The war in Ukraine has triggered a rise in the sale of weapons. Estimates say military spending could go up by 50% in the Next 5 years. The U.S. is one of the few countries benefiting from this rise in demand for weapons. Which are the rest? Listen in to Palki Sharma

Gravitas: Shares of defence companies soar amidst Ukraine war

&nbsp;A&nbsp;US&nbsp;representative&nbsp;will join a&nbsp;meeting&nbsp;with Chinese, Russian and Pakistan envoys on&nbsp;Afghanistan&nbsp;this week, Chinese foreign ministry said on Tuesday.

Chinese special envoy for&nbsp;Afghanistan&nbsp;Yue Xiaoyong will host this&nbsp;meeting, said Wang Wenbin, a ministry spokesman.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-communist-party-calls-united-states-culprit-behind-ukraine-crisis-466612">Chinese Communist Party calls United States 'culprit' behind Ukraine crisis</a>

US&nbsp;embassy in&nbsp;China&nbsp;did not immediately give a comment.

The envoys&nbsp;meeting&nbsp;takes place while foreign ministers from&nbsp;Afghanistan's neighbours&nbsp;meet on Wednesday and Thursday in the eastern Chinese province of Anhui, Wang said.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-hard-liners-turning-back-the-clock-in-afghanistan-466610">&nbsp;Taliban hardliners turning back the clock in Afghanistan</a>

The ministerial&nbsp;meeting&nbsp;will be chaired by&nbsp;China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi and&nbsp;attended by&nbsp;Afghanistan's acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi together with diplomats from Pakistan, Iran, Russia, Tajikstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Indonesia and Qatar.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas Global Headlines: Taliban issue new diktat

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A US representative will join a meeting with Chinese, Russian and Pakistan envoys on Afghanistan this week, Chinese foreign ministry said on Tuesday. Chinese special envoy for Afghanistan Yue Xiaoyong will host this meeting, said Wang Wenbin, a ministry spokesman.

A US representative will join a meeting with Chinese, Russian and Pakistan envoys on Afghanistan this week, Chinese foreign ministry said on Tuesday. Chinese special envoy for Afghanistan Yue Xiaoyong will host this meeting, said Wang Wenbin, a ministry spokesman. Also read | Chinese Communist Party calls United States 'culprit' behind Ukraine crisis US embassy in China did not immediately give a comment. The envoys meeting takes place while foreign ministers from Afghanistan's neighbours meet on Wednesday and Thursday in the eastern Chinese province of Anhui, Wang said. Also read | Taliban hardliners turning back the clock in Afghanistan The ministerial meeting will be chaired by China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi and attended by Afghanistan's acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi together with diplomats from Pakistan, Iran, Russia, Tajikstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Indonesia and Qatar. Watch | Gravitas Global Headlines: Taliban issue new diktat

China says U.S. representative will attend Afghanistan meeting in China

Seven Indian-origin persons have been charged by US federal authorities with insider trading in a scheme through which they made over a million dollars in illegal profits.

Hari Prasad Sure, 34, Lokesh Lagudu, 31 and Chotu Prabhu Tej Pulagam, 29, are friends and worked as software engineers at Twilio, a San Francisco-based cloud computing communications company, the Securities and Exchange Commission said Monday.

The complaint said Mr Sure tipped his close friend Dileep Kumar Reddy Kamujula, 35, who successfully traded in Twilio's options. Mr Lagudu similarly tipped his girlfriend Sai Nekkalapudi, 30 with whom he lived, and he also tipped his former roommate and close friend Abhishek Dharmapurikar, 33. Mr Pulagam tipped his brother Chetan Prabhu Pulagam, 31. All the seven defendants live in California.

The SEC announced insider trading charges against the seven individuals for allegedly generating more than USD 1 million in collective profits by insider trading ahead of Twilio's positive first quarter 2020 earnings announcement on May 6, 2020.

According to the SEC's complaint, Mr Sure, Mr Lagudu and Mr Chotu Pulagam had access to various databases relevant to Twilio's reporting of revenue.

As alleged, around March 2020, they learned through the databases that Twilio's customers had increased their usage of the company's products and services in response to health measures taken in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, and concluded in a joint chat that Twilio's stock price would "rise for sure."

The SEC's complaint alleges that despite receiving a company policy that prohibited them from insider trading, Mr Sure, Mr Lagudu and Mr Chotu Pulagam knowingly tipped off, or used the brokerage accounts of Mr Kamujula, Ms Nekkalapudi, Mr Dharmapurikar and Chetan Pulagam to trade Twilio options and stock in advance of its May 6, 2020 earnings announcement while in possession of the confidential information concerning customer usage.

According to the complaint, the scheme generated more than USD 1 million in illegal trading profits.

The SEC complaint said that Mr Sure, Mr Lagudu and Mr Chotu Pulagam "communicated at times in Telugu, a language used frequently in parts of India." From late March to early May 2020, they engaged in discussions about the upcoming earnings announcement within a private chat channel they created at Twilio.

"On several occasions between late March and early May 2020, before Twilio's public earnings announcement, Mr Sure, Mr Lagudu and Mr Chotu Pulagam used internal chat channels to discuss in Telugu whether Twilio might exceed market expectations in its quarterly report of earnings, due in May 2020."

The complaint said that "armed with valuable inside information", they had obtained from Twilio, Mr Sure, Mr Lagudu and Mr Chotu Pulagam began passing tips to their family and friends through phone calls and in-person visits in advance of Twilio's earnings announcement on May 6, 2020.

"We allege that this insider trading ring took advantage of valuable revenue information related to the pandemic at a San Francisco tech company," said Monique C. Winkler, Acting Regional Director of the SEC's San Francisco Regional Office.

"We are holding these alleged tippers and tippees accountable for their roles in the scheme." The SEC complaint added that Mr Kamujula, Ms Nekkalapudi, Mr Dharmapurikar, and Chetan Pulagam were themselves employees of other publicly traded companies, and they understood it was improper for the insiders to tip another person to trade securities on the basis of material, nonpublic information. Mr Sure, Mr Lagudu and Mr Chotu Pulagam used their friends and family to profit personally from their insider trading scheme and to avoid detection.

On May 4, 2020 (just two days before the scheduled Twilio earnings announcement), Mr Sure, Mr Pulagam, and Mr Chotu Pulagam discussed in the chat channel their anticipation that Twilio's stock price, which was then trading around USD 110 per share, would dramatically increase following the earnings announcement and readied themselves to sell their own company restricted stock units post-announcement.

"Sure noted "[l]ooks like [the stock price] is going to be $150," to which Chotu Pulagam responded "Millionaireeee," the complaint said.

The SEC's complaint, filed in the Northern District of California, charges each of the defendants with violating anti-fraud provisions of the Securities Exchange Act. The US Attorney's Office for the Northern District of California also announced criminal charges against Kamujula.

Seven Indian-origin persons have been charged by US federal authorities with insider trading in a scheme through which they made over a million dollars in illegal profits.

Seven Indian-origin persons have been charged by US federal authorities with insider trading in a scheme through which they made over a million dollars in illegal profits. Hari Prasad Sure, 34, Lokesh Lagudu, 31 and Chotu Prabhu Tej Pulagam, 29, are friends and worked as software engineers at Twilio, a San Francisco-based cloud computing communications company, the Securities and Exchange Commission said Monday. The complaint said Mr Sure tipped his close friend Dileep Kumar Reddy Kamujula, 35, who successfully traded in Twilio's options. Mr Lagudu similarly tipped his girlfriend Sai Nekkalapudi, 30 with whom he lived, and he also tipped his former roommate and close friend Abhishek Dharmapurikar, 33. Mr Pulagam tipped his brother Chetan Prabhu Pulagam, 31. All the seven defendants live in California. The SEC announced insider trading charges against the seven individuals for allegedly generating more than USD 1 million in collective profits by insider trading ahead of Twilio's positive first quarter 2020 earnings announcement on May 6, 2020. According to the SEC's complaint, Mr Sure, Mr Lagudu and Mr Chotu Pulagam had access to various databases relevant to Twilio's reporting of revenue. As alleged, around March 2020, they learned through the databases that Twilio's customers had increased their usage of the company's products and services in response to health measures taken in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, and concluded in a joint chat that Twilio's stock price would "rise for sure." The SEC's complaint alleges that despite receiving a company policy that prohibited them from insider trading, Mr Sure, Mr Lagudu and Mr Chotu Pulagam knowingly tipped off, or used the brokerage accounts of Mr Kamujula, Ms Nekkalapudi, Mr Dharmapurikar and Chetan Pulagam to trade Twilio options and stock in advance of its May 6, 2020 earnings announcement while in possession of the confidential information concerning customer usage. According to the complaint, the scheme generated more than USD 1 million in illegal trading profits. The SEC complaint said that Mr Sure, Mr Lagudu and Mr Chotu Pulagam "communicated at times in Telugu, a language used frequently in parts of India." From late March to early May 2020, they engaged in discussions about the upcoming earnings announcement within a private chat channel they created at Twilio. "On several occasions between late March and early May 2020, before Twilio's public earnings announcement, Mr Sure, Mr Lagudu and Mr Chotu Pulagam used internal chat channels to discuss in Telugu whether Twilio might exceed market expectations in its quarterly report of earnings, due in May 2020." The complaint said that "armed with valuable inside information", they had obtained from Twilio, Mr Sure, Mr Lagudu and Mr Chotu Pulagam began passing tips to their family and friends through phone calls and in-person visits in advance of Twilio's earnings announcement on May 6, 2020. "We allege that this insider trading ring took advantage of valuable revenue information related to the pandemic at a San Francisco tech company," said Monique C. Winkler, Acting Regional Director of the SEC's San Francisco Regional Office. "We are holding these alleged tippers and tippees accountable for their roles in the scheme." The SEC complaint added that Mr Kamujula, Ms Nekkalapudi, Mr Dharmapurikar, and Chetan Pulagam were themselves employees of other publicly traded companies, and they understood it was improper for the insiders to tip another person to trade securities on the basis of material, nonpublic information. Mr Sure, Mr Lagudu and Mr Chotu Pulagam used their friends and family to profit personally from their insider trading scheme and to avoid detection. On May 4, 2020 (just two days before the scheduled Twilio earnings announcement), Mr Sure, Mr Pulagam, and Mr Chotu Pulagam discussed in the chat channel their anticipation that Twilio's stock price, which was then trading around USD 110 per share, would dramatically increase following the earnings announcement and readied themselves to sell their own company restricted stock units post-announcement. "Sure noted "[l]ooks like [the stock price] is going to be $150," to which Chotu Pulagam responded "Millionaireeee," the complaint said. The SEC's complaint, filed in the Northern District of California, charges each of the defendants with violating anti-fraud provisions of the Securities Exchange Act. The US Attorney's Office for the Northern District of California also announced criminal charges against Kamujula.

7 Indian-origin techies booked insider trading worth $1 million in US

Art is a highly specialised field. Only experts get to become curators of art museums. But not anymore. Well, really as The Baltimore Museum of Art has given this job to 17 officers of its security team. &nbsp;

The exhibition named "Guarding the Art" displays 25 unique works, which have been selected by the members of the team. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/drinking-coffee-can-protect-heart-instead-of-triggering-ailments-help-to-live-longer-says-study-465642" hreflang="en">Drinking coffee can protect heart instead of triggering ailments, help to live longer, says study &nbsp;</a>

It is open from March 27 to July 10.&nbsp;The exhibition will give&nbsp;guests a glimpse into the world of art through the eyes of the guards, who watch over it.

So, wondering whose idea it was? The answer is Amy Elias, one of the museum's trustees. &nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;The US, allies discuss further oil release due to the rise in gas prices worldwide

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A conversation with a friend led to consider "how the guards spend more time with art than anyone else. And so, I went home at night and I thought, well, wouldn't it be interesting to hear from the guards about what pieces of work they find most meaningful?" Elias told CNN. &nbsp;

Rob Kempton, who has been a part of the BMA's security team since 2016, was elated at the opportunity. "I had never been a security guard before. But working at the BMA, being surrounded by art, was something that struck me as important," Kempton told CNN. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Art is a highly specialised field. Only experts get to become curators of art museums. But not anymore. Well, really as The Baltimore Museum of Art has given this job to 17 officers of its security team.

Art is a highly specialised field. Only experts get to become curators of art museums. But not anymore. Well, really as The Baltimore Museum of Art has given this job to 17 officers of its security team. The exhibition named "Guarding the Art" displays 25 unique works, which have been selected by the members of the team. Also Read: Drinking coffee can protect heart instead of triggering ailments, help to live longer, says study It is open from March 27 to July 10. The exhibition will give guests a glimpse into the world of art through the eyes of the guards, who watch over it. So, wondering whose idea it was? The answer is Amy Elias, one of the museum's trustees. Watch: The US, allies discuss further oil release due to the rise in gas prices worldwide × A conversation with a friend led to consider "how the guards spend more time with art than anyone else. And so, I went home at night and I thought, well, wouldn't it be interesting to hear from the guards about what pieces of work they find most meaningful?" Elias told CNN. Rob Kempton, who has been a part of the BMA's security team since 2016, was elated at the opportunity. "I had never been a security guard before. But working at the BMA, being surrounded by art, was something that struck me as important," Kempton told CNN. (With inputs from agencies)

Anything possible? Security guards turn art museum curators in US  

Chinese telecoms giant&nbsp;Huawei&nbsp;on Monday reported&nbsp;record&nbsp;profit&nbsp;for&nbsp;2021&nbsp;despite&nbsp;being heavily hit by US&nbsp;sanctions.

The Chinese telecom company has been caught in the crosshairs of the US-China trade and technology standoff, with the administration of former President Donald Trump moving to cripple it over cybersecurity and espionage concerns.

Chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou, also the daughter of CEO and founder Ren Zhengfei, appeared at a news conference in Shenzhen to publish the company's annual results for the first time since being held in Canada in 2018 on a US warrant.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/anything-possible-security-guards-turn-art-museum-curators-in-us-466239">Anything possible? Security guards turn art museum curators in US&nbsp;</a>

Huawei&nbsp;posted a&nbsp;net&nbsp;profit&nbsp;of 113.7 billion yuan ($17.8 billion) last year, a rise of 76 percent on-year, but revenue slumped by around 29 percent as it grappled with US&nbsp;sanctions&nbsp;aimed at blocking access to key technology and supplies.

"Despite&nbsp;a revenue decline in&nbsp;2021, our ability to make a&nbsp;profit&nbsp;and generate cash flows is increasing, and we are more capable of dealing with uncertainty," Meng said in a statement Monday.

The company attributes its profitability to "improved product portfolios and more efficient internal operations", with a rise in&nbsp;net&nbsp;profit&nbsp;margin even with gains from the sale of its budget phone brand Honor excluded.

Huawei, a supplier of telecom&nbsp;networking&nbsp;gear and smartphone brand, has been struggling since Trump in 2018 launched a campaign to contain the company.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-telecom-giant-huawei-reportedly-helping-russia-to-stabilise-internet-network-459936">Chinese telecom giant Huawei reportedly helping Russia to stabilise internet network</a>

Smartphone sales stalled after the US cut&nbsp;Huawei&nbsp;off from key parts and barred it from using Google's Android services.

Last year&nbsp;Huawei&nbsp;logged 243 billion yuan in consumer business sales -- almost 50 percent down from 2020.

Huawei&nbsp;has instead tried to shore up other parts of its business, refocusing on the Chinese market and diversifying to encompass enterprise and cloud computing, along with other business segments related to 5G networks.

Watch |&nbsp;High fuel fines for US automakers not meeting fuel economy rules

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Chinese telecoms giant Huawei on Monday reported record profit for 2021 despite being heavily hit by US sanctions. The Chinese telecom company has been caught in the crosshairs of the US-China trade and technology standoff, with the administration of former President Donald Trump moving to cripple it over cybersecurity and espionage concerns.

Chinese telecoms giant Huawei on Monday reported record profit for 2021 despite being heavily hit by US sanctions. The Chinese telecom company has been caught in the crosshairs of the US-China trade and technology standoff, with the administration of former President Donald Trump moving to cripple it over cybersecurity and espionage concerns. Chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou, also the daughter of CEO and founder Ren Zhengfei, appeared at a news conference in Shenzhen to publish the company's annual results for the first time since being held in Canada in 2018 on a US warrant. Also read | Anything possible? Security guards turn art museum curators in US Huawei posted a net profit of 113.7 billion yuan ($17.8 billion) last year, a rise of 76 percent on-year, but revenue slumped by around 29 percent as it grappled with US sanctions aimed at blocking access to key technology and supplies. "Despite a revenue decline in 2021, our ability to make a profit and generate cash flows is increasing, and we are more capable of dealing with uncertainty," Meng said in a statement Monday. The company attributes its profitability to "improved product portfolios and more efficient internal operations", with a rise in net profit margin even with gains from the sale of its budget phone brand Honor excluded. Huawei, a supplier of telecom networking gear and smartphone brand, has been struggling since Trump in 2018 launched a campaign to contain the company. Also read | Chinese telecom giant Huawei reportedly helping Russia to stabilise internet network Smartphone sales stalled after the US cut Huawei off from key parts and barred it from using Google's Android services. Last year Huawei logged 243 billion yuan in consumer business sales -- almost 50 percent down from 2020. Huawei has instead tried to shore up other parts of its business, refocusing on the Chinese market and diversifying to encompass enterprise and cloud computing, along with other business segments related to 5G networks. Watch | High fuel fines for US automakers not meeting fuel economy rules

Huawei reports record net profit in 2021 despite US sanctions

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Friday added Russia's AO&nbsp;Kaspersky&nbsp;Lab,&nbsp;China&nbsp;Telecom&nbsp;(Americas) Corp and&nbsp;China&nbsp;Mobile International&nbsp;USA to its&nbsp;list&nbsp;of communications equipment and service providers deemed&nbsp;threats to&nbsp;U.S.&nbsp;national&nbsp;security.

The regulator last year designated five Chinese companies including Huawei Technologies Co and ZTE Corp as the first&nbsp;firms&nbsp;on the&nbsp;list, which was mandated under a 2019 law.&nbsp;Kaspersky&nbsp;is the first Russian company&nbsp;listed.

FCC&nbsp;Commissioner Brendan Carr said the new designations "will help secure our networks from&nbsp;threats posed by Chinese and Russian state-backed entities seeking to engage in espionage and otherwise harm America’s interests."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-cancels-license-of-china-owned-telecom-company-462991">US cancels license of China-owned telecom company</a>

U.S. officials have long said that running&nbsp;Kaspersky&nbsp;software could open American networks to malign activity from Moscow and banned&nbsp;Kaspersky's flagship antivirus product from federal networks in 2017. Moscow-based&nbsp;Kaspersky&nbsp;has consistently denied being a tool of the Russian government,

In naming&nbsp;Kaspersky, the&nbsp;FCC&nbsp;announcement did not cite Russia's invasion of Ukraine or recent warnings by President Joe Biden of potential cyberattacks by Russia in response to&nbsp;U.S. sanctions and support of Ukraine.

Kaspersky&nbsp;said in a statement that it was disappointed in the&nbsp;FCC&nbsp;decision, arguing it was "made on political grounds." The move was “unsubstantiated and is a response to the geopolitical climate rather than a comprehensive evaluation of the integrity of&nbsp;Kaspersky’s products and services," the company said.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington said Friday that the&nbsp;FCC&nbsp;"abused state power and maliciously attacked Chinese&nbsp;telecom&nbsp;operators again without factual basis. The&nbsp;U.S. should immediately stop its unreasonable suppression of Chinese companies.

"China&nbsp;will take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies," it added.

The Chinese companies did not immediately comment.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-telecom-giant-huawei-reportedly-helping-russia-to-stabilise-internet-network-459936">Chinese telecom giant Huawei reportedly helping Russia to stabilise internet network</a>

In October, the&nbsp;FCC&nbsp;revoked the&nbsp;U.S. authorization for&nbsp;China&nbsp;Telecom&nbsp;(Americas), saying it "is subject to exploitation, influence and control by the Chinese government."&nbsp;

The&nbsp;FCC&nbsp;cited its prior decisions to deny or revoke the Chinese&nbsp;telecom&nbsp;companies' ability to operate in United States in its decision to add them to the&nbsp;threat&nbsp;list.

The&nbsp;FCC&nbsp;also revoked the&nbsp;U.S. authorizations of&nbsp;China&nbsp;Unicom and Pacific Networks and its wholly owned subsidiary ComNet.

In 2019, the&nbsp;FCC&nbsp;rejected&nbsp;China&nbsp;Mobile's bid to provide&nbsp;U.S.&nbsp;telecommunications services, citing&nbsp;national&nbsp;security&nbsp;risks.

Inclusion on the "covered&nbsp;list" means money from the&nbsp;FCC’s $8 billion annual Universal Service Fund may not be used to purchase or maintain products from the companies. The fund supports&nbsp;telecommunications for rural areas, low-income consumers, and facilities such as schools, libraries and hospitals.

The&nbsp;FCC&nbsp;last year also named Hytera Communications, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology and Dahua Technology as&nbsp;security&nbsp;threats.

FCC&nbsp;Chair Jessica Rosenworcel said the agency worked closely with&nbsp;U.S.&nbsp;national&nbsp;security&nbsp;agencies to update the&nbsp;list&nbsp;and will add additional companies if warranted.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: YouTube blocks WION for reporting Russian statement

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The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Friday added Russia's AO Kaspersky Lab, China Telecom (Americas) Corp and China Mobile International USA to its list of communications equipment and service providers deemed threats to U.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Friday added Russia's AO Kaspersky Lab, China Telecom (Americas) Corp and China Mobile International USA to its list of communications equipment and service providers deemed threats to U.S. national security. The regulator last year designated five Chinese companies including Huawei Technologies Co and ZTE Corp as the first firms on the list, which was mandated under a 2019 law. Kaspersky is the first Russian company listed. FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr said the new designations "will help secure our networks from threats posed by Chinese and Russian state-backed entities seeking to engage in espionage and otherwise harm America’s interests." Also read | US cancels license of China-owned telecom company U.S. officials have long said that running Kaspersky software could open American networks to malign activity from Moscow and banned Kaspersky's flagship antivirus product from federal networks in 2017. Moscow-based Kaspersky has consistently denied being a tool of the Russian government, In naming Kaspersky, the FCC announcement did not cite Russia's invasion of Ukraine or recent warnings by President Joe Biden of potential cyberattacks by Russia in response to U.S. sanctions and support of Ukraine. Kaspersky said in a statement that it was disappointed in the FCC decision, arguing it was "made on political grounds." The move was “unsubstantiated and is a response to the geopolitical climate rather than a comprehensive evaluation of the integrity of Kaspersky’s products and services," the company said. The Chinese Embassy in Washington said Friday that the FCC "abused state power and maliciously attacked Chinese telecom operators again without factual basis. The U.S. should immediately stop its unreasonable suppression of Chinese companies. "China will take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies," it added. The Chinese companies did not immediately comment. Also read | Chinese telecom giant Huawei reportedly helping Russia to stabilise internet network In October, the FCC revoked the U.S. authorization for China Telecom (Americas), saying it "is subject to exploitation, influence and control by the Chinese government." The FCC cited its prior decisions to deny or revoke the Chinese telecom companies' ability to operate in United States in its decision to add them to the threat list. The FCC also revoked the U.S. authorizations of China Unicom and Pacific Networks and its wholly owned subsidiary ComNet. In 2019, the FCC rejected China Mobile's bid to provide U.S. telecommunications services, citing national security risks. Inclusion on the "covered list" means money from the FCC’s $8 billion annual Universal Service Fund may not be used to purchase or maintain products from the companies. The fund supports telecommunications for rural areas, low-income consumers, and facilities such as schools, libraries and hospitals. The FCC last year also named Hytera Communications, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology and Dahua Technology as security threats. FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel said the agency worked closely with U.S. national security agencies to update the list and will add additional companies if warranted. Watch | Gravitas: YouTube blocks WION for reporting Russian statement

US FCC adds Russia's Kaspersky, China telecom firms to national security threat list

The White House's deputy&nbsp;spokeswoman&nbsp;said Sunday she has tested&nbsp;positive&nbsp;for&nbsp;Covid-19 following a trip to Europe with President Joe&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;that she only joined because the senior press secretary canceled after getting her own&nbsp;positive&nbsp;test.

The announcement by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was the latest in a string of&nbsp;Covid&nbsp;cases among people who have spent time with&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;or people around him.

Jean-Pierre said she had a&nbsp;positive&nbsp;PCR test after returning in the early hours of Sunday to the United States with&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;from Brussels and Poland. But she said the president, who has been vaccinated and boosted, was not in danger.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/president-biden-not-seeking-regime-change-in-russia-clarifies-white-house-465824">&nbsp;President Biden not seeking regime change in Russia, clarifies White House</a>

"This afternoon... I took a PCR test. That test came back&nbsp;positive. I last saw the president during a socially distanced meeting yesterday, and the president is not considered a close contact as defined by CDC guidance," she said in a statement.

"I am sharing the news of my&nbsp;positive&nbsp;test today out of an abundance of transparency," said Jean-Pierre, who added that she is experiencing "mild symptoms" and has been fully vaccinated.

Last Tuesday, on the eve of&nbsp;Biden's departure, Press Secretary Jen Psaki announced she had received a&nbsp;positive&nbsp;Covid&nbsp;test. This required Jean-Pierre to fill in for Psaki on the high-profile trip, which included a series of summits in Belgium and a visit with US troops and Ukrainian refugees in Poland.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wary-of-escalation-france-calls-for-restraint-after-bidens-butcher-jibe-466052">Wary of escalation, France calls for restraint after Biden's 'butcher' jibe</a>

Earlier this month,&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;attended a dinner in Washington where he met with Ireland's prime minister, Micheal Martin, who then abruptly left the gala after being informed of a&nbsp;positive&nbsp;Covid&nbsp;test.

The White House said that&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;had not spent enough time with Martin to be at risk and did not require more frequent testing.

Shortly before Martin's case, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, who regularly sees&nbsp;Biden, also tested&nbsp;positive&nbsp;for&nbsp;Covid-19.

Watch |&nbsp;Biden admin's course-correction over 'regime change in Russia' remark

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The White House's deputy spokeswoman said Sunday she has tested positive for Covid-19 following a trip to Europe with President Joe Biden that she only joined because the senior press secretary canceled after getting her own positive test.

The White House's deputy spokeswoman said Sunday she has tested positive for Covid-19 following a trip to Europe with President Joe Biden that she only joined because the senior press secretary canceled after getting her own positive test. The announcement by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was the latest in a string of Covid cases among people who have spent time with Biden or people around him. Jean-Pierre said she had a positive PCR test after returning in the early hours of Sunday to the United States with Biden from Brussels and Poland. But she said the president, who has been vaccinated and boosted, was not in danger. Also read | President Biden not seeking regime change in Russia, clarifies White House "This afternoon... I took a PCR test. That test came back positive. I last saw the president during a socially distanced meeting yesterday, and the president is not considered a close contact as defined by CDC guidance," she said in a statement. "I am sharing the news of my positive test today out of an abundance of transparency," said Jean-Pierre, who added that she is experiencing "mild symptoms" and has been fully vaccinated. Last Tuesday, on the eve of Biden's departure, Press Secretary Jen Psaki announced she had received a positive Covid test. This required Jean-Pierre to fill in for Psaki on the high-profile trip, which included a series of summits in Belgium and a visit with US troops and Ukrainian refugees in Poland. Also read | Wary of escalation, France calls for restraint after Biden's 'butcher' jibe Earlier this month, Biden attended a dinner in Washington where he met with Ireland's prime minister, Micheal Martin, who then abruptly left the gala after being informed of a positive Covid test. The White House said that Biden had not spent enough time with Martin to be at risk and did not require more frequent testing. Shortly before Martin's case, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, who regularly sees Biden, also tested positive for Covid-19. Watch | Biden admin's course-correction over 'regime change in Russia' remark

Another Biden spokeswoman tests positive for Covid

In this conversation with Strategic Analyst, John Erath said, "Russia is trying to create North, South Korea like divide in Ukraine". Watch this exclusive conversation on WION.

Day 32 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine: Is Moscow changing its strategy?

In an accident, a man was killed after he rammed his car into an 11-feet-long&nbsp;alligator in Florida, the United States. &nbsp;

The mishap occurred after midnight on Thursday, as per a statement of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-police-departments-take-pledge-to-raise-women-staff-to-30-by-2030-465955" hreflang="en">US police departments take pledge to raise women staff to 30% by 2030</a>

The driver, 59-year-old John Hopkins, was going east on County Road 672 in Lithia, which is about two miles west of County Road 39, when he accidently struck the alligator in the roadway. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The collision made the vehicle go off the road and fall into a ditch. A passing driver noticed the accident and called 911, the sheriff's office said. &nbsp;

When detectives arrived at the scene, Hopkins and the alligator were both dead. &nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;US&nbsp;Secretary of State Antony Blinken highlights Israel's role in the Russia-Ukraine conflict

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In US, Florida and Louisiana have the largest alligator populations. Around 1.3 million wild alligators are present in Florida alone, as per the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A representative of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office told CNN that car crashes involving alligators are "not common." &nbsp;

A standard fatal crash investigation will also be conducted by the sheriff's office to determine what factors may have led to the accident. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

In an accident, a man was killed after he rammed his car into an 11-feet-long alligator in Florida, the United States. The mishap occurred after midnight on Thursday, as per a statement of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.

In an accident, a man was killed after he rammed his car into an 11-feet-long alligator in Florida, the United States. The mishap occurred after midnight on Thursday, as per a statement of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. Also Read: US police departments take pledge to raise women staff to 30% by 2030 The driver, 59-year-old John Hopkins, was going east on County Road 672 in Lithia, which is about two miles west of County Road 39, when he accidently struck the alligator in the roadway. The collision made the vehicle go off the road and fall into a ditch. A passing driver noticed the accident and called 911, the sheriff's office said. When detectives arrived at the scene, Hopkins and the alligator were both dead. Watch: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken highlights Israel's role in the Russia-Ukraine conflict × In US, Florida and Louisiana have the largest alligator populations. Around 1.3 million wild alligators are present in Florida alone, as per the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. A representative of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office told CNN that car crashes involving alligators are "not common." A standard fatal crash investigation will also be conducted by the sheriff's office to determine what factors may have led to the accident. (With inputs from agencies)

After ramming car into 11-feet-long alligator on roadway, 59-year-old man dies in US

With an aim to raise the representation of women in ranks to 30% by 2030, Memphis Police Department and the New York State Police have taken a pledge recently. &nbsp;

These agencies joined a coalition of 150 law enforcement agencies in the US and Canada, who had taken the oath last year. &nbsp;

The two departments took the initiative on the one-year anniversary of the endeavour on Friday. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iditarod-trail-sled-dog-race-3-mushers-shelter-dogs-in-winter-storm-get-penalised-465923" hreflang="en">'Iditarod Trail Sled Dog' race: 3 mushers shelter canines in winter storm, get penalised &nbsp;</a>

The 30×30 Initiative is a coalition of researchers, police leaders and professional organisations. It aims to spike the representation of women in police recruit classes to 30% by 2030. It also looks to ensure that policing culture and policies support women throughout their careers. &nbsp;

In recent weeks, four other police departments, such as Fresno, California; the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington DC; Indiana University at Bloomington; and the city of Bloomington in Indiana, took the pledge, as per Kym Craven, executive director, National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE). &nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;US&nbsp;Secretary of State Antony Blinken highlights Israel's role in the Russia-Ukraine conflict

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The initiative is also affiliated with NAWLEE and the Policing Project at NYU School of Law. &nbsp;

“We started this with really no funding and just sheer will. We’ve now attracted some funding and we’re expanding our programming as a result of that. They come in steadily and we’re getting a real big diversity of agencies signing on now. Even smaller agencies are seeing that they can join the pledge,” Craven said. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

With an aim to raise the representation of women in ranks to 30% by 2030, Memphis Police Department and the New York State Police have taken a pledge recently. These agencies joined a coalition of 150 law enforcement agencies in the US and Canada, who had taken the oath last year.

With an aim to raise the representation of women in ranks to 30% by 2030, Memphis Police Department and the New York State Police have taken a pledge recently. These agencies joined a coalition of 150 law enforcement agencies in the US and Canada, who had taken the oath last year. The two departments took the initiative on the one-year anniversary of the endeavour on Friday. Also Read: 'Iditarod Trail Sled Dog' race: 3 mushers shelter canines in winter storm, get penalised The 30×30 Initiative is a coalition of researchers, police leaders and professional organisations. It aims to spike the representation of women in police recruit classes to 30% by 2030. It also looks to ensure that policing culture and policies support women throughout their careers. In recent weeks, four other police departments, such as Fresno, California; the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington DC; Indiana University at Bloomington; and the city of Bloomington in Indiana, took the pledge, as per Kym Craven, executive director, National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE). Watch: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken highlights Israel's role in the Russia-Ukraine conflict × The initiative is also affiliated with NAWLEE and the Policing Project at NYU School of Law. “We started this with really no funding and just sheer will. We’ve now attracted some funding and we’re expanding our programming as a result of that. They come in steadily and we’re getting a real big diversity of agencies signing on now. Even smaller agencies are seeing that they can join the pledge,” Craven said. (With inputs from agencies)

US police departments take pledge to raise women staff to 30% by 2030

The U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Israel at present for attending 'landmark' talks. Iran Nuclear deal is also on the agenda.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken highlights Israel's role in the Russia-Ukraine conflict

The U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's statement on Arab-Israeli relations

The U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Israel for 'landmark' talks

US&nbsp;Special Envoy for&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;Robert Malley said on Sunday that he was not confident that a&nbsp;nuclear&nbsp;deal&nbsp;between world powers and&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;was imminent after 11 months of talks in Vienna that have stalled.

"I can't be confident it is imminent.. a few months ago we thought we were pretty close as well," Malley said at the Doha Forum international conference.

"The sooner we get back into the&nbsp;deal, which is in our interest, and presumably&nbsp;Iran's interest, the more faithfully we implement it."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/top-10-world-news-eu-says-nuclear-agreement-with-iran-very-close-and-more-465755">Top 10 world news: EU says nuclear agreement with Iran very close and more</a>

His assessment of negotiations in Vienna to revive a 2015&nbsp;nuclear&nbsp;accord seemed to contradict Kamal Kharrazi, a senior advisor to&nbsp;Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

"Yes, it's imminent. It depends on the political will of the United States," Kharrazi told the conference.

Then-US&nbsp;President Donald Trump abandoned the pact in 2018, prompting Tehran to start violating its&nbsp;nuclear&nbsp;limits about a year later, and months of on-and-off talks to revive it paused in Vienna earlier this month after Russia presented a new obstacle.

Russia later said it had received written guarantees that it would be able to carry out its work as a party to the&nbsp;deal, suggesting Moscow could allow it to be resuscitated.

The failure of efforts to restore the pact could carry the risk of a regional war, or lead to more harsh Western sanctions on&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;and continued upward pressure on world oil prices that are already high due to the Ukraine conflict, analysts say.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nuclear-agreement-with-iran-very-close-says-eu-465690">Nuclear agreement with Iran very close, says EU</a>

Kharrazi said it was vital for Washington to remove the foreign terrorist organisation (FTO) designation against&nbsp;Iran's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

"IRGC is a national army and a national army being listed as a terrorist group certainly is not acceptable," he said.

Tehran has also been pushing for guarantees that any future US&nbsp;president would not withdraw from the&nbsp;deal, which would curb Tehran's&nbsp;nuclear&nbsp;programme in exchange for lifting tough sanctions which have hammered&nbsp;Iran's economy.

The extent to which sanctions would be rolled back is another sensitive subject.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Will Russia scuttle Iran nuclear deal?

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US Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley said on Sunday that he was not confident that a nuclear deal between world powers and Iran was imminent after 11 months of talks in Vienna that have stalled.

US Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley said on Sunday that he was not confident that a nuclear deal between world powers and Iran was imminent after 11 months of talks in Vienna that have stalled. "I can't be confident it is imminent.. a few months ago we thought we were pretty close as well," Malley said at the Doha Forum international conference. "The sooner we get back into the deal, which is in our interest, and presumably Iran's interest, the more faithfully we implement it." Also read | Top 10 world news: EU says nuclear agreement with Iran very close and more His assessment of negotiations in Vienna to revive a 2015 nuclear accord seemed to contradict Kamal Kharrazi, a senior advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. "Yes, it's imminent. It depends on the political will of the United States," Kharrazi told the conference. Then-US President Donald Trump abandoned the pact in 2018, prompting Tehran to start violating its nuclear limits about a year later, and months of on-and-off talks to revive it paused in Vienna earlier this month after Russia presented a new obstacle. Russia later said it had received written guarantees that it would be able to carry out its work as a party to the deal, suggesting Moscow could allow it to be resuscitated. The failure of efforts to restore the pact could carry the risk of a regional war, or lead to more harsh Western sanctions on Iran and continued upward pressure on world oil prices that are already high due to the Ukraine conflict, analysts say. Also read | Nuclear agreement with Iran very close, says EU Kharrazi said it was vital for Washington to remove the foreign terrorist organisation (FTO) designation against Iran's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). "IRGC is a national army and a national army being listed as a terrorist group certainly is not acceptable," he said. Tehran has also been pushing for guarantees that any future US president would not withdraw from the deal, which would curb Tehran's nuclear programme in exchange for lifting tough sanctions which have hammered Iran's economy. The extent to which sanctions would be rolled back is another sensitive subject. Watch | Gravitas: Will Russia scuttle Iran nuclear deal?

US envoy not confident Iran nuclear deal is imminent

The Taliban have reversed a decision to allow teenage girls back to secondary school despite repeated assurances they could resume classes from Wednesday. Now, US has cancelled Doha meet due to this decision of Taliban.

US cancels Doha meet after Taliban close school for girls

The United States called on Friday for&nbsp;tougher&nbsp;international&nbsp;sanctions&nbsp;against&nbsp;North Korea at the&nbsp;UN&nbsp;Security&nbsp;Council, accusing Pyongyang of "increasingly dangerous provocations" after it test-fired its largest-ever intercontinental ballistic missile.

"The United States&nbsp;calls&nbsp;on all member states to fully implement the existing&nbsp;Security&nbsp;Council&nbsp;resolutions," US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said during the meeting convened to discuss North Korea.

"Because of DPRK's increasingly dangerous provocations, the United States will be introducing a...&nbsp;Security&nbsp;Council&nbsp;resolution to update and strengthen the&nbsp;sanctions&nbsp;regime" that was adopted in December 2017, she said, using the official acronym for North Korea.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/north-korea-tests-new-icbm-465382">In Pics: What is new ICBM tested by North Korea giving sleepless nights to US</a>

At the time "the&nbsp;council&nbsp;decided we would take further action in the event of a DPRK ICBM launch," Thomas-Greenfield said.

"This is precisely what happened. So now is the time to take that action."

The unanimously adopted text was voted on a month after Pyongyang fired its last previous intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the Hwasong-15, which was deemed powerful enough to reach the continental United States.

Following Friday's meeting, a group of 15 nations including permanent&nbsp;Security&nbsp;Council&nbsp;members Britain, France and the US -- but minus China and Russia -- released a joint statement condemning Pyongyang's latest launch "in the strongest terms" and warning it "poses a threat" to the entire international community.

"The DPRK is demonstrating its determination to continue advancing its weapons program as it escalates its provocative behavior -- and yet the&nbsp;Council&nbsp;has remained silent," said the countries, which include non-permanent&nbsp;Security&nbsp;Council&nbsp;members Brazil, Ireland and Norway, as well as Germany, Japan and South Korea.

The statement urged&nbsp;UN&nbsp;states, especially&nbsp;Security&nbsp;Council&nbsp;members, "to join us in condemning this behavior and in urging the DPRK to abandon its weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs and engage in diplomacy toward denuclearization."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-north-koreas-goes-hollywood-in-new-missile-launch-video-twitteratis-give-it-top-gun-spin-465464">Watch: North Korea goes Hollywood in new missile launch video, Twitterati give it a ‘Top Gun’ spin</a>

China addressed the&nbsp;Security&nbsp;Council&nbsp;meeting and urged "prudence and reason" regarding North Korea.

"All is not quiet on the international front. No parties should take any action that would lead to greater tensions," China's&nbsp;UN&nbsp;ambassador Zhang Jun said.

Russia, for its part, warned&nbsp;against&nbsp;following Washington's lead on tightening&nbsp;sanctions.

Deputy Russian envoy to the&nbsp;UN&nbsp;Anna Evstigneeva said Moscow believes that doing so would "go beyond the framework of cutting off financing" for the DPRK missile and nuclear programs and would "threaten North Korean citizens with unacceptable socio-economic and humanitarian problems."

In 2018, North Korean leader Kim Jong&nbsp;Un&nbsp;formalized a moratorium on nuclear testing and long-range ballistic missile launches, stating that his goals had been met and proclaiming his country a fully nuclear state.

He nonetheless personally supervised Thursday's launch, which state media outlet KCNA reported was meant to ensure the country is ready for "long-standing confrontation" with the United States.

The Group of Seven nations and the EU on Friday condemned what they said was North Korea's "blatant violation" of its obligations under&nbsp;Security&nbsp;Council&nbsp;resolutions.

Watch |&nbsp;North Korea tests massive ballistic missile: Why has Kim Jong Un tested dozens missiles in 2022?

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The United States called on Friday for tougher international sanctions against North Korea at the UN Security Council, accusing Pyongyang of "increasingly dangerous provocations" after it test-fired its largest-ever intercontinental ballistic missile.

The United States called on Friday for tougher international sanctions against North Korea at the UN Security Council, accusing Pyongyang of "increasingly dangerous provocations" after it test-fired its largest-ever intercontinental ballistic missile. "The United States calls on all member states to fully implement the existing Security Council resolutions," US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said during the meeting convened to discuss North Korea. "Because of DPRK's increasingly dangerous provocations, the United States will be introducing a... Security Council resolution to update and strengthen the sanctions regime" that was adopted in December 2017, she said, using the official acronym for North Korea. Also read | In Pics: What is new ICBM tested by North Korea giving sleepless nights to US At the time "the council decided we would take further action in the event of a DPRK ICBM launch," Thomas-Greenfield said. "This is precisely what happened. So now is the time to take that action." The unanimously adopted text was voted on a month after Pyongyang fired its last previous intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the Hwasong-15, which was deemed powerful enough to reach the continental United States. Following Friday's meeting, a group of 15 nations including permanent Security Council members Britain, France and the US -- but minus China and Russia -- released a joint statement condemning Pyongyang's latest launch "in the strongest terms" and warning it "poses a threat" to the entire international community. "The DPRK is demonstrating its determination to continue advancing its weapons program as it escalates its provocative behavior -- and yet the Council has remained silent," said the countries, which include non-permanent Security Council members Brazil, Ireland and Norway, as well as Germany, Japan and South Korea. The statement urged UN states, especially Security Council members, "to join us in condemning this behavior and in urging the DPRK to abandon its weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs and engage in diplomacy toward denuclearization." Also read | Watch: North Korea goes Hollywood in new missile launch video, Twitterati give it a ‘Top Gun’ spin China addressed the Security Council meeting and urged "prudence and reason" regarding North Korea. "All is not quiet on the international front. No parties should take any action that would lead to greater tensions," China's UN ambassador Zhang Jun said. Russia, for its part, warned against following Washington's lead on tightening sanctions. Deputy Russian envoy to the UN Anna Evstigneeva said Moscow believes that doing so would "go beyond the framework of cutting off financing" for the DPRK missile and nuclear programs and would "threaten North Korean citizens with unacceptable socio-economic and humanitarian problems." In 2018, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un formalized a moratorium on nuclear testing and long-range ballistic missile launches, stating that his goals had been met and proclaiming his country a fully nuclear state. He nonetheless personally supervised Thursday's launch, which state media outlet KCNA reported was meant to ensure the country is ready for "long-standing confrontation" with the United States. The Group of Seven nations and the EU on Friday condemned what they said was North Korea's "blatant violation" of its obligations under Security Council resolutions. Watch | North Korea tests massive ballistic missile: Why has Kim Jong Un tested dozens missiles in 2022?

US calls for tougher UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea

The United States said on Friday that it has cancelled planned&nbsp;talks&nbsp;in Doha with the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;after&nbsp;the hardline Islamist rulers of Afghanistan shut&nbsp;girls' secondary&nbsp;schools.

"We have cancelled some of our engagements, including planned meetings in Doha around the Doha Forum, and have made clear that we see this decision as a potential turning point in our engagement," State Department deputy spokeswoman Jalina Porter said.

The&nbsp;Taliban, which seized power in August and is eager for international recognition, shut down&nbsp;girls' secondary&nbsp;schools&nbsp;this week just hours&nbsp;after&nbsp;reopening them.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/we-thought-taliban-had-changed-afghan-girls-banned-from-school-465445">'We thought Taliban had changed': Afghan girls banned from school</a>

"This decision by the&nbsp;Taliban, if it is not swiftly reversed, will profoundly harm the Afghan people, the country's prospects for economic growth, and the&nbsp;Taliban's ambition to improve their relations with the international community," Porter told reporters.

"For the sake of Afghanistan's future and the&nbsp;Taliban's relations with the international community we urge the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;to live up to their commitments and to their people," she said.

"We also stand with Afghan&nbsp;girls&nbsp;and their families, who see education as a path to realizing the full potential of Afghanistan's society and economy," she added.

The&nbsp;Taliban's decision to keep&nbsp;schools&nbsp;shuttered for&nbsp;girls&nbsp;came&nbsp;after&nbsp;a meeting late Tuesday by senior officials in the southern city of Kandahar, the movement's de facto power center and conservative spiritual heartland.

It followed months of work by the international community to address the issue of supporting teacher stipends, and came just as Afghan&nbsp;girls&nbsp;were eagerly heading back to&nbsp;school&nbsp;for the first time in seven months.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/every-afghan-girl-has-right-to-education-us-allies-slam-taliban-ban-on-girls-education-465293">'Every Afghan girl has right to education': US, allies slam Taliban ban on girls' education</a>

Major setback

When the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;returned to power, they promised a softer rule compared with their first regime from 1996 to 2001, which became notorious for human rights abuses.

They claimed to respect women's rights, in line with their interpretation of Islamic sharia law, and said&nbsp;girls&nbsp;would be allowed to study through to university.&nbsp;

But the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;have imposed a slew of restrictions on women, effectively banning them from many government jobs, policing what they wear and preventing them from travelling outside of their cities alone.

In a joint statement Thursday the foreign ministers of Britain, Canada, France, Italy, Norway and the United States, plus the high representative of the European Union, said the&nbsp;Taliban's decision will harm the group's prospects for legitimacy.

The signatories to the statement notably included Norway, which hosted landmark&nbsp;talks&nbsp;between the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;and several Western diplomats in January.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said Wednesday that "the denial of education violates the human rights of women and&nbsp;girls," leaving them "more exposed to violence, poverty and exploitation."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/parents-of-indian-photographer-killed-in-afghanistan-start-legal-action-against-taliban-464652">Parents of Indian photographer killed in Afghanistan start legal action against Taliban</a>

The head of the UN's educational organization UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, also criticized the&nbsp;Taliban's move, calling it a "major setback."

"Access to education is a fundamental right. UNESCO reiterates its call:&nbsp;girls&nbsp;must be allowed to return to&nbsp;school&nbsp;without further delay," she said.

Watch |&nbsp;US, allies call on Taliban to reopen girls' schools in war-torn Afghanistan

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The United States said on Friday that it has cancelled planned talks in Doha with the Taliban after the hardline Islamist rulers of Afghanistan shut girls' secondary schools.

The United States said on Friday that it has cancelled planned talks in Doha with the Taliban after the hardline Islamist rulers of Afghanistan shut girls' secondary schools. "We have cancelled some of our engagements, including planned meetings in Doha around the Doha Forum, and have made clear that we see this decision as a potential turning point in our engagement," State Department deputy spokeswoman Jalina Porter said. The Taliban, which seized power in August and is eager for international recognition, shut down girls' secondary schools this week just hours after reopening them. Also read | 'We thought Taliban had changed': Afghan girls banned from school "This decision by the Taliban, if it is not swiftly reversed, will profoundly harm the Afghan people, the country's prospects for economic growth, and the Taliban's ambition to improve their relations with the international community," Porter told reporters. "For the sake of Afghanistan's future and the Taliban's relations with the international community we urge the Taliban to live up to their commitments and to their people," she said. "We also stand with Afghan girls and their families, who see education as a path to realizing the full potential of Afghanistan's society and economy," she added. The Taliban's decision to keep schools shuttered for girls came after a meeting late Tuesday by senior officials in the southern city of Kandahar, the movement's de facto power center and conservative spiritual heartland. It followed months of work by the international community to address the issue of supporting teacher stipends, and came just as Afghan girls were eagerly heading back to school for the first time in seven months. Also read | 'Every Afghan girl has right to education': US, allies slam Taliban ban on girls' education Major setback When the Taliban returned to power, they promised a softer rule compared with their first regime from 1996 to 2001, which became notorious for human rights abuses. They claimed to respect women's rights, in line with their interpretation of Islamic sharia law, and said girls would be allowed to study through to university. But the Taliban have imposed a slew of restrictions on women, effectively banning them from many government jobs, policing what they wear and preventing them from travelling outside of their cities alone. In a joint statement Thursday the foreign ministers of Britain, Canada, France, Italy, Norway and the United States, plus the high representative of the European Union, said the Taliban's decision will harm the group's prospects for legitimacy. The signatories to the statement notably included Norway, which hosted landmark talks between the Taliban and several Western diplomats in January. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said Wednesday that "the denial of education violates the human rights of women and girls," leaving them "more exposed to violence, poverty and exploitation." Also read | Parents of Indian photographer killed in Afghanistan start legal action against Taliban The head of the UN's educational organization UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, also criticized the Taliban's move, calling it a "major setback." "Access to education is a fundamental right. UNESCO reiterates its call: girls must be allowed to return to school without further delay," she said. Watch | US, allies call on Taliban to reopen girls' schools in war-torn Afghanistan

US cancels talks with Taliban in Doha after girls school closure

The Taliban have reversed a decision to allow teenage girls back to secondary school despite repeated assurances they could resume classes from Wednesday.

Taliban reverses decision to allow girls to attend secondary schools in Afghanistan

A little known but century-old ban on jazz in schools in a US city has been reversed unanimously, an AP report said.&nbsp;

The move was taken by the school board of New Orleans. The city seems to have played a major role in developing jazz. It is still played at many venues nightly.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-marines-announce-uniform-changes-permit-longer-hair-different-socks-more-nail-colours-465652" hreflang="en">US Marines announce uniform changes, permit longer hair, different socks, more nail colours</a>

During the meeting on Thursday night, Orleans Parish School Board President Olin Parker told AP, “I’m very glad that we can rescind this policy. I want to acknowledge it. It was rooted in racism.” &nbsp;&nbsp;

“And I also want to acknowledge the tremendous contributions of our students and especially of our band directors, whose legacy continues from 1922 through present day,” added Parker. &nbsp;

Ken Ducote, executive director, Greater New Orleans Collaborative of Charter Schools, had brought the policy to the board’s attention after reading about it in Al Kennedy’s book “Chord Changes on the Chalkboard: How Public School Teachers Shaped Jazz and the Music of New Orleans.” &nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;US, allies discuss further oil release due to the rise in gas prices worldwide

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“We’re glad that the policy was ignored by our schools, because our schools played a major role in the development of jazz,” said member Katherine Baudouin.&nbsp;&nbsp;

On March 24, 1922, the earlier board's vote was passed without “prior policy development, analysis, or debate,” and the proposal had not been on the agenda, the current board noted. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

A little known but century-old ban on jazz in schools in a US city has been reversed unanimously, an AP report said. The move was taken by the school board of New Orleans.

A little known but century-old ban on jazz in schools in a US city has been reversed unanimously, an AP report said. The move was taken by the school board of New Orleans. The city seems to have played a major role in developing jazz. It is still played at many venues nightly. Also Read: US Marines announce uniform changes, permit longer hair, different socks, more nail colours During the meeting on Thursday night, Orleans Parish School Board President Olin Parker told AP, “I’m very glad that we can rescind this policy. I want to acknowledge it. It was rooted in racism.” “And I also want to acknowledge the tremendous contributions of our students and especially of our band directors, whose legacy continues from 1922 through present day,” added Parker. Ken Ducote, executive director, Greater New Orleans Collaborative of Charter Schools, had brought the policy to the board’s attention after reading about it in Al Kennedy’s book “Chord Changes on the Chalkboard: How Public School Teachers Shaped Jazz and the Music of New Orleans.” Watch: US, allies discuss further oil release due to the rise in gas prices worldwide × “We’re glad that the policy was ignored by our schools, because our schools played a major role in the development of jazz,” said member Katherine Baudouin. On March 24, 1922, the earlier board's vote was passed without “prior policy development, analysis, or debate,” and the proposal had not been on the agenda, the current board noted. (With inputs from agencies)

US city reverses century-old ban on jazz in schools unanimously  

The United Nations Security Council held a meeting over North Korea's recent ballistic missile test. The United States called for added sanctions on North Korea.

UNSC holds meeting on North Korea missile test: U.S. calls for added sanctions

Delays in the retrial of men accused of beating a black&nbsp;American&nbsp;graduate to death in Greece has thrown a spotlight on the country's&nbsp;snail-paced&nbsp;justice system.

Texan Bakari Henderson, 22, was set upon by a group of mostly Serbian men on the holiday island of Zakynthos in 2017 in a horrific attack captured on video.

With the White House now pressuring Athens for action, insiders say the case is typical of the chronic dysfunction of Greece's legal system.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-calls-for-tougher-un-security-council-sanctions-against-north-korea-465585">&nbsp;US calls for tougher UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea</a>

"In no other country in Europe are procedures so time-consuming, so complicated and so repetitive," Supreme Court prosecutor Vassilis Pliotas told AFP.

When US Vice President Kamala Harris met&nbsp;Greek&nbsp;Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in February, she reportedly quizzed him about the delays in the Henderson case.

In an angry statement days later,&nbsp;Greek&nbsp;judges said it was "unfair" to blame them, warning officials to stay out of judicial business.

The Henderson case has made little progress in four years after a retrial was ordered when prosecutors deemed his attackers had got off too lightly.

Of the nine tried, three walked free and six were sentenced to between five and 15 years in prison for assault rather than murder. Only one is still in jail.

Covid-19 has badly disrupted&nbsp;Greek&nbsp;courts, but even before the pandemic, trials were habitually postponed, frequently because lawyers were busy elsewhere and requested adjournments.

A 2016 strike by lawyers over planned changes to their pension fund also paralysed the system for nine months.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/passenger-found-alive-on-greece-italy-ferry-after-blaze-11-still-missing-454784">Passenger found alive on Greece-Italy ferry after blaze, 11 still missing</a>

Denial of justice

Foot-dragging by judges is another key problem, said veteran justice reporter Panagiotis Tsimboukis, who called the delays a "denial of justice of pandemic proportions".

More than 40 laws have been passed over the years to speed up judicial procedures, and over a dozen judges were fired in recent months for excessive delays, Tsimboukis told AFP.

But the problem persists.

Vassilis Chirdaris, a Supreme Court lawyer with extensive experience at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), said "nobody obeys" a requirement to resolve trials within three years.

Some cases have been stuck for 14 years in Greece's top administrative court, the Council of State, and over 4,000 hearings have been postponed at least once, Tsimboukis said.&nbsp;

"The volume of cases overwhelms judges" who then try to offload the burden to colleagues, he claimed.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rescue-efforts-continue-for-12-missing-in-greece-ferry-fire-454526">Rescue efforts continue for 12 missing in Greece ferry fire</a>

The Athens prosecutor's office alone can amass 450,000 lawsuits over a three-year period, Pliotas said. "That's around a million people involved."

The ECHR has repeatedly fined Greece for excessive case delays, penalising the country more than 500 times since 1959, according to Chirdaris.

Supermarket trolleys and files in toilets&nbsp;

Outdated facilities and short court hours don't help, he argued.

Case files are wheeled about in supermarket trolleys at the Athens court complex. The former military academy was last refitted nearly four decades ago.

One of the buildings has no elevator, so documents are hoisted upstairs with a winch.

In the building that houses first instance rulings, court documents headed for the archive room are lined in knee-high stacks on the floor.

The bulging folders snake up the stairs to the first floor and into the ladies' and men's toilets, tucked under sinks and blocking two cubicles.

"Conditions here are tragic," said Yiorgos Diamantis, head of the federation of&nbsp;Greek&nbsp;legal operatives.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/greek-government-accused-of-causing-hunger-crisis-in-refugee-camps-447238">Greek government accused of causing hunger crisis in refugee camps</a>

Not only are the buildings archaic and the courtrooms too small, but the federation says it is short of 3,000 staff, with 1,700 more reaching retirement age.

Steps have been taken in recent years to increase online access to cases and rulings, and the pandemic gave the process further impetus.

The justice ministry is also working on a bill setting out new limits on case postponements.

But a significant part of the system remains stubbornly old-school.

"Older judges and lawyers are uncomfortable with going digital. At the Athens appeals court, four in 10 rulings are still written out by hand," said staff federation spokesman Sotiris Tripolitsiotis.

Watch |&nbsp;19 froze to death on Greek border, hundreds protest against migrant pushback

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Delays in the retrial of men accused of beating a black American graduate to death in Greece has thrown a spotlight on the country's snail-paced justice system. Texan Bakari Henderson, 22, was set upon by a group of mostly Serbian men on the holiday island of Zakynthos in 2017 in a horrific attack captured on video.

Delays in the retrial of men accused of beating a black American graduate to death in Greece has thrown a spotlight on the country's snail-paced justice system. Texan Bakari Henderson, 22, was set upon by a group of mostly Serbian men on the holiday island of Zakynthos in 2017 in a horrific attack captured on video. With the White House now pressuring Athens for action, insiders say the case is typical of the chronic dysfunction of Greece's legal system. Also read | US calls for tougher UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea "In no other country in Europe are procedures so time-consuming, so complicated and so repetitive," Supreme Court prosecutor Vassilis Pliotas told AFP. When US Vice President Kamala Harris met Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in February, she reportedly quizzed him about the delays in the Henderson case. In an angry statement days later, Greek judges said it was "unfair" to blame them, warning officials to stay out of judicial business. The Henderson case has made little progress in four years after a retrial was ordered when prosecutors deemed his attackers had got off too lightly. Of the nine tried, three walked free and six were sentenced to between five and 15 years in prison for assault rather than murder. Only one is still in jail. Covid-19 has badly disrupted Greek courts, but even before the pandemic, trials were habitually postponed, frequently because lawyers were busy elsewhere and requested adjournments. A 2016 strike by lawyers over planned changes to their pension fund also paralysed the system for nine months. Also read | Passenger found alive on Greece-Italy ferry after blaze, 11 still missing Denial of justice Foot-dragging by judges is another key problem, said veteran justice reporter Panagiotis Tsimboukis, who called the delays a "denial of justice of pandemic proportions". More than 40 laws have been passed over the years to speed up judicial procedures, and over a dozen judges were fired in recent months for excessive delays, Tsimboukis told AFP. But the problem persists. Vassilis Chirdaris, a Supreme Court lawyer with extensive experience at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), said "nobody obeys" a requirement to resolve trials within three years. Some cases have been stuck for 14 years in Greece's top administrative court, the Council of State, and over 4,000 hearings have been postponed at least once, Tsimboukis said. "The volume of cases overwhelms judges" who then try to offload the burden to colleagues, he claimed. Also read | Rescue efforts continue for 12 missing in Greece ferry fire The Athens prosecutor's office alone can amass 450,000 lawsuits over a three-year period, Pliotas said. "That's around a million people involved." The ECHR has repeatedly fined Greece for excessive case delays, penalising the country more than 500 times since 1959, according to Chirdaris. Supermarket trolleys and files in toilets Outdated facilities and short court hours don't help, he argued. Case files are wheeled about in supermarket trolleys at the Athens court complex. The former military academy was last refitted nearly four decades ago. One of the buildings has no elevator, so documents are hoisted upstairs with a winch. In the building that houses first instance rulings, court documents headed for the archive room are lined in knee-high stacks on the floor. The bulging folders snake up the stairs to the first floor and into the ladies' and men's toilets, tucked under sinks and blocking two cubicles. "Conditions here are tragic," said Yiorgos Diamantis, head of the federation of Greek legal operatives. Also read | Greek government accused of causing hunger crisis in refugee camps Not only are the buildings archaic and the courtrooms too small, but the federation says it is short of 3,000 staff, with 1,700 more reaching retirement age. Steps have been taken in recent years to increase online access to cases and rulings, and the pandemic gave the process further impetus. The justice ministry is also working on a bill setting out new limits on case postponements. But a significant part of the system remains stubbornly old-school. "Older judges and lawyers are uncomfortable with going digital. At the Athens appeals court, four in 10 rulings are still written out by hand," said staff federation spokesman Sotiris Tripolitsiotis. Watch | 19 froze to death on Greek border, hundreds protest against migrant pushback

Greek legal system in focus as killing of American puts Athens under pressure

US President Joe Biden holds a news conference after emergency meeting with NATO leaders in Brussels.

US President Joe Biden speaks after emergency meeting with NATO leaders

The United States and its allies have condemned the Taliban's decision to go back on its word and allow secondary schools for females in Afghanistan to reopen on Thursday.

US and allies slam Taliban ban on girls' education

Former US President Donald Trump has sued Hillary Clinton, the Democratic National Committee and other people and entities tied to the investigation of Russian election interference in 2016.

Former US President Donald Trump sues Hillary Clinton over Russia collusion claims

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