The United States is seeking to secure supplies of TNT in Japan for 155mm artillery shells, as Washington rushes&nbsp;weapons and ammunition&nbsp;to Ukraine for a counteroffensive against Russian forces, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters.

For war-renouncing Japan, any procurement would test its willingness to court controversy to help Kyiv because export rules ban Japanese companies from selling lethal items overseas, such as the howitzer shells that Ukraine fires daily at Russian units occupying its southeastern regions.

Nonetheless, the allies appear to have found a workaround to enable the TNT sale amid global&nbsp;shortages&nbsp;of munitions.

"There is a way for the United States to buy explosives from Japan," one of the people with knowledge of discussions on the matter in Japan told Reuters on the condition of anonymity, citing the issue's sensitivity.

Export restrictions for dual-use products or equipment sold commercially are less stringent than for items with a purely military purpose, which is why the US&nbsp;can buy Panasonic Toughbook laptops for its military.

Tokyo, which hosted US&nbsp;Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin this week, has told the US&nbsp;government it will allow the sale of industrial TNT because the explosive is not a military-use-only product, the other source said.

The US&nbsp;wants to plug a Japanese company into a TNT supply chain to deliver explosives to US&nbsp;army-owned munitions plants that would pack them into 155mm shell cases, the person added.

Japan's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Economy declined to say whether any Japanese company had approached it about exporting TNT. It added in an email that items not subject to military restrictions would be assessed under regular export rules that consider the buyer's intent, including whether their use would impede international security.

The Japanese defence ministry's Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency declined to comment.

The US&nbsp;State Department did not directly address questions from Reuters about whether the US&nbsp;planned to buy TNT in Japan but said Washington was working with allies and partners "to provide Ukraine with the support it needs" to defend itself. Japan, it added, "has demonstrated leadership in supporting Ukraine's defense".

<h2 data-testid="Heading">Eager to help</h2>

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida wants to help Ukraine because his administration fears a Russian victory would embolden China to attack Taiwan and embroil his country in a regional war. Last year, he warned that Ukraine may be "East Asia tomorrow", and his administration announced&nbsp;Japan's biggest military build-up since World War Two.

That retreat from the state pacifism that has dominated Japan's foreign policy for decades has not so far extended to lethal military aid, limiting Tokyo's offerings to Kyiv to kit such as flak jackets, helmets and food rations.

Following Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to Japan during the Hiroshima G7 leaders summit last month, Kishida agreed to donate jeeps and trucks.

There appears to be growing acceptance in Japan about providing military aid to Ukraine, but the degree of lethality is contentious, said Tsuneo Watanabe, a senior fellow at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation.

"The fact that Japan has decided to give trucks to Ukraine shows that things are changing. However, there doesn't yet appear to be any political consensus around the issue of sending lethal aid," he said.

Japan is one of dozens of friends and allies that Washington is asking to help arm Ukraine as it wrestles with stretched military supply chains.

South Korea, which also uses 155mm shells, is among those the US&nbsp;has&nbsp;approached. A South Korean defence official told Reuters that Seoul's stance against providing lethal aid to Kyiv had not changed.

Asked in Tokyo this week about the possibility of a shift in Japanese policy on lethal aid, Austin said at a press briefing that any change would be a matter for Japan but "any bit of support" for Ukraine was "always welcome".

The sources who spoke to Reuters declined to identify the Japanese company that would supply explosives to the US&nbsp;government and did not say how much TNT Washington wanted to buy.

Reuters contacted 22 explosives makers listed on the Japan Explosives Industry Association's website. The only one that said it made industrial TNT was Chugoku Kayaku, a Hiroshima-based firm that supplies Japan's military.

"We have not received any direct inquiry from the US&nbsp;government or US&nbsp;military," the company said in an email.

Asked if it was discussing any TNT sales through an intermediary, the firm, which lists an industrial TNT product on its website, said it did not disclose the identity of customers or potential buyers.

<h2 data-testid="Heading">Japan's next move</h2>

Supplying commercial TNT to the US&nbsp;may only be a stop-gap measure because many lawmakers of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) want to ease or eliminate the export restrictions.

In December, when Kishida announced Japan's five-year military build-up, he pledged to revise the export rules, opening up the possibility that Japan could supply lethal weapons not only to Ukraine but to other nations that Tokyo and Washington see as potential allies against Russia and China.

Akihisa Nagashima, a former deputy defence minister and a ranking LDP member of the parliamentary committee on national security, said the military build-up would take Japan four-fifths of the way to becoming a "normal country" unencumbered by the legacy of its World War Two defeat.

"Tackling the export restrictions is the remaining 20 per cent," he said.

The United States is seeking to secure supplies of TNT in Japan for 155mm artillery shells, as Washington rushes weapons and ammunition to Ukraine for a counteroffensive against Russian forces, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters.

The United States is seeking to secure supplies of TNT in Japan for 155mm artillery shells, as Washington rushes weapons and ammunition to Ukraine for a counteroffensive against Russian forces, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters. For war-renouncing Japan, any procurement would test its willingness to court controversy to help Kyiv because export rules ban Japanese companies from selling lethal items overseas, such as the howitzer shells that Ukraine fires daily at Russian units occupying its southeastern regions. Nonetheless, the allies appear to have found a workaround to enable the TNT sale amid global shortages of munitions. "There is a way for the United States to buy explosives from Japan," one of the people with knowledge of discussions on the matter in Japan told Reuters on the condition of anonymity, citing the issue's sensitivity. Export restrictions for dual-use products or equipment sold commercially are less stringent than for items with a purely military purpose, which is why the US can buy Panasonic Toughbook laptops for its military. Tokyo, which hosted US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin this week, has told the US government it will allow the sale of industrial TNT because the explosive is not a military-use-only product, the other source said. The US wants to plug a Japanese company into a TNT supply chain to deliver explosives to US army-owned munitions plants that would pack them into 155mm shell cases, the person added. Japan's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Economy declined to say whether any Japanese company had approached it about exporting TNT. It added in an email that items not subject to military restrictions would be assessed under regular export rules that consider the buyer's intent, including whether their use would impede international security. The Japanese defence ministry's Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency declined to comment. The US State Department did not directly address questions from Reuters about whether the US planned to buy TNT in Japan but said Washington was working with allies and partners "to provide Ukraine with the support it needs" to defend itself. Japan, it added, "has demonstrated leadership in supporting Ukraine's defense". Eager to help Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida wants to help Ukraine because his administration fears a Russian victory would embolden China to attack Taiwan and embroil his country in a regional war. Last year, he warned that Ukraine may be "East Asia tomorrow", and his administration announced Japan's biggest military build-up since World War Two. That retreat from the state pacifism that has dominated Japan's foreign policy for decades has not so far extended to lethal military aid, limiting Tokyo's offerings to Kyiv to kit such as flak jackets, helmets and food rations. Following Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to Japan during the Hiroshima G7 leaders summit last month, Kishida agreed to donate jeeps and trucks. There appears to be growing acceptance in Japan about providing military aid to Ukraine, but the degree of lethality is contentious, said Tsuneo Watanabe, a senior fellow at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation. "The fact that Japan has decided to give trucks to Ukraine shows that things are changing. However, there doesn't yet appear to be any political consensus around the issue of sending lethal aid," he said. Japan is one of dozens of friends and allies that Washington is asking to help arm Ukraine as it wrestles with stretched military supply chains. South Korea, which also uses 155mm shells, is among those the US has approached. A South Korean defence official told Reuters that Seoul's stance against providing lethal aid to Kyiv had not changed. Asked in Tokyo this week about the possibility of a shift in Japanese policy on lethal aid, Austin said at a press briefing that any change would be a matter for Japan but "any bit of support" for Ukraine was "always welcome". The sources who spoke to Reuters declined to identify the Japanese company that would supply explosives to the US government and did not say how much TNT Washington wanted to buy. Reuters contacted 22 explosives makers listed on the Japan Explosives Industry Association's website. The only one that said it made industrial TNT was Chugoku Kayaku, a Hiroshima-based firm that supplies Japan's military. "We have not received any direct inquiry from the US government or US military," the company said in an email. Asked if it was discussing any TNT sales through an intermediary, the firm, which lists an industrial TNT product on its website, said it did not disclose the identity of customers or potential buyers. Japan's next move Supplying commercial TNT to the US may only be a stop-gap measure because many lawmakers of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) want to ease or eliminate the export restrictions. In December, when Kishida announced Japan's five-year military build-up, he pledged to revise the export rules, opening up the possibility that Japan could supply lethal weapons not only to Ukraine but to other nations that Tokyo and Washington see as potential allies against Russia and China. Akihisa Nagashima, a former deputy defence minister and a ranking LDP member of the parliamentary committee on national security, said the military build-up would take Japan four-fifths of the way to becoming a "normal country" unencumbered by the legacy of its World War Two defeat. "Tackling the export restrictions is the remaining 20 per cent," he said.

US seeking explosives in Japan for Ukraine artillery shells: Report

In Salt Lake City, Utah, US,&nbsp;a 911 caller reported that a man had entered a brewery in his underwear, tried to steal beer, and was running around in the street, endangering both himself and oncoming traffic. The police then tried to detain him, but&nbsp;Nykon Brandon passed away soon after.&nbsp;

Activists questioned why an unarmed person died and accused officers of using excessive force&nbsp;after the Salt Lake City Police Department on Friday released body-camera footage and the 911 tape of the deadly incident on August 14.

“Stealing a beer does not equate to the death penalty,” said Lex Scott, founder of Black Lives Matter-Utah. “I don’t care if this man robbed 10 banks in one day. He didn’t deserve to die. He deserved to make it to court.”

Brandon, 35, passed away at a time when there are still countless instances of police shootings of unarmed persons in the United States, many of whom were going through a mental health crisis. Activists have asked for improvements, arguing that specific mental health crisis teams would be a better response option than <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/shooting-incident-reported-outside-a-gurudwara-in-california-three-injured-510928">armed police</a>, who frequently aggravate situations.

According to Brandon's Facebook page, he worked for a company that offers plumbing, appliances, and hardware while attending Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Many of the commenters on his page expressed their sorrow and grief at his passing.

The 911 caller said a man had come to Fisher Brewing, attacked a person at the door and was “running around crazy. Very erratic. He just jumped in and out of the road.”

“Definitely mental health issues,” the caller said. “So if you’ve got mental health resources, send them out.”

Instead, bodycam video shows a policeman exiting his patrol vehicle and ordering Brandon to halt. A second cop pulls Brandon to the ground and the two attempt to hold him down after he retaliates, raises a fist, and looks to grab for the officer's holstered pistol. Brandon is on a gravel bed between the road and the sidewalk, pushing against the officers, and one of the officers is yelling, "Stop."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-colonel-murdered-americans-allies-during-last-years-taliban-breach-of-afghanistan-documentary-510865">US Colonel ‘murdered’ several allies, did not let them board planes from Kabul: Documentary</a>

The film from nine body cameras shows no police de-escalation attempts, despite the fact that an executive order signed by Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall two years ago required all Salt Lake City Police Department officers to apply de-escalation techniques before deploying force.

“De-escalation tactics are no longer suggested or preferred — they are mandatory prior to using force to effect an arrest unless it would be unreasonable to do so,” Mendenhall said in announcing the police reforms, which were prompted in part by the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police in 2020.

Salt Lake City Police Department spokesperson Brent Weisberg said of the Aug. 14 incident: “As the body-worn camera video shows, this is a situation that rapidly unfolded. It was a chaotic situation and our officers were required to make very fast decisions to get a situation under control that was very tense.”

He was taken to the institution after officers concluded he was intoxicated and issued a citation for public intoxication. According to KUTV, the institution is not a detention facility, thus patients are free to leave whenever they like.

<img alt="Utah" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="84d1cd0f-2ee3-458b-9305-d28b06169c30" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/1000%20%282%29_2.jpeg" />

This police body camera still image provided by the Salt Lake City Police Department on Friday, Aug. 26, 2022, shows police officers trying to subdue Nykon Brandon on the street in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022. A caller to 911 in Salt Lake City said the man had come into a brewery in his underwear, tried to steal beer and was running around in the street, posing a danger to himself and to drivers. Police tried to detain the man. Within minutes, Brandon was dead. Photo credits: AP

At 3:22 PM, members of the Salt Lake City Police Department came across Brandon. Except for perhaps a few muddled phrases, he is not seen speaking in the videos as he battles with the officers.

A third officer shows up within a minute. Brandon can be seen on video grabbing his gun and holster.&nbsp;

“We want to help you,” an officer says. “You’ve got to stop fighting with us.”

Brandon pauses moving after a short while. Can you hear me? the cop asks three times while tapping Brandon on the shoulder with his gloved hand. Brandon doesn't answer.

“Get him in recovery,” an officer commands, and the others roll Brandon onto his side.

“Come on man,” an officer says. All the camera footage released by the police goes dark at that point.

In a news statement, Salt Lake City Police stated that at 3:27 pm, officers started providing emergency treatment. They began giving chest compressions and giving the first of several Narcan dosages a minute later.

“At 4:16 p.m. SLCPD is notified that Mr. Brandon died. The exact time of death is unknown,” the news release said.

The police department announced that a thorough investigation was being carried out by an outside organization and that a separate inquiry would be carried out by the department's internal affairs branch.

Rae Duckworth, the operational chairwoman for the Black Lives Matter chapters in Utah, is curious as to why the cops' attempts to assist Brandon are not shown in the footage that has been made public.

(With inputs from agencies)

Also WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas: US cops brutally assault unarmed suspect

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-us-cops-brutally-assault-unarmed-suspect-509275/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

In Salt Lake City, Utah, US, a 911 caller reported that a man had entered a brewery in his underwear, tried to steal beer, and was running around in the street, endangering both himself and oncoming traffic.

In Salt Lake City, Utah, US, a 911 caller reported that a man had entered a brewery in his underwear, tried to steal beer, and was running around in the street, endangering both himself and oncoming traffic. The police then tried to detain him, but Nykon Brandon passed away soon after. Activists questioned why an unarmed person died and accused officers of using excessive force after the Salt Lake City Police Department on Friday released body-camera footage and the 911 tape of the deadly incident on August 14. “Stealing a beer does not equate to the death penalty,” said Lex Scott, founder of Black Lives Matter-Utah. “I don’t care if this man robbed 10 banks in one day. He didn’t deserve to die. He deserved to make it to court.” Brandon, 35, passed away at a time when there are still countless instances of police shootings of unarmed persons in the United States, many of whom were going through a mental health crisis. Activists have asked for improvements, arguing that specific mental health crisis teams would be a better response option than armed police, who frequently aggravate situations. According to Brandon's Facebook page, he worked for a company that offers plumbing, appliances, and hardware while attending Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Many of the commenters on his page expressed their sorrow and grief at his passing. The 911 caller said a man had come to Fisher Brewing, attacked a person at the door and was “running around crazy. Very erratic. He just jumped in and out of the road.” “Definitely mental health issues,” the caller said. “So if you’ve got mental health resources, send them out.” Instead, bodycam video shows a policeman exiting his patrol vehicle and ordering Brandon to halt. A second cop pulls Brandon to the ground and the two attempt to hold him down after he retaliates, raises a fist, and looks to grab for the officer's holstered pistol. Brandon is on a gravel bed between the road and the sidewalk, pushing against the officers, and one of the officers is yelling, "Stop." Also read | US Colonel ‘murdered’ several allies, did not let them board planes from Kabul: Documentary The film from nine body cameras shows no police de-escalation attempts, despite the fact that an executive order signed by Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall two years ago required all Salt Lake City Police Department officers to apply de-escalation techniques before deploying force. “De-escalation tactics are no longer suggested or preferred — they are mandatory prior to using force to effect an arrest unless it would be unreasonable to do so,” Mendenhall said in announcing the police reforms, which were prompted in part by the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police in 2020. Salt Lake City Police Department spokesperson Brent Weisberg said of the Aug. 14 incident: “As the body-worn camera video shows, this is a situation that rapidly unfolded. It was a chaotic situation and our officers were required to make very fast decisions to get a situation under control that was very tense.” He was taken to the institution after officers concluded he was intoxicated and issued a citation for public intoxication. According to KUTV, the institution is not a detention facility, thus patients are free to leave whenever they like. This police body camera still image provided by the Salt Lake City Police Department on Friday, Aug. 26, 2022, shows police officers trying to subdue Nykon Brandon on the street in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022. A caller to 911 in Salt Lake City said the man had come into a brewery in his underwear, tried to steal beer and was running around in the street, posing a danger to himself and to drivers. Police tried to detain the man. Within minutes, Brandon was dead. Photo credits: AP At 3:22 PM, members of the Salt Lake City Police Department came across Brandon. Except for perhaps a few muddled phrases, he is not seen speaking in the videos as he battles with the officers. A third officer shows up within a minute. Brandon can be seen on video grabbing his gun and holster. “We want to help you,” an officer says. “You’ve got to stop fighting with us.” Brandon pauses moving after a short while. Can you hear me? the cop asks three times while tapping Brandon on the shoulder with his gloved hand. Brandon doesn't answer. “Get him in recovery,” an officer commands, and the others roll Brandon onto his side. “Come on man,” an officer says. All the camera footage released by the police goes dark at that point. In a news statement, Salt Lake City Police stated that at 3:27 pm, officers started providing emergency treatment. They began giving chest compressions and giving the first of several Narcan dosages a minute later. “At 4:16 p.m. SLCPD is notified that Mr. Brandon died. The exact time of death is unknown,” the news release said. The police department announced that a thorough investigation was being carried out by an outside organization and that a separate inquiry would be carried out by the department's internal affairs branch. Rae Duckworth, the operational chairwoman for the Black Lives Matter chapters in Utah, is curious as to why the cops' attempts to assist Brandon are not shown in the footage that has been made public. (With inputs from agencies) Also WATCH | Gravitas: US cops brutally assault unarmed suspect

Utah man killed in police encounter; video demonstrates lack of de-escalation

The United States is set to announce a new policy requiring cigarette producers to reduce nicotine to non-addictive levels, a move that would deal a powerful blow to the tobacco industry, as reported by AFP on Tuesday.

If successful, the policy could save millions of lives by the end of the century, and shape a future where cigarettes are no longer responsible for addiction and debilitating diseases.

Nicotine is the "feel good" chemical that hooks millions to tobacco products. Thousands of other chemicals contained in tobacco and its smoke are responsible for diseases such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung diseases, diabetes and more.

Though smoking is less prevalent in the United States than in Europe and has been declining for years, it is still responsible for 480,000 deaths a year in the country, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Some 13.7 per cent of all US adults are current cigarette smokers, according to CDC data.

Reducing the nicotine content of cigarettes has been a topic under discussion for years among US authorities.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/goldman-sachs-forecasts-30-per-cent-chance-of-us-economy-tipping-into-recession-report-490327">Goldman Sachs forecasts 30 per cent chance of US economy tipping into recession: Report</a>

Former FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb announced in 2017 that he wanted to move forward on the issue and funded a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2018 that found "reduced-nicotine cigarettes versus standard-nicotine cigarettes reduced nicotine exposure and dependence and the number of cigarettes smoked," as reported by AFP.

The FDA found that if the policy were enacted in 2020, it would prevent eight million premature deaths from tobacco by 2100.

The total economic cost of smoking is more than $300 billion a year, according to the CDC, including more than $225 billion in direct medical care for adults, and more than $156 billion in lost productivity due to premature death and exposure to secondhand smoke.

(with inputs from agencies)

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You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

The United States is set to announce a new policy requiring cigarette producers to reduce nicotine to non-addictive levels, a move that would deal a powerful blow to the tobacco industry, as reported by AFP on Tuesday.

The United States is set to announce a new policy requiring cigarette producers to reduce nicotine to non-addictive levels, a move that would deal a powerful blow to the tobacco industry, as reported by AFP on Tuesday. If successful, the policy could save millions of lives by the end of the century, and shape a future where cigarettes are no longer responsible for addiction and debilitating diseases. Nicotine is the "feel good" chemical that hooks millions to tobacco products. Thousands of other chemicals contained in tobacco and its smoke are responsible for diseases such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung diseases, diabetes and more. Though smoking is less prevalent in the United States than in Europe and has been declining for years, it is still responsible for 480,000 deaths a year in the country, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Some 13.7 per cent of all US adults are current cigarette smokers, according to CDC data. Reducing the nicotine content of cigarettes has been a topic under discussion for years among US authorities. Also Read: Goldman Sachs forecasts 30 per cent chance of US economy tipping into recession: Report Former FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb announced in 2017 that he wanted to move forward on the issue and funded a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2018 that found "reduced-nicotine cigarettes versus standard-nicotine cigarettes reduced nicotine exposure and dependence and the number of cigarettes smoked," as reported by AFP. The FDA found that if the policy were enacted in 2020, it would prevent eight million premature deaths from tobacco by 2100. The total economic cost of smoking is more than $300 billion a year, according to the CDC, including more than $225 billion in direct medical care for adults, and more than $156 billion in lost productivity due to premature death and exposure to secondhand smoke. (with inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

United States to drastically reduce nicotine content in cigarettes to reduce premature deaths: Reports

The top Unites States Army General, Mark Milley, has warned of an imminent civil war in Afghanistan, saying that the conditions are ripe for the “resurgence of terrorist groups” in the country.

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said if the Taliban cannot consolidate power, then al Qaeda and the Islamic State will most likely take control of the region.

“My military estimate... is that the conditions are likely to develop of a civil war,” Milley told Fox News.

He raised doubts whether the Taliban, who are yet to declare a government, would be able to consolidate power and establish effective governance in the region.

"I think there's at least a very good probability of a broader civil war and that will then, in turn, lead to conditions that could, in fact, lead to a reconstitution of al-Qaida or a growth of ISIS or other ... terrorist groups," Milley said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/genocide-in-making-afghan-ex-vp-calls-on-un-to-end-talibans-onslaught-into-panjshir-province-410875">'Genocide in making': Afghan ex-VP calls on UN to end 'Taliban’s onslaught into Panjshir province'</a>

Giving a bleak assessment of what could transpire in the upcoming months, he said, “The conditions are very likely that you could see a resurgence of terrorism coming out of that general region within 12, 24, 36 months.”

The comments from the top military officer come even as the Taliban and the resistance forces are battling to control the Panjshir Valley north of Kabul, the last Afghan province resisting the&nbsp;Islamist group.

Watch

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://13.235.153.162/videos/taliban-expected-to-announce-its-governing-council-in-the-coming-week-410857/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

There have been reports that 600 Taliban have been killed in Panjshir Valley while more than 1,000 Taliban have been captured. This comes after the Taliban claimed victory over the region.

A Taliban source said fighting was continuing in Panjshir but the advance had been slowed by landmines placed on the road to the capital Bazarak and the provincial governor's compound, reported Al Jazeera.

(With inputs from agencies)

The top Unites States Army General, Mark Milley, has warned of an imminent civil war in Afghanistan, saying that the conditions are ripe for the “resurgence of terrorist groups” in the country.

The top Unites States Army General, Mark Milley, has warned of an imminent civil war in Afghanistan, saying that the conditions are ripe for the “resurgence of terrorist groups” in the country. The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said if the Taliban cannot consolidate power, then al Qaeda and the Islamic State will most likely take control of the region. “My military estimate... is that the conditions are likely to develop of a civil war,” Milley told Fox News. He raised doubts whether the Taliban, who are yet to declare a government, would be able to consolidate power and establish effective governance in the region. "I think there's at least a very good probability of a broader civil war and that will then, in turn, lead to conditions that could, in fact, lead to a reconstitution of al-Qaida or a growth of ISIS or other ... terrorist groups," Milley said. Also read | 'Genocide in making': Afghan ex-VP calls on UN to end 'Taliban’s onslaught into Panjshir province' Giving a bleak assessment of what could transpire in the upcoming months, he said, “The conditions are very likely that you could see a resurgence of terrorism coming out of that general region within 12, 24, 36 months.” The comments from the top military officer come even as the Taliban and the resistance forces are battling to control the Panjshir Valley north of Kabul, the last Afghan province resisting the Islamist group. Watch There have been reports that 600 Taliban have been killed in Panjshir Valley while more than 1,000 Taliban have been captured. This comes after the Taliban claimed victory over the region. A Taliban source said fighting was continuing in Panjshir but the advance had been slowed by landmines placed on the road to the capital Bazarak and the provincial governor's compound, reported Al Jazeera. (With inputs from agencies)

Afghanistan: Top US General warns of civil war, says al Qaeda, ISIS may grow

A former white supremacist convicted of the 1996 murders of a family of three was put to death by lethal injection on Tuesday in the first federal execution in the United States in 17 years.

Daniel Lewis Lee, 47, was pronounced dead at 8:07 am (1207 GMT) at Terre Haute prison in the Midwestern state of Indiana, the Justice Department said.

Lee was the first of three federal inmates scheduled to die this week after President Donald Trump ordered a resumption of capital punishment at the federal level.

Lee and another man, Chevie Kehoe, were convicted in Arkansas in 1999 of the murders of gun dealer William Mueller, his wife, Nancy, and her eight-year-old daughter, Sarah.

According to prosecutors, the pair robbed Mueller to steal cash and guns to finance the founding of a white supremacist "Aryan Peoples Republic" in the Pacific Northwest.

"After robbing and shooting them with a stun gun, Lee duct-taped plastic bags around their heads, weighed down each victim with rocks, and drowned the family in the Illinois bayou," Attorney General William Barr said. "Today, Lee finally faced the justice he deserved."

Lee -- who had since renounced his white supremacist beliefs, according to his lawyers -- was sentenced to death while Kehoe received life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Lee, who was originally from Oklahoma, proclaimed his innocence in his final statement, according to a local newspaper, the Indianapolis Star.

"You're killing an innocent man," the paper quoted Lee as saying. "I bear no responsibility for the deaths of the Mueller family."

Lee's execution had been scheduled for Monday but was temporarily halted by a judge to allow for legal challenges to the drug that was to be used to put the federal inmates to death.

US District Judge Tanya Chutkan said the single drug, pentobarbital, may cause "extreme pain and needless suffering" -- and violate a constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment.

The Supreme Court, in a 5-4 ruling, lifted the lower court order overnight, however, and cleared the way for the federal executions.

A former white supremacist convicted of the 1996 murders of a family of three was put to death by lethal injection on Tuesday in the first federal execution in the United States in 17 years.

A former white supremacist convicted of the 1996 murders of a family of three was put to death by lethal injection on Tuesday in the first federal execution in the United States in 17 years. Daniel Lewis Lee, 47, was pronounced dead at 8:07 am (1207 GMT) at Terre Haute prison in the Midwestern state of Indiana, the Justice Department said. Lee was the first of three federal inmates scheduled to die this week after President Donald Trump ordered a resumption of capital punishment at the federal level. Lee and another man, Chevie Kehoe, were convicted in Arkansas in 1999 of the murders of gun dealer William Mueller, his wife, Nancy, and her eight-year-old daughter, Sarah. According to prosecutors, the pair robbed Mueller to steal cash and guns to finance the founding of a white supremacist "Aryan Peoples Republic" in the Pacific Northwest. "After robbing and shooting them with a stun gun, Lee duct-taped plastic bags around their heads, weighed down each victim with rocks, and drowned the family in the Illinois bayou," Attorney General William Barr said. "Today, Lee finally faced the justice he deserved." Lee -- who had since renounced his white supremacist beliefs, according to his lawyers -- was sentenced to death while Kehoe received life in prison without the possibility of parole. Lee, who was originally from Oklahoma, proclaimed his innocence in his final statement, according to a local newspaper, the Indianapolis Star. "You're killing an innocent man," the paper quoted Lee as saying. "I bear no responsibility for the deaths of the Mueller family." Lee's execution had been scheduled for Monday but was temporarily halted by a judge to allow for legal challenges to the drug that was to be used to put the federal inmates to death. US District Judge Tanya Chutkan said the single drug, pentobarbital, may cause "extreme pain and needless suffering" -- and violate a constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment. The Supreme Court, in a 5-4 ruling, lifted the lower court order overnight, however, and cleared the way for the federal executions.

US carries out first federal execution in 17 years

Citing its mission as "discriminatory" since only India's state carrier is allowed, US Transport department has asked Air India to halt the ongoing repatriation under ''Vande Bharat mission'' from the US.

Citing its mission as "discriminatory" since only India's state carrier is allowed, US Transport department has asked Air India to halt the ongoing repatriation under ''Vande Bharat mission'' from the US. The order said, "We are taking this action because the Government of India (GoI) has impaired the operating rights of US carriers and has engaged in discriminatory and restrictive practices with respect to US carrier services to and from India." The order will come into effect 30 days from the service date. The main plea of the US transport authority is that India has "imposed restriction" that prevents US airlines to conduct the flight operations and while noting that Air India is conducting "self-described evacuation", it has "gone beyond true evacuations". India began repatriation flights from US since May 18th and on 19th May, the matter was raised by the US with Air India. In fact, on 26th May, US airline Delta Airlines had requested permission from the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) to perform repatriation charter services similar to those provided by Air India but hasn't received approval. From June 10th and July 3rd, Air India advertised for 59 repatriation flights between India and the US which the order called as "Air India may be using its passenger repatriation charters as a way of circumventing the GoI-imposed prohibition of all scheduled services" and this creates, "competitive disadvantage for US carriers vis-à-vis Indian carriers". So far, the Indian government hasn't reacted to the development. The US government registered its objections with Indian govt regarding this "competitive imbalance" via its mission on 28th May. India announced the suspension of international flights from 25th March. The US transport department has also called for "close scrutiny" and will give prior approvals on "case by case basis" to Air India passenger charter operations. Before that Air India operated 34 round trips flights per week to the US.

Air India repatriation flights from US to be halted over 'unfair and discriminatory practices'

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday declared an emergency for Midland county after two dams breached and on expectations of extreme flooding, reported news agency Reuters.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday declared an emergency for Midland county after two dams breached and on expectations of extreme flooding, reported news agency Reuters. The county said two dams, Edenville and Sanford, have collapsed due to heavy rain in the past few days and residents nearby have been told to evacuate immediately, the report added. "In the next 12 to 15 hours, downtown Midland could be under approximately nine feet of water", the governor said in a news conference. About 3,500 homes and 10,000 people have so far been affected by the evacuation notices, CNN reported, quoting Mark Bone, Chairman of the Midland County Board of Commissioners. No injuries or deaths have been reported so far, CNN said, citing the chairman. Residents were also advised to seek higher ground as far as possible from the Tittabawassee river. Two rivers in Michigan, the Tittabawassee River in Midland and the Rifle River near Sterling, were in major flooding stage, the National Weather Service (NWS) said. The NWS also said it issued a flash flood emergency in locations downstream of the failed dams.

Emergency declared in Michigan after dams collapse; thousands evacuated

Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad has sought Pakistan's support for reducing violence in Afghanistan and accelerate the intra-Afghan dialogue, the US Embassy here said on Saturday.

Khalilzad discussed the Afghanistan peace process with Pakistan Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Friday.

During the discussion, he also asked for help to secure the release of American navy veteran-turned contractor Mark Frerichs, who went missing in Afghanistan.

The embassy said Khalilzad discussed the ongoing efforts by the US to advance the Afghan peace process.

He "sought Pakistan's support in pressing for a reduction in violence, the immediate start of intra-Afghan negotiations, and assistance in helping obtain the freedom of American Mark Frerichs", it said.

The embassy noted that Pakistan's military leaders reaffirmed their support for the US efforts.

Earlier, the Pakistan Army in a statement on Friday said during the meeting between Khalilzad and General Bajwa, issues of mutual interest and overall regional security situation, including Afghan reconciliation process, were discussed.

Khalilzad appreciated Pakistan's continuous efforts for peace and stability in the region, according to the Army statement.

The US and Taliban representatives signed a historic peace deal on February 29 in Doha and since then efforts were being made to start the intra-Afghan dialogue.&nbsp;

Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad has sought Pakistan's support for reducing violence in Afghanistan and accelerate the intra-Afghan dialogue, the US Embassy here said on Saturday.

Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad has sought Pakistan's support for reducing violence in Afghanistan and accelerate the intra-Afghan dialogue, the US Embassy here said on Saturday. Khalilzad discussed the Afghanistan peace process with Pakistan Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Friday. During the discussion, he also asked for help to secure the release of American navy veteran-turned contractor Mark Frerichs, who went missing in Afghanistan. The embassy said Khalilzad discussed the ongoing efforts by the US to advance the Afghan peace process. He "sought Pakistan's support in pressing for a reduction in violence, the immediate start of intra-Afghan negotiations, and assistance in helping obtain the freedom of American Mark Frerichs", it said. The embassy noted that Pakistan's military leaders reaffirmed their support for the US efforts. Earlier, the Pakistan Army in a statement on Friday said during the meeting between Khalilzad and General Bajwa, issues of mutual interest and overall regional security situation, including Afghan reconciliation process, were discussed. Khalilzad appreciated Pakistan's continuous efforts for peace and stability in the region, according to the Army statement. The US and Taliban representatives signed a historic peace deal on February 29 in Doha and since then efforts were being made to start the intra-Afghan dialogue.

US seeks Pakistan's help for intra-Afghan dialogue

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) thinks that secularism in India is under siege and India has been categorised as a 'tier-2 country'.&nbsp; It has been downgraded to the lowest rank possible.

Countries placed along with India are --&nbsp;North Korea, the world's most secretive state and prison masquerading as a country and China,&nbsp;a country with re-education camps for minorities,&nbsp;Iran,&nbsp;a nation which controls every aspect of its society and Pakistan --- a country which has left its minorities to die during this pandemic. India's equivalence to these regimes is outrageous.

But, for USCIRF the&nbsp;&nbsp;'steepest and most alarming deterioration' in religious conditions was in the largest thriving democracy in the world India.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has responded to these baseless charges and said that the panel is&nbsp;'biased and tendentious comments against India are not new... But on this occasion, its misrepresentation had reached new levels'

Describing the USCIRF's comments against India, "biased and tendentious" and "not new", the spokesperson said, "But on this occasion, its misrepresentation has reached new levels. It has not been able to carry its own Commissioners in its endeavour."

The government said that it regards it as "an organisation of particular concern and will treat it accordingly."

&nbsp;

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) thinks that secularism in India is under siege and India has been categorised as a 'tier-2 country'.

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) thinks that secularism in India is under siege and India has been categorised as a 'tier-2 country'. It has been downgraded to the lowest rank possible. Countries placed along with India are -- North Korea, the world's most secretive state and prison masquerading as a country and China, a country with re-education camps for minorities, Iran, a nation which controls every aspect of its society and Pakistan --- a country which has left its minorities to die during this pandemic. India's equivalence to these regimes is outrageous. But, for USCIRF the 'steepest and most alarming deterioration' in religious conditions was in the largest thriving democracy in the world India. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has responded to these baseless charges and said that the panel is 'biased and tendentious comments against India are not new... But on this occasion, its misrepresentation had reached new levels' Describing the USCIRF's comments against India, "biased and tendentious" and "not new", the spokesperson said, "But on this occasion, its misrepresentation has reached new levels. It has not been able to carry its own Commissioners in its endeavour." The government said that it regards it as "an organisation of particular concern and will treat it accordingly."

India slams USCIRF which accused India of violating religious freedom

The US must first get its own house in order before it gets 'particularly concerned' about India. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) report is soaked in hypocrisy. It's holier than thou attitude goes missing when it comes its own country.

A Washington Post report says how African Americans are dying at higher rates due to the coronavirus as they have been left at the mercy of America's health-care system which has long been shaped by racism. There's a disparity in the way they are being treated in comparison to their fellow Americans. They're working jobs that don't pay them if they don't physically show up.

There's an assumption that African Americans are immune to the flu and have been left to fend for themselves. They are also being forced to work to keep the business going. The result is these most mass-transit workers&nbsp;who are sick by the hundreds in new york are African-Americans.

When they show up at hospitals with signs of infections, they have to deal with biased 'white doctors'.&nbsp;Ethnic discrimination is being experienced by a large proportion of non-white surgical residents. Medical school graduates who are being discriminated against in surgical training. The north-western university in Chicago conducted a survey and its findings were published just yesterday. 23.7% of the respondents complained of discrimination based on race and religion.&nbsp;The rates were highest among African Americans at 70.7%, Asian -- 45.9%, and Hispanic 25.3%.&nbsp;

The discriminatory behaviours included biased evaluation of their work, being mistaken for another person of the same race and hurtful comments from patients and their families.

Is this not particularly concerning? Doesn't this violate&nbsp;USCIRF standards on identity-based discrimination?

Would the USCIRF dare to put its own country on such watch lists? If the answer is no then this body's campaign for international religious freedom is bogus. It has no right to give lessons in secularism to anybody -- certainly not to India.

The US must first get its own house in order before it gets 'particularly concerned' about India. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) report is soaked in hypocrisy.

The US must first get its own house in order before it gets 'particularly concerned' about India. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) report is soaked in hypocrisy. It's holier than thou attitude goes missing when it comes its own country. A Washington Post report says how African Americans are dying at higher rates due to the coronavirus as they have been left at the mercy of America's health-care system which has long been shaped by racism. There's a disparity in the way they are being treated in comparison to their fellow Americans. They're working jobs that don't pay them if they don't physically show up. There's an assumption that African Americans are immune to the flu and have been left to fend for themselves. They are also being forced to work to keep the business going. The result is these most mass-transit workers who are sick by the hundreds in new york are African-Americans. When they show up at hospitals with signs of infections, they have to deal with biased 'white doctors'. Ethnic discrimination is being experienced by a large proportion of non-white surgical residents. Medical school graduates who are being discriminated against in surgical training. The north-western university in Chicago conducted a survey and its findings were published just yesterday. 23.7% of the respondents complained of discrimination based on race and religion. The rates were highest among African Americans at 70.7%, Asian -- 45.9%, and Hispanic 25.3%. The discriminatory behaviours included biased evaluation of their work, being mistaken for another person of the same race and hurtful comments from patients and their families. Is this not particularly concerning? Doesn't this violate USCIRF standards on identity-based discrimination? Would the USCIRF dare to put its own country on such watch lists? If the answer is no then this body's campaign for international religious freedom is bogus. It has no right to give lessons in secularism to anybody -- certainly not to India.

US must set its house in order before accusing India of violating religious freedom

Iran will give a decisive response to any mistake by the United States in the Gulf, the Revolutionary Guards navy said in a statement on Sunday. The statement was published on the Guards' news site Sepah News.

Iran will give a decisive response to any mistake by the United States in the Gulf, the Revolutionary Guards navy said in a statement on Sunday. The statement was published on the Guards' news site Sepah News. The US military said on Wednesday that 11 vessels from the Revolutionary Guards navy had come dangerously close to US Navy and Coast Guard ships in the Gulf, calling the moves "dangerous and provocative". "We advise the Americans to follow international regulations and maritime protocols in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman and to refrain from any adventurism and false and fake stories," Sunday's statement from the Guards navy said. "They should be assured that the Revolutionary Guards navy and the powerful armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran sees the dangerous actions of foreigners in the region as a threat to national security and its red line and any error in calculation on their part will receive a decisive response." (With inputs from Reuters)

Iran will give a decisive response to any 'mistake' by US in the Gulf: Revolutionary Guards navy

With just 47 more fatalities including two casualties outside the Hubei province and 427 new cases, China has a reason to feel relieved. However, cases outside mainland China has soared in recent days.&nbsp;

In the US, two cases of unknown origin have been reported. One in Oregon and another in California. Both the patients have not visited any of the virus-hit countries. Neither have they been in contact with people having any sort of illnesses. These cases have triggered fears of community transmission and a possible outbreak in the country.

The US has also postponed a meeting of the ASEAN leaders in Las Vegas. Donald Trump was scheduled to host an ASEAN regional summit on March 14th but the country has decided to delay the meeting over fears of the coronavirus.&nbsp;

In Mexico, people were seen rushing to pharmacies and stacking up on face masks. Mexico reported 2 cases -- both involving men who visited Italy recently. They have been quarantined, and the government has asked people to maintain calm.&nbsp;

In Myanmar, the virus has hit factory workers. Factories in Myanmar are dependent on the supply chain in China and the closure of factories in China has rendered workers in Myanmar jobless.

Meanwhile, in China, officials are using the latest figures to say that the situation is improving on the ground but the quarantine measures are still in place and public gatherings including schools remain shut.

Businesses and factories, however, are slowly opening up -- mostly outside the Hubei province. In neighbouring North Korea, supreme leader Kim Jong Un has warned of serious consequences if the virus makes it to the country. Kim called for utmost discipline and ordered the closure of all channels through which the virus could enter North Korea.

The borders have already been sealed but the worry is the under-developed health infrastructure.&nbsp;

With just 47 more fatalities including two casualties outside the Hubei province and 427 new cases, China has a reason to feel relieved. However, cases outside mainland China has soared in recent days.

With just 47 more fatalities including two casualties outside the Hubei province and 427 new cases, China has a reason to feel relieved. However, cases outside mainland China has soared in recent days. In the US, two cases of unknown origin have been reported. One in Oregon and another in California. Both the patients have not visited any of the virus-hit countries. Neither have they been in contact with people having any sort of illnesses. These cases have triggered fears of community transmission and a possible outbreak in the country. The US has also postponed a meeting of the ASEAN leaders in Las Vegas. Donald Trump was scheduled to host an ASEAN regional summit on March 14th but the country has decided to delay the meeting over fears of the coronavirus. In Mexico, people were seen rushing to pharmacies and stacking up on face masks. Mexico reported 2 cases -- both involving men who visited Italy recently. They have been quarantined, and the government has asked people to maintain calm. In Myanmar, the virus has hit factory workers. Factories in Myanmar are dependent on the supply chain in China and the closure of factories in China has rendered workers in Myanmar jobless. Meanwhile, in China, officials are using the latest figures to say that the situation is improving on the ground but the quarantine measures are still in place and public gatherings including schools remain shut. Businesses and factories, however, are slowly opening up -- mostly outside the Hubei province. In neighbouring North Korea, supreme leader Kim Jong Un has warned of serious consequences if the virus makes it to the country. Kim called for utmost discipline and ordered the closure of all channels through which the virus could enter North Korea. The borders have already been sealed but the worry is the under-developed health infrastructure.

Coronavirus picks up steam outside China as US reports 2 cases of unknown origin of virus 

The Sri Lankan government has reacted strongly to the travel restrictions imposed by the US on the island nation`s Army chief Lt. General Shavendra Silva and his family over "credible" evidence of human rights violations in decades-long civil war, media reports said on Saturday.

In a statement on Friday night, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said: "The government of Sri Lanka takes strong objection to the imposition of travel restrictions on Lt. Gen. Silva and his immediate family members by the Us, based on independently unverified information."

The government reiterates that Lt. Gen. Silva was appointed as the Commander of the Army taking into account his seniority and that there were no substantiated or proven allegations of human rights violations against him, the Daily Financial Times quoted the statement as saying.

"His elevation as the Acting Chief of Defence Staff by the current President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was on account of his being the most senior serving military officer.

"The Sri Lankan government requests the US to verify the authenticity of the sources of information and to review its decision," the statement added.

 
The Us said on Friday it would refuse entry to Sri Lanka's army chief over "credible" evidence of human rights violations in the bloody 2009 finale to the civil war.

Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, whose appointment last year drew wide international criticism, will be ineligible to visit the United States, as will his immediate family, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said. 
&nbsp;

The Sri Lankan government has reacted strongly to the travel restrictions imposed by the US on the island nation`s Army chief Lt. General Shavendra Silva and his family over "credible" evidence of human rights violations in decades-long civil war, media reports said on Saturday.

The Sri Lankan government has reacted strongly to the travel restrictions imposed by the US on the island nation`s Army chief Lt. General Shavendra Silva and his family over "credible" evidence of human rights violations in decades-long civil war, media reports said on Saturday. In a statement on Friday night, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said: "The government of Sri Lanka takes strong objection to the imposition of travel restrictions on Lt. Gen. Silva and his immediate family members by the Us, based on independently unverified information." The government reiterates that Lt. Gen. Silva was appointed as the Commander of the Army taking into account his seniority and that there were no substantiated or proven allegations of human rights violations against him, the Daily Financial Times quoted the statement as saying. "His elevation as the Acting Chief of Defence Staff by the current President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was on account of his being the most senior serving military officer. "The Sri Lankan government requests the US to verify the authenticity of the sources of information and to review its decision," the statement added. The Us said on Friday it would refuse entry to Sri Lanka's army chief over "credible" evidence of human rights violations in the bloody 2009 finale to the civil war. Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, whose appointment last year drew wide international criticism, will be ineligible to visit the United States, as will his immediate family, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said.

Sri Lanka takes strong objection to US travel restrictions on army chief

The US State Department on Saturday said it welcomed news of a ceasefire in Northwest Syria - the last rebel bastion in the country - and urged for an end to attacks on civilians.

Last week Syrian media reported that the ceasefire would take place as long as rebel fighters implement the terms of a de-escalation agreement brokered last year by Russia and Turkey.

The wave of violence in northwest Syria since late April has killed more than 400 civilians and forced more than 440,000 to flee toward the Turkish border, according to the United Nations.

"The United States believes there can be no military solution to the Syrian conflict, and only a political solution can ensure a stable and secure future for all Syrians," the State Department said in a statement.

"We further believe the only viable path to a political solution is the UN-led political process in Geneva, including constitutional reform and UN-supervised elections," the statement said.

The United States will support the work of UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen and the United Nations to advance a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process that would create a permanent, peaceful, and political end to the conflict, the State Department added.

The region - including Idlib province and parts of nearby Hama - was part of the last major stronghold of armed opposition to President Bashar al-Assad, who has vowed to reclaim all of Syria.

The Department also commended efforts by Turkey and Russia to restore the ceasefire they agreed in September 2018.

The US State Department on Saturday said it welcomed news of a ceasefire in Northwest Syria - the last rebel bastion in the country - and urged for an end to attacks on civilians.

The US State Department on Saturday said it welcomed news of a ceasefire in Northwest Syria - the last rebel bastion in the country - and urged for an end to attacks on civilians. Last week Syrian media reported that the ceasefire would take place as long as rebel fighters implement the terms of a de-escalation agreement brokered last year by Russia and Turkey. The wave of violence in northwest Syria since late April has killed more than 400 civilians and forced more than 440,000 to flee toward the Turkish border, according to the United Nations. "The United States believes there can be no military solution to the Syrian conflict, and only a political solution can ensure a stable and secure future for all Syrians," the State Department said in a statement. "We further believe the only viable path to a political solution is the UN-led political process in Geneva, including constitutional reform and UN-supervised elections," the statement said. The United States will support the work of UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen and the United Nations to advance a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process that would create a permanent, peaceful, and political end to the conflict, the State Department added. The region - including Idlib province and parts of nearby Hama - was part of the last major stronghold of armed opposition to President Bashar al-Assad, who has vowed to reclaim all of Syria. The Department also commended efforts by Turkey and Russia to restore the ceasefire they agreed in September 2018.

US State Department welcomes news of ceasefire in northwest Syria

Turkey ignored US warnings as it continued Saturday to take delivery of Russia's S-400 missile defence system near Ankara, news agency AFP reported quoting&nbsp;a defence minstry statement.

"Delivery of S-400 Long Range Air and Missile Defence Systems resumed today," the statement said.

"The fourth Russian plane carrying S-400 parts landed at Murted Airport outside Ankara," it added.

The US fears that if Ankara integrates the S-400 into its defences, data about the US-built F-35 fighter jet could leak back to the Russians, and Washington has threatened to deny Turkey access to the stealth aircraft, the report added.

The western <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nato-concerned-by-turkeys-acquisition-of-russias-s-400-missile-defence-system-235300">defence alliance NATO</a>&nbsp;said Friday it was "concerned" by Turkey's acquisition of Russia's S-400 missile defence system after Ankara took delivery of its first batch.

The alliance has repeatedly warned Turkey that the Russian system is incompatible with other NATO weapons systems, not least the F-35 fighter jet.

Members of the US Congress have repeatedly voiced opposition to the move and threatened sanctions.

"President Erdogan was given a very clear choice. Unfortunately, he has clearly made the wrong one," said Eliot Engel and Michael McFaul, the top Democrat and Republican respectively on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Ankara rejects the US warnings, and on Friday, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told reporters: "We say this each time. This is a done deal. The process continues."

(With inputs from AFP)

Turkey ignored US warnings as it continued Saturday to take delivery of Russia's S-400 missile defence system near Ankara, news agency AFP reported quoting a defence minstry statement.

Turkey ignored US warnings as it continued Saturday to take delivery of Russia's S-400 missile defence system near Ankara, news agency AFP reported quoting a defence minstry statement. "Delivery of S-400 Long Range Air and Missile Defence Systems resumed today," the statement said. "The fourth Russian plane carrying S-400 parts landed at Murted Airport outside Ankara," it added. The US fears that if Ankara integrates the S-400 into its defences, data about the US-built F-35 fighter jet could leak back to the Russians, and Washington has threatened to deny Turkey access to the stealth aircraft, the report added. The western defence alliance NATO said Friday it was "concerned" by Turkey's acquisition of Russia's S-400 missile defence system after Ankara took delivery of its first batch. The alliance has repeatedly warned Turkey that the Russian system is incompatible with other NATO weapons systems, not least the F-35 fighter jet. Members of the US Congress have repeatedly voiced opposition to the move and threatened sanctions. "President Erdogan was given a very clear choice. Unfortunately, he has clearly made the wrong one," said Eliot Engel and Michael McFaul, the top Democrat and Republican respectively on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Ankara rejects the US warnings, and on Friday, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told reporters: "We say this each time. This is a done deal. The process continues." (With inputs from AFP)

Turkey ignores US warnings as it continues to take delivery of Russia's S-400

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-response-to-norway-mediation-will-resume-talks-with-maduro-government-in-barbados-guaido-233875">Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro</a> said Monday he was "optimistic" after dialogue between his government and the opposition resumed in Barbados.

The South American nation was plunged into political turmoil in January when National Assembly speaker <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/news-brief-big-stories-of-the-day-233881">Juan Guaido</a> declared himself acting president in a direct challenge to Maduro's authority.

The opposition leader is recognized by the United States and more than 50 other countries but has been unable to dislodge Venezuela's socialist leader, who is backed by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/what-is-behind-georgias-anti-russia-protests-233898">Russia</a>, China, and Cuba.

Delegations from both sides arrived in Barbados Monday morning to revive discussions after a previous round in Norway petered out.

"I am very optimistic... Today they had a five-hour session, and I think that step by step, with strategic patience, we can find a path to peace," Maduro said in a broadcast on the state television channel VTV.

Without giving details, he said that a six-point agenda was being discussed with "the whole country in mind."

"If you work with goodwill and there is no American interventionism, I am sure that we will reach an agreement," said Maduro, who blames the United States for fanning the crisis.

The Barbados talks will be the third round since the Oslo talks in May, although Guaido had originally said last Tuesday there were no plans to re-open talks with Maduro's "murderous dictatorship" following the death of an officer in custody over an alleged coup plot.

The suspicious death of retired naval officer Rafael Acosta Arevalo had sparked international condemnation.

Guido said Sunday he wants the talks to lead them towards Maduro's departure from the presidency he has held since 2013 to a transitional government, and then "free elections with international observers".

Ravaged by crises

Some members of the opposition oppose the Barbados talks, fearing they may reinvigorate Maduro, but Enrique Marquez, vice president of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rule-of-law-in-venezuela-eroded-un-rights-chief-233251">Venezuela</a>'s opposition-controlled National Assembly, said they are the best option.

"A violent solution... could generate a loss of governance even for a new government," he told AFP.

Along with the negotiations in Barbados, Guaido had a closed-door meeting on Monday in the capital Caracas with Enrique Iglesias, the European Union's special advisor for Venezuela.

Afterwards, Iglesias met with Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez.

"Iglesias has confirmed his commitment to the dialogue process," Rodriguez said on Twitter.

Oil-rich Venezuela has been ravaged by five years of recession marked by shortages of food, medicine, and other necessities, and the economic woes have been exacerbated by the political crisis.

Delegations representing the Venezuelan rivals met face-to-face in Oslo for the first time in late May, in a process begun two weeks earlier under Norwegian auspices to find a solution to the nation's multiple crises.

Maduro has repeatedly said that the dialogue will continue with the opposition "for peace in Venezuela."

Guido has called Maduro a "usurper" for staying in power after a 2018 election widely dismissed as a sham.

Meanwhile, Panamanian President Laurentino Cortizo stressed in a TV interview that military intervention is not the solution to the Venezuelan crisis, and offered his country's assistance in reaching a negotiated solution.

Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro said Monday he was "optimistic" after dialogue between his government and the opposition resumed in Barbados. The South American nation was plunged into political turmoil in January when National Assembly speaker Juan Guaido declared himself acting president in a direct challenge to Maduro's authority.

Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro said Monday he was "optimistic" after dialogue between his government and the opposition resumed in Barbados. The South American nation was plunged into political turmoil in January when National Assembly speaker Juan Guaido declared himself acting president in a direct challenge to Maduro's authority. The opposition leader is recognized by the United States and more than 50 other countries but has been unable to dislodge Venezuela's socialist leader, who is backed by Russia, China, and Cuba. Delegations from both sides arrived in Barbados Monday morning to revive discussions after a previous round in Norway petered out. "I am very optimistic... Today they had a five-hour session, and I think that step by step, with strategic patience, we can find a path to peace," Maduro said in a broadcast on the state television channel VTV. Without giving details, he said that a six-point agenda was being discussed with "the whole country in mind." "If you work with goodwill and there is no American interventionism, I am sure that we will reach an agreement," said Maduro, who blames the United States for fanning the crisis. The Barbados talks will be the third round since the Oslo talks in May, although Guaido had originally said last Tuesday there were no plans to re-open talks with Maduro's "murderous dictatorship" following the death of an officer in custody over an alleged coup plot. The suspicious death of retired naval officer Rafael Acosta Arevalo had sparked international condemnation. Guido said Sunday he wants the talks to lead them towards Maduro's departure from the presidency he has held since 2013 to a transitional government, and then "free elections with international observers". Ravaged by crises Some members of the opposition oppose the Barbados talks, fearing they may reinvigorate Maduro, but Enrique Marquez, vice president of Venezuela's opposition-controlled National Assembly, said they are the best option. "A violent solution... could generate a loss of governance even for a new government," he told AFP. Along with the negotiations in Barbados, Guaido had a closed-door meeting on Monday in the capital Caracas with Enrique Iglesias, the European Union's special advisor for Venezuela. Afterwards, Iglesias met with Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez. "Iglesias has confirmed his commitment to the dialogue process," Rodriguez said on Twitter. Oil-rich Venezuela has been ravaged by five years of recession marked by shortages of food, medicine, and other necessities, and the economic woes have been exacerbated by the political crisis. Delegations representing the Venezuelan rivals met face-to-face in Oslo for the first time in late May, in a process begun two weeks earlier under Norwegian auspices to find a solution to the nation's multiple crises. Maduro has repeatedly said that the dialogue will continue with the opposition "for peace in Venezuela." Guido has called Maduro a "usurper" for staying in power after a 2018 election widely dismissed as a sham. Meanwhile, Panamanian President Laurentino Cortizo stressed in a TV interview that military intervention is not the solution to the Venezuelan crisis, and offered his country's assistance in reaching a negotiated solution.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro 'optimistic' after opposition talks resume in Barbados

Pakistan needs to "deliver outcomes" to build confidence and trust between it and the US, the Trump administration has said.&nbsp;

The US also reiterated that nuclear proliferation was one of its top security concerns.

Pakistan itself, the secretary (of State Mike Pompeo) has emphasised the need (for Pakistan) to deliver outcomes and to build confidence and trust between our two nations and we do want to see a prosperous Pakistan that contributes positively towards regional stability and security, &nbsp;State Department Deputy Spokesperson Robert Palladino told reporters Tuesday at his biweekly news conference.

Palladino was answering a question on the recent remarks by Pompeo in which he identified Pakistan's nuclear proliferation as the third top national security concerns for the US.&nbsp;

Nuclear proliferation is one of the very first national security concerns articulated in our national security strategy. It's at the very top of the list, he said.&nbsp;

So that absolutely remains something that this administration thinks about often because the level of impact of what could happen is simply so great. So that remains at the very top of our national security considerations, Palladino said.

Pakistan, he said, could play an important role in bringing about a negotiated settlement in Afghanistan.&nbsp;

Pakistan and the EU Monday announced facilitating the start of a dialogue between the Afghan government and the Taliban to bring peace in Afghanistan.

The 4th Session of the Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue was held in Islamabad where Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and EU Foreign Policy and Security Chief Federica Mogherini led their respective sides.&nbsp;

Pakistan needs to "deliver outcomes" to build confidence and trust between it and the US, the Trump administration has said. The US also reiterated that nuclear proliferation was one of its top security concerns.

Pakistan needs to "deliver outcomes" to build confidence and trust between it and the US, the Trump administration has said. The US also reiterated that nuclear proliferation was one of its top security concerns. Pakistan itself, the secretary (of State Mike Pompeo) has emphasised the need (for Pakistan) to deliver outcomes and to build confidence and trust between our two nations and we do want to see a prosperous Pakistan that contributes positively towards regional stability and security, State Department Deputy Spokesperson Robert Palladino told reporters Tuesday at his biweekly news conference. Palladino was answering a question on the recent remarks by Pompeo in which he identified Pakistan's nuclear proliferation as the third top national security concerns for the US. Nuclear proliferation is one of the very first national security concerns articulated in our national security strategy. It's at the very top of the list, he said. So that absolutely remains something that this administration thinks about often because the level of impact of what could happen is simply so great. So that remains at the very top of our national security considerations, Palladino said. Pakistan, he said, could play an important role in bringing about a negotiated settlement in Afghanistan. Pakistan and the EU Monday announced facilitating the start of a dialogue between the Afghan government and the Taliban to bring peace in Afghanistan. The 4th Session of the Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue was held in Islamabad where Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and EU Foreign Policy and Security Chief Federica Mogherini led their respective sides.

Pakistan needs to deliver outcomes: Palladino

The foreign minister of US&nbsp;ally Bahrain has defended Australia's formal recognition of West Jerusalem as Israel's capital, saying the move would not affect a future Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital.

Australia's government announced the decision on Saturday, reversing decades of Middle East policy, but said it would not immediately move its embassy there.

The United States in May opened its embassy in Jerusalem.

The Arab League had issued a statement criticising the Australian decision as "blatantly biased towards the positions and policies of the Israeli occupation".

But Bahraini minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed al-Khalifa described the statement as "mere rhetoric and irresponsible".

"Australia's stance does not impact the legitimate Palestinian demands, first among them being East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine, and it does not contradict the Arab Peace Initiative," he tweeted on Saturday.

Sheikh Khalid has previously said Israel had the right to defend itself against Shi'ite Muslim Iran, which Bahrain blames for stoking unrest in the Sunni-ruled island state. Iran denies interfering in Bahrain.

The foreign minister of US ally Bahrain has defended Australia's formal recognition of West Jerusalem as Israel's capital, saying the move would not affect a future Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital.

The foreign minister of US ally Bahrain has defended Australia's formal recognition of West Jerusalem as Israel's capital, saying the move would not affect a future Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital. Australia's government announced the decision on Saturday, reversing decades of Middle East policy, but said it would not immediately move its embassy there. The United States in May opened its embassy in Jerusalem. The Arab League had issued a statement criticising the Australian decision as "blatantly biased towards the positions and policies of the Israeli occupation". But Bahraini minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed al-Khalifa described the statement as "mere rhetoric and irresponsible". "Australia's stance does not impact the legitimate Palestinian demands, first among them being East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine, and it does not contradict the Arab Peace Initiative," he tweeted on Saturday. Sheikh Khalid has previously said Israel had the right to defend itself against Shi'ite Muslim Iran, which Bahrain blames for stoking unrest in the Sunni-ruled island state. Iran denies interfering in Bahrain.

Bahrain foreign minister defends Australia's decision on Jerusalem

With a tougher round of US sanctions on Iran coming into effect from November 4, a top Trump administration official said Washington recognises India's need for significant oil imports and is having conversations to ensure there are alternative supplies of the fuel "so that our friend India's economy is not adversely affected".

Earlier this year, the US had withdrawn from the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal and reimposed a series of tough sanctions on Iran.&nbsp;

While the first phase of sanctions is already in place, the sanctions would come into full force on November 4 and the US expects all countries, including India, to bring down their import of Iranian oil to zero by then.

The US has made it clear that any country that continues to do business with Iran will be blocked from accessing the American banking and financial system.&nbsp;

However, the sanctions are not endorsed by the UN and it has been a traditional policy of India to enforce only UNSC-authorised sanctions.&nbsp;

Though India, one of the biggest importers of Iranian oil, has already reduced its import, it has indicated that it is unlikely to go down to zero given its massive energy needs.&nbsp;

"The United States is consulting with all of its friends and partners to discuss the implementation of the sanctions after the snapback...We recognise India has a need for significant oil imports. Part of the conversation is how to ensure that there are alternative supplies of oil so that our friend India's economy is not adversely affected," Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of South and Central Asia Region Alice Wells told.

She said Indian private sector firms are exploring new suppliers of crude oil and the conversation between the US and Indian experts continues on the implementation of the sanctions, adding that America looks forward to continuing what is a very constructive dialogue.

When asked about the impact of the US sanctions on projects such as the Chabahar project, Wells said the issue of Chabahar is under close review.&nbsp;

"We very much appreciate what India has done to provide both assistance to Afghanistan, including through using Chabahar Port for the delivery of wheat. We also very much appreciate what India has done to allow Afghanistan to diversify its trade relationships, and again Chabahar has played a role there. So those factors will certainly be taken under consideration," she said.&nbsp;

The Chabahar port is being considered a gateway to golden opportunities for trade by India, Iran and Afghanistan with central Asian countries besides ramping up trade among the three countries in the wake of Pakistan denying transit access to New Delhi.

In May 2016, India, Iran and Afghanistan had inked a pact which entailed the establishment of Transit and Transport Corridor among the three countries using Chabahar Port as one of the regional hubs for sea transportation in Iran, besides multi-modal transport of goods and passengers across the three nations.&nbsp;

With a tougher round of US sanctions on Iran coming into effect from November 4, a top Trump administration official said Washington recognises India's need for significant oil imports and is having conversations to ensure there are alternative supplies of the fuel "so that our friend India's economy is not adversely affected".

With a tougher round of US sanctions on Iran coming into effect from November 4, a top Trump administration official said Washington recognises India's need for significant oil imports and is having conversations to ensure there are alternative supplies of the fuel "so that our friend India's economy is not adversely affected". Earlier this year, the US had withdrawn from the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal and reimposed a series of tough sanctions on Iran. While the first phase of sanctions is already in place, the sanctions would come into full force on November 4 and the US expects all countries, including India, to bring down their import of Iranian oil to zero by then. The US has made it clear that any country that continues to do business with Iran will be blocked from accessing the American banking and financial system. However, the sanctions are not endorsed by the UN and it has been a traditional policy of India to enforce only UNSC-authorised sanctions. Though India, one of the biggest importers of Iranian oil, has already reduced its import, it has indicated that it is unlikely to go down to zero given its massive energy needs. "The United States is consulting with all of its friends and partners to discuss the implementation of the sanctions after the snapback...We recognise India has a need for significant oil imports. Part of the conversation is how to ensure that there are alternative supplies of oil so that our friend India's economy is not adversely affected," Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of South and Central Asia Region Alice Wells told. She said Indian private sector firms are exploring new suppliers of crude oil and the conversation between the US and Indian experts continues on the implementation of the sanctions, adding that America looks forward to continuing what is a very constructive dialogue. When asked about the impact of the US sanctions on projects such as the Chabahar project, Wells said the issue of Chabahar is under close review. "We very much appreciate what India has done to provide both assistance to Afghanistan, including through using Chabahar Port for the delivery of wheat. We also very much appreciate what India has done to allow Afghanistan to diversify its trade relationships, and again Chabahar has played a role there. So those factors will certainly be taken under consideration," she said. The Chabahar port is being considered a gateway to golden opportunities for trade by India, Iran and Afghanistan with central Asian countries besides ramping up trade among the three countries in the wake of Pakistan denying transit access to New Delhi. In May 2016, India, Iran and Afghanistan had inked a pact which entailed the establishment of Transit and Transport Corridor among the three countries using Chabahar Port as one of the regional hubs for sea transportation in Iran, besides multi-modal transport of goods and passengers across the three nations.

Exploring alternative oil supplies to 'our friend India': US 

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