President Nayib Bukele on Wednesday asked&nbsp;US&nbsp;senators&nbsp;to&nbsp;stay&nbsp;out&nbsp;of&nbsp;El&nbsp;Salvador's&nbsp;"internal&nbsp;affairs" after they called for an investigation into the economic risks the United States faces due to the Central American country's adoption of&nbsp;bitcoin&nbsp;as legal tender.

Senators&nbsp;Jim Risch, Bill Cassidy and Bob Mendez asked the State Department to submit a report on the implementation of&nbsp;bitcoin&nbsp;in&nbsp;El&nbsp;Salvador with the purpose of assessing the risks it poses to the&nbsp;US&nbsp;economy.

"Ok boomers… You have 0 jurisdiction on a sovereign and independent nation," Bukele, 40, said in a tweet, referring to the older generation of "baby boomers".

"We are not your colony, your back yard or your front yard.&nbsp;Stay&nbsp;out&nbsp;of our&nbsp;internal&nbsp;affairs. Don’t try to control something you can’t control."

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El&nbsp;Salvador was the first country in the world to adopt cryptocurrency for official use, in parallel&nbsp;to the&nbsp;US&nbsp;dollar, a decision that has drawn it harsh criticism from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The&nbsp;US&nbsp;senators&nbsp;also expressed fear over the fact that adopting&nbsp;bitcoin&nbsp;could weaken the&nbsp;US&nbsp;government's sanctions policy and increase the activity of criminal organizations.

"This new policy has the potential to weaken&nbsp;US&nbsp;sanctions policy, empowering malign actors like China and organized criminal organizations. Our bipartisan legislation seeks greater clarity on&nbsp;El&nbsp;Salvador’s policy," said the&nbsp;senators&nbsp;in a statement.

Watch |&nbsp;El Salvador's president Nayib Bukele Plans World's First Bitcoin City

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/el-salvadors-president-nayib-bukele-plans-worlds-first-bitcoin-city-431120/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The Salvadoran government, which has acquired some 1,801&nbsp;bitcoins since September, has been questioned by economists and the opposition for its refusal to be accountable in the process of buying and managing the funds.

Diplomatic relations between&nbsp;El&nbsp;Salvador and the United States have deteriorated after the White House denounced publicly cases of corruption in Bukele's government and an escalation of measures to accumulate power.

President Nayib Bukele on Wednesday asked US senators to stay out of El Salvador's "internal affairs" after they called for an investigation into the economic risks the United States faces due to the Central American country's adoption of bitcoin as legal tender.

President Nayib Bukele on Wednesday asked US senators to stay out of El Salvador's "internal affairs" after they called for an investigation into the economic risks the United States faces due to the Central American country's adoption of bitcoin as legal tender. Senators Jim Risch, Bill Cassidy and Bob Mendez asked the State Department to submit a report on the implementation of bitcoin in El Salvador with the purpose of assessing the risks it poses to the US economy. "Ok boomers… You have 0 jurisdiction on a sovereign and independent nation," Bukele, 40, said in a tweet, referring to the older generation of "baby boomers". "We are not your colony, your back yard or your front yard. Stay out of our internal affairs. Don’t try to control something you can’t control." Also read | Three women convicted of abortion finally freed in El Salvador El Salvador was the first country in the world to adopt cryptocurrency for official use, in parallel to the US dollar, a decision that has drawn it harsh criticism from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The US senators also expressed fear over the fact that adopting bitcoin could weaken the US government's sanctions policy and increase the activity of criminal organizations. "This new policy has the potential to weaken US sanctions policy, empowering malign actors like China and organized criminal organizations. Our bipartisan legislation seeks greater clarity on El Salvador’s policy," said the senators in a statement. Watch | El Salvador's president Nayib Bukele Plans World's First Bitcoin City The Salvadoran government, which has acquired some 1,801 bitcoins since September, has been questioned by economists and the opposition for its refusal to be accountable in the process of buying and managing the funds. Diplomatic relations between El Salvador and the United States have deteriorated after the White House denounced publicly cases of corruption in Bukele's government and an escalation of measures to accumulate power.

Bukele warns bitcoin-wary 'boomer' US senators to stay out of El Salvador's internal affairs

Nepal witnessed fresh protests over the millennium corporation compact grant. Police fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse the protesters even as the political uncertainty in the issue continues.

Nepal: Police fires tear gas to disperse the crowd as protesters rally against US grant

US General warned of China's actions in the South China Sea amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Ukraine crisis an opportunity for China? Watch this report.

US General warns of China's actions in the South China Sea amid the Ukraine conflict

Thousands of Catholics in America might have to be rebaptised after the church discovered that a priest had used the wrong word in the baptismal blessing for more than two decades. This invalidates all the baptisms he performed.

In place of the Vatican-approved "I baptize you," Father Andres Arango performed the first sacrament of Catholic life with the words, "We baptise you."

"It is not the community that baptizes a person and incorporates them into the Church of Christ; rather, it is Christ, and Christ alone, who presides at all sacraments; therefore, it is Christ who baptises," Thomas J. Olmsted, bishop of Phoenix, said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/more-unmarked-indigenous-graves-found-at-yet-another-canadian-school-more-that-1300-graves-since-may-2021-453607" hreflang="en">More unmarked indigenous graves found at yet another Canadian school; 1300 graves since May 2021</a>

On Tuesday, diocese spokeswoman Katie Burke told AFP that Arango's error was identified in mid-2021, almost 25 years after he began working as a priest.

"Father Arango was using the incorrect words from the beginning of his priesthood until it was brought to the attention of the diocese last summer," she said.

"I do not have an exact number of people baptised between 1995 and 2021, but I believe they number in the thousands."

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Burke said Arango quit his job after the mistake came to light so he could dedicate his full-time ministry to helping and healing the persons affected by the mistake.

"The diocese is working closely with Father Arango and the parishes at which he was previously assigned to notify and make arrangements to baptise anyone who may have been baptised invalidly."

A website has been created to answer questions from concerned parishioners, such as, "Does this affect my marriage?" and "Do I need to go to confession?"

Watch |&nbsp;Indonesian court jails Islamic school teacher for raping 13 students

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indonesian-court-jails-islamic-school-teacher-for-raping-13-students-453608/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The Catholic church views baptism as a rite of initiation that is necessary for believers to receive other blessings.&nbsp;Like other Christian denominations, it involves sprinkling or pouring water on the head, or immersing the supplicant.

Catholics believe that only those who have been baptised will be able to enter heaven after death.

Arango's mistake isn't the first; a priest in Michigan had to be re-baptised in 2020 after watching a family video, during which an officiant used "we" instead of "I."

(With inputs from agencies)

Thousands of Catholics in America might have to be rebaptised after the church discovered that a priest had used the wrong word in the baptismal blessing for more than two decades.

Thousands of Catholics in America might have to be rebaptised after the church discovered that a priest had used the wrong word in the baptismal blessing for more than two decades. This invalidates all the baptisms he performed. In place of the Vatican-approved "I baptize you," Father Andres Arango performed the first sacrament of Catholic life with the words, "We baptise you." "It is not the community that baptizes a person and incorporates them into the Church of Christ; rather, it is Christ, and Christ alone, who presides at all sacraments; therefore, it is Christ who baptises," Thomas J. Olmsted, bishop of Phoenix, said. Also read | More unmarked indigenous graves found at yet another Canadian school; 1300 graves since May 2021 On Tuesday, diocese spokeswoman Katie Burke told AFP that Arango's error was identified in mid-2021, almost 25 years after he began working as a priest. "Father Arango was using the incorrect words from the beginning of his priesthood until it was brought to the attention of the diocese last summer," she said. "I do not have an exact number of people baptised between 1995 and 2021, but I believe they number in the thousands." Also read | Ukraine hit by cyberattack after some Russian troops pull back Burke said Arango quit his job after the mistake came to light so he could dedicate his full-time ministry to helping and healing the persons affected by the mistake. "The diocese is working closely with Father Arango and the parishes at which he was previously assigned to notify and make arrangements to baptise anyone who may have been baptised invalidly." A website has been created to answer questions from concerned parishioners, such as, "Does this affect my marriage?" and "Do I need to go to confession?" Watch | Indonesian court jails Islamic school teacher for raping 13 students The Catholic church views baptism as a rite of initiation that is necessary for believers to receive other blessings. Like other Christian denominations, it involves sprinkling or pouring water on the head, or immersing the supplicant. Catholics believe that only those who have been baptised will be able to enter heaven after death. Arango's mistake isn't the first; a priest in Michigan had to be re-baptised in 2020 after watching a family video, during which an officiant used "we" instead of "I." (With inputs from agencies)

No entry in heaven?: Thousands in US need to be re-baptised as priest used the wrong words for baptism

South&nbsp;Korea's antitrust regulator is considering imposing penalties against U.S. electric car maker Tesla Inc over its findings the company exaggerated the specifications of its batteries, an official said on Wednesday.

The&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) had sent a report to the electric vehicle (EV) maker stating that it had exaggerated the mileage of some of its models, including Model 3, in violation of the Act on Fair Labeling and Advertising, the official said.

"We plan to hold a general meeting to review and determine the extent to which the automaker has violated the law and decide the level of sanctions," an official at the KFTC told Reuters, asking not to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/skorea-reports-record-high-of-90443-new-covid-cases-453676">South Korea reports record high of 90,443 new Covid cases</a>

Tesla, on its website, says its Model 3 can travel 528 km (328 miles) on a single charge. The KFTC says however that the range may fall short of that should the temperature drop below freezing.

Analysts said most electric vehicles could generally experience some loss of driving range in cold weather.

Separately, the KFTC is also weighing whether to impose penalties against Tesla for not refunding deposits to customers who cancelled online purchases before their vehicle orders were put in place for release.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-missiles-to-scandals-issues-at-stake-in-south-koreas-presidential-election-453520">From missiles to scandals: Issues at stake in South Korea's presidential electio</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-missiles-to-scandals-issues-at-stake-in-south-koreas-presidential-election-453520">n</a>

In&nbsp;South&nbsp;Korea, Tesla requires customers to pay a deposit of 100,000 won ($84) when purchasing Tesla cars online, but deposits were not refunded upon customers' order cancellations, according to Yonhap news agency.

Tesla was not immediately available for comment when contacted by Reuters.

South Korea's antitrust regulator is considering imposing penalties against U.S. electric car maker Tesla Inc over its findings the company exaggerated the specifications of its batteries, an official said on Wednesday.

South Korea's antitrust regulator is considering imposing penalties against U.S. electric car maker Tesla Inc over its findings the company exaggerated the specifications of its batteries, an official said on Wednesday. The Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) had sent a report to the electric vehicle (EV) maker stating that it had exaggerated the mileage of some of its models, including Model 3, in violation of the Act on Fair Labeling and Advertising, the official said. "We plan to hold a general meeting to review and determine the extent to which the automaker has violated the law and decide the level of sanctions," an official at the KFTC told Reuters, asking not to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter. Also read | South Korea reports record high of 90,443 new Covid cases Tesla, on its website, says its Model 3 can travel 528 km (328 miles) on a single charge. The KFTC says however that the range may fall short of that should the temperature drop below freezing. Analysts said most electric vehicles could generally experience some loss of driving range in cold weather. Separately, the KFTC is also weighing whether to impose penalties against Tesla for not refunding deposits to customers who cancelled online purchases before their vehicle orders were put in place for release. Also read | From missiles to scandals: Issues at stake in South Korea's presidential election In South Korea, Tesla requires customers to pay a deposit of 100,000 won ($84) when purchasing Tesla cars online, but deposits were not refunded upon customers' order cancellations, according to Yonhap news agency. Tesla was not immediately available for comment when contacted by Reuters.

South Korea weighs penalty against Tesla for exaggerating mileage

According to a new research, the mega-drought that has parched the southwestern United States and parts of Mexico over the last two decades is the worst to hit the region in at least 1,200 years.

Research: Western mega-drought is most severe in 1,200 years

Several protesters were arrested by Canadian police on Sunday as they cleared protesters and vehicles that had blocked a vital trade route on the border with the US. However the brige was not opened to traffic on Sunday by the time this story was published.

There was a tense standoff between the police and the protesters since Friday. A court order and threats of arrest failed to end six-day blockade of the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ontario.&nbsp;

Windsor Police said in a statement on Sunday they arrested several people on a charge of mischief, without saying how many. Police also seized vehicles within the demonstration area, the statement added.

Police stepped up their presence on Sunday with more than 50 vehicles, including cruisers, buses and an armoured car, as the number of protesters dropped to around 45 from roughly 100 on Saturday. Windsor Police tweeted "there will be zero tolerance for illegal activity".

Counter protests started blocking vehicles trying to join the protests on Sunday in Ottawa, with residents losing patience over the three-week-old demonstrations.

“We’re fed up, we’re tired. We want Ottawa to be boring again,” said an Ottawa resident at a counter protest in front of the city’s police headquarters.

The blockade of the bridge since Monday, North America's busiest land border crossing, has choked the supply chain for Detroit's carmakers.

The bridge carries about $360 million a day in two-way cargoes - 25% of the value of all US-Canada goods trade.

"Today, our national economic crisis at the Ambassador Bridge came to an end," Windsor City Mayor Drew Dilkens said in a tweet. He earlier told CBC News that he hopes the bridge will be open on Sunday.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Several protesters were arrested by Canadian police on Sunday as they cleared protesters and vehicles that had blocked a vital trade route on the border with the US.

Several protesters were arrested by Canadian police on Sunday as they cleared protesters and vehicles that had blocked a vital trade route on the border with the US. However the brige was not opened to traffic on Sunday by the time this story was published. There was a tense standoff between the police and the protesters since Friday. A court order and threats of arrest failed to end six-day blockade of the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ontario. Windsor Police said in a statement on Sunday they arrested several people on a charge of mischief, without saying how many. Police also seized vehicles within the demonstration area, the statement added. Police stepped up their presence on Sunday with more than 50 vehicles, including cruisers, buses and an armoured car, as the number of protesters dropped to around 45 from roughly 100 on Saturday. Windsor Police tweeted "there will be zero tolerance for illegal activity". Counter protests started blocking vehicles trying to join the protests on Sunday in Ottawa, with residents losing patience over the three-week-old demonstrations. “We’re fed up, we’re tired. We want Ottawa to be boring again,” said an Ottawa resident at a counter protest in front of the city’s police headquarters. The blockade of the bridge since Monday, North America's busiest land border crossing, has choked the supply chain for Detroit's carmakers. The bridge carries about $360 million a day in two-way cargoes - 25% of the value of all US-Canada goods trade. "Today, our national economic crisis at the Ambassador Bridge came to an end," Windsor City Mayor Drew Dilkens said in a tweet. He earlier told CBC News that he hopes the bridge will be open on Sunday. (With inputs from agencies)

Canada police arrest protesters to open key trade route with US

Leave Ukraine within 48 hours as a Russian attack could come at any time, the White House told Americans on Friday. It said that the war could start with an air assault. &nbsp;&nbsp;

This comes as Russia has accused Western nations of lying to distract from own aggressive acts. &nbsp;

Jostling for influence in Europe, the Kremlin has rejected a joint Western diplomatic response as disrespectful. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/blinken-says-russia-could-invade-ukraine-during-winter-olympics-as-biden-speaks-of-world-war-452402">After Biden's 'war' remark, Blinken says Russia may invade Ukraine 'any time'</a>

"The risk is now high enough and the threat is now immediate enough. If a Russian attack on Ukraine proceeds, it is likely to begin with aerial bombing and missile attacks that could obviously kill civilians without regard to their nationality," White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters. &nbsp;

As per US intelligence, a rapid assault on Kyiv can come and Russian President Vladimir Putin could also order an invasion before the Winter Olympics ends, Sullivan said. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/macron-refused-russian-covid-test-in-putin-trip-due-to-dna-theft-fears-report-452420">Macron refused Russian Covid test in Putin trip due to DNA theft fears: Report</a>

Russia's Deputy UN Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy looked to mock Sullivan's comments a little later and said on Twitter, "Some reasonable people were hoping US-fanned hysteria was waning. Maybe they put a jinx on it, because scaremongers have clearly got second wind. Our troops are still on our territory and I wonder if the US will invade Ukraine itself - someone has to, after such a panic campaign." &nbsp;

Washington is also looking to send 3,000 extra troops to Poland in near future to try and help reassure NATO allies, four US officials told Reuters. They will be in addition to 8,500, who are already on alert for deployment to Europe if needed. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Leave Ukraine within 48 hours as a Russian attack could come at any time, the White House told Americans on Friday. It said that the war could start with an air assault.

Leave Ukraine within 48 hours as a Russian attack could come at any time, the White House told Americans on Friday. It said that the war could start with an air assault. This comes as Russia has accused Western nations of lying to distract from own aggressive acts. Jostling for influence in Europe, the Kremlin has rejected a joint Western diplomatic response as disrespectful. Also Read: After Biden's 'war' remark, Blinken says Russia may invade Ukraine 'any time' "The risk is now high enough and the threat is now immediate enough. If a Russian attack on Ukraine proceeds, it is likely to begin with aerial bombing and missile attacks that could obviously kill civilians without regard to their nationality," White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters. As per US intelligence, a rapid assault on Kyiv can come and Russian President Vladimir Putin could also order an invasion before the Winter Olympics ends, Sullivan said. Also Read: Macron refused Russian Covid test in Putin trip due to DNA theft fears: Report Russia's Deputy UN Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy looked to mock Sullivan's comments a little later and said on Twitter, "Some reasonable people were hoping US-fanned hysteria was waning. Maybe they put a jinx on it, because scaremongers have clearly got second wind. Our troops are still on our territory and I wonder if the US will invade Ukraine itself - someone has to, after such a panic campaign." Washington is also looking to send 3,000 extra troops to Poland in near future to try and help reassure NATO allies, four US officials told Reuters. They will be in addition to 8,500, who are already on alert for deployment to Europe if needed. (With inputs from agencies)

Leave Ukraine within 48 hours as Russian attack can come any time, US tells Americans

After intelligence inputs over Russian invasion, the United States is set to evacuate its embassy in Ukraine. &nbsp;

The Western intelligence officials have warned that a Russian invasion of Ukraine has become increasingly imminent.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/leave-ukraine-within-48-hours-as-russian-attack-can-come-any-time-us-tells-americans-452534" hreflang="en">Leave Ukraine within 48 hours as attack can come any time, US tells Americans</a>

The State Department is planning to announce early on Saturday that all American staff at the Kyiv embassy will be asked to leave the country before the feared Russian invasion, said the US officials. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Earlier, the department had told the families of US Embassy staffers in Kyiv to leave the country. But it had also left it to the discretion of non-essential personnel if they wanted to depart or not. &nbsp;&nbsp;

A limited number of diplomats of the US may be relocated to Ukraine's far west, along the border with NATO ally Poland, so that the US could retain a diplomatic presence in the country, the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/macron-refused-russian-covid-test-in-putin-trip-due-to-dna-theft-fears-report-452420">Macron refused Russian Covid test in Putin trip due to DNA theft fears: Report</a>

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Joe Biden will speak over phone on Saturday, the White House and Russian media said. &nbsp;&nbsp;

On the same day, Putin will also talk to&nbsp;French President Emmanuel Macron, Russia's TASS news agency said.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

After intelligence inputs over Russian invasion, the United States is set to evacuate its embassy in Ukraine. The Western intelligence officials have warned that a Russian invasion of Ukraine has become increasingly imminent.

After intelligence inputs over Russian invasion, the United States is set to evacuate its embassy in Ukraine. The Western intelligence officials have warned that a Russian invasion of Ukraine has become increasingly imminent. Also Read: Leave Ukraine within 48 hours as attack can come any time, US tells Americans The State Department is planning to announce early on Saturday that all American staff at the Kyiv embassy will be asked to leave the country before the feared Russian invasion, said the US officials. Earlier, the department had told the families of US Embassy staffers in Kyiv to leave the country. But it had also left it to the discretion of non-essential personnel if they wanted to depart or not. A limited number of diplomats of the US may be relocated to Ukraine's far west, along the border with NATO ally Poland, so that the US could retain a diplomatic presence in the country, the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said. Also Read: Macron refused Russian Covid test in Putin trip due to DNA theft fears: Report Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Joe Biden will speak over phone on Saturday, the White House and Russian media said. On the same day, Putin will also talk to French President Emmanuel Macron, Russia's TASS news agency said. (With inputs from agencies)

US to evacuate embassy in Ukraine after intelligence inputs over imminent Russian invasion

A senior US diplomat has claimed that the Taliban have detained 29 women and their families in Kabul. Rina Amiri, US special envoy for Afghan Women, Girls and Human Rights, said that these women were among 40 people seized on Friday.&nbsp;

Taking to her Twitter handle, she wrote, “These unjust detentions must stop."

The tweet has been deleted. However, other sources confirmed that multiple women had been detained in Kabul.&nbsp;

The revelation raises concerns about the rising numbers of people seized and held in Afghanistan ever since the Taliban took over.&nbsp;

UN secretary-general on his Twitter, wrote, "I am increasingly concerned about the wellbeing of missing women activists in Afghanistan. Several have ‘disappeared’, some not heard from in weeks."&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-warn-against-womens-rights-activism-after-two-activists-were-seized-from-their-homes-446896">Also read |&nbsp;Taliban warn against women's rights activism after two activists were seized from their homes</a>

He further added, "I strongly urge the Taliban to ensure their safety so that they can return home.”

Earlier in January, Taliban authorities warned that they have all the rights to crack down on dissent and jailed protestors.&nbsp;

The warning came after two women activists noted that two of their comrades were seized from their homes after they took part in a few demonstrations. According to reports by AFP, Tamana Zaryabi Paryani and Parwana Ibrahimkhel were abducted from their homes in Kabul.&nbsp;

Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid has denied that any women were being held. However, he said that the authorities had the right "to arrest and detain dissidents or those who break the law".

"Nobody should create turmoil, because it disrupts peace and order," he said while speaking to AFP.

(With inputs from agencies)

A senior US diplomat has claimed that the Taliban have detained 29 women and their families in Kabul. Rina Amiri, US special envoy for Afghan Women, Girls and Human Rights, said that these women were among 40 people seized on Friday.

A senior US diplomat has claimed that the Taliban have detained 29 women and their families in Kabul. Rina Amiri, US special envoy for Afghan Women, Girls and Human Rights, said that these women were among 40 people seized on Friday. Taking to her Twitter handle, she wrote, “These unjust detentions must stop." The tweet has been deleted. However, other sources confirmed that multiple women had been detained in Kabul. The revelation raises concerns about the rising numbers of people seized and held in Afghanistan ever since the Taliban took over. UN secretary-general on his Twitter, wrote, "I am increasingly concerned about the wellbeing of missing women activists in Afghanistan. Several have ‘disappeared’, some not heard from in weeks." Also read | Taliban warn against women's rights activism after two activists were seized from their homes He further added, "I strongly urge the Taliban to ensure their safety so that they can return home.” Earlier in January, Taliban authorities warned that they have all the rights to crack down on dissent and jailed protestors. The warning came after two women activists noted that two of their comrades were seized from their homes after they took part in a few demonstrations. According to reports by AFP, Tamana Zaryabi Paryani and Parwana Ibrahimkhel were abducted from their homes in Kabul. Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid has denied that any women were being held. However, he said that the authorities had the right "to arrest and detain dissidents or those who break the law". "Nobody should create turmoil, because it disrupts peace and order," he said while speaking to AFP. (With inputs from agencies)

Taliban detain 29 women and their families in Kabul, claims US diplomat

Already reeling from a Taliban takeover of their government and a humanitarian disaster in their homeland, Afghan diplomats in the United States are grappling with another bleak reality: the loss of pay and the possibility of being deported.

Several dozen diplomats assigned to Afghanistan’s embassy in Washington and consulates in New York and Los Angeles have not been paid since October, officials said, when U.S. banks froze accounts to prevent the Taliban from gaining access to the embassy’s funds.

But the envoys, who were part of the U.S.-backed government that was overthrown in August, are keeping the embassy open — continuing diplomatic work but also preserving the diplomatic status that allows them to remain in the U.S.

Should the embassy close before they are granted asylum or other legal residency, the diplomats could find themselves stateless and without the permits needed to get a job.

“This is not something that we wanted. But it is something that came,” Abdul Hadi Nejrabi, the Afghan Embassy’s deputy chief of mission, said.

“We may not be able to continue for a long time — it will come to an end,” he said. “There is still a lot of work to do. But we are here until we reach a path we can’t continue.”

Around the world, Afghan diplomats continue to carry out their duties independent of the leadership in Kabul. Many have criticized the new government as “illegitimate” and still fly the internationally accepted flag of Afghanistan over their embassies instead of the Taliban’s banner. Others have lobbied their host nations against unconditionally recognizing the Taliban’s authority.

Yet the situation is taking a toll on diplomats who are also still coming to grips with representing an elected government that has ceased to exist. Nejrabi said they were living largely on savings or on loans from relatives. Some have no health insurance and are racking up thousands of dollars in medical bills. In France, diplomats have moved into the embassy compound to avoid paying rent on private apartments, according to two former Afghan diplomats.

For now, the mission continues at the Afghan Embassy in Washington, a stately brick Colonial Revival building in the capital’s diplomatic quarter. Nejrabi said the Afghan staff was processing documents and other consular requests, and otherwise helping settle Afghans who have fled to the U.S. to escape the Taliban.

The services bring in $2,000 to $3,000 in fees each month, Nejrabi said — enough to keep the lights and other utilities on, but too little to pay salaries. That has left the diplomats and their families — about 65 people in all — scrambling to make ends meet.

They are not alone: Public workers across Afghanistan have also not been paid as Washington issues conflicting guidance over whether U.S. sanctions should be enforced against Afghan government bank accounts that are now, in theory, controlled by the Taliban. The freezing of assets of the Afghan Central Bank has precipitated a liquidity crisis that has exposed 8 million people to possible starvation in a country torn by war, drought and acute poverty.

The sanctions were imposed against the Taliban years ago, when it was designated as a global terrorist organization. In October, after the group seized power, Citibank froze the Washington embassy’s accounts and withheld what Nejrabi said was hundreds of thousands of dollars designated for salaries that the former Afghan government had deposited months before it was ousted.

American officials have tried, unsuccessfully, to assure Citibank that it would not be penalized if the Afghan funds were unlocked. The bank’s spokesperson, Rob Runyan, declined to comment.

“Our priority all along has been to figure out a way to facilitate a soft landing for the Afghan diplomats who are in the United States,” said Mark Evans, the State Department’s director for Afghanistan affairs. “Obviously, they’re in very difficult circumstances through no fault of their own, and we wanted to be as supportive as possible.”

Still, the Biden administration has refused to recognize the Taliban as a legitimate government. Until that happens — if it ever does — officials said the State Department would not accredit any diplomats the group sends to Washington.

While the Afghan government owns the embassy building in Washington, the State Department is responsible for maintaining the property if its envoys are unable to do so. Control of Afghanistan’s diplomatic missions remains at the forefront of the struggle for power between the Taliban and their opponents over international recognition and support.

One Afghan diplomat, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid repercussions, said he detected slow-motion efforts by the Taliban’s government to gain recognition from other countries and control of Afghanistan’s diplomatic missions. Most nations will be guided by what the U.S. government does, he said.

Last month, the State Department noted the embassy’s dire financial situation in a memo to Afghan diplomats that advised what would happen to the staff if the building had to shut down. Several officials, who described the document on the condition of anonymity, said it extended diplomatic immunity and residency to the Afghans for 30 days, to give them time to pursue asylum or other legal status that would allow them to remain in the U.S.

Nejrabi said around 55 Afghan diplomats and their family members in the U.S. were seeking asylum, joining more than 100,000 Afghan applicants in a process that has overwhelmed the Biden administration since Kabul fell in August. The rest are expected to apply to have their diplomatic status converted to permanent residency through a different process that, officials said, can accept only 50 cases each year.

Matthew Bourke, a spokesperson for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, said 31 Afghans had so far applied to change their status to permanent residency. That number includes diplomats and their family members, Bourke said, in a process that can take several months to complete. In the meantime, the immigration agency has waived application fees for the financially strained Afghan diplomats and offered to allow temporary work permits while their cases are pending.

But without asylum or other legal permits, remaining in the U.S. is far from assured for the diplomats, although it is not expected that they would be sent back to Afghanistan, where they could be in danger for working for the previous government.

Afghan diplomats around the world, led by a group of senior ambassadors in Western capitals, refused to join a conference call scheduled by the new foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, late last year. Most still have not spoken with him.

“Everyone refused and said: ‘I do not want to talk to a government that came by force. We do not represent you,’ ” Nejrabi said.

He added, “Even if the U.S. had a new relationship with the Taliban, and they asked me to stay, I would not, because I cannot betray my people.”

Nejrabi, 38, was appointed to the prestigious post of the Afghan Embassy’s second in command in Washington in 2019, after diplomatic stints in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and as the vice chair of the International Chamber of Commerce in Kabul. Now he is hoping for a job in the U.S. — if he receives legal residency — that will make use of his skills.

“Our diplomats were educated and grew up with freedoms,” he said. “So how can we go back?”

Already reeling from a Taliban takeover of their government and a humanitarian disaster in their homeland, Afghan diplomats in the United States are grappling with another bleak reality: the loss of pay and the possibility of being deported.

Already reeling from a Taliban takeover of their government and a humanitarian disaster in their homeland, Afghan diplomats in the United States are grappling with another bleak reality: the loss of pay and the possibility of being deported. Several dozen diplomats assigned to Afghanistan’s embassy in Washington and consulates in New York and Los Angeles have not been paid since October, officials said, when U.S. banks froze accounts to prevent the Taliban from gaining access to the embassy’s funds. But the envoys, who were part of the U.S.-backed government that was overthrown in August, are keeping the embassy open — continuing diplomatic work but also preserving the diplomatic status that allows them to remain in the U.S. Should the embassy close before they are granted asylum or other legal residency, the diplomats could find themselves stateless and without the permits needed to get a job. “This is not something that we wanted. But it is something that came,” Abdul Hadi Nejrabi, the Afghan Embassy’s deputy chief of mission, said. “We may not be able to continue for a long time — it will come to an end,” he said. “There is still a lot of work to do. But we are here until we reach a path we can’t continue.” Around the world, Afghan diplomats continue to carry out their duties independent of the leadership in Kabul. Many have criticized the new government as “illegitimate” and still fly the internationally accepted flag of Afghanistan over their embassies instead of the Taliban’s banner. Others have lobbied their host nations against unconditionally recognizing the Taliban’s authority. Yet the situation is taking a toll on diplomats who are also still coming to grips with representing an elected government that has ceased to exist. Nejrabi said they were living largely on savings or on loans from relatives. Some have no health insurance and are racking up thousands of dollars in medical bills. In France, diplomats have moved into the embassy compound to avoid paying rent on private apartments, according to two former Afghan diplomats. For now, the mission continues at the Afghan Embassy in Washington, a stately brick Colonial Revival building in the capital’s diplomatic quarter. Nejrabi said the Afghan staff was processing documents and other consular requests, and otherwise helping settle Afghans who have fled to the U.S. to escape the Taliban. The services bring in $2,000 to $3,000 in fees each month, Nejrabi said — enough to keep the lights and other utilities on, but too little to pay salaries. That has left the diplomats and their families — about 65 people in all — scrambling to make ends meet. They are not alone: Public workers across Afghanistan have also not been paid as Washington issues conflicting guidance over whether U.S. sanctions should be enforced against Afghan government bank accounts that are now, in theory, controlled by the Taliban. The freezing of assets of the Afghan Central Bank has precipitated a liquidity crisis that has exposed 8 million people to possible starvation in a country torn by war, drought and acute poverty. The sanctions were imposed against the Taliban years ago, when it was designated as a global terrorist organization. In October, after the group seized power, Citibank froze the Washington embassy’s accounts and withheld what Nejrabi said was hundreds of thousands of dollars designated for salaries that the former Afghan government had deposited months before it was ousted. American officials have tried, unsuccessfully, to assure Citibank that it would not be penalized if the Afghan funds were unlocked. The bank’s spokesperson, Rob Runyan, declined to comment. “Our priority all along has been to figure out a way to facilitate a soft landing for the Afghan diplomats who are in the United States,” said Mark Evans, the State Department’s director for Afghanistan affairs. “Obviously, they’re in very difficult circumstances through no fault of their own, and we wanted to be as supportive as possible.” Still, the Biden administration has refused to recognize the Taliban as a legitimate government. Until that happens — if it ever does — officials said the State Department would not accredit any diplomats the group sends to Washington. While the Afghan government owns the embassy building in Washington, the State Department is responsible for maintaining the property if its envoys are unable to do so. Control of Afghanistan’s diplomatic missions remains at the forefront of the struggle for power between the Taliban and their opponents over international recognition and support. One Afghan diplomat, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid repercussions, said he detected slow-motion efforts by the Taliban’s government to gain recognition from other countries and control of Afghanistan’s diplomatic missions. Most nations will be guided by what the U.S. government does, he said. Last month, the State Department noted the embassy’s dire financial situation in a memo to Afghan diplomats that advised what would happen to the staff if the building had to shut down. Several officials, who described the document on the condition of anonymity, said it extended diplomatic immunity and residency to the Afghans for 30 days, to give them time to pursue asylum or other legal status that would allow them to remain in the U.S. Nejrabi said around 55 Afghan diplomats and their family members in the U.S. were seeking asylum, joining more than 100,000 Afghan applicants in a process that has overwhelmed the Biden administration since Kabul fell in August. The rest are expected to apply to have their diplomatic status converted to permanent residency through a different process that, officials said, can accept only 50 cases each year. Matthew Bourke, a spokesperson for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, said 31 Afghans had so far applied to change their status to permanent residency. That number includes diplomats and their family members, Bourke said, in a process that can take several months to complete. In the meantime, the immigration agency has waived application fees for the financially strained Afghan diplomats and offered to allow temporary work permits while their cases are pending. But without asylum or other legal permits, remaining in the U.S. is far from assured for the diplomats, although it is not expected that they would be sent back to Afghanistan, where they could be in danger for working for the previous government. Afghan diplomats around the world, led by a group of senior ambassadors in Western capitals, refused to join a conference call scheduled by the new foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, late last year. Most still have not spoken with him. “Everyone refused and said: ‘I do not want to talk to a government that came by force. We do not represent you,’ ” Nejrabi said. He added, “Even if the U.S. had a new relationship with the Taliban, and they asked me to stay, I would not, because I cannot betray my people.” Nejrabi, 38, was appointed to the prestigious post of the Afghan Embassy’s second in command in Washington in 2019, after diplomatic stints in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and as the vice chair of the International Chamber of Commerce in Kabul. Now he is hoping for a job in the U.S. — if he receives legal residency — that will make use of his skills. “Our diplomats were educated and grew up with freedoms,” he said. “So how can we go back?”

Unpaid and potentially stateless, Afghan diplomats seek permission to remain in US

Afghanistan`s central bank on Saturday criticised Washington`s plan to use half the bank`s $7 billion in frozen assets on U.S. soil for humanitarian aid and set aside the rest to possibly satisfy lawsuits over the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

US&nbsp;administration officials said on Friday they would work to ensure access to $3.5 billion of the assets would benefit the Afghan people, amid calls for the money to be used to address a deepening economic crisis since the Taliban seized power last year.

The other half of the funds would remain in the United States, subject to ongoing litigation targeting the Taliban, including by relatives of those who died in the Sept. 11 attacks, the officials said.

Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB) criticised the decision, saying its assets had been invested in the United States in line with international practices, and belonged to the people of Afghanistan.

"DAB considers the latest decision of USA on blocking FX (foreign exchange) reserves and allocating them to irrelevant purposes, injustice to the people of Afghanistan," the central bank said in a statement.

"(DAB) will never accept if the FX reserves of Afghanistan is paid under the name of compensation or humanitarian assistance to others and wants the reversal of the decision and release of all FX reserves of Afghanistan," it added.

The central bank funds have been frozen since the Taliban took over the country as foreign forces withdrew in August.

The frozen funding combined with sanctions and a drop off in development funding have sent the country`s economy into freefall, unleashing a humanitarian crisis.

Afghanistan`s central bank on Saturday criticised Washington`s plan to use half the bank`s $7 billion in frozen assets on U.S. soil for humanitarian aid and set aside the rest to possibly satisfy lawsuits over the Sept.

Afghanistan`s central bank on Saturday criticised Washington`s plan to use half the bank`s $7 billion in frozen assets on U.S. soil for humanitarian aid and set aside the rest to possibly satisfy lawsuits over the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. US administration officials said on Friday they would work to ensure access to $3.5 billion of the assets would benefit the Afghan people, amid calls for the money to be used to address a deepening economic crisis since the Taliban seized power last year. The other half of the funds would remain in the United States, subject to ongoing litigation targeting the Taliban, including by relatives of those who died in the Sept. 11 attacks, the officials said. Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB) criticised the decision, saying its assets had been invested in the United States in line with international practices, and belonged to the people of Afghanistan. "DAB considers the latest decision of USA on blocking FX (foreign exchange) reserves and allocating them to irrelevant purposes, injustice to the people of Afghanistan," the central bank said in a statement. "(DAB) will never accept if the FX reserves of Afghanistan is paid under the name of compensation or humanitarian assistance to others and wants the reversal of the decision and release of all FX reserves of Afghanistan," it added. The central bank funds have been frozen since the Taliban took over the country as foreign forces withdrew in August. The frozen funding combined with sanctions and a drop off in development funding have sent the country`s economy into freefall, unleashing a humanitarian crisis.

Afghan central bank says U.S. plan for frozen funds an 'injustice'

A standoff between Canadian police and protesters blocking a key bridge to the United States continued on Saturday. Demonstrators opposing the government's strict pandemic restrictions have occupied the Ambassador Bridge for the fifth straight day.

Truckers' Protest: Demonstrators continue to occupy key US-Canada bridge

Several US F-22 fighter jets have arrived at an airbase in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Saturday.&nbsp;

This comes in after a series of attacks in Abu Dhabi by Houthi fighters in Yemen, the US Air force said. The world's most advanced fighter aircraft, the F-22s are fifth-generation combat jets. &nbsp;

As per a statement, the jets arrived to show US support after a series of attacks that threatened the US and Emirati armed forces stationed at the host installation. This is when the US Secretary of Defense ordered the immediate deployment of the aircraft in coordination with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the UAE.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/two-indians-among-3-killed-in-uae-drone-attack-claimed-by-yemens-houthis-445407">Also read |&nbsp;Two Indians among 3 killed in UAE drone attack claimed by Yemen's Houthis</a>

The airmen and F-22s are deployed from the 1st fighter wing, located at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, the US Air Force said.

The recent Houthi attacks have highlighted the unsuccessful UN-led efforts to broker an end to the war in Yemen. The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people and caused a humanitarian crisis.

Yemen has been in a state of civil war since 2011 ever since the Arab Spring movement, where the country's former president, Ali Abdullah Saleh was ousted.

Since 2015, a nine-country coalition led by Saudi Arabia has been intervening in the country unsuccessfully.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Several US F-22 fighter jets have arrived at an airbase in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Saturday. This comes in after a series of attacks in Abu Dhabi by Houthi fighters in Yemen, the US Air force said.

Several US F-22 fighter jets have arrived at an airbase in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Saturday. This comes in after a series of attacks in Abu Dhabi by Houthi fighters in Yemen, the US Air force said. The world's most advanced fighter aircraft, the F-22s are fifth-generation combat jets. As per a statement, the jets arrived to show US support after a series of attacks that threatened the US and Emirati armed forces stationed at the host installation. This is when the US Secretary of Defense ordered the immediate deployment of the aircraft in coordination with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the UAE. Also read | Two Indians among 3 killed in UAE drone attack claimed by Yemen's Houthis The airmen and F-22s are deployed from the 1st fighter wing, located at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, the US Air Force said. The recent Houthi attacks have highlighted the unsuccessful UN-led efforts to broker an end to the war in Yemen. The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people and caused a humanitarian crisis. Yemen has been in a state of civil war since 2011 ever since the Arab Spring movement, where the country's former president, Ali Abdullah Saleh was ousted. Since 2015, a nine-country coalition led by Saudi Arabia has been intervening in the country unsuccessfully. (With inputs from agencies)

After a series of Houthi attacks, US F-22 fighter jets arrive in UAE

Even as President Joe Biden and his counterpart Vladimir Putin’s hour-long call failed to provide breakthrough in defusing tensions in Ukraine, Russia and the United States seems to have embroiled in another face-off in the Pacific. &nbsp;

Russia has said that a naval vessel of the country chased away a US submarine in its waters in the Pacific. But the United States denied carrying out any military operations in the territorial waters of Russia on Saturday. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/west-will-respond-decisively-if-ukraine-invasion-occurs-biden-tells-putin-452818" hreflang="en">West will respond decisively if Ukraine invasion occurs, Biden tells Putin</a>

Russia has accused the US of breaking international law and creating a national security threat over the incident. &nbsp;&nbsp;

This comes as the tensions are rife between Moscow and Washington over a Russian military buildup near Ukraine.&nbsp;

A Russian naval vessel chased away a US submarine in Russian waters in the Pacific. This happened after the sub ignored the orders of the ship to surface, Interfax news agency reported citing the Russian Defence Ministry. &nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-tells-allies-russia-may-attack-ukraine-on-february-16-reports-452685">Biden tells allies Russia may attack Ukraine on February 16: Reports</a>

In a statement, Captain Kyle Raines, a US military spokesman, said, "There is no truth to the Russian claims of our operations in their territorial waters. I will not comment on the precise location of our submarines but we do fly, sail, and operate safely in international waters." &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Even as President Joe Biden and his counterpart Vladimir Putin’s hour-long call failed to provide breakthrough in defusing tensions in Ukraine, Russia and the United States seems to have embroiled in another face-off in the Pacific.

Even as President Joe Biden and his counterpart Vladimir Putin’s hour-long call failed to provide breakthrough in defusing tensions in Ukraine, Russia and the United States seems to have embroiled in another face-off in the Pacific. Russia has said that a naval vessel of the country chased away a US submarine in its waters in the Pacific. But the United States denied carrying out any military operations in the territorial waters of Russia on Saturday. Also Read: West will respond decisively if Ukraine invasion occurs, Biden tells Putin Russia has accused the US of breaking international law and creating a national security threat over the incident. This comes as the tensions are rife between Moscow and Washington over a Russian military buildup near Ukraine. A Russian naval vessel chased away a US submarine in Russian waters in the Pacific. This happened after the sub ignored the orders of the ship to surface, Interfax news agency reported citing the Russian Defence Ministry. Also Read | Biden tells allies Russia may attack Ukraine on February 16: Reports In a statement, Captain Kyle Raines, a US military spokesman, said, "There is no truth to the Russian claims of our operations in their territorial waters. I will not comment on the precise location of our submarines but we do fly, sail, and operate safely in international waters." (With inputs from agencies)

Did US submarine enter Russian territorial waters in Pacific? Accusations, claims continue

Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Joe Biden held a high-stakes telephone call as tensions over a possibility imminent invasion of Ukraine escalated sharply.

Biden-Putin phone call on Ukraine fails to ease tension

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered the temporary repositioning of Florida National Guard troops out of Ukraine, said Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby in a statement on Saturday.Kirby reiterated US` commitment to the Ukrainian armed forces amid the ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine.

Taking to Twitter, he said, "@SecDef has ordered the temporary repositioning of @FLGuard troops out of Ukraine. Abundance of caution, safety and security of our personnel his paramount concern.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-a-series-of-houthi-attacks-us-f-22-fighter-jets-arrive-in-uae-452828">After a series of Houthi attacks, US F-22 fighter jets arrive in UAE</a>

We remain committed to our relationship with the Ukrainian armed forces."Earlier in the day, the US State Department has told non-emergency personnel at its embassy in Ukraine to leave due to reports of Russian troop build-up near the border with Ukraine and "potential for significant military action," the US embassy in Kyiv said Saturday."

Today, the @StateDept ordered non-emergency US employees at the Embassy to depart due to continued reports of a Russian military build-up on the border with Ukraine, indicating the potential for significant military action," the embassy tweeted.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-detains-29-women-and-their-families-in-kabul-claims-us-diplomat-452857">Taliban detains 29 women and their families in Kabul, claims US diplomat</a>

The core team of US diplomats will stay in Ukraine, however, the embassy said.The US and several NATO countries have been pumping Kyiv with weapons in recent weeks, alleging that Russia is planning to invade Ukraine, which Moscow denied.

&nbsp;

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered the temporary repositioning of Florida National Guard troops out of Ukraine, said Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby in a statement on Saturday.

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered the temporary repositioning of Florida National Guard troops out of Ukraine, said Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby in a statement on Saturday.Kirby reiterated US` commitment to the Ukrainian armed forces amid the ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine. Taking to Twitter, he said, "@SecDef has ordered the temporary repositioning of @FLGuard troops out of Ukraine. Abundance of caution, safety and security of our personnel his paramount concern. Also read | After a series of Houthi attacks, US F-22 fighter jets arrive in UAE We remain committed to our relationship with the Ukrainian armed forces."Earlier in the day, the US State Department has told non-emergency personnel at its embassy in Ukraine to leave due to reports of Russian troop build-up near the border with Ukraine and "potential for significant military action," the US embassy in Kyiv said Saturday." Today, the @StateDept ordered non-emergency US employees at the Embassy to depart due to continued reports of a Russian military build-up on the border with Ukraine, indicating the potential for significant military action," the embassy tweeted. Also read | Taliban detains 29 women and their families in Kabul, claims US diplomat The core team of US diplomats will stay in Ukraine, however, the embassy said.The US and several NATO countries have been pumping Kyiv with weapons in recent weeks, alleging that Russia is planning to invade Ukraine, which Moscow denied.

US Defence Secretary orders Florida National Guard troops to reposition out of Ukraine

Hit by the sanctions from the United States, Iran's bookstores fear washout. The increased production cost is expected to have a wider impact.

Bookstores fear washout in Iran as publishers are running out of cash

Joe Biden warned Russian president Vladimir Putin that the US would impose swift and severe costs on Russia if his forces invaded Ukraine. The warning comes as US officials say a Russian invasion could begin "at any time."

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks to Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov amid tensions

The United States has sent fighter jets to assist the United Arab Emirates following a series of missile attacks on the Gulf state launched by Yemen's Houthi movement.

The United States' F-22 fighter jets arrive in UAE after recent Houthi attacks in Abu Dhabi

In the shadow of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, Fontbonne Hall Academy in Brooklyn has not been hit by the forces of cultural change quite as bluntly as so many other private schools, which have spent the past few years embracing increasingly progressive values. Founded in 1937 by the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph, an order devoted to the goal of fostering “love, unity and reconciliation,” the girls’ school professes a commitment to “restorative justice.” But when it had the opportunity to put that principle into practice last week, it chose a less forgiving path.

Responding to the deaths of police officers, Wilbert Mora and Jason Rivera, who were killed in the line of duty in Harlem last month, Fontbonne instituted a “dress down” day, which gave students a reprieve from uniforms — and the option to wear blue in commemoration — as they raised money for the families of the men who were shot. Resisting the effort, a young teacher named Laura Lynne Duffy announced on Twitter that she would be “intentionally dressing up,” adding the hashtags “BLM” and “Abolition” to her post. The next day, the school announced that it was letting her go after “a thorough investigation.”

In private discussions among young alumnae, some took the view that the school had been unduly punitive. But the Facebook page for the Sisters of St. Joseph featured dozens of comments supportive of the school’s decision, with certain posters calling Duffy “hateful,” a “monster” and someone who “should never be allowed to teach ANYWHERE again.” (Neither Duffy nor the various teachers and administrators at Fontbonne responded to repeated requests to talk about what happened.)

The dismissal, one among several, suggests that we may have entered a new phase of intolerance. In the current environment, police unions and their sympathizers in and out of the tabloid press have assumed the role of left-wing ideologues, wielding their power to silence views that challenge a prevailing orthodoxy at a time when crime has been challenging and the police feel as if they are operating amid greater dangers.

As it happened, Duffy was not the only Brooklyn teacher to be fired as a result of critical comments made about the police. Days earlier, Chris Flanigan, who had been working at Coney Island Prep for just a few weeks, was let go after posting an image to his personal Instagram account of a throng of police officers outside the funeral for Rivera with the text: “5/30/20: NYPD SUV drives into a crowd of protesters. Ideal conditions for reciprocity.”

Flanigan was referring to a situation in which a police department vehicle accelerated toward a barricade, knocking people down behind it, in Brooklyn at a demonstration around George Floyd’s murder. Some people interpreted his post as a call for retribution, which makes it harder to defend. Remarking on the teacher’s firing in a statement, Leslie-Bernard Joseph, CEO of Coney Island Prep, a charter school where the majority of students are Black and Latino, said that as public servants, teachers and staff must hold themselves to a “higher standard” and that the school did not “condone or promote violence of any sort.”

But Flanigan claimed he did not condone violence either, that he respected “uniform service” and that he had been trying to suggest — however incendiary his language seemed — that the crowd formation had put the police officers in a vulnerable position. He expressed “deep regret” for his comments and said that he had “incredible respect for Coney Island Prep and the community.” But his rash words now appeared to make him irredeemable.

Had the ideas he registered on Instagram never made their way to a broader audience, the threats and harassment that he and the school ultimately endured might not have come to pass. Flanigan, who had only 400 Instagram followers at the time, put the post up at midnight on a Friday. By 10 the next morning, he told me, after noticing that a few people had taken issue with his sentiment, he removed it. On Saturday night, however, Flanigan received a call from The New York Post, which had got hold of the posting and planned to run an article about it. It went up several hours later, and early Sunday morning, Flanigan alerted his employers.

Although the arts might seem more open to controversial positions, a young actress named Jacqueline Guzman found herself cast aside after she vented and cursed about street closures for police funerals in a since-deleted TikTok video in which she pointed out that “we don’t shut down the city” for those who are killed by the police.

The production company with which she was affiliated, Face to Face Films, quickly let her go. At the same time, Patrick J. Lynch, the head of the Police Benevolent Association, told The New York Post that officers needed New Yorkers who stood with them to “speak up and push back,” adding, “This kind of garbage has polluted the conversation for far too long.”

Of course, police unions function primarily to protect their members from precisely the kind of overreaching disciplinary actions that these three were put through. Although Officer Daniel Pantaleo’s chokehold led to Eric Garner’s death in 2014, he was not fired from the force until five years after the fact.

Just last month, a New Orleans police sergeant won his job back a year after he had been fired for racially inflammatory remarks made on social media following Floyd’s murder. One called demonstrators “animals,” whom he would run over if he felt necessary. He suggested that this betrayed no bias because he would react this way to anyone demonstrating in a threatening manner.

In the end, his termination was downgraded to a suspension.

In the shadow of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, Fontbonne Hall Academy in Brooklyn has not been hit by the forces of cultural change quite as bluntly as so many other private schools, which have spent the past few years embracing increasingly progressive values.

In the shadow of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, Fontbonne Hall Academy in Brooklyn has not been hit by the forces of cultural change quite as bluntly as so many other private schools, which have spent the past few years embracing increasingly progressive values. Founded in 1937 by the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph, an order devoted to the goal of fostering “love, unity and reconciliation,” the girls’ school professes a commitment to “restorative justice.” But when it had the opportunity to put that principle into practice last week, it chose a less forgiving path. Responding to the deaths of police officers, Wilbert Mora and Jason Rivera, who were killed in the line of duty in Harlem last month, Fontbonne instituted a “dress down” day, which gave students a reprieve from uniforms — and the option to wear blue in commemoration — as they raised money for the families of the men who were shot. Resisting the effort, a young teacher named Laura Lynne Duffy announced on Twitter that she would be “intentionally dressing up,” adding the hashtags “BLM” and “Abolition” to her post. The next day, the school announced that it was letting her go after “a thorough investigation.” In private discussions among young alumnae, some took the view that the school had been unduly punitive. But the Facebook page for the Sisters of St. Joseph featured dozens of comments supportive of the school’s decision, with certain posters calling Duffy “hateful,” a “monster” and someone who “should never be allowed to teach ANYWHERE again.” (Neither Duffy nor the various teachers and administrators at Fontbonne responded to repeated requests to talk about what happened.) The dismissal, one among several, suggests that we may have entered a new phase of intolerance. In the current environment, police unions and their sympathizers in and out of the tabloid press have assumed the role of left-wing ideologues, wielding their power to silence views that challenge a prevailing orthodoxy at a time when crime has been challenging and the police feel as if they are operating amid greater dangers. As it happened, Duffy was not the only Brooklyn teacher to be fired as a result of critical comments made about the police. Days earlier, Chris Flanigan, who had been working at Coney Island Prep for just a few weeks, was let go after posting an image to his personal Instagram account of a throng of police officers outside the funeral for Rivera with the text: “5/30/20: NYPD SUV drives into a crowd of protesters. Ideal conditions for reciprocity.” Flanigan was referring to a situation in which a police department vehicle accelerated toward a barricade, knocking people down behind it, in Brooklyn at a demonstration around George Floyd’s murder. Some people interpreted his post as a call for retribution, which makes it harder to defend. Remarking on the teacher’s firing in a statement, Leslie-Bernard Joseph, CEO of Coney Island Prep, a charter school where the majority of students are Black and Latino, said that as public servants, teachers and staff must hold themselves to a “higher standard” and that the school did not “condone or promote violence of any sort.” But Flanigan claimed he did not condone violence either, that he respected “uniform service” and that he had been trying to suggest — however incendiary his language seemed — that the crowd formation had put the police officers in a vulnerable position. He expressed “deep regret” for his comments and said that he had “incredible respect for Coney Island Prep and the community.” But his rash words now appeared to make him irredeemable. Had the ideas he registered on Instagram never made their way to a broader audience, the threats and harassment that he and the school ultimately endured might not have come to pass. Flanigan, who had only 400 Instagram followers at the time, put the post up at midnight on a Friday. By 10 the next morning, he told me, after noticing that a few people had taken issue with his sentiment, he removed it. On Saturday night, however, Flanigan received a call from The New York Post, which had got hold of the posting and planned to run an article about it. It went up several hours later, and early Sunday morning, Flanigan alerted his employers. Although the arts might seem more open to controversial positions, a young actress named Jacqueline Guzman found herself cast aside after she vented and cursed about street closures for police funerals in a since-deleted TikTok video in which she pointed out that “we don’t shut down the city” for those who are killed by the police. The production company with which she was affiliated, Face to Face Films, quickly let her go. At the same time, Patrick J. Lynch, the head of the Police Benevolent Association, told The New York Post that officers needed New Yorkers who stood with them to “speak up and push back,” adding, “This kind of garbage has polluted the conversation for far too long.” Of course, police unions function primarily to protect their members from precisely the kind of overreaching disciplinary actions that these three were put through. Although Officer Daniel Pantaleo’s chokehold led to Eric Garner’s death in 2014, he was not fired from the force until five years after the fact. Just last month, a New Orleans police sergeant won his job back a year after he had been fired for racially inflammatory remarks made on social media following Floyd’s murder. One called demonstrators “animals,” whom he would run over if he felt necessary. He suggested that this betrayed no bias because he would react this way to anyone demonstrating in a threatening manner. In the end, his termination was downgraded to a suspension.

They criticized the NYPD. It cost them their jobs.

US President Joe Biden warns Russia's Vladimir Putin over Ukraine invasion

At least 10 countries have asked their citizens to leave Ukraine before tensions escalate further. These panicked warnings came after US issued a warning saying that Russia could attack Ukraine any day now. WION brings you more insights.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Nations tell their citizens to leave Ukraine

The Kremlin denounced US "peak hysteria" surrounding the Ukraine conflict but said Russian President Vladimir Putin and US leader Joe Biden had agreed to continue dialogue.

Kremlin denounces US 'peak hysteria' after Putin-Biden phone call

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