The social media giant, Facebook, is actively working towards ending Facebook accounts that are using the term "Boogaloo," which refers to a potential US civil war or the collapse of civilization.

Facebook will no longer recommend such groups to members of similar associations, a spokeswoman for the world`s largest social media network said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/facebook-employees-from-early-days-denounce-zuckerberg-stance-on-trump-posts-303079">Also read:&nbsp;Facebook employees from early days denounce Zuckerberg stance on Trump posts</a>

According to FBI's criminal complaint, out of three men, who were charged for plotting violence at a Las Vegas anti-racism protest, two had participated in&nbsp;Boogaloo groups on Facebook.

Facebook banned the usage of the term "Boogalo" and related words after few&nbsp;researchers and media observed that the term "Boogalo" was usually being accompanied by talks of taking up arms and&nbsp;promoting protests to "liberate" states from coronavirus restrictions.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/amazon-in-talks-to-invest-2-billion-in-bharti-airtel-report-303279">Also read:&nbsp;Amazon in talks to invest $2 billion in Bharti Airtel : Report</a>

However, participants of the infamous term are now coming up with similar terms to avoid Facebook's scrutiny. Terms such as&nbsp;"Big Igloo" or "Big Luau" are now becoming popular for all the similar wrong reasons. While the terms have changed, discussions on future wars and weapons remains the same.

Majority of these interactions are coming from people who identify with white nationalist groups or militias, according to researchers. Some of them are also gun-rights advocates, while others are anti-government protesters or apparent supporters of&nbsp;Black Lives Matter protests against police brutality.

Facebook said the politics of Boogaloo members it looked into "ran the gamut" from right to left.

Facebook has stated it will be take strict actions to stop any such activity happening on their social media platform.

(With inputs from Reuters)

The social media giant, Facebook, is actively working towards ending Facebook accounts that are using the term "Boogaloo," which refers to a potential US civil war or the collapse of civilization.

The social media giant, Facebook, is actively working towards ending Facebook accounts that are using the term "Boogaloo," which refers to a potential US civil war or the collapse of civilization. Facebook will no longer recommend such groups to members of similar associations, a spokeswoman for the world`s largest social media network said. Also read: Facebook employees from early days denounce Zuckerberg stance on Trump posts According to FBI's criminal complaint, out of three men, who were charged for plotting violence at a Las Vegas anti-racism protest, two had participated in Boogaloo groups on Facebook. Facebook banned the usage of the term "Boogalo" and related words after few researchers and media observed that the term "Boogalo" was usually being accompanied by talks of taking up arms and promoting protests to "liberate" states from coronavirus restrictions. Also read: Amazon in talks to invest $2 billion in Bharti Airtel : Report However, participants of the infamous term are now coming up with similar terms to avoid Facebook's scrutiny. Terms such as "Big Igloo" or "Big Luau" are now becoming popular for all the similar wrong reasons. While the terms have changed, discussions on future wars and weapons remains the same. Majority of these interactions are coming from people who identify with white nationalist groups or militias, according to researchers. Some of them are also gun-rights advocates, while others are anti-government protesters or apparent supporters of Black Lives Matter protests against police brutality. Facebook said the politics of Boogaloo members it looked into "ran the gamut" from right to left. Facebook has stated it will be take strict actions to stop any such activity happening on their social media platform. (With inputs from Reuters)

Facebook bans use of 'Boogaloo' that hints towards potential US civil war

After the United States said that it will suspend Chinese flights entering the country, Beijing announced the resumption of foreign airline services, providing relief to US carriers.&nbsp;

The qualified foreign airlines currently barred from operating in&nbsp;China will be allowed once-per-week flights into a city of their choice from June 8, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) said in a statement. &nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/domestic-passenger-flights-to-resume-on-monday-mumbai-airport-to-deal-with-50-per-day-300798">Domestic passenger flights to resume on Monday; Mumbai airport to deal with 50 per day</a>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

This latest relaxation came after CAAC limited the foreign airline services based on their activity from March 12.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-resumes-domestic-flights-partially-as-nation-wide-lockdown-eased-299067">Pakistan resumes domestic flights partially as nation-wide lockdown eased</a>

Earlier, the US announced that it would not allow flights coming from China into its country from June 16 in a move to pressurise Beijing letting airlines from the US operate.&nbsp;

However, the move required a nod of US President Donald Trump, who has accused China of mishandling coronavirus pandemic and slammed its actions directed towards Hong Kong.

The Chinese aviation agency also said that routes whose passengers all test negative for three successive weeks will be given an additional flight each week.&nbsp;

In late March, China said that domestic and foreign carriers could not run more than one weekly flight on one route and could not fly any more than the number of flights they were operating on March 12.&nbsp;

The relations between both the nations have reached a new low and Trump on May 29 announced the US terminating ties with World Health Organization (WHO), accusing the global health agency of having biases&nbsp;towards China, despite the US being its largest donor.&nbsp;

After the United States said that it will suspend Chinese flights entering the country, Beijing announced the resumption of foreign airline services, providing relief to US carriers.

After the United States said that it will suspend Chinese flights entering the country, Beijing announced the resumption of foreign airline services, providing relief to US carriers. The qualified foreign airlines currently barred from operating in China will be allowed once-per-week flights into a city of their choice from June 8, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) said in a statement. Also read | Domestic passenger flights to resume on Monday; Mumbai airport to deal with 50 per day This latest relaxation came after CAAC limited the foreign airline services based on their activity from March 12. Also read | Pakistan resumes domestic flights partially as nation-wide lockdown eased Earlier, the US announced that it would not allow flights coming from China into its country from June 16 in a move to pressurise Beijing letting airlines from the US operate. However, the move required a nod of US President Donald Trump, who has accused China of mishandling coronavirus pandemic and slammed its actions directed towards Hong Kong. The Chinese aviation agency also said that routes whose passengers all test negative for three successive weeks will be given an additional flight each week. In late March, China said that domestic and foreign carriers could not run more than one weekly flight on one route and could not fly any more than the number of flights they were operating on March 12. The relations between both the nations have reached a new low and Trump on May 29 announced the US terminating ties with World Health Organization (WHO), accusing the global health agency of having biases towards China, despite the US being its largest donor.

China eases foreign flight curbs following US suspension of passenger planes

As US President Donald Trump continues to back the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine as a potential treatment to novel coronavirus, a new study has claimed that the drug does not avoid infection in a statistically meaningful way.&nbsp;

The study led by a team at the University of Minnesota has also claimed that hydroxychloroquine is no significantly better than a placebo when it comes to coronavirus.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-temporary-pause-who-to-resume-hydroxychloroquine-trials-303045">After 'temporary pause', WHO to resume hydroxychloroquine trials</a>

Meanwhile, the White House said that President Trump remains healthy and free of any side-effects of hydroxychloroquine.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/study-panning-use-of-hydroxychloroquine-against-coronavirus-faces-new-questions-302785">Study panning use of hydroxychloroquine against coronavirus faces new questions</a>

As many as 821 people across the United States and Canada were part of this study that was published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Adults who were part of this study were those who came in contact with someone who had a confirmed case of COVID-19 for more than 10 minutes at a distance of six feet (about two meters) or less.

At least 719 people out of the total 821, were put under the category of "high-risk" exposure because they wore neither a face mask nor an eye shield at the time of their contact and were closer to a distance of two feet with the infected patient for more than 10 minutes.&nbsp;

The remaining people belonged to the "moderate-risk" category as they covered themselves with masks, but not with eyewear.&nbsp;

The participants were randomly given hydroxychloroquine, &nbsp;rheumatoid arthritis and lupus -- or a placebo, within four days of their exposure to the virus.&nbsp;

About 107 participants developed COVID-19 in the 14-day period.&nbsp;

Among those who received the anti-malarial drug, 49 developed COVID-19 or compatible symptoms such as fever or cough, while those who took a placebo, 58 of them developed coronavirus symptoms.&nbsp;

Two people in each group were hospitalised, however, none of the infected persons died.&nbsp;

Also, the participants that took HCQ had a higher rate of reporting side-effects such as nausea and stomach pain, which was 40 %, while the placebo's side effects were 17 %.&nbsp;

"This randomized trial did not demonstrate a significant benefit of hydroxychloroquine as postexposure prophylaxis for COVID-19," the authors of the study wrote. 
&nbsp;

As US President Donald Trump continues to back the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine as a potential treatment to novel coronavirus, a new study has claimed that the drug does not avoid infection in a statistically meaningful way.

As US President Donald Trump continues to back the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine as a potential treatment to novel coronavirus, a new study has claimed that the drug does not avoid infection in a statistically meaningful way. The study led by a team at the University of Minnesota has also claimed that hydroxychloroquine is no significantly better than a placebo when it comes to coronavirus. Also read | After 'temporary pause', WHO to resume hydroxychloroquine trials Meanwhile, the White House said that President Trump remains healthy and free of any side-effects of hydroxychloroquine. Also read | Study panning use of hydroxychloroquine against coronavirus faces new questions As many as 821 people across the United States and Canada were part of this study that was published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Adults who were part of this study were those who came in contact with someone who had a confirmed case of COVID-19 for more than 10 minutes at a distance of six feet (about two meters) or less. At least 719 people out of the total 821, were put under the category of "high-risk" exposure because they wore neither a face mask nor an eye shield at the time of their contact and were closer to a distance of two feet with the infected patient for more than 10 minutes. The remaining people belonged to the "moderate-risk" category as they covered themselves with masks, but not with eyewear. The participants were randomly given hydroxychloroquine, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus -- or a placebo, within four days of their exposure to the virus. About 107 participants developed COVID-19 in the 14-day period. Among those who received the anti-malarial drug, 49 developed COVID-19 or compatible symptoms such as fever or cough, while those who took a placebo, 58 of them developed coronavirus symptoms. Two people in each group were hospitalised, however, none of the infected persons died. Also, the participants that took HCQ had a higher rate of reporting side-effects such as nausea and stomach pain, which was 40 %, while the placebo's side effects were 17 %. "This randomized trial did not demonstrate a significant benefit of hydroxychloroquine as postexposure prophylaxis for COVID-19," the authors of the study wrote.

New study says Trump-backed hydroxychloroquine no better than placebo

US President Donald Trump appears as the first result of suggested accounts when users type "racist" into Twitter's people search, it emerged Wednesday.&nbsp;

The result, reported by the British news outlet The Independent and verified by AFP, highlights the intense discord around the president.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-long-silence-former-defence-secy-mattis-denounces-trump-and-military-response-to-crisis-303128">After long silence, former defence secy Mattis denounces Trump and military response to crisis</a>

Trump has more than 80 million followers, although there is much dispute about how many of them are genuine, active human Twitter users.

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-riots-over-floyds-killing-intensifies-more-than-4000-protesters-arrested-303118/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Analysts said the news suggests Trump opponents, more than critics of any other Twitter account, have been labeling him as racist, although the social media giant itself did not confirm this was the case.

Trump has been facing heightened criticism for his comments during protests over police brutality but has always dismissed suggestions that he is racist. &nbsp;

Twitter offered little in the way of explanation, pointing out only that its search algorithms may reflect what is happening on the platform.

Trump, in the midst of a heated war with social media over what he claims is bias, recently signed an executive order calling for more oversight of internet platforms, a move which could prove difficult to enforce.

Greg Sterling, a contributing editor at the website Search Engine Land, said the result suggests that "so many people are using the words 'racist' or 'racism' to respond to or describe Donald Trump, or there's a concerted effort to associate Trump's account with those terms."

Evidently, it is also possible that a large number of supporters defending Trump from charges of racism would also use the word 'racist' in their replies.&nbsp;

Sterling said Twitter's ranking algorithm for individual tweets "uses a variety of signals, including how recently the tweet was published, its relevance (personalization), user engagement with the tweet, the presence of rich media (such as video or images) and several other variables."

The analyst noted however that in 2007, a concerted effort known as "Google bombing" was able to manipulate search results for then-president George W. Bush to associate him with the term "miserable failure" on the search engine until the flaw was corrected.

Kjerstin Thorson, a Michigan State University politics and social media professor, said it would require a detailed analysis to understand the reasons for the association of Trump and racism.

But Thorson said "it's not unlikely this could be an accurate representation of what people are saying" on Twitter and that bias is probably not a factor.

"The platforms have gone out of their way to avoid any appearance of bias," she said.

US President Donald Trump appears as the first result of suggested accounts when users type "racist" into Twitter's people search, it emerged Wednesday. The result, reported by the British news outlet The Independent and verified by AFP, highlights the intense discord around the president.

US President Donald Trump appears as the first result of suggested accounts when users type "racist" into Twitter's people search, it emerged Wednesday. The result, reported by the British news outlet The Independent and verified by AFP, highlights the intense discord around the president. Also read | After long silence, former defence secy Mattis denounces Trump and military response to crisis Trump has more than 80 million followers, although there is much dispute about how many of them are genuine, active human Twitter users. Watch | Analysts said the news suggests Trump opponents, more than critics of any other Twitter account, have been labeling him as racist, although the social media giant itself did not confirm this was the case. Trump has been facing heightened criticism for his comments during protests over police brutality but has always dismissed suggestions that he is racist. Twitter offered little in the way of explanation, pointing out only that its search algorithms may reflect what is happening on the platform. Trump, in the midst of a heated war with social media over what he claims is bias, recently signed an executive order calling for more oversight of internet platforms, a move which could prove difficult to enforce. Greg Sterling, a contributing editor at the website Search Engine Land, said the result suggests that "so many people are using the words 'racist' or 'racism' to respond to or describe Donald Trump, or there's a concerted effort to associate Trump's account with those terms." Evidently, it is also possible that a large number of supporters defending Trump from charges of racism would also use the word 'racist' in their replies. Sterling said Twitter's ranking algorithm for individual tweets "uses a variety of signals, including how recently the tweet was published, its relevance (personalization), user engagement with the tweet, the presence of rich media (such as video or images) and several other variables." The analyst noted however that in 2007, a concerted effort known as "Google bombing" was able to manipulate search results for then-president George W. Bush to associate him with the term "miserable failure" on the search engine until the flaw was corrected. Kjerstin Thorson, a Michigan State University politics and social media professor, said it would require a detailed analysis to understand the reasons for the association of Trump and racism. But Thorson said "it's not unlikely this could be an accurate representation of what people are saying" on Twitter and that bias is probably not a factor. "The platforms have gone out of their way to avoid any appearance of bias," she said.

Search 'racist' on Twitter and Donald Trump will be the top result

#BlackOutTuesday became the top trending hashtag on Twitter on Tuesday as thousands of businesses and individuals, including TV channels and celebrities, posted black screen shots to signal support for racial justice in the wake of protests over the police killing of George Floyd in the US entering a second week.

The death last week of Floyd, an unarmed black man, as a white police officer in Minneapolis knelt onto his neck has&nbsp;unleashed a wave of outrage in cities around the United States about the unfair treatment of black Americans.

The Blackout Tuesday movement was prompted by two US record industry executives to pressure the music business to improve the presence of black people in its corporate ranks, noting that the industry had "profited predominantly from black art." Rap and R&amp;B overtook rock in 2017 to become the biggest music genre in the United States.

The movement was quickly embraced by record labels, celebrities including Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry and basketball player LeBron James, and American citizens.

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we ain’t buying shit!!! and we ain’t selling shit neither!! gang gang! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BLACKOUTTUESDAY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BLACKOUTTUESDAY</a> AF!!! <a href="https://twitter.com/FentyOfficial?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FentyOfficial</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/fentybeauty?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@fentybeauty</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SavageXFenty?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SavageXFenty</a> 💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿 <a href="https://t.co/XNC44Tegj5">pic.twitter.com/XNC44Tegj5</a>
— Rihanna (@rihanna) <a href="https://twitter.com/rihanna/status/1267700301064138754?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Several companies paused normal work and directed their efforts to support the work of Black Lives Matter and other social justice groups.

Streaming service Spotify highlighted the music of black artists, Sirius XM Radio said it would silence its music channels for three minutes, and Apple Music DJ Zane Lowe tweeted that he wouldn't host his radio show but would be "listening, learning and looking for solutions to fight racial inequality."

Video-sharing platform TikTok donated $4 million to non-profits that help the black community while eBay in the United States said it would donate all fees collected on Tuesday from items sold in its music categories to a charity that supports equality.

ViacomCBS said it would be "on pause" on Tuesday, a day after CBS News, MTV and Comedy Central went dark for 8 minutes and 46 seconds - the length of time Floyd's neck was pinned to the ground by the knee of a police officer.

The movement also gave rise to dissenters. Black Lives Matter complained that news of its planned protests had been drowned out, while film executive Franklin Leonard said he would not be taking part.

"A 'show' of solidarity is NOT solidarity," Leonard tweeted. "And posting a black tile on your Instagram feed for a day definitely isn’t."

#BlackOutTuesday became the top trending hashtag on Twitter on Tuesday as thousands of businesses and individuals, including TV channels and celebrities, posted black screen shots to signal support for racial justice in the wake of protests over the police killing of George Floyd in the US entering a second week.

#BlackOutTuesday became the top trending hashtag on Twitter on Tuesday as thousands of businesses and individuals, including TV channels and celebrities, posted black screen shots to signal support for racial justice in the wake of protests over the police killing of George Floyd in the US entering a second week. The death last week of Floyd, an unarmed black man, as a white police officer in Minneapolis knelt onto his neck has unleashed a wave of outrage in cities around the United States about the unfair treatment of black Americans. The Blackout Tuesday movement was prompted by two US record industry executives to pressure the music business to improve the presence of black people in its corporate ranks, noting that the industry had "profited predominantly from black art." Rap and R&B overtook rock in 2017 to become the biggest music genre in the United States. The movement was quickly embraced by record labels, celebrities including Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry and basketball player LeBron James, and American citizens. we ain’t buying shit!!! and we ain’t selling shit neither!! gang gang! #BLACKOUTTUESDAY AF!!! @FentyOfficial @fentybeauty @SavageXFenty 💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿 pic.twitter.com/XNC44Tegj5 — Rihanna (@rihanna) June 2, 2020 × Several companies paused normal work and directed their efforts to support the work of Black Lives Matter and other social justice groups. Streaming service Spotify highlighted the music of black artists, Sirius XM Radio said it would silence its music channels for three minutes, and Apple Music DJ Zane Lowe tweeted that he wouldn't host his radio show but would be "listening, learning and looking for solutions to fight racial inequality." Video-sharing platform TikTok donated $4 million to non-profits that help the black community while eBay in the United States said it would donate all fees collected on Tuesday from items sold in its music categories to a charity that supports equality. ViacomCBS said it would be "on pause" on Tuesday, a day after CBS News, MTV and Comedy Central went dark for 8 minutes and 46 seconds - the length of time Floyd's neck was pinned to the ground by the knee of a police officer. The movement also gave rise to dissenters. Black Lives Matter complained that news of its planned protests had been drowned out, while film executive Franklin Leonard said he would not be taking part. "A 'show' of solidarity is NOT solidarity," Leonard tweeted. "And posting a black tile on your Instagram feed for a day definitely isn’t."

#BlackOutTuesday sweeps social media as George Floyd protests in US escalate

Google has been sued in a proposed class action accusing the internet search company of illegally invading the privacy of millions of users by pervasively tracking their internet use through browsers set in "private" mode.

The complaint said the proposed class likely includes "millions" of Google users who since June 1, 2016 browsed the internet in "private" mode.

The lawsuit seeks at least $5 billion, accusing Google of surreptitiously collecting information about what people view online and where they browse, despite the Incognito mode.

According to the complaint filed in the federal court in San Jose, California, Google gathers data through Google Analytics, Google Ad Manager and other applications and website plug-ins, including smartphone apps, regardless of whether users click on Google-supported ads.

This helps Google learn about users' friends, hobbies, favorite foods, shopping habits, and even the "most intimate and potentially embarrassing things" they search for online, the complaint said.

"Google cannot continue to engage in the covert and unauthorized data collection from virtually every American with a computer or phone," the complaint added.

The Mountain View, California-based company will defend itself against the claims.

While users may view private browsing as a safe haven from watchful eyes, computer security researchers have long raised concern that Google and rivals might augment user profiles by tracking people's identities across different browsing modes, combining data from private and ordinary internet surfing.

(with inputs from Reuters)

Google has been sued in a proposed class action accusing the internet search company of illegally invading the privacy of millions of users by pervasively tracking their internet use through browsers set in "private" mode.

Google has been sued in a proposed class action accusing the internet search company of illegally invading the privacy of millions of users by pervasively tracking their internet use through browsers set in "private" mode. The complaint said the proposed class likely includes "millions" of Google users who since June 1, 2016 browsed the internet in "private" mode. The lawsuit seeks at least $5 billion, accusing Google of surreptitiously collecting information about what people view online and where they browse, despite the Incognito mode. According to the complaint filed in the federal court in San Jose, California, Google gathers data through Google Analytics, Google Ad Manager and other applications and website plug-ins, including smartphone apps, regardless of whether users click on Google-supported ads. This helps Google learn about users' friends, hobbies, favorite foods, shopping habits, and even the "most intimate and potentially embarrassing things" they search for online, the complaint said. "Google cannot continue to engage in the covert and unauthorized data collection from virtually every American with a computer or phone," the complaint added. The Mountain View, California-based company will defend itself against the claims. While users may view private browsing as a safe haven from watchful eyes, computer security researchers have long raised concern that Google and rivals might augment user profiles by tracking people's identities across different browsing modes, combining data from private and ordinary internet surfing. (with inputs from Reuters)

Google accused of illegally invading privacy, faces $5 billion lawsuit in US

The &nbsp;‘Boone City bargain’ and the ‘ Emerald City consensus’- allegorical and metaphorical references to post-Cold War frameworks or bargains- &nbsp;were the defining features of American political life, according to the American scholar of scholars and the writer of writers, &nbsp;Professor Andrew Bacevich in his lucid, eminently readable and very engaging book, ‘ The Age of Illusions: How America &nbsp;Squandered its Post-Cold War Victory’. The former, emerging out of the context of the Second World War, defined by certain sobriety, was where freedom had a moral foundation and the latter, incubated in the post-Cold War context was characterized by four intersecting ideas: neoliberal globalization and its spread and advancement, a militarized quest for leadership or hegemony, akin to a post-colonial form of an empire, a presidency that was quasi monarchical and a conception of ‘freedom, an ancient word now drastically revised. The new conception of freedom emphasized autonomy, with traditional moral prohibitions declared obsolete and the removal of constraints maximizing choice. Order and abundance together would underwrite freedom relieving Americans of existential concerns about safety and survival’.

This American idea and conception of modernity was to be transplanted across the world in the service of American interests, holds Professor Bacevich. Each of the elements undergirding the ‘Emerald City Consensus’ was encouraged by academics and journalists – aka Francis Fukuyamas and Thomas Friedman’s of the world- connected to Washington, the former by way of ‘boosterism’- that is intellectual and philosophical gloss referred to as ‘The End of History’, where American inspired democracy and capitalism were the only game in town- and the latter by giving the ‘Emerald City Consensus’ the simulated sheen and framework of coherence. This consensus was validated and reinforced by each of the Post-Cold War presidents, ranging from Bill Clinton, to George Bush Jr and finally Barack Obama, in varying contexts, permutations ad combinations.

While these bargains were riven by contradictions, which inhered in them, and the subsurface anxieties that these generated were pointed out by intellectuals and writers but because they lacked clout, these alarm bells were ignored. Incubating under the cover or patina of the post-Cold War ‘ Emerald City Consensus’ was massive inequality and an assault to democracy, whose early portents were insurgent presidential candidates, Pat Buchanan, Ross Perot and even Hillary Clinton( not a presidential candidate then but an aspirant to power through her husband, Bill Clinton). These inchoate trends were obscured by the seeming transfer of the baton of power to a younger, new generation of politicians.

Beneath the surface, America was changing and had changed, a fact that became painfully evident in 2016 and emblematized by-elections that year. This had to do with the paradoxes of privilege and inequality that undercut democracy. As Professor Bacevich posits, ‘ in a nation that had once prided itself on being immune to class distinctions- simply being American sufficed as identity-such distinctions were becoming omnipresent. ‘On a daily basis, tens of millions of Americans were enduring what one writer called “financial impotence” according to Professor Bacevich. ‘ In the 2016 election, financial impotence was to turn into political outrage , bringing the post-Cold war era to an abrupt end’.

The implication here is that the elements undergirding the Emerald city consensus created conditions propitious for Donald Trump’s rise to US presidency who turned the election into a plebiscite.&nbsp;

Trump’ ascendancy, a metaphor for the malaises identified by Professor Bacevich, was greeted with howls of protest and continues to be done so by mainstream American media. But, according to the good professor, ‘obsessing about Trump, impeded efforts to understand what his election actually signified, diverting attention from matters of far greater relevance to the wellbeing of the United States and the planet as a whole. It was Obama mania turned inside out and magnified’. ‘ What the president’s most prominent opponents have yet to appreciate, according to Professor Bacevich, is that the Emerald City consensus is as defunct as the Boone City consensus that preceded it. They confuse cause for effect. They charge him with dividing America when, in fact, it was a pervasive division that vaulted him to the centre of American politics in the first place’. &nbsp;Assessing this in a grim tone, Professor Bacevich adds, ‘Trump did not create this cleavage. He merely turned it to his advantage. So regardless of the date or terms of Trump’s departure from office, the schism that allowed him to become president is likely to persist after he is gone. It’s that schism […] that merits more attention than it has received’. All in all, asserts Professor Bacevich, ‘Trump’s America did not differ appreciably from pre-Trump America. While a noxious and venal die-hard, the president turned out not to be the disruptive force that his critics have charged him with being’.

Amidst all this, the hat has accrued, according to Professor Bacevich, is that that the West has lost its claim to primacy and, ‘no less important is the fact that belief in the inherent superiority of Western civilization has now become politically and morally unacceptable’.

Calling attention to the American political establishment’s aversion or inability to brook dissent, Professor Bacevich points out to the need of enlarging the discussion now and developing a new consensus and even social contact around issues like Climate change. ‘Around this’ new conception of citizenship can emerge and also an enlightened notion of leadership’. Implying that this potential change will not be top-down, Professor Bacevich leaves the proverbial ball for this to crystallize in the court of the American people. The alternative, too bleak to countenance, can lead to ‘ even something worse than Trump’

All in all, Professor Andrew Bacevich’s book is a lucid and brilliant exposition of what ails America and the deeper, underlying sources of Trump’s ascent to power. &nbsp;The good professor articulates a trenchant critique of the post-war American establishment and what in his schema are and have been its warped preferences-conceptually and in policy terms. While his overall assessment is suggestive or reflective of his political preference-that of conservativism, laced with religious beliefs, these instead of detracting from his core arguments add weight to his overall thesis. But the analysis is more or less monofocal, at times, devolving into mere polemic. Moreover, Professor Bacevich, while delineating the core elements of the ‘ Emerald City consensus’ elides over the context of some foreign policy goals of the United States. For example, the bombings in Yugoslavia were not motivated by some fetish over militarism by the grid lock at the UN Security council and other structural and contextual factors. Similarly, globalization, in its pure form may not be an unalloyed good but surely it has lifted millions out of poverty worldwide.

The rise of China, in some senses, accrues from globalization. Last but not the least, while rallying around climate change is a laudable and noble objective, and a clarion but it implies the United States retreating into itself. The world of states is a ruthless one defined by the quest for power and its maximization. Where would a retreat leave the United States and its allies? While professor Bacevich alludes to ‘enlightened leadership’, he is curiously silent on its nature and content. However, &nbsp;by its very nature, ‘The Age of Illusions: How America Squandered its Cold War Victory’ constitutes essential reading for all those who seek to understand the trajectory of this peculiar nation after the second world war, during and after the Cold War. While it should be of immense interest to policymakers, policy intellectuals, and anyone interested in a fairer, just world, its ultimate readership should be the American people, upon who may rest the future of their nation and by extension that of the world. It is then time a real and robust conversation inspired by the eminent Professor Bacevich should begin!

&nbsp;(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) .&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The ‘Boone City bargain’ and the ‘ Emerald City consensus’- allegorical and metaphorical references to post-Cold War frameworks or bargains- were the defining features of American political life, according to the American scholar of scholars and the writer of writers, Professor Andrew Bacevich in his lucid, eminently readable and very engaging book, ‘ The Age of Illusions: How America Squandered its Post-Cold War Victory’.

The ‘Boone City bargain’ and the ‘ Emerald City consensus’- allegorical and metaphorical references to post-Cold War frameworks or bargains- were the defining features of American political life, according to the American scholar of scholars and the writer of writers, Professor Andrew Bacevich in his lucid, eminently readable and very engaging book, ‘ The Age of Illusions: How America Squandered its Post-Cold War Victory’. The former, emerging out of the context of the Second World War, defined by certain sobriety, was where freedom had a moral foundation and the latter, incubated in the post-Cold War context was characterized by four intersecting ideas: neoliberal globalization and its spread and advancement, a militarized quest for leadership or hegemony, akin to a post-colonial form of an empire, a presidency that was quasi monarchical and a conception of ‘freedom, an ancient word now drastically revised. The new conception of freedom emphasized autonomy, with traditional moral prohibitions declared obsolete and the removal of constraints maximizing choice. Order and abundance together would underwrite freedom relieving Americans of existential concerns about safety and survival’. This American idea and conception of modernity was to be transplanted across the world in the service of American interests, holds Professor Bacevich. Each of the elements undergirding the ‘Emerald City Consensus’ was encouraged by academics and journalists – aka Francis Fukuyamas and Thomas Friedman’s of the world- connected to Washington, the former by way of ‘boosterism’- that is intellectual and philosophical gloss referred to as ‘The End of History’, where American inspired democracy and capitalism were the only game in town- and the latter by giving the ‘Emerald City Consensus’ the simulated sheen and framework of coherence. This consensus was validated and reinforced by each of the Post-Cold War presidents, ranging from Bill Clinton, to George Bush Jr and finally Barack Obama, in varying contexts, permutations ad combinations. While these bargains were riven by contradictions, which inhered in them, and the subsurface anxieties that these generated were pointed out by intellectuals and writers but because they lacked clout, these alarm bells were ignored. Incubating under the cover or patina of the post-Cold War ‘ Emerald City Consensus’ was massive inequality and an assault to democracy, whose early portents were insurgent presidential candidates, Pat Buchanan, Ross Perot and even Hillary Clinton( not a presidential candidate then but an aspirant to power through her husband, Bill Clinton). These inchoate trends were obscured by the seeming transfer of the baton of power to a younger, new generation of politicians. Beneath the surface, America was changing and had changed, a fact that became painfully evident in 2016 and emblematized by-elections that year. This had to do with the paradoxes of privilege and inequality that undercut democracy. As Professor Bacevich posits, ‘ in a nation that had once prided itself on being immune to class distinctions- simply being American sufficed as identity-such distinctions were becoming omnipresent. ‘On a daily basis, tens of millions of Americans were enduring what one writer called “financial impotence” according to Professor Bacevich. ‘ In the 2016 election, financial impotence was to turn into political outrage , bringing the post-Cold war era to an abrupt end’. The implication here is that the elements undergirding the Emerald city consensus created conditions propitious for Donald Trump’s rise to US presidency who turned the election into a plebiscite. Trump’ ascendancy, a metaphor for the malaises identified by Professor Bacevich, was greeted with howls of protest and continues to be done so by mainstream American media. But, according to the good professor, ‘obsessing about Trump, impeded efforts to understand what his election actually signified, diverting attention from matters of far greater relevance to the wellbeing of the United States and the planet as a whole. It was Obama mania turned inside out and magnified’. ‘ What the president’s most prominent opponents have yet to appreciate, according to Professor Bacevich, is that the Emerald City consensus is as defunct as the Boone City consensus that preceded it. They confuse cause for effect. They charge him with dividing America when, in fact, it was a pervasive division that vaulted him to the centre of American politics in the first place’. Assessing this in a grim tone, Professor Bacevich adds, ‘Trump did not create this cleavage. He merely turned it to his advantage. So regardless of the date or terms of Trump’s departure from office, the schism that allowed him to become president is likely to persist after he is gone. It’s that schism […] that merits more attention than it has received’. All in all, asserts Professor Bacevich, ‘Trump’s America did not differ appreciably from pre-Trump America. While a noxious and venal die-hard, the president turned out not to be the disruptive force that his critics have charged him with being’. Amidst all this, the hat has accrued, according to Professor Bacevich, is that that the West has lost its claim to primacy and, ‘no less important is the fact that belief in the inherent superiority of Western civilization has now become politically and morally unacceptable’. Calling attention to the American political establishment’s aversion or inability to brook dissent, Professor Bacevich points out to the need of enlarging the discussion now and developing a new consensus and even social contact around issues like Climate change. ‘Around this’ new conception of citizenship can emerge and also an enlightened notion of leadership’. Implying that this potential change will not be top-down, Professor Bacevich leaves the proverbial ball for this to crystallize in the court of the American people. The alternative, too bleak to countenance, can lead to ‘ even something worse than Trump’ All in all, Professor Andrew Bacevich’s book is a lucid and brilliant exposition of what ails America and the deeper, underlying sources of Trump’s ascent to power. The good professor articulates a trenchant critique of the post-war American establishment and what in his schema are and have been its warped preferences-conceptually and in policy terms. While his overall assessment is suggestive or reflective of his political preference-that of conservativism, laced with religious beliefs, these instead of detracting from his core arguments add weight to his overall thesis. But the analysis is more or less monofocal, at times, devolving into mere polemic. Moreover, Professor Bacevich, while delineating the core elements of the ‘ Emerald City consensus’ elides over the context of some foreign policy goals of the United States. For example, the bombings in Yugoslavia were not motivated by some fetish over militarism by the grid lock at the UN Security council and other structural and contextual factors. Similarly, globalization, in its pure form may not be an unalloyed good but surely it has lifted millions out of poverty worldwide. The rise of China, in some senses, accrues from globalization. Last but not the least, while rallying around climate change is a laudable and noble objective, and a clarion but it implies the United States retreating into itself. The world of states is a ruthless one defined by the quest for power and its maximization. Where would a retreat leave the United States and its allies? While professor Bacevich alludes to ‘enlightened leadership’, he is curiously silent on its nature and content. However, by its very nature, ‘The Age of Illusions: How America Squandered its Cold War Victory’ constitutes essential reading for all those who seek to understand the trajectory of this peculiar nation after the second world war, during and after the Cold War. While it should be of immense interest to policymakers, policy intellectuals, and anyone interested in a fairer, just world, its ultimate readership should be the American people, upon who may rest the future of their nation and by extension that of the world. It is then time a real and robust conversation inspired by the eminent Professor Bacevich should begin! (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) .

The Age of illusions: How America squandered its cold war victory

Any incident in the US, particularly adverse incident, whether big or small, gets world-wide publicity almost instantaneously. This is mainly due to the fact that the US is recognised as a rich country with superpower status and known for significant advancement in a variety of fields. Such news is followed by debates and discussions in the world media, with some pledged critics stating that such adverse incidents clearly show that the US&nbsp;is a troubled society. Is that really so?

Shoot-out incidents&nbsp;

In recent years, many shoot-outs have taken place in the US&nbsp;in universities, malls and other public places, when a number of innocent lives have been lost. Shoot-outs have been carried out by individuals for one reason or other and even due to psychic problems. &nbsp;

It is generally said that the liberal gun policy and the prevailing gun culture in the US&nbsp;is the primary reason for such shoot outs and violence.

Most of the Americans possess guns and rarely anyone amongst them indulges in such practices. If the violent prone person would not have a gun, he can use a knife or any other weapon.&nbsp;

No evidence of widespread racial conflict :

Now, the case of George Floyd, a black man who died after a white officer pressed his knee into his neck has caused widespread anger across the country. Obviously, the police officer should be punished severely.

Even while President Trump has condemned the incident, protestors burned businesses in Minneapolis. &nbsp;They smashed police cars and windows in Atlanta, broke into police headquarters in Portland and chanted curses at Donald Trump outside the White House.

This sad incident should not be misinterpreted as a result of racial conflict. 
 
While some protestors turned violent, there have been a number of other protestors who conducted themselves peacefully and with dignity, holding placards and demanding justice for George Floyd. Of these protestors, many of them are white, brown or black Americans.

Certainly, there is no racial conflict issue involved in the George Floyd murder but only the stupidity of a violent prone police officer was seen.

A tolerant country :

George Floyd incident has created an impression all over the world that the US&nbsp;is a country under the boil. This certainly is not so.

There are many civilized and sane voices in the US, who rarely get adequate coverage in the media and their civilized thoughts are not adequately publicised for the benefit of the country.

Today, one cannot but deny the fact that the US&nbsp;is the most tolerant country in the world. People from countries with various background seek migration to the US&nbsp;and think that they would be privileged to get US citizenship. This is mainly due to their confidence that they would get a fair deal in the US&nbsp;and the law would protect their interests.

Today, the US&nbsp;is essentially described as a migrant country with people visiting the US as students, job seekers or immigrants and most of them seeking to stay in the US&nbsp;life long by getting citizenship.

Any attempt to describe the US&nbsp;as a country under boil after the George Floyd issue is a mischievous and motivated attempt to discredit the US.&nbsp; 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) .

Any incident in the US, particularly adverse incident, whether big or small, gets world-wide publicity almost instantaneously. This is mainly due to the fact that the US is recognised as a rich country with superpower status and known for significant advancement in a variety of fields.

Any incident in the US, particularly adverse incident, whether big or small, gets world-wide publicity almost instantaneously. This is mainly due to the fact that the US is recognised as a rich country with superpower status and known for significant advancement in a variety of fields. Such news is followed by debates and discussions in the world media, with some pledged critics stating that such adverse incidents clearly show that the US is a troubled society. Is that really so? Shoot-out incidents In recent years, many shoot-outs have taken place in the US in universities, malls and other public places, when a number of innocent lives have been lost. Shoot-outs have been carried out by individuals for one reason or other and even due to psychic problems. It is generally said that the liberal gun policy and the prevailing gun culture in the US is the primary reason for such shoot outs and violence. Most of the Americans possess guns and rarely anyone amongst them indulges in such practices. If the violent prone person would not have a gun, he can use a knife or any other weapon. No evidence of widespread racial conflict : Now, the case of George Floyd, a black man who died after a white officer pressed his knee into his neck has caused widespread anger across the country. Obviously, the police officer should be punished severely. Even while President Trump has condemned the incident, protestors burned businesses in Minneapolis. They smashed police cars and windows in Atlanta, broke into police headquarters in Portland and chanted curses at Donald Trump outside the White House. This sad incident should not be misinterpreted as a result of racial conflict. While some protestors turned violent, there have been a number of other protestors who conducted themselves peacefully and with dignity, holding placards and demanding justice for George Floyd. Of these protestors, many of them are white, brown or black Americans. Certainly, there is no racial conflict issue involved in the George Floyd murder but only the stupidity of a violent prone police officer was seen. A tolerant country : George Floyd incident has created an impression all over the world that the US is a country under the boil. This certainly is not so. There are many civilized and sane voices in the US, who rarely get adequate coverage in the media and their civilized thoughts are not adequately publicised for the benefit of the country. Today, one cannot but deny the fact that the US is the most tolerant country in the world. People from countries with various background seek migration to the US and think that they would be privileged to get US citizenship. This is mainly due to their confidence that they would get a fair deal in the US and the law would protect their interests. Today, the US is essentially described as a migrant country with people visiting the US as students, job seekers or immigrants and most of them seeking to stay in the US life long by getting citizenship. Any attempt to describe the US as a country under boil after the George Floyd issue is a mischievous and motivated attempt to discredit the US. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) .

Does recent violence in US indicate a basic flaw in American society?

Protests spread across the United States over the killing of George Floyd, a Minneapolis black man who died after being pinned by the neck under a white police officer's knee.

From Louisville to Atlanta, the demonstrators continue to argue about police brutality with police officers in riot gear, who occasionally lunged into crowds to pluck people out for arrest.

Police made scores of arrests at Friday's massive demonstration in Brooklyn, while a diverse group of protestors at a "We can't breathe" vigil and rally in lower Manhattan pressed for legislation outlawing the police "chokehold" used by a city police officer in the 2014 death of Eric Garner, who was also black.

DETROIT 
Hundreds in the automotive capital joined a "March Against Police Brutality" late in the afternoon outside the Detroit Public Safety Headquarters. Many chanted, "No justice, no peace."

Some carried signs that read, "End police brutality" and "I won't stop yelling until everyone can breathe."

A 19-year-old man protesting in the city was shot dead on Friday night by a suspect who pulled up to demonstrators in a sport utility vehicle and fired gunshots into the crowd, then fled.

MINNEAPOLIS 
Hundreds of protesters defied an 8 pm curfew to gather in the streets around a police station burnt the previous night.

LOUISVILLE 
After a night of violence in which at least seven people were shot, police in the Kentucky city braced for more protests over the killing of Floyd and several others, such as Breonna Taylor, shot by police in her Louisville home in March.

ATLANTA 
In an impassioned speech, Bernice King, the youngest daughter of civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr, implored people to go home after more than 1,000 protesters marched to the state capitol from the Centennial Olympic Park, blocking traffic and an interstate highway along the way.

The Atlanta demonstration turned chaotic and at times violent. At least one police car was among several vehicles burnt.

Police pushed back the crowd, but they hurled bottles at officers.

DENVER 
Denver saw a second day of protests after hundreds marched peacefully through its downtown demanding justice.

HOUSTON 
Hundreds gathered on Friday in a protest organised by the group Black Lives Matter at City Hall. The crowd spilled onto Interstate 45's entrance ramp near downtown chanting, "I can't breathe," and "No justice, no peace."

Protests spread across the United States over the killing of George Floyd, a Minneapolis black man who died after being pinned by the neck under a white police officer's knee.

Protests spread across the United States over the killing of George Floyd, a Minneapolis black man who died after being pinned by the neck under a white police officer's knee. From Louisville to Atlanta, the demonstrators continue to argue about police brutality with police officers in riot gear, who occasionally lunged into crowds to pluck people out for arrest. Police made scores of arrests at Friday's massive demonstration in Brooklyn, while a diverse group of protestors at a "We can't breathe" vigil and rally in lower Manhattan pressed for legislation outlawing the police "chokehold" used by a city police officer in the 2014 death of Eric Garner, who was also black. DETROIT Hundreds in the automotive capital joined a "March Against Police Brutality" late in the afternoon outside the Detroit Public Safety Headquarters. Many chanted, "No justice, no peace." Some carried signs that read, "End police brutality" and "I won't stop yelling until everyone can breathe." A 19-year-old man protesting in the city was shot dead on Friday night by a suspect who pulled up to demonstrators in a sport utility vehicle and fired gunshots into the crowd, then fled. MINNEAPOLIS Hundreds of protesters defied an 8 pm curfew to gather in the streets around a police station burnt the previous night. LOUISVILLE After a night of violence in which at least seven people were shot, police in the Kentucky city braced for more protests over the killing of Floyd and several others, such as Breonna Taylor, shot by police in her Louisville home in March. ATLANTA In an impassioned speech, Bernice King, the youngest daughter of civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr, implored people to go home after more than 1,000 protesters marched to the state capitol from the Centennial Olympic Park, blocking traffic and an interstate highway along the way. The Atlanta demonstration turned chaotic and at times violent. At least one police car was among several vehicles burnt. Police pushed back the crowd, but they hurled bottles at officers. DENVER Denver saw a second day of protests after hundreds marched peacefully through its downtown demanding justice. HOUSTON Hundreds gathered on Friday in a protest organised by the group Black Lives Matter at City Hall. The crowd spilled onto Interstate 45's entrance ramp near downtown chanting, "I can't breathe," and "No justice, no peace."

Minneapolis protests: Man killed in Detroit as demonstrations rage across US

The US Navy has, once again, challenged Beijing's claims in the South China Sea, sailing the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Mustin near the Paracel Islands.

This comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Beijing on a range of issues including the Hong Kong row and responsibility for the coronavirus outbreak.

The US Navy has earlier sailed warships in a similar effort -- first along the Paracel and Spratly islands in the last month, and the second near the Paracels in March.

"On May 28 (local time), USS Mustin (DDG 89) asserted navigational rights and freedoms in the Paracel Islands, consistent with international law," a spokesperson for the US Navy's 7th Fleet, said in a statement.

"By conducting this operation, the United States demonstrated that these waters are beyond what China can lawfully claim as its territorial sea," the statement added.

The Mustin passed within 12 nautical miles of Woody Island and Pyramid Rock in the islands.

The Pentagon recently revealed that a Chinese vessel on April 14 conducted unprofessional manoeuvres near the Mustin which was conducting normal operations in international waters.

The US military has recently accused China of seeking to exploit the coronavirus pandemic to gain military and economic advantages in the region.

The US Navy has, once again, challenged Beijing's claims in the South China Sea, sailing the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Mustin near the Paracel Islands.

The US Navy has, once again, challenged Beijing's claims in the South China Sea, sailing the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Mustin near the Paracel Islands. This comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Beijing on a range of issues including the Hong Kong row and responsibility for the coronavirus outbreak. The US Navy has earlier sailed warships in a similar effort -- first along the Paracel and Spratly islands in the last month, and the second near the Paracels in March. "On May 28 (local time), USS Mustin (DDG 89) asserted navigational rights and freedoms in the Paracel Islands, consistent with international law," a spokesperson for the US Navy's 7th Fleet, said in a statement. "By conducting this operation, the United States demonstrated that these waters are beyond what China can lawfully claim as its territorial sea," the statement added. The Mustin passed within 12 nautical miles of Woody Island and Pyramid Rock in the islands. The Pentagon recently revealed that a Chinese vessel on April 14 conducted unprofessional manoeuvres near the Mustin which was conducting normal operations in international waters. The US military has recently accused China of seeking to exploit the coronavirus pandemic to gain military and economic advantages in the region.

US Navy warship again challenges Beijing's South China Sea claims

The Indian government clarified no conversation has taken place between PM Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump after the latter said he spoke to PM on India-China tensions, according to sources. Sources in New Delhi said the late conversation between the 2 took place on 4th April and that was on the issue of hydroxychloroquine.&nbsp;

US President on Thursday said, he "did speak to Prime Minister Modi. He's not -- he's not in a good mood about what's going on with China."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pm-modi-not-in-a-good-mood-trump-says-about-indo-china-border-dispute-301676">PM Modi not in a good mood: Trump says about Indo-China border dispute</a>

Calling the India China standoff as a "big conflict", President said, "Two countries with 1.4 billion people. Two countries with very powerful militaries. And India is not happy, and probably China is not happy."

Meanwhile, govt sources again reiterated that have made it "clear that we are directly in touch with the Chinese through established mechanisms and diplomatic contacts".

Trump earlier said, "If they -- if they thought it would help if I were the mediator or the arbiter, I would do that".

Earlier on Wednesday, he tweeted, "We have informed both India and China that the United States is ready, willing and able to mediate or arbitrate their now raging border dispute. Thank you!"

In the past, the US President has offered to mediate between India and Pakistan with New Delhi rejecting it saying all issues can be resolved bilaterally.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

The Indian government clarified no conversation has taken place between PM Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump after the latter said he spoke to PM on India-China tensions, according to sources.

The Indian government clarified no conversation has taken place between PM Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump after the latter said he spoke to PM on India-China tensions, according to sources. Sources in New Delhi said the late conversation between the 2 took place on 4th April and that was on the issue of hydroxychloroquine. US President on Thursday said, he "did speak to Prime Minister Modi. He's not -- he's not in a good mood about what's going on with China." Also read | PM Modi not in a good mood: Trump says about Indo-China border dispute Calling the India China standoff as a "big conflict", President said, "Two countries with 1.4 billion people. Two countries with very powerful militaries. And India is not happy, and probably China is not happy." Meanwhile, govt sources again reiterated that have made it "clear that we are directly in touch with the Chinese through established mechanisms and diplomatic contacts". Trump earlier said, "If they -- if they thought it would help if I were the mediator or the arbiter, I would do that". Earlier on Wednesday, he tweeted, "We have informed both India and China that the United States is ready, willing and able to mediate or arbitrate their now raging border dispute. Thank you!" In the past, the US President has offered to mediate between India and Pakistan with New Delhi rejecting it saying all issues can be resolved bilaterally.

No recent conversation between PM Narendra Modi and President Trump: Sources

Despite the World Health Organization dropping hydroxychloroquine from its study into experimental coronavirus treatments, a White House official said that the US president is feeling "absolutely great" after taking a two-week dose of the drug.

The official also added that Trump said he would take the anti-malarial drug again if he is exposed to the deadly virus again.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-france-italy-and-belgium-ban-usage-of-hydroxychloroquine-301449">COVID 19: France, Italy and Belgium ban usage of hydroxychloroquine</a>

Hydroxychloroquine, which was earlier described as a "game-changer" by Trump to treat COVID-19 is still not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-trump-el-salvadors-president-says-he-is-taking-hydroxychloroquine-301318">After Trump, El Salvador's President says he is taking hydroxychloroquine</a>

"I went to him just before coming out here and I asked him that. And he said, 'he's feeling perfect', he is 'feeling absolutely great' after taking this regimen. And, he would take it again if he thought that he was exposed," White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnaney said on Thursday when asked how Trump felt after taking the anti-malarial drug.&nbsp;

She also said that several experts have highlighted the prophylaxis use of hydroxychloroquine.&nbsp;

One such paper by Tina Hesman Saey author at ScienceNews.Org talks about nearly 200 clinical trials around the world, including 28 involving healthcare workers, she said.

"In fact, at Henry Ford Hospital in Michigan, 3,000 healthcare workers are taking it as part of a trial. And there's some really excellent information there about the use of prophylaxis for this," McEnaney said.

On Monday, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that the health agency's executive group decided to temporarily pause the use of hydroxychloroquine within the solidarity trial to review its safety.&nbsp;

The director-general said the decision is taken after a paper published in Lancet showing people using this drug are a higher risk of death and heart-related problems.&nbsp;

(With PTI inputs)

Despite the World Health Organization dropping hydroxychloroquine from its study into experimental coronavirus treatments, a White House official said that the US president is feeling "absolutely great" after taking a two-week dose of the drug.

Despite the World Health Organization dropping hydroxychloroquine from its study into experimental coronavirus treatments, a White House official said that the US president is feeling "absolutely great" after taking a two-week dose of the drug. The official also added that Trump said he would take the anti-malarial drug again if he is exposed to the deadly virus again. Also read | COVID 19: France, Italy and Belgium ban usage of hydroxychloroquine Hydroxychloroquine, which was earlier described as a "game-changer" by Trump to treat COVID-19 is still not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Also read | After Trump, El Salvador's President says he is taking hydroxychloroquine "I went to him just before coming out here and I asked him that. And he said, 'he's feeling perfect', he is 'feeling absolutely great' after taking this regimen. And, he would take it again if he thought that he was exposed," White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnaney said on Thursday when asked how Trump felt after taking the anti-malarial drug. She also said that several experts have highlighted the prophylaxis use of hydroxychloroquine. One such paper by Tina Hesman Saey author at ScienceNews.Org talks about nearly 200 clinical trials around the world, including 28 involving healthcare workers, she said. "In fact, at Henry Ford Hospital in Michigan, 3,000 healthcare workers are taking it as part of a trial. And there's some really excellent information there about the use of prophylaxis for this," McEnaney said. On Monday, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that the health agency's executive group decided to temporarily pause the use of hydroxychloroquine within the solidarity trial to review its safety. The director-general said the decision is taken after a paper published in Lancet showing people using this drug are a higher risk of death and heart-related problems. (With PTI inputs)

Donald Trump feeling 'absolutely great' after taking hydroxychloroquine: White House official

US hospitals said they have pulled way back on the use of hydroxychloroquine, the malaria drug touted by President Donald Trump as a COVID-19 treatment, after several studies suggested it is not effective and may pose significant risks.

Early hopes for the decades-old drug were based in part on laboratory experiments and its anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. But its efficacy has so far failed to pan out in human trials, and at least two studies suggest it may increase the risk of death.

Several hospitals that two months ago told Reuters they were using hydroxychloroquine frequently for patients with COVID-19 have cut back.

Orders for the drug have dropped to a tenth of the late-March peak, to about 125,000 pills last week, said Vizient Inc, a drug buyer for about half of US hospitals.

The significant decrease in use is a sign that US physicians no longer believe the drug's potential benefit outweighs the risks. Some European governments this week banned hydroxychloroquine use for COVID-19 patients.

Dr Thomas McGinn, deputy physician in chief at Northwell Health, New York's largest healthcare system, told Reuters it decided to stop prescribing hydroxychloroquine at its 23 hospitals in mid-April, after clinical data began to emerge.

"People were in our hospitals, they were dying, and we wanted to do something," he recalled. "But the minute the data came out ... showing no benefit and potential harm, I think we all needed to step back," he said.

British medical journal The Lancet last week published an analysis of 96,000 COVID-19 patients showing those treated with hydroxychloroquine or the related chloroquine had higher risk of death and heart rhythm problems.

The observational study does not have the rigor of a randomized, placebo-controlled trial, but its size made it influential.

Seattle's University of Washington hospital system has also stopped recommending hydroxychloroquine as a coronavirus standard of care, noting in its latest treatment guidelines that "recent clinical studies have not demonstrated virologic or clinical benefits."

Trump has been a particularly strong supporter of hydroxychloroquine, calling it a "game changer" early on. He later said he was taking the drug to prevent infection despite no scientific evidence it could do so, after people who worked at the White House tested positive for COVID-19. He has also urged others to try the medicine.

Proponents of the drug as a COVID-19 treatment argue it may need to be administered at an earlier stage in the disease to be effective. Doctors are waiting for studies that might prove that.

Results could be released as early as this week for two of the University of Minnesota's three hydroxychloroquine trials, according to Dr Radha Rajasingham, lead researcher for one of the studies.

"Everyone's idea of the safety of this drug kind of changed overnight," Rajasingham said, referring to an April 24 US Food and Drug Administration warning of increased risk of heart rhythm problems. "We have really had trouble enrolling" patients in the trials, she added. 
Other studies comparing the drug to a placebo are expected later.

"We are still waiting for randomized, controlled data, but there is much less enthusiasm now for hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin and some of the other treatments that people have been touting," said Dr Timothy Brewer, an infectious disease specialist at the University of California, Los Angeles, which now recommends the drug's use only in clinical trials.

"There is enough observational data to suggest that they have no benefit, or a small benefit, and there are some risks."

US hospitals said they have pulled way back on the use of hydroxychloroquine, the malaria drug touted by President Donald Trump as a COVID-19 treatment, after several studies suggested it is not effective and may pose significant risks.

US hospitals said they have pulled way back on the use of hydroxychloroquine, the malaria drug touted by President Donald Trump as a COVID-19 treatment, after several studies suggested it is not effective and may pose significant risks. Early hopes for the decades-old drug were based in part on laboratory experiments and its anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. But its efficacy has so far failed to pan out in human trials, and at least two studies suggest it may increase the risk of death. Several hospitals that two months ago told Reuters they were using hydroxychloroquine frequently for patients with COVID-19 have cut back. Orders for the drug have dropped to a tenth of the late-March peak, to about 125,000 pills last week, said Vizient Inc, a drug buyer for about half of US hospitals. The significant decrease in use is a sign that US physicians no longer believe the drug's potential benefit outweighs the risks. Some European governments this week banned hydroxychloroquine use for COVID-19 patients. Dr Thomas McGinn, deputy physician in chief at Northwell Health, New York's largest healthcare system, told Reuters it decided to stop prescribing hydroxychloroquine at its 23 hospitals in mid-April, after clinical data began to emerge. "People were in our hospitals, they were dying, and we wanted to do something," he recalled. "But the minute the data came out ... showing no benefit and potential harm, I think we all needed to step back," he said. British medical journal The Lancet last week published an analysis of 96,000 COVID-19 patients showing those treated with hydroxychloroquine or the related chloroquine had higher risk of death and heart rhythm problems. The observational study does not have the rigor of a randomized, placebo-controlled trial, but its size made it influential. Seattle's University of Washington hospital system has also stopped recommending hydroxychloroquine as a coronavirus standard of care, noting in its latest treatment guidelines that "recent clinical studies have not demonstrated virologic or clinical benefits." Trump has been a particularly strong supporter of hydroxychloroquine, calling it a "game changer" early on. He later said he was taking the drug to prevent infection despite no scientific evidence it could do so, after people who worked at the White House tested positive for COVID-19. He has also urged others to try the medicine. Proponents of the drug as a COVID-19 treatment argue it may need to be administered at an earlier stage in the disease to be effective. Doctors are waiting for studies that might prove that. Results could be released as early as this week for two of the University of Minnesota's three hydroxychloroquine trials, according to Dr Radha Rajasingham, lead researcher for one of the studies. "Everyone's idea of the safety of this drug kind of changed overnight," Rajasingham said, referring to an April 24 US Food and Drug Administration warning of increased risk of heart rhythm problems. "We have really had trouble enrolling" patients in the trials, she added. Other studies comparing the drug to a placebo are expected later. "We are still waiting for randomized, controlled data, but there is much less enthusiasm now for hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin and some of the other treatments that people have been touting," said Dr Timothy Brewer, an infectious disease specialist at the University of California, Los Angeles, which now recommends the drug's use only in clinical trials. "There is enough observational data to suggest that they have no benefit, or a small benefit, and there are some risks."

US hospitals slash use of drug championed by Trump as coronavirus treatment

The US Congress on Wednesday authorized sanctions against Chinese officials over the mass incarceration of Muslim Uighurs, ramping up pressure on another front in the troubled relationship between the Pacific powers. 
 
The House of Representatives voted with just one dissent in favor of the Uighur Human Rights Act, hours of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo took a major step to press China on another major issue -- the autonomy of Hong Kong.

Rights groups say at least one million Uighurs and other Turkic Muslims in China's northwestern Xinjiang region have been incarcerated in camps in a massive brainwashing campaign with few modern parallels.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/in-bid-of-global-dominion-trump-offers-to-negotiate-between-india-china-standoff-301402">Also read:&nbsp;In bid of global dominion, Trump offers to negotiate between India-China standoff</a>

"If America does not speak out against human rights (violations) in China because of some commercial interest, then we lose all moral authority to speak out on human rights violations any place in the world," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said.

The message was bipartisan with Michael McCaul, the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, accusing China of "state-sponsored cultural genocide."

Beijing is out to "completely eradicate an entire culture simply because it doesn't fit within what the Chinese Communist Party deems 'Chinese,'" McCaul said.

"We can't sit idly by and allow this to continue," he said. "Our silence will be complicit, and our inaction will be our appeasement."

The legislation requires the US administration to determine which Chinese officials are responsible for the "arbitrary detention, torture and harassment" of Uighurs and other minorities.

The United States would then freeze any assets the officials hold in the world's largest economy and ban their entry into the country.

The law specifically mentions Chen Quanguo, the Communist Party chief in Xinjiang. Previously posted in Tibet, Chen has built a reputation for clamping down on restive minorities.

China denounces 'smears'

China initially denied the mass incarceration but has since described the camps as vocational training centers aimed at discouraging Islamic radicalism.

After an earlier version of the law passed in December, the Chinese foreign ministry accused the United States of hypocrisy in its own "counter-terrorism" efforts.

"This bill deliberately smears the human rights condition in Xinjiang, slanders China's efforts in de-radicalization and counter-terrorism and viciously attacks the Chinese government's Xinjiang policy," said foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying, urging the United States to stop the law.

Trump can veto the legislation. But Congress could easily override his veto.

Trump last year hesitated at signing another law that angered China that sought to safeguard Hong Kong's autonomy but went ahead in the face of overwhelming support in Congress.

The House of Representatives passed a tougher version of the law that would restrict exports of technology involved in the mass surveillance of Uighurs, as critics fear a new dystopian model with Beijing tracking minorities' every move.

The Republican-led Senate stripped out the export provision to ensure unanimous passage, letting Trump handle technology issues as part of his long-running trade war with the Asian power.

The Commerce Department last week imposed sanctions on eight Chinese companies and an institute seen as complicit in the persecution of Uighurs and other minorities, including through surveillance.

The final version of the bill also requires a classified report by US intelligence on Xinjiang as well as a study led by the FBI on alleged efforts by China to target US citizens and residents of Uighur heritage.

Rubio and a Democrat, Representative James McGovern, have introduced separate legislation that would ban all exports from Xinjiang, a major supplier of cotton.

The lawmakers say forced labor is so prevalent in Xinjiang that it is impossible to ensure that products from the region are free of slavery.

The US Congress on Wednesday authorized sanctions against Chinese officials over the mass incarceration of Muslim Uighurs, ramping up pressure on another front in the troubled relationship between the Pacific powers.

The US Congress on Wednesday authorized sanctions against Chinese officials over the mass incarceration of Muslim Uighurs, ramping up pressure on another front in the troubled relationship between the Pacific powers. The House of Representatives voted with just one dissent in favor of the Uighur Human Rights Act, hours of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo took a major step to press China on another major issue -- the autonomy of Hong Kong. Rights groups say at least one million Uighurs and other Turkic Muslims in China's northwestern Xinjiang region have been incarcerated in camps in a massive brainwashing campaign with few modern parallels. Also read: In bid of global dominion, Trump offers to negotiate between India-China standoff "If America does not speak out against human rights (violations) in China because of some commercial interest, then we lose all moral authority to speak out on human rights violations any place in the world," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. The message was bipartisan with Michael McCaul, the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, accusing China of "state-sponsored cultural genocide." Beijing is out to "completely eradicate an entire culture simply because it doesn't fit within what the Chinese Communist Party deems 'Chinese,'" McCaul said. "We can't sit idly by and allow this to continue," he said. "Our silence will be complicit, and our inaction will be our appeasement." The legislation requires the US administration to determine which Chinese officials are responsible for the "arbitrary detention, torture and harassment" of Uighurs and other minorities. The United States would then freeze any assets the officials hold in the world's largest economy and ban their entry into the country. The law specifically mentions Chen Quanguo, the Communist Party chief in Xinjiang. Previously posted in Tibet, Chen has built a reputation for clamping down on restive minorities. China denounces 'smears' China initially denied the mass incarceration but has since described the camps as vocational training centers aimed at discouraging Islamic radicalism. After an earlier version of the law passed in December, the Chinese foreign ministry accused the United States of hypocrisy in its own "counter-terrorism" efforts. "This bill deliberately smears the human rights condition in Xinjiang, slanders China's efforts in de-radicalization and counter-terrorism and viciously attacks the Chinese government's Xinjiang policy," said foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying, urging the United States to stop the law. Trump can veto the legislation. But Congress could easily override his veto. Trump last year hesitated at signing another law that angered China that sought to safeguard Hong Kong's autonomy but went ahead in the face of overwhelming support in Congress. The House of Representatives passed a tougher version of the law that would restrict exports of technology involved in the mass surveillance of Uighurs, as critics fear a new dystopian model with Beijing tracking minorities' every move. The Republican-led Senate stripped out the export provision to ensure unanimous passage, letting Trump handle technology issues as part of his long-running trade war with the Asian power. The Commerce Department last week imposed sanctions on eight Chinese companies and an institute seen as complicit in the persecution of Uighurs and other minorities, including through surveillance. The final version of the bill also requires a classified report by US intelligence on Xinjiang as well as a study led by the FBI on alleged efforts by China to target US citizens and residents of Uighur heritage. Rubio and a Democrat, Representative James McGovern, have introduced separate legislation that would ban all exports from Xinjiang, a major supplier of cotton. The lawmakers say forced labor is so prevalent in Xinjiang that it is impossible to ensure that products from the region are free of slavery.

US Congress passes Uighur human rights bill, prodding Trump to punish China

After US President Donald Trump ordered to shut down websites that he feels stifle conservative voices, White House has said Donald Trump will sign an executive order on social media companies on Thursday.

No other details were provided by the White House officials. It is still unclear as to how will the President follow on the threat of shutting down private social media giants.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/comedian-kathy-griffin-picks-up-a-beef-with-donald-trump-yet-again-301393">Also read: Comedian Kathy Griffin picks up a beef with Donald Trump, yet again!</a>

Trump was upset as Twitter, for the first time, tagged his tweets about unsubstantiated claims of fraud in mail-in voting with a warning prompting readers to fact check the posts. This warning upset Trump to a limit that he threatened the private companies.

On a similar issue, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington on Wednesday upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit by a conservative group and right-wing YouTube personality against Google, Facebook, Twitter and Apple accusing them of conspiring to suppress conservative political views.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, on the other hand, feels that censoring social media platforms is not the right reflex for a government which is constantly worried about censorship.&nbsp;

Following this threat by Trump, shares of Facebook and Twitter saw a steep decline on Wednesday.

General Counsel Sean Edgett on Wednesday said, "We have a group and committee of folks who take a look at these things and make decisions on what`s getting a lot of visibility and traction."

The issue of censorship has been a topic of debate in the White House for few years now, as the President feels "Republicans feel that Social Media Platforms totally silence conservatives voices. We will strongly regulate, or close them down, before we can ever allow this to happen."

Republican and Democratic lawmakers, along with the U.S. Justice Department, have been considering changes to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, a federal law largely exempting online platforms from legal liability for the material their users post.

(With inputs from Reuters)

After US President Donald Trump ordered to shut down websites that he feels stifle conservative voices, White House has said Donald Trump will sign an executive order on social media companies on Thursday.

After US President Donald Trump ordered to shut down websites that he feels stifle conservative voices, White House has said Donald Trump will sign an executive order on social media companies on Thursday. No other details were provided by the White House officials. It is still unclear as to how will the President follow on the threat of shutting down private social media giants. Also read: Comedian Kathy Griffin picks up a beef with Donald Trump, yet again! Trump was upset as Twitter, for the first time, tagged his tweets about unsubstantiated claims of fraud in mail-in voting with a warning prompting readers to fact check the posts. This warning upset Trump to a limit that he threatened the private companies. On a similar issue, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington on Wednesday upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit by a conservative group and right-wing YouTube personality against Google, Facebook, Twitter and Apple accusing them of conspiring to suppress conservative political views. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, on the other hand, feels that censoring social media platforms is not the right reflex for a government which is constantly worried about censorship. Following this threat by Trump, shares of Facebook and Twitter saw a steep decline on Wednesday. General Counsel Sean Edgett on Wednesday said, "We have a group and committee of folks who take a look at these things and make decisions on what`s getting a lot of visibility and traction." The issue of censorship has been a topic of debate in the White House for few years now, as the President feels "Republicans feel that Social Media Platforms totally silence conservatives voices. We will strongly regulate, or close them down, before we can ever allow this to happen." Republican and Democratic lawmakers, along with the U.S. Justice Department, have been considering changes to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, a federal law largely exempting online platforms from legal liability for the material their users post. (With inputs from Reuters)

Donald Trump  to sign executive order on social media on Thursday

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey on Thursday defended the fact checking action against US President Donald Trump tweets, saying the micro-blogging platform would continue to point out incorrect or disputed information about elections globally.

This comes in reply to Trump threatening Twitter with a big action that can come in the form of an executive order soon.

"Fact check: there is someone ultimately accountable for our actions as a company, and that's me. Please leave our employees out of this. We'll continue to point out incorrect or disputed information about elections globally. And we will admit to and own any mistakes we make," tweeted Dorsey.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Fact check: there is someone ultimately accountable for our actions as a company, and that’s me. Please leave our employees out of this. We’ll continue to point out incorrect or disputed information about elections globally. And we will admit to and own any mistakes we make.
— jack (@jack) <a href="https://twitter.com/jack/status/1265837138114830336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 28, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Trump had warned social media giants that his government could "strongly regulate" or "close them down" after Twitter fact-checked one of his tweets for the first time.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-threatens-to-shut-social-media-companies-after-twitter-adds-warning-to-his-tweets-301375">Also read |&nbsp;Trump threatens to shut social media companies after Twitter adds warning to his tweets</a>

Trump advisor Kellyanne Conway had earlier targetted Twitter's head of site integrity, Yoel Roth, on Fox News after finding some older tweets from him that were critical of the president and the US administration.

"Somebody in San Francisco go wake him up and tell him he's about to get a lot more followers," Conway was quoted as saying.

Trump supporters shared screenshots of old Roth tweets on social media, slamming him all over.

The Twitter CEO said the action on Trump's tweets does not make them an "arbiter of truth", referring to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg who jumped into the fray, criticising Twitter for flagging tweets by Trump.

"Our intention is to connect the dots of conflicting statements and show the information in dispute so people can judge for themselves. More transparency from us is critical so folks can clearly see the why behind our actions," Dorsey stressed.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Per our Civic Integrity policy (<a href="https://t.co/uQ0AoPtoCm">https://t.co/uQ0AoPtoCm</a>), the tweets yesterday may mislead people into thinking they don’t need to register to get a ballot (only registered voters receive ballots). We’re updating the link on <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a>’s tweet to make this more clear.
— jack (@jack) <a href="https://twitter.com/jack/status/1265837143827468289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 28, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Twitter Safety said that action against Trump's tweets about California`s vote-by-mail plans is part of efforts to enforce the civic integrity policy.

"We believe those Tweets could confuse voters about what they need to do to receive a ballot and participate in the election process," said Twitter Safety.

Dorsey said that as per the civic integrity policy, Trump tweets "may mislead people into thinking they don't need to register to get a ballot (only registered voters receive ballots)".

"We're updating the link on @realDonaldTrump's tweet to make this more clear", he said.

Trump, meanwhile, has announced retaliation is coming in the form of an executive order against the social media companies.

"Stay Tuned!!!" Trump tweeted to his more than 80 million followers on the platform.

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey on Thursday defended the fact checking action against US President Donald Trump tweets, saying the micro-blogging platform would continue to point out incorrect or disputed information about elections globally.

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey on Thursday defended the fact checking action against US President Donald Trump tweets, saying the micro-blogging platform would continue to point out incorrect or disputed information about elections globally. This comes in reply to Trump threatening Twitter with a big action that can come in the form of an executive order soon. "Fact check: there is someone ultimately accountable for our actions as a company, and that's me. Please leave our employees out of this. We'll continue to point out incorrect or disputed information about elections globally. And we will admit to and own any mistakes we make," tweeted Dorsey. Fact check: there is someone ultimately accountable for our actions as a company, and that’s me. Please leave our employees out of this. We’ll continue to point out incorrect or disputed information about elections globally. And we will admit to and own any mistakes we make. — jack (@jack) May 28, 2020 × Trump had warned social media giants that his government could "strongly regulate" or "close them down" after Twitter fact-checked one of his tweets for the first time. Also read | Trump threatens to shut social media companies after Twitter adds warning to his tweets Trump advisor Kellyanne Conway had earlier targetted Twitter's head of site integrity, Yoel Roth, on Fox News after finding some older tweets from him that were critical of the president and the US administration. "Somebody in San Francisco go wake him up and tell him he's about to get a lot more followers," Conway was quoted as saying. Trump supporters shared screenshots of old Roth tweets on social media, slamming him all over. The Twitter CEO said the action on Trump's tweets does not make them an "arbiter of truth", referring to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg who jumped into the fray, criticising Twitter for flagging tweets by Trump. "Our intention is to connect the dots of conflicting statements and show the information in dispute so people can judge for themselves. More transparency from us is critical so folks can clearly see the why behind our actions," Dorsey stressed. Per our Civic Integrity policy (https://t.co/uQ0AoPtoCm), the tweets yesterday may mislead people into thinking they don’t need to register to get a ballot (only registered voters receive ballots). We’re updating the link on @realDonaldTrump’s tweet to make this more clear. — jack (@jack) May 28, 2020 × Twitter Safety said that action against Trump's tweets about California`s vote-by-mail plans is part of efforts to enforce the civic integrity policy. "We believe those Tweets could confuse voters about what they need to do to receive a ballot and participate in the election process," said Twitter Safety. Dorsey said that as per the civic integrity policy, Trump tweets "may mislead people into thinking they don't need to register to get a ballot (only registered voters receive ballots)". "We're updating the link on @realDonaldTrump's tweet to make this more clear", he said. Trump, meanwhile, has announced retaliation is coming in the form of an executive order against the social media companies. "Stay Tuned!!!" Trump tweeted to his more than 80 million followers on the platform.

Fact-checking doesn't make Twitter 'arbiter of truth': Jack Dorsey's retort to Donald Trump

Afghan government begins release of 900 Taliban insurgents, urges truce extension

A tropical storm -- Bertha -- that could unleash heavy rainfall and produce life-threatening flash flooding made landfall along the South Carolina coast on Wednesday.

The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Tropical Storm Bertha, which packed maximum sustained winds of 50 miles (80 km) per hour, is located about 20 miles (30 km) east of Charleston, South Carolina.

Bertha was expected to move inland toward North Carolina and southwest Virginia as it weakens to a tropical depression.

It is just 30 miles offshore and is going to move inland during the next few hours, so this is not going to get any stronger.

The NHC issued a tropical storm warning for the areas along the South Carolina coast from Edisto Beach to South Santee River, and warned that Bertha could bring two to four inches of rain in much of the affected areas, potentially triggering dangerous flash flooding.

A tropical storm -- Bertha -- that could unleash heavy rainfall and produce life-threatening flash flooding made landfall along the South Carolina coast on Wednesday.

A tropical storm -- Bertha -- that could unleash heavy rainfall and produce life-threatening flash flooding made landfall along the South Carolina coast on Wednesday. The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Tropical Storm Bertha, which packed maximum sustained winds of 50 miles (80 km) per hour, is located about 20 miles (30 km) east of Charleston, South Carolina. Bertha was expected to move inland toward North Carolina and southwest Virginia as it weakens to a tropical depression. It is just 30 miles offshore and is going to move inland during the next few hours, so this is not going to get any stronger. The NHC issued a tropical storm warning for the areas along the South Carolina coast from Edisto Beach to South Santee River, and warned that Bertha could bring two to four inches of rain in much of the affected areas, potentially triggering dangerous flash flooding.

Tropical Storm Bertha makes landfall along Southeast US coast

Coronavirus trackers are calling a choir practice in Washington, US that happened in March a superspreader event -- which goes on to illustrate how easily the deadly virus can pass from person to person.

Scientists have already found choir members to be susceptible to contracting the virus, but they believe singing is not the only pathway of the spread. The novel coronavirus is likely spread when choir members greet each other, share drinks and talk closely with each other.

In this case, however, the act of singing itself may have spread the virus in the air and onto surfaces, according to a report from Skagit County Public Health published on Tuesday.

The virus is thought to primarily spread through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Two choir members died of COVID-19 after attending the March 10 practice of the Skagit Valley Chorale.

The rehearsal was held nearly two weeks before the state's stay-at-home order, and people were not wearing masks.

The singers felt their first symptoms -- cough, fever, muscle pain or headaches -- one to 12 days after the practice.&nbsp;

Of the 61 people attending the event, 53 fell ill, which is an 87 per cent infection rate.

Another example of a superspreader choir was from Amsterdam. As many as 102 people -- of its 130 members -- were infected.

Experts now suggest the event explains how easily coronavirus can pass from one person to another -- though studies conducted by the World Health Organisation say the virus mainly spreads through larger droplets that don't stay in the air.

Coronavirus trackers are calling a choir practice in Washington, US that happened in March a superspreader event -- which goes on to illustrate how easily the deadly virus can pass from person to person.

Coronavirus trackers are calling a choir practice in Washington, US that happened in March a superspreader event -- which goes on to illustrate how easily the deadly virus can pass from person to person. Scientists have already found choir members to be susceptible to contracting the virus, but they believe singing is not the only pathway of the spread. The novel coronavirus is likely spread when choir members greet each other, share drinks and talk closely with each other. In this case, however, the act of singing itself may have spread the virus in the air and onto surfaces, according to a report from Skagit County Public Health published on Tuesday. The virus is thought to primarily spread through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Two choir members died of COVID-19 after attending the March 10 practice of the Skagit Valley Chorale. The rehearsal was held nearly two weeks before the state's stay-at-home order, and people were not wearing masks. The singers felt their first symptoms -- cough, fever, muscle pain or headaches -- one to 12 days after the practice. Of the 61 people attending the event, 53 fell ill, which is an 87 per cent infection rate. Another example of a superspreader choir was from Amsterdam. As many as 102 people -- of its 130 members -- were infected. Experts now suggest the event explains how easily coronavirus can pass from one person to another -- though studies conducted by the World Health Organisation say the virus mainly spreads through larger droplets that don't stay in the air.

Fifty-three members of a US choir contracted coronavirus in a 'superspreader' event!

The US military has accused Russia of deploying&nbsp;fighter aircraft to Libya to support Russian mercenaries fighting for eastern forces, adding to concerns of a new escalation in the conflict.

The US military's Africa Command on Tuesday said, in a statement: "US Africa Command assesses that Moscow recently deployed military fighter aircraft to Libya in order to support Russian state-sponsored private military contractors operating on the ground there. The aircraft were painted to camouflage their Russian origin."

To this end, Interfax on Wednesday cited Vladimir Dzhabarov, first deputy head of the upper house's international affairs committee, as saying that Moscow has not sent military personnel to Libya and the Russian upper house of parliament has not received a request to approve such a dispatch.

The US has long accused Moscow of using Russian mercenaries to bolster its preferred side in Libya's civil war.

A UN report had earlier confirmed the Wagner Group's presence in Libya. But the Kremlin consistently denies it uses private military contractors in conflicts abroad, and says mercenary groups do not represent the Russian state.

Reports, on the contrary, say several Russian military aircraft had been deployed, and at least 14 Russian aircraft had been flown to Libya.

According to CNN, Russian contractors have been flying out of the town of Bani Walid over the last 3 days and there have been 6 to 7 flights out per day. Russia sent two MiG-29 fighter-bombers from Syria to Libya to protect and secure the retreat of the forces.

The Russian Air Force jets flew from Russia to Khmeimim Air Base in Syria, escorted by Russian fighter aircraft, and flew to Libya, landing in Eastern Libya near Tobruk for fuel, according to the official. The warplanes were then delivered to Al Jufra Air Base in Libya, closer to the front lines of the country's civil war, CNN reported.

The LNA has denied any foreigners are fighting with it, but the United Nations said this month that Russian private military contractor Wagner Group had up to 1,200 people in Libya.

“Russia has employed state-sponsored Wagner in Libya to conceal its direct role and to afford Moscow plausible deniability of its malign actions,” the US statement said.

The State Department said Friday that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke with the leader of the Tripoli-based government, Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj " to reiterate US opposition to the continued level of weapons and munitions being brought into the country."

(with inputs from Reuters)

&nbsp;

The US military has accused Russia of deploying fighter aircraft to Libya to support Russian mercenaries fighting for eastern forces, adding to concerns of a new escalation in the conflict.

The US military has accused Russia of deploying fighter aircraft to Libya to support Russian mercenaries fighting for eastern forces, adding to concerns of a new escalation in the conflict. The US military's Africa Command on Tuesday said, in a statement: "US Africa Command assesses that Moscow recently deployed military fighter aircraft to Libya in order to support Russian state-sponsored private military contractors operating on the ground there. The aircraft were painted to camouflage their Russian origin." To this end, Interfax on Wednesday cited Vladimir Dzhabarov, first deputy head of the upper house's international affairs committee, as saying that Moscow has not sent military personnel to Libya and the Russian upper house of parliament has not received a request to approve such a dispatch. The US has long accused Moscow of using Russian mercenaries to bolster its preferred side in Libya's civil war. A UN report had earlier confirmed the Wagner Group's presence in Libya. But the Kremlin consistently denies it uses private military contractors in conflicts abroad, and says mercenary groups do not represent the Russian state. Reports, on the contrary, say several Russian military aircraft had been deployed, and at least 14 Russian aircraft had been flown to Libya. According to CNN, Russian contractors have been flying out of the town of Bani Walid over the last 3 days and there have been 6 to 7 flights out per day. Russia sent two MiG-29 fighter-bombers from Syria to Libya to protect and secure the retreat of the forces. The Russian Air Force jets flew from Russia to Khmeimim Air Base in Syria, escorted by Russian fighter aircraft, and flew to Libya, landing in Eastern Libya near Tobruk for fuel, according to the official. The warplanes were then delivered to Al Jufra Air Base in Libya, closer to the front lines of the country's civil war, CNN reported. The LNA has denied any foreigners are fighting with it, but the United Nations said this month that Russian private military contractor Wagner Group had up to 1,200 people in Libya. “Russia has employed state-sponsored Wagner in Libya to conceal its direct role and to afford Moscow plausible deniability of its malign actions,” the US statement said. The State Department said Friday that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke with the leader of the Tripoli-based government, Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj " to reiterate US opposition to the continued level of weapons and munitions being brought into the country." (with inputs from Reuters)

US military accuses Russia of deploying fighter aircraft to Libya; Moscow denies

A bill has passed in the US Senate, that could force state owned Chinese companies to delist from American stock exchanges. WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay tells you how the US is escalating its fight with China.

Gravitas: Will the US force Chinese companies to delist from its exchanges?

The U.S. govt has criticised China for crippling Pakistan's economy. The flashpoint is the corruption shrouded in the China-Pakistan economic corridor. WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay tells you more.

Gravitas: U.S-China clash over Pak's debt crisis

A US Navy warship has successfully tested a new high-energy laser weapon that can destroy aircraft mid-flight.

The Navy, in a statement on Friday, said lasers, which it calls directed energy weapons (DEW), can be effective defences against drones or armed small boats.

Images and videos provided by the Navy's Pacific Fleet, show the amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland executing "the first system-level implementation of a high-energy class solid-state laser" to disable an aerial drone aircraft.

The power of the weapon is expected to be a 150-kilowatt laser. The images show the laser emanating from the deck of the warship.

The Navy, in the statement, did not give a specific location of the laser weapons system demonstrator (LWSD) test, saying only that it occurred in the Pacific on May 16.

The US Navy has been developing directed-energy weapons (DEWs), to include lasers, since the 1960s.

DEWs are defined as electromagnetic systems capable of converting chemical or electrical energy to radiated energy and focusing it on a target, resulting in physical damage that degrades, neutralises, defeats, or destroys an adversarial capability.

"The Navy's development of DEWs like the LWSD provide immediate warfighter benefits and provide the commander increased decision space and response options," the statement said.

The Navy says lasers, which it calls directed energy weapons (DEW), can be effective defences against drones or armed small boats. 
&nbsp;

A US Navy warship has successfully tested a new high-energy laser weapon that can destroy aircraft mid-flight. The Navy, in a statement on Friday, said lasers, which it calls directed energy weapons (DEW), can be effective defences against drones or armed small boats.

A US Navy warship has successfully tested a new high-energy laser weapon that can destroy aircraft mid-flight. The Navy, in a statement on Friday, said lasers, which it calls directed energy weapons (DEW), can be effective defences against drones or armed small boats. Images and videos provided by the Navy's Pacific Fleet, show the amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland executing "the first system-level implementation of a high-energy class solid-state laser" to disable an aerial drone aircraft. The power of the weapon is expected to be a 150-kilowatt laser. The images show the laser emanating from the deck of the warship. The Navy, in the statement, did not give a specific location of the laser weapons system demonstrator (LWSD) test, saying only that it occurred in the Pacific on May 16. The US Navy has been developing directed-energy weapons (DEWs), to include lasers, since the 1960s. DEWs are defined as electromagnetic systems capable of converting chemical or electrical energy to radiated energy and focusing it on a target, resulting in physical damage that degrades, neutralises, defeats, or destroys an adversarial capability. "The Navy's development of DEWs like the LWSD provide immediate warfighter benefits and provide the commander increased decision space and response options," the statement said. The Navy says lasers, which it calls directed energy weapons (DEW), can be effective defences against drones or armed small boats.

US successfully tests a laser weapon that can destroy aircraft mid-flight

The State Department is asking all US-based employees of Chinese state TV network CGTN to share personal details.

The United States had earlier this year marked five Chinese state media outlets, including CGTN, as Foreign Missions -- as extensions of Beijing's government and requiring them to comply with the same rules that govern foreign embassies and consulates.

This also comes in the wake of China announcing, in mid-March, that it would expel journalists from The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post, in a major escalation of tensions with the US.

Also, CGTN -- the international arm of Chinese state television -- segments have robustly defended China's response to the coronavirus in the face of Western criticism. It also has questioned the motives behind the critique.

The CGTN employees hence have been asked to fill out detailed questionnaires with personal information.

The five-page form, titled "State Department OFM (Office of Foreign Missions) Questionnaire," asks for employees' personal information as well as information about their spouses, children, and anyone else they live with, along with where the employee has worked for the past five years.

All CGTN employees, including those who are American citizens, have until Monday to complete the questionnaire.

CGTN has staff in more than 70 countries. Its bureaus employ both local and Chinese employees.

The five Chinese state media outlets labeled as foreign msisions -- CGTN, Xinhua, China Radio International, the China Daily and the People's Daily -- now also require US government approval to buy or lease office space.

The State Department is asking all US-based employees of Chinese state TV network CGTN to share personal details. The United States had earlier this year marked five Chinese state media outlets, including CGTN, as Foreign Missions -- as extensions of Beijing's government and requiring them to comply with the same rules that govern foreign embassies and consulates.

The State Department is asking all US-based employees of Chinese state TV network CGTN to share personal details. The United States had earlier this year marked five Chinese state media outlets, including CGTN, as Foreign Missions -- as extensions of Beijing's government and requiring them to comply with the same rules that govern foreign embassies and consulates. This also comes in the wake of China announcing, in mid-March, that it would expel journalists from The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post, in a major escalation of tensions with the US. Also, CGTN -- the international arm of Chinese state television -- segments have robustly defended China's response to the coronavirus in the face of Western criticism. It also has questioned the motives behind the critique. The CGTN employees hence have been asked to fill out detailed questionnaires with personal information. The five-page form, titled "State Department OFM (Office of Foreign Missions) Questionnaire," asks for employees' personal information as well as information about their spouses, children, and anyone else they live with, along with where the employee has worked for the past five years. All CGTN employees, including those who are American citizens, have until Monday to complete the questionnaire. CGTN has staff in more than 70 countries. Its bureaus employ both local and Chinese employees. The five Chinese state media outlets labeled as foreign msisions -- CGTN, Xinhua, China Radio International, the China Daily and the People's Daily -- now also require US government approval to buy or lease office space.

US asks nation-based employees of Chinese state media to share personal details

The United States has announced its intention to withdraw from the 35-nation Open Skies treaty allowing unarmed surveillance flights over member countries.

The administration said Russia has repeatedly violated the pact's terms. Senior officials said the pullout will formally take place in six months, based on the treaty's withdrawal terms.

Russia, to this end, said this would affect the interests of all of its participants, who are also members of NATO.

RIA state news agency quoted Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko as saying on Thursday, "Russia has not violated the treaty and nothing prevents the continuation of talks on technical issues that the US says are the violations by the Russian side."

Earlier, in his latest move to pull the country out of a major global treaty, US President Donald Trump had said, "I think we have a very good relationship with Russia. But Russia didn't adhere to the treaty. So until they adhere we will pull out."

Trump told reporters there was a "very good chance we'll make a new agreement or do something to put that agreement back together."

NATO allies and other countries such as Ukraine have pressed Washington to remain in the treaty, and Trump's decision could aggravate tensions within the alliance.

The administration also pulled the United States out of the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty with Russia last year.

The officials said the decision followed a six-month review that found multiple instances of Russian refusal to comply with the treaty.

One administration official said extensive discussions were held with US allies leading up to the decision but ultimately Washington decided "it is no longer in our interest" to participate in it.

At the same time, the official said, US officials had begun talks in recent days with Russian officials about a new round of nuclear arms negotiations to "begin crafting the next generation of nuclear arms control measures."

The Open Skies treaty, proposed by US President Dwight Eisenhower in 1955, was signed in 1992 and took effect in 2002. The idea is to let member nations make surveillance flights over each other's countries to build trust.

Some experts worry that a US exit from the treaty, which will halt Russian overflights of the United States, could prompt Moscow’s withdrawal, which would end overflights of Russia by the remaining members, weakening European security at a time that Russian-backed separatists are holding parts of Ukraine and Georgia.

The 35 state parties to the Open Skies treaty are: Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark (including Greenland), Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, the Russian Federation, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

(with inputs from Reuters)

The United States has announced its intention to withdraw from the 35-nation Open Skies treaty allowing unarmed surveillance flights over member countries. The administration said Russia has repeatedly violated the pact's terms.

The United States has announced its intention to withdraw from the 35-nation Open Skies treaty allowing unarmed surveillance flights over member countries. The administration said Russia has repeatedly violated the pact's terms. Senior officials said the pullout will formally take place in six months, based on the treaty's withdrawal terms. Russia, to this end, said this would affect the interests of all of its participants, who are also members of NATO. RIA state news agency quoted Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko as saying on Thursday, "Russia has not violated the treaty and nothing prevents the continuation of talks on technical issues that the US says are the violations by the Russian side." Earlier, in his latest move to pull the country out of a major global treaty, US President Donald Trump had said, "I think we have a very good relationship with Russia. But Russia didn't adhere to the treaty. So until they adhere we will pull out." Trump told reporters there was a "very good chance we'll make a new agreement or do something to put that agreement back together." NATO allies and other countries such as Ukraine have pressed Washington to remain in the treaty, and Trump's decision could aggravate tensions within the alliance. The administration also pulled the United States out of the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty with Russia last year. The officials said the decision followed a six-month review that found multiple instances of Russian refusal to comply with the treaty. One administration official said extensive discussions were held with US allies leading up to the decision but ultimately Washington decided "it is no longer in our interest" to participate in it. At the same time, the official said, US officials had begun talks in recent days with Russian officials about a new round of nuclear arms negotiations to "begin crafting the next generation of nuclear arms control measures." The Open Skies treaty, proposed by US President Dwight Eisenhower in 1955, was signed in 1992 and took effect in 2002. The idea is to let member nations make surveillance flights over each other's countries to build trust. Some experts worry that a US exit from the treaty, which will halt Russian overflights of the United States, could prompt Moscow’s withdrawal, which would end overflights of Russia by the remaining members, weakening European security at a time that Russian-backed separatists are holding parts of Ukraine and Georgia. The 35 state parties to the Open Skies treaty are: Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark (including Greenland), Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, the Russian Federation, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States. (with inputs from Reuters)

US pulls out of Open Skies treaty; Russia says it will affect all members

United States' top infectious disease expert, Dr Anthony Fauci, has conspicuously been absent from national television interviews over the last two weeks -- in the wake of the White House moving to reopening the economy.

In recent weeks, the White House has refocussed its message on reopening the country amid the economic havoc wreaked by the virus -- with the absence of the nation's top physicians from the conversation.

Fauci, the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, had regularly been appearing on national news programmes to update people on the country's fight against the coronavirus. He last gave a television interview when he spoke to CNN on May 4.

Fauci's absence comes as the newly implemented White House communications team has changed its public relations strategy for the pandemic.

Fauci testified remotely before the Senate last week. He was also present at Trump's "Operation Warp Speed" briefing last Friday, when the administration detailed a plan to roll out an eventual vaccine

But Fauci did not appear for interviews to discuss the promising results shown by a vaccine developed by the biotech company Moderna in partnership with the National Institutes of Health, which Fauci's NIAID falls under.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump, who previously held freewheeling news conferences, has also stopped doing so on a daily basis following an effort among aides and allies who believed the briefings damaged him politically.

United States' top infectious disease expert, Dr Anthony Fauci, has conspicuously been absent from national television interviews over the last two weeks -- in the wake of the White House moving to reopening the economy.

United States' top infectious disease expert, Dr Anthony Fauci, has conspicuously been absent from national television interviews over the last two weeks -- in the wake of the White House moving to reopening the economy. In recent weeks, the White House has refocussed its message on reopening the country amid the economic havoc wreaked by the virus -- with the absence of the nation's top physicians from the conversation. Fauci, the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, had regularly been appearing on national news programmes to update people on the country's fight against the coronavirus. He last gave a television interview when he spoke to CNN on May 4. Fauci's absence comes as the newly implemented White House communications team has changed its public relations strategy for the pandemic. Fauci testified remotely before the Senate last week. He was also present at Trump's "Operation Warp Speed" briefing last Friday, when the administration detailed a plan to roll out an eventual vaccine But Fauci did not appear for interviews to discuss the promising results shown by a vaccine developed by the biotech company Moderna in partnership with the National Institutes of Health, which Fauci's NIAID falls under. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump, who previously held freewheeling news conferences, has also stopped doing so on a daily basis following an effort among aides and allies who believed the briefings damaged him politically.

Top physician Fauci stops appearing on TV as US moves to reopen economy

A family from USA's Virginia has a grand rush of luck when it stumbled upon almost $1 million in cash.

The family was on a weekend drive when it picked up two bags it thought contained waste.

David and Emily Schantz were driving near their Caroline County address on Saturday when their pickup truck ran-over two bags. They decided to pull over and collect what they presumed was waste.

The Schantz family then discovered the two bags contained around $1 million in cash.

They then contacted Caroline County police, who were dispatched to the address to investigate.

"To have someone so honest give that million dollars back was exceptional on their part," said sheriff's major Scott Moser to WTVR.

Police continue to investigate how the money bags were left on the road in Goochland County, but suspect the bags belonged to the US Postal Service, and were en route to a bank.

A family from USA's Virginia has a grand rush of luck when it stumbled upon almost $1 million in cash. The family was on a weekend drive when it picked up two bags it thought contained waste.

A family from USA's Virginia has a grand rush of luck when it stumbled upon almost $1 million in cash. The family was on a weekend drive when it picked up two bags it thought contained waste. David and Emily Schantz were driving near their Caroline County address on Saturday when their pickup truck ran-over two bags. They decided to pull over and collect what they presumed was waste. The Schantz family then discovered the two bags contained around $1 million in cash. They then contacted Caroline County police, who were dispatched to the address to investigate. "To have someone so honest give that million dollars back was exceptional on their part," said sheriff's major Scott Moser to WTVR. Police continue to investigate how the money bags were left on the road in Goochland County, but suspect the bags belonged to the US Postal Service, and were en route to a bank.

Family in US stumbles upon $1 million in cash on a weekend drive

The US on Tuesday included the India unit of Huawei along with its other foreign subsidiaries in its Entity List, as part of efforts to prevent the Chinese telecom company from doing business in America.

The Trump administration in recent months has increased its action against Huawei, preventing it from doing business in the US, as it believes the company known for its technological advancement in 5G is being used by the Chinese leadership in Beijing to serve their interest.

Huawei and its non-US affiliates have been added to the Entity List, because they pose a significant risk of involvement in activities contrary to the national security or foreign policy interests of the United States, said a notification issued in the Federal Register on Tuesday.

The Indian entity listed in the notification is Huawei Technologies India Private Limited.

"Huawei is an untrustworthy vendor and a tool of the Chinese Communist Party, beholden to its orders,"&nbsp;the State Department said in a statement last week.

The Department of Justice has indicted Huawei for stealing US technology and helping Iran evade sanctions, and the Department of Commerce placed Huawei on the Entity List in 2019.

"The Department of State has engaged for more than a year to share what we know about Huawei and other untrustworthy vendors with allies and partners around the world,"&nbsp;it said.

The expansion of entities list and its other affiliates, the State Department said, helps prevent Huawei from undermining US export controls, closing a loophole that has allowed the company to exploit US technology and threaten our national security.

It also imposes US export control restrictions on countries that use US technology or software to design and produce semiconductors for Huawei. Companies wishing to sell certain items to Huawei produced with US technology must now obtain a license from the United States, it said.

"The US will continue to restrict most US exports to Huawei and its affiliates on the Entity List for activities that threaten US national security and international stability,"&nbsp;the State Department said.

The US on Tuesday included the India unit of Huawei along with its other foreign subsidiaries in its Entity List, as part of efforts to prevent the Chinese telecom company from doing business in America.

The US on Tuesday included the India unit of Huawei along with its other foreign subsidiaries in its Entity List, as part of efforts to prevent the Chinese telecom company from doing business in America. The Trump administration in recent months has increased its action against Huawei, preventing it from doing business in the US, as it believes the company known for its technological advancement in 5G is being used by the Chinese leadership in Beijing to serve their interest. Huawei and its non-US affiliates have been added to the Entity List, because they pose a significant risk of involvement in activities contrary to the national security or foreign policy interests of the United States, said a notification issued in the Federal Register on Tuesday. The Indian entity listed in the notification is Huawei Technologies India Private Limited. "Huawei is an untrustworthy vendor and a tool of the Chinese Communist Party, beholden to its orders," the State Department said in a statement last week. The Department of Justice has indicted Huawei for stealing US technology and helping Iran evade sanctions, and the Department of Commerce placed Huawei on the Entity List in 2019. "The Department of State has engaged for more than a year to share what we know about Huawei and other untrustworthy vendors with allies and partners around the world," it said. The expansion of entities list and its other affiliates, the State Department said, helps prevent Huawei from undermining US export controls, closing a loophole that has allowed the company to exploit US technology and threaten our national security. It also imposes US export control restrictions on countries that use US technology or software to design and produce semiconductors for Huawei. Companies wishing to sell certain items to Huawei produced with US technology must now obtain a license from the United States, it said. "The US will continue to restrict most US exports to Huawei and its affiliates on the Entity List for activities that threaten US national security and international stability," the State Department said.

US includes Huawei India in its export control Entity List

The US Air Force successfully launched its Atlas V rocket, carrying a X-37B space plane for a secretive mission.

The space plane was launched from&nbsp;Cape Canaveral, Florida on Sunday.

X-37B is a classified programme. There has not been much information provided by the US government or by the authorities in the past.

The aircraft, also known as an Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV), is on its sixth mission in space, where it will deploy a satellite into orbit. It will&nbsp;test power-beaming technology, and will also test&nbsp;the effect of radiation on seeds and other materials.

The mission was dedicated to frontline workers and corona warriors. The plane's payload fairing saw "America strong" written on it.

"The success of this mission resulted from collaboration with our customer while working through challenging, and ever changing, health and safety conditions. We were honoured to partner with the US Space Force to dedicate the mission to first responders, front-line workers, and those affected by COVID-19," said Gary Wentz, ULA's Vice President of government and commercial programs, in a news release.

The plane, which will orbit the Earth while carrying experiments,&nbsp;has been built by Boeing. The plane measures over 29ft long and has a wingspan of nearly 15ft and weighs 11,000lbs.&nbsp;It uses solar panels for power in orbit.

The length of the mission is unknown. The last mission that took place in 2010, lasted for two years.

The US Air Force successfully launched its Atlas V rocket, carrying a X-37B space plane for a secretive mission. The space plane was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida on Sunday.

The US Air Force successfully launched its Atlas V rocket, carrying a X-37B space plane for a secretive mission. The space plane was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida on Sunday. X-37B is a classified programme. There has not been much information provided by the US government or by the authorities in the past. The aircraft, also known as an Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV), is on its sixth mission in space, where it will deploy a satellite into orbit. It will test power-beaming technology, and will also test the effect of radiation on seeds and other materials. The mission was dedicated to frontline workers and corona warriors. The plane's payload fairing saw "America strong" written on it. "The success of this mission resulted from collaboration with our customer while working through challenging, and ever changing, health and safety conditions. We were honoured to partner with the US Space Force to dedicate the mission to first responders, front-line workers, and those affected by COVID-19," said Gary Wentz, ULA's Vice President of government and commercial programs, in a news release. The plane, which will orbit the Earth while carrying experiments, has been built by Boeing. The plane measures over 29ft long and has a wingspan of nearly 15ft and weighs 11,000lbs. It uses solar panels for power in orbit. The length of the mission is unknown. The last mission that took place in 2010, lasted for two years.

US Air Force launches space plane for secretive mission; dedicates mission to COVID-19 warriors

The United States President Donald Trump on Sunday dismissed his predecessor Barack Obama as “grossly incompetent,” a day after former President said leaders weren’t “even pretending to be in charge” amid the coronavirus pandemic. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/a-lot-of-them-arent-even-pretending-to-be-in-charge-obama-attacks-trump-administration-299125">Also read: A lot of them aren’t even pretending to be in charge: Obama attacks Trump administration</a>

“We did a lot of terrific meetings, tremendous progress is being made on many fronts, including coming up with a cure for this horrible plague that has beset our country,” he said. 
 
“Look, he (Barack Obama) was an incompetent president. That’s all I can say. Grossly incompetent," Trump said.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-wideangle-the-story-of-the-wuhan-virus-wion-news-covid-19-pandemic-299303/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Earlier on Saturday, Former US President Barack Obama attacked the Trump administration’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, stating that many of the country’s leaders “aren’t even pretending to be in charge”, media reports said.

''Let’s be honest, a disease like this just spotlights the underlying inequalities and extra burdens that black communities have historically had to deal with in this country. We see it in the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on our communities,'' Obama was quoted as saying.

''More than anything, this pandemic has fully, finally torn back the curtain that so many of the folks in charge know what they’re doing. A lot of them aren’t even pretending to be in charge,'' he said.&nbsp;

The US is the worst-hit country by the deadly contagion with at least 1,484,804 numbers of confirmed cases of coronavirus and over 89,399 fatalities.

In April, 20.5 million Americans lost their jobs and unemployment was at 14.7 per cent.

The Trump administration has been criticized for a delayed response to the outbreak and a lack of organization in providing tests and medical supplies. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

The United States President Donald Trump on Sunday dismissed his predecessor Barack Obama as “grossly incompetent,” a day after former President said leaders weren’t “even pretending to be in charge” amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The United States President Donald Trump on Sunday dismissed his predecessor Barack Obama as “grossly incompetent,” a day after former President said leaders weren’t “even pretending to be in charge” amid the coronavirus pandemic. Also read: A lot of them aren’t even pretending to be in charge: Obama attacks Trump administration “We did a lot of terrific meetings, tremendous progress is being made on many fronts, including coming up with a cure for this horrible plague that has beset our country,” he said. “Look, he (Barack Obama) was an incompetent president. That’s all I can say. Grossly incompetent," Trump said. Earlier on Saturday, Former US President Barack Obama attacked the Trump administration’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, stating that many of the country’s leaders “aren’t even pretending to be in charge”, media reports said. ''Let’s be honest, a disease like this just spotlights the underlying inequalities and extra burdens that black communities have historically had to deal with in this country. We see it in the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on our communities,'' Obama was quoted as saying. ''More than anything, this pandemic has fully, finally torn back the curtain that so many of the folks in charge know what they’re doing. A lot of them aren’t even pretending to be in charge,'' he said. The US is the worst-hit country by the deadly contagion with at least 1,484,804 numbers of confirmed cases of coronavirus and over 89,399 fatalities. In April, 20.5 million Americans lost their jobs and unemployment was at 14.7 per cent. The Trump administration has been criticized for a delayed response to the outbreak and a lack of organization in providing tests and medical supplies. (With inputs from agencies)

Trump calls Barack Obama ‘grossly incompetent’ after ex-president's Covid-19 criticism

The Chinese leadership allowed its people to travel outside the country despite knowing the risk of the transmission of the coronavirus, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has alleged, saying that President Donald Trump will decide on the future course of action on penalising China.

Pompeo's comments came a day after Trump said that he does not want to talk to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping right now, expressing his displeasure at Beijing's handling of the coronavirus outbreak which has spread across the world, killing over 300,000 people.

The US has expressed disappointment over China's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic which has claimed over 88,000 lives in America. President Trump on Thursday threatened to "cut off the whole relationship" with China. 
Trump has been pressing China to agree for an inquiry into the origin of the virus, including the allegation that it emerged from a lab in Wuhan.

"Those are the kinds of decisions that, as you stare at them, it is unambiguous that they created increased risk, that people were still travelling around the world - why" While the Chinese Communist Party knew of the risk of transmission, it was still allowing people to travel outside of China while they had locked down a major city inside of their own country," Peompeo told Breitbart News Network and satellite radio station SiriusXM Patriot in an interview.

Pompeo said that had China made a "different set of decisions" at the front end, there would have been more time for the entire world- not just the US- but the entire world to prepare and react to the pandemic that has now spread all across the globe. 
"We know that in December at least, maybe earlier, the Chinese Communist Party came to understand the threat that was presented. And then we watched their actions " I've talked about some of them " denying information to the world," Pompeo said.

"We then saw that when the United States made the decision, when President Trump made the decision to close off travel between the United States and China, we saw China squawk at that, saying you shouldn't be doing that. Even though they had locked down Wuhan, they had not locked down travel all across the world," he said.

Evading a question on imposing penalty on China, Pompeo said that Trump would finally decide on the future course of action in this regard.

"I don't want to get out in front of what President Trump will ultimately decide, but I think we all know in this administration that we have to make sure that something like this can never happen again. That means deterrence. That means setting up processes."

"The President's already stopped funding to the WHO so that we can evaluate that and figure out which pieces of the WHO might actually work and which pieces don't, so that we can deliver good outcomes and keep Americans safe and make sure this doesn't happen again," he said.

"Then there'll come a time, there will come a day, when we will evaluate what it is needs to be done to convince the Chinese Communist Party that there are real costs - real costs - connected to this kind of misbehaviour. We see this all the time inside the United States but around the world too. We have to hold nations accountable," Pompeo said.

Pompeo said that he has spoken with many of his counterparts around the world. "We have to hold nations accountable for the things and actions that they undertake which create risk and, in this case, created enormous loss of life here in the US. President Trump is committed to doing that. The precise mechanisms that we will choose, I want to make sure that he gets the chance to get fully briefed and make those decisions," he said.

Responding to a question, the top American diplomat said that the Chinese Communist Party has relentlessly deceived and denied information to the West.

"We have repeatedly asked to have teams go in to assist them in identifying where the virus originated. We know it began in Wuhan, but we don't know from where or from whom, and those are important things. Your listeners need to know we still need to know that so that we can crack the code on this thing," he said.

"One of the key facts for scientists and epidemiologists to build out vaccines and therapeutics and to identify how this was ultimately delivered to the world " you have to know where patient zero began and how patient zero became infected," he noted.

"And yet the Chinese Communist Party, at every turn, has attempted to manage the WHO, to manage the information flow, to punish doctors who wanted to talk about this publicly, to undermine the central understandings of transparency that every country has a responsibility to deliver," he said.

And as a result of that, there are many unanswered questions.

"We, the US,&nbsp;the world has so many unanswered questions that are incredibly important so that we can address this issue going forward to keep American people safe. This isn't political. This isn't aimed at achieving a political victory. It is aimed squarely at getting the right health outcomes and saving lives all across the world," he said.&nbsp;

The Chinese leadership allowed its people to travel outside the country despite knowing the risk of the transmission of the coronavirus, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has alleged, saying that President Donald Trump will decide on the future course of action on penalising China.

The Chinese leadership allowed its people to travel outside the country despite knowing the risk of the transmission of the coronavirus, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has alleged, saying that President Donald Trump will decide on the future course of action on penalising China. Pompeo's comments came a day after Trump said that he does not want to talk to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping right now, expressing his displeasure at Beijing's handling of the coronavirus outbreak which has spread across the world, killing over 300,000 people. The US has expressed disappointment over China's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic which has claimed over 88,000 lives in America. President Trump on Thursday threatened to "cut off the whole relationship" with China. Trump has been pressing China to agree for an inquiry into the origin of the virus, including the allegation that it emerged from a lab in Wuhan. "Those are the kinds of decisions that, as you stare at them, it is unambiguous that they created increased risk, that people were still travelling around the world - why" While the Chinese Communist Party knew of the risk of transmission, it was still allowing people to travel outside of China while they had locked down a major city inside of their own country," Peompeo told Breitbart News Network and satellite radio station SiriusXM Patriot in an interview. Pompeo said that had China made a "different set of decisions" at the front end, there would have been more time for the entire world- not just the US- but the entire world to prepare and react to the pandemic that has now spread all across the globe. "We know that in December at least, maybe earlier, the Chinese Communist Party came to understand the threat that was presented. And then we watched their actions " I've talked about some of them " denying information to the world," Pompeo said. "We then saw that when the United States made the decision, when President Trump made the decision to close off travel between the United States and China, we saw China squawk at that, saying you shouldn't be doing that. Even though they had locked down Wuhan, they had not locked down travel all across the world," he said. Evading a question on imposing penalty on China, Pompeo said that Trump would finally decide on the future course of action in this regard. "I don't want to get out in front of what President Trump will ultimately decide, but I think we all know in this administration that we have to make sure that something like this can never happen again. That means deterrence. That means setting up processes." "The President's already stopped funding to the WHO so that we can evaluate that and figure out which pieces of the WHO might actually work and which pieces don't, so that we can deliver good outcomes and keep Americans safe and make sure this doesn't happen again," he said. "Then there'll come a time, there will come a day, when we will evaluate what it is needs to be done to convince the Chinese Communist Party that there are real costs - real costs - connected to this kind of misbehaviour. We see this all the time inside the United States but around the world too. We have to hold nations accountable," Pompeo said. Pompeo said that he has spoken with many of his counterparts around the world. "We have to hold nations accountable for the things and actions that they undertake which create risk and, in this case, created enormous loss of life here in the US. President Trump is committed to doing that. The precise mechanisms that we will choose, I want to make sure that he gets the chance to get fully briefed and make those decisions," he said. Responding to a question, the top American diplomat said that the Chinese Communist Party has relentlessly deceived and denied information to the West. "We have repeatedly asked to have teams go in to assist them in identifying where the virus originated. We know it began in Wuhan, but we don't know from where or from whom, and those are important things. Your listeners need to know we still need to know that so that we can crack the code on this thing," he said. "One of the key facts for scientists and epidemiologists to build out vaccines and therapeutics and to identify how this was ultimately delivered to the world " you have to know where patient zero began and how patient zero became infected," he noted. "And yet the Chinese Communist Party, at every turn, has attempted to manage the WHO, to manage the information flow, to punish doctors who wanted to talk about this publicly, to undermine the central understandings of transparency that every country has a responsibility to deliver," he said. And as a result of that, there are many unanswered questions. "We, the US, the world has so many unanswered questions that are incredibly important so that we can address this issue going forward to keep American people safe. This isn't political. This isn't aimed at achieving a political victory. It is aimed squarely at getting the right health outcomes and saving lives all across the world," he said.

China allowed people to travel outside despite knowing the risk of COVID-19 transmission: Mike Pompeo

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