Japan is set to declare a state of emergency for Tokyo that will run through its hosting of the Olympics to try to contain a new wave of coronavirus infections, a key minister said on Thursday, as organisers consider banning all spectators from the Games. 
 
The move is the latest blow to the troubled Olympics, already once delayed because of the pandemic and plagued by a series of setbacks, including massive budget overruns. 
 
Medical experts have said for weeks that having no spectators at the Games would be the least risky option amid widespread public concern that the influx of thousands of athletes and officials will fuel a fresh wave of infections. 
 
Organisers have already banned overseas spectators and have for now set a cap on domestic viewers at 50% of capacity, up to 10,000 people. Talks to finalise the restrictions on the spectators are expected either on Thursday or on Friday. 
 
The so called five-way talks would be chaired by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach, who arrives in Tokyo on Thursday. Other participants include Tokyo and national governments and Paralympic officials. 
 
Whatever the outcome, those attending the Games have been asked to show their support by clapping rather than cheering or singing. Public viewing sites have been cancelled and companies, wary of public opposition, have been hesitant about advertising related to the Games, adding to a subdued mood in the Japanese capital. 
 
TOKYO INFECTIONS RISE 
 
Japan`s economy minister Yasutoshi Nishimura, who heads the government`s coronavirus response, said a state of emergency in Tokyo is set to begin on July 12 and run through Aug 22. 
 
The Games are scheduled to run from July 23 to Aug. 8. 
 
Japan has not experienced the kind of explosive COVID-19 outbreaks seen in many other countries but has had more than 810,000 cases and 14,900 deaths. 
 
The imposition of the emergency comes after new daily infections in Tokyo, currently under slightly less strict "quasi emergency" curbs, rose to 920 on Wednesday, the highest level since mid-May. 
 
A slow vaccine rollout has meant only a quarter of Japan`s population has had at least one COVID-19 vaccination shot. 
 
Under the heightened restrictions, restaurants will be asked to stop serving alcohol, Nishimura said. 
 
The move is expected to be made official later on Thursday and followed by a news conference by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga. 
 
Areas neighbouring Tokyo where some Olympic events are also slated to take place, such as Chiba and Kanagawa, are set to remain under "quasi emergency" through August 22. 
 
SPECTATORS 
 
Underscoring the last-minute nature of the preparations, organisers told Olympic sponsors on Wednesday they are anticipating two scenarios when Tokyo goes under the state of emergency: having no spectators or setting a 5,000-spectator cap, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters. 
 
In the no-spectator scenario, all sports and opening and closing ceremonies will likely be carried out without fans, including tickets allocated to the sponsors, the organisers told companies in online meetings. 
 
If the number of spectators is capped at 5,000 per venue, tickets allocated to Olympic sponsors would be halved, and organisers also expect any session after 9 p.m. would be staged without spectators, the source said. 
 
The lack of crowds may further strain the Games'&nbsp;budget, which has already blown out to an estimated $15.4 billion, with ticket revenues of around $815 million expected to take a big hit. 
 
The organising committee did not immediately respond to an e-mail seeking comment. 
 
Until this week, officials have insisted they could organise the Games safely with some spectators, but a ruling party setback in a Tokyo assembly election on Sunday, which some allies of Suga attributed to public anger over the Olympics, had forced the change of tack, sources said. 
 
Japan will hold a parliamentary election later this year and the government`s insistence that the Games - postponed last year as the virus spread around the world - should go ahead this year could cost it at the ballot box, they said.

Japan is set to declare a state of emergency for Tokyo that will run through its hosting of the Olympics to try to contain a new wave of coronavirus infections, a key minister said on Thursday, as organisers consider banning all spectators from the Games.

Japan is set to declare a state of emergency for Tokyo that will run through its hosting of the Olympics to try to contain a new wave of coronavirus infections, a key minister said on Thursday, as organisers consider banning all spectators from the Games. The move is the latest blow to the troubled Olympics, already once delayed because of the pandemic and plagued by a series of setbacks, including massive budget overruns. Medical experts have said for weeks that having no spectators at the Games would be the least risky option amid widespread public concern that the influx of thousands of athletes and officials will fuel a fresh wave of infections. Organisers have already banned overseas spectators and have for now set a cap on domestic viewers at 50% of capacity, up to 10,000 people. Talks to finalise the restrictions on the spectators are expected either on Thursday or on Friday. The so called five-way talks would be chaired by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach, who arrives in Tokyo on Thursday. Other participants include Tokyo and national governments and Paralympic officials. Whatever the outcome, those attending the Games have been asked to show their support by clapping rather than cheering or singing. Public viewing sites have been cancelled and companies, wary of public opposition, have been hesitant about advertising related to the Games, adding to a subdued mood in the Japanese capital. TOKYO INFECTIONS RISE Japan`s economy minister Yasutoshi Nishimura, who heads the government`s coronavirus response, said a state of emergency in Tokyo is set to begin on July 12 and run through Aug 22. The Games are scheduled to run from July 23 to Aug. 8. Japan has not experienced the kind of explosive COVID-19 outbreaks seen in many other countries but has had more than 810,000 cases and 14,900 deaths. The imposition of the emergency comes after new daily infections in Tokyo, currently under slightly less strict "quasi emergency" curbs, rose to 920 on Wednesday, the highest level since mid-May. A slow vaccine rollout has meant only a quarter of Japan`s population has had at least one COVID-19 vaccination shot. Under the heightened restrictions, restaurants will be asked to stop serving alcohol, Nishimura said. The move is expected to be made official later on Thursday and followed by a news conference by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga. Areas neighbouring Tokyo where some Olympic events are also slated to take place, such as Chiba and Kanagawa, are set to remain under "quasi emergency" through August 22. SPECTATORS Underscoring the last-minute nature of the preparations, organisers told Olympic sponsors on Wednesday they are anticipating two scenarios when Tokyo goes under the state of emergency: having no spectators or setting a 5,000-spectator cap, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters. In the no-spectator scenario, all sports and opening and closing ceremonies will likely be carried out without fans, including tickets allocated to the sponsors, the organisers told companies in online meetings. If the number of spectators is capped at 5,000 per venue, tickets allocated to Olympic sponsors would be halved, and organisers also expect any session after 9 p.m. would be staged without spectators, the source said. The lack of crowds may further strain the Games' budget, which has already blown out to an estimated $15.4 billion, with ticket revenues of around $815 million expected to take a big hit. The organising committee did not immediately respond to an e-mail seeking comment. Until this week, officials have insisted they could organise the Games safely with some spectators, but a ruling party setback in a Tokyo assembly election on Sunday, which some allies of Suga attributed to public anger over the Olympics, had forced the change of tack, sources said. Japan will hold a parliamentary election later this year and the government`s insistence that the Games - postponed last year as the virus spread around the world - should go ahead this year could cost it at the ballot box, they said.

Olympics without fans: Japan to declare COVID-19 emergency for Tokyo

The Japanese government plans to impose a virus state of emergency in Tokyo during the Olympics, reports said Wednesday, meaning spectators could be barred from venues.&nbsp;

The emergency measures -- less strict than a blanket lockdown -- will be in force until August 22, several Japanese media outlets reported, following a rise in cases less than three weeks before the Games begin.

"The government decided to declare the fourth state of emergency for Tokyo and communicated the decision to the ruling parties," public broadcaster NHK said.

Kyodo News, citing a senior government official, said it was now likely the Olympics would be held behind closed doors.

The pandemic-postponed 2020 Games will take place under strict anti-infection rules, with overseas fans already banned.

Organisers set a limit last month of 10,000 fans, or half of each venue's capacity, but recently warned that a fully closed-door Games remained an option as the virus situation worsens.

Japan's Covid-19 outbreak has not been as severe as in some countries, with around 14,800 deaths, but experts say another wave could stretch medical services as the Games begin.

Participants have already begun arriving in Japan, with 11,000 Olympic athletes from around 200 countries set to take part.

The Japanese government plans to impose a virus state of emergency in Tokyo during the Olympics, reports said Wednesday, meaning spectators could be barred from venues.

The Japanese government plans to impose a virus state of emergency in Tokyo during the Olympics, reports said Wednesday, meaning spectators could be barred from venues. The emergency measures -- less strict than a blanket lockdown -- will be in force until August 22, several Japanese media outlets reported, following a rise in cases less than three weeks before the Games begin. "The government decided to declare the fourth state of emergency for Tokyo and communicated the decision to the ruling parties," public broadcaster NHK said. Kyodo News, citing a senior government official, said it was now likely the Olympics would be held behind closed doors. The pandemic-postponed 2020 Games will take place under strict anti-infection rules, with overseas fans already banned. Organisers set a limit last month of 10,000 fans, or half of each venue's capacity, but recently warned that a fully closed-door Games remained an option as the virus situation worsens. Japan's Covid-19 outbreak has not been as severe as in some countries, with around 14,800 deaths, but experts say another wave could stretch medical services as the Games begin. Participants have already begun arriving in Japan, with 11,000 Olympic athletes from around 200 countries set to take part.

Japan to impose virus emergency in Tokyo during Olympics: Reports

An aeroplane with 28 people on board crashed into the sea on Tuesday off Russia's far eastern Kamchatka peninsula as it was preparing to land, RIA news agency reported on Tuesday.

The plane, an Antonov An-26 twin-engined turboprop, was en route from regional capital Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to Palana, a village in northern Kamchatka, when it lost contact with air traffic control, Russia's emergencies ministry said.

Several ships were en route to the crash site, RIA cited emergency services as saying.

There were 22 passengers and six crew on board, the ministry said. Village mayor Olga Mokhireva was among the passengers, the TASS agency quoted local authorities as saying.

The weather in the area was cloudy at the time, Interfax news agency said, quoting the local meteorology centre.

According to TASS, the plane was built in 1982.

An aeroplane with 28 people on board crashed into the sea on Tuesday off Russia's far eastern Kamchatka peninsula as it was preparing to land, RIA news agency reported on Tuesday.

An aeroplane with 28 people on board crashed into the sea on Tuesday off Russia's far eastern Kamchatka peninsula as it was preparing to land, RIA news agency reported on Tuesday. The plane, an Antonov An-26 twin-engined turboprop, was en route from regional capital Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to Palana, a village in northern Kamchatka, when it lost contact with air traffic control, Russia's emergencies ministry said. Several ships were en route to the crash site, RIA cited emergency services as saying. There were 22 passengers and six crew on board, the ministry said. Village mayor Olga Mokhireva was among the passengers, the TASS agency quoted local authorities as saying. The weather in the area was cloudy at the time, Interfax news agency said, quoting the local meteorology centre. According to TASS, the plane was built in 1982.

Plane with 28 on board crashes into sea in Russia's far east: Report

A Japanese woman dubbed the "Black&nbsp;Widow" who used cyanide to kill her elderly lovers had her final appeal against the death sentence rejected on Tuesday by the country's top court, local media said.

Chisako Kakehi, 74, was sentenced to death by hanging in 2017 for the murder of three men -- including a husband -- and the attempted murder of another, in a case that gripped Japan.

Two years ago, a high court dismissed an appeal by the serial killer who pocketed millions in insurance payouts and inheritance, drawing comparisons in the media with the spider that poisons its mate after copulation.

On Tuesday, Supreme Court presiding judge Yuko Miyazaki said "the death sentence is unavoidable" because Kakehi's "criminal responsibility is extremely grave", public broadcaster NHK reported.

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"She used cyanide on the men after making them trust her as a life partner. It's a calculated, cruel crime based on a strong intent of murder," Miyazaki said.

When contacted by AFP, officials at the top court could not immediately confirm the reports.

The defence lawyers had claimed Kakehi was incapable of going through trials due to dementia, and she told Yomiuri TV before the ruling that she "did not want to die".&nbsp;

Kakehi reportedly amassed one billion yen ($9 million) in payouts over 10 years, but subsequently lost most of the fortune through unsuccessful financial trading.

She had relationships primarily with elderly or ill men -- meeting some through dating agencies, where she reportedly stipulated that prospective partners should be wealthy and childless.

Cyanide was found in the body of at least two of the men she was involved with and police reportedly found traces of the poison in the rubbish at her Kyoto home.

A Japanese woman dubbed the "Black Widow" who used cyanide to kill her elderly lovers had her final appeal against the death sentence rejected on Tuesday by the country's top court, local media said.

A Japanese woman dubbed the "Black Widow" who used cyanide to kill her elderly lovers had her final appeal against the death sentence rejected on Tuesday by the country's top court, local media said. Chisako Kakehi, 74, was sentenced to death by hanging in 2017 for the murder of three men -- including a husband -- and the attempted murder of another, in a case that gripped Japan. Two years ago, a high court dismissed an appeal by the serial killer who pocketed millions in insurance payouts and inheritance, drawing comparisons in the media with the spider that poisons its mate after copulation. On Tuesday, Supreme Court presiding judge Yuko Miyazaki said "the death sentence is unavoidable" because Kakehi's "criminal responsibility is extremely grave", public broadcaster NHK reported. Also Read | Inaugurating embassy in UAE, Israel tells region: 'We're here to stay' "She used cyanide on the men after making them trust her as a life partner. It's a calculated, cruel crime based on a strong intent of murder," Miyazaki said. When contacted by AFP, officials at the top court could not immediately confirm the reports. The defence lawyers had claimed Kakehi was incapable of going through trials due to dementia, and she told Yomiuri TV before the ruling that she "did not want to die". Kakehi reportedly amassed one billion yen ($9 million) in payouts over 10 years, but subsequently lost most of the fortune through unsuccessful financial trading. She had relationships primarily with elderly or ill men -- meeting some through dating agencies, where she reportedly stipulated that prospective partners should be wealthy and childless. Cyanide was found in the body of at least two of the men she was involved with and police reportedly found traces of the poison in the rubbish at her Kyoto home.

Japan's serial killer 'Black Widow' loses final death sentence appeal: reports

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

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

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

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

A single day rise of 62,224 new coronavirus infections were reported taking India's total tally of COVID-19 cases to 2,96,33,105, while the active cases were recorded below nine lakh after 70 days, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday.

The COVID-19 death toll climbed to 3,79,573 with 2,542 fresh fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.&nbsp;The active cases further declined to 8,65,432 comprising 2.92 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has improved to 95.80 per cent.

A net decline of 47,946 cases has been recorded in the COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.&nbsp;Also, 19,30,987 tests were conducted on Monday taking the total cumulative tests conducted so far for detection of COVID-19 in the country to 38,33,06,971.

The daily positivity rate dropped to 3.22 per cent. It has been less than five per cent for nine consecutive days, the ministry said, adding the weekly positivity rate has declined to 4.17 per cent.

Recoveries continue to outnumber daily new cases for the 34th consecutive day. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 2,83,88,100, while the case fatality rate stands at 1.28 per cent, the data stated.

Cumulatively, 26,19,72,014 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered so far under the Nationwide Vaccination Drive.

The 2,542 new fatalities include 1,458 from Maharashtra, 267 from Tamil Nadu, 166 from Kerala and 115 from Karnataka.&nbsp;A total of 3,79,573 deaths have been reported so far in the country including 1,14,154 from Maharashtra, 33,148 from Karnataka, 30,068 from Tamil Nadu, 24,851 from Delhi, 21,914 from Uttar Pradesh, 17,049 from West Bengal, 15,650 from Punjab and 13,342 from Chhattisgarh. The health ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities.

"Our figures are being reconciled with the Indian Council of Medical Research," the ministry said on its website, adding that state-wise distribution of figures is subject to further verification and reconciliation.&nbsp;

A single day rise of 62,224 new coronavirus infections were reported taking India's total tally of COVID-19 cases to 2,96,33,105, while the active cases were recorded below nine lakh after 70 days, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday.

A single day rise of 62,224 new coronavirus infections were reported taking India's total tally of COVID-19 cases to 2,96,33,105, while the active cases were recorded below nine lakh after 70 days, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday. The COVID-19 death toll climbed to 3,79,573 with 2,542 fresh fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed. The active cases further declined to 8,65,432 comprising 2.92 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has improved to 95.80 per cent. A net decline of 47,946 cases has been recorded in the COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours. Also, 19,30,987 tests were conducted on Monday taking the total cumulative tests conducted so far for detection of COVID-19 in the country to 38,33,06,971. The daily positivity rate dropped to 3.22 per cent. It has been less than five per cent for nine consecutive days, the ministry said, adding the weekly positivity rate has declined to 4.17 per cent. Recoveries continue to outnumber daily new cases for the 34th consecutive day. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 2,83,88,100, while the case fatality rate stands at 1.28 per cent, the data stated. Cumulatively, 26,19,72,014 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered so far under the Nationwide Vaccination Drive. The 2,542 new fatalities include 1,458 from Maharashtra, 267 from Tamil Nadu, 166 from Kerala and 115 from Karnataka. A total of 3,79,573 deaths have been reported so far in the country including 1,14,154 from Maharashtra, 33,148 from Karnataka, 30,068 from Tamil Nadu, 24,851 from Delhi, 21,914 from Uttar Pradesh, 17,049 from West Bengal, 15,650 from Punjab and 13,342 from Chhattisgarh. The health ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities. "Our figures are being reconciled with the Indian Council of Medical Research," the ministry said on its website, adding that state-wise distribution of figures is subject to further verification and reconciliation.

COVID-19: India reports 62,224 fresh cases, 2,542 new fatalities

Japan on Tuesday denied a media report that South Korean President Moon Jae-In is arranging a visit to Japan timed with the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, as well as talks with Japanese Prime Minister Suga. 
 
The Blue House is hoping that Moon will hold his first ever talks with Japanese premier Yoshihide Suga during his stay, the Yomiuri daily reported, without citing sources. 
 
"There is no truth to that report," chief cabinet secretary Katsunobu Kato told a news conference, declining to comment further. 
 
The relationship between South Korea and Japan has soured in recent years due to disputes over war-time history and trade.

Earlier, South Korea had asked the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to pressure Japan to remove a reference to South Korea-controlled islands as Japanese territory on the Tokyo Games website, according to an official with Seoul's Olympic Committee. 
 
The Korean Sport and Olympic Committee (KSOC) sent a letter asking the IOC to 'actively mediate' the dispute, which has sparked outrage and protests in South Korea less than two months out from the start of the Games. 
 
The small islands, called Dokdo in South Korea and Takeshima in Japan, have been at the centre of a decades-long territorial dispute between the two countries. 
 
"Dokdo is South Korean territory and political neutrality must be guaranteed at the Games," Kim Bo-young, public relations director of KSOC, said. 
 
"Japan's behavior can be seen as a political action, so we have sent the letter as we believe such action runs counter to the Olympic spirit." 
 
Japan rejected South Korea's protests. 
 
"Takeshima is a territory inherent to Japan in view of historical facts and international laws. We cannot accept South Korean's protest at all," Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said.

Some South Korean officials have pointed out that Seoul removed the disputed islands from a flag featured at the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea after Japan complained. 
 
South Korea said, it had summoned Japan's deputy ambassador to 'strongly protest' the map, which sparked uproar in South Korea and prompted some politicians there to call for a boycott of the Games. 
 
Three South Korean students were arrested after burning Japan's 'Rising Sun' flag in a protest outside the Japanese embassy in Seoul, while live-streaming the act on YouTube. 
 
The three were detained on charges of violating assembly and demonstration laws, according to media reports. 
 
About a dozen other members of the student group protested against the arrests outside the police station. 
 
"South Korean land is being taken away," shouted one protester with a loudspeaker, according to video posted by the group on social media. 
 
The diplomatic spat is the latest headache for organisers of the Tokyo Games, which is due to take place from July 23 to August 8 after being delayed last year due to the COVID-19&nbsp;pandemic. 
 
Opinion polls show most people in Japan want the global sporting showpiece to be cancelled or postponed again as the country battles a fourth wave of COVID-19 infections. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Japan on Tuesday denied a media report that South Korean President Moon Jae-In is arranging a visit to Japan timed with the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, as well as talks with Japanese Prime Minister Suga.

Japan on Tuesday denied a media report that South Korean President Moon Jae-In is arranging a visit to Japan timed with the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, as well as talks with Japanese Prime Minister Suga. The Blue House is hoping that Moon will hold his first ever talks with Japanese premier Yoshihide Suga during his stay, the Yomiuri daily reported, without citing sources. "There is no truth to that report," chief cabinet secretary Katsunobu Kato told a news conference, declining to comment further. The relationship between South Korea and Japan has soured in recent years due to disputes over war-time history and trade. Earlier, South Korea had asked the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to pressure Japan to remove a reference to South Korea-controlled islands as Japanese territory on the Tokyo Games website, according to an official with Seoul's Olympic Committee. The Korean Sport and Olympic Committee (KSOC) sent a letter asking the IOC to 'actively mediate' the dispute, which has sparked outrage and protests in South Korea less than two months out from the start of the Games. The small islands, called Dokdo in South Korea and Takeshima in Japan, have been at the centre of a decades-long territorial dispute between the two countries. "Dokdo is South Korean territory and political neutrality must be guaranteed at the Games," Kim Bo-young, public relations director of KSOC, said. "Japan's behavior can be seen as a political action, so we have sent the letter as we believe such action runs counter to the Olympic spirit." Japan rejected South Korea's protests. "Takeshima is a territory inherent to Japan in view of historical facts and international laws. We cannot accept South Korean's protest at all," Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said. Some South Korean officials have pointed out that Seoul removed the disputed islands from a flag featured at the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea after Japan complained. South Korea said, it had summoned Japan's deputy ambassador to 'strongly protest' the map, which sparked uproar in South Korea and prompted some politicians there to call for a boycott of the Games. Three South Korean students were arrested after burning Japan's 'Rising Sun' flag in a protest outside the Japanese embassy in Seoul, while live-streaming the act on YouTube. The three were detained on charges of violating assembly and demonstration laws, according to media reports. About a dozen other members of the student group protested against the arrests outside the police station. "South Korean land is being taken away," shouted one protester with a loudspeaker, according to video posted by the group on social media. The diplomatic spat is the latest headache for organisers of the Tokyo Games, which is due to take place from July 23 to August 8 after being delayed last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Opinion polls show most people in Japan want the global sporting showpiece to be cancelled or postponed again as the country battles a fourth wave of COVID-19 infections. (With inputs from agencies)

Japan denies reports of South Korean president visit, summit during Olympics

A large search operation involving elite forces and helicopters was underway in France's southern Dordogne region on Saturday after a man was reported having shot at police officers, France Info reported. There was no report of casualties.

"The man, a former member of the army, is armed and on the run as we speak (...) A police operation is taking place to avoid things get out of control," the prefect of Dordogne, Frederic Perissat, told BFM television.

The Dordogne prefecture on Twitter urged inhabitants of Le Lardin-Saint-Lazare to stay at home until further notice.

A large search operation involving elite forces and helicopters was underway in France's southern Dordogne region on Saturday after a man was reported having shot at police officers, France Info reported.

A large search operation involving elite forces and helicopters was underway in France's southern Dordogne region on Saturday after a man was reported having shot at police officers, France Info reported. There was no report of casualties. "The man, a former member of the army, is armed and on the run as we speak (...) A police operation is taking place to avoid things get out of control," the prefect of Dordogne, Frederic Perissat, told BFM television. The Dordogne prefecture on Twitter urged inhabitants of Le Lardin-Saint-Lazare to stay at home until further notice.

Police operation in France after reports of armed man on the run

A new report from tuberculosis research and advocacy group suggests the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting lockdowns could have a devastating impact on the global TB burden in the coming years.

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The analysis is focused on three high-TB burden countries—India, Kenya, and Ukraine, where disruption of TB care could have a significant impact.

The current lockdown has disrupted the basic service of TB diagnosis, treatment, and prevention for 2 months in almost every country.

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Once the lockdown ends, it would take another 2 months to get TB services back up and running, and that could result in a rapidly growing pool of undetected and untreated TB patients.

Up to 6.3 million more people are predicted to develop TB between now and 2025 and 1.4 million more people are expected to die as cases go diagnosed and untreated during the lockdown.

Under normal conditions, TB already kills 1.5 million people a year, more than any other infectious disease.

&nbsp;The past few years have seen a steady decline in TB deaths as a result of more services to treat the disease and prevent its spread, but coronavirus lockdown will set back global efforts to end TB by five to eight years.

Meanwhile, in India, the number of TB notifications have dropped by 80 per cent as many people with TB symptoms are avoiding to visit the hospital during the lockdown.

Even for those people who are battling cancer, the impact of lockdown can be terrifying and life-threatening.

Oncologists have raised concerns about the delayed diagnosis of cancer and its stage migration due to fear of visiting hospitals amid the outbreak. 
&nbsp; 
For 56-year-old Anita Watson diagnosed with a stage 4 breast cancer and undergoing chemotherapy, the coronavirus outbreak has cast her into even greater uncertainty.

Worried about the potentially fatal risk if she were to catch the virus herself, she also has to deal with the fact that the overloaded health services no longer consider her a priority

Anita Watson said: "If you've got any problems if you feel ill, unwell you can pick up the phone and get through to the chemotherapy ward and they're going to treat you. They're going to sort it out straight away. Now with coronavirus and with them saying you're no longer a priority, what that actually means is that, unfortunately, and quite rightly so, they have to treat the curable cases first." 
&nbsp; 
While COVID-19 restrictions have varied from country to country, many countries have implemented stay-at-home strategies lasting several weeks.

Routine surgeries and procedures have been put off at hospitals in several countries as they adjust to treating the influx of patients with COVID-19 and possible shortages of beds, protective equipment and supplies.

A new report from tuberculosis research and advocacy group suggests the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting lockdowns could have a devastating impact on the global TB burden in the coming years.

A new report from tuberculosis research and advocacy group suggests the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting lockdowns could have a devastating impact on the global TB burden in the coming years. Also read: Now, China censors European Union's 'friendship letter' The analysis is focused on three high-TB burden countries—India, Kenya, and Ukraine, where disruption of TB care could have a significant impact. The current lockdown has disrupted the basic service of TB diagnosis, treatment, and prevention for 2 months in almost every country. Also read: Love triangle or conspiracy? Questions around Professor Bing Liu's death remain unanswered Once the lockdown ends, it would take another 2 months to get TB services back up and running, and that could result in a rapidly growing pool of undetected and untreated TB patients. Up to 6.3 million more people are predicted to develop TB between now and 2025 and 1.4 million more people are expected to die as cases go diagnosed and untreated during the lockdown. Under normal conditions, TB already kills 1.5 million people a year, more than any other infectious disease. The past few years have seen a steady decline in TB deaths as a result of more services to treat the disease and prevent its spread, but coronavirus lockdown will set back global efforts to end TB by five to eight years. Meanwhile, in India, the number of TB notifications have dropped by 80 per cent as many people with TB symptoms are avoiding to visit the hospital during the lockdown. Even for those people who are battling cancer, the impact of lockdown can be terrifying and life-threatening. Oncologists have raised concerns about the delayed diagnosis of cancer and its stage migration due to fear of visiting hospitals amid the outbreak. For 56-year-old Anita Watson diagnosed with a stage 4 breast cancer and undergoing chemotherapy, the coronavirus outbreak has cast her into even greater uncertainty. Worried about the potentially fatal risk if she were to catch the virus herself, she also has to deal with the fact that the overloaded health services no longer consider her a priority Anita Watson said: "If you've got any problems if you feel ill, unwell you can pick up the phone and get through to the chemotherapy ward and they're going to treat you. They're going to sort it out straight away. Now with coronavirus and with them saying you're no longer a priority, what that actually means is that, unfortunately, and quite rightly so, they have to treat the curable cases first." While COVID-19 restrictions have varied from country to country, many countries have implemented stay-at-home strategies lasting several weeks. Routine surgeries and procedures have been put off at hospitals in several countries as they adjust to treating the influx of patients with COVID-19 and possible shortages of beds, protective equipment and supplies.

Coronavirus pandemic could burden global tuberculosis fight: Report

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/united-states-china-trade-war-in-10-dates-230517">United States&nbsp;and Chinese officials</a> are working on a deal to postpone a round of tariffs set to hit Chinese imports in five days, according to a media report on Tuesday.

Delaying the new duties, which cover about $160 billion in imports, including consumer favourites like mobile phones, could help reassure markets the two sides are making progress towards ending their trade war.

Officials on both sides say they now expect to continue talking past December 15, when the tariffs are due to kick in, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The report helped move Wall Street futures into positive territory.

US officials have reiterated that any final decision by the American camp belongs to President Donald Trump.

For two months, the two sides have struggled to finalise a partial deal that Trump announced in October.

Statements by US officials have run hot and cold in recent days, with markets swooning last week after Trump said a deal could wait until after next year's elections.

But Larry Kudlow, a top White House economic aide, said Friday a deal was "still close."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ready-for-more-united-states-prisoner-swaps-iran-267212">Trump</a> launched his trade war in March 2018, demanding that China end practices widely seen as unfair,&nbsp;such as forced technology transfers from US firms, and massive subsidies given to Chinese firms.

But observers say Beijing is highly unlikely to make profound changes to the structure of its economy sought by Washington, which could politically undermine the Communist Party.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/witnesses-named-for-trump-impeachment-hearing-in-united-states-house-265830">Trump has also sought pledges</a> from Beijing to make enormous purchases of US farm exports that experts say may exceed demand in China.

Should the December 15 tariffs take effect, virtually all the merchandise the United States imports annually from China will be covered by punitive tariffs.

The United States and Chinese officials are working on a deal to postpone a round of tariffs set to hit Chinese imports in five days, according to a media report on Tuesday.

The United States and Chinese officials are working on a deal to postpone a round of tariffs set to hit Chinese imports in five days, according to a media report on Tuesday. Delaying the new duties, which cover about $160 billion in imports, including consumer favourites like mobile phones, could help reassure markets the two sides are making progress towards ending their trade war. Officials on both sides say they now expect to continue talking past December 15, when the tariffs are due to kick in, according to The Wall Street Journal. The report helped move Wall Street futures into positive territory. US officials have reiterated that any final decision by the American camp belongs to President Donald Trump. For two months, the two sides have struggled to finalise a partial deal that Trump announced in October. Statements by US officials have run hot and cold in recent days, with markets swooning last week after Trump said a deal could wait until after next year's elections. But Larry Kudlow, a top White House economic aide, said Friday a deal was "still close." Trump launched his trade war in March 2018, demanding that China end practices widely seen as unfair, such as forced technology transfers from US firms, and massive subsidies given to Chinese firms. But observers say Beijing is highly unlikely to make profound changes to the structure of its economy sought by Washington, which could politically undermine the Communist Party. Trump has also sought pledges from Beijing to make enormous purchases of US farm exports that experts say may exceed demand in China. Should the December 15 tariffs take effect, virtually all the merchandise the United States imports annually from China will be covered by punitive tariffs.

United States, China working to delay December 15 tariffs: Report

Grenade blast again took place in J&K valley, where 1 person is dead and 20 people are injured. according to reports, this is the second attack in a week.

Srinagar Grenade Attack caught on Camera

Ieshan Wani on Grenade blast in J&K valley

Grenade blast in J&K valley; 1 dead and 20 injured

According to a report, Plane equipped with air ambulance arrives to airlift Nawaz Sharif. He is hospitalised after a dip in platelet count

Plane equipped with air ambulance arrives to airlift Nawaz Sharif: Reports

Jammu & Kashmir: Reportage By Western Media Kicks Off A Storm

Gravitas: Battle of Narratives over Jammu & Kashmir

According to reports, Heavy rains to continue for the next few hours in Mumbai, Rains have also triggered traffic jams and power outages

Rains continue to lash Mumbai; Local train network affected

A man killed two policewomen and a bystander in the Belgian city of Liege on Tuesday before being shot dead in a gunbattle at a school in what prosecutors are treating as a terrorist attack.

The man was named by public broadcaster RTBF as a 36-year-old petty criminal who had been let out on day-release from a local prison on Monday. It said investigators were looking into whether he converted to Islam and had been radicalised in jail.

A public prosecutor told a news conference that the man set upon the policewomen from behind with a knife, described as a box-cutter by RTBF, around 10:30 a.m. (0830 GMT) on a boulevard in the centre of Belgium`s third city, near the German border.

<a href="http://wionews.com/world/belgium-shooting-gunman-had-recently-been-let-out-on-day-release-from-local-prison-140695">Also read:&nbsp;Gunman had recently been let out on day-release from local prison &nbsp; &nbsp;</a>

Having stabbed them, prosecutor Philippe Dulieu said, the man then seized one of their handguns and shot both women dead before walking down the street and shooting dead a 22-year-old man who was sitting in the passenger seat of a parked car.

The man then made his way into a high school where he took a woman employee hostage, triggering a major intervention by armed police. Pupils were moved to safety as a gunbattle broke out that sent people in the street racing for cover. Several police were wounded before the attacker was finally killed.&nbsp;

"The event is classed as a terrorist incident," Dulieu said.

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Quartier toujours bouclé, des voitures de police continuent d’arriver... le périmètre de sécurité encore élargi <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/li%C3%A8ge?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#liège</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/avroy?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#avroy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Liege?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Liege</a> <a href="https://t.co/NT4iOhEcaJ">pic.twitter.com/NT4iOhEcaJ</a>
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Un convoi de 2 ambulances quitte la zone. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/avroy?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#avroy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/liege?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#liege</a> <a href="https://t.co/vakIbgnSpm">pic.twitter.com/vakIbgnSpm</a>
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The national crisis centre, on high alert since past attacks by Islamic State in Paris and Brussels in the past three years, said it was monitoring events but had not raised its alert level.

La Libre Belgique newspaper quoted a police source as saying the gunman shouted "Allahu Akbar" -- God is greatest in Arabic.

Prime Minister Charles Michel, expressing his condolences to the families of the victims, said it was too early to say what had caused the incident. King Philippe visited Liege, the biggest city in Belgium`s French-speaking Wallonia region.

An industrial powerhouse on the Meuse river, it was the scene of a mass shooting in 2011, when a man killed four people and wounded over 100 others before turning his gun on himself.

A Brussels-based Islamic State cell was involved in attacks on Paris in 2015 that killed 130 people and on Brussels in 2016 in which 32 died. The Brussels IS cell had links to militants in Verviers, another industrial town close to Liege, where in early 2015 police raided a safe house and killed two men who had returned from fighting with radical Islamists in Syria.

European authorities are deeply concerned about the risks of petty criminals, including those not from Muslim backgrounds, being inspired to Islamist violence while incarcerated.

The two police officers were shot dead when a man opened fire after taking a woman hostage in a local highschool, reports further said

A man killed two policewomen and a bystander in the Belgian city of Liege on Tuesday before being shot dead in a gunbattle at a school in what prosecutors are treating as a terrorist attack. The man was named by public broadcaster RTBF as a 36-year-old petty criminal who had been let out on day-release from a local prison on Monday. It said investigators were looking into whether he converted to Islam and had been radicalised in jail. A public prosecutor told a news conference that the man set upon the policewomen from behind with a knife, described as a box-cutter by RTBF, around 10:30 a.m. (0830 GMT) on a boulevard in the centre of Belgium`s third city, near the German border. Also read: Gunman had recently been let out on day-release from local prison Having stabbed them, prosecutor Philippe Dulieu said, the man then seized one of their handguns and shot both women dead before walking down the street and shooting dead a 22-year-old man who was sitting in the passenger seat of a parked car. The man then made his way into a high school where he took a woman employee hostage, triggering a major intervention by armed police. Pupils were moved to safety as a gunbattle broke out that sent people in the street racing for cover. Several police were wounded before the attacker was finally killed. "The event is classed as a terrorist incident," Dulieu said. Quartier toujours bouclé, des voitures de police continuent d’arriver... le périmètre de sécurité encore élargi #liège #avroy #Liege pic.twitter.com/NT4iOhEcaJ — Victor ⌬ (@VICTORJ_FR) May 29, 2018 × Un convoi de 2 ambulances quitte la zone. #avroy #liege pic.twitter.com/vakIbgnSpm — Victor ⌬ (@VICTORJ_FR) May 29, 2018 × The national crisis centre, on high alert since past attacks by Islamic State in Paris and Brussels in the past three years, said it was monitoring events but had not raised its alert level. La Libre Belgique newspaper quoted a police source as saying the gunman shouted "Allahu Akbar" -- God is greatest in Arabic. Prime Minister Charles Michel, expressing his condolences to the families of the victims, said it was too early to say what had caused the incident. King Philippe visited Liege, the biggest city in Belgium`s French-speaking Wallonia region. An industrial powerhouse on the Meuse river, it was the scene of a mass shooting in 2011, when a man killed four people and wounded over 100 others before turning his gun on himself. A Brussels-based Islamic State cell was involved in attacks on Paris in 2015 that killed 130 people and on Brussels in 2016 in which 32 died. The Brussels IS cell had links to militants in Verviers, another industrial town close to Liege, where in early 2015 police raided a safe house and killed two men who had returned from fighting with radical Islamists in Syria. European authorities are deeply concerned about the risks of petty criminals, including those not from Muslim backgrounds, being inspired to Islamist violence while incarcerated.

'Terrorist' attacker kills three including 2 women cops in Belgium, gunman dead

The JD(S) and the Congress have agreed on HD Kumaraswamy as the next chief minister should they form the government in Karnataka, news reports said Tuesday.&nbsp;

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The Congress had earlier offered outside support to the JD(S).&nbsp;

News reports had said earlier that former Congress President Sonia Gandhi had spoken with Ghulam Nabi Azad, who then spoke with JD(S) leader HD Deve Gowda and his son HD Kumaraswamy.&nbsp;

Azad said he had told Gowda and Kumaraswamy that the picking of a chief minister would be left to them.&nbsp;

The reports now say Kumaraswamy has picked the chief minister's chair for himself.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/in-case-of-hung-verdict-both-siddaramaiah--yeddyurappa-may-have-to-give-up-karnataka-cm-ambitions-136655">If verdict hung, both Siddaramaiah & Yeddyurappa may have to give up Karnataka CM ambitions</a>

Karnataka has a total of 224 assembly seats, but only 222 seats went to the polls this election. (Voting was postponed in two seats.)

The halfway mark then is 112 seats.&nbsp;

Official EC trends at the moment say the BJP has won or is leading in 104 seats, the Congress in 78, the JD(S)+ in 37, and Others 3.&nbsp;

That would give the JD(S)-Congress a total of 115 seats.&nbsp;

The Congress had told the JD(S), when it had offered it outside support, that the picking of a chief minister would be left to them.

The JD(S) and the Congress have agreed on HD Kumaraswamy as the next chief minister should they form the government in Karnataka, news reports said Tuesday. × The Congress had earlier offered outside support to the JD(S). News reports had said earlier that former Congress President Sonia Gandhi had spoken with Ghulam Nabi Azad, who then spoke with JD(S) leader HD Deve Gowda and his son HD Kumaraswamy. Azad said he had told Gowda and Kumaraswamy that the picking of a chief minister would be left to them. The reports now say Kumaraswamy has picked the chief minister's chair for himself. Also read: If verdict hung, both Siddaramaiah & Yeddyurappa may have to give up Karnataka CM ambitions Karnataka has a total of 224 assembly seats, but only 222 seats went to the polls this election. (Voting was postponed in two seats.) The halfway mark then is 112 seats. Official EC trends at the moment say the BJP has won or is leading in 104 seats, the Congress in 78, the JD(S)+ in 37, and Others 3. That would give the JD(S)-Congress a total of 115 seats.

JD(S), Congress agree on HD Kumaraswamy as Karnataka Chief Minister

In further trouble to Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan's top anti-corruption body today ordered a probe against the embattled former prime minister and others for allegedly laundering USD 4.9 billion to India, media reports said.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in a press release said its Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal took notice of reports making rounds on news channels claiming that Sharif allegedly laundered USD 4.9 billion to India, the Express Tribune reported.

According to the media report, this incident is mentioned in the World Bank's Migration and Remittance Book 2016, the release said.

However, details of the media report in question have not been mentioned in the brief statement issued in Urdu, Geo Tv reported.

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The statement claims that the amount was laundered to the Indian finance ministry after which Indian foreign exchange reserves witnessed an increase and Pakistan suffered as a result.

Sharif is facing three corruption cases at the accountability court following the Supreme Court's verdict in the Panama Papers case. A NAB inquiry is also under way against him for alleged illegal expansion of a road leading to his estate in Lahore's Jati Umra locality.&nbsp;

Once formulated, this will be the fifth case against the ousted premier by the NAB.

Earlier today, the accountability court sought more time from the top court to end the trial on references filed by the NAB against members of the Sharif family.

Accountability court judge Muhammad Bashir, who presides over the hearings, has written a letter to the top court requesting for a second extension in the trial.&nbsp;

Earlier in March, the Supreme Court had granted a two-month extension to the accountability court to wrap the proceedings.

However, as the two-month deadline expires, the case is nowhere near its end, with the Al-Azizia Steel Mills and Flagship Investments still untouched, the country's top anti-graft body is running out of time.&nbsp;

The Supreme Court of Pakistan had disqualified Sharif last year, forcing the three-time prime minister to resign. Sharif has dismissed the corruption charges as politically motivated.

The political future of Sharif, who leads the country's most powerful political family and his party, has been hanging in the balance since then. If convicted, he can be jailed. PTI&nbsp;

The inquiry has reportedly been ordered by the National Accountability Bureau which took cognizance of media reports saying Sharif had laundered the money

In further trouble to Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan's top anti-corruption body today ordered a probe against the embattled former prime minister and others for allegedly laundering USD 4.9 billion to India, media reports said. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in a press release said its Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal took notice of reports making rounds on news channels claiming that Sharif allegedly laundered USD 4.9 billion to India, the Express Tribune reported. According to the media report, this incident is mentioned in the World Bank's Migration and Remittance Book 2016, the release said. However, details of the media report in question have not been mentioned in the brief statement issued in Urdu, Geo Tv reported. The NAB statement claims the money was laundered to the Indian finance ministry after which Indian foreign exchange reserves witnessed an increase and Pakistan suffered as a result × The statement claims that the amount was laundered to the Indian finance ministry after which Indian foreign exchange reserves witnessed an increase and Pakistan suffered as a result. Sharif is facing three corruption cases at the accountability court following the Supreme Court's verdict in the Panama Papers case. A NAB inquiry is also under way against him for alleged illegal expansion of a road leading to his estate in Lahore's Jati Umra locality. Once formulated, this will be the fifth case against the ousted premier by the NAB. Earlier today, the accountability court sought more time from the top court to end the trial on references filed by the NAB against members of the Sharif family. Accountability court judge Muhammad Bashir, who presides over the hearings, has written a letter to the top court requesting for a second extension in the trial. Earlier in March, the Supreme Court had granted a two-month extension to the accountability court to wrap the proceedings. However, as the two-month deadline expires, the case is nowhere near its end, with the Al-Azizia Steel Mills and Flagship Investments still untouched, the country's top anti-graft body is running out of time. The Supreme Court of Pakistan had disqualified Sharif last year, forcing the three-time prime minister to resign. Sharif has dismissed the corruption charges as politically motivated. The political future of Sharif, who leads the country's most powerful political family and his party, has been hanging in the balance since then. If convicted, he can be jailed. PTI

Probe ordered against ex-Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif for allegedly laundering $4.9 bn to India: Pak media

A vehicle has rammed into a crowd of people in the western German city of Münster. Several people have been killed in the incident, according to police.

Authorities have not provided any specific numbers, merely confirming the fatalities. Around 30 people are estimated to be injured.

The incident took place in the centre of Münster. Police have cordoned off the area and asked people to avoid it.&nbsp;

The nature of the incident remains “unclear,” police said in a Twitter post urging everyone to “avoid speculation.”

The incident might have been a terrorist attack, the German Rheinische Post said, citing police sources. However, no official confirmation has been issued.

The perpetrator has&nbsp;shot himself, police said.

Fire brigades, rescue and police teams have rushed to the scene.

Images of the attack have appeared on Twitter.

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Das sieht ja schrecklich aus ? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/M%C3%BCnster?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Münster</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kiepenkerl?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kiepenkerl</a> <a href="https://t.co/f1A5f40ycA">pic.twitter.com/f1A5f40ycA</a>
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&nbsp;

The incident might have been a terrorist attack, the German Rheinische Post said, citing police sources. However, no official confirmation has been issued.

A vehicle has rammed into a crowd of people in the western German city of Münster. Several people have been killed in the incident, according to police. Authorities have not provided any specific numbers, merely confirming the fatalities. Around 30 people are estimated to be injured. The incident took place in the centre of Münster. Police have cordoned off the area and asked people to avoid it. The nature of the incident remains “unclear,” police said in a Twitter post urging everyone to “avoid speculation.” The incident might have been a terrorist attack, the German Rheinische Post said, citing police sources. However, no official confirmation has been issued. The perpetrator has shot himself, police said. Fire brigades, rescue and police teams have rushed to the scene. Images of the attack have appeared on Twitter. Das sieht ja schrecklich aus ? #Münster #Kiepenkerl pic.twitter.com/f1A5f40ycA — Steffen (@marketingleben) April 7, 2018 ×

Several dead, many injured in Germany's Munster after vehicle drives into crowd

At least 26 people have been killed and 18 wounded in a suspected suicide bomb attack near a shrine in the Afghan capital Kabul, officials say.

Reports suggest the bomber attacked a crowd of hundreds of people who had gathered to celebrate the start of Nowruz, the New Year festival.

The explosion occurred in in PD3 area of Kabul.The blast site is&nbsp;close to the Ali Abad hospital and Kabul University.

PD3 police chief Abdulhamid Chakari has confirmed a car bomb was used in today&#39;s explosion.&nbsp;

He did not give any further details but casualties are feared.&nbsp;

Eyewitnesses say it was a suicide bombing and all casualties were civilians but police officials have not commented on the incident so far.

Security forces have quardend off the area.

There was no immediate word on the cause of the blast or any damage or casualties

At least 26 people have been killed and 18 wounded in a suspected suicide bomb attack near a shrine in the Afghan capital Kabul, officials say. Reports suggest the bomber attacked a crowd of hundreds of people who had gathered to celebrate the start of Nowruz, the New Year festival. The explosion occurred in in PD3 area of Kabul.The blast site is close to the Ali Abad hospital and Kabul University. PD3 police chief Abdulhamid Chakari has confirmed a car bomb was used in today's explosion. He did not give any further details but casualties are feared. Eyewitnesses say it was a suicide bombing and all casualties were civilians but police officials have not commented on the incident so far. Security forces have quardend off the area.

At least 26 killed and 18 wounded after blast in Kabul

Inter Milan said on Monday its coach Roberto Mancini is leaving, citing a &quot;mutual agreement&quot; amid media reports the Serie A club&#39;s new Chinese owners decided fresh blood is needed to rejuvenate the team. 
 
&quot;FC Internazionale Milano confirms that it has parted company with head coach Roberto Mancini by mutual agreement,&quot; the club said in a statement 
 
Mancini is tipped in the media to be replaced by Dutch coach Frank de Boer. 
 
Corriere dello Sport and Gazzetta dello Sport reported there was a contract dispute with Mancini and that the Chinese owners, the Suning group, were furious after Inter lost 6-1 to Tottenham Hotspur in a friendly in Oslo on Thursday. 
 
Mancini had been a&nbsp;coach for two years and was under contract until 2017. He was given severance pay of 2.5 million Euros ($2.8 million) net, and will take his entire staff with him, Corriere dello Sport said. De Boer left Ajax Amsterdam at the end of last season. 
 
&quot;Inter would like to place on record its thanks to Roberto for the work carried out with the team since joining in November 2014,&quot; the club said. 
 
(AFP)

Media reports however said the Serie A club's new Chinese owners decided fresh blood was needed to rejuvenate the team

Inter Milan said on Monday its coach Roberto Mancini is leaving, citing a "mutual agreement" amid media reports the Serie A club's new Chinese owners decided fresh blood is needed to rejuvenate the team. "FC Internazionale Milano confirms that it has parted company with head coach Roberto Mancini by mutual agreement," the club said in a statement Mancini is tipped in the media to be replaced by Dutch coach Frank de Boer. Corriere dello Sport and Gazzetta dello Sport reported there was a contract dispute with Mancini and that the Chinese owners, the Suning group, were furious after Inter lost 6-1 to Tottenham Hotspur in a friendly in Oslo on Thursday. Mancini had been a coach for two years and was under contract until 2017. He was given severance pay of 2.5 million Euros ($2.8 million) net, and will take his entire staff with him, Corriere dello Sport said. De Boer left Ajax Amsterdam at the end of last season. "Inter would like to place on record its thanks to Roberto for the work carried out with the team since joining in November 2014," the club said. (AFP)

Inter Milan says coach Roberto Mancini is leaving by 'mutual agreement'

Boko Haram&#39;s elusive leader Abubakar Shekau said in an audio message Thursday he is still around despite his reported ouster as head of the Nigeria-based jihadist group by the Islamic State (IS). 
 
&quot;People should know we are still around. We will never cause any discord among the people, we will live by the Koran,&quot; Shekau said in a 10-minute audio message. 
 
&quot;This is our stand and we remain in our capacity as Jama&#39;atu Ahlissunnah Lidda&#39;awati Wal Jihad,&quot; he said using the Islamic name for the hardline jihadist group. 
 
His voice was recognised by an AFP journalist familiar with previous messages he has posted on social media. 
 
It was also confirmed as Shekau&#39;s voice by Berlin-based expert Yan St-Pierre of the Modern Security Consulting Group (Mosecon). 
&quot;The person who posted on the internet is a very reliable source,&quot; he said.&nbsp; 
 
Shekau&#39;s audio message was released in response to reports that he had been purportedly replaced by Sheikh Abu Musab al-Barnawi, a former IS spokesman. 
 
In the latest edition of IS&#39;s online weekly magazine Al-Naba, which was published on Tuesday, there was an interview with Barnawi in which he was introduced as Boko Haram&#39;s new leader. 
 
In March 2015, Boko Haram pledged allegiance to IS. 
 
But Shekau dismissed Barnawi as an infidel who condoned living in an un-Islamic society without waging jihad. 
 
The shadowy leader&#39;s absence in recent months has sparked speculation about his fate and whether or not he had been deposed as leader.&nbsp; 
 
He became Boko Haram leader after Nigerian security forces killed the group&#39;s founding chief Mohammed Yusuf in 2009, sparking an insurgency that has left 20,000 people dead and forced 2.6 million people to flee their homes. 
 
Boko Haram has been pegged back by an aggressive fightback from the Nigerian military since January 2014, losing territory and its capacity to mount conventional attacks. 
 
(AFP) 
&nbsp;

Shekau's audio message was released in response to reports that he had been replaced by IS spokesperson Abu Musab al-Barnawi

Boko Haram's elusive leader Abubakar Shekau said in an audio message Thursday he is still around despite his reported ouster as head of the Nigeria-based jihadist group by the Islamic State (IS). "People should know we are still around. We will never cause any discord among the people, we will live by the Koran," Shekau said in a 10-minute audio message. "This is our stand and we remain in our capacity as Jama'atu Ahlissunnah Lidda'awati Wal Jihad," he said using the Islamic name for the hardline jihadist group. His voice was recognised by an AFP journalist familiar with previous messages he has posted on social media. It was also confirmed as Shekau's voice by Berlin-based expert Yan St-Pierre of the Modern Security Consulting Group (Mosecon). "The person who posted on the internet is a very reliable source," he said. Shekau's audio message was released in response to reports that he had been purportedly replaced by Sheikh Abu Musab al-Barnawi, a former IS spokesman. In the latest edition of IS's online weekly magazine Al-Naba, which was published on Tuesday, there was an interview with Barnawi in which he was introduced as Boko Haram's new leader. In March 2015, Boko Haram pledged allegiance to IS. But Shekau dismissed Barnawi as an infidel who condoned living in an un-Islamic society without waging jihad. The shadowy leader's absence in recent months has sparked speculation about his fate and whether or not he had been deposed as leader. He became Boko Haram leader after Nigerian security forces killed the group's founding chief Mohammed Yusuf in 2009, sparking an insurgency that has left 20,000 people dead and forced 2.6 million people to flee their homes. Boko Haram has been pegged back by an aggressive fightback from the Nigerian military since January 2014, losing territory and its capacity to mount conventional attacks. (AFP)

Boko Haram elusive chief Shekau sends audio message, says 'still around'

Gunmen attacked a restaurant popular with foreigners in the diplomatic quarter of the Bangladeshi capital on Friday, police and a witness said. 
 
BDNews24.com reported that &quot;At least four injured police officials were seen being transported.&nbsp;One of them looked seriously injured&quot;. 
 
WION can confirm after speaking with Dr. Miraj at the United Hospital in Dhaka, 300 metres from the hostage crisis, that 30 security personnel are being treated after sustaining wounds from grenade shrapnel, as well as bullets.&nbsp; 
 
IS has claimed responsibility for the attack. 
 
So far one employee has managed to escape and there are reports that two hostages have been released, for unknown reasons.&nbsp; 
 
Local reports say seven Italian nationals are among the hostages. 
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet tw-align-center">
Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) stand guard outside the Holey Artisan Bakery Cafe
&mdash; (@DamyEku) <a data-datetime="2016-07-01T23:34:00+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/DamyEku/status/749023372156231680">Jul 02 2016</a></blockquote>
<script src="~/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script> 
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
BREAKING: Islamic State claims responsibility for attack on cafe in Bangladesh, says more than 20 people killed: Amaq news agency
&mdash; Reuters Top News (@Reuters) <a href="https://twitter.com/Reuters/status/748966709042774016">July 1, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="~/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script> 
 
TIMELINE (local Bangladesh time, GMT +6) 
 
1:50: Reuters reports IS claims responsibility for the attack

1:08 am: Uttara zone Asst Commissioner Robiul Islam dies of bullet injuries 
&nbsp; 
12:39 am: Police try and initiate negotiations with attackers 
&nbsp; 
12:24&nbsp;am: Banani Police Officer-in-Charge Salauddin Khan declared dead 
&nbsp; 
12:06 am: A bakery staffer, Sumon Reza escapes, says an Argentinian &amp; an Italian among hostages 
&nbsp; 
11:50 pm: Dhaka airport closed 
&nbsp; 
11:35 pm:&nbsp;B&rsquo;desh&nbsp;RAB chief Benzir Ahmed urges&nbsp;TV channels not to live telecast&nbsp;hostage situation 
&nbsp; 
11:30&nbsp;pm: People&nbsp;report hearing shouts of&nbsp;Allah-hu-Akbar&nbsp;immediately&nbsp;before&nbsp;hearing&nbsp;several blasts 
&nbsp; 
10:30&nbsp;pm: US State&nbsp;Department&nbsp;Twitter account&nbsp;declares&nbsp;hostage situation in Dhaka 
&nbsp; 
8:45&nbsp;pm: Multiple&nbsp;attackers&nbsp;enter Holey Artisan Bakery&nbsp;in Gulshan-2 diplomatic area in Dhaka, Bangaldesh; start firing

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GulshanAttack?src=hash">#GulshanAttack</a>: At 1:08am, assistant commissioner of Uttara zone Detective Branch killed in the shooting, top police officials confirm
&mdash; The Daily Star (@dailystarnews) <a href="https://twitter.com/dailystarnews/status/748957529489698816">July 1, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="~/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script> 
Locals have taken to social media to share pictures and to describe what they know. Their reports cannot be verified by WION. 
 
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="501" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fphoto.php%3Ffbid%3D535819896607279%26set%3Da.104428533079753.1073741826.100005378192774%26type%3D3&amp;width=500" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" width="500"></iframe> 
The witness said from his house in the upscale Gulshan area of Dhaka he could hear gunfire and it &quot;looked quite bad&quot;. The US Embassy in Dhaka said on its Twitter feed there were &quot;reports of shooting and hostage situation&quot;. 
 
 
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Hostage?src=hash">#Hostage</a> situation in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dhaka?src=hash">#Dhaka</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Terrorist?src=hash">#Terrorist</a> targeted <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/restaurant?src=hash">#restaurant</a> popular among foreigners in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bangladesh?src=hash">#Bangladesh</a>. <a href="https://t.co/zt2zqgjP30">pic.twitter.com/zt2zqgjP30</a>
&mdash; Rudolf (@poljski_navijac) <a href="https://twitter.com/poljski_navijac/status/748921560589754368">July 1, 2016</a></blockquote>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
10 attackers take around 60 hostages, 20 foreigners included, at a restaurant in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dhaka?src=hash">#Dhaka</a>. RAB director says they want a `peaceful resolution`
&mdash; Ziaur Rashid (@smziaurrashid) <a href="https://twitter.com/smziaurrashid/status/748937803354877953">July 1, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="~/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dhaka?src=hash">#Dhaka</a>: Somoy News reports Banani Thana Police OC Salauddin died. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bangladesh?src=hash">#Bangladesh</a>
&mdash; Ziaur Rashid (@smziaurrashid) <a href="https://twitter.com/smziaurrashid/status/748940224529469440">July 1, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="~/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script> 
The US state department has issued an update about the hostage situation: 
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-video" data-lang="en">
.<a href="https://twitter.com/statedeptspox">@statedeptspox</a> Kirby provides update on apparent hostage situation in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dhaka?src=hash">#Dhaka</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bangladesh?src=hash">#Bangladesh</a> <a href="https://t.co/CgwWuU2aUl">https://t.co/CgwWuU2aUl</a>
&mdash; Department of State (@StateDept) <a href="https://twitter.com/StateDept/status/748932806126907392">July 1, 2016</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Breaking : Islamic attack on restaurant in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dhaka?src=hash">#Dhaka</a> terrorist shouting allah hu akbar 
20 hostages mostly foreigners <a href="https://t.co/aQHrShQ8Hs">pic.twitter.com/aQHrShQ8Hs</a>
&mdash; Ravi Singh (@RealRavii) <a href="https://twitter.com/RealRavii/status/748939947839623168">July 1, 2016</a></blockquote>
Bangladesh has seen a series of attacks, mostly using machetes, targeting bloggers, atheists and religious minorities. 
 
(Reuters and WION)

This is still developing: 30 security officers hospitalised; 2 dead, many treated for grenade shrapnel wounds

Gunmen attacked a restaurant popular with foreigners in the diplomatic quarter of the Bangladeshi capital on Friday, police and a witness said. BDNews24.com reported that "At least four injured police officials were seen being transported. One of them looked seriously injured". WION can confirm after speaking with Dr. Miraj at the United Hospital in Dhaka, 300 metres from the hostage crisis, that 30 security personnel are being treated after sustaining wounds from grenade shrapnel, as well as bullets. IS has claimed responsibility for the attack. So far one employee has managed to escape and there are reports that two hostages have been released, for unknown reasons. Local reports say seven Italian nationals are among the hostages. Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) stand guard outside the Holey Artisan Bakery Cafe — (@DamyEku) Jul 02 2016 BREAKING: Islamic State claims responsibility for attack on cafe in Bangladesh, says more than 20 people killed: Amaq news agency — Reuters Top News (@Reuters) July 1, 2016 TIMELINE (local Bangladesh time, GMT +6) 1:50: Reuters reports IS claims responsibility for the attack 1:08 am: Uttara zone Asst Commissioner Robiul Islam dies of bullet injuries 12:39 am: Police try and initiate negotiations with attackers 12:24 am: Banani Police Officer-in-Charge Salauddin Khan declared dead 12:06 am: A bakery staffer, Sumon Reza escapes, says an Argentinian & an Italian among hostages 11:50 pm: Dhaka airport closed 11:35 pm: B’desh RAB chief Benzir Ahmed urges TV channels not to live telecast hostage situation 11:30 pm: People report hearing shouts of Allah-hu-Akbar immediately before hearing several blasts 10:30 pm: US State Department Twitter account declares hostage situation in Dhaka 8:45 pm: Multiple attackers enter Holey Artisan Bakery in Gulshan-2 diplomatic area in Dhaka, Bangaldesh; start firing #GulshanAttack: At 1:08am, assistant commissioner of Uttara zone Detective Branch killed in the shooting, top police officials confirm — The Daily Star (@dailystarnews) July 1, 2016 Locals have taken to social media to share pictures and to describe what they know. Their reports cannot be verified by WION. The witness said from his house in the upscale Gulshan area of Dhaka he could hear gunfire and it "looked quite bad". The US Embassy in Dhaka said on its Twitter feed there were "reports of shooting and hostage situation". #Hostage situation in #Dhaka. #Terrorist targeted #restaurant popular among foreigners in #Bangladesh. pic.twitter.com/zt2zqgjP30 — Rudolf (@poljski_navijac) July 1, 2016 10 attackers take around 60 hostages, 20 foreigners included, at a restaurant in #Dhaka. RAB director says they want a `peaceful resolution` — Ziaur Rashid (@smziaurrashid) July 1, 2016 #Dhaka: Somoy News reports Banani Thana Police OC Salauddin died. #Bangladesh — Ziaur Rashid (@smziaurrashid) July 1, 2016 The US state department has issued an update about the hostage situation: .@statedeptspox Kirby provides update on apparent hostage situation in #Dhaka, #Bangladesh https://t.co/CgwWuU2aUl — Department of State (@StateDept) July 1, 2016 Breaking : Islamic attack on restaurant in #Dhaka terrorist shouting allah hu akbar 20 hostages mostly foreigners pic.twitter.com/aQHrShQ8Hs — Ravi Singh (@RealRavii) July 1, 2016 Bangladesh has seen a series of attacks, mostly using machetes, targeting bloggers, atheists and religious minorities. (Reuters and WION)

IS hostage standoff in Dhaka continues

Actress Amber Heard has given a statement to Los Angeles police accusing estranged husband Johnny Depp of domestic violence, her lawyers said on Tuesday, a week after she filed for divorce and obtained a restraining order against Depp. 
 
Heard`s attorneys said in a statement that in an attempt to &quot;protect her privacy and Johnny`s career&quot; the actress initially declined to report to police a May 21 incident between her and Depp that she claimed left her with a bruised eye. 
 
&quot;Johnny`s team has forced Amber to give a statement to the LAPD to set the record straight as to the true facts ...,&quot; Heard`s lawyers Samantha Spector and Joseph P. Koenig said. 
 
&quot;Amber has suffered through years of physical and psychological abuse at the hands of Johnny,&quot; they said. 
 
Representatives for Depp did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Los Angeles Police Department spokeswoman Officer Liliana Preciado declined to comment, citing privacy. 
 
Depp`s 17-year-old daughter Lily-Rose supported her father on Instagram, posting a photo captioning her father as &quot;the sweetest most loving person I know.&quot; 
 
Heard, 30, said in court papers filed in Los Angeles last week that Depp, 52, had been abusive to her throughout their relationship, culminating in an argument during which he hurled a cell phone at her face and shattered objects in her apartment. 
 
Depp`s lawyer argued in a court document that Heard &quot;is attempting to secure a premature financial resolution by alleging abuse.&quot; 
 
Judge Carl H. Moor granted a temporary restraining order requiring Depp to stay at least 100 yards away from Heard and move out of the couple`s shared downtown Los Angeles condominium. A hearing was scheduled for June 17. 
 
Heard, who will star in upcoming superhero ensemble &quot;The Justice League Part One,&quot; said she was seeking $50,000 a month for spousal support. 
 
Depp, one of Hollywood`s leading actors and box office draws, and Heard married in February 2015 after meeting on the set of 2011`s &quot;The Rum Diary.&quot; 
 
Heard`s lawyers said they held off serving Depp with the divorce petition at the Hollywood premiere of his latest film &quot;Alice Through the Looking Glass&quot; last week because the actress wanted to keep it private. 
 
The Disney film failed to perform strongly at U.S. and Canadian box offices this past weekend, grossing $28.1 million, with some critics blaming the poor performance on negative headlines.&nbsp;

Actress Amber Heard has given a statement to Los Angeles police to this effect, a week after she filed for divorce

Actress Amber Heard has given a statement to Los Angeles police accusing estranged husband Johnny Depp of domestic violence, her lawyers said on Tuesday, a week after she filed for divorce and obtained a restraining order against Depp. Heard`s attorneys said in a statement that in an attempt to "protect her privacy and Johnny`s career" the actress initially declined to report to police a May 21 incident between her and Depp that she claimed left her with a bruised eye. "Johnny`s team has forced Amber to give a statement to the LAPD to set the record straight as to the true facts ...," Heard`s lawyers Samantha Spector and Joseph P. Koenig said. "Amber has suffered through years of physical and psychological abuse at the hands of Johnny," they said. Representatives for Depp did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Los Angeles Police Department spokeswoman Officer Liliana Preciado declined to comment, citing privacy. Depp`s 17-year-old daughter Lily-Rose supported her father on Instagram, posting a photo captioning her father as "the sweetest most loving person I know." Heard, 30, said in court papers filed in Los Angeles last week that Depp, 52, had been abusive to her throughout their relationship, culminating in an argument during which he hurled a cell phone at her face and shattered objects in her apartment. Depp`s lawyer argued in a court document that Heard "is attempting to secure a premature financial resolution by alleging abuse." Judge Carl H. Moor granted a temporary restraining order requiring Depp to stay at least 100 yards away from Heard and move out of the couple`s shared downtown Los Angeles condominium. A hearing was scheduled for June 17. Heard, who will star in upcoming superhero ensemble "The Justice League Part One," said she was seeking $50,000 a month for spousal support. Depp, one of Hollywood`s leading actors and box office draws, and Heard married in February 2015 after meeting on the set of 2011`s "The Rum Diary." Heard`s lawyers said they held off serving Depp with the divorce petition at the Hollywood premiere of his latest film "Alice Through the Looking Glass" last week because the actress wanted to keep it private. The Disney film failed to perform strongly at U.S. and Canadian box offices this past weekend, grossing $28.1 million, with some critics blaming the poor performance on negative headlines.

Amber Heard accuses Johnny Depp of domestic violence

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