yusuf said: "I noticed this statue about 20-22 days ago while digging soil from a pond... We could not inform the police as we were busy with work." "The unearthed Lord Vishnu statue is very valuable. It is possibly more than 1,000 years old. It should be immediately handed over to Mainamati museum for proper preservation," Ataur Rahman, former regional director of Chattogram divisional archaeology department, said.

Bangladesh police recover Lord Vishnu's centuries-old black stone statue

The US slapped fresh sanctions Friday on Cuban police for suppressing anti-government demonstrations this month, with President Joe Biden warning additional punitive measures were in store if the communist-ruled nation does not undertake sweeping reforms.

Thousands of Cubans took to the streets earlier in July, shouting "Freedom," "Down with the dictatorship" and "We're hungry" in the biggest protests since the revolution that brought Fidel Castro to power in 1959.

Hundreds of people were arrested and many face charges of contempt, public disorder, vandalism and propagation of the coronavirus pandemic for marching without face masks.&nbsp;

"There will be more unless there is some drastic change in Cuba, which I don't anticipate," Biden told reporters before hosting a group of Cuban-American leaders at the White House.

Earlier in the day the US Treasury named National Revolutionary Police Director Oscar Callejas Valcarce and Deputy Director Eddy Sierra Arias to its sanctions blacklist,&nbsp;which freezes any property they might have in the United States and bars US transactions with them.

"The Treasury Department will continue to designate and call out by name those who facilitate the Cuban regime's involvement in serious human rights abuse," said Andrea Gacki, director of the Treasury's main sanctions unit, the Office of Foreign Assets Control.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/faced-with-rare-protests-cuba-curbs-social-media-access-watchdog-says-397955">Also read | Faced with rare protests, Cuba curbs social media access, watchdog says</a>

"Today's action serves to further hold accountable those responsible for suppressing the Cuban people's calls for freedom and respect for human rights," Gacki said.

Cuba strenuously rejected the inclusion of the NRP and its directors on "spurious lists" by the United States, tweeted Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez.&nbsp;

"These arbitrary measures add to disinformation and aggression to justify the inhumane blockade against Cuba," he wrote, referring to Washington's embargo against Havana that has been in place since 1962.

Shoulder to shoulder

The Treasury said the NRP was the main unit of the Interior Ministry deployed to stifle the demonstrations and was responsible for beating a number of peaceful protesters.

On July 24 a government official said about 60 Cubans had been prosecuted for participating in the demonstrations.

Biden on Friday stood shoulder to shoulder with Cuban American leaders at a White House meeting.

"We hear your voices. We hear the cries of freedom coming from the island," the president said.

Biden has come under fire from Republicans who criticise what they say is his weak stance against Havana.

"Biden's lack of leadership is a disgrace and undermines the cause of freedom in Cuba and around the world," the Republican National Committee said in a statement.

The White House issued a forceful defence&nbsp;of the president, saying Biden has been watching developments on the island closely.

"He's made clear that Cuba is led by a failed and repressive regime, and that communism is a universally failed ideology," White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said.

On Thursday, the European Union called on Cuba to release people arrested "arbitrarily" during the protests.&nbsp;

"We are very concerned about the repression of these protests, as well as for the arrest of protesters and journalists," the 27-nation bloc said in a statement.&nbsp;

The US slapped fresh sanctions Friday on Cuban police for suppressing anti-government demonstrations this month, with President Joe Biden warning additional punitive measures were in store if the communist-ruled nation does not undertake sweeping reforms.

The US slapped fresh sanctions Friday on Cuban police for suppressing anti-government demonstrations this month, with President Joe Biden warning additional punitive measures were in store if the communist-ruled nation does not undertake sweeping reforms. Thousands of Cubans took to the streets earlier in July, shouting "Freedom," "Down with the dictatorship" and "We're hungry" in the biggest protests since the revolution that brought Fidel Castro to power in 1959. Hundreds of people were arrested and many face charges of contempt, public disorder, vandalism and propagation of the coronavirus pandemic for marching without face masks. "There will be more unless there is some drastic change in Cuba, which I don't anticipate," Biden told reporters before hosting a group of Cuban-American leaders at the White House. Earlier in the day the US Treasury named National Revolutionary Police Director Oscar Callejas Valcarce and Deputy Director Eddy Sierra Arias to its sanctions blacklist, which freezes any property they might have in the United States and bars US transactions with them. "The Treasury Department will continue to designate and call out by name those who facilitate the Cuban regime's involvement in serious human rights abuse," said Andrea Gacki, director of the Treasury's main sanctions unit, the Office of Foreign Assets Control. Also read | Faced with rare protests, Cuba curbs social media access, watchdog says "Today's action serves to further hold accountable those responsible for suppressing the Cuban people's calls for freedom and respect for human rights," Gacki said. Cuba strenuously rejected the inclusion of the NRP and its directors on "spurious lists" by the United States, tweeted Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez. "These arbitrary measures add to disinformation and aggression to justify the inhumane blockade against Cuba," he wrote, referring to Washington's embargo against Havana that has been in place since 1962. Shoulder to shoulder The Treasury said the NRP was the main unit of the Interior Ministry deployed to stifle the demonstrations and was responsible for beating a number of peaceful protesters. On July 24 a government official said about 60 Cubans had been prosecuted for participating in the demonstrations. Biden on Friday stood shoulder to shoulder with Cuban American leaders at a White House meeting. "We hear your voices. We hear the cries of freedom coming from the island," the president said. Biden has come under fire from Republicans who criticise what they say is his weak stance against Havana. "Biden's lack of leadership is a disgrace and undermines the cause of freedom in Cuba and around the world," the Republican National Committee said in a statement. The White House issued a forceful defence of the president, saying Biden has been watching developments on the island closely. "He's made clear that Cuba is led by a failed and repressive regime, and that communism is a universally failed ideology," White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said. On Thursday, the European Union called on Cuba to release people arrested "arbitrarily" during the protests. "We are very concerned about the repression of these protests, as well as for the arrest of protesters and journalists," the 27-nation bloc said in a statement.

US sanctions top Cuban police for suppressing protests

Police recorded around four times as many anti-Semitic incidents in London during May's Gaza crisis than at any time in the last three years, the city's force said Thursday.

They reported 87 anti-Semitic incidents, 65 more than the previous highest monthly figure recorded since they began reporting the data in May 2018, London Metropolitan Police told&nbsp;Britain's Press Association news agency.

The hostilities between Israel and Hamas claimed 253 Palestinian lives in 11 days from May 10, according to Gaza's health ministry, while Gaza rocket fire killed 12 Israelis.

Disturbances also broke out in the Palestinian territories and between Jewish and Arab citizens in Israel during the conflict, which sparked protests across the world.

The crisis had repercussions for Jews in London, where the word "Hitler" was written on the ceiling in a block of flats and rocks were hurled at a Jewish home.

One resident in north London's Stamford Hill neighbourhood, which has a significant Hasidic Jewish community, said the tyres of more than 30 Jewish-owned cars were slashed.

The Community Security Trust (CST), a charity that protects British Jews from anti-Semitism, said 116 incidents across Britain had been reported in an 11-day period from May 8.

In May, police arrested four people after footage emerged showing them shouting anti-Semitic abuse from a car.

Two men were also charged in connection with an incident when a rabbi was struck on the head with a concrete brick near his synagogue.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gaza-conflict-israel-removes-almost-all-emergency-restrictions-hamas-claims-victory-386492">Also read |&nbsp;Gaza conflict: Israel removes almost all emergency restrictions; Hamas claims victory</a>

Prime Minister Boris Johnson at the time condemned the "intolerable" spate of anti-Semitic incidents in a meeting with British Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has increased police patrols in Jewish neighbourhoods.

The CST recorded 1,668 anti-Semitic incidents in the UK in 2020 -- its third-highest annual figure -- and 1,813 in 2019.

Anti-Semitism accusations have dogged Britain's main opposition Labour party for years, particularly during the tenure of hard-left former leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Current leader Keir Starmer suspended Corbyn from the party last October after the latter's refusal to fully accept a report by Britain's human rights watchdog that criticised Labour's anti-Semitism problems under his leadership.

And an independent investigation in May concluded that the ruling Conservative party had issues with Islamophobia among individuals and within local associations.

Police recorded around four times as many anti-Semitic incidents in London during May's Gaza crisis than at any time in the last three years, the city's force said Thursday.

Police recorded around four times as many anti-Semitic incidents in London during May's Gaza crisis than at any time in the last three years, the city's force said Thursday. They reported 87 anti-Semitic incidents, 65 more than the previous highest monthly figure recorded since they began reporting the data in May 2018, London Metropolitan Police told Britain's Press Association news agency. The hostilities between Israel and Hamas claimed 253 Palestinian lives in 11 days from May 10, according to Gaza's health ministry, while Gaza rocket fire killed 12 Israelis. Disturbances also broke out in the Palestinian territories and between Jewish and Arab citizens in Israel during the conflict, which sparked protests across the world. The crisis had repercussions for Jews in London, where the word "Hitler" was written on the ceiling in a block of flats and rocks were hurled at a Jewish home. One resident in north London's Stamford Hill neighbourhood, which has a significant Hasidic Jewish community, said the tyres of more than 30 Jewish-owned cars were slashed. The Community Security Trust (CST), a charity that protects British Jews from anti-Semitism, said 116 incidents across Britain had been reported in an 11-day period from May 8. In May, police arrested four people after footage emerged showing them shouting anti-Semitic abuse from a car. Two men were also charged in connection with an incident when a rabbi was struck on the head with a concrete brick near his synagogue. Also read | Gaza conflict: Israel removes almost all emergency restrictions; Hamas claims victory Prime Minister Boris Johnson at the time condemned the "intolerable" spate of anti-Semitic incidents in a meeting with British Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis. London Mayor Sadiq Khan has increased police patrols in Jewish neighbourhoods. The CST recorded 1,668 anti-Semitic incidents in the UK in 2020 -- its third-highest annual figure -- and 1,813 in 2019. Anti-Semitism accusations have dogged Britain's main opposition Labour party for years, particularly during the tenure of hard-left former leader Jeremy Corbyn. Current leader Keir Starmer suspended Corbyn from the party last October after the latter's refusal to fully accept a report by Britain's human rights watchdog that criticised Labour's anti-Semitism problems under his leadership. And an independent investigation in May concluded that the ruling Conservative party had issues with Islamophobia among individuals and within local associations.

London anti-Semitism soared during Gaza crisis: Police

At least ten people were killed and dozens of others were injured on Sunday when a bus slipped off the highway in eastern Croatia, police said.

The passengers were travelling on a regular bus line between the German city of Frankfurt and the Kosovo capital Pristina, a police official told reporters.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/croatian-town-legrad-selling-houses-for-less-than-1-here-is-all-you-need-to-know-391122">Also read |&nbsp;Croatian town Legrad selling houses for less than $1. Here is all you need to know</a>

The injured were hospitalised in the eastern town of Slavonski Brod close to where the crash occurred, a police statement said.

A total of 45 people were admitted to a Slavonski brod hospital including eight who sustained serious injuries, its head Josip Samardzic said.

There were no immediate details on the ages or nationalities of the passengers or the possible cause of the accident. The bus had Kosovo license plates.

At least ten people were killed and dozens of others were injured on Sunday when a bus slipped off the highway in eastern Croatia, police said. The passengers were travelling on a regular bus line between the German city of Frankfurt and the Kosovo capital Pristina, a police official told reporters.

At least ten people were killed and dozens of others were injured on Sunday when a bus slipped off the highway in eastern Croatia, police said. The passengers were travelling on a regular bus line between the German city of Frankfurt and the Kosovo capital Pristina, a police official told reporters. Also read | Croatian town Legrad selling houses for less than $1. Here is all you need to know The injured were hospitalised in the eastern town of Slavonski Brod close to where the crash occurred, a police statement said. A total of 45 people were admitted to a Slavonski brod hospital including eight who sustained serious injuries, its head Josip Samardzic said. There were no immediate details on the ages or nationalities of the passengers or the possible cause of the accident. The bus had Kosovo license plates.

Ten people killed in Croatia bus crash: police

Colombian police said Wednesday they had arrested 70 people following fresh anti-government protests that mobilised thousands countrywide the previous day and left dozens injured.

As Colombians returned to the streets after a weeks-long hiatus, clashes with riot police left dozens of civilians and agents wounded in the cities of Bogota, Medellin and Cali, according to the authorities.&nbsp;

The government has described the protests as largely peaceful.

"In the last few hours the national police captured 70 people, 69 of them caught in the act, for crimes committed in several cities on July 20, and one more on a warrant for homicide," the institution said in a statement.

Charges include blocking public roads, damage to property, throwing dangerous objects or substances, and firearm possession.&nbsp;

The government claims armed groups had infiltrating the protests.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/colombia-is-home-to-20-of-all-butterfly-species-in-the-world-study-finds-393385">Also read |&nbsp;Colombia is home to 20% of all butterfly species in the world, study finds</a>

Colombia's human rights ombudsman reported 50 people were injured in Tuesday's demonstrations -- 24 civilians and 26 agents.

The country was rocked by weeks of protests that broke out late April in opposition to a proposed tax hike that morphed into a mass movement against the right-wing administration of President Ivan Duque.

The demonstrators demanded an end to police repression and more supportive public policies to alleviate the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with more than 40 percent of the country's 50 million inhabitants now living in poverty.

The international community has condemned a security response that left more than 60 people dead.

Police reform

A major group representing protesters -- the so-called National Strike Committee -- said on June 16 it would suspend the demonstrations, even though smaller groups continued and roadblocks remained.&nbsp;

The committee called fresh protests for Tuesday, Colombia's independence day, as the government put a new tax proposal to parliament.

On Wednesday, the government presented to lawmakers a bill to reform the police, who are accused of abuses against civilian protesters.

It proposes better training for officers and sanctions for those who do not identify themselves when carrying out arrests, or who refuse to be filmed while carrying out their duties.

But it does not suggest removing the police from the control of the defense ministry, as demanded by protesters.

"The national police must be part of the ministry of defense because of the conditions of threat and violence that still exist in Colombia," police chief Diego Molano told AFP.

The institution "has functions in the fight against drug trafficking, in citizen security... in the fight against smuggling that require coordination with the military forces."

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights has hit out at Colombia's "disproportionate" and "lethal" response to the protests, and has also recommended a police separation from the military.

Colombian police said Wednesday they had arrested 70 people following fresh anti-government protests that mobilised thousands countrywide the previous day and left dozens injured.

Colombian police said Wednesday they had arrested 70 people following fresh anti-government protests that mobilised thousands countrywide the previous day and left dozens injured. As Colombians returned to the streets after a weeks-long hiatus, clashes with riot police left dozens of civilians and agents wounded in the cities of Bogota, Medellin and Cali, according to the authorities. The government has described the protests as largely peaceful. "In the last few hours the national police captured 70 people, 69 of them caught in the act, for crimes committed in several cities on July 20, and one more on a warrant for homicide," the institution said in a statement. Charges include blocking public roads, damage to property, throwing dangerous objects or substances, and firearm possession. The government claims armed groups had infiltrating the protests. Also read | Colombia is home to 20% of all butterfly species in the world, study finds Colombia's human rights ombudsman reported 50 people were injured in Tuesday's demonstrations -- 24 civilians and 26 agents. The country was rocked by weeks of protests that broke out late April in opposition to a proposed tax hike that morphed into a mass movement against the right-wing administration of President Ivan Duque. The demonstrators demanded an end to police repression and more supportive public policies to alleviate the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with more than 40 percent of the country's 50 million inhabitants now living in poverty. The international community has condemned a security response that left more than 60 people dead. Police reform A major group representing protesters -- the so-called National Strike Committee -- said on June 16 it would suspend the demonstrations, even though smaller groups continued and roadblocks remained. The committee called fresh protests for Tuesday, Colombia's independence day, as the government put a new tax proposal to parliament. On Wednesday, the government presented to lawmakers a bill to reform the police, who are accused of abuses against civilian protesters. It proposes better training for officers and sanctions for those who do not identify themselves when carrying out arrests, or who refuse to be filmed while carrying out their duties. But it does not suggest removing the police from the control of the defense ministry, as demanded by protesters. "The national police must be part of the ministry of defense because of the conditions of threat and violence that still exist in Colombia," police chief Diego Molano told AFP. The institution "has functions in the fight against drug trafficking, in citizen security... in the fight against smuggling that require coordination with the military forces." The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights has hit out at Colombia's "disproportionate" and "lethal" response to the protests, and has also recommended a police separation from the military.

Dozens arrested in fresh Colombia protests: Police

Five people were detained on suspicion of publishing seditious material over a&nbsp;children's books comparing Hong Kong democracy activists to sheep being chased by wolves.

According to local media, the five arrested are members of the General Association of Hong Kong Speech Therapists. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/six-school-kids-among-nine-hong-kongers-arrested-for-bomb-plot-396124">Also read | Six school kids among nine Hong Kongers arrested for ‘bomb plot’</a> 
 
Authorities believe the group released three children's books that are metaphors for the current political situation.

The stories in the novels focus around a sheep hamlet that must deal with wolves from another settlement.

It's an obvious reference to the 12 Hong Kongers who attempted to flee to Taiwan by speedboat last year but were apprehended and imprisoned by the Chinese coastguard.

According to the synopses on the association's website, the sheep take actions such as going on strike or fleeing by boat. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-security-law-is-a-human-rights-emergency-amnesty-394852">Also read | Hong Kong security law is 'a human rights emergency': Amnesty</a>

Police said that also froze 160,000 Hong Kong dollars ($20,600) in assets linked to the union.

Police and prosecutors are now regularly using it alongside the national security law to clamp down on political speech and views.

Most of those arrested for such crimes are denied bail.

"Residents must see the facts, must not condone or beautify violence and should not let the next generation be incited and misled by untrue and biased information," police said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Five people were detained on suspicion of publishing seditious material over a children's books comparing Hong Kong democracy activists to sheep being chased by wolves.

Five people were detained on suspicion of publishing seditious material over a children's books comparing Hong Kong democracy activists to sheep being chased by wolves. According to local media, the five arrested are members of the General Association of Hong Kong Speech Therapists. Also read | Six school kids among nine Hong Kongers arrested for ‘bomb plot’ Authorities believe the group released three children's books that are metaphors for the current political situation. The stories in the novels focus around a sheep hamlet that must deal with wolves from another settlement. It's an obvious reference to the 12 Hong Kongers who attempted to flee to Taiwan by speedboat last year but were apprehended and imprisoned by the Chinese coastguard. According to the synopses on the association's website, the sheep take actions such as going on strike or fleeing by boat. Also read | Hong Kong security law is 'a human rights emergency': Amnesty Police said that also froze 160,000 Hong Kong dollars ($20,600) in assets linked to the union. Police and prosecutors are now regularly using it alongside the national security law to clamp down on political speech and views. Most of those arrested for such crimes are denied bail. "Residents must see the facts, must not condone or beautify violence and should not let the next generation be incited and misled by untrue and biased information," police said. (With inputs from agencies)

Hong Kong police arrest 5 for sedition over kid's books comparing cops to wolves

One hundred kidnapped villagers, mostly women and their infants, in northwest Nigeria were freed Tuesday, police said, following negotiations with their abductors who had held them hostage for 42 days.&nbsp;

Heavily armed gangs -- called bandits by locals -- have long plagued northwest and central Nigeria by looting, stealing cattle and abducting for ransom.

In this instance, on July 8 gunmen stormed Manawa village and seized 100 residents, including women and children, and took them to their forest hideout, a spokesman for Zamfara state police said in a statement.&nbsp;

Hostages are usually released after ransom payment, with those whose families fail to pay often being killed by the captors -- but Mohammed Shehu said that this time, the release was "unconditional" and had been secured "without giving any financial or material gain" to the gang.&nbsp;

A source familiar with the negotiations told AFP the bandits agreed to release the kidnapped villagers after the police and state authorities "assured them no action would be taken against them for the kidnap".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/unpatriotic-nigeria-government-orders-media-houses-to-stop-using-twitter-389980">Also read |&nbsp;'Unpatriotic': Nigeria government orders media houses to stop using Twitter</a>

The released hostages would undergo medical checks before being reunited with their families, Shehu said.

Bandit gangs operate from camps in the vast Rugu forest, which cuts across Zamfara, Katsina, and Kaduna states in Nigeria, as well as neighbouring Niger.

Nigeria's air force has in the past attacked bandit camps while some northern states have sought to negotiate with the gangs by offering amnesties in return for disarmament.

But both military deployment and attempted peace deals have failed to end the violence.

On Monday 13 policemen were killed in Zamfara state when they were ambushed by a gang as they deployed to protect a village from imminent attack.

The criminals have recently focused on attacking schools and kidnapping students to extort ransom money from parents.&nbsp;

One hundred kidnapped villagers, mostly women and their infants, in northwest Nigeria were freed Tuesday, police said, following negotiations with their abductors who had held them hostage for 42 days.

One hundred kidnapped villagers, mostly women and their infants, in northwest Nigeria were freed Tuesday, police said, following negotiations with their abductors who had held them hostage for 42 days. Heavily armed gangs -- called bandits by locals -- have long plagued northwest and central Nigeria by looting, stealing cattle and abducting for ransom. In this instance, on July 8 gunmen stormed Manawa village and seized 100 residents, including women and children, and took them to their forest hideout, a spokesman for Zamfara state police said in a statement. Hostages are usually released after ransom payment, with those whose families fail to pay often being killed by the captors -- but Mohammed Shehu said that this time, the release was "unconditional" and had been secured "without giving any financial or material gain" to the gang. A source familiar with the negotiations told AFP the bandits agreed to release the kidnapped villagers after the police and state authorities "assured them no action would be taken against them for the kidnap". Also read | 'Unpatriotic': Nigeria government orders media houses to stop using Twitter The released hostages would undergo medical checks before being reunited with their families, Shehu said. Bandit gangs operate from camps in the vast Rugu forest, which cuts across Zamfara, Katsina, and Kaduna states in Nigeria, as well as neighbouring Niger. Nigeria's air force has in the past attacked bandit camps while some northern states have sought to negotiate with the gangs by offering amnesties in return for disarmament. But both military deployment and attempted peace deals have failed to end the violence. On Monday 13 policemen were killed in Zamfara state when they were ambushed by a gang as they deployed to protect a village from imminent attack. The criminals have recently focused on attacking schools and kidnapping students to extort ransom money from parents.

100 kidnapped women and children freed in Nigeria

A former editor of the now-defunct Apple Daily pro-democracy newspaper, Lam Man-Chung was arrested on Wednesday by Hong Kong national security officers, weeks after the paper was forced to dissolve when authorities froze its assets.&nbsp;

Since authorities launched a broad probe into the 26-year-old publication founded by jailed media mogul Jimmy Lai Chee-Ying last month, Lam is the ninth top corporate official to be arrested.

It was forced to close after the arrests and the freezing of millions of dollars in assets.

In a statement, police said they had arrested a 51-year-old former newspaper editor for "collusion with foreign forces", a national security crime.

After its top leadership was jailed and its assets were frozen under the security law, Apple Daily, an outspoken supporter of democracy, published its final edition last month.

Lam was the editor in charge of the final edition, which marked the end of the paper's 26-year history. &nbsp;

Apple Daily's reporting and editorials, according to authorities, endorsed calls for international penalties against China, a political stance that is now illegal under the new security law.

Jimmy Lai, the tabloid's owner, is wrongfully imprisoned on charges of collusion, along with two other executives who have been granted bail.&nbsp;

Following months of anti-government protests in 2019, Beijing last year imposed a sweeping national security law in the semi-autonomous city that critics say restricts the freedoms promised to the former British colony that is not found on mainland China. More than 100 pro-democracy supporters have been arrested, and many others fled abroad.

(With inputs from agencies)

A former editor of the now-defunct Apple Daily pro-democracy newspaper, Lam Man-Chung was arrested on Wednesday by Hong Kong national security officers, weeks after the paper was forced to dissolve when authorities froze its assets.

A former editor of the now-defunct Apple Daily pro-democracy newspaper, Lam Man-Chung was arrested on Wednesday by Hong Kong national security officers, weeks after the paper was forced to dissolve when authorities froze its assets. Since authorities launched a broad probe into the 26-year-old publication founded by jailed media mogul Jimmy Lai Chee-Ying last month, Lam is the ninth top corporate official to be arrested. It was forced to close after the arrests and the freezing of millions of dollars in assets. In a statement, police said they had arrested a 51-year-old former newspaper editor for "collusion with foreign forces", a national security crime. After its top leadership was jailed and its assets were frozen under the security law, Apple Daily, an outspoken supporter of democracy, published its final edition last month. Lam was the editor in charge of the final edition, which marked the end of the paper's 26-year history. Apple Daily's reporting and editorials, according to authorities, endorsed calls for international penalties against China, a political stance that is now illegal under the new security law. Jimmy Lai, the tabloid's owner, is wrongfully imprisoned on charges of collusion, along with two other executives who have been granted bail. Following months of anti-government protests in 2019, Beijing last year imposed a sweeping national security law in the semi-autonomous city that critics say restricts the freedoms promised to the former British colony that is not found on mainland China. More than 100 pro-democracy supporters have been arrested, and many others fled abroad. (With inputs from agencies)

Hong Kong police arrest another Apple Daily editor under China national security law 

In several shootings across the US,&nbsp;multiple people were killed and dozens injured. Gun violence was reported in Portland (Oregon), Houston&nbsp;(Philadelphia), Sacramento&nbsp;(California)&nbsp;and Washington, DC.

In Washington, DC, a six-year-old girl died in an attack late on Friday. In the incident, three men and two women were also injured, cops said.

Portland (Oregon) seems to have witnessed an unprecedented surge in&nbsp;gun violence and associated homicides&nbsp;in the past six months.&nbsp;On Saturday,&nbsp;the city saw around four shootings where two people were killed and seven injured, some critically.&nbsp;

Calling the rash of&nbsp;shootings,&nbsp;a 'pandemic',&nbsp;Mayor Ted Wheeler&nbsp;said he would push hard for more officers and resources for the Portland Police Bureau. The department&nbsp;lost 125 sworn officers&nbsp;last&nbsp;year and&nbsp;also&nbsp;faces news rounds of retiring officers in coming months.&nbsp;

In the Old Sacramento tourist district in Sacramento, California,&nbsp;two men were killed and four others were hospitalised with injuries in Friday night's violence, officials said.

In Philadelphia, a 27-year-old man was killed in&nbsp;gunfire in the city's East Falls neighbourhood&nbsp;around 2 am on&nbsp;Saturday, according to NBC Philadelphia.

It was one of several incidents reported in the city from Friday night to Saturday morning, the news station reported. In an&nbsp;altercation between two men in the city’s Queen Village neighbourhood, one person died.

In Maryland,&nbsp;cops fatally shot a 21-year-old outside a McDonald's restaurant after an 'armed standoff’,&nbsp;a news release from&nbsp;the Montgomery County Police Department said.&nbsp;

Incident occurred on&nbsp;Friday night when police officers responded to a call about a customer who ordered food but was not moving through the drive-thru lane at the McDonald's in Gaithersburg.&nbsp;

After spotting&nbsp;handgun in man’s car,&nbsp;additional officers were called to secure the area and McDonald's staff was evacuated.&nbsp;

An 'armed standoff' ensued, where cops tried&nbsp;to negotiate&nbsp;with the driver for 30 minutes.&nbsp;"Circumstances that are still under investigation led to officers firing their weapons and the driver was&nbsp;shot,"&nbsp;the news release said.&nbsp;

Although&nbsp;officers&nbsp;tried to provide&nbsp;aid to the driver&nbsp;before being&nbsp;taken to a hospital, he was pronounced dead&nbsp;later, police said.

(With inputs from agencies)

In several shootings across the US, multiple people were killed and dozens injured. Gun violence was reported in Portland (Oregon), Houston (Philadelphia), Sacramento (California) and Washington, DC.

In several shootings across the US, multiple people were killed and dozens injured. Gun violence was reported in Portland (Oregon), Houston (Philadelphia), Sacramento (California) and Washington, DC. In Washington, DC, a six-year-old girl died in an attack late on Friday. In the incident, three men and two women were also injured, cops said. Portland (Oregon) seems to have witnessed an unprecedented surge in gun violence and associated homicides in the past six months. On Saturday, the city saw around four shootings where two people were killed and seven injured, some critically. Calling the rash of shootings, a 'pandemic', Mayor Ted Wheeler said he would push hard for more officers and resources for the Portland Police Bureau. The department lost 125 sworn officers last year and also faces news rounds of retiring officers in coming months. In the Old Sacramento tourist district in Sacramento, California, two men were killed and four others were hospitalised with injuries in Friday night's violence, officials said. In Philadelphia, a 27-year-old man was killed in gunfire in the city's East Falls neighbourhood around 2 am on Saturday, according to NBC Philadelphia. It was one of several incidents reported in the city from Friday night to Saturday morning, the news station reported. In an altercation between two men in the city’s Queen Village neighbourhood, one person died. In Maryland, cops fatally shot a 21-year-old outside a McDonald's restaurant after an 'armed standoff’, a news release from the Montgomery County Police Department said. Incident occurred on Friday night when police officers responded to a call about a customer who ordered food but was not moving through the drive-thru lane at the McDonald's in Gaithersburg. After spotting handgun in man’s car, additional officers were called to secure the area and McDonald's staff was evacuated. An 'armed standoff' ensued, where cops tried to negotiate with the driver for 30 minutes. "Circumstances that are still under investigation led to officers firing their weapons and the driver was shot," the news release said. Although officers tried to provide aid to the driver before being taken to a hospital, he was pronounced dead later, police said. (With inputs from agencies)

Unprecedented spate in US shootings leave several dead, multiple injured 

Baghdad&nbsp;police&nbsp;said Saturday they had&nbsp;arrested&nbsp;a group of related&nbsp;men&nbsp;who&nbsp;allegedly&nbsp;attacked&nbsp;a&nbsp;hospital, as a security source told AFP the&nbsp;armed&nbsp;assault was carried out in retaliation after four Covid patients died when their oxygen was cut.

Security forces "arrested&nbsp;an&nbsp;armed&nbsp;group which&nbsp;attacked&nbsp;al-Kindi&nbsp;hospital", one of the main ones in the Iraqi capital, a&nbsp;police&nbsp;statement said.

About ten people were involved in the attack and were all&nbsp;arrested, the security source said.

They belonged to the family of one of the four patients&nbsp;who&nbsp;died earlier when a power cut turned off ventilators, according to this source.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dreamers-programme-deemed-unlawful-by-us-federal-judge-biden-says-deeply-disappointed-398708">Also read |&nbsp;'Dreamers' programme deemed unlawful by US Federal Judge, Biden says 'deeply disappointed'</a>

The situation in&nbsp;hospitals&nbsp;across the country has often been catastrophic during the pandemic.

There have been two deadly fires in less than three months in Covid-19 units, with one killing more than 80 people in&nbsp;Baghdad&nbsp;in April and the most recent killing at least 60 on Monday in southern Nassiriya.

Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, which has claimed more than 17,700 lives in Iraq, Covid units have been hastily built to care for patients. The country, however, remains subject to incessant power cuts.

Baghdad police said Saturday they had arrested a group of related men who allegedly attacked a hospital, as a security source told AFP the armed assault was carried out in retaliation after four Covid patients died when their oxygen was cut.

Baghdad police said Saturday they had arrested a group of related men who allegedly attacked a hospital, as a security source told AFP the armed assault was carried out in retaliation after four Covid patients died when their oxygen was cut. Security forces "arrested an armed group which attacked al-Kindi hospital", one of the main ones in the Iraqi capital, a police statement said. About ten people were involved in the attack and were all arrested, the security source said. They belonged to the family of one of the four patients who died earlier when a power cut turned off ventilators, according to this source. Also read | 'Dreamers' programme deemed unlawful by US Federal Judge, Biden says 'deeply disappointed' The situation in hospitals across the country has often been catastrophic during the pandemic. There have been two deadly fires in less than three months in Covid-19 units, with one killing more than 80 people in Baghdad in April and the most recent killing at least 60 on Monday in southern Nassiriya. Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, which has claimed more than 17,700 lives in Iraq, Covid units have been hastily built to care for patients. The country, however, remains subject to incessant power cuts.

Armed men who attacked Baghdad hospital arrested, says police

According to Washoe County police, a&nbsp;42-year-old&nbsp;US woman&nbsp;broke into a dentist’s office, stole money and pulled 13 teeth from an unconscious patient on two separate occasions.&nbsp;

Laurel Eich, who is not a dentist, broke into a dental office where she claimed to have&nbsp;worked earlier, said the police.&nbsp;

During the May 3 break-in, Eich&nbsp;allegedly stole $22,861 in cash and checks,&nbsp;the Washoe County Sheriff's Office said in a press release.&nbsp;&nbsp;

She also&nbsp;broke-in on&nbsp;a different date to perform the&nbsp;tooth extraction,&nbsp;Eich told&nbsp;the police.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The accused woman was arrested and charged with two counts of burglary and one count each of grand larceny, conspiracy to commit burglary and perform surgery on another without a medical&nbsp;licence.&nbsp;

As per a Daily Mail report, the woman, who is a&nbsp;resident of Reno, allegedly performed the extractions 'on her own time'.&nbsp;

Now, Eich is in custody in Washoe County jail on a $20,000 bond.&nbsp;

According to Washoe County police, a 42-year-old US woman broke into a dentist’s office, stole money and pulled 13 teeth from an unconscious patient on two separate occasions.

According to Washoe County police, a 42-year-old US woman broke into a dentist’s office, stole money and pulled 13 teeth from an unconscious patient on two separate occasions. Laurel Eich, who is not a dentist, broke into a dental office where she claimed to have worked earlier, said the police. During the May 3 break-in, Eich allegedly stole $22,861 in cash and checks, the Washoe County Sheriff's Office said in a press release. She also broke-in on a different date to perform the tooth extraction, Eich told the police. The accused woman was arrested and charged with two counts of burglary and one count each of grand larceny, conspiracy to commit burglary and perform surgery on another without a medical licence. As per a Daily Mail report, the woman, who is a resident of Reno, allegedly performed the extractions 'on her own time'. Now, Eich is in custody in Washoe County jail on a $20,000 bond.

Nevada woman breaks into dentist's office, pulls 13 teeth from patient: Police

Hong Kong’s national security police on Friday raided the office of a university student union. This comes after student leaders last week commemorated a man who killed himself after stabbing a police officer.

Police raided the office at the University of Hong Kong. No students were in the office at the time.

However, there is no information on any arrests as of now.

The police have confirmed that they are investigating the student union with cooperation from the university. The police further said that they collected evidence under a search warrant. They did not release any further details.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam earlier this week urged the university and police to take action after student leaders passed a motion expressing “deep sadness” and appreciating the “sacrifice” of the man who attacked the police officer.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/world-leaders-pledge-to-redouble-pandemic-fight-at-special-apec-meeting-398599">Also read |&nbsp;World leaders pledge to redouble pandemic fight at special APEC meeting</a>

Identified as Leung Kin-fai, the man was described by police as a “lone wolf” domestic terrorist who was politically radicalized.&nbsp;

Leung, on July 1, stabbed a police officer with a knife before turning the weapon on himself.

Leaders of the student union later apologized for passing the motion and stepped down from their posts.

After that, the university issued a statement saying that it no longer recognized the student union and would investigate the incident and “take action against the students concerned.”

Hong Kong’s national security police on Friday raided the office of a university student union. This comes after student leaders last week commemorated a man who killed himself after stabbing a police officer.

Hong Kong’s national security police on Friday raided the office of a university student union. This comes after student leaders last week commemorated a man who killed himself after stabbing a police officer. Police raided the office at the University of Hong Kong. No students were in the office at the time. However, there is no information on any arrests as of now. The police have confirmed that they are investigating the student union with cooperation from the university. The police further said that they collected evidence under a search warrant. They did not release any further details. Meanwhile, Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam earlier this week urged the university and police to take action after student leaders passed a motion expressing “deep sadness” and appreciating the “sacrifice” of the man who attacked the police officer. Also read | World leaders pledge to redouble pandemic fight at special APEC meeting Identified as Leung Kin-fai, the man was described by police as a “lone wolf” domestic terrorist who was politically radicalized. Leung, on July 1, stabbed a police officer with a knife before turning the weapon on himself. Leaders of the student union later apologized for passing the motion and stepped down from their posts. After that, the university issued a statement saying that it no longer recognized the student union and would investigate the incident and “take action against the students concerned.”

Hong Kong national security police raid student union office

It seems to be a tough time for&nbsp;South Africa’s&nbsp;men in blue, police. The already depleting force is having a hard time in keeping law&nbsp;and order after violent protests and&nbsp;widespread looting. So,&nbsp;if you want to be a cop in&nbsp;South&nbsp;Africa,&nbsp;you really have to be committed&nbsp;as&nbsp;it is not a fancy job.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Let’s explore the present issues faced by police.&nbsp;

Witnessing the troublesome situation&nbsp;lately,&nbsp;WION spoke to a police officer in charge of an area called Meadowlands, Soweto that witnessed 11 deaths due to stampede.&nbsp;

Brigadier Balaraman Govindasamy says looting in&nbsp;Ndofaya&nbsp;mall started early&nbsp;on&nbsp;Saturday. He says,&nbsp;although&nbsp;the police tried to repel the crowd,&nbsp;but unfortunately the&nbsp;rioters&nbsp;had an upper hand.&nbsp;So,&nbsp;the police had to&nbsp;fall&nbsp;back.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Govindasamy&nbsp;says around 8&nbsp;pm&nbsp;on the&nbsp;same day,&nbsp;it was reported&nbsp;that some people had&nbsp;got&nbsp;injured in the mall and later,&nbsp;upon the arrival of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS), 10 people were&nbsp;found&nbsp;dead on the scene&nbsp;while&nbsp;one&nbsp;person&nbsp;succumbed&nbsp;to his injuries&nbsp;later.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In the&nbsp;last few days, the South African Police Services have been&nbsp;criticised&nbsp;heavily&nbsp;for not being able to handle the situation.&nbsp;In several instances, they have been a mute spectator to the lootings.

Stores and warehouses in South Africa were hit by looters on Tuesday for a fifth day running despite the troops President Cyril Ramaphosa deployed to try to quell unrest that has claimed 72 lives.

The raging unrest first erupted on last Friday after former president Jacob Zuma started serving a 15-month term for contempt, having snubbed a probe into the corruption that stained his nine years in power.&nbsp;

The Brigadier said, “I think policing in South Africa&nbsp;has become a&nbsp;lot tougher.&nbsp;The present situation shows the same.&nbsp; If police&nbsp;act&nbsp;then,&nbsp;it’s brutality,&nbsp;and&nbsp;if&nbsp;it chooses to&nbsp;not act, it is&nbsp;condemned for inaction.&nbsp;Our constitution makes it a bit difficult&nbsp;too.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Asked if there is a shortage of police personnel in the country,&nbsp;the officer&nbsp;said, “It is one of the main concerns. Our numbers have depleted&nbsp;and so have&nbsp;our resources due to resignations, retirements, deaths as a result of covid. This has affected our workforce.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

It seems to be a tough time for South Africa’s men in blue, police. The already depleting force is having a hard time in keeping law and order after violent protests and widespread looting.

It seems to be a tough time for South Africa’s men in blue, police. The already depleting force is having a hard time in keeping law and order after violent protests and widespread looting. So, if you want to be a cop in South Africa, you really have to be committed as it is not a fancy job. Let’s explore the present issues faced by police. Witnessing the troublesome situation lately, WION spoke to a police officer in charge of an area called Meadowlands, Soweto that witnessed 11 deaths due to stampede. Brigadier Balaraman Govindasamy says looting in Ndofaya mall started early on Saturday. He says, although the police tried to repel the crowd, but unfortunately the rioters had an upper hand. So, the police had to fall back. Govindasamy says around 8 pm on the same day, it was reported that some people had got injured in the mall and later, upon the arrival of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS), 10 people were found dead on the scene while one person succumbed to his injuries later. In the last few days, the South African Police Services have been criticised heavily for not being able to handle the situation. In several instances, they have been a mute spectator to the lootings. Stores and warehouses in South Africa were hit by looters on Tuesday for a fifth day running despite the troops President Cyril Ramaphosa deployed to try to quell unrest that has claimed 72 lives. The raging unrest first erupted on last Friday after former president Jacob Zuma started serving a 15-month term for contempt, having snubbed a probe into the corruption that stained his nine years in power. The Brigadier said, “I think policing in South Africa has become a lot tougher. The present situation shows the same. If police act then, it’s brutality, and if it chooses to not act, it is condemned for inaction. Our constitution makes it a bit difficult too.” Asked if there is a shortage of police personnel in the country, the officer said, “It is one of the main concerns. Our numbers have depleted and so have our resources due to resignations, retirements, deaths as a result of covid. This has affected our workforce.”

South Africa’s men in blue face a hard time as protesters go on rampage

In this week's clashes between police and a gang in northwestern Caracas,&nbsp;at least 26 people have died and 38 are injured, Venezuelan Interior Minister Carmen Melendez&nbsp;said&nbsp;on Saturday. The victims include&nbsp;four officers.

This count has come up as the area has been witnessing&nbsp;heavy gunfire, which has forced&nbsp;some capital residents to flee homes along with traffic snarls in several neighbourhoods.

In the crime-stricken city,&nbsp;the authorities try to push back on what analysts describe as a gang's effort to expand its territory beyond the Cota 905 barrio.

Minister&nbsp;said 10 officers were injured in the clashes and&nbsp;22 'criminals' died. Around&nbsp;28 'civilians', a reference to residents not suspected to be gang members, were injured and that some civilians died, though she did not specify how many and did not provide further details. 
 
Human rights activists said this week that four people were killed by stray bullets during the clashes. Activists and the political opposition have for years accused President Nicolas Maduro's government of disregarding and covering up civilian casualties in anti-crime raids. 
 
They have also criticised pacts the socialist government signed with some gangs to create no-go areas for police in certain neighborhoods in a bid to lower violence, arguing the so-called 'peace zones' allowed gangs to consolidate power and resources. 
 
"While civilians and police were murdered, western Caracas lived in fear for two days, and Venezuelans are fleeing the conflict, the dictatorship put on a show,"&nbsp;said opposition leader Juan Guaido. 
 
Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, speaking alongside Melendez on state television, alleged the gang that controls Cota 905 was linked to some opposition politicians, without providing evidence. She added that three alleged members of 'Colombian paramilitary' groups were detained in connection to the raids. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

In this week's clashes between police and a gang in northwestern Caracas, at least 26 people have died and 38 are injured, Venezuelan Interior Minister Carmen Melendez said on Saturday.

In this week's clashes between police and a gang in northwestern Caracas, at least 26 people have died and 38 are injured, Venezuelan Interior Minister Carmen Melendez said on Saturday. The victims include four officers. This count has come up as the area has been witnessing heavy gunfire, which has forced some capital residents to flee homes along with traffic snarls in several neighbourhoods. In the crime-stricken city, the authorities try to push back on what analysts describe as a gang's effort to expand its territory beyond the Cota 905 barrio. Minister said 10 officers were injured in the clashes and 22 'criminals' died. Around 28 'civilians', a reference to residents not suspected to be gang members, were injured and that some civilians died, though she did not specify how many and did not provide further details. Human rights activists said this week that four people were killed by stray bullets during the clashes. Activists and the political opposition have for years accused President Nicolas Maduro's government of disregarding and covering up civilian casualties in anti-crime raids. They have also criticised pacts the socialist government signed with some gangs to create no-go areas for police in certain neighborhoods in a bid to lower violence, arguing the so-called 'peace zones' allowed gangs to consolidate power and resources. "While civilians and police were murdered, western Caracas lived in fear for two days, and Venezuelans are fleeing the conflict, the dictatorship put on a show," said opposition leader Juan Guaido. Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, speaking alongside Melendez on state television, alleged the gang that controls Cota 905 was linked to some opposition politicians, without providing evidence. She added that three alleged members of 'Colombian paramilitary' groups were detained in connection to the raids. (With inputs from agencies)

Venezuela says clashes between police, gang leave 26 dead

All nine people onboard were found dead in the crash of an airplane outside Orebro, Sweden, on Thursday, Swedish police said.

"It's a very severe accident," Swedish police said on their website. "Everyone on board the crashed plane has died."

Police said the plane, a DHC-2 Turbo Beaver, was carrying eight skydivers and one pilot. It crashed close to the runway at Orebro airport shortly after takeoff and caught fire at impact.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pentagon-deeply-concerned-by-recent-attacks-on-personnel-in-iraq-syria-396839">Also read |&nbsp;Pentagon 'deeply concerned' by recent attacks on personnel in Iraq, Syria</a>

"It is with great sadness and sorrow that I have received the tragic information about the plane crash in Orebro," Prime Minister Stefan Lofven wrote on Twitter. "My thoughts are with the victims, their families and loved ones in this very difficult time."

In a similar accident, nine people died in northern Sweden in 2019 when a plane carrying skydivers crashed shortly after takeoff. The crash investigation showed the plane had been improperly loaded.

All nine people onboard were found dead in the crash of an airplane outside Orebro, Sweden, on Thursday, Swedish police said. "It's a very severe accident," Swedish police said on their website.

All nine people onboard were found dead in the crash of an airplane outside Orebro, Sweden, on Thursday, Swedish police said. "It's a very severe accident," Swedish police said on their website. "Everyone on board the crashed plane has died." Police said the plane, a DHC-2 Turbo Beaver, was carrying eight skydivers and one pilot. It crashed close to the runway at Orebro airport shortly after takeoff and caught fire at impact. Also read | Pentagon 'deeply concerned' by recent attacks on personnel in Iraq, Syria "It is with great sadness and sorrow that I have received the tragic information about the plane crash in Orebro," Prime Minister Stefan Lofven wrote on Twitter. "My thoughts are with the victims, their families and loved ones in this very difficult time." In a similar accident, nine people died in northern Sweden in 2019 when a plane carrying skydivers crashed shortly after takeoff. The crash investigation showed the plane had been improperly loaded.

Nine found dead in Swedish airplane crash, says police

Venezuelan authorities closed roads in northwest&nbsp;Caracas&nbsp;on Thursday due to intense firefights between security forces and organized crime gangs that analysts say are trying to expand the territory under their control in the capital.

Heavily armed criminal groups have moved in the past month to residential and commercial areas from slums in the city's hills, and violence has exploded over the past 24 hours with gun battles breaking out in at least five populous neighbourhoods.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/venezuela-offers-500000-rewards-for-gang-leaders-396857">Venezuela offers $500,000 rewards for gang leaders</a>

"State security agencies continue to be deployed in the areas affected by these criminals," Interior Minister Carmen Melendez wrote on Twitter.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
1/5 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/9Jul?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#9Jul</a> Los Cuerpos de Seguridad del Estado permanecerán en combate el tiempo que sea necesario para liberar la totalidad de los territorios secuestrados por las bandas delincuenciales. Tenemos la moral, los profesionales, armas y fuerza constitucional para lograr este objetivo <a href="https://t.co/IvStQzZGYP">pic.twitter.com/IvStQzZGYP</a>
— Carmen Meléndez (@gestionperfecta) <a href="https://twitter.com/gestionperfecta/status/1413483043063435270?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2021</a></blockquote>
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She said some highways in the areas were closed as part of the operation and urged members of the public to stay at home.

President Nicolas Maduro's government has not mentioned any casualties as a result of the clashes. Human rights activists in the area have said at least four civilians were killed on Wednesday and half a dozen have been wounded.

The information ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Since January, gangs from the Cota 905 barrio have been trying to expand their territory into nearby areas including La Vega.

"We haven't been running the kitchens at full capacity since January because of the shootouts nearly every day," said Amelia Flores, 58, who runs two soup kitchens, primarily for children, in the area. "I don't what happened, but in the past 24 hours the situation has exploded and the kids are traumatized."

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/venezuela-state-tv-airs-confession-video-of-alleged-american-mercenary-297133/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The gangs want to control one of the main corridors linking the capital with the west of the country, said a human rights activist based in one of the affected neighbourhoods.

"It's been the same conflict for months," said the activist, who asked not to be identified for fear of reprisals.

Analysts say gangs in Cota 905 have been able to operate with ease as it has been a no-go zone for security forces due to a pact with the government to lower violence. Experts say the gangs took the opportunity to acquire military-grade firepower such as grenade launchers, assault weapons, and drones.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/venezuela-activists-charged-with-terrorism-rights-group-395646">Venezuela activists charged with terrorism: Rights group</a>

"They used the space that the government gave them in the Cota to re-arm, gain strength, and plan an attack," said Alexander Campos, a researcher at the Central University of Venezuela who studies violence and politics in society.

"They are expanding from controling the barrios in the hills into lower parts of the city," he said. "It's difficult for them, but they're winning."

Ines Candida, 56, lives in the middle-class neighbourhood El Paraiso, just across a highway from the Cota 905 barrio. She said gangs had been in shootouts with the police every day for the past month, but she had not seen or heard anything like the past 24 hours.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/statue-of-nazarene-tours-caracas-poor-districts-374821/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"We are prisoners in our own homes," she said by telephone, as unrelenting gunshots rang out in the background.

Reached by phone at a church in the nearby El Cementerio neighbourhood where he and others were taking shelter, Catholic priest Wilfredo Corniel, 45, said over more gunfire: "It feels like we are in a war zone."

Venezuelan authorities closed roads in northwest Caracas on Thursday due to intense firefights between security forces and organized crime gangs that analysts say are trying to expand the territory under their control in the capital.

Venezuelan authorities closed roads in northwest Caracas on Thursday due to intense firefights between security forces and organized crime gangs that analysts say are trying to expand the territory under their control in the capital. Heavily armed criminal groups have moved in the past month to residential and commercial areas from slums in the city's hills, and violence has exploded over the past 24 hours with gun battles breaking out in at least five populous neighbourhoods. Also read | Venezuela offers $500,000 rewards for gang leaders "State security agencies continue to be deployed in the areas affected by these criminals," Interior Minister Carmen Melendez wrote on Twitter. 1/5 #9Jul Los Cuerpos de Seguridad del Estado permanecerán en combate el tiempo que sea necesario para liberar la totalidad de los territorios secuestrados por las bandas delincuenciales. Tenemos la moral, los profesionales, armas y fuerza constitucional para lograr este objetivo pic.twitter.com/IvStQzZGYP — Carmen Meléndez (@gestionperfecta) July 9, 2021 × She said some highways in the areas were closed as part of the operation and urged members of the public to stay at home. President Nicolas Maduro's government has not mentioned any casualties as a result of the clashes. Human rights activists in the area have said at least four civilians were killed on Wednesday and half a dozen have been wounded. The information ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Since January, gangs from the Cota 905 barrio have been trying to expand their territory into nearby areas including La Vega. "We haven't been running the kitchens at full capacity since January because of the shootouts nearly every day," said Amelia Flores, 58, who runs two soup kitchens, primarily for children, in the area. "I don't what happened, but in the past 24 hours the situation has exploded and the kids are traumatized." The gangs want to control one of the main corridors linking the capital with the west of the country, said a human rights activist based in one of the affected neighbourhoods. "It's been the same conflict for months," said the activist, who asked not to be identified for fear of reprisals. Analysts say gangs in Cota 905 have been able to operate with ease as it has been a no-go zone for security forces due to a pact with the government to lower violence. Experts say the gangs took the opportunity to acquire military-grade firepower such as grenade launchers, assault weapons, and drones. Also read | Venezuela activists charged with terrorism: Rights group "They used the space that the government gave them in the Cota to re-arm, gain strength, and plan an attack," said Alexander Campos, a researcher at the Central University of Venezuela who studies violence and politics in society. "They are expanding from controling the barrios in the hills into lower parts of the city," he said. "It's difficult for them, but they're winning." Ines Candida, 56, lives in the middle-class neighbourhood El Paraiso, just across a highway from the Cota 905 barrio. She said gangs had been in shootouts with the police every day for the past month, but she had not seen or heard anything like the past 24 hours. "We are prisoners in our own homes," she said by telephone, as unrelenting gunshots rang out in the background. Reached by phone at a church in the nearby El Cementerio neighbourhood where he and others were taking shelter, Catholic priest Wilfredo Corniel, 45, said over more gunfire: "It feels like we are in a war zone."

Gunfights between gangs and police close major roads in Caracas

Fiji on Wednesday began distributing groceries to some households as it urges people to stay at home amid rising infections of the highly transmissible Delta variant of the novel coronavirus. 
 
Authorities posted pictures on social media of bags of supermarket supplies, including packaged food and toilet paper, being delivered to homes around the capital, Suva, as they reinforced calls for people to obey social distancing rules and get vaccinated. 
 
Police and a supermarket 'delivered household packs to Fijians in targeted lockdown areas and home isolation', the government said on Twitter as part of a publicity blitz on COVID-19 safety. 
 
The deliveries were mostly being made in poorer neighbourhoods. "We are here to ensure that Fijians get assistance," the government said. 
 
Since the pandemic began, the country of less than a million people has reported 39 deaths, but most have come since the emergence of the Delta variant in April and case numbers have risen to more than 500 a day, according to the latest figures on Tuesday. 
 
The government has said some patients are seeking treatment too late and the main hospital's mortuary was full. Some victims were also dying at home, it said. 
 
But the government has resisted calls for a lockdown and instead urged people to take precautions.

Fiji on Wednesday began distributing groceries to some households as it urges people to stay at home amid rising infections of the highly transmissible Delta variant of the novel coronavirus.

Fiji on Wednesday began distributing groceries to some households as it urges people to stay at home amid rising infections of the highly transmissible Delta variant of the novel coronavirus. Authorities posted pictures on social media of bags of supermarket supplies, including packaged food and toilet paper, being delivered to homes around the capital, Suva, as they reinforced calls for people to obey social distancing rules and get vaccinated. Police and a supermarket 'delivered household packs to Fijians in targeted lockdown areas and home isolation', the government said on Twitter as part of a publicity blitz on COVID-19 safety. The deliveries were mostly being made in poorer neighbourhoods. "We are here to ensure that Fijians get assistance," the government said. Since the pandemic began, the country of less than a million people has reported 39 deaths, but most have come since the emergence of the Delta variant in April and case numbers have risen to more than 500 a day, according to the latest figures on Tuesday. The government has said some patients are seeking treatment too late and the main hospital's mortuary was full. Some victims were also dying at home, it said. But the government has resisted calls for a lockdown and instead urged people to take precautions.

Fiji police deliver groceries, toilet paper amid COVID-19 spike

Police arrested Javier Tarazona, director of Venezuelan human rights non-governmental group FundaRedes, two days after he held a news conference in Caracas alleging links between members of the government and illegal armed groups from Colombia. 
 
He and three others were detained on Friday in the northwestern state of Falcon. 
 
Tarazona and three others were detained after reporting on Friday morning to the state's prosecutor that their team had been harassed by intelligence service officials and unidentified armed men had been waiting for him at the door of his hotel, the organisation said on its Twitter account. 
 
"We demand that the integrity and life of these four people be respected, as well as the integrity and life of FundaRedes activists and volunteers," said Clara Ramirez, FundaRedes' documentation and human rights coordinator. 
 
"It is alarming that the Venezuelan state maintains a policy of intimidation, threat and harassment against human rights defenders," she said. 
 
FundaRedes has been the most active entity documenting and denouncing abuses by Colombian armed groups in border areas and their illegal trafficking and mining activities. 
 
The group was the first organisation in March to denounce fighting between the Venezuelan military and dissident groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia guerrillas, which departed from peace accords signed in 2016, in remote parts of the Apure state on the border with Colombia. 
 
The group also denounced extrajudicial executions of civilians at the hands of Venezuelan police forces and the displacement of hundreds of inhabitants of Apure in search of refuge in Colombian territory. 
 
This week, Tarazona was at the headquarters of the prosecutor's office in Caracas, to request that the alleged links between government officials and irregular armed be investigated. 
 
Venezuela's information ministry and prosecutor's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Police arrested Javier Tarazona, director of Venezuelan human rights non-governmental group FundaRedes, two days after he held a news conference in Caracas alleging links between members of the government and illegal armed groups from Colombia.

Police arrested Javier Tarazona, director of Venezuelan human rights non-governmental group FundaRedes, two days after he held a news conference in Caracas alleging links between members of the government and illegal armed groups from Colombia. He and three others were detained on Friday in the northwestern state of Falcon. Tarazona and three others were detained after reporting on Friday morning to the state's prosecutor that their team had been harassed by intelligence service officials and unidentified armed men had been waiting for him at the door of his hotel, the organisation said on its Twitter account. "We demand that the integrity and life of these four people be respected, as well as the integrity and life of FundaRedes activists and volunteers," said Clara Ramirez, FundaRedes' documentation and human rights coordinator. "It is alarming that the Venezuelan state maintains a policy of intimidation, threat and harassment against human rights defenders," she said. FundaRedes has been the most active entity documenting and denouncing abuses by Colombian armed groups in border areas and their illegal trafficking and mining activities. The group was the first organisation in March to denounce fighting between the Venezuelan military and dissident groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia guerrillas, which departed from peace accords signed in 2016, in remote parts of the Apure state on the border with Colombia. The group also denounced extrajudicial executions of civilians at the hands of Venezuelan police forces and the displacement of hundreds of inhabitants of Apure in search of refuge in Colombian territory. This week, Tarazona was at the headquarters of the prosecutor's office in Caracas, to request that the alleged links between government officials and irregular armed be investigated. Venezuela's information ministry and prosecutor's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. (With inputs from agencies)

Venezuelan police detain head of human rights group

Police&nbsp;in Greece on Thursday arrested the deputy&nbsp;leader&nbsp;of neo-Nazi group Golden Dawn who had evaded justice since he was sentenced to over 13 years in jail in October, a&nbsp;police&nbsp;source said.

Christos Pappas had been on the run since a landmark trial handed down sentences to more than 50 Golden Dawn defendants on charges including running a criminal organisation, murder, assault and illegal weapons possession.

Sentenced to prison for his leading role in running the outfit, the 59-year-old Pappas was arrested at a home in the Athens district of Zografou, a&nbsp;police&nbsp;source told AFP.

A&nbsp;police&nbsp;statement said Pappas would be taken to a prosecutor on Friday.

A 52-year-old woman allegedly hiding him in her home was also arrested, the statement said.

The moustachioed former furniture store owner, whose lieutenant general father was part of the 1967 army coup that installed a seven-year dictatorship in Greece, Pappas was considered a leading ideologue of Golden Dawn.

He is a noted fan of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini and a collector of fascist memorabilia.

Pappas was the last Golden Dawn cadre to evade justice, after former senior member Ioannis Lagos, a member of the European Parliament, was extradited from Belgium in May.

He had made it clear through his legal representation that he had not intended to turn himself in, hoping to secure a lighter sentence on appeal.

Pappas had also escaped arrest in 2013, when senior Golden Dawn members had been rounded up following the murder of anti-fascist rapper Pavlos Fyssas -- the crime that led to the organisation's undoing.

At the time,&nbsp;police&nbsp;searching Pappas' home had found swastika flags, two German army helmets and bottles stamped with images of Benito Mussolini.

The Golden Dawn trial, which began in 2015, has been described as one of the most significant in&nbsp;Greek&nbsp;political history.

The court accepted that the openly xenophobic and anti-Semitic group operated under a military-style leadership that encouraged the beating of migrants and political opponents.

Knuckle dusters, crowbars, knives

Prosecutors outlined how Golden Dawn set up militias who roamed the streets, often armed with knuckle dusters, crowbars and knives.

Other crimes tied to the group include the murder of a Pakistani migrant and the beatings of four Egyptian fishermen in 2012 and a group of Communist unionists in 2013.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/drone-spotted-inside-indian-mission-in-islamabad-matter-raised-395299">Read |&nbsp;Drone spotted inside Indian mission in Islamabad; matter raised</a>

The organisation's founder and long-term&nbsp;leader&nbsp;Nikos Michaloliakos has also been sentenced to more than 13 years in prison, alongside several other senior party members.

The former fringe party won 18 seats in parliament in 2012 after tapping into anti-austerity and anti-migrant anger during Greece's decade-long debt crisis.

At the height of its power in 2013, the party was polling at 10 per cent, making it Greece's third most popular party.

But its influence began to ebb as the group's criminal activities came to light in trial testimony.

It failed to win a single seat in the last parliamentary election in 2019.

Police in Greece on Thursday arrested the deputy leader of neo-Nazi group Golden Dawn who had evaded justice since he was sentenced to over 13 years in jail in October, a police source said.

Police in Greece on Thursday arrested the deputy leader of neo-Nazi group Golden Dawn who had evaded justice since he was sentenced to over 13 years in jail in October, a police source said. Christos Pappas had been on the run since a landmark trial handed down sentences to more than 50 Golden Dawn defendants on charges including running a criminal organisation, murder, assault and illegal weapons possession. Sentenced to prison for his leading role in running the outfit, the 59-year-old Pappas was arrested at a home in the Athens district of Zografou, a police source told AFP. A police statement said Pappas would be taken to a prosecutor on Friday. A 52-year-old woman allegedly hiding him in her home was also arrested, the statement said. The moustachioed former furniture store owner, whose lieutenant general father was part of the 1967 army coup that installed a seven-year dictatorship in Greece, Pappas was considered a leading ideologue of Golden Dawn. He is a noted fan of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini and a collector of fascist memorabilia. Pappas was the last Golden Dawn cadre to evade justice, after former senior member Ioannis Lagos, a member of the European Parliament, was extradited from Belgium in May. He had made it clear through his legal representation that he had not intended to turn himself in, hoping to secure a lighter sentence on appeal. Pappas had also escaped arrest in 2013, when senior Golden Dawn members had been rounded up following the murder of anti-fascist rapper Pavlos Fyssas -- the crime that led to the organisation's undoing. At the time, police searching Pappas' home had found swastika flags, two German army helmets and bottles stamped with images of Benito Mussolini. The Golden Dawn trial, which began in 2015, has been described as one of the most significant in Greek political history. The court accepted that the openly xenophobic and anti-Semitic group operated under a military-style leadership that encouraged the beating of migrants and political opponents. Knuckle dusters, crowbars, knives Prosecutors outlined how Golden Dawn set up militias who roamed the streets, often armed with knuckle dusters, crowbars and knives. Other crimes tied to the group include the murder of a Pakistani migrant and the beatings of four Egyptian fishermen in 2012 and a group of Communist unionists in 2013. Read | Drone spotted inside Indian mission in Islamabad; matter raised The organisation's founder and long-term leader Nikos Michaloliakos has also been sentenced to more than 13 years in prison, alongside several other senior party members. The former fringe party won 18 seats in parliament in 2012 after tapping into anti-austerity and anti-migrant anger during Greece's decade-long debt crisis. At the height of its power in 2013, the party was polling at 10 per cent, making it Greece's third most popular party. But its influence began to ebb as the group's criminal activities came to light in trial testimony. It failed to win a single seat in the last parliamentary election in 2019.

Fugitive Greek neo-Nazi deputy leader caught, says police

When Nigerian student and model Victoria Chiamaka Udeh was branding her country's red-stained flag while walking down the runway during a beauty pageant in Russia, she could only think about how young people lost their lives during the #EndSars protests in Nigeria last year.

When Nigerian student and model Victoria Chiamaka Udeh was branding her country's red-stained flag while walking down the runway during a beauty pageant in Russia, she could only think about how young people lost their lives during the #EndSars protests in Nigeria last year. She used the Miss Africa Russia platform to make a statement about the anti-police brutality demonstrations that struck her country last year in October. CNN quoted her saying, "I felt like 'right now I don't care about what the judges think about what I'm doing.' What mattered to me was using the platform that Miss Africa Russia had given me to pass a message". The police brutality is now being investigated by a judicial panel, which has been set up by the authorities. The NIGERIA Representative Miss Africa in RUSSIA 2021 displayed uncommon courage as she came out with blood stained Nigeria flag, an indication of daily blood flow of innocent people across NIGERIA. TBRV | Biafra pic.twitter.com/VfRmHxPMkA — The Biafra Restoration Voice - TBRV (@TBRVorg) June 16, 2021 × The Nigerian army had admitted to having in possession both live and blank bullets when they were deployed to protests at Lekki toll gate on October 20. The admission was seen as a confirmation of a key finding of a CNN investigation into the shooting incident. Also Read | Nigeria admits soldiers had live bullets at Lekki Toll Gate protest Brig. Gen. Ahmed Taiwo in his testimony to the Lagos Judicial panel of inquiry into the incident, said, "The soldiers were given both live and blank bullets. In this particular case, we saw that these protests had been infiltrated by some hoodlums". As per Udeh, she used the platform to "break beauty stereotypes". Speaking with CNN, she said, "At that time, I wasn't comfortable with my skin because I had a lot of acne all over my face. So, I wanted to prove to myself and people like me that I can break beauty stereotypes and that the flaws on my skin are part of what makes me perfect". In a video from the event that struck social media, the model could be seen dressed in Nigeria's green and white colours, while she is holding the red-splashed flag. She said the banner symbolised the blood of young protesters who lost their lives last year. While she did not win the competition, she was rated top in the "people's choice" category by the organisers. Udeh said that wearing the colours made her "very emotional". "I did that for a good cause. We need to be safe in our country and not losing lives every day. It was just a call to the Nigerian government to address the country's security issues," she said.

Nigerian model uses Russian beauty pageant as a platform to protest police brutality

Hong Kong police arrested a former senior journalist with the Apple Daily newspaper at the international airport on Sunday night on a suspected national security charge as he tried to leave the city, according to media reports. 
 
Fung Wai-kong would be the seventh staffer at the pro-democracy Apple Daily newspaper to be arrested on national security grounds in recent weeks. He was an editor and columnist at the now-closed paper, Hong Kong media reported. 
 
Police said in a statement that a 57-year-old man had been arrested at the airport for 'conspiring to collude with foreign countries or foreign forces to endanger national security'. They added that he had been detained and investigations were continuing. 
 
A former Apple Daily journalist, Jack Hazelwood, said on Twitter that Fung was attempting to board a flight to London and called on British authorities to take action. 
 
Apple Daily, a popular tabloid, was forced to fold following a raid by several hundred police on its headquarters on June 17 and the freezing of key assets and bank accounts. It printed its last edition last Thursday. 
 
Authorities say dozens of the paper's articles may have violated a China-imposed national security law, the first instance of authorities taking aim at media reports under the legislation. 
 
Critics of the law, introduced last June, say it has been used to stifle dissent and erode fundamental freedoms in the former British colony that returned to Chinese rule in 1997. 
 
Some of the critics also say the closure of Apple Daily, which mixes pro-democracy views with celebrity gossip and investigations of those in power, marks the end of an era for media freedom in the city. 
 
Officials in Hong Kong and China have repeatedly said media freedoms are respected but not absolute, and cannot endanger national security. 
 
The shutdown of Apple is the latest setback for media tycoon Jimmy Lai, the newspaper's owner and a staunch Beijing critic, whose assets have been frozen under the legislation and who is serving prison sentences for taking part in illegal assemblies. 
 
Lai is also awaiting trial after being charged with collusion with foreign forces, which carries up to life in jail. 
 
The Hong Kong Journalists'&nbsp;Association, reacting to reports of the airport arrest, condemned the police for targeting journalists again, and asked them to explain the incident. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Hong Kong police arrested a former senior journalist with the Apple Daily newspaper at the international airport on Sunday night on a suspected national security charge as he tried to leave the city, according to media reports.

Hong Kong police arrested a former senior journalist with the Apple Daily newspaper at the international airport on Sunday night on a suspected national security charge as he tried to leave the city, according to media reports. Fung Wai-kong would be the seventh staffer at the pro-democracy Apple Daily newspaper to be arrested on national security grounds in recent weeks. He was an editor and columnist at the now-closed paper, Hong Kong media reported. Police said in a statement that a 57-year-old man had been arrested at the airport for 'conspiring to collude with foreign countries or foreign forces to endanger national security'. They added that he had been detained and investigations were continuing. A former Apple Daily journalist, Jack Hazelwood, said on Twitter that Fung was attempting to board a flight to London and called on British authorities to take action. Apple Daily, a popular tabloid, was forced to fold following a raid by several hundred police on its headquarters on June 17 and the freezing of key assets and bank accounts. It printed its last edition last Thursday. Authorities say dozens of the paper's articles may have violated a China-imposed national security law, the first instance of authorities taking aim at media reports under the legislation. Critics of the law, introduced last June, say it has been used to stifle dissent and erode fundamental freedoms in the former British colony that returned to Chinese rule in 1997. Some of the critics also say the closure of Apple Daily, which mixes pro-democracy views with celebrity gossip and investigations of those in power, marks the end of an era for media freedom in the city. Officials in Hong Kong and China have repeatedly said media freedoms are respected but not absolute, and cannot endanger national security. The shutdown of Apple is the latest setback for media tycoon Jimmy Lai, the newspaper's owner and a staunch Beijing critic, whose assets have been frozen under the legislation and who is serving prison sentences for taking part in illegal assemblies. Lai is also awaiting trial after being charged with collusion with foreign forces, which carries up to life in jail. The Hong Kong Journalists' Association, reacting to reports of the airport arrest, condemned the police for targeting journalists again, and asked them to explain the incident. (With inputs from agencies)

Hong Kong police arrest former Apple Daily journalist at airport: Media

Police have fined two men who had to be rescued from an Australian forest after they were chased by a deer while sunbathing naked on a beach and became lost.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The men called for help about 6 pm&nbsp;on&nbsp;Sunday after they became lost in the Royal National Park south of Sydney, a police statement said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"Unbelievably, we saw two men sunbaking naked on a beach on the South Coast,"&nbsp;Police Commissioner Mick Fuller told reporters.&nbsp;"They were startled by a deer, ran into the national ... Park and got lost."&nbsp;&nbsp;

Their rescue involved police aircraft, the State Emergency Service and ambulance officers.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The men, aged 30 and 49, were fined 1,000 Australian dollars ($759) each for breaching a stay-home pandemic order that restricted them to Sydney, police said&nbsp;on&nbsp;Monday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The younger man was found&nbsp;'naked and carrying a backpack?’&nbsp;while the older man&nbsp;was&nbsp;'partially clothed’," the police statement said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"Clearly putting people at risk by leaving home without a proper reason, ... Then getting lost in the national park and diverting important resources away from the health operation, I think they should be embarrassed,"&nbsp;Fuller said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The pair were among 44 people fined by police on Sunday for breaching a public health order after Sydney began a two-week lockdown on Friday due to a new COVID-19 cluster.&nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Police have fined two men who had to be rescued from an Australian forest after they were chased by a deer while sunbathing naked on a beach and became lost. The men called for help about 6 pm on Sunday after they became lost in the Royal National Park south of Sydney, a police statement said.

Police have fined two men who had to be rescued from an Australian forest after they were chased by a deer while sunbathing naked on a beach and became lost. The men called for help about 6 pm on Sunday after they became lost in the Royal National Park south of Sydney, a police statement said. "Unbelievably, we saw two men sunbaking naked on a beach on the South Coast," Police Commissioner Mick Fuller told reporters. "They were startled by a deer, ran into the national ... Park and got lost." Their rescue involved police aircraft, the State Emergency Service and ambulance officers. The men, aged 30 and 49, were fined 1,000 Australian dollars ($759) each for breaching a stay-home pandemic order that restricted them to Sydney, police said on Monday. The younger man was found 'naked and carrying a backpack?’ while the older man was 'partially clothed’," the police statement said. "Clearly putting people at risk by leaving home without a proper reason, ... Then getting lost in the national park and diverting important resources away from the health operation, I think they should be embarrassed," Fuller said. The pair were among 44 people fined by police on Sunday for breaching a public health order after Sydney began a two-week lockdown on Friday due to a new COVID-19 cluster. (With inputs from agencies)

Police rescue spooked nude sunbathers from Australian forest  

Behind roadblocks and hundreds of police in the Chinese capital of Beijing on Friday, fireworks resembling the national flag bloomed over the city as part of secretive and tightly choreographed rehearsal for the 100th anniversary of China's Communist Party. 
 
Beijing has shut down traffic, decked streets in patriotic flower arrangements and national flags, and ramped up surveillance and security this week in preparation for the centenary event on July 1. 
 
The covert rehearsals represent the final stages of a year-long planning effort, designed to glorify Party history and cement domestic loyalty to China's socialist system. 
 
"Without the Communist Party, there is no new China," read new propaganda posters throughout the city. 
 
Plans for the event haven't been fully revealed, though state media and government agencies have hinted at a large-scale theatrical event in Tiananmen Square. A performance is scheduled for Monday at the Bird's Nest stadium, built for the 2008 Olympics. 
 
The anniversary has been preceded by a clampdown on potential dissident activity, including a spate of arrests this year under a law banning the defamation of national heroes, and an online venue for citizens to report 'historical nihilists'," a phrase referring to those sharing unsanctioned versions of Party history. 
 
Upgraded security and its attendant disruption isn't unusual ahead of major political events in the capital, but the fanfare has taken on added importance amid new political challenges to the Party at home and abroad.

(With inputs from agencies)

Behind roadblocks and hundreds of police in the Chinese capital of Beijing on Friday, fireworks resembling the national flag bloomed over the city as part of secretive and tightly choreographed rehearsal for the 100th anniversary of China's Communist Party.

Behind roadblocks and hundreds of police in the Chinese capital of Beijing on Friday, fireworks resembling the national flag bloomed over the city as part of secretive and tightly choreographed rehearsal for the 100th anniversary of China's Communist Party. Beijing has shut down traffic, decked streets in patriotic flower arrangements and national flags, and ramped up surveillance and security this week in preparation for the centenary event on July 1. The covert rehearsals represent the final stages of a year-long planning effort, designed to glorify Party history and cement domestic loyalty to China's socialist system. "Without the Communist Party, there is no new China," read new propaganda posters throughout the city. Plans for the event haven't been fully revealed, though state media and government agencies have hinted at a large-scale theatrical event in Tiananmen Square. A performance is scheduled for Monday at the Bird's Nest stadium, built for the 2008 Olympics. The anniversary has been preceded by a clampdown on potential dissident activity, including a spate of arrests this year under a law banning the defamation of national heroes, and an online venue for citizens to report 'historical nihilists'," a phrase referring to those sharing unsanctioned versions of Party history. Upgraded security and its attendant disruption isn't unusual ahead of major political events in the capital, but the fanfare has taken on added importance amid new political challenges to the Party at home and abroad. (With inputs from agencies)

China leaves nothing to chance ahead of Communist Party centenary

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