Pakistan PM continues to put up a brave face despite no political support and urges people to gather as a show of public support

Pakistan PM continues to put up a brave face despite no political support

Pakistan PM has called for youngsters to carry out a nationwide protest against the foreign conspiracies to oust him

Pakistan PM calls for a nationwide protest against foreign conspiracies to oust him

US-Pakistan relations might take a hit after PM Imran Khan accused Washington DC of meddling in the Pakistan politics.

Political Uncertainties might affect US-Pakistan diplomatic ties

Final Countdown situation in Pakistan for Imran Khan government. PM Khan says that establishment has given him three options- call for fresh elections, resign from position or face no confidence motion.

Final Countdown in Pakistan: PM Imran Khan makes final attempt to save the government

US President Joe Biden's administration will include more taxes on the wealthiest Americans in its 2023 budget proposal, due to be released on Monday, US media reported Saturday.

The "Billionaire Minimum Income Tax" would require the 700 or so American households worth more than $100 million to pay at least 20 percent on their full income, the Washington Post and other US media reported, citing a&nbsp;White&nbsp;House document.

"This minimum tax would make sure that the wealthiest Americans no longer pay a tax rate lower than teachers and firefighters," said the document, cited by the Post.

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A study by the Biden administration this autumn found that 400 billionaire households paid an average of only 8.2 percent in taxes on their income between 2010 and 2018, a rate often well below that of many American households.

The tax would also target unrealized gains in the value of liquid assets, such as stocks, which are not taxed until they are sold.

The new measure, which requires congressional approval to be enacted, could raise up to $360 billion in new revenue over ten years, the document cited by the Post said.&nbsp;

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A longstanding goal of the political left, the plan could dramatically change the tax paid by US billionaires.&nbsp;

Tech titan Elon Musk would, for example, have to pay an additional $50 billion in taxes, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos some $35 billion more, according to calculations by University of California Berkeley economist Gabriel Zucman, cited by the Post.

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US President Joe Biden's administration will include more taxes on the wealthiest Americans in its 2023 budget proposal, due to be released on Monday, US media reported Saturday.

US President Joe Biden's administration will include more taxes on the wealthiest Americans in its 2023 budget proposal, due to be released on Monday, US media reported Saturday. The "Billionaire Minimum Income Tax" would require the 700 or so American households worth more than $100 million to pay at least 20 percent on their full income, the Washington Post and other US media reported, citing a White House document. "This minimum tax would make sure that the wealthiest Americans no longer pay a tax rate lower than teachers and firefighters," said the document, cited by the Post. Also read | Russian people, are not our enemy, US President Joe Biden says A study by the Biden administration this autumn found that 400 billionaire households paid an average of only 8.2 percent in taxes on their income between 2010 and 2018, a rate often well below that of many American households. The tax would also target unrealized gains in the value of liquid assets, such as stocks, which are not taxed until they are sold. The new measure, which requires congressional approval to be enacted, could raise up to $360 billion in new revenue over ten years, the document cited by the Post said. Also read | US calls for tougher UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea A longstanding goal of the political left, the plan could dramatically change the tax paid by US billionaires. Tech titan Elon Musk would, for example, have to pay an additional $50 billion in taxes, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos some $35 billion more, according to calculations by University of California Berkeley economist Gabriel Zucman, cited by the Post. Watch | Joe Biden delivers remarks from Warsaw, says Putin is strangling democracy & World order

White House to propose new minimum tax on billionaires: Sources

Myanmar's junta will "annihilate" coup opponents, army chief Min Aung Hlaing said Sunday as the military staged a show of force on the anniversary of its bloodiest crackdown so far on democracy protests.

The Southeast Asian country has been in chaos since a putsch in February 2021, with more than 1,700 people killed in crackdowns on dissent, according to a local monitoring group.

Anti-coup "People's Defence Force" fighters clash regularly with junta troops, while fighting has also flared in border areas with more established ethnic rebel groups.

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Presiding over the annual parade that showcased tanks, truck-mounted missiles, artillery and troops on horseback, Min Aung Hlaing told some 8,000 assembled security personnel that the army would not let up.

The military will "no longer negotiate... and annihilate until the end" groups fighting to overturn its rule, he said ahead of the Armed Forces Day procession in army-built capital Naypyidaw.

Jets flew overhead trailing the yellow, red and green of the national flag, while state media showed women lining the streets leading to the parade ground to give flowers and place garlands on the marching soldiers.

Meanwhile, anti-coup protesters called on social media for a national "power strike" demonstration on Sunday evening.

Bloodiest Day&nbsp;

Armed Forces Day commemorates the start of local resistance to the Japanese occupation during World War II, and usually features a military parade attended by foreign officers and diplomats.

Last year, as new junta chief Min Aung Hlaing inspected the parade, troops brutalised those protesting the coup that had ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's government.&nbsp;

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The violence was the bloodiest day so far in the military's crackdown on democracy rallies and left 163 protesters dead, according to a local monitoring group, and sparked widespread international condemnation.

The junta has become increasingly isolated, with Cambodian strongman Hun Sen the only foreign leader to visit since the putsch.

The vice defence minister of Russia -- a major arms supplier and ally -- had been due to attend this year's parade but was unable to because of his "country's affairs", junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun said.

In February a UN expert on Myanmar said Russia -- along with other major ally China -- was continuing to supply the military with weapons, including fighter jets and armoured vehicles.

The United States and Britain on Friday announced new sanctions against Myanmar's army.

The new measures came days after Washington said it has concluded that the country's military committed genocide against the mostly Muslim Rohingya minority.&nbsp;

Since the putsch more than 1,700 people have been killed in a military crackdown on dissent, according to a local monitoring group.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Myanmar committed genocide against Rohingya, says US. But what is genocide?

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Myanmar's junta will "annihilate" coup opponents, army chief Min Aung Hlaing said Sunday as the military staged a show of force on the anniversary of its bloodiest crackdown so far on democracy protests.

Myanmar's junta will "annihilate" coup opponents, army chief Min Aung Hlaing said Sunday as the military staged a show of force on the anniversary of its bloodiest crackdown so far on democracy protests. The Southeast Asian country has been in chaos since a putsch in February 2021, with more than 1,700 people killed in crackdowns on dissent, according to a local monitoring group. Anti-coup "People's Defence Force" fighters clash regularly with junta troops, while fighting has also flared in border areas with more established ethnic rebel groups. Also read | ASEAN envoy says urged restraint from Myanmar military, discussed Aung San Suu Kyi access Presiding over the annual parade that showcased tanks, truck-mounted missiles, artillery and troops on horseback, Min Aung Hlaing told some 8,000 assembled security personnel that the army would not let up. The military will "no longer negotiate... and annihilate until the end" groups fighting to overturn its rule, he said ahead of the Armed Forces Day procession in army-built capital Naypyidaw. Jets flew overhead trailing the yellow, red and green of the national flag, while state media showed women lining the streets leading to the parade ground to give flowers and place garlands on the marching soldiers. Meanwhile, anti-coup protesters called on social media for a national "power strike" demonstration on Sunday evening. Bloodiest Day Armed Forces Day commemorates the start of local resistance to the Japanese occupation during World War II, and usually features a military parade attended by foreign officers and diplomats. Last year, as new junta chief Min Aung Hlaing inspected the parade, troops brutalised those protesting the coup that had ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's government. Also read | Rohingya in Bangladesh cheer US decision on Myanmar 'genocide' The violence was the bloodiest day so far in the military's crackdown on democracy rallies and left 163 protesters dead, according to a local monitoring group, and sparked widespread international condemnation. The junta has become increasingly isolated, with Cambodian strongman Hun Sen the only foreign leader to visit since the putsch. The vice defence minister of Russia -- a major arms supplier and ally -- had been due to attend this year's parade but was unable to because of his "country's affairs", junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun said. In February a UN expert on Myanmar said Russia -- along with other major ally China -- was continuing to supply the military with weapons, including fighter jets and armoured vehicles. The United States and Britain on Friday announced new sanctions against Myanmar's army. The new measures came days after Washington said it has concluded that the country's military committed genocide against the mostly Muslim Rohingya minority. Since the putsch more than 1,700 people have been killed in a military crackdown on dissent, according to a local monitoring group. Watch | Myanmar committed genocide against Rohingya, says US. But what is genocide?

Myanmar army says will 'annihilate' coup opponents on crackdown anniversary

'I didn't join politics to check potato prices'. This statement by Imran Khan has unleashed the wrath of Pak citizens. They're calling him unfit to govern. The Pak Army is also upset with the Pak PM for comparing Generals with animals. Palki Sharma reports.

Gravitas: Here's why Imran Khan entered politics in his own words

'Why are we talking about climate change in the middle of a war, why are talking about climate change in the middle of the pandemic? Because time and again we have let politics overshadow climate conversation.' Palki Sharma addresses issues related to climate change during WION's exclusive summit.

WION Climate Summit Live: 'We have let politics overshadow climate conversation,' says Palki Sharma

The German government's domestic intelligence agency has been given the right to spy on the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) after a court ruled Tuesday that the party is a suspected threat to democracy.

In March, the court dismissed a legal challenge brought by the AfD that delayed plans by Germany's Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) to put the party under surveillance.

Cologne's administrative court, however, found that there were "sufficient indications of anti-constitutional goals within the AfD," it said in a statement.

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Therefore, the BfV is allowed to classify the anti-Islam, anti-immigrant party as a "suspected case of right-wing extremism".

The classification allows intelligence agents to eavesdrop on the party's communications and use undercover agents.

In their argument, AfD leaders asserted the party had distanced itself from its most extreme elements by disbanding the hardline "Wing" faction led by Bjoern Hoecke.

Even so, judges in Cologne said key figures from the faction still held "significant influence" in the party.

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In addition, the court criticised the extreme positions of the AfD's youth wing, saying its members shared the views of former "Wing" supporters that "German people should be kept ethnically intact and 'outsiders' should be excluded as far as possible".

"This goes against the Basic Law," the court said, referring to Germany's constitution.

The AfD began as an anti-euro party in 2013 before becoming an anti-immigrant one.

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In 2017, the party won its first seats in the national parliament, riding on public outrage over an influx of refugees in 2015-2016.

A series of infightings and waning concerns about immigration have now weakened it. At last year's general election, the AfD won just over 10 per cent of the vote, down from almost 13 per cent previously, despite attempts to win over opponents of government coronavirus restrictions.

(With inputs from agencies)

The German government's domestic intelligence agency has been given the right to spy on the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) after a court ruled Tuesday that the party is a suspected threat to democracy.

The German government's domestic intelligence agency has been given the right to spy on the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) after a court ruled Tuesday that the party is a suspected threat to democracy. In March, the court dismissed a legal challenge brought by the AfD that delayed plans by Germany's Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) to put the party under surveillance. Cologne's administrative court, however, found that there were "sufficient indications of anti-constitutional goals within the AfD," it said in a statement. Also read | A bill 'based on hate & discrimination': Florida passes archaic 'Don't Say Gay' school bill Therefore, the BfV is allowed to classify the anti-Islam, anti-immigrant party as a "suspected case of right-wing extremism". The classification allows intelligence agents to eavesdrop on the party's communications and use undercover agents. In their argument, AfD leaders asserted the party had distanced itself from its most extreme elements by disbanding the hardline "Wing" faction led by Bjoern Hoecke. Even so, judges in Cologne said key figures from the faction still held "significant influence" in the party. Also read | This is why some people develop life-threatening COVID-19, while others get no symptoms at all In addition, the court criticised the extreme positions of the AfD's youth wing, saying its members shared the views of former "Wing" supporters that "German people should be kept ethnically intact and 'outsiders' should be excluded as far as possible". "This goes against the Basic Law," the court said, referring to Germany's constitution. The AfD began as an anti-euro party in 2013 before becoming an anti-immigrant one. Watch | Gravitas: The mystery around Russia's 'Z' Symbol In 2017, the party won its first seats in the national parliament, riding on public outrage over an influx of refugees in 2015-2016. A series of infightings and waning concerns about immigration have now weakened it. At last year's general election, the AfD won just over 10 per cent of the vote, down from almost 13 per cent previously, despite attempts to win over opponents of government coronavirus restrictions. (With inputs from agencies)

German domestic intelligence agency gets green-light to spy on far-right, extremist AfD party

The UN rights chief said Tuesday she would make a long-delayed visit to China in May, including to Xinjiang, where Western lawmakers have accused Beijing of genocide.

"I am pleased to announce that we have recently reached an agreement with the government of China for a visit,"&nbsp;Michelle&nbsp;Bachelet&nbsp;told the UN Human Rights Council.

She said that the UN rights agency, OHCHR, and Beijing had "initiated concrete preparations for a visit that is foreseen to take place in May."

There have long been calls for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit Xinjiang.

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Rights groups say that at least one million mostly Muslim minorities have been incarcerated in "re-education camps" in Xinjiang, a far-western region where China is accused of widespread human rights abuses including forced sterilisations of women and forced labour.

The US government and lawmakers in five other Western countries have declared China's treatment of the Uyghurs in Xinjiang a "genocide" -- a charge denied by Beijing.

China says it is running vocational training centres in the region designed to counter extremism.

Unfettered access

The Chinese government has for years said that&nbsp;Bachelet&nbsp;was welcome to visit Xinjiang, but an agreement on her demand for "meaningful and unfettered access" has until now appeared elusive.

On the sidelines of the Winter Olympics, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told leaders in Beijing last month that he expected them to allow&nbsp;Bachelet&nbsp;to make a "credible" visit to China, including to Xinjiang.

And on Tuesday, the UN rights chief said an agreement had been reached.

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"Preparations will have to take into account Covid-19 regulations," she told the rights council.

"The government has also accepted the visit of an advanced OHCHR team to prepare my stay in China, including on-site visits to Xinjiang and other places," she said.

"This team will depart to China next month."&nbsp;&nbsp;

While&nbsp;Bachelet&nbsp;did not clearly specify that she herself would travel to Xinjiang, her spokeswoman Elizabeth Throssell told reporters she would visit the region.

"I can confirm that both the advanced team and the High Commissioner will go or are due to go to Xinjiang, and obviously visit Beijing and other locations," she said.

"This was the product of negotiations."

Throssell said "an agreement on the parameters that respect our methodology," had been reached, including "unfettered access to a broad range of actors, including civil society."

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Neither she nor&nbsp;Bachelet&nbsp;provided an update on when a long-awaited report drafted by the UN rights office on the rights situation in Xinjiang would emerge.

Observers in Geneva suggest the report has been ready since last August, but that its publication has been put off as the rights office double checks data obtained remotely, without access to the ground.

An OHCHR spokesman had suggested in December that the report would be published within a few weeks, but it still remains unclear when it will be made public.

Throssell said Tuesday that she "did not have specific information" on when the report might be published.

The UN rights chief said Tuesday she would make a long-delayed visit to China in May, including to Xinjiang, where Western lawmakers have accused Beijing of genocide.

The UN rights chief said Tuesday she would make a long-delayed visit to China in May, including to Xinjiang, where Western lawmakers have accused Beijing of genocide. "I am pleased to announce that we have recently reached an agreement with the government of China for a visit," Michelle Bachelet told the UN Human Rights Council. She said that the UN rights agency, OHCHR, and Beijing had "initiated concrete preparations for a visit that is foreseen to take place in May." There have long been calls for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit Xinjiang. Also read | COVID-19: China says Hong Kong must stick to 'dynamic zero' COVID strategy Rights groups say that at least one million mostly Muslim minorities have been incarcerated in "re-education camps" in Xinjiang, a far-western region where China is accused of widespread human rights abuses including forced sterilisations of women and forced labour. The US government and lawmakers in five other Western countries have declared China's treatment of the Uyghurs in Xinjiang a "genocide" -- a charge denied by Beijing. China says it is running vocational training centres in the region designed to counter extremism. Unfettered access The Chinese government has for years said that Bachelet was welcome to visit Xinjiang, but an agreement on her demand for "meaningful and unfettered access" has until now appeared elusive. On the sidelines of the Winter Olympics, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told leaders in Beijing last month that he expected them to allow Bachelet to make a "credible" visit to China, including to Xinjiang. And on Tuesday, the UN rights chief said an agreement had been reached. Also read | India, China should help each other, not drain each other's energies: Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi "Preparations will have to take into account Covid-19 regulations," she told the rights council. "The government has also accepted the visit of an advanced OHCHR team to prepare my stay in China, including on-site visits to Xinjiang and other places," she said. "This team will depart to China next month." While Bachelet did not clearly specify that she herself would travel to Xinjiang, her spokeswoman Elizabeth Throssell told reporters she would visit the region. "I can confirm that both the advanced team and the High Commissioner will go or are due to go to Xinjiang, and obviously visit Beijing and other locations," she said. "This was the product of negotiations." Throssell said "an agreement on the parameters that respect our methodology," had been reached, including "unfettered access to a broad range of actors, including civil society." Also read | Nearly 400 civilians killed in Afghanistan since Taliban takeover: UN Neither she nor Bachelet provided an update on when a long-awaited report drafted by the UN rights office on the rights situation in Xinjiang would emerge. Observers in Geneva suggest the report has been ready since last August, but that its publication has been put off as the rights office double checks data obtained remotely, without access to the ground. An OHCHR spokesman had suggested in December that the report would be published within a few weeks, but it still remains unclear when it will be made public. Throssell said Tuesday that she "did not have specific information" on when the report might be published.

UN rights chief to visit China's Xinjiang in May

The Iraqi parliament&nbsp;on&nbsp;Saturday reopened registration for candidates to run for president, a contest already behind schedule following last October's general&nbsp;election.

MPs, whose job it is to elect the president, a largely ceremonial role reserved for a Kurd, set a three-day period for candidates to register, an AFP correspondent inside parliament said, by a&nbsp;vote&nbsp;of 203 in favour from 265 who attended a special session.

Lack of a quorum and legal issues have held up the contest, adding to war-scarred&nbsp;Iraq's political uncertainty because the president has to name a prime minister from the largest bloc in parliament.

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On&nbsp;February 13,&nbsp;Iraq's supreme court ruled out a bid by frontrunner and veteran politician Hoshyar Zebari to run for president after a complaint filed against him over years-old corruption charges.

His exclusion, from a field of some 25 candidates after an initial registration, appeared to clear the way for his main challenger, incumbent President Barham Saleh, expected to run for a second term.

Iraqi politics have been in turmoil since the October 2021 general&nbsp;elections, which were marred by a record-low turnout, post-election&nbsp;threats and violence, and a delay of several months until final results were confirmed.

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Intense negotiations among political groups have since failed to form a majority parliamentary coalition to name a new prime minister to succeed Mustafa al-Kadhemi.

The largest political bloc led by firebrand Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr, had backed Zebari for the presidency.

The Iraqi parliament on Saturday reopened registration for candidates to run for president, a contest already behind schedule following last October's general election.

The Iraqi parliament on Saturday reopened registration for candidates to run for president, a contest already behind schedule following last October's general election. MPs, whose job it is to elect the president, a largely ceremonial role reserved for a Kurd, set a three-day period for candidates to register, an AFP correspondent inside parliament said, by a vote of 203 in favour from 265 who attended a special session. Lack of a quorum and legal issues have held up the contest, adding to war-scarred Iraq's political uncertainty because the president has to name a prime minister from the largest bloc in parliament. Also read | It's a long road ahead for Iraq's pledge to phase out gas flares On February 13, Iraq's supreme court ruled out a bid by frontrunner and veteran politician Hoshyar Zebari to run for president after a complaint filed against him over years-old corruption charges. His exclusion, from a field of some 25 candidates after an initial registration, appeared to clear the way for his main challenger, incumbent President Barham Saleh, expected to run for a second term. Iraqi politics have been in turmoil since the October 2021 general elections, which were marred by a record-low turnout, post-election threats and violence, and a delay of several months until final results were confirmed. Also read | Pope Francis lands in Iraq on first-ever papal visit Intense negotiations among political groups have since failed to form a majority parliamentary coalition to name a new prime minister to succeed Mustafa al-Kadhemi. The largest political bloc led by firebrand Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr, had backed Zebari for the presidency.

Iraq's delayed presidential vote back on

Talks between&nbsp;Chad's military-led government and armed rebel groups due to start Sunday in&nbsp;Qatar&nbsp;have been postponed, African diplomats and officials said.

The talks are aimed at paving the way for an "inclusive national dialogue" and elections which the leader of the Chadian junta Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno has promised by October.

Deby took over as head of a Transitional Military Council (TMC) in the poor landlocked central African country after his father, Idriss Deby Itno, who had ruled&nbsp;Chad&nbsp;for three decades, was killed in fighting with rebels in April last year.&nbsp;

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African diplomats in Doha said Sunday's talks in&nbsp;Qatar&nbsp;had been&nbsp;delayed&nbsp;because preparations for the meeting had not been completed.

"Some delegations are here. The talks did not start today but could start in coming days," a source with knowledge of the meeting told AFP on condition of anonymity as no-one was authorised to speak publicly.

Chadian sources close to the negotiations told AFP in N'Djamena that the junta was insisting on inviting more than 80 members of the 23 armed rebel groups -- a request initially denied by&nbsp;Qatar.

Other sources, also speaking on condition of anonymity, blamed the delay on difficulties for would-be participants -- some of whom live in Libya or Sudan -- to obtain travel documents.

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After taking power in last April, Deby, 37, dissolved&nbsp;Chad's parliament and repealed the constitution, but he promised "free and transparent" elections within 18 months.

However, a national forum designed to chart the country's future has been put back from February to May. Preliminary talks have also been held up several times amidst recriminations between the government and opposition.

In mid-February,&nbsp;Chad's military junta accused prominent rebel leader Timan Erdimi, who heads the powerful Union of Resistance Forces, of seeking to bring in Russian mercenaries to derail the reconciliation process.

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Erdimi, who was one of the fiercest opponents of Deby's father, was contacted by AFP at the time but refused to comment on the allegation.

The African Union, European Union and France, the former colonial power, have supported the junta leader but insisted he must keep to his promised timetable to hold elections.

Talks between Chad's military-led government and armed rebel groups due to start Sunday in Qatar have been postponed, African diplomats and officials said. The talks are aimed at paving the way for an "inclusive national dialogue" and elections which the leader of the Chadian junta Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno has promised by October.

Talks between Chad's military-led government and armed rebel groups due to start Sunday in Qatar have been postponed, African diplomats and officials said. The talks are aimed at paving the way for an "inclusive national dialogue" and elections which the leader of the Chadian junta Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno has promised by October. Deby took over as head of a Transitional Military Council (TMC) in the poor landlocked central African country after his father, Idriss Deby Itno, who had ruled Chad for three decades, was killed in fighting with rebels in April last year. Also read | Qatar to become major non-NATO ally, US President Biden tells emir African diplomats in Doha said Sunday's talks in Qatar had been delayed because preparations for the meeting had not been completed. "Some delegations are here. The talks did not start today but could start in coming days," a source with knowledge of the meeting told AFP on condition of anonymity as no-one was authorised to speak publicly. Chadian sources close to the negotiations told AFP in N'Djamena that the junta was insisting on inviting more than 80 members of the 23 armed rebel groups -- a request initially denied by Qatar. Other sources, also speaking on condition of anonymity, blamed the delay on difficulties for would-be participants -- some of whom live in Libya or Sudan -- to obtain travel documents. Also read | After spat with Airbus, Qatar Airways’ mega airplane order goes to Boeing After taking power in last April, Deby, 37, dissolved Chad's parliament and repealed the constitution, but he promised "free and transparent" elections within 18 months. However, a national forum designed to chart the country's future has been put back from February to May. Preliminary talks have also been held up several times amidst recriminations between the government and opposition. In mid-February, Chad's military junta accused prominent rebel leader Timan Erdimi, who heads the powerful Union of Resistance Forces, of seeking to bring in Russian mercenaries to derail the reconciliation process. Watch | US President Joe Biden meets Qatar Emir in shadow of Ukraine tensions Erdimi, who was one of the fiercest opponents of Deby's father, was contacted by AFP at the time but refused to comment on the allegation. The African Union, European Union and France, the former colonial power, have supported the junta leader but insisted he must keep to his promised timetable to hold elections.

Chad peace talks in Qatar delayed

A&nbsp;Sudanese&nbsp;man&nbsp;was shot dead Sunday as security forces cracked down&nbsp;on&nbsp;rallies against last year's military coup, medics said, as a&nbsp;UN&nbsp;rights&nbsp;expert&nbsp;arrived in the country.

Regular&nbsp;protests&nbsp;have rocked the northeast African country since army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan led a military takeover in October, sparking international condemnation.

United Nations human rights&nbsp;expert&nbsp;Adama Dieng is visiting Sudan until Thursday,&nbsp;on&nbsp;a trip initially planned for last month but postponed at the request of&nbsp;Sudanese&nbsp;authorities.

A 51-year-old&nbsp;man&nbsp;was hit Sunday with "a live bullet to the chest", the&nbsp;Sudanese&nbsp;Doctors' Committee said, bringing the death toll in a&nbsp;crackdown&nbsp;on&nbsp;anti-coup&nbsp;protests&nbsp;to 82.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-human-rights-chief-can-visit-xinjiang-but-beijing-doesnt-welcome-any-probe-says-chinas-foreign-minister-454717">UN human rights chief can visit Xinjiang but Beijing doesn't welcome any probe, says China's foreign minister</a>

"The martyr was a patient at a hospital in Khartoum North... and went out to get some air after struggling with shortness of breath due to the heavy firing of tear gas which filled the hospital ward," the committee said, adding that he was then shot dead.&nbsp;

Thousands had rallied in the capital Khartoum&nbsp;on&nbsp;Sunday, carrying&nbsp;Sudanese&nbsp;flags and posters of others&nbsp;killed&nbsp;during demonstrations in recent months, an AFP correspondent said.&nbsp;

Security forces fired tear gas and wounded several protesters who were heading toward the presidential palace, the correspondent said, while tear gas was also used in nearby Omdurman and North Khartoum.&nbsp;

"We are ready to protest all year," one demonstrator, 24-year-old Thoyaba Ahmed, told AFP, while another, Wadah Khaled, said: "We want to rectify our country's situation to have a good future."&nbsp;&nbsp;

"We need to make sacrifices to resolve the country's issues," said 25-year-old Arij Salah, another demonstrator.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sudan-license-of-al-jazeera-live-tv-unit-revoked-445226">Sudan: License of Al Jazeera live TV unit revoked</a>

The October takeover derailed a transition painstakingly negotiated between military and civilian leaders following the 2019 ouster of President Omar al-Bashir.

While Sudan has repeatedly denied opening fire&nbsp;on&nbsp;protesters, Human Rights Watch has quoted witnesses detailing how the security forces have used both "live ammunition" and fired tear gas canisters "directly" at crowds, a tactic that can be deadly at close quarters.

UN&nbsp;special representative Volker Perthes said&nbsp;on&nbsp;Twitter Sunday that he met with rights expert Dieng on "his first official visit" to Sudan.&nbsp;

"Dieng will meet with senior&nbsp;Sudanese&nbsp;government officials, representatives of civil society organisations, human rights defenders, heads of&nbsp;UN&nbsp;entities, and diplomats," the&nbsp;UN&nbsp;Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights said in a statement this week.&nbsp;

Separately, dozens rallied outside a court complex in Khartoum to protest against the trial of several Bashir-era figures, an AFP correspondent said.&nbsp;

Among those&nbsp;on&nbsp;trial is former foreign minister Ibrahim Ghandour, who faces charges over plotting a coup in 2020.&nbsp;

Ghandour's family said last month that he had begun a hunger strike in prison, along with several ex-regime officials.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Sudan rocked by regular protests, thousands rally in capital Khartoum

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/sudan-rocked-by-regular-protests-thousands-rally-in-capital-khartoum-454932/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

&nbsp;

A Sudanese man was shot dead Sunday as security forces cracked down on rallies against last year's military coup, medics said, as a UN rights expert arrived in the country.

A Sudanese man was shot dead Sunday as security forces cracked down on rallies against last year's military coup, medics said, as a UN rights expert arrived in the country. Regular protests have rocked the northeast African country since army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan led a military takeover in October, sparking international condemnation. United Nations human rights expert Adama Dieng is visiting Sudan until Thursday, on a trip initially planned for last month but postponed at the request of Sudanese authorities. A 51-year-old man was hit Sunday with "a live bullet to the chest", the Sudanese Doctors' Committee said, bringing the death toll in a crackdown on anti-coup protests to 82. Also read | UN human rights chief can visit Xinjiang but Beijing doesn't welcome any probe, says China's foreign minister "The martyr was a patient at a hospital in Khartoum North... and went out to get some air after struggling with shortness of breath due to the heavy firing of tear gas which filled the hospital ward," the committee said, adding that he was then shot dead. Thousands had rallied in the capital Khartoum on Sunday, carrying Sudanese flags and posters of others killed during demonstrations in recent months, an AFP correspondent said. Security forces fired tear gas and wounded several protesters who were heading toward the presidential palace, the correspondent said, while tear gas was also used in nearby Omdurman and North Khartoum. "We are ready to protest all year," one demonstrator, 24-year-old Thoyaba Ahmed, told AFP, while another, Wadah Khaled, said: "We want to rectify our country's situation to have a good future." "We need to make sacrifices to resolve the country's issues," said 25-year-old Arij Salah, another demonstrator. Also read | Sudan: License of Al Jazeera live TV unit revoked The October takeover derailed a transition painstakingly negotiated between military and civilian leaders following the 2019 ouster of President Omar al-Bashir. While Sudan has repeatedly denied opening fire on protesters, Human Rights Watch has quoted witnesses detailing how the security forces have used both "live ammunition" and fired tear gas canisters "directly" at crowds, a tactic that can be deadly at close quarters. UN special representative Volker Perthes said on Twitter Sunday that he met with rights expert Dieng on "his first official visit" to Sudan. "Dieng will meet with senior Sudanese government officials, representatives of civil society organisations, human rights defenders, heads of UN entities, and diplomats," the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights said in a statement this week. Separately, dozens rallied outside a court complex in Khartoum to protest against the trial of several Bashir-era figures, an AFP correspondent said. Among those on trial is former foreign minister Ibrahim Ghandour, who faces charges over plotting a coup in 2020. Ghandour's family said last month that he had begun a hunger strike in prison, along with several ex-regime officials. Watch | Sudan rocked by regular protests, thousands rally in capital Khartoum

Sudanese man killed in crackdown on anti-coup protests as UN expert arrives

The media in Pakistan has always played a crucial role in calibrating the political trends and the messaging, working closely with the government or the political parties they owe allegiance to. However, in the last year or so and specifically the last six months, the Pakistani media has not only been in the limelight for having been unusually vocal and expressive, but has also taken sides to create a vicious and unhealthy atmosphere. This has led to a clear rift within the media space among those who are supporters of the Imran Khan government and those against him. The latter category though dominate the media space in Pakistan today.

As the pitch of rhetoric and counter rhetoric increased over the last few weeks one witnessed the media shredding all ethics and journalistic values while resorting to use of strong language and aggressive posturing in emphasizing their point of view. However, one found the government responding with angst dealing with the so called detractors with a strong hand. Handling of the media has been a weak spot for the Imran Khan government as it has failed to deal with the media tactfully, which in turn has resulted in creation of a strong anti-government lobby within the media land scape which the government will find challenging to deal with in these difficult times.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-minister-asks-imran-khan-to-declare-march-8-as-hijab-day-454712">Pakistan minister asks Imran Khan to declare March 8 as Hijab day</a>

Soon after the formation of the Imran Khan government, the government invested significant resources on social media for publicising pro-government narrative and to ensure a better outreach in the public domain. These platforms were used to unleash a tirade of rhetoric against the government's opponents through a carefully calibrated mechanism which included intelligence collected on them and their activities and exposing them in the public space. For a while, they worked fine by way of creating a positive image of the government in spite of its poor performance. However, reacting to the government's initiative, most political parties decided not to be left behind and the PTI, PML-N, PPP and others also upgraded their social media cells to counter PTI's offensive narrative.

Meanwhile, in its eagerness to push the media agenda PTI placed Shehbaz Gill, Fayazul Hassan Chohan, Murad Saeed, Shibli Faraz and Fawad Chaudhary at the fore front while relegating to the rear some of the Party's seasoned and mature politicians. Similar trend was witnessed among the other parties as well with people lacking media ethics but ability to strike hard using rough and aggressive language, coming to the fore. The PTI clearly raced ahead in this regard using government resources at its disposal. The PTI media cell got integrated into the Information Ministry receiving financial and expert support from the best talent the government could afford. Advice was also sought by the government from foreign experts in this regard.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/opposition-party-jui-f-protests-against-rising-inflation-in-pakistan-454614">Opposition party JUI-F protests against rising inflation in Pakistan</a>

While on one hand the Imran government started spending huge resources targeting opponents and indulging in character assassination of those opposed to the government including people in the media, on the other hand the office bearers of PTI social media team were elevated to senior government positions. This process was also repeated in the provinces over a period of time. Significantly, considering Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) is an important strategic area, considerable investment was made in KPK on the social media and conventional media front with a major portion of the 700 million PKR fund allocated for creating public awareness in tribal districts, being used for the purpose. These funds were diverted from the purpose for which they were intended and were used for recruiting youth from these districts in large numbers for generating social media trolls.

As far as mainstream media is concerned, Imran Khan tried to convert every newspaper and TV channel into his own entity or beholden to his government. Media houses, prominent journalists and television channels who refused to tow the government line found it difficult to survive and operate, with a number of popular and well known journalists losing their jobs. There have also been instances of some journalists being physically assaulted by so called 'unknown' elements. As the tables begin to turn, skeletons in Imran Khan's cupboard seem to be rolling out. Imran Khan's erstwhile confidants like Mohsin Baig have revealed as to how Imran Khan had issued orders to implicate Jang and Geo group owner Mir Shakilur Rehman and Dawn Group's Hamid Haroon in various cases.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/assembly-elections-2022-polling-begins-in-punjab-59-up-seats-454693">&nbsp;Assembly elections 2022: Polling begins in Punjab, 59 UP seats</a>

Imran Khan's desire was to see every analyst become Shehbaz Gill, every columnist Mansoor Afaq and every anchor Fawad Chaudhary. Those who moulded themselves according to Imran's wishes were rewarded and those who remained steadfast on their principles started facing difficulties. Some prominent and famous journalists who were sidelined from the media scene include Talat Hussain, Hamid Mir, Najam Sethi, Murtaza Solangi, Sana Bucha, Ambar Shamsi, Nusrat Javed among others. Some others continue to face harassment in the form of targeted trolling against them or vandalism, abduction or even instances of being shot at. Prominent journalists such as Mattiullah Jan, Asad Toor, Absar Alam Saleem Safi have been victims of such action.

The anti-government media has at the same time been able to identify relevant topics on which to target Imran Khan. For instance, they point to how the Prime Minister has been rewarding failed politicians with the 'best performance' award. Similarly, while PM has repeatedly been mentioning of the relevance of the 'Riyasat-e-Madina" (religious ministry) and its exceptional role, at the same time the ministry never made it to the list of top ten performing ministries nominated for appreciation certificates recently. If indeed Imran Khan was sincere and serious with 'Riyasat-e-Madina' and the issue of religion, the Ministry of Religion would have been on top of the list.

Several of Imran Khan's supporters felt that the concept of rewarding the ministries should have been avoided at a time when most ministries have been virtually non performing. Infact, with the Foreign, Finance, Defence, Information and Religious ministries not figuring in the list of 'best performers', Imran khan has only exposed the government's lack of performance. There has been outright criticism of the government on the grounds that if the Prime Minister himself lacks confidence in the performance of his primary ministries, how could the government deliver. It also raises questions on the Prime Minister`s performance in terms of the control and direction he caters to these ministries.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ahead-of-pm-khans-visit-russia-assures-moscow-islamabad-cooperation-not-against-india-454386">Ahead of PM Khan's visit, Russia assures Moscow-Islamabad cooperation not against India</a>

On the issue of the government's harsh and often brutal attitude towards the media Nawaz Sharif mentioned in an interview on February 18 that this was the outcome of Imran Khan's sentiments of vendetta and grudge against opponents. He mentioned that the Federal Investigative Agency should not be used by the government to settle such scores. He further mentioned that Imran Khan was trying to push Pakistan towards destruction and crushing his opponents ruthlessly in the process. However, Nawaz mentioned that Imran Khan would not succeed in his endeavour.

This situation has led to creation of necessary grounds for the opposition to target the government and go for the vote of no confidence playing on the above narrative. One of the crucial tests that Pakistan will face in the coming days is regarding the FATF and Pakistan's efforts to get itself off the Grey list. Pakistani officials have been making every effort possible to impress on FATF member countries about its significant achievement in strengthening its financial security mechanisms. Numerous tours were undertaken to different countries and several prominent interlocutors linked to FATF, especially those with the World Bank and the IMF were engaged by the Pakistanis, but internal developments in the country create enough room for speculation of the manner in which Pakistan has addressed the issues raised by FATF.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Imran Khan is fighting for survival

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-imran-khan-is-fighting-for-survival-453863/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

During discussions with Saleem Safi on February 17, Mubasher Lucman said that he had information that FATF is going to place Pakistan in the black list downgrading it from the grey list because of the Pakistani government`s agreement with Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan and for not handing over Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar to India. Safi also mentioned that as per his information the lack of media freedom was another issue which had caught the attention of the FATF members and this too could have an impact on the FATF decision. There is no doubt that the performance and image of the Imran Khan government has dropped several folds in the last few years with the last few months being the worst in terms of delivery and squeezing of the media. The opposition thus has all the necessary wherewithal to unseat the government if they play their cards well.

The media in Pakistan has always played a crucial role in calibrating the political trends and the messaging, working closely with the government or the political parties they owe allegiance to.

The media in Pakistan has always played a crucial role in calibrating the political trends and the messaging, working closely with the government or the political parties they owe allegiance to. However, in the last year or so and specifically the last six months, the Pakistani media has not only been in the limelight for having been unusually vocal and expressive, but has also taken sides to create a vicious and unhealthy atmosphere. This has led to a clear rift within the media space among those who are supporters of the Imran Khan government and those against him. The latter category though dominate the media space in Pakistan today. As the pitch of rhetoric and counter rhetoric increased over the last few weeks one witnessed the media shredding all ethics and journalistic values while resorting to use of strong language and aggressive posturing in emphasizing their point of view. However, one found the government responding with angst dealing with the so called detractors with a strong hand. Handling of the media has been a weak spot for the Imran Khan government as it has failed to deal with the media tactfully, which in turn has resulted in creation of a strong anti-government lobby within the media land scape which the government will find challenging to deal with in these difficult times. Also read | Pakistan minister asks Imran Khan to declare March 8 as Hijab day Soon after the formation of the Imran Khan government, the government invested significant resources on social media for publicising pro-government narrative and to ensure a better outreach in the public domain. These platforms were used to unleash a tirade of rhetoric against the government's opponents through a carefully calibrated mechanism which included intelligence collected on them and their activities and exposing them in the public space. For a while, they worked fine by way of creating a positive image of the government in spite of its poor performance. However, reacting to the government's initiative, most political parties decided not to be left behind and the PTI, PML-N, PPP and others also upgraded their social media cells to counter PTI's offensive narrative. Meanwhile, in its eagerness to push the media agenda PTI placed Shehbaz Gill, Fayazul Hassan Chohan, Murad Saeed, Shibli Faraz and Fawad Chaudhary at the fore front while relegating to the rear some of the Party's seasoned and mature politicians. Similar trend was witnessed among the other parties as well with people lacking media ethics but ability to strike hard using rough and aggressive language, coming to the fore. The PTI clearly raced ahead in this regard using government resources at its disposal. The PTI media cell got integrated into the Information Ministry receiving financial and expert support from the best talent the government could afford. Advice was also sought by the government from foreign experts in this regard. Also read | Opposition party JUI-F protests against rising inflation in Pakistan While on one hand the Imran government started spending huge resources targeting opponents and indulging in character assassination of those opposed to the government including people in the media, on the other hand the office bearers of PTI social media team were elevated to senior government positions. This process was also repeated in the provinces over a period of time. Significantly, considering Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) is an important strategic area, considerable investment was made in KPK on the social media and conventional media front with a major portion of the 700 million PKR fund allocated for creating public awareness in tribal districts, being used for the purpose. These funds were diverted from the purpose for which they were intended and were used for recruiting youth from these districts in large numbers for generating social media trolls. As far as mainstream media is concerned, Imran Khan tried to convert every newspaper and TV channel into his own entity or beholden to his government. Media houses, prominent journalists and television channels who refused to tow the government line found it difficult to survive and operate, with a number of popular and well known journalists losing their jobs. There have also been instances of some journalists being physically assaulted by so called 'unknown' elements. As the tables begin to turn, skeletons in Imran Khan's cupboard seem to be rolling out. Imran Khan's erstwhile confidants like Mohsin Baig have revealed as to how Imran Khan had issued orders to implicate Jang and Geo group owner Mir Shakilur Rehman and Dawn Group's Hamid Haroon in various cases. Also read | Assembly elections 2022: Polling begins in Punjab, 59 UP seats Imran Khan's desire was to see every analyst become Shehbaz Gill, every columnist Mansoor Afaq and every anchor Fawad Chaudhary. Those who moulded themselves according to Imran's wishes were rewarded and those who remained steadfast on their principles started facing difficulties. Some prominent and famous journalists who were sidelined from the media scene include Talat Hussain, Hamid Mir, Najam Sethi, Murtaza Solangi, Sana Bucha, Ambar Shamsi, Nusrat Javed among others. Some others continue to face harassment in the form of targeted trolling against them or vandalism, abduction or even instances of being shot at. Prominent journalists such as Mattiullah Jan, Asad Toor, Absar Alam Saleem Safi have been victims of such action. The anti-government media has at the same time been able to identify relevant topics on which to target Imran Khan. For instance, they point to how the Prime Minister has been rewarding failed politicians with the 'best performance' award. Similarly, while PM has repeatedly been mentioning of the relevance of the 'Riyasat-e-Madina" (religious ministry) and its exceptional role, at the same time the ministry never made it to the list of top ten performing ministries nominated for appreciation certificates recently. If indeed Imran Khan was sincere and serious with 'Riyasat-e-Madina' and the issue of religion, the Ministry of Religion would have been on top of the list. Several of Imran Khan's supporters felt that the concept of rewarding the ministries should have been avoided at a time when most ministries have been virtually non performing. Infact, with the Foreign, Finance, Defence, Information and Religious ministries not figuring in the list of 'best performers', Imran khan has only exposed the government's lack of performance. There has been outright criticism of the government on the grounds that if the Prime Minister himself lacks confidence in the performance of his primary ministries, how could the government deliver. It also raises questions on the Prime Minister`s performance in terms of the control and direction he caters to these ministries. Also read | Ahead of PM Khan's visit, Russia assures Moscow-Islamabad cooperation not against India On the issue of the government's harsh and often brutal attitude towards the media Nawaz Sharif mentioned in an interview on February 18 that this was the outcome of Imran Khan's sentiments of vendetta and grudge against opponents. He mentioned that the Federal Investigative Agency should not be used by the government to settle such scores. He further mentioned that Imran Khan was trying to push Pakistan towards destruction and crushing his opponents ruthlessly in the process. However, Nawaz mentioned that Imran Khan would not succeed in his endeavour. This situation has led to creation of necessary grounds for the opposition to target the government and go for the vote of no confidence playing on the above narrative. One of the crucial tests that Pakistan will face in the coming days is regarding the FATF and Pakistan's efforts to get itself off the Grey list. Pakistani officials have been making every effort possible to impress on FATF member countries about its significant achievement in strengthening its financial security mechanisms. Numerous tours were undertaken to different countries and several prominent interlocutors linked to FATF, especially those with the World Bank and the IMF were engaged by the Pakistanis, but internal developments in the country create enough room for speculation of the manner in which Pakistan has addressed the issues raised by FATF. Watch | Gravitas: Imran Khan is fighting for survival During discussions with Saleem Safi on February 17, Mubasher Lucman said that he had information that FATF is going to place Pakistan in the black list downgrading it from the grey list because of the Pakistani government`s agreement with Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan and for not handing over Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar to India. Safi also mentioned that as per his information the lack of media freedom was another issue which had caught the attention of the FATF members and this too could have an impact on the FATF decision. There is no doubt that the performance and image of the Imran Khan government has dropped several folds in the last few years with the last few months being the worst in terms of delivery and squeezing of the media. The opposition thus has all the necessary wherewithal to unseat the government if they play their cards well.

Political victimisation of media in Pakistan

A regional special envoy to Myanmar on Thursday urged its junta to allow him to meet a shadow government it has branded "terrorists" in order to break a deadlock between the military and opponents of the coup.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations has led diplomatic efforts to end the chaos unleashed by last year's putsch in Myanmar, which triggered mass protests and a deadly crackdown on dissent.

Cambodian foreign minister Prak Sokhonn, its new special envoy to the country, told a meeting of the bloc's foreign ministers he planned to visit in March and meet with top junta officials.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-junta-says-wont-attend-asean-summit-after-regrettable-snub-453331">Myanmar junta says won't attend ASEAN summit after 'regrettable' snub</a>

He added a request to be allowed to meet with members of a&nbsp;"National Unity Government" dominated by lawmakers from Aung San Suu Kyi's ousted party that is working to overthrow the junta.

"If Naypyidaw is not speaking with the NUG... let the special envoy be the bridge," he said, referring to Myanmar's capital.

The junta has declared the NUG "terrorists" and jailed several high-ranking members of Suu Kyi's party.

Most NUG members are in exile or in hiding and Prak Sokhonn gave no details on where or when any future meeting might take place, or whether he had discussed his plans with the junta.&nbsp;

The junta did not respond to a request for comment.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-army-defector-recounts-heavy-losses-inflicted-by-chin-rebels-452562">Myanmar army defector recounts heavy losses inflicted by Chin rebels</a>

Myanmar's top diplomat was barred from Thursday's meeting in Phnom Penh over a lack of progress in defusing violence, although Prak Sokhonn said junta representatives had been allowed to listen in on discussions.

More than 1,500 people have been killed and over 12,000 arrested in a military crackdown since the coup, according to a local monitoring group.

A regional special envoy to Myanmar on Thursday urged its junta to allow him to meet a shadow government it has branded "terrorists" in order to break a deadlock between the military and opponents of the coup.

A regional special envoy to Myanmar on Thursday urged its junta to allow him to meet a shadow government it has branded "terrorists" in order to break a deadlock between the military and opponents of the coup. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations has led diplomatic efforts to end the chaos unleashed by last year's putsch in Myanmar, which triggered mass protests and a deadly crackdown on dissent. Cambodian foreign minister Prak Sokhonn, its new special envoy to the country, told a meeting of the bloc's foreign ministers he planned to visit in March and meet with top junta officials. Also read | Myanmar junta says won't attend ASEAN summit after 'regrettable' snub He added a request to be allowed to meet with members of a "National Unity Government" dominated by lawmakers from Aung San Suu Kyi's ousted party that is working to overthrow the junta. "If Naypyidaw is not speaking with the NUG... let the special envoy be the bridge," he said, referring to Myanmar's capital. The junta has declared the NUG "terrorists" and jailed several high-ranking members of Suu Kyi's party. Most NUG members are in exile or in hiding and Prak Sokhonn gave no details on where or when any future meeting might take place, or whether he had discussed his plans with the junta. The junta did not respond to a request for comment. Also read | Myanmar army defector recounts heavy losses inflicted by Chin rebels Myanmar's top diplomat was barred from Thursday's meeting in Phnom Penh over a lack of progress in defusing violence, although Prak Sokhonn said junta representatives had been allowed to listen in on discussions. More than 1,500 people have been killed and over 12,000 arrested in a military crackdown since the coup, according to a local monitoring group.

New ASEAN Myanmar envoy says wants to meet junta opponents

North Korea marked the 80th birthday of leader Kim Jong Un's late father with a mass outdoor meeting in sub-zero temperatures, state media reported Wednesday, but no missiles or military parade.

Kim was joined by top officials in celebrating the "Day of the Shining Star" in snowy Samjiyon, a city near Mt Paektu, where official narratives say Kim Jong Il was born in a secret guerilla camp on February 16.&nbsp;

The North Korean calendar is peppered with anniversaries related to the nation's official history, in particular to Kim's father and his grandfather Kim Il Sung, the country's founding leader.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korean-gardeners-sent-to-labour-camp-for-failing-to-make-kims-flowers-bloom-on-birthday-452736">North Korean gardeners sent to labour camp for failing to make Kim’s flowers bloom on birthday</a>

The occasions are celebrated with flower shows, mass dances and laudatory tributes in state media, in what analysts say is a means to instil loyalty to the leadership.

Kim Il Sung's April 15 birthday is called the Day of the Sun.

Photos and video in North Korean state media Wednesday showed participants gathered before a giant statue of Kim Jong Il to celebrate what the official KCNA news agency called "the great auspicious holiday of the nation".

The crowd was said to have burst into "stormy cheers" at the sight of leader Kim Jong Un, who has called Samjiyon -- located along the Chinese border in Ryanggang province -- the "home of our revolution".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-melbourne-quad-leaders-call-out-north-korea-make-veiled-references-to-china-pakistan-452507">In Melbourne, Quad leaders call out North Korea, make veiled references to China, Pakistan</a>

Kim has poured huge resources into the area's redevelopment in recent years, with the vast project including new apartments, hotels and a ski resort.

This year's anniversary has been closely watched as it comes amid fresh tensions on the peninsula. Some observers had anticipated a military parade by the North to showcase its new weapons.

Pyongyang carried out an unprecedented seven weapons tests in January, including of its most powerful missile since 2017, when leader Kim Jong Un baited then-US president Donald Trump with a spate of provocative launches.

It has also warned it could abandon its self-imposed moratorium and resume testing intercontinental ballistic missiles or nuclear weapons.

Watch |&nbsp;North Korea celebrates late leader Kim Jong-il's birthday

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/north-korea-celebrates-late-leader-kim-jong-ils-birthday-452747/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

But Pyongyang appears to have paused testing during the Beijing Winter Olympics, possibly out of deference to key ally China, analysts have said.

Experts say Pyongyang could use its next key anniversary -- the 110th birthday of Kim Il Sung on April 15 -- to carry out a major weapons test.

North Korea marked the 80th birthday of leader Kim Jong Un's late father with a mass outdoor meeting in sub-zero temperatures, state media reported Wednesday, but no missiles or military parade.

North Korea marked the 80th birthday of leader Kim Jong Un's late father with a mass outdoor meeting in sub-zero temperatures, state media reported Wednesday, but no missiles or military parade. Kim was joined by top officials in celebrating the "Day of the Shining Star" in snowy Samjiyon, a city near Mt Paektu, where official narratives say Kim Jong Il was born in a secret guerilla camp on February 16. The North Korean calendar is peppered with anniversaries related to the nation's official history, in particular to Kim's father and his grandfather Kim Il Sung, the country's founding leader. Also read | North Korean gardeners sent to labour camp for failing to make Kim’s flowers bloom on birthday The occasions are celebrated with flower shows, mass dances and laudatory tributes in state media, in what analysts say is a means to instil loyalty to the leadership. Kim Il Sung's April 15 birthday is called the Day of the Sun. Photos and video in North Korean state media Wednesday showed participants gathered before a giant statue of Kim Jong Il to celebrate what the official KCNA news agency called "the great auspicious holiday of the nation". The crowd was said to have burst into "stormy cheers" at the sight of leader Kim Jong Un, who has called Samjiyon -- located along the Chinese border in Ryanggang province -- the "home of our revolution". Also read | In Melbourne, Quad leaders call out North Korea, make veiled references to China, Pakistan Kim has poured huge resources into the area's redevelopment in recent years, with the vast project including new apartments, hotels and a ski resort. This year's anniversary has been closely watched as it comes amid fresh tensions on the peninsula. Some observers had anticipated a military parade by the North to showcase its new weapons. Pyongyang carried out an unprecedented seven weapons tests in January, including of its most powerful missile since 2017, when leader Kim Jong Un baited then-US president Donald Trump with a spate of provocative launches. It has also warned it could abandon its self-imposed moratorium and resume testing intercontinental ballistic missiles or nuclear weapons. Watch | North Korea celebrates late leader Kim Jong-il's birthday But Pyongyang appears to have paused testing during the Beijing Winter Olympics, possibly out of deference to key ally China, analysts have said. Experts say Pyongyang could use its next key anniversary -- the 110th birthday of Kim Il Sung on April 15 -- to carry out a major weapons test.

North Korea marks ex-leader's birthday with snowy celebration

Burkina&nbsp;Faso strongman Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba was&nbsp;inaugurated&nbsp;as&nbsp;president&nbsp;on Wednesday, just over three weeks after he led a coup to topple elected head of state Roch Marc Christian Kabore.

In a televised ceremony, Damiba swore an oath before the country's top constitutional body to "preserve, respect, uphold and defend the Constitution", the nation's laws and a "fundamental act" of key decisions approved by the&nbsp;junta.

Damiba was dressed in camouflage uniform and a red beret, and wore a sash in the colours of&nbsp;Burkina's national flag.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/burkina-faso-diplomats-say-they-would-help-junta-vow-to-restore-security-450574">Burkina Faso: Diplomats say they would help junta, vow to 'restore security'</a>

The press, but no foreign representatives, attended the ceremony in a small room at the offices of the Constitutional Council.

On January 24, Damiba,&nbsp;41, led disgruntled officers to force out Kabore following public anger over his handling of a bloody jihadist insurgency.

Last week, the Constitutional Council formally determined that Damiba was&nbsp;president, head of state and supreme commander of the armed forces.

The move confirmed an announcement by the&nbsp;junta&nbsp;on January 31 that Damiba would be appointed to those roles for a transitional period, and be assisted by two vice presidents.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/african-union-suspends-burkina-faso-junta-says-constitution-restored-449334">African Union suspends Burkina Faso; junta says constitution restored</a>

The&nbsp;junta&nbsp;suspended the constitution immediately on taking power on January 24, but later reversed this in the face of pressure from neighbours in West Africa demanding a return to civilian rule.

The military authorities have promised to re-establish "constitutional order" within a "reasonable time" but the issue of a date for elections remains unsettled.

On February 5, the&nbsp;junta&nbsp;announced that a 15-member commission will be tasked with "drawing up a draft charter and agenda, together with a proposal for the duration of the transition period".

Burkina&nbsp;Faso is one of the world's poorest countries and one of the most volatile in Africa.

Watch |&nbsp;Burkina Faso gets an interim president, constitution restored after a week

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/burkina-faso-gets-an-interim-president-constitution-restored-after-a-week-449730/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The landlocked Sahel state has experienced repeated coups since gaining independence from France in 1960, and is battling a brutal jihadist insurgency.

More than 2,000 people have died, according to an AFP tally, while the country's emergencies agency says more than 1.5 million people have fled their homes.

Burkina Faso strongman Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba was inaugurated as president on Wednesday, just over three weeks after he led a coup to topple elected head of state Roch Marc Christian Kabore.

Burkina Faso strongman Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba was inaugurated as president on Wednesday, just over three weeks after he led a coup to topple elected head of state Roch Marc Christian Kabore. In a televised ceremony, Damiba swore an oath before the country's top constitutional body to "preserve, respect, uphold and defend the Constitution", the nation's laws and a "fundamental act" of key decisions approved by the junta. Damiba was dressed in camouflage uniform and a red beret, and wore a sash in the colours of Burkina's national flag. Also read | Burkina Faso: Diplomats say they would help junta, vow to 'restore security' The press, but no foreign representatives, attended the ceremony in a small room at the offices of the Constitutional Council. On January 24, Damiba, 41, led disgruntled officers to force out Kabore following public anger over his handling of a bloody jihadist insurgency. Last week, the Constitutional Council formally determined that Damiba was president, head of state and supreme commander of the armed forces. The move confirmed an announcement by the junta on January 31 that Damiba would be appointed to those roles for a transitional period, and be assisted by two vice presidents. Also read | African Union suspends Burkina Faso; junta says constitution restored The junta suspended the constitution immediately on taking power on January 24, but later reversed this in the face of pressure from neighbours in West Africa demanding a return to civilian rule. The military authorities have promised to re-establish "constitutional order" within a "reasonable time" but the issue of a date for elections remains unsettled. On February 5, the junta announced that a 15-member commission will be tasked with "drawing up a draft charter and agenda, together with a proposal for the duration of the transition period". Burkina Faso is one of the world's poorest countries and one of the most volatile in Africa. Watch | Burkina Faso gets an interim president, constitution restored after a week The landlocked Sahel state has experienced repeated coups since gaining independence from France in 1960, and is battling a brutal jihadist insurgency. More than 2,000 people have died, according to an AFP tally, while the country's emergencies agency says more than 1.5 million people have fled their homes.

Burkina junta chief sworn in as president

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar is set to begin his three-day visit to the Philippines on Sunday with an aim to strengthen bilateral ties.

Jaishankar will visit the Philippines from February 13 to 15, to discuss regional and international issues of mutual interest, said the Ministry of External Affairs in its official statement on Wednesday.

The visit comes at a time when India signed a deal worth USD 375 million to supply 290 km strike range BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines.

Notably, this is Jaishankar`s first visit to the Philippines as External Affairs Minister wherein he will hold talks with Teodoro L. Locsin Jr., Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines to review developments in bilateral relations.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/quad-supported-indian-covid-vaccines-to-roll-out-in-first-half-of-2022-452472">Quad-supported Indian Covid vaccines to roll out in first half of 2022</a>

In November 2020, the Joint Commission meeting on Bilateral Cooperation was co-chaired in virtual format by both sides.

In addition to other meetings with the political leadership in the Philippines, EAM would interact with the Indian community in Manila during his visit.

The visit is expected to impart further momentum to bilateral relations with key partners in the Indo-Pacific, Australia, and the Philippines, which is also a leading member of ASEAN, said MEA.

Earlier, the CEO of the missile firm Atul D Rane said the deal with BrahMos was the first for India to supply a full major weapon system to a foreign country."

Watch |&nbsp;'Relation between India, Australia on a high,' Australian, Indian FM hail bilateral ties

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/relation-between-india-australia-on-a-high-australian-indian-fm-hail-bilateral-ties-452544/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

This is the first export deal that India has signed for a full major weapon system and this paves the way for many more to come forward," he said.

This visit comes after Jaishankar took part in the 4th Quad Foreign Ministers Meeting on Friday along with his counterparts from Japan, Australia and the United States

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar is set to begin his three-day visit to the Philippines on Sunday with an aim to strengthen bilateral ties. Jaishankar will visit the Philippines from February 13 to 15, to discuss regional and international issues of mutual interest, said the Ministry of External Affairs in its official statement on Wednesday.

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar is set to begin his three-day visit to the Philippines on Sunday with an aim to strengthen bilateral ties. Jaishankar will visit the Philippines from February 13 to 15, to discuss regional and international issues of mutual interest, said the Ministry of External Affairs in its official statement on Wednesday. The visit comes at a time when India signed a deal worth USD 375 million to supply 290 km strike range BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines. Notably, this is Jaishankar`s first visit to the Philippines as External Affairs Minister wherein he will hold talks with Teodoro L. Locsin Jr., Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines to review developments in bilateral relations. Also read | Quad-supported Indian Covid vaccines to roll out in first half of 2022 In November 2020, the Joint Commission meeting on Bilateral Cooperation was co-chaired in virtual format by both sides. In addition to other meetings with the political leadership in the Philippines, EAM would interact with the Indian community in Manila during his visit. The visit is expected to impart further momentum to bilateral relations with key partners in the Indo-Pacific, Australia, and the Philippines, which is also a leading member of ASEAN, said MEA. Earlier, the CEO of the missile firm Atul D Rane said the deal with BrahMos was the first for India to supply a full major weapon system to a foreign country." Watch | 'Relation between India, Australia on a high,' Australian, Indian FM hail bilateral ties This is the first export deal that India has signed for a full major weapon system and this paves the way for many more to come forward," he said. This visit comes after Jaishankar took part in the 4th Quad Foreign Ministers Meeting on Friday along with his counterparts from Japan, Australia and the United States

Jaishankar to begin his three-day Philippines visit today

President Mahmoud Abbas has packed PLO with loyalists. The succession struggle looms over the PLO. Meanwhile, Palestinians haven't been to the ballot box for 16 years.

Palestinian politics in a gridlock: Mahmoud Abbas accused of maintaining a tight grip over PLO

Canada's&nbsp;Ontario&nbsp;province Friday declared a&nbsp;state&nbsp;of&nbsp;emergency&nbsp;over&nbsp;trucker-led protests paralyzing the capital and disrupting trade with the United States, as Premier Doug Ford vowed to do whatever it takes to end the blockades.

The capital Ottawa has been clogged with hundreds of big rigs for two weeks, while three border crossings have been shut down by truckers demanding an end to all Covid health restrictions.

"We will take whatever steps are necessary to ensure the border is reopened," Ford told a news conference, threatening steep fines of up to Can$100,000 ($80,000) and jail unless protesters end their "illegal&nbsp;occupation."

"To the people of Ottawa under siege, I say we will ensure you're able to resume life and business as soon as possible."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/morning-news-brief-canada-court-order-us-warning-to-americans-and-more-452541">Morning news brief: Canada court order, US warning to Americans, and more</a>

The vital Ambassador Bridge connecting Windsor,&nbsp;Ontario&nbsp;and the US city of Detroit, is used daily by more than 40,000 commuters and tourists, along with trucks carrying $323 million worth of goods each day on average -- about one-quarter of all&nbsp;Canada-US trade.

The days-long border obstructions have already have major impact, with several automakers forced to cut back production as a result, triggering fears it could impact&nbsp;Canada's economic recovery from the &nbsp;pandemic.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is under mounting pressure to get the situation under control, with Washington calling on its northern neighbor to use federal powers to end the blockades.

Ford, who faces elections in June, has likewise been under fire for several days&nbsp;over&nbsp;his inaction to bring an end to the&nbsp;trucker-led disruptions.

Watch |&nbsp;'Time to go home,' Canadian PM Justin Trudeau warns demonstrators

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/time-to-go-home-canadian-pm-justin-trudeau-warns-demonstrators-452550/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The snowballing&nbsp;trucker&nbsp;movement has morphed&nbsp;over&nbsp;the past weeks into a broader&nbsp;protest&nbsp;against Covid-19 health restrictions and Trudeau's government -- and sparked solidarity rallies across the nation and abroad.

Canada's Ontario province Friday declared a state of emergency over trucker-led protests paralyzing the capital and disrupting trade with the United States, as Premier Doug Ford vowed to do whatever it takes to end the blockades.

Canada's Ontario province Friday declared a state of emergency over trucker-led protests paralyzing the capital and disrupting trade with the United States, as Premier Doug Ford vowed to do whatever it takes to end the blockades. The capital Ottawa has been clogged with hundreds of big rigs for two weeks, while three border crossings have been shut down by truckers demanding an end to all Covid health restrictions. "We will take whatever steps are necessary to ensure the border is reopened," Ford told a news conference, threatening steep fines of up to Can$100,000 ($80,000) and jail unless protesters end their "illegal occupation." "To the people of Ottawa under siege, I say we will ensure you're able to resume life and business as soon as possible." Also read | Morning news brief: Canada court order, US warning to Americans, and more The vital Ambassador Bridge connecting Windsor, Ontario and the US city of Detroit, is used daily by more than 40,000 commuters and tourists, along with trucks carrying $323 million worth of goods each day on average -- about one-quarter of all Canada-US trade. The days-long border obstructions have already have major impact, with several automakers forced to cut back production as a result, triggering fears it could impact Canada's economic recovery from the pandemic. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is under mounting pressure to get the situation under control, with Washington calling on its northern neighbor to use federal powers to end the blockades. Ford, who faces elections in June, has likewise been under fire for several days over his inaction to bring an end to the trucker-led disruptions. Watch | 'Time to go home,' Canadian PM Justin Trudeau warns demonstrators The snowballing trucker movement has morphed over the past weeks into a broader protest against Covid-19 health restrictions and Trudeau's government -- and sparked solidarity rallies across the nation and abroad.

State of emergency in Canada's Ontario over 'illegal' trucker protest

Libyan Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbeibah's car was targeted by gunfire overnight, local media reported, without specifying whether he had been inside.

The reports were not confirmed by officials.

The prime minister's social media feeds had published nothing on the subject, and spokesman Mohamed Hamouda did not respond to several attempts by AFP to contact him.

A police official told AFP on condition of anonymity that security services had received "no indication of gunfire in Tripoli".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ultimatums-threats-from-west-on-ukraine-wont-work-against-russia-says-foreign-minister-452104">Ultimatums, threats from West on Ukraine won’t work against Russia, says foreign minister</a>

The news came as the wartorn country's parliament, based in eastern Libya hundreds of miles (kilometres) from the capital, prepared to vote on a replacement for Dbeibah.

The premier, who had a mandate to lead the country to elections set for December last year but which were ultimately abandoned, has said he will only cede power to an elected government.

Hours before the reported shooting, Dbeibah had met dozens of supporters who had gathered at Martyrs' Square in Tripoli to protest against the parliament's attempts to remove him.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/anti-jewish-hate-incidents-hit-new-record-high-in-uk-report-452103">Anti-jewish hate incidents hit new record high in UK: Report</a>

Libya has been torn apart by regional, tribal and ideological divisions since the 2011 revolt that toppled dictator Moamer Kadhafi.&nbsp;

A landmark ceasefire in late 2020 had cleared the way for&nbsp;United&nbsp;Nations-led efforts to bring an end to a decade of violence.

Dbeibah's unity government took office in early 2021 but when December 24 elections were cancelled amid deep divisions over their legal basis and several controversial candidates, his rivals charged that his mandate had ended.

The push to remove him has triggered fears of a return to east-west divisions and parallel governments.&nbsp;

Libyan Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbeibah's car was targeted by gunfire overnight, local media reported, without specifying whether he had been inside. The reports were not confirmed by officials.

Libyan Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbeibah's car was targeted by gunfire overnight, local media reported, without specifying whether he had been inside. The reports were not confirmed by officials. The prime minister's social media feeds had published nothing on the subject, and spokesman Mohamed Hamouda did not respond to several attempts by AFP to contact him. A police official told AFP on condition of anonymity that security services had received "no indication of gunfire in Tripoli". Also read | Ultimatums, threats from West on Ukraine won’t work against Russia, says foreign minister The news came as the wartorn country's parliament, based in eastern Libya hundreds of miles (kilometres) from the capital, prepared to vote on a replacement for Dbeibah. The premier, who had a mandate to lead the country to elections set for December last year but which were ultimately abandoned, has said he will only cede power to an elected government. Hours before the reported shooting, Dbeibah had met dozens of supporters who had gathered at Martyrs' Square in Tripoli to protest against the parliament's attempts to remove him. Also read | Anti-jewish hate incidents hit new record high in UK: Report Libya has been torn apart by regional, tribal and ideological divisions since the 2011 revolt that toppled dictator Moamer Kadhafi. A landmark ceasefire in late 2020 had cleared the way for United Nations-led efforts to bring an end to a decade of violence. Dbeibah's unity government took office in early 2021 but when December 24 elections were cancelled amid deep divisions over their legal basis and several controversial candidates, his rivals charged that his mandate had ended. The push to remove him has triggered fears of a return to east-west divisions and parallel governments.

Libya media report shooting targeting PM's car

From Beijing Olympics to Indo-Pak series: When politics and sports collided

I will leave the savvy political analysis to others. I don’t know why Sen. Joe Manchin apparently decided to go back on an explicit promise he made to President Joe Biden. Naïvely, I thought that even in this era of norm-breaking, honoring a deal you have just made would be one of the last norms to go, since a reputation for keeping your word once given is useful even to highly cynical politicians. I also do not know what, if anything, can be saved from the Build Back Better framework.

What I do know is that there will be huge human and, yes, economic costs if Biden’s moderate but crucial spending plans fall by the wayside.

Failure to enact a decent social agenda would condemn millions of American children to poor health and low earnings in adulthood — because that is what growing up in poverty does. It would condemn millions more to inadequate medical care and financial ruin if they got ill, because that is what happens when people lack adequate health insurance. It would condemn hundreds of thousands, maybe more, to unnecessary illness and premature death from air pollution, even aside from the intensified risk of climate catastrophe.

I am not speculating here. There is overwhelming evidence that children in low-income families who receive financial aid are significantly healthier and more productive than those who didn’t once they become adults. Uninsured Americans often lack access to needed medical care and face unaffordable bills. And studies show that policies to mitigate climate change will also yield major health benefits from cleaner air over the next decade.

As an aside, it is not clear how many Americans realize the extent to which we are falling behind other nations in terms of meeting basic human needs. For example, I still keep running into people who believe that we have the world’s highest life expectancy, when the reality is that we can expect to live between three and five fewer years than citizens of most European countries.

There are also, by the way, large and growing gaps between U.S. states. In 1979, life expectancy in West Virginia was only about 14 months shorter than in New York; by 2016, the gap had widened to six years. And yes, Manchin’s home state would benefit immensely from the social spending its Democratic senator seems determined to block.

The weakness of the U.S. social safety net also has economic consequences. It is true that we still have high gross domestic product per capita — but that is largely because Americans take far less vacation time than their counterparts abroad, which means that they produce more because they work more hours. In other ways we lag. Even before the pandemic, Americans in their prime working years were less likely to be employed than citizens of Canada or many European countries, probably in part because we do not help adults stay in the workforce by providing child care and parental leave.

But can we afford to make our lives better? One answer is that other rich countries seem to manage it just fine. Another answer is that Manchin’s objections to the proposed legislation evaporate under scrutiny.

Manchin asserted that the Congressional Budget Office determined that the cost of the bill is “upwards of $4.5 trillion.” No, it didn’t. That was a Republican-demanded estimate of outlays — not the considerably smaller impact on the deficit — under the assumption that everything in the legislation would be made permanent, which isn’t what the bill says. And if Congress did vote to extend programs like the child tax credit, it would probably also vote for revenue offsets. The budget office analysis of the legislation as actually written — which found it roughly deficit-neutral — is a much better guide to its likely fiscal impact than this rigged hypothetical.

As for Manchin’s claim that we have a “staggering” national debt, maybe it is worth noting that federal interest payments as a percentage of GDP are only half what they were under Ronald Reagan, and that if you adjust for inflation — as you should — they are basically zero.

What about inflation? The proposed spending in Build Back Better is spread over multiple years, so it wouldn’t do a lot to raise overall demand in the near term — the first-year addition to the deficit would be just 0.6% of GDP, which isn’t enough to make much difference to inflation in any model I know. Besides, the Federal Reserve has just made it clear that it is ready to raise interest rates if inflation does not subside, so government spending should matter even less.

As I said, I am not going to try to analyze Manchin’s thought processes, and I will leave it to others to speculate about his personal motives. What I can say is that the letter he released to explain why he said what he said on Fox News doesn’t read like a carefully worked-out policy statement; it doesn’t even read like a coherent ideological manifesto. Indeed, it feels rushed — a grab bag of Republican talking points hastily trotted out in an attempt to justify his abrupt betrayal and to portray himself as a victim.

Sorry, but no. America — not a senator who is taking heat for a broken promise — is the victim in this story.

I will leave the savvy political analysis to others. I don’t know why Sen. Joe Manchin apparently decided to go back on an explicit promise he made to President Joe Biden.

I will leave the savvy political analysis to others. I don’t know why Sen. Joe Manchin apparently decided to go back on an explicit promise he made to President Joe Biden. Naïvely, I thought that even in this era of norm-breaking, honoring a deal you have just made would be one of the last norms to go, since a reputation for keeping your word once given is useful even to highly cynical politicians. I also do not know what, if anything, can be saved from the Build Back Better framework. What I do know is that there will be huge human and, yes, economic costs if Biden’s moderate but crucial spending plans fall by the wayside. Failure to enact a decent social agenda would condemn millions of American children to poor health and low earnings in adulthood — because that is what growing up in poverty does. It would condemn millions more to inadequate medical care and financial ruin if they got ill, because that is what happens when people lack adequate health insurance. It would condemn hundreds of thousands, maybe more, to unnecessary illness and premature death from air pollution, even aside from the intensified risk of climate catastrophe. I am not speculating here. There is overwhelming evidence that children in low-income families who receive financial aid are significantly healthier and more productive than those who didn’t once they become adults. Uninsured Americans often lack access to needed medical care and face unaffordable bills. And studies show that policies to mitigate climate change will also yield major health benefits from cleaner air over the next decade. As an aside, it is not clear how many Americans realize the extent to which we are falling behind other nations in terms of meeting basic human needs. For example, I still keep running into people who believe that we have the world’s highest life expectancy, when the reality is that we can expect to live between three and five fewer years than citizens of most European countries. There are also, by the way, large and growing gaps between U.S. states. In 1979, life expectancy in West Virginia was only about 14 months shorter than in New York; by 2016, the gap had widened to six years. And yes, Manchin’s home state would benefit immensely from the social spending its Democratic senator seems determined to block. The weakness of the U.S. social safety net also has economic consequences. It is true that we still have high gross domestic product per capita — but that is largely because Americans take far less vacation time than their counterparts abroad, which means that they produce more because they work more hours. In other ways we lag. Even before the pandemic, Americans in their prime working years were less likely to be employed than citizens of Canada or many European countries, probably in part because we do not help adults stay in the workforce by providing child care and parental leave. But can we afford to make our lives better? One answer is that other rich countries seem to manage it just fine. Another answer is that Manchin’s objections to the proposed legislation evaporate under scrutiny. Manchin asserted that the Congressional Budget Office determined that the cost of the bill is “upwards of $4.5 trillion.” No, it didn’t. That was a Republican-demanded estimate of outlays — not the considerably smaller impact on the deficit — under the assumption that everything in the legislation would be made permanent, which isn’t what the bill says. And if Congress did vote to extend programs like the child tax credit, it would probably also vote for revenue offsets. The budget office analysis of the legislation as actually written — which found it roughly deficit-neutral — is a much better guide to its likely fiscal impact than this rigged hypothetical. As for Manchin’s claim that we have a “staggering” national debt, maybe it is worth noting that federal interest payments as a percentage of GDP are only half what they were under Ronald Reagan, and that if you adjust for inflation — as you should — they are basically zero. What about inflation? The proposed spending in Build Back Better is spread over multiple years, so it wouldn’t do a lot to raise overall demand in the near term — the first-year addition to the deficit would be just 0.6% of GDP, which isn’t enough to make much difference to inflation in any model I know. Besides, the Federal Reserve has just made it clear that it is ready to raise interest rates if inflation does not subside, so government spending should matter even less. As I said, I am not going to try to analyze Manchin’s thought processes, and I will leave it to others to speculate about his personal motives. What I can say is that the letter he released to explain why he said what he said on Fox News doesn’t read like a carefully worked-out policy statement; it doesn’t even read like a coherent ideological manifesto. Indeed, it feels rushed — a grab bag of Republican talking points hastily trotted out in an attempt to justify his abrupt betrayal and to portray himself as a victim. Sorry, but no. America — not a senator who is taking heat for a broken promise — is the victim in this story.

What we lose if we don’t build back better

A Taliban official has claimed that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has banned former Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani from engaging in Afghan politics while living in Dubai.

Taliban: UAE bans Ashraf Ghani from taking part in Afghanistan politics

Geordie Greig was always an odd fit as the editor of The Daily Mail, Britain’s biggest tabloid. Greig — educated at Eton and Oxford, a former editor of the society magazine Tatler, and a friend of writer V.S. Naipaul's and painter Lucian Freud's — is a suave, aristocratic fellow once described by The Observer as “Britain’s best-connected man.” He also opposed Brexit.

When Greig was abruptly ousted this past week in an internal power struggle, it caught both him and London’s media class off guard, setting off a round of lip-smacking gossip worthy of a tabloid headline. But in some ways, it merely signified a return to form for a right-leaning, middlebrow paper that staunchly supports the Conservative Party and led the charge for Brexit over the past two decades.

What makes the upheaval at The Mail reverberate beyond the insular world of Fleet Street is the central role it plays in British politics and society. More so than any other British newspaper, The Mail is the voice of what sociologists call Middle England, a broad section of middle-class readers, predominantly white and socially conservative, most of whom live outside London and generally favor Brexit.

Keeping the affections of these voters is critical for Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his party. So Greig’s dismissal — and his replacement by Ted Verity, an editor viewed as less likely to run critical coverage of the government — is sure to be welcome at No. 10 Downing St., even if, by most accounts, that is not why The Mail’s owner, Jonathan Harmsworth, made the change.

“Geordie Greig was, personally, a Remainer and didn’t see politics through that one lens,” said Alan Rusbridger, a former editor of the left-leaning Guardian. “His Mail had recently been sharply critical of Boris Johnson and his government, causing some alarm in the current government and its ranks of MPs.”

For Johnson, a former journalist who once worked for the pro-Tory Daily Telegraph and edited The Spectator, a less confrontational Mail would be one less headache at a time when his poll ratings have eroded in the glare of a lingering corruption scandal involving Conservative members of Parliament.

It could also give Johnson a muscular ally if he decides in coming weeks to rip up the trade arrangements for Northern Ireland. That decision could prompt a trade war with the European Union, one that would rekindle the anti-Brussels passions that long fueled The Mail and helped set the stage for Britain’s 2016 vote to break away.

“It’s an unknowable question whether Brexit could have been won without The Mail,” said Rusbridger, whose latest book, “News and How to Use It,” explores journalism in the age of Brexit and Donald Trump.

With a handful of exceptions, Britain’s newspapers still firmly tilt to the right. But after nearly two years in which the coronavirus pandemic replaced Brexit as the country’s abiding preoccupation — a crisis that at times seemed to overwhelm the government — Johnson has not been able to count on an easy ride from the news media. The Mail under Greig was especially unforgiving about the perceived “sleaze” factor in government.

The paper aggressively covered the lucrative side jobs taken by Conservative lawmakers. It broke the story of a Conservative Party donor who picked up a bill for 58,000 pounds ($77,000) for the redecorating of Johnson’s Downing Street apartment by his wife, Carrie. (Johnson later reimbursed the cost of what The Mail, perhaps inevitably, nicknamed “Wallpapergate.”)

“There are certain things that really get to a Daily Mail reader, and one is fat cats and people feathering their own nests,” said Julian Petley, a journalism professor at Brunel University in London. “The Mail is right wing but very populist.”

It can also be crusading: In the 1990s, the paper went after a flawed police investigation of the racially motivated killing of a Black teenager, Stephen Lawrence, at a London bus stop. It also campaigned, with some success, to curb the use of plastic bags in Britain.

When Johnson’s aides excluded some journalists from a briefing about the EU in 2020, The Mail’s reporter joined competitors from other papers in walking out in protest. In an editorial comment that aptly summarized its tough-love approach, The Mail said, “This paper is an avid supporter of all he is trying to achieve. But we cannot be an uncritical friend.”

For all of its strengths, The Mail still gleefully traffics in tabloid fodder. Meghan, Prince Harry’s wife, won a privacy ruling against the Sunday paper for publishing a personal letter she sent her father, Thomas Markle. Its lawyers are appealing.

The Mail’s internal politics are at least as rough-and-tumble as its coverage of national politics — and Greig, 60, is a battle-scarred veteran of both. Before taking the top job at The Daily Mail in 2018, he was editor of The Mail on Sunday, which often seemed at war with its sister paper. Although Greig inveighed against Brexit, The Daily Mail was a full-throated champion, under Paul Dacre, its longtime editor and an ardent Brexiteer.

“I was surprised at Geordie Greig being made editor, for his Remain views but also his aristocratic educational background,” said Meera Selva, deputy director of the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at Oxford.

Greig’s views, however, did not disqualify him with Harmsworth, 53, who is better known as the Fourth Viscount Rothermere. Executives at the company said Lord Rothermere, whose great-grandfather co-founded The Daily Mail in 1896, wanted Greig to “detoxify the brand” after years in which banging the drum for Brexit had hurt its reputation with readers and advertisers.

In June 2020, less than two years after Greig took over, The Mail surpassed Rupert Murdoch’s Sun as Britain’s largest daily, with a circulation of just under 1 million. But politics poisoned his relationship with Dacre, who stayed on as editor-in-chief of the parent company. He publicly criticized his successor for what he described as diluting The Mail’s pro-Brexit DNA.

Greig declined to discuss his departure, beyond saying in a statement that he looked forward to using the skills learned from “my years at The Mail, which I first joined in 1983 as its most junior reporter on the graveyard shift.” In his statement, Lord Rothermere gave no reason for the shake-up. He praised Greig as a “hugely successful editor” and said Verity was a “Mail journalist to his core.”

People inside the company said Greig was less a victim of politics than of a power struggle in a changing media empire. Verity, whose Mail on Sunday was notably softer on Johnson than The Daily Mail, is an ally of Martin Clarke, who runs Mail Online, the company’s popular, fast-growing website.

Both are close to Dacre, who suffered a setback of his own this past week when he withdrew his name from contention to lead Britain’s communications regulator, Ofcom, despite support from the Johnson government. In a letter to The Times of London, Dacre said the Civil Service had targeted him because of his right-of-center views, calling it his “infelicitous dalliance with the Blob.”

Lord Rothermere is preparing to take the family empire, Daily Mail and General Trust, private. As part of that transition, analysts said, he plans to integrate the daily and Sunday papers, which struggled during the pandemic, and bring Mail Online, which is managed separately, closer to the fold.

“There’s a ‘Game of Thrones’ drama taking place,” said Douglas McCabe, CEO of Enders Analysis, a media research firm in London. “But the key story behind it is this profound strategic rethinking of the company.”

Geordie Greig was always an odd fit as the editor of The Daily Mail, Britain’s biggest tabloid. Greig — educated at Eton and Oxford, a former editor of the society magazine Tatler, and a friend of writer V.

Geordie Greig was always an odd fit as the editor of The Daily Mail, Britain’s biggest tabloid. Greig — educated at Eton and Oxford, a former editor of the society magazine Tatler, and a friend of writer V.S. Naipaul's and painter Lucian Freud's — is a suave, aristocratic fellow once described by The Observer as “Britain’s best-connected man.” He also opposed Brexit. When Greig was abruptly ousted this past week in an internal power struggle, it caught both him and London’s media class off guard, setting off a round of lip-smacking gossip worthy of a tabloid headline. But in some ways, it merely signified a return to form for a right-leaning, middlebrow paper that staunchly supports the Conservative Party and led the charge for Brexit over the past two decades. What makes the upheaval at The Mail reverberate beyond the insular world of Fleet Street is the central role it plays in British politics and society. More so than any other British newspaper, The Mail is the voice of what sociologists call Middle England, a broad section of middle-class readers, predominantly white and socially conservative, most of whom live outside London and generally favor Brexit. Keeping the affections of these voters is critical for Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his party. So Greig’s dismissal — and his replacement by Ted Verity, an editor viewed as less likely to run critical coverage of the government — is sure to be welcome at No. 10 Downing St., even if, by most accounts, that is not why The Mail’s owner, Jonathan Harmsworth, made the change. “Geordie Greig was, personally, a Remainer and didn’t see politics through that one lens,” said Alan Rusbridger, a former editor of the left-leaning Guardian. “His Mail had recently been sharply critical of Boris Johnson and his government, causing some alarm in the current government and its ranks of MPs.” For Johnson, a former journalist who once worked for the pro-Tory Daily Telegraph and edited The Spectator, a less confrontational Mail would be one less headache at a time when his poll ratings have eroded in the glare of a lingering corruption scandal involving Conservative members of Parliament. It could also give Johnson a muscular ally if he decides in coming weeks to rip up the trade arrangements for Northern Ireland. That decision could prompt a trade war with the European Union, one that would rekindle the anti-Brussels passions that long fueled The Mail and helped set the stage for Britain’s 2016 vote to break away. “It’s an unknowable question whether Brexit could have been won without The Mail,” said Rusbridger, whose latest book, “News and How to Use It,” explores journalism in the age of Brexit and Donald Trump. With a handful of exceptions, Britain’s newspapers still firmly tilt to the right. But after nearly two years in which the coronavirus pandemic replaced Brexit as the country’s abiding preoccupation — a crisis that at times seemed to overwhelm the government — Johnson has not been able to count on an easy ride from the news media. The Mail under Greig was especially unforgiving about the perceived “sleaze” factor in government. The paper aggressively covered the lucrative side jobs taken by Conservative lawmakers. It broke the story of a Conservative Party donor who picked up a bill for 58,000 pounds ($77,000) for the redecorating of Johnson’s Downing Street apartment by his wife, Carrie. (Johnson later reimbursed the cost of what The Mail, perhaps inevitably, nicknamed “Wallpapergate.”) “There are certain things that really get to a Daily Mail reader, and one is fat cats and people feathering their own nests,” said Julian Petley, a journalism professor at Brunel University in London. “The Mail is right wing but very populist.” It can also be crusading: In the 1990s, the paper went after a flawed police investigation of the racially motivated killing of a Black teenager, Stephen Lawrence, at a London bus stop. It also campaigned, with some success, to curb the use of plastic bags in Britain. When Johnson’s aides excluded some journalists from a briefing about the EU in 2020, The Mail’s reporter joined competitors from other papers in walking out in protest. In an editorial comment that aptly summarized its tough-love approach, The Mail said, “This paper is an avid supporter of all he is trying to achieve. But we cannot be an uncritical friend.” For all of its strengths, The Mail still gleefully traffics in tabloid fodder. Meghan, Prince Harry’s wife, won a privacy ruling against the Sunday paper for publishing a personal letter she sent her father, Thomas Markle. Its lawyers are appealing. The Mail’s internal politics are at least as rough-and-tumble as its coverage of national politics — and Greig, 60, is a battle-scarred veteran of both. Before taking the top job at The Daily Mail in 2018, he was editor of The Mail on Sunday, which often seemed at war with its sister paper. Although Greig inveighed against Brexit, The Daily Mail was a full-throated champion, under Paul Dacre, its longtime editor and an ardent Brexiteer. “I was surprised at Geordie Greig being made editor, for his Remain views but also his aristocratic educational background,” said Meera Selva, deputy director of the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at Oxford. Greig’s views, however, did not disqualify him with Harmsworth, 53, who is better known as the Fourth Viscount Rothermere. Executives at the company said Lord Rothermere, whose great-grandfather co-founded The Daily Mail in 1896, wanted Greig to “detoxify the brand” after years in which banging the drum for Brexit had hurt its reputation with readers and advertisers. In June 2020, less than two years after Greig took over, The Mail surpassed Rupert Murdoch’s Sun as Britain’s largest daily, with a circulation of just under 1 million. But politics poisoned his relationship with Dacre, who stayed on as editor-in-chief of the parent company. He publicly criticized his successor for what he described as diluting The Mail’s pro-Brexit DNA. Greig declined to discuss his departure, beyond saying in a statement that he looked forward to using the skills learned from “my years at The Mail, which I first joined in 1983 as its most junior reporter on the graveyard shift.” In his statement, Lord Rothermere gave no reason for the shake-up. He praised Greig as a “hugely successful editor” and said Verity was a “Mail journalist to his core.” People inside the company said Greig was less a victim of politics than of a power struggle in a changing media empire. Verity, whose Mail on Sunday was notably softer on Johnson than The Daily Mail, is an ally of Martin Clarke, who runs Mail Online, the company’s popular, fast-growing website. Both are close to Dacre, who suffered a setback of his own this past week when he withdrew his name from contention to lead Britain’s communications regulator, Ofcom, despite support from the Johnson government. In a letter to The Times of London, Dacre said the Civil Service had targeted him because of his right-of-center views, calling it his “infelicitous dalliance with the Blob.” Lord Rothermere is preparing to take the family empire, Daily Mail and General Trust, private. As part of that transition, analysts said, he plans to integrate the daily and Sunday papers, which struggled during the pandemic, and bring Mail Online, which is managed separately, closer to the fold. “There’s a ‘Game of Thrones’ drama taking place,” said Douglas McCabe, CEO of Enders Analysis, a media research firm in London. “But the key story behind it is this profound strategic rethinking of the company.”

A tabloid ‘Game of Thrones’ in London could tilt UK politics

A 20-year-old Hong Kong independence activist was facing life in prison Wednesday after becoming the youngest person convicted under the city's national security law, but told the court he had "nothing to be ashamed of".

Tony Chung had pleaded guilty to secession in the fourth case to come to trial under the sweeping new legislation, which authorities are using to snuff out dissent in the semi-autonomous Chinese city.

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"I have nothing to be ashamed of," Chung said in court as he entered his plea.

Judge Stanley Chan then immediately warned Chung that no talk of politics would be allowed in the courtroom.

Chung is the former convenor of Student Localism, a small group that advocated Hong Kong's independence from China.

The group was founded in 2016 and disbanded its Hong Kong network shortly before Beijing imposed the security law in 2020, but it has kept its overseas chapters going.

The prosecution said the group advocated that Hong Kong "get rid of the Chinese Communist colonial rule" and "build a Hong Kong republic".

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They disseminated their message through social media, street booths, calling on people to join protests and selling merchandise with independence messages.

Prosecutors said the group issued an appeal to the United States to pass a law imposing sanctions on Hong Kong and China.&nbsp;

The organisation also opposed the teaching of Mandarin, the form of Chinese commonly used throughout the mainland, in Hong Kong schools, the court heard.

Chung was also convicted of a money laundering charge Wednesday and in exchange the prosecution agreed to shelve a sedition charge as well as a second money laundering charge, both of which he pleaded not guilty to.

Authorities have previously said the security law is not retroactive but prosecutors cited numerous offences said to have taken place before the law took effect.

Chung has been in custody for over a year since he was arrested in a coffee shop just metres away from the US consulate in Hong Kong last October.

A little-known group calling itself Friends of Hong Kong put out a statement shortly after his arrest saying it had been trying to arrange for Chung to enter the US consulate that day and apply for asylum.

Last December Chung was sentenced to four months in jail for insulting China's national flag and unlawful assembly.&nbsp;

China imposed the national security law in response to massive and often violent democracy protests in Hong Kong two years ago, in a move that has brought mainland-style speech curbs to the once outspoken business hub.

The law covers offences China deems secession, subversion, collusion with foreign forces or terrorism.

Four other men have so far been convicted in separate cases under the security law and more than 150 people have been arrested, with around half charged. Bail is often denied.

A 20-year-old Hong Kong independence activist was facing life in prison Wednesday after becoming the youngest person convicted under the city's national security law, but told the court he had "nothing to be ashamed of".

A 20-year-old Hong Kong independence activist was facing life in prison Wednesday after becoming the youngest person convicted under the city's national security law, but told the court he had "nothing to be ashamed of". Tony Chung had pleaded guilty to secession in the fourth case to come to trial under the sweeping new legislation, which authorities are using to snuff out dissent in the semi-autonomous Chinese city. Also Read | China lambasts US for 'backpedalling' on climate policies after Biden chided Jinping "I have nothing to be ashamed of," Chung said in court as he entered his plea. Judge Stanley Chan then immediately warned Chung that no talk of politics would be allowed in the courtroom. Chung is the former convenor of Student Localism, a small group that advocated Hong Kong's independence from China. The group was founded in 2016 and disbanded its Hong Kong network shortly before Beijing imposed the security law in 2020, but it has kept its overseas chapters going. The prosecution said the group advocated that Hong Kong "get rid of the Chinese Communist colonial rule" and "build a Hong Kong republic". Also Read | China making rapid progress in development of silos missiles that could launch nuclear weapons: Report They disseminated their message through social media, street booths, calling on people to join protests and selling merchandise with independence messages. Prosecutors said the group issued an appeal to the United States to pass a law imposing sanctions on Hong Kong and China. The organisation also opposed the teaching of Mandarin, the form of Chinese commonly used throughout the mainland, in Hong Kong schools, the court heard. Chung was also convicted of a money laundering charge Wednesday and in exchange the prosecution agreed to shelve a sedition charge as well as a second money laundering charge, both of which he pleaded not guilty to. Authorities have previously said the security law is not retroactive but prosecutors cited numerous offences said to have taken place before the law took effect. Chung has been in custody for over a year since he was arrested in a coffee shop just metres away from the US consulate in Hong Kong last October. A little-known group calling itself Friends of Hong Kong put out a statement shortly after his arrest saying it had been trying to arrange for Chung to enter the US consulate that day and apply for asylum. Last December Chung was sentenced to four months in jail for insulting China's national flag and unlawful assembly. China imposed the national security law in response to massive and often violent democracy protests in Hong Kong two years ago, in a move that has brought mainland-style speech curbs to the once outspoken business hub. The law covers offences China deems secession, subversion, collusion with foreign forces or terrorism. Four other men have so far been convicted in separate cases under the security law and more than 150 people have been arrested, with around half charged. Bail is often denied.

Hong Kong activist becomes youngest convict under security law

New Yorkers head to the polls Tuesday in a mayoral election that is virtually guaranteed to elect Black former policeman Eric Adams as the next leader of America's biggest city.

The centrist Democrat is expected to trounce Republican candidate and volunteer crime fighter Curtis Sliwa in the liberal-voting bastion to become just the second African American to lead the Big Apple.

New York mayor is often described as the most difficult job in the United States after president.

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If the 61-year-old Adams wins, he will succeed unpopular progressive Bill de Blasio, whose two-term limit ends December 31.

Adams will be tasked with leading the city's recovery after the pandemic, which has killed more than 34,000 residents and closed hundreds of thousands of businesses.

As mayor for more than eight million people, he will oversee America's largest municipal budget, crippled by the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19 crisis</a>, and its biggest police force and public school system.&nbsp;

The moderate candidate defeated progressive rivals in June's Democratic primary by mainly pledging to crack down on violent crime that soared during the pandemic.

He promised to tackle wealth inequalities and reform the education system, as well.

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Adams will also have to grapple with a severe lack of affordable housing, violent chaos at the notorious Rikers Island prison and the effects of more extreme weather events on New York City's creaking infrastructure.

One of his trickiest balancing acts will be trying to reform police practices while keeping onside a heavily unionized force that feels it has been underappreciated during the de Blasio era.

Adams opposes defunding the police, a policy that is a rallying cry for many on the American left. He is also seen as being friendly towards the business community and has not called for higher taxes for wealthy residents.

Reforming the police&nbsp;

He was born into poverty in Brooklyn in 1960, and was raised in a large family living in a working-class neighborhood of Queens. His mother was a cleaner, and his father was a butcher.

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&nbsp;

Adams briefly ran errands for a gang as a teenager. When he was 15, he was beaten by two NYPD officers after they arrested him for criminal trespassing.

That sparked his determination to join the NYPD so he could reform it from the inside. Adams entered the force in the mid-1980s, serving 22 years and rising to become a captain.

In 1995, he co-founded "100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care," an advocacy group designed to fight against racism in the police and that still exists today.

Adams retired in 2006, winning election to the New York State Senate that year. He served until 2013, when he was elected Brooklyn borough president, providing a springboard for his mayoral ambitions.

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Adams credits veganism with reversing his 2016 diabetes diagnosis and released a book last year that aims to turn African Americans to a plant-based diet.

Polls open at 6:00 am and close at 9:00 pm. Almost 170,000 people out of some five million registered voters have already cast ballots in early voting.

New Yorkers head to the polls Tuesday in a mayoral election that is virtually guaranteed to elect Black former policeman Eric Adams as the next leader of America's biggest city.

New Yorkers head to the polls Tuesday in a mayoral election that is virtually guaranteed to elect Black former policeman Eric Adams as the next leader of America's biggest city. The centrist Democrat is expected to trounce Republican candidate and volunteer crime fighter Curtis Sliwa in the liberal-voting bastion to become just the second African American to lead the Big Apple. New York mayor is often described as the most difficult job in the United States after president. Also Read | Virginia goes to polls in too-close-to call bellwether election If the 61-year-old Adams wins, he will succeed unpopular progressive Bill de Blasio, whose two-term limit ends December 31. Adams will be tasked with leading the city's recovery after the pandemic, which has killed more than 34,000 residents and closed hundreds of thousands of businesses. As mayor for more than eight million people, he will oversee America's largest municipal budget, crippled by the COVID-19 crisis, and its biggest police force and public school system. The moderate candidate defeated progressive rivals in June's Democratic primary by mainly pledging to crack down on violent crime that soared during the pandemic. He promised to tackle wealth inequalities and reform the education system, as well. Also Read | New York mayor’s race in chaos after elections board counts 135,000 test ballots Adams will also have to grapple with a severe lack of affordable housing, violent chaos at the notorious Rikers Island prison and the effects of more extreme weather events on New York City's creaking infrastructure. One of his trickiest balancing acts will be trying to reform police practices while keeping onside a heavily unionized force that feels it has been underappreciated during the de Blasio era. Adams opposes defunding the police, a policy that is a rallying cry for many on the American left. He is also seen as being friendly towards the business community and has not called for higher taxes for wealthy residents. Reforming the police He was born into poverty in Brooklyn in 1960, and was raised in a large family living in a working-class neighborhood of Queens. His mother was a cleaner, and his father was a butcher. Also Read | As Trump thunders about last election, Republicans worry about the next one Adams briefly ran errands for a gang as a teenager. When he was 15, he was beaten by two NYPD officers after they arrested him for criminal trespassing. That sparked his determination to join the NYPD so he could reform it from the inside. Adams entered the force in the mid-1980s, serving 22 years and rising to become a captain. In 1995, he co-founded "100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care," an advocacy group designed to fight against racism in the police and that still exists today. Adams retired in 2006, winning election to the New York State Senate that year. He served until 2013, when he was elected Brooklyn borough president, providing a springboard for his mayoral ambitions. Also Read | Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida declares victory after 'very tough' election Adams credits veganism with reversing his 2016 diabetes diagnosis and released a book last year that aims to turn African Americans to a plant-based diet. Polls open at 6:00 am and close at 9:00 pm. Almost 170,000 people out of some five million registered voters have already cast ballots in early voting.

New York poised to elect Black ex-cop Adams as mayor

India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman here said climate financing continues to be an area of worry as she flagged concerns over funding mechanism and technology transfer.

It is unclear how the USD100 billion per year commitment given in the wake of COP21 has been extended, Sitharaman said after the conclusion of her meetings at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank here.

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"From my side of course one of the issues that I did raise and it is also something which many people do take cognisance of is we actually don't know if there were any measures given to measure if money spent on a particular project by somebody will be part of that USD100 billion," Sitharaman said.

"So, what constitutes USD100 billion&nbsp;How do we measure if actually USD100 billion has been given or only some of them has been given&nbsp;So, not just that USD100 billion per year is coming or not but how do we measure that it is indeed coming or not, is also one of the issues," she said.

Sitharaman said several participants both in the IMF and World Bank meetings highlighted that issue. 
"So funding is continuing to be a question of worry for many countries, as much as even the transfer of technology," she said.

"The issue is, again, as much as it is in the fund, do we know which technology that we are asking for transfer&nbsp;Do we know which are those things which have to be considered for the debate and transfer of technology," she said.

Responding to a question, the finance minister asserted that her view on this was not a reflection of her dissatisfaction.

Also Read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-has-faced-covid-crisis-with-resilience-and-fortitude-sitharaman-420857">&nbsp;India has faced Covid crisis with resilience and fortitude: Sitharaman</a>

"I'm not stating it's a statement of this dissatisfaction because India's commitments are fulfilled. There are only six countries which kept the nationally determined commitments.

India's more than done it, and also submitted a report to show that this is what we have done. What had to be achieved by 2030, we have achieved already almost achieved, and now we've scaled up our expectations on renewable, we are touching 450 GW,&nbsp;she said.

"So, I don't think I can be even for a moment, disappointed or dissatisfied, clearly from our side. We are moving with our own resources in fulfilling our commitments," the minister said. 
There are things to be done, she acknowledged.

"It is reminding, because the level at which many countries are, the levels of development at which each one has to be able to comply with an even a nationally determined commitment itself means a lot," she said.

Sitharaman also expressed concern over growing oil prices.

"So even as I'm putting more money into renewables and trying to be cleaner in the energy that we produce, this price rise is something which is going to be of worry to me," she said.

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Responding to a question, the finance minister said that sustainable debt funding was discussed during the meetings.

In addition to her meetings at the IMF and the World Bank, Sitharaman had more than 25 bilateral engagements.

Sitharaman has concluded the Washington DC-leg of her US trip.

From here, she will go to New York for an interactive session with the business community before flying back home.&nbsp;She started her week-long trip from Boston.

India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman here said climate financing continues to be an area of worry as she flagged concerns over funding mechanism and technology transfer.

India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman here said climate financing continues to be an area of worry as she flagged concerns over funding mechanism and technology transfer. It is unclear how the USD100 billion per year commitment given in the wake of COP21 has been extended, Sitharaman said after the conclusion of her meetings at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank here. Also Read | Make India the world's biggest military power: PM Modi inaugurates seven new State-run defence firms "From my side of course one of the issues that I did raise and it is also something which many people do take cognisance of is we actually don't know if there were any measures given to measure if money spent on a particular project by somebody will be part of that USD100 billion," Sitharaman said. "So, what constitutes USD100 billion How do we measure if actually USD100 billion has been given or only some of them has been given So, not just that USD100 billion per year is coming or not but how do we measure that it is indeed coming or not, is also one of the issues," she said. Sitharaman said several participants both in the IMF and World Bank meetings highlighted that issue. "So funding is continuing to be a question of worry for many countries, as much as even the transfer of technology," she said. "The issue is, again, as much as it is in the fund, do we know which technology that we are asking for transfer Do we know which are those things which have to be considered for the debate and transfer of technology," she said. Responding to a question, the finance minister asserted that her view on this was not a reflection of her dissatisfaction. Also Read | India has faced Covid crisis with resilience and fortitude: Sitharaman "I'm not stating it's a statement of this dissatisfaction because India's commitments are fulfilled. There are only six countries which kept the nationally determined commitments. India's more than done it, and also submitted a report to show that this is what we have done. What had to be achieved by 2030, we have achieved already almost achieved, and now we've scaled up our expectations on renewable, we are touching 450 GW, she said. "So, I don't think I can be even for a moment, disappointed or dissatisfied, clearly from our side. We are moving with our own resources in fulfilling our commitments," the minister said. There are things to be done, she acknowledged. "It is reminding, because the level at which many countries are, the levels of development at which each one has to be able to comply with an even a nationally determined commitment itself means a lot," she said. Sitharaman also expressed concern over growing oil prices. "So even as I'm putting more money into renewables and trying to be cleaner in the energy that we produce, this price rise is something which is going to be of worry to me," she said. Also Read | Nihang group confesses to murder of man at Singhu Border Responding to a question, the finance minister said that sustainable debt funding was discussed during the meetings. In addition to her meetings at the IMF and the World Bank, Sitharaman had more than 25 bilateral engagements. Sitharaman has concluded the Washington DC-leg of her US trip. From here, she will go to New York for an interactive session with the business community before flying back home. She started her week-long trip from Boston.

Climate financing area of worry, says India's finance minister Sitharaman

Iraqis headed to the polls Sunday for an early election billed as a concession to anti-government protests but expected to be boycotted by many voters who distrust official promises of reform.

Polls opened at 7:00am (0400 GMT) but few voters turned up early at one polling station at a school in central Baghdad.

"I have come to vote to change the country for the better, and to change the current leaders who are incompetent," said Jimand Khalil, 37, who was one of the first to cast her vote. "They made a lot of promises to us but didn't bring us anything."&nbsp;

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Security was tight in the capital, with voters searched twice at the entrance to polling stations.

Airports are also closed until dawn on Monday across Iraq, where despite the government's declaration of victory over the Islamic State group in late 2017, jihadist sleeper cells continue to mount attacks.

Polls remain open until 6:00 pm, with preliminary results expected within 24 hours of closing. Dozens of election observers deployed by the European Union and the United Nations were set to monitor the vote.

Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi cast his ballot early in Baghdad's fortified Green Zone.

"This is an opportunity for change," he said.

"Get out there and vote, change your reality, for Iraq and for your future," urged Kadhemi, whose political future hangs in the balance, with few observers willing to predict who will come out on top after the lengthy backroom haggling that usually follows Iraqi elections.

But analysts are already predicting a record-low turnout for these polls, held a year early in a rare concession to the youth-led protest movement.

Dozens of anti-government activists have been killed, kidnapped or intimidated over the last couple of years, with accusations that pro-Iran armed groups, many of which are represented in parliament, have been behind the violence.

"Iraqis should have the confidence to vote as they please, in an environment free of pressure, intimidation and threats," the UN mission in Iraq said ahead of the polls.

The protests that swept through Baghdad and the south in October 2019 rocked the Shiite factions that have dominated Iraq since the aftermath of the US-led invasion of 2003.

Tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets to express their anger at corruption, unemployment and crumbling public services, and hundreds lost their lives in protest-related violence.

The protests have largely fizzled out as anger has given way to disillusion.

"Nothing will change. This election will be won by the same factions that people protested against," said 45-year-old Baghdad day labourer Mohammed Kassem, vowing not to vote.

'Musical chairs'

A new single-member constituency system for electing Iraq's 329 lawmakers is supposed to weaken the power of the traditional blocs largely based on religious, ethnic and clan affiliations.

But most analysts believe it will make the political process even less accountable.

The electoral commission said it expects to publish preliminary results within 24 hours of the close of polls.

It will likely take longer for the balance of power to emerge as the leading factions compete for the support of a larger number of independents.

The Fatah Alliance, the bloc representing many Iran-backed Shiite militias, is expected to retain its share of seats.

The list of populist cleric Moqtada Sadr, already the largest in the outgoing parliament, is expected to make gains but not enough to dominate the Shiite camp.

"The election will likely result in another fragmented parliament, followed by opaque, corrupt horse-trading among factions to form the next government," said researchers Bilal Wahab and Calvin Wilder in an analysis published by the Washington Institute.

"Few expect this election to amount to more than a game of musical chairs, and the (October 2019 protest) movement's core demands -&nbsp;curbing systemic corruption, creating jobs and holding armed groups accountable - are unlikely to be met."

Iraqis headed to the polls Sunday for an early election billed as a concession to anti-government protests but expected to be boycotted by many voters who distrust official promises of reform.

Iraqis headed to the polls Sunday for an early election billed as a concession to anti-government protests but expected to be boycotted by many voters who distrust official promises of reform. Polls opened at 7:00am (0400 GMT) but few voters turned up early at one polling station at a school in central Baghdad. "I have come to vote to change the country for the better, and to change the current leaders who are incompetent," said Jimand Khalil, 37, who was one of the first to cast her vote. "They made a lot of promises to us but didn't bring us anything." Also Read | Iraqis to elect new parliament amid deep crisis, apathy Security was tight in the capital, with voters searched twice at the entrance to polling stations. Airports are also closed until dawn on Monday across Iraq, where despite the government's declaration of victory over the Islamic State group in late 2017, jihadist sleeper cells continue to mount attacks. Polls remain open until 6:00 pm, with preliminary results expected within 24 hours of closing. Dozens of election observers deployed by the European Union and the United Nations were set to monitor the vote. Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi cast his ballot early in Baghdad's fortified Green Zone. "This is an opportunity for change," he said. "Get out there and vote, change your reality, for Iraq and for your future," urged Kadhemi, whose political future hangs in the balance, with few observers willing to predict who will come out on top after the lengthy backroom haggling that usually follows Iraqi elections. But analysts are already predicting a record-low turnout for these polls, held a year early in a rare concession to the youth-led protest movement. Dozens of anti-government activists have been killed, kidnapped or intimidated over the last couple of years, with accusations that pro-Iran armed groups, many of which are represented in parliament, have been behind the violence. "Iraqis should have the confidence to vote as they please, in an environment free of pressure, intimidation and threats," the UN mission in Iraq said ahead of the polls. The protests that swept through Baghdad and the south in October 2019 rocked the Shiite factions that have dominated Iraq since the aftermath of the US-led invasion of 2003. Tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets to express their anger at corruption, unemployment and crumbling public services, and hundreds lost their lives in protest-related violence. The protests have largely fizzled out as anger has given way to disillusion. "Nothing will change. This election will be won by the same factions that people protested against," said 45-year-old Baghdad day labourer Mohammed Kassem, vowing not to vote. 'Musical chairs' A new single-member constituency system for electing Iraq's 329 lawmakers is supposed to weaken the power of the traditional blocs largely based on religious, ethnic and clan affiliations. But most analysts believe it will make the political process even less accountable. The electoral commission said it expects to publish preliminary results within 24 hours of the close of polls. It will likely take longer for the balance of power to emerge as the leading factions compete for the support of a larger number of independents. The Fatah Alliance, the bloc representing many Iran-backed Shiite militias, is expected to retain its share of seats. The list of populist cleric Moqtada Sadr, already the largest in the outgoing parliament, is expected to make gains but not enough to dominate the Shiite camp. "The election will likely result in another fragmented parliament, followed by opaque, corrupt horse-trading among factions to form the next government," said researchers Bilal Wahab and Calvin Wilder in an analysis published by the Washington Institute. "Few expect this election to amount to more than a game of musical chairs, and the (October 2019 protest) movement's core demands - curbing systemic corruption, creating jobs and holding armed groups accountable - are unlikely to be met."

Iraqis head to early vote with little hope for change

Thousands of Tunisians opposing President Kais Saied's seizure of almost total power protested in the capital on Sunday as a very heavy police presence tried to stop them advancing along the central Habib Bourguiba Avenue.

A week after thousands demonstrated in support of Saied, the growing number of protesters on each side raises the possibility of Tunisia's political divisions spiralling into street confrontations between the two camps.

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"We will not accept the coup. Enough is enough," said Yassin ben Amor, a protester.

Police blocked the march without violence, as some demonstrators threw plastic bottles.

Saied dismissed the prime minister, suspended parliament and assumed executive authority in July in moves his foes call a coup.

Last month he brushed aside much of the constitution, which he said he would appoint a committee to amend, adding that he could rule by decree.

His intervention has cast into doubt the democratic gains made by Tunisians during a 2011 revolution that triggered the Arab Spring uprisings.

He has appointed Najla Bouden Romdhane as prime minister, but she has not yet named a government, an important precursor to any efforts to resolve Tunisia's looming crisis in public finances, though Saied said on Saturday he would do so soon.

Saied said he would initiate a dialogue with the Tunisian people and youth representatives, particularly from the regions, over the future during a meeting on Saturday with interim interior minister Ridha Gharsalaoui.

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Interior Ministry spokesman Khaled Hayouni said the police would deal with protesters from both sides in the same way. "The Tunisian police is a republican police and it does not intervene in any political side," he said.

Any dialogue that does not include major political parties or other established elements of civil society, such as the powerful labour union, would likely prompt more open opposition to his moves.

Western donors, needed to avert a collapse in Tunisia's public finances, have called for an inclusive process to end the crisis period, along with a clear timeline.

With the political manoeuvering over Tunisia's future moving very slowly, Saied has pointed to the street mobilisation to support his position.

Last week more than 8,000 demonstrators rallied in Tunis in support of Saied, Reuters journalists and the state news agency said, while the Interior Ministry said about 5,000 had attended. The next day, Saied said 1.8 million people had come out to back him. 
&nbsp;

Thousands of Tunisians opposing President Kais Saied's seizure of almost total power protested in the capital on Sunday as a very heavy police presence tried to stop them advancing along the central Habib Bourguiba Avenue.

Thousands of Tunisians opposing President Kais Saied's seizure of almost total power protested in the capital on Sunday as a very heavy police presence tried to stop them advancing along the central Habib Bourguiba Avenue. A week after thousands demonstrated in support of Saied, the growing number of protesters on each side raises the possibility of Tunisia's political divisions spiralling into street confrontations between the two camps. Also Read | 'Mind your uterus': Protests erupt in US against anti-abortion laws "We will not accept the coup. Enough is enough," said Yassin ben Amor, a protester. Police blocked the march without violence, as some demonstrators threw plastic bottles. Saied dismissed the prime minister, suspended parliament and assumed executive authority in July in moves his foes call a coup. Last month he brushed aside much of the constitution, which he said he would appoint a committee to amend, adding that he could rule by decree. His intervention has cast into doubt the democratic gains made by Tunisians during a 2011 revolution that triggered the Arab Spring uprisings. He has appointed Najla Bouden Romdhane as prime minister, but she has not yet named a government, an important precursor to any efforts to resolve Tunisia's looming crisis in public finances, though Saied said on Saturday he would do so soon. Saied said he would initiate a dialogue with the Tunisian people and youth representatives, particularly from the regions, over the future during a meeting on Saturday with interim interior minister Ridha Gharsalaoui. Also Read | Protests against President Bolsonaro spread across Brazil Interior Ministry spokesman Khaled Hayouni said the police would deal with protesters from both sides in the same way. "The Tunisian police is a republican police and it does not intervene in any political side," he said. Any dialogue that does not include major political parties or other established elements of civil society, such as the powerful labour union, would likely prompt more open opposition to his moves. Western donors, needed to avert a collapse in Tunisia's public finances, have called for an inclusive process to end the crisis period, along with a clear timeline. With the political manoeuvering over Tunisia's future moving very slowly, Saied has pointed to the street mobilisation to support his position. Last week more than 8,000 demonstrators rallied in Tunis in support of Saied, Reuters journalists and the state news agency said, while the Interior Ministry said about 5,000 had attended. The next day, Saied said 1.8 million people had come out to back him.

Thousands protest against Tunisia leader with government awaited

A landmark ruling by Poland's top court rejecting the supremacy of EU law marks an attack on the European Union, France's Europe Minister Clement Beaune said on Friday.

"It is very serious there is the risk of a de-facto exit" of Poland from the EU, he told the BFM-TV broadcaster in an interview, adding "I do not want the exit of Poland".

"This is an attack on the EU by a constitutional court that was modelled by the Polish government," Beaune said.

The court on Friday ruled that some EU treaty articles were "incompatible" with the Polish constitution and warned EU institutions not to "act beyond the scope of their competencies" by interfering with Poland's judiciary.

Poland and the EU are at odds over judicial reforms introduced by Poland's governing right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party which Brussels warns threaten the country's democracy.

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"This is not a technical or a legal question. This is a highly political topic that adds to a long list of provocations aimed at the EU," Beaune said of the Polish ruling.

"When you join a club you sign a contract that is called a treaty, which was ratified by referendum in Poland. This was the choice of the Polish people," he said.

Beaune said Poland's government "does not respect the values and fundamental principles of the EU, women's rights, minority rights, or the independence of the judiciary and the media," he said.

"There are 80 million Polish people and they want to remain in the EU. They did not want this," Beaune said.

The EU Commission said on Thursday it would use all the tools available to ensure the primacy of EU law in Poland.

A landmark ruling by Poland's top court rejecting the supremacy of EU law marks an attack on the European Union, France's Europe Minister Clement Beaune said on Friday.

A landmark ruling by Poland's top court rejecting the supremacy of EU law marks an attack on the European Union, France's Europe Minister Clement Beaune said on Friday. "It is very serious there is the risk of a de-facto exit" of Poland from the EU, he told the BFM-TV broadcaster in an interview, adding "I do not want the exit of Poland". "This is an attack on the EU by a constitutional court that was modelled by the Polish government," Beaune said. The court on Friday ruled that some EU treaty articles were "incompatible" with the Polish constitution and warned EU institutions not to "act beyond the scope of their competencies" by interfering with Poland's judiciary. Poland and the EU are at odds over judicial reforms introduced by Poland's governing right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party which Brussels warns threaten the country's democracy. Also Read | France: Inquiry reveals 216,000 cases of paedophilia by Catholic priests since 1950 "This is not a technical or a legal question. This is a highly political topic that adds to a long list of provocations aimed at the EU," Beaune said of the Polish ruling. "When you join a club you sign a contract that is called a treaty, which was ratified by referendum in Poland. This was the choice of the Polish people," he said. Beaune said Poland's government "does not respect the values and fundamental principles of the EU, women's rights, minority rights, or the independence of the judiciary and the media," he said. "There are 80 million Polish people and they want to remain in the EU. They did not want this," Beaune said. The EU Commission said on Thursday it would use all the tools available to ensure the primacy of EU law in Poland.

France calls Poland court ruling 'attack against EU'

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