A petition calling for France to take control of Lebanon has got more than 50,000 signatures. This appeal is supported by the citizens of Lebanon - who are blaming their government for the Beirut blasts. WION's Palki Sharma tells you why Lebanese people want another country to take over their government.

Gravitas: Beirut blasts | Lebanese People call on France to takeover Lebanon

Mahinda Rajapaksa has won an absolute majority in Sri Lanka's parliamentary polls. The Rajapaksa brothers are likely to bring about sweeping changes in Sri Lanka. What does this mean for India? WION's Palki Sharma has the details.

Gravitas: Mahinda Rajapaksa sweeps Sri Lankan polls | What does it mean for India?

A 14-year-old Christian girl who was abducted at gunpoint & forcibly married has been ordered to stay with her captor by the Lahore High Court. WION's Palki Sharma tells you how fear has become a daily reality for Pakistan's Christians.

Gravitas: The plight of Christian girls in Pakistan

<p>Former Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad speaking exclusively to WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma as part of Global Leadership Series said that that going to war with China is not an option because it is a very powerful country.</p>

<p>"We tried to find other ways of solving our strained relations with China. It cannot be compared to India as they have a different system and viewpoints. While India is more liberal and willing to accept criticism, China is not," Mahathir said in an exclusive conversation with WION.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">"Our relationship with India and China is not quite the same. With India we feel that you are more liberal, more willing to accept criticisms. But, with China, they don't. They have a different system and viewpoints," says <a href="https://twitter.com/chedetofficial?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@chedetofficial</a> on standing up for Muslims of China <a href="https://t.co/6xpFV0l3ge">pic.twitter.com/6xpFV0l3ge</a></p>
— WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/1291747173097496577?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 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>

<p>"There are ways of doing things. It’s not always through confrontation," he added.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-making-claims-in-south-china-sea-but-we-cannot-go-to-war-says-mahathir-mohamad-to-wion-318909">Cannot go to war with China on South China Sea: Mahathir Mohamad to WION</a></strong></p>

<p>When questioned about what he has done for the Muslims of China, Mahathir said: "We tried to talk to the Chinese. But their response was not good. But I think the Chinese are becoming more and more conscious of the need for them to be a little bit more liberal towards the Muslims in China."</p>

<p>"China has offered to work with any country in terms of developing a vaccine and medicine for this pandemic. They are very cooperative, even with Malaysia and I think, China's attitude is far better than some countries which even consider that if they do find a vaccine, it is only for them," Mahathir said regarding China coronavirus response.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mahathir-mohamad-forms-new-independent-party-as-malaysias-power-struggle-intensifies-318852" hreflang="en">Mahathir Mohamad forms new 'independent' party as Malaysia’s power struggle intensifies</a></strong></p>

<p>Mahathir said he does not support an international investigation against Beijing regarding the origin of COVID-19.</p>

<p>"I don't think it is the time for finger-pointing. What we need to do is to try and resolve this as a problem for the whole world. Pointing fingers at China doesn't help at all. In fact, China has shown how they can handle this pandemic much better than the United States of America for example," he said.</p>

<p>On China's neo-colonialism comment made a few years ago, Mahathir said: "the Malay states, the small Malay states of Malaysia have had relations with China for nearly 2,000 years and that they survived at all is a miracle because if China would have been like the Europeans we would have been colonised by China by now. But China has maintained the relation to the point where even though they call themselves the Middle Kingdom, the biggest country in the world, we survived despite their obvious size and power.</p>

<p>"China is not as bad as the Europeans. The Europeans came here in 1509, two years later they colonised us. China has known us for longer than that and they have not colonised us," he said, adding,"today, we have a problem with China making claims in the South China Sea but we cannot go to war with China, we have to find other solutions to the problem."</p>


Former Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad speaking exclusively to WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma as part of Global Leadership Series said that that going to war with China is not an option because it is a very powerful country.

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad speaking exclusively to WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma as part of Global Leadership Series said that that going to war with China is not an option because it is a very powerful country. "We tried to find other ways of solving our strained relations with China. It cannot be compared to India as they have a different system and viewpoints. While India is more liberal and willing to accept criticism, China is not," Mahathir said in an exclusive conversation with WION. "Our relationship with India and China is not quite the same. With India we feel that you are more liberal, more willing to accept criticisms. But, with China, they don't. They have a different system and viewpoints," says @chedetofficial on standing up for Muslims of China pic.twitter.com/6xpFV0l3ge — WION (@WIONews) August 7, 2020 × "There are ways of doing things. It’s not always through confrontation," he added. Also Read: Cannot go to war with China on South China Sea: Mahathir Mohamad to WION When questioned about what he has done for the Muslims of China, Mahathir said: "We tried to talk to the Chinese. But their response was not good. But I think the Chinese are becoming more and more conscious of the need for them to be a little bit more liberal towards the Muslims in China." "China has offered to work with any country in terms of developing a vaccine and medicine for this pandemic. They are very cooperative, even with Malaysia and I think, China's attitude is far better than some countries which even consider that if they do find a vaccine, it is only for them," Mahathir said regarding China coronavirus response. Also read: Mahathir Mohamad forms new 'independent' party as Malaysia’s power struggle intensifies Mahathir said he does not support an international investigation against Beijing regarding the origin of COVID-19. "I don't think it is the time for finger-pointing. What we need to do is to try and resolve this as a problem for the whole world. Pointing fingers at China doesn't help at all. In fact, China has shown how they can handle this pandemic much better than the United States of America for example," he said. On China's neo-colonialism comment made a few years ago, Mahathir said: "the Malay states, the small Malay states of Malaysia have had relations with China for nearly 2,000 years and that they survived at all is a miracle because if China would have been like the Europeans we would have been colonised by China by now. But China has maintained the relation to the point where even though they call themselves the Middle Kingdom, the biggest country in the world, we survived despite their obvious size and power. "China is not as bad as the Europeans. The Europeans came here in 1509, two years later they colonised us. China has known us for longer than that and they have not colonised us," he said, adding,"today, we have a problem with China making claims in the South China Sea but we cannot go to war with China, we have to find other solutions to the problem."

China conscious about becoming liberal towards Muslims in the country, says Mahathir Mohamad to WION

Sri Lanka's strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa staged a political comeback on Friday as his party registered a landslide victory in the twice-postponed general elections, according to the final results released by the elections commission.

Your Story: Rajapaksas now authorized to amend the constitution, Two-third majority in 2020 polls

SLPP registers landslide victory in Sri Lanka's parliamentary polls

It's been 75 years since America dropped the world's first atomic bomb on Hiroshima. For survivors, the war isn't over yet. Discarded N-treaties, faster missiles, cyber-attacks, and artificial intelligence - the new nuclear threats are greater than before. WION's Palki Sharma tells you why the world isn't any wiser.

Gravitas: 75 Years After Hiroshima | Will new tech raise the threat of nuke war?

Afghanistan convenes a grand assembly of elders, known as the loya jirga, in Kabul on Friday to decide the fate of hundreds of prisoners the Taliban insist should be released before entering peace talks with the government. Watch report.

WION Dispatch: Afghan grand assembly convened in Kabul, Afghan Peace Talks

Hundreds were killed and thousands have been injured, after a massive explosion rocked the Lebanese capital Beirut on August 4. A video of a granny playing the piano in a chaotic room filled with glass, debris and walls punctured with holes has also gone viral.

Beirut finds comfort in Music: Granny plays piano after blast

To be a monk means to renounce the world. Monks dedicate their entire lives towards spiritual pursuits, they renounce mainstream society. But a monk from Japan is breaking new grounds. Watch report.

Monk's beatboxing video goes viral: 'Spirituality is to connect with god'

The global race for coronavirus vaccine could lead to generations Sputnik moment. The winning nation could get a jump start on protecting its citizens and restarting their economy. Watch DW-WION partnership report.

The global race to secure COVID-19 vaccine | DW-WION partnership

In this segment of WION Global Round-Up, WION brings you some other stories that it is tracking. Watch report.

WION Global Round-Up: US coast guard help release turtles into wild | World News

The United States has now recorded more than 2000 coronavirus deaths in the last 24-hours. This is the highest number of daily fatalities that the US has recorded in the last 3 months. US President Donald Trump has said that US will prepare the vaccine by the end of this year.

Coronavirus Pandemic: Vaccine to be ready by the end the year, says Donald Trump | World News

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un finally inspected the flood-affected areas of the country. The leader ordered officials to provide for food and shelter for many residents who have lost their homes due to flooding. Watch report.

North Korea battles massive floods: Army mobilized for rehabilitation

A massive explosion ripped through the city of Beirut in Lebanon. Protesters are now out on the streets protesting against this massive disaster. Watch report.

Lebanon Blast Aftermath: Protesters take to the streets of Beirut

India's ease of doing business ranking has improved significantly but Indian companies continue to pay a high cost for compliance. Coronavirus has added more safety rules that will increase the compliance burden. Watch report.

Center, states have separate laws on business: Ease of doing business improved significantly

25 people in Hong Kong, including pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong, have been charged with participating in an illegal assembly at a vigil on June 4 commemorating the crackdown on protesters in and around Beijing's Tiananmen Square in 1989.

Joshua Wong and other 24 Hong Kong activists charged

Another virus has been discovered in China. A new infectious disease has been reported on the Chinese mainland.

7 dead, 60 infected by new disease in China

Sri Lanka: Rajapaksas to form the government again

Lufthansa put German workers on notice of compulsory lay-offs on Thursday, saying tumbling air travel and slow progress in union negotiations meant cuts were unavoidable after it lost 1.7 billion euros ($2 billion) in a single quarter.

Lufthansa plans compulsory lay-offs as forecasts travel slump to 2024

India crossed the 20 lakh mark with its highest single-day spike of 62,538 new coronavirus cases reported on Friday morning.

COVID-19 Pandemic: India's journey from 1 mn to 2 mn cases in 21 days

A former senior Saudi intelligence official said in a US lawsuit Thursday that the country's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman tried to have him assassinated in 2018, just weeks after dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered in Turkey.

Ex-Saudi spy Saad Aljabri accuses crown prince of trying to assassinate him

Pakistan has invited India for September 3 Kulbhushan Jhadav proceedings at the Islamabad high court and offered unimpeded and unhindered consular access with no mandatory use of English as a medium for conversation.

Pak invites India to be part of next proceedings in the Kulbhushan Jadhav case

Sri Lanka: Rajapaksas now authorized to amend the constitution

US President Donald Trump has issued executive orders banning any transactions with ByteDance, the Chinese company that owns video-sharing app TikTok, and Tencent, owner of the WeChat app, starting in 45 days.

Trump signs executive order banning any transactions with TikTok owner

A huge chunk of a glacier in the Mont Blanc massif on the north-east of Italy is threatening to break off because of the high temperatures.

Italian glacier threatening to collapse due to high temperatures

President Donald Trump on Thursday moved to reimpose 10% tariffs on some Canadian aluminum products to protect U.S. industry from a "surge" in imports, angering Ottawa and some U.S. business groups.

Donald Trump reimposes tariffs on some Canadian aluminum

A small but violent protest took place near an entrance to parliament in central Beirut on Thursday (August 6), as angry citizens reeled from a blast that killed at least 150 people.

Anti-government protests in Beirut as anger rises following devastating blast

Sri Lanka: Rajapaksas return with a strong mandate

As India-China border row continues to simmer, newswire ANI quoting defence sources reported that Indian security officials want four to six dedicated satellites to keep a close eye on Chinese military activities along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

India military satellites to track Chinese PLA's movements

China targetted US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo over comments on Chinese tech giants and the Communist Party of China. Chinese state councilor Wang Yi rejected what he described as 'American interventionism' in China. Watch report.

China: US waging a diplomatic war, Chinese apps significant threat to US data

wion

Wion, News on Wion, stories on Wion, articles on Wion, Wion stories at Wion, Wion news, Wion latest news