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Latest World News, World News, Current Affairs, Daily Current Affairs

Posted: 22 Mar 2019 03:56 AM PDT

Latest World News, World News, Current Affairs, Daily Current Affairs

U.S. May Halt Delivering F-35s To Turkey

Posted: 21 Mar 2019 08:00 PM PDT

Two U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs, assigned to the 4th Fighter Squadron from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, conduct flight training operations over the Utah Test and Training Range on Feb 14, 2018. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Lee)

Reuters: Exclusive: U.S. may soon pause preparations for delivering F-35s to Turkey

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States could soon freeze preparations for delivering F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, officials told Reuters, in what would be the strongest signal yet by Washington that Ankara cannot have both the advanced aircraft and Russia's S-400 air defense system.

The United States is nearing an inflection point in a years-long standoff with Turkey, a NATO ally, after so far failing to sway President Tayyip Erdogan that buying a Russian air defense system would compromise the security of F-35 aircraft.

"The S-400 is a computer. The F-35 is a computer. You don't hook your computer to your adversary's computer and that's basically what we would be doing," Katie Wheelbarger, acting assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs, told Reuters.

Read more ....

More News On Reports That The U.S. May Halt F-35 Deliveries To Turkey

Sale of F-35s to Turkey in Trouble, Dunford Confirms -- DoD Buzz
Joint Chiefs chair warns of tough decision ahead with F-35 delivery to Turkey -- The Hill
U.S. Concerned Sale of American Warplanes to Turkey Could Boost Russian Intel Ops -- Washington Free Beacon
US 'Reconciling' Presence of Russia-Made S-400, F-35 in Turkey - Top General -- Sputnik

Venezuelan Intelligence Agents Seize Opposition Leader Juan Guaido's Chief Of Staff

Posted: 21 Mar 2019 07:39 PM PDT



USA Today: Venezuelan forces kidnap opposition leader Juan Guaido's chief of staff in raid

WASHINGTON – Venezuelan intelligence officials kidnapped opposition leader Juan Guaido's chief of staff and ransacked a second opposition official's residence Thursday, Guaido and other officials said Thursday.

During an early morning raid that escalated an already tense political standoff, armed officers descended on the apartment of Roberto Marrero, a lawyer and top adviser to Guaido. The intelligence officials, who are loyal to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, planted two rifles and a grenade at the apartment and took Marrero to an undisclosed location, according to an account posted by Guaido on Twitter.

"We don't know his whereabouts," Guaido said. "He must be released immediately."

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo quickly denounced the arrest and called for Marrero's release.

Read more ....

More News On The Crisis In Venezuela

Venezuelan opposition aide is seized, US and allies protest -- AP
Venezuela detains top aide to Guaido in move U.S. calls 'big mistake' -- Reuters
Venezuelan intelligence agents raid homes of Juan Guaido's top aides, opposition says -- CNN
Venezuelan intel agents arrest top opposition aide after allegedly planting firearms, grenade in night raid -- FOX News
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro just escalated his standoff with Juan Guaidó -- VOX
Citigroup to sell more than $1B of Venezuelan gold after the embattled country failed to repay their loan, marking a major financial blow to Maduro's regime -- Daily Mail
Exclusive: U.S. threatens to derail meeting of Latam lender if China bars Venezuela -- Reuters
Maduro Aides Reached Out to U.S. Seeking to Cut a Deal, Rubio Says -- Bloomberg
1,000 Venezuelan Armed Forces Have Fled Across Border, Says Colombian Government -- NPR
Was Venezuela's rebel cop executed? Leaked photos raise questions -- Patrick Oppmann and Stefano Pozzebon, CNN

U.S. Officials Worry That India- Pakistan Tensions Can Re-Escalate

Posted: 21 Mar 2019 07:07 PM PDT



Reuters: U.S. remains concerned about India-Pakistan tensions: official

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States remains concerned about India-Pakistan tensions as the nuclear-armed countries' militaries remain on alert nearly three weeks after their most dangerous confrontation in decades, a senior U.S. administration official said on Wednesday.

The official also indicated that the Trump administration does not think Pakistan has adequately cracked down on the Islamist extremists who claimed responsibility for a bomb attack on Indian security forces that triggered last month's crisis.

"If there is an additional terrorist attack without Pakistan having made a sustained sincere effort against these groups, it will be extremely problematic for Pakistan and it would cause a re-escalation in tensions," the official, who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: The U.S. is also taking sides .... White House Warns Pakistan: Aggression Against India 'Not Acceptable" as Nuclear Tensions Flare (CCN).

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Unleashed

Posted: 21 Mar 2019 06:47 PM PDT

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei waves his hand, as he delivers a speech on the first day of Persian New Year, also known as Nowruz in Mashhad, northeast of Tehran, Iran March 21, 2019. Khamenei.ir/Handout via REUTERS

Reuters: Iran will boost defence capabilities despite U.S. pressure - Khamenei

DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran is determined to boost its defence capabilities despite mounting pressure from the United States and its allies to curb its ballistic missile programme, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Thursday.

"We need to take Iran to a point that enemy understand that they cannot threaten Iran ... America's sanctions will make Iran self-sufficient," Khamenei said in a speech broadcast live on state TV.

President Donald Trump withdrew the United States last May from a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six major powers, saying it gave too much away to Iran, and reimposed far-reaching U.S. sanctions.

The U.S. sanctions aim to force Iran to accept tougher restrictions on its nuclear work, drop its ballistic missile programme and scale back support for militant proxies in Middle East conflicts from Yemen to Syria.

Read more ....

More News On Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Khamenei decides Iran likely sticking with nuke deal until end despite sanctions- analysis -- Jerusalem Post
Khamenei says Iran has successfully resisted U.S. sanctions -- Reuters
Iran struggling under reimposed sanctions, country's leaders say -- Times of Israel/AFP
Iran leader calls economy 'urgent problem' -- AFP
Iran's Supreme Leader Calls EU Mechanism for Trade With Tehran 'Bitter Joke' -- Sputnik
Khamenei Condemns 'Joke' European Effort to Salvage Nuclear Deal -- Bloomberg

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dunford To Meet With Google Over Their Ties With China

Posted: 21 Mar 2019 06:19 PM PDT



Defense News: Dunford to meet with Google for 'debate' on Chinese ties

WASHINGTON — For the second time in a week, the Pentagon's top uniformed officer has taken a shot at Google, warning that the tech company's investments in China are doing long-term damage to America's security.

But Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said he also plans to meet with the tech giant to "debate" about its roles and responsibilities as a commercial enterprise versus how much the firm owes to America as its home nation.

"In my judgment, us assisting the Chinese military in advancing technologically is not in U.S. national interests, so it's a debate we have to have," Dunford said at a Thursday event hosted by the Atlantic Council.

Read more ....

More News On The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dunford, Google, And Their Ties With China

Google's Work with China Eroding US Military Advantage, Dunford Says -- Defense Tech
Top US general to meet with Google over China security worries -- The Hill
Top Pentagon official to meet with Google amid China concerns -- SCMP/Politico
Joint Chiefs chairman says he'll meet with Google to explain, 'We're the good guys' -- Washington Examiner

The Last ISIS Stronghold In Syria Has Fallen

Posted: 21 Mar 2019 06:07 PM PDT





FOX News: ISIS caliphate has crumbled and last stronghold liberated, Fox News has learned

BAGHOUZ, Syria -- The caliphate has crumbled, and the final offensive is over. While the official announcement hasn't yet been made – Fox News has been told that this village, the last ISIS stronghold, is liberated.

It's the first time since we've been here in Syria for five days that the bombs have stopped dropping and the gunfire has disappeared. We have witnessed the end of the caliphate – the brutal empire that once ruled over 8 million people – is gone.

Troops here are now bringing down the black flags of ISIS. The flags no longer fly over the town, instilling fear.

The last five days, Fox News has witnessed the last major offensive up close -– with U.S.-backed SDF forces attacking ISIS from three sides, pushing the fighters back, house to house, then tent to tent, against the Euphrates River.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Its over.

More News On Reports That The Last ISIS Stronghold In Syria Has Fallen

Victory over Islamic State to be announced after enclave searched: SDF -- Reuters
US-backed Syrian fighters search tunnels in last IS pocket -- AP
Fox News reports ISIS has fallen in Syria -- Washington Examiner
US-backed forces sweep last ISIS outpost for landmines and any hidden militants before moving in to finish off terror group fighters caught in final sliver of their 'caliphate' -- Daily Mail
Early celebrations as Syria war on ISIS holdout wraps up -- RUDAW/AFP
ISIS defeat in Syria enclave is a milestone, but the fight won't end -- CBS
The final victory in the battle against ISIS is now in sight -- VICE News

What Passes For Summer Camp In Russia

Posted: 21 Mar 2019 07:32 AM PDT

Vladimir Putin plans to expand his youth army, Yunarmia, to one million recruits (Image: Patriot Centre, East2West News)

Express: Putin's youth army plans to teach ONE MILLION children how to use machine guns

THOUSANDS of Russian orphans as young as eight are to be drafted into Vladimir Putin's youth army and taught how to use machine guns and throw hand grenades.

The Russian President is planning a rapid expansion of his Yunarmia as he hopes to amass one million young recruits ahead of next year's 75th anniversary commemorations of the end of World War 2. However critics have slammed the conscription of boys and girls as "immoral" and resembling the Hitler Youth programme. The move coincides with a senior Russian military official's outburst that children in Russia have become "afraid of machine guns" since the fall of the Soviet Union, a development which he declared as not "normal".

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Everyone in Russia knows (or will get to know) how to clean and shoot a machines gun. Nothing new here. But to say that children in Russia have become "afraid of machine guns" since the fall of the Soviet Union .... that is ridiculous. Also teaching young orphans on how to throw hand grenades .... sighhhh .... I know the mentality of the people who think like this, and the miserable lives that they lead. All that I can say is that this mindset is slowly disappearing.On a side note. I shot my first Kalashnikov at 15.

World News, World News Updates, World News Headlines, Latest World News, Current Affairs

Posted: 22 Mar 2019 02:15 AM PDT

World News, World News Updates, World News Headlines, Latest World News, Current Affairs

North Korea Abruptly Withdrew Its Staff From an Inter-Korea Liaison Office, Seoul Says

Posted: 22 Mar 2019 01:49 AM PDT

(SEOUL, South Korea) — North Korea abruptly withdrew its staff from an inter-Korean liaison office in the North on Friday, Seoul officials said.

The development will likely put a damper on ties between the Koreas and complicate global diplomacy on the North’s nuclear weapons program. Last month, the second U.S.-North Korea summit in Vietnam collapsed due to disputes over U.S.-led sanctions on the North.

Seoul’s Unification Ministry said that North Korea informed South Korea of its decision during a meeting at the liaison office at the North Korean border town of Kaesong on Friday.

The North said it “is pulling out with instructions from the superior authority,” according to a Unification Ministry statement. It didn’t say whether North Korea’s withdrawal of staff would be temporary or permanent.

According to the South Korean statement, the North added that it “will not mind the South remaining in the office” and that it would notify the South about practical matters later. Seoul’s Vice Unification Minister Chun Hae-sung told reporters that South Korea plans to continue to staff the Kaesong liaison office normally and that it expects the North will continue to allow the South Koreans to commute to the office. He said Seoul plans to staff the office with 25 people on Saturday and Sunday.

The South Korean statement calls the North’s decision “regrettable.” It said South Korea urges the North to return its staff to the liaison office soon.

The liaison office opened last September as part of a flurry of reconciliation steps. It is the first such Korean office since the peninsula was split into a U.S.-backed, capitalistic South and a Soviet-supported, socialist North in 1945. The Koreas had previously used telephone and fax-like communication channels that were often shut down in times of high tension.

The town is where the Korea’s now-stalled jointly run factory complex was located. It combined South Korean initiatives, capital and technology with North Korea’s cheap labor. Both Koreas want the U.S. to allow sanctions exemptions to allow the reopening of the factory park, which provided the North with much-needed foreign currency.

U.S. Forces Say 2 American Soldiers Were Killed During an Operation in Afghanistan

Posted: 22 Mar 2019 01:00 AM PDT

(KABUL, Afghanistan) — Two American service members were killed during an operation in Afghanistan on Friday, the U.S. and NATO forces said without providing any other details on the combat deaths.

The fatalities underscore the difficulties in bringing peace to Afghanistan even as Washington has stepped up efforts to find a way to end the 17-year war, America’s longest.

The U.S. and NATO Resolute Support mission said the names of the service members killed in action were being withheld until after notification of the next of kin, in accordance with U.S. Department of Defense policy. The statement also did not specify the location of the combat or say who the soldiers were fighting.

“The incident is under investigation and we have no additional information to provide,” said Sgt. 1st Class Debra Richardson, a Resolute Support spokeswoman.

There are about 14,000 U.S. forces in Afghanistan, supporting embattled Afghan forces as they struggle on two fronts — facing a resurgent Taliban who now hold sway over almost half the country and also the Islamic State affiliate, which has sought to expand its footprint in Afghanistan even as its self-proclaimed “caliphate” has crumbled in Syria and Iraq.

In 2001, after the Sept. 11 attacks on New York and Washington, the U.S. invaded Afghanistan and ousted the ruling Taliban regime in a matter of weeks. But the Taliban subsequently regrouped while Washington shifted its attention to Iraq’s Saddam Hussein, and by 2009, the war had become a stalemate.

The Pentagon has recently been developing plans to withdraw up to half of the American forces still in the country while at the same time stepping up efforts and having the U.S. negotiate with the Taliban.

U.S. envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, the Trump administration’s main negotiator with the Taliban, concluded earlier this month a 13-day marathon session with leaders of the insurgent group.

Following the talks, held in Qatar where the Taliban maintain an office, Khalilzad said the two sides reached two “draft agreements” covering the withdrawal of U.S. troops and guarantees that Afghanistan would not revert to a haven for terrorists.

But he was unable to persuade the Taliban to launch talks with the Afghan government. The Taliban have consistently refused to talk with the government in Kabul, describing it as a U.S. puppet.

The two sides seem to be in agreement about the withdrawal of American forces, but divided over the timeline and whether a residual American force would remain.

Death Toll in China Chemical Plant Explosion Rises to 47

Posted: 21 Mar 2019 08:31 PM PDT

BEIJING (AP) — A massive explosion at a chemical plant in eastern China with a long record of safety violations has killed at least 47 people and injured hundreds of others, 90 of them seriously.

Thursday’s blast in an industrial park in the city of Yancheng, north of Shanghai, was one of China’s worst industrial accidents in recent years. State-run television showed crushed cars, blown out windows and workers leaving the factory with bloodied heads.

Schools were closed and nearly 1,000 residents were moved to safety as a precaution against leaks and additional explosions, the city government said in a statement posted to its microblog.

The blast created a crater and more than 900 firefighters were deployed to extinguish the fire that burned into the night.

Windows in buildings as far as about 6 kilometers (4 miles) away were blown out by the force of the blast, which caused a magnitude 2.2 seismic shock.

A resident of the community of Chenjiagang about 5 kilometers (about 3 miles) from the plant, said neighbors were injured by glass from windows smashed by the blast force.

“At the time of the explosion, I was almost deafened and I was terribly frightened,” said the woman, who gave only her surname, Zhi.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, on a state visit to Italy, demanded “all-out efforts” to find and rescue victims, the official Xinhua News Agency reported.

“Relief work must be well done to maintain social stability. Meanwhile, environmental monitoring and early warning should be strengthened to prevent environmental pollution as well as secondary disasters,” the report quoted Xi as saying.

Local officials need to learn the lessons of a recent series of industrial accidents to preserve lives and property, Xi said, signaling a likely crackdown on safety at a time when many Chinese firms are being hit by a downturn in sales that is squeezing profit margins.

The higher death toll, raised from 44 but with no change in the number of injured, suggested rescue crews were still finding bodies at the blast site.

The Yancheng city government statement said 3,500 medical workers at 16 hospitals were mobilized to treat the injured, dozens of whom remained in critical condition.

The cause of the blast was under investigation and people responsible for operations at the plant have been placed “under control,” Xinhua said. It wasn’t clear whether anyone had been formally arrested.

State media said the State Council, China’s Cabinet, had been ordered to oversee the investigation.

China experiences frequent industrial accidents despite orders from the central government to improve safety at factories, power plants and mines.

Among the worst accidents was a massive 2015 explosion at a chemical warehouse in the port city of Tianjin that killed 173 people, most of them firefighters and police officers. That blast was blamed on illegal construction and unsafe storage of volatile materials.

In November, at least 22 people were killed and scores of vehicles destroyed in an explosion outside a chemical plant in the northeastern city of Zhangjiakou, which will host competitions in the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Thursday’s disaster occurred at a factory run by the Jiangsu Tianjiayi Chemical Co. Located among a cluster of chemical factories in Yancheng, it has a dismal safety record: In February 2018, China’s State Administration for Work Safety cited 13 types of safety hazards at the company, including mishandling of tanks of toxic benzene, the source of Thursday’s explosion.

Those violations came despite the plant having racked up 1,790,000 RMB ($267,000) in fines since 2016 for violations of environmental regulations, according to a judgments issued by local county and city environmental protection bureaus. Those included improperly dealing with hazardous waste and evading air pollution supervision.

A 2017 explosion that killed 10 at a nearby plant prompted China’s national safety regulator, the State Administration of Work Safety, to dispatch inspectors. They discovered over 200 safety hazards at chemical factories in Yancheng and four nearby cities, including 13 at the Tianjiayi plant. Safety hazards cited included leaks and drips, employees who didn’t understand safety procedures, and a lack of emergency shut-off valves on tanks carrying flammable chemicals.

In 2014, the company’s chairman, Zhang Qinyue, and Wu Guozhong, its former supply chief, were arrested on suspicion of dumping and burying hazardous waste byproducts near a temple and a village landfill, according to a Jiangsu court criminal judgement. They were convicted in 2017 and the company was fined 1,000,000 RMB ($149,000).

A Venezuelan Opposition Aide Has Been Arrested, Prompting Rebuke From the U.S.

Posted: 21 Mar 2019 07:54 PM PDT

(CARACAS, Venezuela) — Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido’s top aide was taken away in the middle of the night by masked intelligence agents who broke down his door early Thursday, drawing condemnation from the United States and other countries pushing to oust President Nicolas Maduro.

Washington demanded the immediate release of Guaido chief of staff Roberto Marrero, whose whereabouts after the raid on his Caracas home were not immediately disclosed.

Marrero was detained as part of an operation against a “terrorist” cell, Interior Minister Nestor Luis Reverol said. Weapons were confiscated from Marrero and a bodyguard was also arrested, according to Reverol.

Guaido’s top aide is being investigated for crimes including an alleged plot to kill Maduro, the chief prosecutor’s office said.

Maduro indicated there could be more arrests, saying on national television that his government is dismantling a broader “terrorist” network.

The arrest represented a sharp increase in police pressure on the opposition after a period of relative calm. Guaido, however, characterized the operation as a sign that Maduro is losing his grip on power in a country suffering from years of economic hardship and political polarization.

“Either he doesn’t dare to jail me, or he’s not in charge,” Guaido, the leader of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, said during an appearance at a school. He also said some Venezuelan intelligence chiefs called him to say they weren’t involved, in what would suggest a split in their ranks.

The United Nations expressed “concern” about Marrero’s detention and renewed a call for all parties “to lower tensions and refrain from any action that could lead to further escalation,” while U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted: “We will hold accountable those involved.”

Guaido contends that he is the rightful leader of Venezuela and that Maduro’s re-election last year was illegitimate because major opposition figures were not allowed to run. The U.S. and about 50 other countries have sided with Guaido, and Washington has imposed sanctions to try to push Maduro from power, but the international pressure has not succeeded. The U.S. had warned the Maduro government not to act against Guaido.

In Washington, President Donald Trump’s special envoy for Venezuela, Elliott Abrams, said he believes Maduro’s government is concerned about the international reaction if it tried to arrest Guaido and instead may be targeting Guaido’s aides.

He repeated Trump’s statement that “all options are on the table,” but said “we’re not thinking” about a military option at this time.

Maduro and his ally Russia have said they are concerned that the U.S. could be planning military intervention in Venezuela.

The Lima Group, an association of about a dozen Latin American countries and Canada, also condemned Marrero’s detention.

Marrero reported the raid in a telephone call that was recorded and circulated on social media. As he described how a large number of intelligence officials were entering his home, heavy thuds could be heard.

The security forces broke through a screen door and a wooden door to get inside the house and left drawers open during their search, said Carlos Berrizbeitia, an opposition lawmaker who later visited the home. Dozens of security officers were involved.

The neighboring home of another opposition lawmaker, Sergio Vergara, was also searched. Vergara said that he was woken up by heavy banging at his door and that agents pointed weapons at him.

Venezuelan prosecutors say Guaido is under investigation for alleged links to violence as well as the nation’s severe power outages. Maduro alleges the blackouts were caused by U.S.-directed sabotage, while American officials and the Venezuelan opposition blame mismanagement and corruption.

New Zealand Observes Muslim Call to Prayer 1 Week After Deadly Mosque Attacks

Posted: 21 Mar 2019 05:36 PM PDT

(CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand) — New Zealanders observed the Muslim call to prayer Friday in reflecting on the moment one week ago when 50 worshippers at two Christchurch mosques were slain — an act an imam told the crowd of thousands that had left the country broken-hearted but not broken.

In a day without precedent, people across New Zealand listened to the call to prayer on live broadcasts while thousands, including Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, gathered in leafy Hagley Park opposite the Al Noor mosque, where 42 people died. “New Zealand mourns with you. We are one,” Ardern said.

The call to prayer was observed at 1:30 p.m. and followed by two minutes of silence. Hundreds of Muslim men at the park sat in socks or bare feet. One man in the front row was in a Christchurch Hospital wheelchair.

The Al Noor mosque’s imam, Gamal Fouda, thanked New Zealanders for their support.

“This terrorist sought to tear our nation apart with an evil ideology. … But, instead, we have shown that New Zealand is unbreakable,” the imam said.

“We are broken-hearted but we are not broken. We are alive. We are together. We are determined to not let anyone divide us,” he added, as the crowd the city estimated at 20,000 people erupted with applause.

Later in the day, a mass funeral was held to bury 26 of the victims at a cemetery where more than a dozen already have been laid to rest.

Family members took turns passing around shovels and wheelbarrows to bury their loved ones. Friday’s burials included the youngest victim, 3-year-old Mucaad Ibrahim.

Christchurch native Fahim Imam, 33, returned to the city for Friday’s service. He moved away three years ago and now lives in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city.

“It’s just amazing to see how the country and the community have come together — blows my mind, actually,” Imam said before the event.

When he got off the plane Friday morning, he saw someone holding a sign that said “jenaza,” denoting Muslim funeral prayer. He said others were offering free rides to and from the prayer service.

“The moment I landed in Christchurch, I could feel the love here. I’ve never felt more proud to be a Muslim, or a Kiwi for that matter. It makes me really happy to be able to say that I’m a New Zealander,” Imam said.

He called it surreal to see the mosque where he used to pray surrounded by flowers.

The observance comes the day after the government announced a ban on “military-style” semi-automatic firearms and high-capacity magazines like the weapons that were used in last Friday’s attacks at the Al Noor and nearby Linwood mosques.

An immediate sales ban went into effect Thursday to prevent stockpiling, and new laws would be rushed through Parliament that would impose a complete ban on the weapons, Ardern said.

“Every semi-automatic weapon used in the terrorist attack on Friday will be banned,” Ardern said.

The gun legislation is supported not only by Ardern’s liberal Labour Party but also the conservative opposition National Party, so it’s expected to pass into law. New Zealand does not have a constitutional right to bear arms.

Among those planning to attend Friday’s observance was Samier Dandan, the president of the Lebanese Muslim Association in Sydney and part of a 15-strong delegation of Muslim leaders that had flown to Christchurch.

“It was an ugly act of terrorism that occurred in a beautiful, peaceful city,” Dandan said.

He said his pain couldn’t compare with that of the families he’d been visiting who had lost loves ones. He was inspired by their resilience, he said.

“And I’ve got to give all my respect to the New Zealand prime minister, with her position and her actions, and it speaks loud,” he said.

Ismat Fatimah, 46, said it was sad to look at the Al Noor mosque, which was still surrounded by construction barricades, armed police officers and a huge mound of flowers and messages.

“We’re feeling stronger than before, and we are one,” she said.

She said she prayed for the people who died.

“I’m just imagining what would be happening last Friday,” she said. “People were running around so scared and helpless. It’s just not right.”

Erum Hafeez, 18 said she felt comforted by the overwhelming response from New Zealanders: “We are embraced by the community of New Zealand, we are not left behind and alone.”

The Al Noor mosque’s imam said workers have been toiling feverishly to repair the destruction, some of whom offered their services for free. Fouda expects the mosque to reopen by next week.

European Union and Theresa May Agree on Plan for Short Brexit Extension

Posted: 21 Mar 2019 04:24 PM PDT

(BRUSSELS) — Worn down by three years of indecision in London, European Union leaders on Thursday grudgingly offered the U.K. more time to ease itself out of the bloc, delaying by several weeks — but not eliminating — the threat of a chaotic British exit.

After a meeting that stretched through the afternoon and over dinner, the bloc said Britain could postpone its March 29 departure to May 22 — if the U.K. Parliament approves Prime Minister Theresa May’s divorce deal with the bloc next week.

If the twice-rejected deal is thrown out again, the bloc says Britain has until April 12 to “indicate a way forward.”

“Now it is finally up to the British political system,” French President Emmanuel Macron said, adding that any final decision must come ahead of the May 23-26 European Parliament election.

May — who has spent almost three years telling Britons they will leave the EU on March 29, 2019 — put a positive spin on the delay.

She said the EU decision underlines “the importance of the House of Commons passing a Brexit deal next week so that we can bring an end to the uncertainty and leave in a smooth and orderly manner.”

The late-night offer eased some of the deep uncertainty among leaders at an EU summit in Brussels, which was exceeded only by the high anxiety being felt by politicians, businesses and citizens in Britain. The British military has even set up a command post in a bunker under the defense ministry in London to help coordinate “no-deal” planning.

The House of Commons is split, both among and within its political parties, over whether and how to leave the EU. It has twice rejected the deal May brokered with the bloc’s leaders late last year.

This week, May finally acknowledged the Brexit gridlock and asked the EU to delay Britain’s departure until June 30, to create time to win parliamentary approval for her deal in a third attempt and then pass the legislation necessary for a smooth departure.

But opposition to May’s the agreement among British politicians appeared to be hardening, rather than softening, after she blamed Parliament for the Brexit impasse.

In a televised address Wednesday night, May accused lawmakers of “infighting,” ”political games” and “arcane procedural rows,” but acknowledged no personal error in creating the deadlock.

A lawmaker from May’s Conservative Party called the speech “toxic.” Legislator Anna Soubry, of the breakaway Independent Group, described it as the “most dishonest and divisive statement from any prime minister.”

May struck conciliatory note at a late-night Brussels news conference, saying “I know MPs on all sides of the debate have passionate views, and I respect those different positions.”

“Last night I expressed my frustration. I know that MPs are frustrated too. They have difficult jobs to do,” she added.

But May also refused to change course, calling on lawmakers to back her agreement and refusing to rule out a no-deal exit if they did not back her.

May said that if the deal falls, by April 12, “we would either leave with no deal, or put forward an alternative plan” that involved participating in EU Parliament elections.

“I believe strongly that it would be wrong to ask people in the UK to participate in these elections three years after voting to leave the EU,” she said.

Businesses and economists say a no-deal Brexit would cause huge disruptions and billions in costs to the economies of both Britain and the EU.

Underscoring the sense of dread gripping the nation, one of Britain’s biggest business lobbies and a major trade union federation said in a rare joint appeal that the “country is facing a national emergency.”

The Confederation of British Industry and the Trades Union Congress warned May that if Britain crashes out of the EU, “the shock to our economy would be felt by generations to come.”

Britain’s military said the command post under the ministry of defense was set up as a continuation of earlier planning operations, called Operation Redfold, designed to minimize disruption in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

The ministry said in a statement it had 3,500 troops on standby to help with any disruptions if the government asks for assistance.

Worry about a chaotic departure has been rising among EU leaders, who fear May no longer has the clout in Parliament to get her way.

“Nobody wants no-deal here,” Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar told reporters.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel vowed to work “until the last hour” to try to ensure that Britain doesn’t leave without a deal, even though her government has enacted emergency measures to deal with such a scenario.

May plans to make a third attempt to get her deal through Parliament next week. But many pro-Brexit legislators still oppose it, saying it does not deliver the clean break they long for. And Pro-EU lawmakers will try to derail May and wrest away control of the Brexit process to steer Britain toward a close relationship with the bloc.

It’s a struggle that has been going on for almost three years and has brought the U.K. to within eight days of a chaotic Brexit.

EU leaders are watching with disbelief, horror — and, for some, sympathy.

“I never got frustrated with Theresa May. I have the highest respect for her,” said Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. “Her tenacity is enormous. But she is working in an extremely difficult situation.

“It’s not her mistake that we are where we are — it’s because too many people have so far played party politics on this issue.”

___

Associated Press writers Samuel Petrequin and Lorne Cook in Brussels, Geir Moulson in Berlin, Danica Kirka and Gregory Katz in London and Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen, Denmark, contributed.

Boy Who Alerted Authorities to Bus Driver Kidnapping in Italy Urged to Receive Citizenship

Posted: 21 Mar 2019 12:54 PM PDT

(MILAN) — The leader of Italy’s 5-Star Movement called Thursday to award speedy citizenship to a 13-year-old Egyptian boy hailed as a hero for being the first to alert police that he and scores of his middle school classmates had been abducted by their bus driver.

Ramy Shehata “put his life at risk to save that of his classmates,” Luigi Di Maio said on Facebook, adding that he would ask Italy’s premier to confer citizenship for special merit.

The boy’s father, who immigrated in 2001, launched the appeal for Ramy, who was born in Italy. The 13-year-old is credited with helping save his classmates by calling authorities on a phone that was concealed after the driver ordered their devices collected and tied up their gym teachers.

Law enforcement officers on Wednesday stopped the bus that had traveled 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the province of Cremona to Milan, freeing the 51 middle school students and their chaperones as the driver set the bus on fire. No one was seriously injured.

The news agency ANSA reported that the Interior Ministry was speeding the citizenship request for the boy, while looking to revoke the citizenship of the bus driver, Ousseynou Sy, a 47-year-old Senegalese immigrant who became an Italian citizen in 2004.

Sy was being held on suspicion of kidnapping, intending to commit a massacre, arson, resisting law enforcement with an aggravating circumstance of terrorism because the event caused panic. Prosecutors said there were no indications that Sy was radicalized or had ties to Islamic terrorists, but that he claimed the kidnapping was to draw attention to migrant deaths in the Mediterranean Sea.

One chaperones said the driver first tied the two male gym teachers to the door, then ordered her to bind the hands of the children, keep them quiet and collect their phones. Tiziana Magarini told Sky TG24 that he brandished a knife and a gun. SKY reported that a knife was found in the charred remains of the bus but not the gun, raising the possibility that it had been a toy.

Sy’s lawyer, Davide Lacchetti, told ANSA that his client never had a gun.

“Fortunately, with some looks, I made some of the children in the back understand to keep their phones,” Magarini said. “And I turned mine on without being seen,” putting through a call so colleagues could hear what was going on onboard the bus.

The driver made periodic stops, ordering her to spray paint the windows to obscure the view inside and to spread gasoline around the interior of the bus. She said he brandished a gas stove lighter.

Magarini said the driver appeared lucid throughout the ordeal, but that he became agitated when the bus was flanked by police on the outskirts of Milan.

“We saw the first cars arrive ahead, on the sides and behind. He started to ram into them, and he hit an officer on foot. I heard a blast of glass from the back, and in two seconds there was a formidable team that in no time pulled everyone out,” Magarini said.

President Trump Says It’s Time for the U.S. to ‘Fully Recognize Israel’s Sovereignty’ Over the Golan Heights

Posted: 21 Mar 2019 10:49 AM PDT

(JERUSALEM) — President Donald Trump said Thursday that it’s time for the United States to recognize Israel’s control over the disputed Golan Heights, an announcement that signals a shift in U.S. policy and comes ahead of the Israeli prime minister’s planned visit next week to the White House.

The administration has been considering recognizing Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan, which Israel captured from Syria in 1967. Last week, in its annual human rights report, the State Department dropped the phrase “Israeli-occupied” from the Golan Heights section, instead calling it “Israeli-controlled.”

“After 52 years it is time for the United States to fully recognize Israel’s Sovereignty over the Golan Heights, which is of critical strategic and security importance to the State of Israel and Regional Stability!” Trump tweeted.

Minutes later, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted his appreciation. “At a time when Iran seeks to use Syria as a platform to destroy Israel, President Trump boldly recognizes Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Thank you President Trump!”

In addition to its policies toward the Palestinians, the U.S. has taken a hard line toward Iran, much to Netanyahu’s delight.

Trump’s announcement came as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is in Jerusalem, lauding warm ties with Israel and promising to step up pressure on Iran. Pompeo’s words gave a public boost to the Israeli leader at the height of a tight re-election campaign. Netanyahu is to be in Washington for two days next week — two weeks before Israel’s April 9 ballot.

Standing together in Jerusalem Thursday, neither Netanyahu nor Pompeo mentioned the heated Israeli election campaign. But Netanyahu, facing a tough challenge from a popular former military chief and reeling from a series of corruption allegations, has repeatedly sought to focus attention on his foreign policy record and strong ties with Trump.

Pompeo has said his trip has nothing to do with politics.

Netanyahu thanked Pompeo for the Trump administration’s strong stance against Iran, which Israel regards as an existential threat.

Netanyahu has accused Iran of attempting to set up a terrorist network to target Israel from the Golan Heights, using the incident to repeat his goal of international recognition for Israel’s claim on the area.

“You could imagine what would have happened if Israel were not in the Golan,” he said. “You would have Iran on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.”

Pompeo paid a solemn visit Thursday to Jerusalem’s Western Wall along with Netanyahu in an apparent sign of support for Israel’s control of the contested city.

Pompeo is the highest-ranking American official to tour the holy site with any Israeli leader. His visit was likely to further infuriate the Palestinians, who already have severed ties with the U.S. over its Jerusalem policies.

Pompeo and Netanyahu prayed at the wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray, before depositing written prayers in its crevices and then touring nearby tunnels and synagogue. Neither made any public comment at the site.

The secretary said he thought it was important to visit the wall with the Israeli leader as a show of support for Israel.

“I think it’s symbolic that a senior American official go there with a prime minister of Israel,” he said before making the trip. “It’s a place that’s important to many faiths and I’m looking forward to it. I think it will be very special.”

Israel captured east Jerusalem and the Old City in the 1967 Mideast war, and for decades, U.S. officials refrained from visiting the Western Wall with Israeli leaders to avoid the appearance of recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the city’s most sensitive holy sites. The Palestinians seek east Jerusalem as the capital of a future state.

But the Trump administration has upended the longstanding policy, moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem last year after recognizing the city as Israel’s capital. Israel claims all of Jerusalem as its eternal and indivisible capital.

Senior U.S. officials, including Trump and numerous predecessors, have visited the wall privately in the past, but never with an Israeli leader.

The Old City is home to Jerusalem’s most sensitive holy sites, including the Western Wall and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where tradition says Jesus was entombed and resurrected. Pompeo, a devout Christian, also stopped at the church.

Next to the Western Wall is a hilltop compound revered by Jews as the Temple Mount and by Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary. The spot, which once housed the biblical Temples, is the holiest site in Judaism and today is home to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third-holiest site in Islam.

The competing claims to the site are a frequent source of tension and lie at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

When Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, he said it did not determine the city’s final borders. But the gesture was perceived as unfairly siding with Israel and prompted the Palestinians to sever ties with the U.S. The Palestinians already have rejected a planned Mideast peace initiative by the administration.

Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, said Pompeo’s visit added additional obstacles to peace hopes. “While they are claiming to be trying to solve the conflict, such acts only make it more difficult to resolve,” he said.

While previous secretaries of state have traditionally met with the Palestinians when visiting the region, Pompeo has no such talks planned.

“The Israelis and Palestinians live side-by-side. We need to help them figure out how to do that,” Pompeo said. “It’s a fact, and this administration wishes well for the Palestinian people.”

In addition to the Jerusalem recognition, the administration also has cut hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to the Palestinians, helping fuel a financial crisis for Abbas’ Palestinian Authority.

At a meeting with Pompeo, Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin expressed his deep concern about the Palestinians, both in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip and under the internationally backed Palestinian Authority in the West Bank.

“If the Palestinian Authority will collapse, we will have to take care about what is going on,” he said.

___

Riechmann reported from Washington.

U.S. Calls for Release of Opposition Leader’s Aide After Detention by Government Forces

Posted: 21 Mar 2019 08:52 AM PDT

(CARACAS, Venezuela) — Masked security forces detained a key aide to Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido in a raid on his home early Thursday, arriving in a convoy of vehicles and breaking down his door in a show of force that escalated tensions with the United States.

Lawyer Roberto Marrero was taken away by intelligence agents in an overnight operation that was promptly condemned by Guaido as well as U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who called for the immediate release of the opposition figure.

“We will hold accountable those involved,” Pompeo tweeted.

The U.S. has imposed oil sanctions on Venezuela as well as individuals linked to President Nicolas Maduro in an attempt to force him from power. President Donald Trump has said tougher sanctions could occur and that “all options are on the table,” a remark that Maduro and his ally, Russia, have interpreted as a possible prelude to military intervention.

The Venezuelan government had no immediate comment on Marrero’s detention, which represented a sharp increase in police pressure on the opposition after a period of relative calm. Guaido had even said that the government was ignoring him in an attempt to sap the energy of the opposition, though Maduro has often described his adversary as a “puppet” and a “clown.”

Marrero reported the raid in a telephone call whose recording circulated on social media soon after the operation occurred. As he described how a large group of intelligence officials was entering his home, heavy thuds could be heard in the background.

The neighboring home of opposition lawmaker Sergio Vergara was also searched. Vergara said he was woken up by heavy banging at his door and that agents pointed weapons at him.

The security forces broke through a metal screen door and a wooden door to get into Marrero’s house, and left drawers open during their search, said Carlos Berrizbeitia, another opposition lawmaker who later visited the residence. Dozens of security forces were involved.

Vergara and Marrero both accompanied Guaido on a recent Latin American tour to build international support for his efforts to oust Maduro. Marrero heads the office of Guaido, who is leader of Venezuela’s National Assembly.

“We don’t know where he is. He should be freed immediately,” Guaido tweeted.

The opposition leader, who had defied a travel ban to leave the country, returned to Venezuela on March 4. The United States had warned the Venezuelan government against taking action against Guaido, who has staged frequent demonstrations in an attempt to remove Maduro.

Venezuelan prosecutors say Guaido is under investigation for alleged links to violence as well as the nation’s worst power outages. Maduro alleges the blackouts were caused by U.S.-directed sabotage, though U.S. officials and the Venezuelan opposition say state mismanagement and corruption caused the infrastructure collapse.

The U.S. and about 50 other countries support Guaido’s contention that he is the rightful leader of Venezuela and that Maduro’s re-election last year was illegitimate. Maduro says Guaido is a collaborator in a U.S. plot to overthrow his government.

Former Brazilian President Michel Temer Arrested on Corruption Charges

Posted: 21 Mar 2019 08:04 AM PDT

(RIO DE JANEIRO) — Former Brazilian President Michel Temer was arrested on Thursday on corruption charges, a dramatic development in a sprawling corruption probe that has roiled Brazil has showed no sign of slowing.

In a statement, the Prosecutors Office in Rio de Janeiro said that Judge Marcelo Breitas had issued an arrest order for Temer and Moreira Franco, a former minister and close ally of Temer.

The statement did not detail the charges against the two and a spokeswoman at the Prosecutors Office also declined to specify the charges.

Globo Television showed images of the former president being accompanied by police in Sao Paulo, where Temer lives. Helicopter images showed Temer getting out of a police convoy at an airport, presumably to be brought to Rio de Janeiro and processed.

Breitas is overseeing the Rio portion of a massive corruption probe involving kickbacks to politicians and public officials. Since launching in March 2014, the so-called Car Wash investigation has led to the jailing of top businessmen and politicians, including ex-President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

In a statement, Temer’s Brazilian Democratic Movement party called the arrest “hasty.”

“The party hopes that the Justice Department re-establishes individual liberties and the presumption of innocence,” it read.

Temer, who was vice president, came to the presidency in 2016 after President Dilma Rousseff was impeached and ousted from office for mismanaging the federal budget.

From the get-go, Temer’s administration was hit with several scandals, including some involving the president himself.

Three times, prosecutors charged Temer with corruption. Because he was a sitting president, he could only be tried if two-thirds of the lower chamber in Congress agreed. Temer twice mustered enough support in Congress to avoid prosecution and his term ended before the third case proceeded far enough for Congress to vote.

Temer left office on Jan. 1 and no longer has the partial immunity that helped him avoid prosecution.

Asked about looming cases against him in December, Temer said he wasn’t worried and did not believe he would be arrested.

World News Updates, World News, Current Affairs, Daily Current Affairs, World News Updates

Posted: 22 Mar 2019 01:52 AM PDT

World News Updates, World News, Current Affairs, Daily Current Affairs, World News Updates

Middle East tensions ERUPT as two US military killed in Afghanistan, NATO confirm

Posted: 21 Mar 2019 11:22 PM PDT



AT LEAST two US service members have been killed in an operation in Afghanistan.

Trump ‘sent from God to save Jewish people from Iran’ - Mike Pompeo's EXTRAORDINARY claim

Posted: 21 Mar 2019 08:08 PM PDT



DONALD TRUMP has been compared to a biblical saviour by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during his visit to Israel.

India-Pakistan WARNING: Pakistan’s aggression against India ‘not acceptable’ says Trump

Posted: 21 Mar 2019 07:38 PM PDT



PAKISTAN has been warned against its aggression towards India as the Trump administration said continued attacks are "not acceptable".

US deploys marines in South China Sea as tensions SOAR - ‘We must show China our POWER’

Posted: 21 Mar 2019 07:22 PM PDT



THE US has deployed Marines in the South China Sea as tensions between Washington and Beijing continue to be on a knife edge.

HORROR in China as man mows down crowd killing six in brutal car attack

Posted: 21 Mar 2019 08:35 PM PDT



A TOTAL of seven people have died after a car drove into a crowd in China's Hubei.

‘There'll be more VIOLENCE’ - Turkey and Russia issue THREAT to US after Trump tweet

Posted: 21 Mar 2019 06:33 PM PDT



TURKEY and Russia have issued a stark warning to the US after Donald Trump announced his intent to recognise Israel's claim to the Golan Heights.

Cyclone Trevor path latest: TWIN cyclones to SAVAGE Australia with Category 4 horror winds

Posted: 22 Mar 2019 12:40 AM PDT



CYCLONE Trevor and Cyclone Veronica are set to smash Australia with ferocious winds and storm conditions in the coming days - here are the latest updates.

Cyclone Trevor MAP: MASS EVAUATIONS as storm set to hit CATEGORY 4 - where are they?

Posted: 22 Mar 2019 12:50 AM PDT



CYCLONE Trevor has sparked mass evacuations in Australia's Northern Territory ahead of hitting as a category 4 cyclone - but where are the evacuations and where is Trevor right now?

WAR GAMES: Russian jets ‘CHASE’ American bomber flying over Europe

Posted: 21 Mar 2019 11:23 AM PDT



MOSCOW has accused Washington of creating "additional tensions" after two Russian fighter planes chased a nuclear-capable US B-52 bomber away from Russian airspace.

Nebraska flooding: Disaster ‘just beginning’ dangerous flood season expected for Central U

Posted: 21 Mar 2019 03:26 PM PDT



NEBRASKA and the Midwest have faced unprecedented flooding, but weather experts are warning the floods are 'just beginning' as a dangerous flood season is expected for the Central United States.

Sibi Sathyaraj and Remya Nambeesan team up once again

Posted: 22 Mar 2019 12:06 AM PDT

Sibi Sathyaraj and Remya Nambeesan team up once again


Source: TIE

M F Husain’s mural-sized painting ‘Lightning’ exhibits at Asia Society Museum

Posted: 22 Mar 2019 12:06 AM PDT

M F Husain's mural-sized painting 'Lightning' exhibits at Asia Society Museum


Source: TIE

Fitch cuts India GDP growth forecast for FY 2020 to 6.8 per cent

Posted: 22 Mar 2019 12:06 AM PDT

Fitch cuts India GDP growth forecast for FY 2020 to 6.8 per cent


Source: TIE

Venezuela crisis escalates as Guaidó’s chief of staff is arrested

Posted: 22 Mar 2019 12:06 AM PDT

Venezuela crisis escalates as Guaidó's chief of staff is arrested


Source: TIE

Jackie Shroff joins Vijay starrer Thalapathy 63

Posted: 22 Mar 2019 12:06 AM PDT

Jackie Shroff joins Vijay starrer Thalapathy 63


Source: TIE

This is Lupita Nyong’o. Hollywood, please keep up

Posted: 22 Mar 2019 12:06 AM PDT

This is Lupita Nyong'o. Hollywood, please keep up


Source: TIE

Taron Egerton on Rocketman: Just want to make Elton John happy

Posted: 22 Mar 2019 12:06 AM PDT

Taron Egerton on Rocketman: Just want to make Elton John happy


Source: TIE

Lok Sabha elections: TTV Dhinakaran releases final list of 14 AMMK candidates

Posted: 22 Mar 2019 12:06 AM PDT

Lok Sabha elections: TTV Dhinakaran releases final list of 14 AMMK candidates


Source: TIE

Vikram Prabhu in Madras Talkies’ new film

Posted: 22 Mar 2019 12:06 AM PDT

Vikram Prabhu in Madras Talkies' new film


Source: TIE

RRB Group D (CEN No 02/2018) fee refund from today, check rrbonlinereg.in at 6 pm

Posted: 22 Mar 2019 12:06 AM PDT

RRB Group D (CEN No 02/2018) fee refund from today, check rrbonlinereg.in at 6 pm


Source: TIE

Jon Snow’s death sent Kit Harington to therapy

Posted: 22 Mar 2019 12:06 AM PDT

Jon Snow's death sent Kit Harington to therapy


Source: TIE

Wong Kar-Wai’s Blossoms will be thematically connected to In The Mood For Love and 2046

Posted: 22 Mar 2019 12:06 AM PDT

Wong Kar-Wai's Blossoms will be thematically connected to In The Mood For Love and 2046


Source: TIE

USFDA classifies Jubilant Life’s Nanjangud facility as ‘Official Action Indicated’

Posted: 22 Mar 2019 12:04 AM PDT

New Delhi: Jubilant Life Sciences Friday said it has been cautioned by the US health regulator that its Nanjangud facility in Mysore, may be subject to regulatory action and that the USFDA may withhold approval of any pending applications or supplements in which this facility is listed.

Jubilant Life Sciences in a regulatory filing said it has been informed by the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) that inspection from December 10-18, 2018 at the Jubilant Generics Ltd API manufacturing facility, in Nanjangud, Mysore, has been classified as 'Official Action Indicated' (OAI).

The USFDA also stated that the facility might be subject to a cGMP regulatory or enforcement action based on this inspection, and that USFDA could withhold approval of any pending applications or supplements in which this facility is listed, the filing added. Jubilant Life Sciences said USFDA's announcement will not have any impact on the existing revenues from operations of this facility.

"We believe that this letter has been issued as part of a USFDA initiative to respond to the company within 90 days of the inspection, regarding the facility's status. As per the agency's internal procedures, the company can engage with the agency within 40 days to seek to get the decision downgraded from the OAI classification," the company said.

Jubilant said, it is in the process of sending a further update to USFDA of its corrective actions regarding the agency's inspectional observations from December 2018. Shares of Jubilant Life Sciences were trading 2.35 per cent lower at Rs 757 apiece on BSE.



Source: FPJ

Ahead of Lok Sabha elections 2019, former cricketer Gautam Gambhir joins BJP

Posted: 22 Mar 2019 12:04 AM PDT

Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir joined BJP on Friday. Some BJP leaders were in talks with the cricketer for joining the party and he is also likely to contest Lok Sabha elections 2019. Earlier, BJP sources informed that Gambhir may likely contest from New Delhi seat which is currently held by Apex Court lawyer and BJP party leader Meenakshi Lekhi.

Gambhir is another Indian cricketer to join politics after Mohammad Azharuddin, Kirti Azad and Navjot Singh Sidhu. The 37-year-old cricketer retired from all forms of cricket in December, 2018. Gambhir has been very vocal on political issues in the past.



Source: FPJ

Trump admin says Indian private companies have stopped importing oil from sanctions-hit Venezuela

Posted: 22 Mar 2019 12:04 AM PDT

Washington: India has been co-operating with the US on the Venezuelan sanctions and it is the "understanding" of the Trump administration that private Indian companies have stopped importing oil from the Latin American country, a top official has said.

The US official's comment came as Washington ramps up actions on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's regime, which is battling to hold onto power in the face of heavy domestic and international pressure. Venezuela is the third largest supplier of oil to India which is the world's third-biggest oil consumer.The senior Trump administration official said: "My understanding is that Indian private companies, who were importing Venezuelan oil, have stopped".

These companies, which also have interest in the US, are unlikely to ignore the US sanctions, he told reporters on Wednesday. Responding to a question on India's response to the US efforts against the "authoritarian regime" in Venezuela, the official said that India has been co-operative with the US.

The Indians have been cooperative in communicating to the private companies," he said, adding that the issue has been part of India-US discussion. We value our relationship with India and the strategic partnership," the official said, adding that it is natural that Venezuela, which is very important right now, would be raised in its discussions with India.

Last week, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in a meeting with the visiting Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale, said that he hoped India will not be the "economic lifeline" to the "authoritarian" regime of Maduro by purchasing oil from the Latin American country.

The Latin American country's Oil Minister and state-run oil company PDVSA's President Manuel Quevedo told reporters in Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh last month that his sanctions-hit country wants to sell more crude oil to India.

The US has slapped sweeping sanctions on PDVSA with a view to curb Venezuela's crude exports and put pressure on socialist President Maduro to step down. Venezuela produces around 1.57 million barrels of oil per day, half of what it produced two decades back. With the US stopping imports from Venezuela, PDVSA is seeking to retain buyers in other big consuming countries such as China and India.

Maduro is facing a challenge from opposition leader Juan Guaido who declared himself acting president in January. The US views Guaido as Venezuela's legitimate leader and has imposed sanctions on the country's oil sector besides taking other actions targeting top government officials.



Source: FPJ

Will Priyanka Chopra say controversial phrases of Ma Anand Sheela ? The actress spills the beans

Posted: 22 Mar 2019 12:04 AM PDT

Priyanka Chopra is on a roll with multiple projects in Bollywood and Hollywood. The actress is writing her book, featuring in Youtube travel series, starring in multiple projects and producing films. Just earlier in February, the actress confirmed that she will be essaying the role of controversial Ma Anand Sheela in the upcoming Ma Sheela biopic adapted from Wild Wild Country which will be directed by Academy Award winner Barry Levinson.

As Priyanka Chopra is currently promoting her Youtube travel show If You Tell Me Just One Thing, she reached the sets of Andy Cohen's show Watch What Happens Live. There, she spilled some deets on the upcoming film on Ma Anand Sheela. The actress confirmed she will be essaying the lead role and said, "I am developing it with Barry Levinson."

When Andy Cohen asked whether she will be saying iconic lines like 'Tough Ti**ies', she added, "All of them. There are so much of them but it's so much that is exciting about her. It's far away now but hopefully, it will happen."

"I am developing a feature with Barry Levinson. We are developing it as a character on this Guru called Ma Sheela who originated from India who was Osho's right hand. She was just devious and developed a cult and brought people here for Osho, I don't know if you have heard of him yet. It was amazing. I would be developing that next," Priyanka had announced the project on The Ellen Show.

Apart from this, Priyanka Chopra will be seen in Shonali Bose's movie The Sky Is Pink with Farhan Akhtar and Zaira Wasim. The film is slated to release later this year. Check out the video below

 



Source: FPJ

Two killed in road accident in UP’s Balrampur

Posted: 22 Mar 2019 12:04 AM PDT

Balrampur (UP): Two men were killed when an unidentified vehicle hit their bike in Uttar Pradesh's Balrampur district, police said Friday.

Anuj Kaushal (20) and Laddu (23) were killed in the accident that occurred on Thursday night in Utraula area, they said. The bodies were sent for post-mortem, police said. No arrest has so far been made in this connection and a probe is on, they said.



Source: FPJ

Vijay Devarakonda hospitalized due to exhaustion

Posted: 22 Mar 2019 12:04 AM PDT

This Holi is not so exciting and colourful for Telugu cinema's fastest-rising star Vijay Devarkonda. The star who is currently immersed in the completion of his April release Dear Comrade, checked into a leading hospital of Hyderabad on Wednesday with high fever.

Says a source close to Vijay, "But it's nothing to worry about. It's just exhaustion. And normally one would just have to rest it out. But Vijay can't afford a break right now. So he checked into the hospital for some swift and remedy and relief to resume shooting as soon as possible."

Says Vijay with a chuckle, "What a way to celebrate Holi! I felt very weak and checked into hospital for treatment to recover quickly. I was shooting till 6 am on Wednesday morning and was down with fever. So rather than waste time recovering I made a trip to the hospital."

Vijay isn't the Indian star to let his health suffer because of overwork. Some years ago Priyanka Chopra who was shooting round-the-clock had to be hospitalized for dehydration.



Source: FPJ

New procedure could help regrow tissue lost to periodontal disease

Posted: 22 Mar 2019 12:04 AM PDT

Washington D.C.: A new research has reported the development of a membrane that helps periodontal tissue regenerate when implanted into the gums of rats.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about half of all Americans will have periodontal disease at some point in their lives. Characterized by inflamed gums and bone loss around teeth, the condition can cause bad breath, toothache, tender gums and, in severe cases, tooth loss.

The research was published in ACS Nano Journal. To re-grow lost gum tissue and bone, scientists have tried implanting pieces of polymers that form a protected niche near the root of a tooth; recruiting nearby stem cells and helping them differentiate into new gum and bone cells.

However, a second surgery is usually required to remove the polymeric membrane, which can get in the way of the healing process. Although researchers have developed biodegradable membranes, these materials don't tend to work as well for re-growing periodontal tissue.

Alireza Moshaverinia, Paul Weiss and colleagues wanted to develop a membrane that would enhance periodontal tissue regeneration and then be absorbed by the body when healing was complete. The researchers made nanofibrous membranes of poly (e-caprolactone), a biocompatible polymer already approved for medical applications.

They then coated the membrane with polydopamine (PDA), a synthetic polymer that mimics the sticky protein that mussels use to attach to wet surfaces. In the lab, dental-derived stem cells adhered to the membrane and differentiated. The PDA coating also attracted calcium and phosphate ions, leading to early bone mineralization.

When the researchers implanted the membranes into the gums of rats with periodontal defects, bone at the defect sites regenerated to normal levels within eight weeks. By this time, the membranes had degraded and were absorbed by the rats. Now, the researchers are working on adding other components to the membrane that aid healing and prevent infection.



Source: FPJ

Kalank: Details of Varun Dhawan, Kiara Advani’s entry song ‘First Class’ revealed

Posted: 22 Mar 2019 12:04 AM PDT

The team of Kalank is gearing up to bring out a foot-tapper from the album, today. Titled First Class, the song registers Zafar's (Varun Dhawan) entry in the period film, directed by Abhishek Varman. The track, penned by Amitabh Bhattacharya and choreographed by Remo D'Souza, was shot over a period of four-five days with a few days of rehearsals. Pritam, who has composed the song said, "The idea was to come up with a track that feels like a retro number from the 50s. We had to create a fun, mohalla song which has masti and mazak with a beautiful underlying layer of emotion. Striking that balance in terms of lyrics and the tune was challenging. It felt amazing when we finally cracked it."

Set in Hira Mandi, First Class presents nuances of Varun's character with a subtle play of lyrics in a light-hearted manner. Elaborating on this, Pritam said, "The character is being introduced to the audience; he talks about a lot of things he feels, sees and experiences around him, but believes 'sab first class hai.' That's how we got the title of the song. While I can't reveal the relevance of this number in the plot, I can just say that it takes the narrative ahead."

Varun, who enjoys dancing thoroughly, relished filming the number. Pritam recalled the time when the actor first heard the track. "Varun loves songs that have a fun vibe. In this case, he also liked the kind of sound we created. It's that rare mix of Indian instruments — we've emphasised on using live dholkis and dhols. It actually felt like I was a composer in the Partition era because I was recording the sound with so many live instrumentalists," the composer recalled.

Kalank is a Partition drama set in the 1940s starring Sanjay Dutt, Varun, Aditya Roy Kapur, Alia Bhatt, Sonakshi Sinha and Madhuri Dixit. Fox Star Studios presents Kalank, A Dharma Productions & Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment film, directed by Abhishek Varman, to release on 17th April 2019. Produced by Karan Johar, Sajid Nadiadwala, Hiroo Yash Johar & Apoorva Mehta. Co-Produced by Fox Star Studios.



Source: FPJ

Nirav Modi’s arrest is event-based politics and does not make sense: Sam Pitroda

Posted: 22 Mar 2019 12:04 AM PDT

New Delhi: Sam Pitroda, a close confidant of Congress president Rahul Gandhi, on Friday described the arrest of fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi in London as an "event" and said the courts will the decide such cases. He was replying to a question on Nirav Modi during an exclusive interview to ANI.

Asked about the BJP charge that most of the economic offenders got freebies and easy loans due to political pressure during the UPA government and that the current BJP-led dispensation made stricter laws, he said, "Look, I don't buy all this crap. All I say is event-based politics does not make sense. This is an event. Nirav Modi is an event."

Pitroda, also the chairman of Overseas Indian National Congress, said, "I am talking more about the holistic approach which is inclusion, which is embedded in what kind of nation you want to build. Whether one fellow went abroad with Rs five thousand-crore loan or seven thousand-crore loan….Fine, it is important. But this is not embedded in nation-building.

Today, crisis is really embedded in two things — inclusion and do I really want a nation where everybody is divided." Replying to questions on economic offenders, he said, "Let the courts decide. The court will decide it. What is the issue?" When pointed out that criminality lay because people took Indian money away to foreign shores, Pitroda said, "Let the courts decide….there is enough power in courts here. They are wise enough to decide. Let them handle it." Nirav Modi was arrested by the Scotland Yard in connection with a loan default case in India on Tuesday afternoon (local time). He was produced before a London court which sent him to the jail after rejecting his plea for bail. He will be in the judicial custody till March 29.



Source: FPJ

MeToo Shocker! Ranbir Kapoor calls RajKumar Hirani ‘amazing human being’ despite sexual harrasmnet allegations

Posted: 22 Mar 2019 12:04 AM PDT

At the Zee Cine awards on Wednesday night Ranbir Kapoor who won the best actor award for his performance in Rajkumar Hirani's Sanju, shocked the audience by thanking the director and calling him an "amazing human being" and an "amazing filmmaker".

Hirani has been called out for sexual harassment some time ago. His name is yet to be cleared. At the Oscars ceremony in February when Rami Malek won the best actor award for Bohemian Rhapsody during his thankyou speech, he completely ignored director Bryan Singer who has been named in the Me Too movement.

A source close to the Kapoor family says Ranbir has decided to keep himself distanced from the allegations against Hirani. "In fact from what I hear they (Hirani and Ranbir) are planning to work together again," informs the source.

And why not? Sanju is Ranbir's first and only blockbuster in years.

This mere-ko-kya-lena-dena attitude is not the least surprising. In the Hindi film industry success far out-weighs all moral consideration. It is easy to make an example out of Sajid Khan and sack him from the director's seat in Housefull 4 (and that too only after leading man Akshay Kumar insisted). But when it comes to a personality of Rajkumar Hirani's stature everyone, including the vocal sections of the #MeToo movement, goes mum.

That's the way the cookie crumbles, Take it or leave it.



Source: FPJ
Posted by Shri Krishna
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