Schools were closed in Bangkok on January 22 due to unhealthy levels of air pollution. The Bangkok air quality index (AQI) climbed to 170 on January 21 morning prompting the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to order 437 schools to shut down for the day on January 22.

Air pollution reach 'hazardous' levels in Bangkok, Schools shut

The Indian Budget 2020 is just around the corner and the Indian economy is facing an unprecedented slowdown. WION's Sumit Chaturvedi caught up with Mahindra & Mahindra CEO Pawan Kumar Goenka at the World Economic Forum at Davos to understand his point of view of the economy and expectations from the annual budget.

WION exclusive conversation with Mahindra & Mahindra CEO Pawan Kumar Goenka

Google CEO Sundar Pichai spoke at the World Economic Forum in Davos about the impacts of technology and how artificial intelligence and quantum computers can change human lives. Pichai said that even though there were risks with artificial technology, the biggest risk was to not work on it and make AI better.

Google CEO speaks on artificial intelligence at WEF in Davos

The trial of ex-movie mogul Harvey Weinstein has begun in New York with graphic prosecution statements on his alleged crimes. Prosecutor Meghan Hast has said that he was a "seasoned" sexual predator with vulnerable actresses as his prey. His defence team defending him said that his actions were "consensual", including in one "loving" relationship.

Harvey Weinstein rape trial begins in New York

The authorities have confirmed that a woman was killed and seven people were hurt, including a 9-year-old boy, after gunfire rang out in the heart of downtown Seattle, the second shooting in that part of the central business district in about 24 hours. The one killed was a woman between 40 and 50 years old. All of the patients were rushed for treatment to Harborview Medical Center.

Shooting In Downtown Seattle ,1 dead, 7 injured

The International Court of Justice on January 23 will rule on a request by Gambia for emergency measures in Myanmar to protect Rohingya Muslims, to stop the violence immediately, and to preserve evidence of past abuses against the ethnic minority. Gambia launched the lawsuit at the UN’s highest body for disputes between states in November, accusing Myanmar of genocide against Rohingya, in violation of a 1948 convention.

ICJ to rule on emergency measures in Rohingya genocide case

The obvious question that arises is that- How did the phone hacking of world's richest man Jeff Bezos take place and is there concrete proof that Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was keeping tabs of Jeff Bezos. Watch this report to understand more:

How the world's richest man got hacked?

The United States has resumed joint military operations with the Iraqi forces after a long pause due to risen tensions after the death of top Iranian general General Qassem Soleimani after a US drone strike conducted near Baghdad airport.

The American based newspaper quoted two US military officials who said the Pentagon wanted to resume these operations to pick up the fight against the Islamic State group.

The operations were halted, two days after the drone strike on January 5. Iran retaliated by attack two US army bases in Iraq with Ballistic Missiles.&nbsp;

Though Iran's media claimed 80 casualties, according to the Whitehouse no casualties were inflicted.

The attacks just resulted in further sanctions on Iran.

On the same day after the halt, Iraqi lawmakers passed a bill in the parliament to expel 5,000 US troops that are present in Iraq and Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi asked Whitehouse to work out a road map for the troop withdrawal. But the US rejected the bill.

Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo on Monday said that top Iraqi leaders still support the US troops despite public appeals to get rid of them.

He even, in fact, said that the forces were critical to the fight against the Islamic State group.

Pompeo said at a forum at Stanford University: "They won't say so publicly. But privately they all welcome the fact that America is still there executing its counter-terror campaign,".&nbsp;

The United States has resumed joint military operations with the Iraqi forces after a long pause due to risen tensions after the death of top Iranian general General Qassem Soleimani after a US drone strike conducted near Baghdad airport.

The United States has resumed joint military operations with the Iraqi forces after a long pause due to risen tensions after the death of top Iranian general General Qassem Soleimani after a US drone strike conducted near Baghdad airport. The American based newspaper quoted two US military officials who said the Pentagon wanted to resume these operations to pick up the fight against the Islamic State group. The operations were halted, two days after the drone strike on January 5. Iran retaliated by attack two US army bases in Iraq with Ballistic Missiles. Though Iran's media claimed 80 casualties, according to the Whitehouse no casualties were inflicted. The attacks just resulted in further sanctions on Iran. On the same day after the halt, Iraqi lawmakers passed a bill in the parliament to expel 5,000 US troops that are present in Iraq and Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi asked Whitehouse to work out a road map for the troop withdrawal. But the US rejected the bill. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo on Monday said that top Iraqi leaders still support the US troops despite public appeals to get rid of them. He even, in fact, said that the forces were critical to the fight against the Islamic State group. Pompeo said at a forum at Stanford University: "They won't say so publicly. But privately they all welcome the fact that America is still there executing its counter-terror campaign,".

US to resume joint military operations with Iraq to fight against IS

Comments on India's citizenship law by Microsoft C.E.O Satya Nadella and Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has sparked reactions from BJP lawmakers. Meanwhile, Kerala government has moved the apex court with a petition on C.A.A. Palki Sharma explains.

Gravitas: CAA, Satya Nadella, Mahathir Mohamad & The Reactions

The so-called Megxit has the Queen's blessings. The Queen has agreed to a period of transition and says that some complex matters need to resolved. Details in this report.

Gravitas: The Royal Mess continues

Investors in India's equity markets have a reason to cheer today. The benchmark indices scaled new peaks. But the economy is sputtering. Palki Sharma summarises the state of the Indian economy with five key indicators.

Gravitas: Summarising the state of the Indian economy

India is not alone in experiencing the ongoing growth slowdown. The clouds of a prolonged slowdown hover over every major economy in the world. The World Bank expects a modest pickup in growth in 2020. But the reality is different. Take a look.

Gravitas: Global Economy, Challenges & Opportunities

Reports say that U.S. President Donald Trump could visit India next month. Officials from both sides are said to be working out the dates. If Trump visits India, then it will be his first official visit to the country. Palki Sharma explains the context and implications.

Gravitas: Reports, Donald Trump could visit India next month

China's advice to India on treating Muslims seems like a clear case of the proverb: Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones. Amidst the humanitarian crisis in Xinjiang, China tells India that the citizenship law with alienate Muslims. Palki Sharma summarises

Gravitas: China, India's citizenship law will alienate Muslims

Clearly, Pakistan PM Imran Khan has his priorities right. Amidst Pakistan's economic troubles and rising prices of essential commodities, ministers in Imran Khan's government are busy ridiculed former PM Nawaz Sharif. The reason? A photo of Sharif at a London restaurant. Palki Sharma with the details.

Gravitas: Controversy over a photograph of Nawaz Sharif in London restaurant

In few weeks, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the 2020 budget. Expectations are high given the precarious situation of Indian economy. On Wion Edit, Palki Sharma lists some solutions to boost demand & revive consumption in Indian economy.

WION Edit: Measures to revive Indian economy

Starving artist eats duct-taped banana artwork worth $1,20,000

Gravitas: Has the world truly gone bananas?

Victor Vescovo, a retired naval officer, made the unsettling discovery as he descended nearly 6.8 miles (35,853 feet/10,928 meters) to a point in the Pacific Ocean's Mariana Trench that is the deepest place on Earth, his expedition said in a statement on Monday. His dive went 52 feet (16 meters) lower than the previous deepest descent in the trench in 1960.

Deepest dive ever made by a human inside a submarine

Bitcoin plunged 20 per cent to a three-month low today, its latest sharp loss following a series of setbacks for the cryptocurrency that, with a collapse across global mainstream markets adding to the selling.

The virtual currency fell to $6,190 for the first time since mid-November, according to Bloomberg News, and represents the latest hammering for a unit that saw a stratospheric 26-fold rise last year.

Today&#39;s collapse comes just six weeks after bitcoin hit a record high of $19,511, fuelled by a flood of speculators looking to make a quick buck, with warnings it could fall another 50 per cent.

Since those heady days the cryptomarket -- which includes dozens of other units -- has been pounded by news of crackdowns by governments including in China, Russia and South Korea, one of the biggest markets for the sector.

On Thursday, India said it would &quot;take all measures to eliminate&quot; cryptocurrencies&#39; use as part of a payment system and in funding illegitimate activities, while Japanese authorities raided a virtual currency exchange after it lost $530 million to hackers.

The central bank in Europe, Japan and the United States have also flagged concerns about the unit and this week saw several commercial lenders say they would stop allowing their customers to buy bitcoin through their credit cards owing to debt concerns.

Stephen Innes, head of trading for Asia Pacific at Oanda, said &quot;the dynamics behind the moves are regulatory clampdowns and investors losing confidence in crypto&quot;.

The sell-off on Tuesday was exacerbated by crushing losses on world stock markets, with the Dow on Wall Street suffering its biggest one-day points loss and wiping out all its 2018 gains.

The global rout comes as panicked investors fret over rising US borrowing costs, leading them to cash in profits after a stellar couple of months that have seen many indexes hit record or all-time highs.

Equities have enjoyed months of surges fuelled by optimism over the US economy, corporate earnings and the global outlook.

But while traders have been piling into equities, pushing many global indexes to record or multi-year highs, there has been growing concern on trading floors about elevated US Treasury bond yields -- at four-year highs -- and the likelihood of fresh Federal Reserve interest rate hikes.

&quot;The risk-off tone is hitting Bitcoin almost as hard as a global regulator and bank scrutiny,&quot; said Greg McKenna, chief market strategist at AxiTrader. &quot;The latest dent to the Cryptospace has been banks saying they are shutting down the ability of clients to buy bitcoin with their cards.&quot;

&quot;This could end up a full round trip back into the $1,850/$2,966 region.&nbsp;

The virtual currency fell to $6,190 for the first time since mid-November

Bitcoin plunged 20 per cent to a three-month low today, its latest sharp loss following a series of setbacks for the cryptocurrency that, with a collapse across global mainstream markets adding to the selling. The virtual currency fell to $6,190 for the first time since mid-November, according to Bloomberg News, and represents the latest hammering for a unit that saw a stratospheric 26-fold rise last year. Today's collapse comes just six weeks after bitcoin hit a record high of $19,511, fuelled by a flood of speculators looking to make a quick buck, with warnings it could fall another 50 per cent. Since those heady days the cryptomarket -- which includes dozens of other units -- has been pounded by news of crackdowns by governments including in China, Russia and South Korea, one of the biggest markets for the sector. On Thursday, India said it would "take all measures to eliminate" cryptocurrencies' use as part of a payment system and in funding illegitimate activities, while Japanese authorities raided a virtual currency exchange after it lost $530 million to hackers. The central bank in Europe, Japan and the United States have also flagged concerns about the unit and this week saw several commercial lenders say they would stop allowing their customers to buy bitcoin through their credit cards owing to debt concerns. Stephen Innes, head of trading for Asia Pacific at Oanda, said "the dynamics behind the moves are regulatory clampdowns and investors losing confidence in crypto". The sell-off on Tuesday was exacerbated by crushing losses on world stock markets, with the Dow on Wall Street suffering its biggest one-day points loss and wiping out all its 2018 gains. The global rout comes as panicked investors fret over rising US borrowing costs, leading them to cash in profits after a stellar couple of months that have seen many indexes hit record or all-time highs. Equities have enjoyed months of surges fuelled by optimism over the US economy, corporate earnings and the global outlook. But while traders have been piling into equities, pushing many global indexes to record or multi-year highs, there has been growing concern on trading floors about elevated US Treasury bond yields -- at four-year highs -- and the likelihood of fresh Federal Reserve interest rate hikes. "The risk-off tone is hitting Bitcoin almost as hard as a global regulator and bank scrutiny," said Greg McKenna, chief market strategist at AxiTrader. "The latest dent to the Cryptospace has been banks saying they are shutting down the ability of clients to buy bitcoin with their cards." "This could end up a full round trip back into the $1,850/$2,966 region.

Bitcoin drops below $6,200 for first time in three months

A window appeared to be closing on Friday for travellers stranded on the Indonesian holiday island of Bali as airlines cut back on flights, fearing a return of plumes of volcanic ash. An erupting volcano closed the airport for most of this week, stranding thousands of visitors from Australia, China and other countries, before the winds changed and flights resumed.

Australian budget airline Jetstar said it would cancel nine flights on Friday after meteorological officials warned the ash could hit operations at Bali airport, about 60 km (37 miles) southwest of the Mount Agung volcano. Malaysia&#39;s AirAsia Bhd said it would only operate out of Bali during the day, as the ash could impair visibility at night and wind conditions in the area were unpredictable.&nbsp;

&quot;They don`t have an answer if they have space for us for the next flight,&quot; said Martim Cazado, a traveller who was trying to get home to Portugal via Singapore but had been unable to get a flight.

He was worried he might be stuck waiting in front of the Bali airport`s departure hall for a few days, he added. &nbsp;

A column of white smoke and ash hung above Mount Agung, where tremors continued, meteorological officials said, although with decreasing frequency, while lava sparks flash at night.

Ash was visible to the southeast of Mount Agung, the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre said on its website. &nbsp;

&quot;Volcanological sources indicate a larger eruption is still possible,&quot; it said.

Days of Ashfall

The wind was blowing the ash towards the east and the airport was clear for normal operations, Indonesia`s transport ministry said in a statement. Jetstar and its parent, Qantas Airways Ltd, had planned up to 18 flights on Friday to ferry 4,300 passengers home to Australia, including one by a Qantas 747 jet. But Jetstar will cancel nine flights after &quot;a sudden change in today`s forecast for this evening in Bali,&quot; it said in a website update.

Other airlines with regular Bali flights, including Singapore Airlines Ltd and Garuda Indonesia, have not posted website updates on Friday evening`s flight plans. Airlines avoid flying through volcanic ash as it can damage aircraft engines, clogging fuel and cooling systems, hampering pilot visibility and even causing engine failure.

A tropical cyclone south of Java island altered wind direction in the area, including for Bali, where it could bring heavy rains and strong winds until Saturday, the Indonesian Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysics agency said.

About 10,700 foreign and 6,400 domestic tourists left Bali on Thursday, airport data showed.

Thousands of residents remain in a 10-km (6-mile) danger zone around the volcano, reluctant to leave for religious reasons or unwilling to abandon homes and livestock.&nbsp;

A rescue team escorted 10 people off its southwestern slope on Friday, some of whom said they had endured days of falling ash and feared potentially deadly volcanic mudflows.&nbsp;An estimated 90,000 to 100,000 people live in the danger area near the volcano in eastern Bali.

An erupting volcano closed the airport for most of this week

A window appeared to be closing on Friday for travellers stranded on the Indonesian holiday island of Bali as airlines cut back on flights, fearing a return of plumes of volcanic ash. An erupting volcano closed the airport for most of this week, stranding thousands of visitors from Australia, China and other countries, before the winds changed and flights resumed. Australian budget airline Jetstar said it would cancel nine flights on Friday after meteorological officials warned the ash could hit operations at Bali airport, about 60 km (37 miles) southwest of the Mount Agung volcano. Malaysia's AirAsia Bhd said it would only operate out of Bali during the day, as the ash could impair visibility at night and wind conditions in the area were unpredictable. "They don`t have an answer if they have space for us for the next flight," said Martim Cazado, a traveller who was trying to get home to Portugal via Singapore but had been unable to get a flight. He was worried he might be stuck waiting in front of the Bali airport`s departure hall for a few days, he added. A column of white smoke and ash hung above Mount Agung, where tremors continued, meteorological officials said, although with decreasing frequency, while lava sparks flash at night. Ash was visible to the southeast of Mount Agung, the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre said on its website. "Volcanological sources indicate a larger eruption is still possible," it said. Days of Ashfall The wind was blowing the ash towards the east and the airport was clear for normal operations, Indonesia`s transport ministry said in a statement. Jetstar and its parent, Qantas Airways Ltd, had planned up to 18 flights on Friday to ferry 4,300 passengers home to Australia, including one by a Qantas 747 jet. But Jetstar will cancel nine flights after "a sudden change in today`s forecast for this evening in Bali," it said in a website update. Other airlines with regular Bali flights, including Singapore Airlines Ltd and Garuda Indonesia, have not posted website updates on Friday evening`s flight plans. Airlines avoid flying through volcanic ash as it can damage aircraft engines, clogging fuel and cooling systems, hampering pilot visibility and even causing engine failure. A tropical cyclone south of Java island altered wind direction in the area, including for Bali, where it could bring heavy rains and strong winds until Saturday, the Indonesian Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysics agency said. About 10,700 foreign and 6,400 domestic tourists left Bali on Thursday, airport data showed. Thousands of residents remain in a 10-km (6-mile) danger zone around the volcano, reluctant to leave for religious reasons or unwilling to abandon homes and livestock. A rescue team escorted 10 people off its southwestern slope on Friday, some of whom said they had endured days of falling ash and feared potentially deadly volcanic mudflows. An estimated 90,000 to 100,000 people live in the danger area near the volcano in eastern Bali.

Airlines limit Bali flights to guard against volcanic ash

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/de-blasio-wins-new-york-city-mayoral-election-23752" target="_blank">New York&#39;s mayor</a> on Monday signed into law the repeal of a 91-year-old piece of legislation that had technically banned dancing in thousands of bars, clubs and restaurants in the city.

The city council voted overwhelmingly on October 31 to axe the law, which had come into effect in 1926 during Prohibition and which campaigners decried as racist, saying it was used initially to crack down on Harlem&#39;s jazz clubs, where blacks and whites mixed.

Campaigners say it was also used historically to target Hispanics and members of the LGBT community. In the 1990s, mayor Rudy Giuliani used the law to get tough on clubs in his fight against crime.

&quot;It&#39;s 2017 and this law just didn&#39;t make sense. Nightlife is part of the New York melting pot that brings people together,&quot; said Mayor Bill de Blasio.

&quot;We want to be a city where people can work hard, and enjoy their city&#39;s nightlife without arcane bans on dancing.&quot;

Although the law was rarely enforced in recent years, it required public spaces that sell food and drink to acquire near impossible-to-obtain permits to authorize dancing indoors or risk a fine.

Yet only around 100 of New York&#39;s more than 22,000 bars, restaurants and clubs had the elusive permit.

Brooklyn Democratic councilman Rafael Espinal led the charge to repeal the law, saying it unfairly discriminated against small businesses.

&quot;Artist, musicians, businesses owners, workers and everyday New Yorkers looking to let loose will no longer have to fear the dance police will shut down their favorite venues,&quot; he said Monday.

A search is also now on for a &quot;nightlife mayor&quot; who can liaise between city hall, residents and the city&#39;s multi-billion-dollar nightlife industry, in order to support a safe nightlife scene that supports 300,000 jobs and attracts tourists far and wide.

While venues will not need a special dancing permit, the city will still require security guards and surveillance cameras in many venues.

&nbsp;

The ban had come into effect in 1926 during Prohibition

New York's mayor on Monday signed into law the repeal of a 91-year-old piece of legislation that had technically banned dancing in thousands of bars, clubs and restaurants in the city. The city council voted overwhelmingly on October 31 to axe the law, which had come into effect in 1926 during Prohibition and which campaigners decried as racist, saying it was used initially to crack down on Harlem's jazz clubs, where blacks and whites mixed. Campaigners say it was also used historically to target Hispanics and members of the LGBT community. In the 1990s, mayor Rudy Giuliani used the law to get tough on clubs in his fight against crime. "It's 2017 and this law just didn't make sense. Nightlife is part of the New York melting pot that brings people together," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "We want to be a city where people can work hard, and enjoy their city's nightlife without arcane bans on dancing." Although the law was rarely enforced in recent years, it required public spaces that sell food and drink to acquire near impossible-to-obtain permits to authorize dancing indoors or risk a fine. Yet only around 100 of New York's more than 22,000 bars, restaurants and clubs had the elusive permit. Brooklyn Democratic councilman Rafael Espinal led the charge to repeal the law, saying it unfairly discriminated against small businesses. "Artist, musicians, businesses owners, workers and everyday New Yorkers looking to let loose will no longer have to fear the dance police will shut down their favorite venues," he said Monday. A search is also now on for a "nightlife mayor" who can liaise between city hall, residents and the city's multi-billion-dollar nightlife industry, in order to support a safe nightlife scene that supports 300,000 jobs and attracts tourists far and wide. While venues will not need a special dancing permit, the city will still require security guards and surveillance cameras in many venues.

New York repeals 91-year-old dancing ban

A man driving a rented pickup truck mowed down pedestrians and cyclists on a bike path alongside the Hudson River in New York City on Tuesday, killing eight people and injuring about a dozen in what authorities said was an <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/world-leaders-condemn-new-york-terrorist-attack-23260">act of terrorism</a>.

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/police-release-mugshot-of-suspect-in-new-york-truck-attack-23264">29-year-old suspect</a> was shot in the abdomen by police and arrested after he crashed the truck into a school bus and fled his vehicle, authorities said. A US law enforcement source told Reuters the suspect is an Uzbekistan-born immigrant.

CNN and The New York Times, each citing law enforcement sources, reported that investigators found a note left by the suspect claiming he carried out the attack in the name of the Islamic State militant group.

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Five of the dead were Argentine citizens, visiting New York as part of a group of friends celebrating the 30th anniversary of their high school graduation, the Argentina Foreign Ministry said. A sixth member of the group was among those hospitalized after the attack, the ministry said in a statement.

The incident marked the greatest loss of life from a suspected terrorist attack in New York since suicide hijackers crashed jetliners into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in lower Manhattan on September&nbsp;11, 2001, killing more than 2,600 people.

Tuesday&#39;s assault, on the far west side of lower Manhattan a few blocks from the site of the World Trade Center, was reminiscent of several deadly vehicle attacks in Europe during the past 15 months.

&quot;This was an act of terror, and a particularly cowardly act of terror, aimed at innocent civilians, aimed at people going about their lives who had no idea what was about to hit them,&quot; Mayor Bill de Blasio told a news conference.

A representative of the US&nbsp;Department of Homeland Security similarly called the incident an &quot;apparent act of terrorism.&quot;

Governor Andrew Cuomo said the suspect appeared to have acted alone.

&quot;There&#39;s no evidence to suggest a wider plot or a wider scheme. These are the actions of one individual meant to cause pain and harm and probably death,&quot; Cuomo told the same news conference.

Asked later in a CNN interview whether the suspect had been known to authorities before the attack, Cuomo replied: &quot;It&#39;s too early to give you a definitive answer.&quot;

JOINT TASK FORCE

New York City Police Commissioner James O&#39;Neill declined to publicly identify the driver. However, a source familiar with the investigation told Reuters the driver&#39;s name was Sayfullo Saipov.

CNN and NBC News reported that he entered the United States in 2010.&nbsp;

Multiple media outlets, including CNN, cited police officials as saying that the suspect shouted &quot;Allahu Akbar&quot; - Arabic for &quot;God is greatest&quot; - when he jumped out of his truck.

O&#39;Neill would only say when asked at the news conference that an unspecified comment by the suspect when he exited his truck, and the general circumstances of the assault, led investigators to label the incident a &quot;terrorist event.&quot;

The Federal Bureau of Investigation joined the New York City Police Department and other agencies in a Joint Terrorism Task Force to conduct a probe of the attack, the FBI said in a statement.

ABC News reported that Saipov lived in Tampa, Florida. A check of court records related to a traffic citation that Saipov received in eastern Pennsylvania in 2015 showed he listed addresses then in Paterson, New Jersey, and Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.

The suspect drove onto the bike path in lower Manhattan at 3:05 pm&nbsp;(1905 GMT) and sped south for about 20 city blocks, running down pedestrians and bicyclists along the way before slamming into the side of the school bus. Two children and two adults were injured in that collision, O&#39;Neill said.

The man then climbed out of this truck with what appeared to be a handgun. Police later recovered a paint-ball gun and a pellet gun from the scene, authorities said.

O&#39;Neill said the pickup truck driven by the suspect had been rented from the Home Depot hardware chain, but declined to say where it was rented.

MANGLED BICYCLES

Mangled and flattened bicycles littered the sunlit bike path, which runs parallel to the West Side Highway along the Hudson River, after the attack.

Of the eight people killed, six were pronounced dead at the scene and two more were pronounced dead at a nearby hospital, O&#39;Neill said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said 11 survivors with serious but non-life-threatening injuries were taken to hospitals.

Despite the attack, thousands of costumed Halloween revelers turned out hours later for New York City&#39;s main Halloween parade, which went on as scheduled Tuesday night with a heightened police presence just a few blocks from the scene of the carnage.

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump was briefed on the incident, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said.

Trump, who has pressed for a ban on travelers entering the United States from some predominantly Muslim countries, said on Twitter he had ordered Homeland Security officials to &quot;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/new-york-terror-attack-donald-trump-orders-stepped-up-extreme-vetting-23259">step up our already Extreme Vetting Program</a>. Being politically correct is fine, but not for this!&quot;

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We must not allow ISIS to return, or enter, our country after defeating them in the Middle East and elsewhere. Enough!
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The president later said in an official White House statement: &quot;Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of today`s terrorist attack in New York City and their families.&quot; He also paid tribute to the &quot;first responders who stopped the suspect and rendered immediate aid to the victims.&quot;

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Our first responders once again ran towards danger. New York City thanks them. <a href="https://t.co/IrJWveDBfP">pic.twitter.com/IrJWveDBfP</a>
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Similar attacks in Europe last year killed scores of people.

On July 14, 2016, a suspect drove a large truck into a crowd celebrating Bastille Day in the French city of Nice, killing 86 people and injuring hundreds more in an attack for which Islamic State claimed responsibility.

Five months later a Tunisian asylum seeker, who had pledged allegiance to Islamic State, plowed a truck into a crowded Christmas market in central Berlin, killing 12 people and injuring 48.&nbsp;

A driver rammed his van into crowds in the heart of Barcelona on Aug. 17 this year, killing 13 people, in an attack authorities said was carried out by suspected Islamist militants.

The five Argentine citizens killed in Tuesday&#39;s attack were identified by their home government as Hern&aacute;n Diego Mendoza, Diego Enrique Angelini, Alejandro Dami&aacute;n Pagnucco, Ariel Erlij and Hern&aacute;n Ferruchi, all from the city of Rosario. Their ages were not given.

The 29-year-old suspect was shot in the abdomen by police and arrested after he crashed the truck into a school bus and fled his vehicle.

A man driving a rented pickup truck mowed down pedestrians and cyclists on a bike path alongside the Hudson River in New York City on Tuesday, killing eight people and injuring about a dozen in what authorities said was an act of terrorism. The 29-year-old suspect was shot in the abdomen by police and arrested after he crashed the truck into a school bus and fled his vehicle, authorities said. A US law enforcement source told Reuters the suspect is an Uzbekistan-born immigrant. CNN and The New York Times, each citing law enforcement sources, reported that investigators found a note left by the suspect claiming he carried out the attack in the name of the Islamic State militant group. × Five of the dead were Argentine citizens, visiting New York as part of a group of friends celebrating the 30th anniversary of their high school graduation, the Argentina Foreign Ministry said. A sixth member of the group was among those hospitalized after the attack, the ministry said in a statement. The incident marked the greatest loss of life from a suspected terrorist attack in New York since suicide hijackers crashed jetliners into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in lower Manhattan on September 11, 2001, killing more than 2,600 people. Tuesday's assault, on the far west side of lower Manhattan a few blocks from the site of the World Trade Center, was reminiscent of several deadly vehicle attacks in Europe during the past 15 months. "This was an act of terror, and a particularly cowardly act of terror, aimed at innocent civilians, aimed at people going about their lives who had no idea what was about to hit them," Mayor Bill de Blasio told a news conference. A representative of the US Department of Homeland Security similarly called the incident an "apparent act of terrorism." Governor Andrew Cuomo said the suspect appeared to have acted alone. "There's no evidence to suggest a wider plot or a wider scheme. These are the actions of one individual meant to cause pain and harm and probably death," Cuomo told the same news conference. Asked later in a CNN interview whether the suspect had been known to authorities before the attack, Cuomo replied: "It's too early to give you a definitive answer." JOINT TASK FORCE New York City Police Commissioner James O'Neill declined to publicly identify the driver. However, a source familiar with the investigation told Reuters the driver's name was Sayfullo Saipov. CNN and NBC News reported that he entered the United States in 2010. Multiple media outlets, including CNN, cited police officials as saying that the suspect shouted "Allahu Akbar" - Arabic for "God is greatest" - when he jumped out of his truck. O'Neill would only say when asked at the news conference that an unspecified comment by the suspect when he exited his truck, and the general circumstances of the assault, led investigators to label the incident a "terrorist event." The Federal Bureau of Investigation joined the New York City Police Department and other agencies in a Joint Terrorism Task Force to conduct a probe of the attack, the FBI said in a statement. ABC News reported that Saipov lived in Tampa, Florida. A check of court records related to a traffic citation that Saipov received in eastern Pennsylvania in 2015 showed he listed addresses then in Paterson, New Jersey, and Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. The suspect drove onto the bike path in lower Manhattan at 3:05 pm (1905 GMT) and sped south for about 20 city blocks, running down pedestrians and bicyclists along the way before slamming into the side of the school bus. Two children and two adults were injured in that collision, O'Neill said. The man then climbed out of this truck with what appeared to be a handgun. Police later recovered a paint-ball gun and a pellet gun from the scene, authorities said. O'Neill said the pickup truck driven by the suspect had been rented from the Home Depot hardware chain, but declined to say where it was rented. MANGLED BICYCLES Mangled and flattened bicycles littered the sunlit bike path, which runs parallel to the West Side Highway along the Hudson River, after the attack. Of the eight people killed, six were pronounced dead at the scene and two more were pronounced dead at a nearby hospital, O'Neill said. Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said 11 survivors with serious but non-life-threatening injuries were taken to hospitals. Despite the attack, thousands of costumed Halloween revelers turned out hours later for New York City's main Halloween parade, which went on as scheduled Tuesday night with a heightened police presence just a few blocks from the scene of the carnage. US President Donald Trump was briefed on the incident, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said. Trump, who has pressed for a ban on travelers entering the United States from some predominantly Muslim countries, said on Twitter he had ordered Homeland Security officials to "step up our already Extreme Vetting Program. Being politically correct is fine, but not for this!" We must not allow ISIS to return, or enter, our country after defeating them in the Middle East and elsewhere. Enough! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 31, 2017 × The president later said in an official White House statement: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of today`s terrorist attack in New York City and their families." He also paid tribute to the "first responders who stopped the suspect and rendered immediate aid to the victims." Our first responders once again ran towards danger. New York City thanks them. pic.twitter.com/IrJWveDBfP — Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) November 1, 2017 × Similar attacks in Europe last year killed scores of people. On July 14, 2016, a suspect drove a large truck into a crowd celebrating Bastille Day in the French city of Nice, killing 86 people and injuring hundreds more in an attack for which Islamic State claimed responsibility. Five months later a Tunisian asylum seeker, who had pledged allegiance to Islamic State, plowed a truck into a crowded Christmas market in central Berlin, killing 12 people and injuring 48. A driver rammed his van into crowds in the heart of Barcelona on Aug. 17 this year, killing 13 people, in an attack authorities said was carried out by suspected Islamist militants. The five Argentine citizens killed in Tuesday's attack were identified by their home government as Hernán Diego Mendoza, Diego Enrique Angelini, Alejandro Damián Pagnucco, Ariel Erlij and Hernán Ferruchi, all from the city of Rosario. Their ages were not given.

Truck kills 8 on New York bike path in US' deadliest attack since 9/11

India registered <a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/live-world-banks-criteria-is-very-strict-says-jaitley-23245">double-digital improvement in &quot;ease of doing business&quot;</a> report released by the World Bank today.

The World Bank ranked <a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/what-is-ease-of-doing-business-23242">India at 100 out of 190 countries, as the country rose&nbsp;30 places</a>&nbsp;in the latest World Bank report.

Last year, India was ranked 130 out of 190 countries in World Bank Group&#39;s annual report on the &quot;ease of doing business&quot;. India had climbed just one place from the previous year in 2016.

However, this time the World Bank noted that India adopted thirty-seven reforms since 2003, nearly half of these reforms were&nbsp;implemented in last four years.&nbsp;

&quot;With the eight reforms enforced in the system, India made paying taxes easier by requiring that payments be made electronically to the Employees Provident Fund and introducing a set of administrative measures easing compliance with corporate income tax,&quot; said a World Bank statement.

Acknowledging Indian government&#39;s contribution,&nbsp;the report said India&#39;s improved rankings was not a one-year effort,&nbsp;but a three-year&nbsp;effort by the Indian government.

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PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a>&#39;s Mantra of &#39;Reform, Perform, Transform&#39; leads to business becoming easier in India. <a href="https://t.co/dC2MAZHdOp">pic.twitter.com/dC2MAZHdOp</a>
&mdash; PMO India (@PMOIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia/status/925366904734314497?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2017</a></blockquote>
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India, the World Bank report said had implemented 8 out of 10 doing business indicators and was the only large country this year to have achieved such a significant shift.

&quot;India reduced the number procedures and time required to obtain a building permit by implementing an online system that has streamlined the process at the Municipality of New Delhi and Greater Mumbai,&quot; the statement added.

&quot;Tackling these challenging reforms will be the key to India sustaining the momentum towards a higher ranking,&quot; said country director India, Junaid Ahmad.&nbsp;

The report said India should focus on reforms which will boost the investment climate and make the country more competitive.&nbsp;

The World Bank said a sound financial sector and access to skilled labour will help India to break into the Top-50. The bank suggested for job creation, small and medium enterprises(SME) should increase in size, as the size of SMEs in India was smaller as compared to other countries.

On &quot;distance to frontier metric&quot;- a technical term meaning closer to global best practices- India went from 56.05 in &quot;doing business&nbsp;2017&quot;&nbsp;to 60.76 in &quot;doing Business 2018&quot;.

The World Bank report said new reforms in starting a business, construction permits, getting credit, protection of minority investors, paying taxes, trading of cross-border(import regulations) helped in improving India&#39;s rankings.

The report pointed out that GST hadn&#39;t shown its full impact which will be visible in the next 2-3 years.

India&#39;s state governments should work on reducing burden on courts, engineer land reforms, boost electricity, get&nbsp;construction permits quickly, the report said.

Brunei, Thailand, Malawi, Kosovo, India Uzbekistan, Zambia, Nigeria, El Salvador were the other countries that improved the rankings the most, the report added.

Last year, India was ranked 130 out of 190 countries in World Bank Group's annual report on the "ease of doing business"

India registered double-digital improvement in "ease of doing business" report released by the World Bank today. The World Bank ranked India at 100 out of 190 countries, as the country rose 30 places in the latest World Bank report. Last year, India was ranked 130 out of 190 countries in World Bank Group's annual report on the "ease of doing business". India had climbed just one place from the previous year in 2016. However, this time the World Bank noted that India adopted thirty-seven reforms since 2003, nearly half of these reforms were implemented in last four years. "With the eight reforms enforced in the system, India made paying taxes easier by requiring that payments be made electronically to the Employees Provident Fund and introducing a set of administrative measures easing compliance with corporate income tax," said a World Bank statement. Acknowledging Indian government's contribution, the report said India's improved rankings was not a one-year effort, but a three-year effort by the Indian government. PM @narendramodi's Mantra of 'Reform, Perform, Transform' leads to business becoming easier in India. pic.twitter.com/dC2MAZHdOp — PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 31, 2017 × India, the World Bank report said had implemented 8 out of 10 doing business indicators and was the only large country this year to have achieved such a significant shift. "India reduced the number procedures and time required to obtain a building permit by implementing an online system that has streamlined the process at the Municipality of New Delhi and Greater Mumbai," the statement added. "Tackling these challenging reforms will be the key to India sustaining the momentum towards a higher ranking," said country director India, Junaid Ahmad. The report said India should focus on reforms which will boost the investment climate and make the country more competitive. The World Bank said a sound financial sector and access to skilled labour will help India to break into the Top-50. The bank suggested for job creation, small and medium enterprises(SME) should increase in size, as the size of SMEs in India was smaller as compared to other countries. On "distance to frontier metric"- a technical term meaning closer to global best practices- India went from 56.05 in "doing business 2017" to 60.76 in "doing Business 2018". The World Bank report said new reforms in starting a business, construction permits, getting credit, protection of minority investors, paying taxes, trading of cross-border(import regulations) helped in improving India's rankings. The report pointed out that GST hadn't shown its full impact which will be visible in the next 2-3 years. India's state governments should work on reducing burden on courts, engineer land reforms, boost electricity, get construction permits quickly, the report said. Brunei, Thailand, Malawi, Kosovo, India Uzbekistan, Zambia, Nigeria, El Salvador were the other countries that improved the rankings the most, the report added.

Ease of doing business: India's rankings zooms to 100 in World Bank report, up 30 places

India has improved considerably on the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/ease-of-doing-business-indias-rankings-zooms-to-100-in-world-bank-report-up-30-places-23243">ease of doing business index</a>, according to the latest World Bank rankings released on Tuesday. This will greatly help India showcase its business-friendly image and attract wizards of the industry.

But what exactly is Ease of Doing Business? In simple terms, it&rsquo;s an <a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/live-world-banks-criteria-is-very-strict-says-jaitley-23245">index created by the World Bank</a> which is a benchmark study of regulation, to know how easy it is for a businessman to start his venture in a country. The index measures steps taken by the government, including policy decisions, to ensure an entrepreneur is able to get loans and credits, construction permits licence etc so that he/she can set up the shop there.

Higher rankings on the Ease of Doing index reflect better and simpler regulation process and stronger protection of rights. The report is announced by the World Bank after a detailed survey of different markets.

The Modi government, since it came to power in 2014, has projected India as investment-friendly destination. It has also launched the &#39;Make in India&#39; initiative to invite investors from across the globe to set up shop in the country. It also launched the unified Goods and Services Tax in July this year which subsumed all the other state levies so that India&rsquo;s ranking improves. And it seems to have worked. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who held a press conference on the World Bank report today, said that India has jumped 53 places to rank at 119 on paying taxes.

Last year, India ranked a lowly 172 on paying taxes.

India has improved considerably on the ease of doing business index, according to the latest World Bank rankings released on Tuesday.

India has improved considerably on the ease of doing business index, according to the latest World Bank rankings released on Tuesday. This will greatly help India showcase its business-friendly image and attract wizards of the industry. But what exactly is Ease of Doing Business? In simple terms, it’s an index created by the World Bank which is a benchmark study of regulation, to know how easy it is for a businessman to start his venture in a country. The index measures steps taken by the government, including policy decisions, to ensure an entrepreneur is able to get loans and credits, construction permits licence etc so that he/she can set up the shop there. Higher rankings on the Ease of Doing index reflect better and simpler regulation process and stronger protection of rights. The report is announced by the World Bank after a detailed survey of different markets. The Modi government, since it came to power in 2014, has projected India as investment-friendly destination. It has also launched the 'Make in India' initiative to invite investors from across the globe to set up shop in the country. It also launched the unified Goods and Services Tax in July this year which subsumed all the other state levies so that India’s ranking improves. And it seems to have worked. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who held a press conference on the World Bank report today, said that India has jumped 53 places to rank at 119 on paying taxes. Last year, India ranked a lowly 172 on paying taxes.

Ease of doing business: How World Bank ranks countries

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