With the US Presidential election only a few months away, a substantial section of US citizens must have made up their mind now about casting their vote in favour of Joe Biden or Donald Trump.

Normally, before the US Presidential election, there would be a considerable wrangle about the choice of Presidential candidate by both the principal parties. However, this time, the Democratic party chose Biden as it’s a candidate without much of debate and Republican party too decided in favour of Trump as its candidate without much of debate. The usual excitement that would be associated with the nomination of a Presidential candidate has been missing this time, causing disappointment for the curious observers.

Even before the last Presidential election, the section of print and visual media in the US&nbsp;carried out vituperative criticism against Donald Trump and the severity of such criticism has not tapered down during the Presidency of Trump. Therefore, people in the US&nbsp;are aware of the views and prejudices of the section of media against Trump and, therefore, continued criticism&nbsp;against Trump may not have a significant impact on the results of the forthcoming US Presidential election.

Two recent unhappy events namely COVID-19 crisis and the death of George Floyd by white policeman are bound to become an electoral issue in the coming election, with the opposition parties, a section of media and sworn critics holding Trump responsible for these two unhappy problems confronting the US.

However, the discerning observers amongst citizens who do not hold any particular view for or against Trump would introspect deeper before casting their votes. The votes of these unprejudiced citizens are likely to be the deciding factor in the choice of next US President.

Many impartial observers refuse to blame President Trump for COVID-19 crisis in the US&nbsp;and any criticism that Trump did not take preventive steps to avoid COVID-19 crisis cannot stand independent scrutiny. No country in the world anticipated such magnitude of the COVID-19 problem and the fact that China concealed the information to the world when it occurred in Wuhan and WHO colluded with China in concealing the information is believed by many people to be correct.

President Trump left it to the Governors to handle the COVID-19 crisis and this is what it should be. It is true that Trump underestimated the seriousness of COVID-19 crisis earlier, which is a matter of judgement and the benefit of the doubt should be given to him. Several governments in Europe and other countries reacted in the same way as the US did.

In the case of George Floyd's death, it would be extremely unfair to blame President Trump for this and he lost no time in condemning it. When the violent prone protestors took law into their own hands and destroyed public properties, President Trump had no alternative other than issuing a&nbsp;warning&nbsp;to put down such violence by force. No government can afford to remain as a spectator when the protestors indulge in violence, whatever may be the cause.

The critics and opposition party exploiting the above two unhappy events to discredit President Trump and spoil his public image may not cut ice amongst many discerning people.

&nbsp;

The basic approach of President Trump in defending the American business interests and stating clearly “America first” is certainly recognised and applauded by many people. His decision to confront China is a matter of absolute need and he has taken the bull by the horn in dealing with China, &nbsp;with no other US President having done so before.

The fact that the American economy has done reasonably well during Trump’s tenure and the steps he has taken to revive the economy after the COVID-19 crisis will not go unnoticed even by the worst critics.

Many would wonder whether the Democratic party candidate would go soft on China if he were to be the next President. &nbsp;No American would want this.

Former President Obama campaigning for Biden may not help his electoral prospects significantly. Many people would still remember that President Obama suddenly visited a mosque and asked the African Americans to defend their rights before the last Presidential election, which inevitably gave an impression that Obama was trying to please a section of people by appeasing them for the sake of votes. Considering the fact that Obama himself is not a white person, many may ask as to what he did to enhance the status of blacks in America during his Presidentship.

Obama was not tough against China and this became very clear when he received the respected Tibetan leader the Dalai Lama through the backdoors of White House so that Chinese government would not be annoyed by his entertaining the Dalai Lama. &nbsp;By this process, many think that Obama insulted the Dalai Lama.

As of now, the US Presidential election campaigning is still open and it would become more bitter as the days go on. But, the discerning observers amongst US citizens would not be guided by rhetorics and media views. 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

With the US Presidential election only a few months away, a substantial section of US citizens must have made up their mind now about casting their vote in favour of Joe Biden or Donald Trump.

With the US Presidential election only a few months away, a substantial section of US citizens must have made up their mind now about casting their vote in favour of Joe Biden or Donald Trump. Normally, before the US Presidential election, there would be a considerable wrangle about the choice of Presidential candidate by both the principal parties. However, this time, the Democratic party chose Biden as it’s a candidate without much of debate and Republican party too decided in favour of Trump as its candidate without much of debate. The usual excitement that would be associated with the nomination of a Presidential candidate has been missing this time, causing disappointment for the curious observers. Even before the last Presidential election, the section of print and visual media in the US carried out vituperative criticism against Donald Trump and the severity of such criticism has not tapered down during the Presidency of Trump. Therefore, people in the US are aware of the views and prejudices of the section of media against Trump and, therefore, continued criticism against Trump may not have a significant impact on the results of the forthcoming US Presidential election. Two recent unhappy events namely COVID-19 crisis and the death of George Floyd by white policeman are bound to become an electoral issue in the coming election, with the opposition parties, a section of media and sworn critics holding Trump responsible for these two unhappy problems confronting the US. However, the discerning observers amongst citizens who do not hold any particular view for or against Trump would introspect deeper before casting their votes. The votes of these unprejudiced citizens are likely to be the deciding factor in the choice of next US President. Many impartial observers refuse to blame President Trump for COVID-19 crisis in the US and any criticism that Trump did not take preventive steps to avoid COVID-19 crisis cannot stand independent scrutiny. No country in the world anticipated such magnitude of the COVID-19 problem and the fact that China concealed the information to the world when it occurred in Wuhan and WHO colluded with China in concealing the information is believed by many people to be correct. President Trump left it to the Governors to handle the COVID-19 crisis and this is what it should be. It is true that Trump underestimated the seriousness of COVID-19 crisis earlier, which is a matter of judgement and the benefit of the doubt should be given to him. Several governments in Europe and other countries reacted in the same way as the US did. In the case of George Floyd's death, it would be extremely unfair to blame President Trump for this and he lost no time in condemning it. When the violent prone protestors took law into their own hands and destroyed public properties, President Trump had no alternative other than issuing a warning to put down such violence by force. No government can afford to remain as a spectator when the protestors indulge in violence, whatever may be the cause. The critics and opposition party exploiting the above two unhappy events to discredit President Trump and spoil his public image may not cut ice amongst many discerning people. The basic approach of President Trump in defending the American business interests and stating clearly “America first” is certainly recognised and applauded by many people. His decision to confront China is a matter of absolute need and he has taken the bull by the horn in dealing with China, with no other US President having done so before. The fact that the American economy has done reasonably well during Trump’s tenure and the steps he has taken to revive the economy after the COVID-19 crisis will not go unnoticed even by the worst critics. Many would wonder whether the Democratic party candidate would go soft on China if he were to be the next President. No American would want this. Former President Obama campaigning for Biden may not help his electoral prospects significantly. Many people would still remember that President Obama suddenly visited a mosque and asked the African Americans to defend their rights before the last Presidential election, which inevitably gave an impression that Obama was trying to please a section of people by appeasing them for the sake of votes. Considering the fact that Obama himself is not a white person, many may ask as to what he did to enhance the status of blacks in America during his Presidentship. Obama was not tough against China and this became very clear when he received the respected Tibetan leader the Dalai Lama through the backdoors of White House so that Chinese government would not be annoyed by his entertaining the Dalai Lama. By this process, many think that Obama insulted the Dalai Lama. As of now, the US Presidential election campaigning is still open and it would become more bitter as the days go on. But, the discerning observers amongst US citizens would not be guided by rhetorics and media views. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Is change of leadership in the US necessary?

Amazon.com Inc said on Monday its founder and Chief Executive Jeff Bezos is willing to testify to a congressional panel investigating potential violations of U.S. antitrust law by big technology companies.

The company confirmed a letter that its attorney sent to members of the House Judiciary Committee saying Amazon had cooperated with the probe. "This includes making Jeff Bezos available to testify at a hearing with the other CEOs this summer," said the letter from Robert Kelner of Covington and Burling LLP.

The big four tech platforms -- Alphabet Inc's Google, Apple Inc, Amazon and Facebook Inc -- are under investigation by a House Judiciary Committee panel and the U.S. Justice Department. The Federal Trade Commission is probing Facebook and Amazon and groups of U.S. state attorneys general are looking at Facebook and Google.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/elon-musk-feels-its-time-to-break-up-amazon-tweets-to-jeff-bezos-303448" hreflang="en">Elon Musk feels it's 'time to break up Amazon'; tweets to Jeff Bezos</a>

Kelner said in the letter that Amazon and the committee would need to "resolve a number of questions regarding timing, format, and outstanding document production issues, all necessarily framed by the extraordinary demands of the global pandemic."

This would be the first time that Bezos has appeared before Congress, according to a source familiar with the company.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/amazons-jeff-bezos-invests-in-uk-based-company-beacon-302223" hreflang="en">Amazon's Jeff Bezos invests in UK-based company Beacon</a>

In early May, the committee wrote the Amazon.com CEO to demand his testimony in the wake of a report that the online retailer uses data from its third-party sellers to create competing products. Amazon's associate general counsel, Nate Sutton, had denied under oath last July that Amazon used sensitive information from its independent sellers to develop Amazon products.

Further, the letter also noted that Amazon had given the committee's antitrust panel more than 225,000 pages of documents and notes that the committee has not given a "binding commitment" that they would be confidential.

Amazon.com Inc said on Monday its founder and Chief Executive Jeff Bezos is willing to testify to a congressional panel investigating potential violations of U.S.

Amazon.com Inc said on Monday its founder and Chief Executive Jeff Bezos is willing to testify to a congressional panel investigating potential violations of U.S. antitrust law by big technology companies. The company confirmed a letter that its attorney sent to members of the House Judiciary Committee saying Amazon had cooperated with the probe. "This includes making Jeff Bezos available to testify at a hearing with the other CEOs this summer," said the letter from Robert Kelner of Covington and Burling LLP. The big four tech platforms -- Alphabet Inc's Google, Apple Inc, Amazon and Facebook Inc -- are under investigation by a House Judiciary Committee panel and the U.S. Justice Department. The Federal Trade Commission is probing Facebook and Amazon and groups of U.S. state attorneys general are looking at Facebook and Google. Also read: Elon Musk feels it's 'time to break up Amazon'; tweets to Jeff Bezos Kelner said in the letter that Amazon and the committee would need to "resolve a number of questions regarding timing, format, and outstanding document production issues, all necessarily framed by the extraordinary demands of the global pandemic." This would be the first time that Bezos has appeared before Congress, according to a source familiar with the company. Also read: Amazon's Jeff Bezos invests in UK-based company Beacon In early May, the committee wrote the Amazon.com CEO to demand his testimony in the wake of a report that the online retailer uses data from its third-party sellers to create competing products. Amazon's associate general counsel, Nate Sutton, had denied under oath last July that Amazon used sensitive information from its independent sellers to develop Amazon products. Further, the letter also noted that Amazon had given the committee's antitrust panel more than 225,000 pages of documents and notes that the committee has not given a "binding commitment" that they would be confidential.

Amazon says CEO Bezos willing to testify before US Congress

Two Democratic senators on Monday asked US Defense Secretary Mike Esper what happened to $1 billion in aid for Afghanistan the Trump administration said it would cut nearly three months ago, according to a letter reviewed by Reuters.

Senator Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Robert Menendez, the top Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, demanded Esper explain whether the funds had been cut and if so from which accounts.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/new-polio-cases-reported-in-afghanistan-balkh-herat-badakhshan-305917">Also watch:&nbsp;New Polio cases reported in Afghanistan | Balkh, Herat, Badakhshan</a>

"Will the execution of such funding cuts impact the US military presence on the ground in Afghanistan?" they asked in the letter, requesting a reply by June 26.

"If the administration has determined that this cut in security assistance does not diminish our ability to pursue our national security objectives, what conditions have changed to create such a sizeable surplus?" they added.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/afghanistan/eight-killed-in-armed-attack-on-clinic-in-eastern-afghanistan-including-political-figure-305659">Also read:&nbsp;Eight killed in armed attack on clinic in Eastern Afghanistan, including political figure</a>

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the reduction on March 23 to try to force Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and his political rival Abdullah Abdullah to end a feud that had helped stall US-led peace-making efforts in Afghanistan.

Ghani and Abdullah on May 17 signed a power-sharing deal, raising questions whether Washington would reduce the funding.

After nearly two decades of fighting the Taliban, the United States is looking to extricate itself and to achieve peace between the US-backed government and the militant group. But despite the pact between Ghani and Abdullah, peace talks between the government and the Taliban have yet to occur.

Reuters reported on April 5 the reduction would come from funds for Afghan security forces and, on May 20, that the Pentagon had not withheld the money despite Pompeo`s March 23 vow to cut it "immediately."

On June 1, US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad said he thought the money had been cut and referred questions to the Pentagon.

The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the letter.

Two Democratic senators on Monday asked US Defense Secretary Mike Esper what happened to $1 billion in aid for Afghanistan the Trump administration said it would cut nearly three months ago, according to a letter reviewed by Reuters.

Two Democratic senators on Monday asked US Defense Secretary Mike Esper what happened to $1 billion in aid for Afghanistan the Trump administration said it would cut nearly three months ago, according to a letter reviewed by Reuters. Senator Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Robert Menendez, the top Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, demanded Esper explain whether the funds had been cut and if so from which accounts. Also watch: New Polio cases reported in Afghanistan | Balkh, Herat, Badakhshan "Will the execution of such funding cuts impact the US military presence on the ground in Afghanistan?" they asked in the letter, requesting a reply by June 26. "If the administration has determined that this cut in security assistance does not diminish our ability to pursue our national security objectives, what conditions have changed to create such a sizeable surplus?" they added. Also read: Eight killed in armed attack on clinic in Eastern Afghanistan, including political figure Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the reduction on March 23 to try to force Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and his political rival Abdullah Abdullah to end a feud that had helped stall US-led peace-making efforts in Afghanistan. Ghani and Abdullah on May 17 signed a power-sharing deal, raising questions whether Washington would reduce the funding. After nearly two decades of fighting the Taliban, the United States is looking to extricate itself and to achieve peace between the US-backed government and the militant group. But despite the pact between Ghani and Abdullah, peace talks between the government and the Taliban have yet to occur. Reuters reported on April 5 the reduction would come from funds for Afghan security forces and, on May 20, that the Pentagon had not withheld the money despite Pompeo`s March 23 vow to cut it "immediately." On June 1, US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad said he thought the money had been cut and referred questions to the Pentagon. The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the letter.

US senators ask Pentagon if $1 billion in Afghan aid was cut

The US&nbsp;Department of Health and Human Services issued a rule on Friday that would lift anti-discrimination protections under Obamacare for transgender people and women seeking abortions, drawing condemnation from Democratic lawmakers.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-delays-oklahoma-rally-after-decry-of-massacre-on-juneteenth-305547" hreflang="en">Trump delays Oklahoma rally after decry of massacre on Juneteenth</a>

The rule reverses some provisions of the Affordable Care Act passed during President Barack Obama's administration, also known as Obamacare, that extended civil rights protections in healthcare to cover areas including gender identity and the termination of a pregnancy.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/polish-president-compares-lgbt-ideology-to-soviet-indoctrination-305628" hreflang="en">Polish president compares 'LGBT ideology' to Soviet indoctrination</a>

LGBTQ rights groups, Democratic lawmakers and Democratic-controlled states have decried efforts under the administration of Republican President Donald Trump to erode protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer citizens. One group said it planned to sue the administration over the new rule.

US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi called the decision a "shocking attack on the health and well-being of countless vulnerable communities, including women, LGBTQ individuals, and people of color."

The Trump administration has also sought to restrict access to abortion.

The Health Department, or HHS, said a regulation issued by the Obama administration in 2016 to implement the anti-discrimination Section 1557 of Obamacare had "redefined sex discrimination to include termination of pregnancy and gender identity, which it defined as 'one's internal sense of gender, which may be male, female, neither, or a combination of male and female.'"

That regulation was struck down by a federal court in October 2019.

"HHS will enforce Section 1557 by returning to the government’s interpretation of sex discrimination according to the plain meaning of the word 'sex' as male or female and as determined by biology," the department said on Friday.

The Human Rights Campaign, an LGBTQ advocacy group, said it planned to "sue the Trump administration for exceeding their legal authority and attempting to remove basic health care protections from vulnerable communities including LGBTQ people."

The US Department of Health and Human Services issued a rule on Friday that would lift anti-discrimination protections under Obamacare for transgender people and women seeking abortions, drawing condemnation from Democratic lawmakers.

The US Department of Health and Human Services issued a rule on Friday that would lift anti-discrimination protections under Obamacare for transgender people and women seeking abortions, drawing condemnation from Democratic lawmakers. Also read: Trump delays Oklahoma rally after decry of massacre on Juneteenth The rule reverses some provisions of the Affordable Care Act passed during President Barack Obama's administration, also known as Obamacare, that extended civil rights protections in healthcare to cover areas including gender identity and the termination of a pregnancy. Also read: Polish president compares 'LGBT ideology' to Soviet indoctrination LGBTQ rights groups, Democratic lawmakers and Democratic-controlled states have decried efforts under the administration of Republican President Donald Trump to erode protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer citizens. One group said it planned to sue the administration over the new rule. US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi called the decision a "shocking attack on the health and well-being of countless vulnerable communities, including women, LGBTQ individuals, and people of color." The Trump administration has also sought to restrict access to abortion. The Health Department, or HHS, said a regulation issued by the Obama administration in 2016 to implement the anti-discrimination Section 1557 of Obamacare had "redefined sex discrimination to include termination of pregnancy and gender identity, which it defined as 'one's internal sense of gender, which may be male, female, neither, or a combination of male and female.'" That regulation was struck down by a federal court in October 2019. "HHS will enforce Section 1557 by returning to the government’s interpretation of sex discrimination according to the plain meaning of the word 'sex' as male or female and as determined by biology," the department said on Friday. The Human Rights Campaign, an LGBTQ advocacy group, said it planned to "sue the Trump administration for exceeding their legal authority and attempting to remove basic health care protections from vulnerable communities including LGBTQ people."

US health agency to lift anti-discrimination protections under Obamacare for transgender

The Trump administration has launched an economic and legal offensive on the international criminal court (ICC) in response to the court’s decision to open an investigation into war crimes in Afghanistan carried out by all sides. Watch report.

US vs International criminal court: US to launch counter-investigation into ICC

A report by the U.S. Justice Department says China's propaganda mouthpiece China Daily paid American newspapers $19 million for Pro-Beijing advertisements. WION's Palki Sharma takes you inside China's global propaganda campaign.

Gravitas: Inside China's global propaganda campaign

An annual American report on religious freedom has voiced concern over the targeted killing in Pakistan of Shia Muslims, including ethnic Hazaras, who are largely Shia, and Ahmadi Muslims in attacks believed to be driven by faith.

The US `2019 International Religious Freedom Report` that documents major instances of the violation of religious freedom across the world, released by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at the State Department on Wednesday, said human rights activists reported numerous instances of societal violence related to allegations of blasphemy; of efforts by individuals to coerce religious minorities to convert to Islam; and of societal harassment, discrimination, and threats of violence directed at members of religious minority communities.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/our-stimulus-package-is-as-large-as-gdp-of-pakistan-india-tells-imran-khan-after-he-offers-help-305154">Also read:&nbsp;Our stimulus package is as large as GDP of Pakistan: India tells Imran Khan after he offers 'help'</a>

NGOs expressed concern about what they stated was an increasing frequency of attempts to kidnap, forcibly convert, and forcibly marry young women from religious minority communities, especially young Hindu and Christian women.

"There also continued to be reports of attacks on holy places, cemeteries, and religious symbols of Hindu, Christian, and Ahmadiyya minorities," the report added.

According to Ahmadi civil society organizations, the State Department said, Islamabad failed to restrict advertisements or speeches inciting anti-Ahmadi violence, despite this responsibility being a component of the NAP.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/cash-strapped-pakistan-wants-to-help-india-imran-offers-to-share-the-cash-transfer-programme-305114">Also read: Cash-strapped Pakistan wants to 'help' India, Imran offers to 'share the cash transfer programme'</a>

Civil society groups continued to express concerns about the safety of religious minorities.The report said that visiting US government officials met with minority community representatives, parliamentarians, human rights activists, and members of the federal cabinet to highlight concerns regarding the treatment of religious minority communities, the application of blasphemy laws, and other forms of discrimination on the basis of religion. But still no coercing action has been taken.

According to civil society reports, there were at least 84 individuals imprisoned on blasphemy charges, at least 29 of whom had received death sentences, as compared with 77 and 28, respectively, in 2018, the State Department said in the report.

NGOs expressed concern that authorities have often failed to intervene in instances of societal violence against religious minorities due to fear of the perpetrators, inadequate staff, or apathy.

"Perpetrators of societal violence and abuses against religious minorities often faced no legal consequences due to a lack of follow-through by law enforcement, bribes offered by the accused, and pressure on victims to drop cases.

In some cases of alleged kidnapping and forced conversions of young religious minority women, however, government authorities intervened to protect the alleged victim and ascertain her will," the report stated.

On November 9, the government opened a newly refurbished Sikh holy site, the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, along with a visa-free transit corridor for Sikh pilgrims traveling from India. However, minority religious leaders stated members of their communities continued to experience discrimination in public schools and tertiary education, which resulted in very few religious minority applicants competing and qualifying for private and civil service employment.

Pakistan is a well-known perpetrator of such human rights violations. On several occasions, it has promised to safeguard the interest of minority communities in the nation. However, continuing attacks on minorities narrate a different story.

Islamabad has been discriminating against its religious minorities. This is manifested in various forms of targeted violence, mass murders, extrajudicial killings, abduction, rapes, forced conversion to Islam, etc., making Pakistani Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Ahmadiyyas, and Shias the most persecuted minorities in the region.

An annual American report on religious freedom has voiced concern over the targeted killing in Pakistan of Shia Muslims, including ethnic Hazaras, who are largely Shia, and Ahmadi Muslims in attacks believed to be driven by faith.

An annual American report on religious freedom has voiced concern over the targeted killing in Pakistan of Shia Muslims, including ethnic Hazaras, who are largely Shia, and Ahmadi Muslims in attacks believed to be driven by faith. The US `2019 International Religious Freedom Report` that documents major instances of the violation of religious freedom across the world, released by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at the State Department on Wednesday, said human rights activists reported numerous instances of societal violence related to allegations of blasphemy; of efforts by individuals to coerce religious minorities to convert to Islam; and of societal harassment, discrimination, and threats of violence directed at members of religious minority communities. Also read: Our stimulus package is as large as GDP of Pakistan: India tells Imran Khan after he offers 'help' NGOs expressed concern about what they stated was an increasing frequency of attempts to kidnap, forcibly convert, and forcibly marry young women from religious minority communities, especially young Hindu and Christian women. "There also continued to be reports of attacks on holy places, cemeteries, and religious symbols of Hindu, Christian, and Ahmadiyya minorities," the report added. According to Ahmadi civil society organizations, the State Department said, Islamabad failed to restrict advertisements or speeches inciting anti-Ahmadi violence, despite this responsibility being a component of the NAP. Also read: Cash-strapped Pakistan wants to 'help' India, Imran offers to 'share the cash transfer programme' Civil society groups continued to express concerns about the safety of religious minorities.The report said that visiting US government officials met with minority community representatives, parliamentarians, human rights activists, and members of the federal cabinet to highlight concerns regarding the treatment of religious minority communities, the application of blasphemy laws, and other forms of discrimination on the basis of religion. But still no coercing action has been taken. According to civil society reports, there were at least 84 individuals imprisoned on blasphemy charges, at least 29 of whom had received death sentences, as compared with 77 and 28, respectively, in 2018, the State Department said in the report. NGOs expressed concern that authorities have often failed to intervene in instances of societal violence against religious minorities due to fear of the perpetrators, inadequate staff, or apathy. "Perpetrators of societal violence and abuses against religious minorities often faced no legal consequences due to a lack of follow-through by law enforcement, bribes offered by the accused, and pressure on victims to drop cases. In some cases of alleged kidnapping and forced conversions of young religious minority women, however, government authorities intervened to protect the alleged victim and ascertain her will," the report stated. On November 9, the government opened a newly refurbished Sikh holy site, the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, along with a visa-free transit corridor for Sikh pilgrims traveling from India. However, minority religious leaders stated members of their communities continued to experience discrimination in public schools and tertiary education, which resulted in very few religious minority applicants competing and qualifying for private and civil service employment. Pakistan is a well-known perpetrator of such human rights violations. On several occasions, it has promised to safeguard the interest of minority communities in the nation. However, continuing attacks on minorities narrate a different story. Islamabad has been discriminating against its religious minorities. This is manifested in various forms of targeted violence, mass murders, extrajudicial killings, abduction, rapes, forced conversion to Islam, etc., making Pakistani Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Ahmadiyyas, and Shias the most persecuted minorities in the region.

US report on religious freedom blames Pakistan for targeted killing of minorities

Highlighting its "vibrant democratic tradition" India has dismissed the annual US State department's international religious freedom for 2019, released on Wednesday, that mentions the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), National Register of Citizens (NRC), and revocation of article 370 -- that gave special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Ministry of external affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said, "India’s vibrant democratic traditions and practices are evident to the world. The people and government of India are proud of our country’s democratic traditions."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/our-stimulus-package-is-as-large-as-gdp-of-pakistan-india-tells-imran-khan-after-he-offers-help-305154">Also read:&nbsp;Our stimulus package is as large as GDP of Pakistan: India tells Imran Khan after he offers 'help'</a>

Elaborating, "We have a robust public discourse in India and constitutionally mandated institutions that guarantee protection of religious freedom and rule of law."

Dismissing the report he said,"Our principled position remains that we see no locus standi for a foreign entity to pronounce on the state of our citizens’ constitutionally protected rights."

Earlier in the month of April, United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), a US&nbsp;federal government commission in its annual report had also criticized India on its religious freedom drawing a sharp reaction from New Delhi. Calling the body an "organisation of particular concern" after it listed India among "countries of particular concern" on the situation of minorities, MEA back then said, “we reject the observations on India in the USCIRF Annual Report. Its biased and tendentious comments against India are not new."

Highlighting its "vibrant democratic tradition" India has dismissed the annual US State department's international religious freedom for 2019, released on Wednesday, that mentions the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), National Register of Citizens (NRC), and revocation of article 370 -- that gave special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Highlighting its "vibrant democratic tradition" India has dismissed the annual US State department's international religious freedom for 2019, released on Wednesday, that mentions the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), National Register of Citizens (NRC), and revocation of article 370 -- that gave special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. Ministry of external affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said, "India’s vibrant democratic traditions and practices are evident to the world. The people and government of India are proud of our country’s democratic traditions." Also read: Our stimulus package is as large as GDP of Pakistan: India tells Imran Khan after he offers 'help' Elaborating, "We have a robust public discourse in India and constitutionally mandated institutions that guarantee protection of religious freedom and rule of law." Dismissing the report he said,"Our principled position remains that we see no locus standi for a foreign entity to pronounce on the state of our citizens’ constitutionally protected rights." Earlier in the month of April, United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), a US federal government commission in its annual report had also criticized India on its religious freedom drawing a sharp reaction from New Delhi. Calling the body an "organisation of particular concern" after it listed India among "countries of particular concern" on the situation of minorities, MEA back then said, “we reject the observations on India in the USCIRF Annual Report. Its biased and tendentious comments against India are not new."

Highlighting vibrant democratic traditions, India dismisses US State dept report that mentions NRC/CAA

South Korea once stood out as a shining example of how to contain the coronavirus spread. But with the country easing restrictions, that image seems to be fading away.

Health experts have warned of a second possible coronavirus outbreak in South Korea due to increasing violation of social distancing norms and easing of COVID-19 rules.&nbsp;

In the last 48 hours, the country also reported 95 new cases and &nbsp;2 deaths. But that's not the only threat on the Korean peninsula.

Meanwhile, tensions between the two Koreas are on the rise once again.

The trigger this time? Balloons!

For years, huge balloons have been floated into North Korea by South Korean activists. These balloons carry leaflets that criticize the North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong-un.

But there is no space for dissent in North Korea. This is a well-known fact.

Those who don't toe the line, face the consequences. Defectors are shot down leaders are worshipped.

So even innocent-looking balloons can escalate tensions. North Korea has now cut off all cross-border communication lines with South Korea.

Calling it "the first step of the determination to completely shut down all contact means with South Korea".

North Korea says South Korea has failed to stop activists from floating such anti-Pyongyang leaflets across the border.

Today, one of the top South Korean security officials urged defectors to stop sending leaflets and goods to North Korea.&nbsp;

South Korea's deputy director of the national security council, Kim you-Geun, saying: "The government will begin strictly controlling activities such as leafleting and sending goods to North Korea and respond strictly to violations in accordance with the law. We hope that private organizations would strictly follow relevant domestic laws."

These balloons have been floated for years. So why would they irk North Korea this much all of a sudden? Experts say &nbsp;North Korea is only trying to signal its frustration.

First, the failed talks with the United States over the crippling sanctions. And now, the coronavirus pandemic which has forced North Korea to shut its border with its biggest trading partner, China.

After the US state department said it was disappointed at North Korea for its decision to suspend communication lines with South Korea.

North Korea fired back, Pyongyang has said the US has no standing to comment on inter-Korean affairs.

Not just that, it issued an open threat. Saying it is in Washington's interest to stay quiet if it wants the upcoming US presidential election to go smoothly.

The North Korean state news agency KCNA quoted Kwon Jong Gun, the director-general for US affairs at North Korea's foreign ministry as saying, "If the US pokes its nose into others’ affairs with careless remarks, far from minding its internal affairs, at a time when its political situation is in the worst-ever confusion, it may encounter an unpleasant thing hard to deal with.”

As per the North Korean official. America should “hold its tongue” and address its domestic problems unless it wants to “experience a hair-raiser”.

What exactly the hair-raiser would be no one knows. Perhaps not even North Korea.

But at this point with tensions ballooning the idea of peace on the Korean peninsula continues to drift away. 
&nbsp;

South Korea once stood out as a shining example of how to contain the coronavirus spread. But with the country easing restrictions, that image seems to be fading away.

South Korea once stood out as a shining example of how to contain the coronavirus spread. But with the country easing restrictions, that image seems to be fading away. Health experts have warned of a second possible coronavirus outbreak in South Korea due to increasing violation of social distancing norms and easing of COVID-19 rules. In the last 48 hours, the country also reported 95 new cases and 2 deaths. But that's not the only threat on the Korean peninsula. Meanwhile, tensions between the two Koreas are on the rise once again. The trigger this time? Balloons! For years, huge balloons have been floated into North Korea by South Korean activists. These balloons carry leaflets that criticize the North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong-un. But there is no space for dissent in North Korea. This is a well-known fact. Those who don't toe the line, face the consequences. Defectors are shot down leaders are worshipped. So even innocent-looking balloons can escalate tensions. North Korea has now cut off all cross-border communication lines with South Korea. Calling it "the first step of the determination to completely shut down all contact means with South Korea". North Korea says South Korea has failed to stop activists from floating such anti-Pyongyang leaflets across the border. Today, one of the top South Korean security officials urged defectors to stop sending leaflets and goods to North Korea. South Korea's deputy director of the national security council, Kim you-Geun, saying: "The government will begin strictly controlling activities such as leafleting and sending goods to North Korea and respond strictly to violations in accordance with the law. We hope that private organizations would strictly follow relevant domestic laws." These balloons have been floated for years. So why would they irk North Korea this much all of a sudden? Experts say North Korea is only trying to signal its frustration. First, the failed talks with the United States over the crippling sanctions. And now, the coronavirus pandemic which has forced North Korea to shut its border with its biggest trading partner, China. After the US state department said it was disappointed at North Korea for its decision to suspend communication lines with South Korea. North Korea fired back, Pyongyang has said the US has no standing to comment on inter-Korean affairs. Not just that, it issued an open threat. Saying it is in Washington's interest to stay quiet if it wants the upcoming US presidential election to go smoothly. The North Korean state news agency KCNA quoted Kwon Jong Gun, the director-general for US affairs at North Korea's foreign ministry as saying, "If the US pokes its nose into others’ affairs with careless remarks, far from minding its internal affairs, at a time when its political situation is in the worst-ever confusion, it may encounter an unpleasant thing hard to deal with.” As per the North Korean official. America should “hold its tongue” and address its domestic problems unless it wants to “experience a hair-raiser”. What exactly the hair-raiser would be no one knows. Perhaps not even North Korea. But at this point with tensions ballooning the idea of peace on the Korean peninsula continues to drift away.

Amid pandemic, tensions escalate between North Korea and South Korea

US consumer prices fell for a third straight month in May and underlying inflation was weak as demand for goods and services remained subdued amid a recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

But with nonessential businesses reopening after shuttering in mid-March to slow the spread of COVID-19, deflation, a decline in the general price level, is unlikely. Still, the report from the Labor Department on Wednesday suggested the disinflationary trend could persist for a while.

That together with a struggling labor market supports the Federal Reserve`s commitment to maintain its very accommodative monetary policy stance for some time while nursing the economy back to health. The US central bank said on Wednesday COVID-19 "will weigh heavily on economic activity, employment, and inflation in the near term."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/indias-economy-to-contract-by-32-in-2020-21-world-bank-304352">Also read:&nbsp;India's economy to contract by 3.2% in 2020-21: World Bank</a>

"We expect the crisis to result in a sustained slowing in inflation due to a net increase in slack," said Jim O`Sullivan, chief US macro strategist at TD Securities in New York.

The Labor Department said its consumer price index dipped 0.1% last month after plunging 0.8% in April, which was the largest decline since December 2008. Prices were held down by a 3.5% drop in the cost of gasoline, which followed a 20.6% plunge in April. That offset a 0.7% increase in the cost of food last month. Food prices jumped 1.5% in April.

Prices for food consumed at home rose 1.0% after surging 2.6% in April. The cost of beef shot up a record 10.8% in May, reflecting shortages as a result of COVID-19 infections at meat processing plants. Expensive food has led consumers to anticipate higher inflation this year.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japans-economy-minister-warns-against-deepening-negative-rates-304121">Also read:&nbsp;Japan's economy minister warns against deepening negative rates</a>

Consumers also paid more for dairy products, fruits and vegetables. But cereals and bakery products were cheaper last month. In the 12 months through May, the CPI edged up 0.1%. That was the smallest year-on-year rise since September 2015 and followed a 0.3% increase in April.

Economists polled by Reuters had forecast the CPI would be unchanged in May and gain 0.2% year-on-year. 
The National Bureau of Economic Research, the arbiter of US recessions, declared on Monday that the economy slipped into recession in February.

The Labor Department said in-store data collection had remained suspended since March 16 because of risks of exposure to COVID-19. The department added that data collection last month was also impacted "by the temporary closing or limited operations of certain types of establishments," leading to "an increase in the number of prices being considered temporarily unavailable and imputed."

Stocks on Wall Street were mixed in choppy trading. The dollar fell against a basket of currencies. US Treasury prices rose.

Rents increase

Excluding the volatile food and energy components, the CPI slipped 0.1% in May after decreasing 0.4% in April, the largest drop since the series started in 1957. The so-called core CPI fell in March for the first time since January 2010.

May marked the first time that the core CPI has dropped for three consecutive months. Underlying inflation was depressed by continued decreases in the costs of motor vehicle insurance and apparel. Airline fares fell 4.9% and used cars and trucks prices dropped 0.4%.

The cost of hotel and motel accommodation dropped 1.8% last month after record 8.1% plunge in April.

Those price declines offset a 0.3% increase in owners` equivalent rent of primary residence, which is what a homeowner would pay to rent or receive from renting a home. This rent measure gained 0.2% in April, likely reflecting forbearance agreements between landlords and tenants who have lost their jobs or have had their hours cut because of the global pandemic.

The economy has shed nearly 20 million jobs since March.

Healthcare costs increased 0.5% in May after a solid 0.4% rise in April. Consumers paid more for household furnishings, new vehicles, alcoholic beverages and education.

In the 12 months through May, the core CPI rose 1.2%, the smallest gain since March 2011. The core CPI increased 1.4% year-on-year in April.

The Fed tracks the core personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index for its 2% inflation target. The core PCE price index increased 1.0% on a year-on-year basis in April, the smallest advance since December 2010. May`s core PCE price index data will be released at the end of the month.

The Fed projected core inflation rising 1.0% this year and picking up to 1.5% in 2021. Back in December, it forecast inflation at 1.9% this year and 2% in 2021.

"The weakness in the economy should keep downward pressure on inflation over time and we expect softness in the core measures to be reported for upcoming months," said Daniel Silver, an economist at JPMorgan in New York.

"But we think that we probably have moved past the largest sequential monthly declines in inflation that came shortly after the virus spread."

US consumer prices fell for a third straight month in May and underlying inflation was weak as demand for goods and services remained subdued amid a recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

US consumer prices fell for a third straight month in May and underlying inflation was weak as demand for goods and services remained subdued amid a recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. But with nonessential businesses reopening after shuttering in mid-March to slow the spread of COVID-19, deflation, a decline in the general price level, is unlikely. Still, the report from the Labor Department on Wednesday suggested the disinflationary trend could persist for a while. That together with a struggling labor market supports the Federal Reserve`s commitment to maintain its very accommodative monetary policy stance for some time while nursing the economy back to health. The US central bank said on Wednesday COVID-19 "will weigh heavily on economic activity, employment, and inflation in the near term." Also read: India's economy to contract by 3.2% in 2020-21: World Bank "We expect the crisis to result in a sustained slowing in inflation due to a net increase in slack," said Jim O`Sullivan, chief US macro strategist at TD Securities in New York. The Labor Department said its consumer price index dipped 0.1% last month after plunging 0.8% in April, which was the largest decline since December 2008. Prices were held down by a 3.5% drop in the cost of gasoline, which followed a 20.6% plunge in April. That offset a 0.7% increase in the cost of food last month. Food prices jumped 1.5% in April. Prices for food consumed at home rose 1.0% after surging 2.6% in April. The cost of beef shot up a record 10.8% in May, reflecting shortages as a result of COVID-19 infections at meat processing plants. Expensive food has led consumers to anticipate higher inflation this year. Also read: Japan's economy minister warns against deepening negative rates Consumers also paid more for dairy products, fruits and vegetables. But cereals and bakery products were cheaper last month. In the 12 months through May, the CPI edged up 0.1%. That was the smallest year-on-year rise since September 2015 and followed a 0.3% increase in April. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast the CPI would be unchanged in May and gain 0.2% year-on-year. The National Bureau of Economic Research, the arbiter of US recessions, declared on Monday that the economy slipped into recession in February. The Labor Department said in-store data collection had remained suspended since March 16 because of risks of exposure to COVID-19. The department added that data collection last month was also impacted "by the temporary closing or limited operations of certain types of establishments," leading to "an increase in the number of prices being considered temporarily unavailable and imputed." Stocks on Wall Street were mixed in choppy trading. The dollar fell against a basket of currencies. US Treasury prices rose. Rents increase Excluding the volatile food and energy components, the CPI slipped 0.1% in May after decreasing 0.4% in April, the largest drop since the series started in 1957. The so-called core CPI fell in March for the first time since January 2010. May marked the first time that the core CPI has dropped for three consecutive months. Underlying inflation was depressed by continued decreases in the costs of motor vehicle insurance and apparel. Airline fares fell 4.9% and used cars and trucks prices dropped 0.4%. The cost of hotel and motel accommodation dropped 1.8% last month after record 8.1% plunge in April. Those price declines offset a 0.3% increase in owners` equivalent rent of primary residence, which is what a homeowner would pay to rent or receive from renting a home. This rent measure gained 0.2% in April, likely reflecting forbearance agreements between landlords and tenants who have lost their jobs or have had their hours cut because of the global pandemic. The economy has shed nearly 20 million jobs since March. Healthcare costs increased 0.5% in May after a solid 0.4% rise in April. Consumers paid more for household furnishings, new vehicles, alcoholic beverages and education. In the 12 months through May, the core CPI rose 1.2%, the smallest gain since March 2011. The core CPI increased 1.4% year-on-year in April. The Fed tracks the core personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index for its 2% inflation target. The core PCE price index increased 1.0% on a year-on-year basis in April, the smallest advance since December 2010. May`s core PCE price index data will be released at the end of the month. The Fed projected core inflation rising 1.0% this year and picking up to 1.5% in 2021. Back in December, it forecast inflation at 1.9% this year and 2% in 2021. "The weakness in the economy should keep downward pressure on inflation over time and we expect softness in the core measures to be reported for upcoming months," said Daniel Silver, an economist at JPMorgan in New York. "But we think that we probably have moved past the largest sequential monthly declines in inflation that came shortly after the virus spread."

US inflation subdued with economy in recession

Indicating that the US labour market could take years to recover from the COVID-19 crisis. Fresh hiring in the world's largest economy has hit an all-time low. Watch report.

Coronavirus pandemic: 77 MN US workers lost jobs in April

The brother of George Floyd, Philonise Floyd made an emotional plea before the House Judiciary Committee for lawmakers to take action to prevent more deaths at the hands of police officers. Watch video.

George Floyd’s brother testifies before house, says I’m tired of the pain

The Senate on Tuesday confirmed Gen. Charles Brown Jr. as chief of staff of the United States Air Force, making him the first black officer to lead one of the nation's military services.

US: Senate confirms Gen. Charles Brown as new Air Force Chief

George Floyd was laid to rest in Houston. His last words are resonating in protests across the globe. The Merriam Webster dictionary is changing the definition of Racism. One streaming platform has pulled down the historical film 'Gone with the Wind'. The world is rising against racism and accompanying it is politics.

Gravitas: George Floyd laid to rest

New York City, the cultural hub of the United States is currently reeling from the effects of coronavirus and the ongoing protests against the murder of George Floyd.

The murder of George Floyd in the United States has triggered protests not only in the country, but across the world. Protesters are demanding justice for Floyd while calling for an end to systemic racism which targets black people across the globe.

The governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo recently said that state legislators are coming up with an overhaul of criminal justice, which could pave the way for nationwide reform.

<h6><img alt="New York Governor Andrew Cuomo addresses a briefing on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) response at the National Press Club following his meeting with U.S. President Trump in Washington, U.S., May 27, 2020" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="44c5bb3a-6968-46e6-92d6-ca0a97dff2a7" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design-2_23.jpg" /> 
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo addresses a briefing on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) response at the National Press Club following his meeting with US&nbsp;President Trump in Washington, U.S., May 27, 2020&nbsp;| Reuters 
&nbsp;</h6>

Derek Chauvin, the 44-year-old police officer who knelt on Floyd was charged with second and third-degree murder, with his previous bail set at $1 million. However, on Tuesday, the bail was raised by $250,000 to $1.25 million.

The package of bills will focus on curbing police excesses and abuses, and by banning the “chokehold” which led to the death of Floyd.

"If they pass the bills that we've discussed, I will sign the bills, and I will sign them as soon as they're passed," Cuomo said in a briefing.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bail-raised-to-125-million-for-officer-charged-with-murdering-george-floyd-304432" hreflang="en">Bail raised to $1.25 million for officer charged with murdering George Floyd</a>

Floyd does not mark the first incident of police excesses that include the aforementioned chokehold technique.

Eric Garner, a black man was murdered after a policeman used a similar technique. His last words were “I can’t breathe”, the same words echoed by George Floyd before he became unconsciousness.

Floyd’s murder has reignited Black Lives Matter movement&nbsp;across the globe, with new cases of police brutality across the globe being brought to attention in countries like France and the United States.

In the video that went viral after Floyd’s death, the officer was seen kneeling on the man for almost nine minutes, even when he was repeatedly telling the officer about his inability to breathe. It was only when the ambulance arrived that the officer retracted his knee from the neck. An hour later, Floyd was dead.

<h6><img alt="Current and former New York City Mayor's staff march across the Brooklyn Bridge to call for reforms during a protest against racial inequality in the aftermath of the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, in New York City, New York, U.S. June 8, 202" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ec41e4aa-c404-4264-a90b-5ff6e2d4a096" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design-5_6.jpg" /> 
Current and former New York City Mayor's staff march across the Brooklyn Bridge to call for reforms during a protest against racial inequality in the aftermath of the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, in New York City, New York, US&nbsp;June 8, 2020 | Reuters 
&nbsp;</h6>

Calls across the country for defunding the police have gained traction. Trump recently claimed that he will protect the police, and that there will be no defunding, a sentiment which was also echoed by Joe Biden, his Democrat rival in the upcoming elections.

As part of the proposed legislation, the state of New York will make the records of police officers public, including their disciplinary records.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-to-restart-election-campaign-with-fresh-rallies-even-as-coronavirus-cases-climb-in-the-us-304426" hreflang="en">Trump to restart election campaign with fresh rallies even as coronavirus cases climb in the US</a>

"New York state will take this legislative action, and I hope it then becomes a model for other states to follow," Cuomo said.

Cuomo had earlier put an order in place which called for investigations into police killings of unarmed suspects. If passed, all killings will be investigated will be investigated by the state attorney general.

New York City, the cultural hub of the United States is currently reeling from the effects of coronavirus and the ongoing protests against the murder of George Floyd.

New York City, the cultural hub of the United States is currently reeling from the effects of coronavirus and the ongoing protests against the murder of George Floyd. The murder of George Floyd in the United States has triggered protests not only in the country, but across the world. Protesters are demanding justice for Floyd while calling for an end to systemic racism which targets black people across the globe. The governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo recently said that state legislators are coming up with an overhaul of criminal justice, which could pave the way for nationwide reform. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo addresses a briefing on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) response at the National Press Club following his meeting with US President Trump in Washington, U.S., May 27, 2020 | Reuters Derek Chauvin, the 44-year-old police officer who knelt on Floyd was charged with second and third-degree murder, with his previous bail set at $1 million. However, on Tuesday, the bail was raised by $250,000 to $1.25 million. The package of bills will focus on curbing police excesses and abuses, and by banning the “chokehold” which led to the death of Floyd. "If they pass the bills that we've discussed, I will sign the bills, and I will sign them as soon as they're passed," Cuomo said in a briefing. Also read: Bail raised to $1.25 million for officer charged with murdering George Floyd Floyd does not mark the first incident of police excesses that include the aforementioned chokehold technique. Eric Garner, a black man was murdered after a policeman used a similar technique. His last words were “I can’t breathe”, the same words echoed by George Floyd before he became unconsciousness. Floyd’s murder has reignited Black Lives Matter movement across the globe, with new cases of police brutality across the globe being brought to attention in countries like France and the United States. In the video that went viral after Floyd’s death, the officer was seen kneeling on the man for almost nine minutes, even when he was repeatedly telling the officer about his inability to breathe. It was only when the ambulance arrived that the officer retracted his knee from the neck. An hour later, Floyd was dead. Current and former New York City Mayor's staff march across the Brooklyn Bridge to call for reforms during a protest against racial inequality in the aftermath of the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, in New York City, New York, US June 8, 2020 | Reuters Calls across the country for defunding the police have gained traction. Trump recently claimed that he will protect the police, and that there will be no defunding, a sentiment which was also echoed by Joe Biden, his Democrat rival in the upcoming elections. As part of the proposed legislation, the state of New York will make the records of police officers public, including their disciplinary records. Also read: Trump to restart election campaign with fresh rallies even as coronavirus cases climb in the US "New York state will take this legislative action, and I hope it then becomes a model for other states to follow," Cuomo said. Cuomo had earlier put an order in place which called for investigations into police killings of unarmed suspects. If passed, all killings will be investigated will be investigated by the state attorney general.

New York to introduce a package of bills to curb police excesses

The British Empire is said to have ignited the flame of racism. 400 years later, its flames have engulfed the UK itself. Thousands are rallying in support of the 'Black Lives Matter' movement across Britain. Statues are being torn down, even defaced.

Gravitas: Black Lives Matter' protests engulf the UK

Thousands of protesters gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in London on Sunday to condemn police brutality after the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis

Thousands turn up for black lives matter protests in London

Councilors in the US city of Minneapolis vowed to demolish and rebuild the police department, after the death in custody of George Floyd sparked nationwide protests about racism in law enforcement.

A call for reforms in police department | Minneapolis department to be dismantled | George Floyd

The statue of one of Britain's most renowned leader Winston Churchill was vandalized again when Black Lives Matter demonstrators took over the park that housed the statue. Watch report.

UK protestors vandalize Churchill's statue: Demonstrations outside US embassy | George Floyd death

Mr Floyd, an unarmed black man, died in police custody in Minneapolis on 25 May. Video showed a white police officer kneeling on his neck for almost nine minutes while he is pinned to the floor.

George Floyd death: Violent clashes across major states in US

13th consecutive day of protests across America over George Floyd's killing by a cop in Minneapolis. Watch this video to know more.

Protests across the globe after George Floyd's death

Retired Major General Dana Pittard. He spent decades in the U.S. Army, becoming one of a few African Americans to rise to the level of major general.

US armed forces speak out against racism

A survey was conducted after US President Donald Trump asked is injecting disinfectants and bleach could treat coronavirus. According to the survey, more than a third of Americans misused cleaners and disinfectants to try to prevent infection.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lockdowns-may-have-averted-3-million-deaths-in-europe-by-curbing-covid-19-study-304265" hreflang="en">Lockdowns may have averted 3 million deaths in Europe by curbing COVID-19: Study</a>

Many citizens were noted washing food with bleach and spraying disinfectant on bare skin. Some were intentionally inhaling or ingesting these products were some of the most commonly reported "high-risk" practices in a May 4 online survey of 502 US adults, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported.

The author of the survey noticed a &nbsp;"sharp increase" in calls to poison control centres due to ingestion of disinfectants and cleaners amid the pandemic.&nbsp;

At least 39 per cent of the people surveyed were indulged in the intentional use of at least one high-risk practice not recommended by the CDC to prevent the coronavirus infection. Four per cent of the surveyed used to gargle diluted bleach solutions, soapy water or disinfectants.

One-fourth of the surveyed have witnessed at least one bad effect on health by the use of such products.&nbsp;

In April, US President Donald Trump asked scientists during his coronavirus taskforce briefing if inserting disinfectant into bodies of the infected could treat coronavirus.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

A survey was conducted after US President Donald Trump asked is injecting disinfectants and bleach could treat coronavirus. According to the survey, more than a third of Americans misused cleaners and disinfectants to try to prevent infection.

A survey was conducted after US President Donald Trump asked is injecting disinfectants and bleach could treat coronavirus. According to the survey, more than a third of Americans misused cleaners and disinfectants to try to prevent infection. Also read: Lockdowns may have averted 3 million deaths in Europe by curbing COVID-19: Study Many citizens were noted washing food with bleach and spraying disinfectant on bare skin. Some were intentionally inhaling or ingesting these products were some of the most commonly reported "high-risk" practices in a May 4 online survey of 502 US adults, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported. The author of the survey noticed a "sharp increase" in calls to poison control centres due to ingestion of disinfectants and cleaners amid the pandemic. At least 39 per cent of the people surveyed were indulged in the intentional use of at least one high-risk practice not recommended by the CDC to prevent the coronavirus infection. Four per cent of the surveyed used to gargle diluted bleach solutions, soapy water or disinfectants. One-fourth of the surveyed have witnessed at least one bad effect on health by the use of such products. In April, US President Donald Trump asked scientists during his coronavirus taskforce briefing if inserting disinfectant into bodies of the infected could treat coronavirus.

From spraying it on bodies to Gargles: Americans misusing disinfectants to prevent coronavirus

Almost in the nature of a brilliant crash course in political theory and philosophy, and of course, a lucidly compact International Relations handbook, whose expansive remit and the premise is to call for restraint in American Foreign Policy and what its author, &nbsp;the eminent Professor John Mearsheimer calls ‘liberal hegemony’, &nbsp;The Great Delusion: Liberal Dreams and International Realities’ is the book to read. The good professor begins his tome by a brief but lucid exegesis on human nature, calling attention to the limitations of reason and the ‘fact’ of humans being social animals instead of raw individualists, with the former imposing check on mankind’s, ‘inability to agree about what constitutes the good life’ and thereby being ‘the taproot of conflict’.

‘In the light of these ideas about human nature and politics, the Chicago University professor goes onto examining liberalism ‘which he suggests comes in two variants- modus vivendi liberalism and progressive liberalism’. The former, ‘tends to have a minimalist view of how much the state should intervene in the lives of its citizens while progressive liberals favour a more activist government’. Both variants of liberalism then, ‘think differently about the effectiveness of social engineering’.&nbsp;

Political liberalism has a ‘three-pronged strategy for dealing with the possibility of conflict’: emphasis on ‘everyone’s set of inalienable rights, purveying of the norm of toleration and a strong state that sits above society and maintains order’.

Professor Mearsheimer then turns his attention to the concept of the nation and nationalism. While referring to the former, he describes it as ‘ the highest level social group of real significance for the vast majority of people around the world’. This blends into the theory of nationalism which ‘ is a theory that explains how people around the world are organized socially and politically’. ‘ Nations avers the good professor, invariably identify with the territory with specific geographic spaces, &nbsp;which they treat s sacred territory’ [..] with ‘the principal aim being to establish sovereignty over that territory which is inextricably bound with the nation’s identity’. &nbsp;‘Sovereignty demands that other states not purposely intrude into its(states) politics which are deeply committed to self-determination’. &nbsp;The corollary here is that nations want states and states want nations

Liberalism’s incorporation of when liberalism becomes the foundational premise of foreign policy with a focus on inalienable rights and social engineering, what accrues from Professor Mearsheimer's standpoint is liberal hegemony- ‘a highly interventionist foreign policy that involves fighting wars and doing social engineering in countries throughout the world’ with ‘ the ultimate goal of creating a world populated solely by liberal democracies. It will also work to foster an open world economy and build international institutions to deal with both economic and security issues. ‘This logic, according to Professor Mearsheimer, leads straight to regime change’.

Drawing a contrast between a foreign policy informed by liberalism, whose proponents believe that ‘liberal democracies do not go to war with each other’, and a realist one, which maintains that, ‘international politics is a dangerous business and that states compete for power because the more power a state has the more likely it is to survive and &nbsp;whose corollary is that, ‘international politics is a dangerous business and that states compete for power because the more power a state has the more likely it is to survive’, Professor Mearsheimer posits that, ‘in a self -help and the anarchic world, states must do whatever they can to provide for their security’

To the contrary, liberal hegemony carries costs which, according to Professor Mearsheimer, begin with the endless wars a liberal state ends up fighting to protect human rights and spread liberal democracy around the world. ‘Once unleashed on the world stage, a liberal unipole becomes addicted to war’. The militarization of the unipole short-changes diplomacy, wherein ‘war becomes more likely and harder to terminate once it starts’. &nbsp;Examples are wars in Iraq, Libya, Syria and Afghanistan. Moreover, ‘liberalism undermines sovereignty- a significant norm in world politics, creating system instability’. &nbsp;The other significant cost is that of ignoring geopolitics which is reflected in the Ukraine crisis where, according to the good professor, ‘ taproot of the trouble is NATO expansion, the central element in a larger strategy to move all of Eastern Europe, including Ukraine, out of Russia’s orbit and integrate it into the West’.

The paradox of liberal foreign policy, according to Professor Mearsheimer, &nbsp;is that ‘it is likely to end up violating the individual rights and the rule of law that are at the heart of a liberal society’.

‘Liberal hegemony is built around three missions: increasing the number of liberal democracies around the world, facilitating an open economic order and building international institutions’, adds the good professor. But, each of these approaches is flawed: ‘‘The central problem according to Professor Mearsheimer, is the absence of higher authority that can credibly punish states if they disobey the rules. International institutions are not autonomous actors that can force a state to obey the rule when it thinks that doing so is not in the national interest’. Therefore, ‘ in a self- help world, it makes eminent sense to control as large a share of global power as possible’.

By way of a conclusion, Professor Mearsheimer, wraps up his thesis by,’making a case for restraint’ and suggests that, ‘ the United States should jettison its grand ambitions of liberal hegemony’ and that ‘Washington should adopt a restrained foreign policy based on realism and a clear understanding of nationalism limits a great power’s room to manoeuvre’. The good professor adds that, ‘ although realism is not a formula for perpetual peace, a foreign policy informed by it &nbsp;will mean fewer American wars &nbsp;and more diplomatic successes than will a policy guided by liberalism’

&nbsp;The thesis adumbrated by Professor Mearsheimer, is a compelling one and well worth the times, defined by fluidity, flux and ‘ unknown unknowns’. From this perspective, the Chicago university professor is offering eminently useful markers and signposts for America to navigate a complex, uncertain word through the tenets of nationalism informed by or complemented by realism. The chain of causality from ‘liberal hegemony’ to endless , costly wars and the attendant disorder and instability is breathtakingly perfect in that it is almost impossible to probe for cracks, so to speak, in the good professor’s thesis which is defined by a range, depth and breadth of scholarship that is holistic incorporating political theory, and political philosophy, history, international relations theory and praxis, all underpinned by vigorous analysis.

But there are some obvious issues with the overall thesis as well. &nbsp;For example, Professor Mearsheimer appears to hold culture and identity thereof as given, immutable and static. But history suggests this is not the case. The notion of nature versus nurture abounds in real life. If both culture and by extension identity are malleable, then this has implications on nationalism which is neither organic nor original but is in the nature of a construct conceived both prosaically and is a product of modernity. There then is no boundary on nationalism, culture and identity – all are permeable, porous concepts. If this assertion holds then states’ identities can also change over a period giving short shrift to a foreign policy informed by realism and nationalism. On the terrain of system and structure, Professor Mearsheimer's hope, banking on China’s rise to check or wither United States unipolarity and thereby liberal hegemonic reflexes is fraught: it conveniently ignores the Thucydides trap which roughly holds that a rising power can become a challenger to the dominant state which can lead to war.

Moreover, while it is true that there is no such thing as an international community at the aggregate level, but the European Union was and is a construct that comes close to being one where a veritable security community exists and in accordance with democratic peace theory, general peace obtains. Last but not the least, if and when there is no sensitivity to human rights abuses and violations, under the shield of sovereignty, the world will become a dark, Hobbessian world where, among other things, there can potentially ensue bottoms up challenges to the international system and structure and thereby the status quo (read the balance of power) which Professor Mearsheimer, so wants to maintain and preserve can fray and fritter. All in all, ‘The Great Delusion: Liberal Dreams and International Realities’ is a great read, informed not only by incisive scholarship but also gravitas and sobriety- attributes that are sorely missing in the American political and even global landscape contemporarily. The book must lead to some soul searching and, in the process, create a middle ground and synthesis between realism and liberalism. Either, on its own, carries great perils and pitfalls, especially for a powerful state like the United States. 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;

Almost in the nature of a brilliant crash course in political theory and philosophy, and of course, a lucidly compact International Relations handbook, whose expansive remit and the premise is to call for restraint in American Foreign Policy and what its author, the eminent Professor John Mearsheimer calls ‘liberal hegemony’, The Great Delusion: Liberal Dreams and International Realities’ is the book to read.

Almost in the nature of a brilliant crash course in political theory and philosophy, and of course, a lucidly compact International Relations handbook, whose expansive remit and the premise is to call for restraint in American Foreign Policy and what its author, the eminent Professor John Mearsheimer calls ‘liberal hegemony’, The Great Delusion: Liberal Dreams and International Realities’ is the book to read. The good professor begins his tome by a brief but lucid exegesis on human nature, calling attention to the limitations of reason and the ‘fact’ of humans being social animals instead of raw individualists, with the former imposing check on mankind’s, ‘inability to agree about what constitutes the good life’ and thereby being ‘the taproot of conflict’. ‘In the light of these ideas about human nature and politics, the Chicago University professor goes onto examining liberalism ‘which he suggests comes in two variants- modus vivendi liberalism and progressive liberalism’. The former, ‘tends to have a minimalist view of how much the state should intervene in the lives of its citizens while progressive liberals favour a more activist government’. Both variants of liberalism then, ‘think differently about the effectiveness of social engineering’. Political liberalism has a ‘three-pronged strategy for dealing with the possibility of conflict’: emphasis on ‘everyone’s set of inalienable rights, purveying of the norm of toleration and a strong state that sits above society and maintains order’. Professor Mearsheimer then turns his attention to the concept of the nation and nationalism. While referring to the former, he describes it as ‘ the highest level social group of real significance for the vast majority of people around the world’. This blends into the theory of nationalism which ‘ is a theory that explains how people around the world are organized socially and politically’. ‘ Nations avers the good professor, invariably identify with the territory with specific geographic spaces, which they treat s sacred territory’ [..] with ‘the principal aim being to establish sovereignty over that territory which is inextricably bound with the nation’s identity’. ‘Sovereignty demands that other states not purposely intrude into its(states) politics which are deeply committed to self-determination’. The corollary here is that nations want states and states want nations Liberalism’s incorporation of when liberalism becomes the foundational premise of foreign policy with a focus on inalienable rights and social engineering, what accrues from Professor Mearsheimer's standpoint is liberal hegemony- ‘a highly interventionist foreign policy that involves fighting wars and doing social engineering in countries throughout the world’ with ‘ the ultimate goal of creating a world populated solely by liberal democracies. It will also work to foster an open world economy and build international institutions to deal with both economic and security issues. ‘This logic, according to Professor Mearsheimer, leads straight to regime change’. Drawing a contrast between a foreign policy informed by liberalism, whose proponents believe that ‘liberal democracies do not go to war with each other’, and a realist one, which maintains that, ‘international politics is a dangerous business and that states compete for power because the more power a state has the more likely it is to survive and whose corollary is that, ‘international politics is a dangerous business and that states compete for power because the more power a state has the more likely it is to survive’, Professor Mearsheimer posits that, ‘in a self -help and the anarchic world, states must do whatever they can to provide for their security’ To the contrary, liberal hegemony carries costs which, according to Professor Mearsheimer, begin with the endless wars a liberal state ends up fighting to protect human rights and spread liberal democracy around the world. ‘Once unleashed on the world stage, a liberal unipole becomes addicted to war’. The militarization of the unipole short-changes diplomacy, wherein ‘war becomes more likely and harder to terminate once it starts’. Examples are wars in Iraq, Libya, Syria and Afghanistan. Moreover, ‘liberalism undermines sovereignty- a significant norm in world politics, creating system instability’. The other significant cost is that of ignoring geopolitics which is reflected in the Ukraine crisis where, according to the good professor, ‘ taproot of the trouble is NATO expansion, the central element in a larger strategy to move all of Eastern Europe, including Ukraine, out of Russia’s orbit and integrate it into the West’. The paradox of liberal foreign policy, according to Professor Mearsheimer, is that ‘it is likely to end up violating the individual rights and the rule of law that are at the heart of a liberal society’. ‘Liberal hegemony is built around three missions: increasing the number of liberal democracies around the world, facilitating an open economic order and building international institutions’, adds the good professor. But, each of these approaches is flawed: ‘‘The central problem according to Professor Mearsheimer, is the absence of higher authority that can credibly punish states if they disobey the rules. International institutions are not autonomous actors that can force a state to obey the rule when it thinks that doing so is not in the national interest’. Therefore, ‘ in a self- help world, it makes eminent sense to control as large a share of global power as possible’. By way of a conclusion, Professor Mearsheimer, wraps up his thesis by,’making a case for restraint’ and suggests that, ‘ the United States should jettison its grand ambitions of liberal hegemony’ and that ‘Washington should adopt a restrained foreign policy based on realism and a clear understanding of nationalism limits a great power’s room to manoeuvre’. The good professor adds that, ‘ although realism is not a formula for perpetual peace, a foreign policy informed by it will mean fewer American wars and more diplomatic successes than will a policy guided by liberalism’ The thesis adumbrated by Professor Mearsheimer, is a compelling one and well worth the times, defined by fluidity, flux and ‘ unknown unknowns’. From this perspective, the Chicago university professor is offering eminently useful markers and signposts for America to navigate a complex, uncertain word through the tenets of nationalism informed by or complemented by realism. The chain of causality from ‘liberal hegemony’ to endless , costly wars and the attendant disorder and instability is breathtakingly perfect in that it is almost impossible to probe for cracks, so to speak, in the good professor’s thesis which is defined by a range, depth and breadth of scholarship that is holistic incorporating political theory, and political philosophy, history, international relations theory and praxis, all underpinned by vigorous analysis. But there are some obvious issues with the overall thesis as well. For example, Professor Mearsheimer appears to hold culture and identity thereof as given, immutable and static. But history suggests this is not the case. The notion of nature versus nurture abounds in real life. If both culture and by extension identity are malleable, then this has implications on nationalism which is neither organic nor original but is in the nature of a construct conceived both prosaically and is a product of modernity. There then is no boundary on nationalism, culture and identity – all are permeable, porous concepts. If this assertion holds then states’ identities can also change over a period giving short shrift to a foreign policy informed by realism and nationalism. On the terrain of system and structure, Professor Mearsheimer's hope, banking on China’s rise to check or wither United States unipolarity and thereby liberal hegemonic reflexes is fraught: it conveniently ignores the Thucydides trap which roughly holds that a rising power can become a challenger to the dominant state which can lead to war. Moreover, while it is true that there is no such thing as an international community at the aggregate level, but the European Union was and is a construct that comes close to being one where a veritable security community exists and in accordance with democratic peace theory, general peace obtains. Last but not the least, if and when there is no sensitivity to human rights abuses and violations, under the shield of sovereignty, the world will become a dark, Hobbessian world where, among other things, there can potentially ensue bottoms up challenges to the international system and structure and thereby the status quo (read the balance of power) which Professor Mearsheimer, so wants to maintain and preserve can fray and fritter. All in all, ‘The Great Delusion: Liberal Dreams and International Realities’ is a great read, informed not only by incisive scholarship but also gravitas and sobriety- attributes that are sorely missing in the American political and even global landscape contemporarily. The book must lead to some soul searching and, in the process, create a middle ground and synthesis between realism and liberalism. Either, on its own, carries great perils and pitfalls, especially for a powerful state like the United States. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The Great Delusion: Liberal dreams and international realities

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