Qurat ul Ain Khan Qurat ul Ain – Page 4

Maharashtra state employees protest for higher pension benefits

March 18, 2023 by Qurat ul Ain Khan Qurat ul Ain

Haryana and Nagaland began demanding greater pensions.
Employees are advocating for the reinstatement of a pension scheme.
Over 1.7 million employees have been on strike in Mumbai.

Hundreds of state employees protested in the western Indian state of Maharashtra on Friday, joining workers in other states who are demanding higher pension benefits.

Following the increase in pension benefits in opposition-controlled states, government employees in other states, particularly those ruled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s party, such as Haryana and Nagaland, began demanding greater pensions.

Employees are advocating for the reinstatement of a pension scheme that was suspended nearly two decades ago.

In 2004, the federal government and the majority of states repealed a program that provided employees with a state-funded life-long pension equal to nearly half of their pay. It was replaced with a program funded by employee and government payments.

Over 1.7 million employees have been on strike in Mumbai, the state capital, and other cities since Tuesday, according to union leaders, who have rejected a government invitation to convene a panel to address workers’ requests.

“The perils of the new pension scheme are visible,” Vishwas Katakar, organizer of a committee of 35 protesting unions, told sources, adding employees faced a bleak future without adequate pension benefits.

According to him, the new pension program, which invests in stocks and state bonds, offered an employee with a monthly pension of 2,000-5,000 rupees ($24-$60), which was less than a fourth of the benefits under the old scheme.

The state finance minister, Devendra Fadnavis, told MPs earlier this month that the existing pension program was no longer viable due to fiscal limitations.

Experts believe that demand for increased pension benefits will be a major electoral issue in the next state assembly and general elections next year

“This is a genuine demand of employees. The federal government should find a way within fiscal constraints,” said N.R. Bhanumurthy, an economist and the vice chancellor at B.R. Ambedkar School of Economics University, Bengaluru.

On Friday, the government of Himachal Pradesh, a northern Himalayan state where the main opposition Congress party took power from Modi’s party earlier in December, reinstated the old pension program for state employees.

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Egyptian & Turkish officials meet in Cairo for the first time in decade

March 18, 2023 by Qurat ul Ain Khan Qurat ul Ain

Egypt’s government said that Turkish firms had pledged $500 million in new investments in Egypt.
The next year, Sisi was elected president.
Consultations between senior foreign ministry officials in Ankara and Cairo began in 2021.

Egypt’s foreign minister said talks with Turkey about resuming ambassadorial ties will take place at “the proper moment,” during Turkey’s top diplomat’s first visit to Cairo since ties were severed a decade ago.

At a joint press conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu stated Turkey will strengthen its diplomatic relations with Egypt to ambassador level “as soon as possible”.

“I’m very glad that we are taking concrete steps for normalising relations with Egypt… We will do our best not to rupture our ties again in future,” Cavusoglu said.

Shoukry said: “We will come to talks (on restoring ambassadors) at the appropriate time, depending on the positive results it brings”.

Turkey-Egypt relations were severely strained when Egypt’s then-army chief, Abdul Fattah Al Sisi, led the removal of Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohammad Mursi, an Ankara ally, in 2013.

The next year, Sisi was elected president.

Shoukry visited Turkey last month as a display of sympathy following the massive earthquakes that killed over 50,000 people in Turkey and Syria.

In recent years, the two nations have clashed over Libya, where they backed opposite forces in an unresolved conflict, as well as maritime borders in the gas-rich Eastern Mediterranean.

Consultations between senior foreign ministry officials in Ankara and Cairo began in 2021, as Turkey seeks to reduce tensions with Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Israel, and Saudi Arabia.

As part of that fragile rapprochement, Ankara requested that Egyptian opposition TV outlets broadcasting in Turkey temper their criticism of Egypt.

Mursi died in Egyptian jail in 2019. Several key members of the Muslim Brotherhood are imprisoned or have fled Egypt, and the organisation remains illegal.

Last month, Egypt’s government said that Turkish firms had pledged $500 million in new investments in Egypt, despite the country’s severe cash shortage.

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Tigray region of Ethiopia appoints new interim leader

March 18, 2023 by Qurat ul Ain Khan Qurat ul Ain

Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) fought Ethiopian forces and their supporters.
If the federal government approves Getachew’s nomination, he will succeed TPLF leader Debretsion Gebremichael.
It is unclear when the federal government will make a decision.

The dominant party in Ethiopia‘s northern Tigray area has nominated its spokesman Getachew Reda to lead a regional interim administration called for in a peace agreement that ended a two-year war in the region, according to party-run media on Saturday.

In a battle that murdered tens of thousands of people, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) fought Ethiopian forces and their supporters. After a string of battlefield successes by federal forces, a truce was achieved last November.

If the federal government approves Getachew’s nomination, which was reported by the TPLF-controlled Tigrai TV, he will succeed TPLF leader Debretsion Gebremichael, who has headed Tigray since 2018.

It is unclear when the federal government will make a decision on Getachew’s nomination or when the temporary administration will be established.

Legesse Tulu, an Ethiopian government spokesperson, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

According to charity workers, the lack of an interim administration has hampered the humanitarian response across Tigray, where millions are in desperate need of assistance.

Wages for civil officials and medical professionals have not been paid, and humanitarian organizations have reported a lack of a clear interlocutor.

Getachew’s nomination came just days after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Ethiopia and complimented the country’s leaders for making progress in implementing the peace treaty while cautioning that more work was needed.

During that visit, Blinken emphasized the significance of establishing the temporary administration with Getachew and Ethiopian officials.

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Poliovirus generated from vaccine discovered in Burundi and DRC

March 18, 2023 by Qurat ul Ain Khan Qurat ul Ain

Seven-day anti-polio campaign begins across country

The Burundian authorities declared the viral identification a national public health emergency.
Infections were verified in an unvaccinated four-year-old kid.
Burundi aims to begin a polio vaccine campaign for all eligible children aged up to 7 years.

The World Health Organization and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative reported incidences of vaccine-derived poliovirus in Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

According to the WHO, the Burundian authorities declared the viral identification a national public health emergency after infections were verified in an unvaccinated four-year-old kid in the Isale district of western Burundi, as well as two other children who were his contacts.

The presence of circulating poliovirus type 2 was confirmed in five additional samples from environmental surveillance of wastewater in Burundi, according to the WHO.

Circulating poliovirus type 2 differs from wild poliovirus in that infections arise when a weakened strain of poliovirus contained in the oral polio vaccination circulates for long periods of time among under-immunized populations.

The findings are significant because they are the first to be connected to the administration of a new vaccination, the novel oral poliomyelitis vaccine type 2 (nOPV2), which was created expressly to lower this risk.

According to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 was discovered in six children in the DRC’s eastern Tanganyika and South Kivu provinces.

Burundi aims to begin a polio vaccine campaign for all eligible children aged up to 7 years in the next weeks, with assistance from the WHO and GPEI, according to the WHO.

“While detection of these outbreaks is a tragedy for the family and communities affected, it is not unexpected with wider use of the vaccine,” said the GPEI, a partnership made up of the WHO, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and other global health bodies.

It stated that 600 million doses of the new vaccine had been provided in 28 countries since March 2021, and that the vaccination was both safe and effective.

According to the GPEI, the DRC has scheduled a vaccine programme for April.

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Saudi Arabia introduces new amendment to granting citizenship

March 18, 2023 by Qurat ul Ain Khan Qurat ul Ain

Saudi Arabia declared that some persons would be granted citizenship.
The judgement was posted on the Emirate of Mecca Province’s official Twitter account.
The decision will take effect on the date it is published.

Saudi Arabia declared that some persons would be granted citizenship based on a decision to be issued by the Prime Minister and approved by the Ministry of Interior.

The judgement was posted on the Emirate of Mecca Province’s official Twitter account.

The decision, which was published in the official gazette “Um Al Qura” on Friday, amends Article Eight of the Saudi Nationality Law.

According to the ruling, Saudi nationality may be awarded by order of the Prime Minister based on a proposal from the Ministry of Interior.

This is a significant departure from prior rules, since Article 28 of the Saudi Nationality Law’s Executive Regulations, which required the Minister of Interior to take appropriate judgements to award nationality in line with Article 8 of the Law, has been repealed.

The decision will take effect on the date it is published, and it will be conveyed to those who must accept it and act in compliance with it.

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Hajj 2023: Saudi Arabia opens registration for domestic pilgrims

March 18, 2023 by Qurat ul Ain Khan Qurat ul Ain

Muslims in Saudi Arabia have until the 10th of Ramadan to register for this year’s Hajj trip.
Ramadan, the lunar month of fasting, is set to begin on Thursday.
The ministry announced opening electronic registration for Saudi nationals and Muslim.

Muslims in Saudi Arabia have until the 10th of Ramadan to register for this year’s Hajj trip, according to the kingdom’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

The ministry said on Twitter that applications for Hajj by Saudi nationals and foreigners resident in the country who have not previously performed the annual pilgrimage will be accepted until Ramadan 10.

Registration will start the next day for Saudis and expatriate residents who conducted Hajj at least five years ago, until all places are filled, according to the government.

Ramadan, the lunar month of fasting, is set to begin on Thursday.

Registration is done using the website https://localhaj.haj.gov.sa or the Nusuk app.

In January, the ministry announced opening electronic registration for Saudi nationals and Muslim expats living in Saudi Arabia who intend to conduct Hajj this year.

After being permitted to do Hajj, one of Islam’s five essential tasks, domestic pilgrims are chosen at random using an online lottery method.

The ministry has revealed four Hajj plans for domestic pilgrims, with prices ranging from SR3984 to SR11,841.

Domestic pilgrims can also pay Hajj payments for this year’s journey in three installments, rather than all at once, as was previously the case.

The third and final installment is due by 10/10/1444, which is less than two months before the start of the Hajj ceremonies in late June this year.

The monarchy has announced that there would be no restrictions on the number of pilgrims from all over the world for the 2018 Hajj season, overturning prior restrictions imposed in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Saudi Arabia has reduced the number of Muslims permitted to undertake Hajj in the last two years in order to avoid the spread of COVID-19.

In the pre-pandemic era, around 2.5 million Muslims would perform Hajj each year.

Muslims who are physically and financially capable of doing Hajj must do it at least once in their lives.

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US accuses Beijing of attempting to conceal North Korean crimes

March 18, 2023 by Qurat ul Ain Khan Qurat ul Ain

The United States accused China g to conceal North Korea’s crimes by blocking the webcast of an informal meeting.
China and Russia claim that the Security Council should not consider human rights problems.
They argue that such gatherings should be limited to other United Nations organizations.

The United States accused China on Friday of seeking to conceal North Korea’s crimes by blocking the webcast of an informal meeting of United Nations Security Council members on Pyongyang’s human rights violations.

“Some council members are all too willing to shield the regime from accountability,” U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the meeting in a veiled reference to China and Russia.

China and Russia claim that the Security Council, which has 15 members and is responsible for ensuring international peace and security, should not consider human rights problems. They argue that such gatherings should be limited to other United Nations organizations such as the Human Rights Council or the General Assembly.

Not constructive

The meeting, co-hosted by the US and Albania, was “not constructive in any way,” according to Chinese envoy Xing Jisheng.

“Instead of easing tension, it may rather intensify the conflict and therefore is an irresponsible move. Using U.N. WebTV for live broadcast is a waste of U.N. resources,” he said.

To allow such informal meetings to be streamed by the UN, all 15 council members must agree, and diplomats claimed it was unusual for a broadcast to be banned. Despite China’s decision, the meeting on Friday was open to the public and journalists.

Thomas-Greenfield said North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs were “inextricably linked to the regime’s human rights abuses.”

“The pursuit of weapons of mass destruction always trumps human rights and humanitarian needs of its people,” she said. “(North Korean leader) Kim Jong Un has chosen ammunition instead of nutrition, missiles over humankind.”

North Korea did not attend the summit. The United Nations delegation did not respond to a request for comment.

Pyongyang disputes claims of human rights violations and blames sanctions for North Korea’s dismal humanitarian situation. Since 2006, the country has been sanctioned by the United Nations for its ballistic missile and nuclear programs.

“The feigned hypocritical concern of the West about human rights in North Korea isn’t fooling anybody,” Russian diplomat Stepan Kuzmenkov told the meeting. “Everybody knows full well that the U.S. uses human rights to settle scores with governments not to their liking.”

According to diplomats, the United Nations Security Council will conduct a formal meeting on Monday in response to North Korea’s launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile on Thursday.

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Wyoming becomes first US state to outlaw abortion pills

March 18, 2023 by Qurat ul Ain Khan Qurat ul Ain

Wyoming has become the first state in the United States to outlaw abortion pills.
Violations can result in up to six months in prison and a $9,000 fine.
Abortion pills are the most often used technique of terminating a pregnancy.

Wyoming has become the first state in the United States to outlaw abortion pills after its governor signed legislation making prescription or selling them unlawful.

Violations can result in up to six months in prison and a $9,000 fine.

Women “upon whom a chemical abortion is performed or attempted” will not be prosecuted.

On the same day that Mark Gordon signed the measure, a Texas court was deliberating on a lawsuit that may essentially prohibit a popular abortion medication statewide.

In the United States, abortion pills are the most often used technique of terminating a pregnancy.

The Wyoming bill, which was passed by the state’s Republican-controlled legislature earlier this month, makes it illegal to “prescribe, dispense, distribute, sell or use any drug for the purpose of procuring or performing an abortion”.

The bill is set to go into force on July 1.

It does not cover morning-after medications or therapy to save a woman’s health or life.

It also exempts treatment of a “natural miscarriage according to currently accepted medical guidelines”.

Wyoming American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) advocacy director Antonio Serrano criticised the bill, saying “a person’s health, not politics, should guide important medical decisions – including the decision to have an abortion”.

Wyoming has only one abortion clinic: the Women’s Health & Family Care Clinic in Jackson.

The state is one of many where legal battles over abortion laws have raged since the Supreme Court overturned the landmark 1973 Roe v Wade decision legalising abortion.

More than a dozen states have passed near-total abortion prohibitions, many of which have been overturned by the courts.

Mr Gordon, a Republican, also stated that he would allow a separate, broader bill that prohibits abortion except in restricted cases to become law without his signature on Sunday. Both this restriction and the ban on abortion medicines may face legal challenges. It is unclear when a broader prohibition might go into effect.

More states have imposed limits on abortion medicine, such as requiring a doctor’s visit before purchasing a pill.

Meanwhile, in Texas, Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, an appointment of former President Donald Trump, is scheduled to decide soon on whether mifepristone, a routinely used abortion pill, should be sold in the United States, in a decision that may limit access to the medicine statewide.

Mifepristone may be administered at home and is used in more than half of all pregnancy terminations in the United States.

The court is due to rule on a complaint brought in Texas by an anti-abortion organisation claiming that the drug’s safety was never adequately researched by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which authorises medications.

The administration of President Joe Biden has maintained that the approval of mifepristone was fully backed by science.

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India: S Jaishankar says situation with China is fragile, dangerous

March 18, 2023 by Qurat ul Ain Khan Qurat ul Ain

The two sides clashed in the region in mid-2020.
At least 24 troops were killed.
Jaishankar said he discussed the matter with China’s new foreign minister, Qin Gang.

Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar says the situation between India and China in the western Himalayan region of Ladakh is fragile, and dangerous, with armed units posted quite close to each other in some areas.

When the two sides clashed in the region in mid-2020, at least 24 troops were killed, but the situation has since been resolved through rounds of diplomatic and military discussions.

In December, violence flared in the eastern portion of the undemarcated border between the nuclear-armed Asia giants, but no one was killed.

“The situation to my mind still remains very fragile because there are places where our deployments are very close up and in military assessment therefore quite dangerous,” Jaishankar said at an India Today conclave.

In-principle agreement

He stated that India-China relations cannot return to normal unless the border dispute is settled in accordance with the in-principle agreement he struck with his Chinese counterpart in September 2020.

“The Chinese have to deliver on what was agreed to, and they have struggled with that.”

Although both sides’ forces have disengaged from numerous places, Jaishankar stated that conversations are still ongoing on the remaining issues.

“We have made it very clear to the Chinese that we cannot have a breach of peace and tranquility, you can’t violate the agreement and want the rest of the relationship to continue as though nothing happened. That’s just not tenable.”

On the margins of a conference of G20 foreign ministers hosted by India this month, Jaishankar said he discussed the matter with China’s new foreign minister, Qin Gang.

On India’s chairmanship of G20 this year, Jaishankar expressed hope that New Delhi can make the gathering “more true to its global mandate”.

“The G20 should not be a debating club or an arena only of the global north. The entirety of global concerns need to be captured. We have already made that point very forcefully,” Jaishankar said.

Russia’s 13-month invasion of Ukraine has dominated two G20 ministerial meetings in India in the previous three weeks.

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Tom Cruise in complete awe of upcoming DCU Film

March 18, 2023 by Qurat ul Ain Khan Qurat ul Ain

Hollywood star Tom Cruise is in complete awe of the DCU film.
Fans should start celebrating now that Cruise has given it a glowing review.
Discovery CEO David Zaslav couldn’t stop gushing about the DC Universe flick.

Hollywood star Tom Cruise is in complete awe of the DCU film, The Flash after he watches an early screening of it.

Fans have been praising the DCEU film The Flash, starring Ezra Miller, since the teaser debuted. After seeing the film ahead of its release, Hollywood actor Tom Cruise has also provided his opinion. Fans should start celebrating now that Cruise has given it a glowing review. Andy Muschietti is the director of the picture. Continue reading to find out what Cruise had to say about the highly anticipated DC film.

It is a standalone film based on Barry Allen’s narrative in an alternate timeline. The events of DC Comics’ The Flashpoint were the inspiration for Miller’s film. It returns to the events of 2013, but in a different rendition.

Back to Tom Cruise analysing The Flash, as per a source in The Hollywood Reporter, Cruise recently met with the Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav. Zaslav couldn’t stop gushing about the DC Universe flick, which piqued the interest of the Top Gun: Maverick star. According to reports, Tom asked the CEO to see it, and one of the staffers went to the actor’s Beverly Hills home with the film. According to reports, the employee stayed at Cruise’s residence until the movie was done.

The report further stated that Tom Cruise was pretty impressed by the film, The Flash. He even called the director Andy Muschietti to share his remarks with him. And as per a few insiders, he heaped praises for the film. Tom reportedly said, “[The Flash] is everything you want in a movie,” and that, “this is the kind of movie we need now.”

Tom Cruise is one of Hollywood’s most recognised performers, with an outstanding career, and his last film Top Gun: Maverick won an Oscar for Best Sound.

Apart from the intriguing premise, Ezra Miller’s The Flash will feature both Ben Affleck and Michael Keaton’s Batman, which has heightened the enthusiasm of DC fans. The film will be released in theatres on June 16th.

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US Resumes Drone Flights Over Black Sea After Russia Intercept

March 18, 2023 by Qurat ul Ain Khan Qurat ul Ain

RQ-4 Global Hawk drone flew a mission to the region on Friday.
The incident will not prevent Washington from performing such missions, says the pentagon.
The incident served as a reminder of the danger of direct conflict between the US and Russia.

Two US sources stated on Friday that the US has resumed surveillance drone flights over the Black Sea region following a Russian fighter jet intercept on Tuesday that resulted in the downing of a US surveillance drone.

According to officials, an RQ-4 Global Hawk drone flew a mission to the region on Friday, the first such operation since the Tuesday incident. Pentagon officials have repeatedly stated this week that the incident will not prevent Washington from performing such missions.

Yet, the downing of a US MQ-9 drone on Tuesday was the first direct US-Russian encounter since the start of the Ukraine war, exacerbating already strained relations between Washington and Moscow as both governments publicly exchanged blame.

Sharp maneuvering

Russia has refuted US charges that its two Su-24 fighter fighters operated dangerously around the unmanned US aircraft, instead blaming the disaster on “sharp maneuvering” by the drone.

The Pentagon, on the other hand, published a video on Thursday showing a Russian Su-27 fighter jet flying very close to the drone and dumping gasoline near it, in what US officials claimed was an apparent attempt to harm the US aircraft as it flew.

The video also showed the video feed being lost following another near-Russian maneuver, which the Military claimed was caused by a Russian jet colliding with the drone.

The video concludes with views of the drone’s damaged propeller, which was caused by the impact, rendering the aircraft inoperable and causing it to crash into deep waters, according to the Military.

The incident in international waters served as a reminder of the danger of direct conflict between the US and Russia over Ukraine, which Moscow invaded more than a year ago and which Western allies have supported with intelligence and weaponry.

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‘Batman’ Robert Pattinson was so much inspired by ‘Harry Potter’ Daniel Radcliffe

March 18, 2023 by Qurat ul Ain Khan Qurat ul Ain

Robert Pattinson is making headlines for his second ‘The Batman’ film.
Only pop culture fans are aware that the Batman actor was previously a member of the Harry Potter films.
The actor is the latest in a long line of performers who have performed the role of Batman.

‘Batman’ actor Robert Pattinson was starstruck when by Harry Potter cast, when he appeared as Cedric Diggory.

Robert Pattinson is making headlines for his second ‘The Batman’ film. While his last trip as the caped crusader was well appreciated by the superhero community, they are impatiently awaiting the sequel. Only pop culture fans are aware that the Batman actor was previously a member of the Harry Potter films.

Many people are unaware that Robert rose to prominence as Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Before he become renowned as Edward Cullen in 2008’s Twilight, the actor was initially starstruck by his fellow Harry Potter castmates.

During a conversation, Robert Pattinson looked back at his role in the Harry Potter movies. When I did Harry Potter, I remember looking at Dan [Daniel Radcliffe], Rupert [Grint], and Emma [Watson] and being like, ‘Those guys are actors,’” said the Batman actor. He later added, “I was starstruck by them. And I was starstruck by these guys when I met them, even though I’d only seen Kristen in a few things. I’ve always had this separation.”

The Batman actor later added about filming alongside the other cast members of Harry Potter movies. “It’s funny to see people get humanized. With Dan, Rupert, and Emma, I still see them as that. I was with them for 11 months and I still see them as massively famous people,” said Robert Pattinson

Yet, the actor had no clue that faith had other ideas for him, as three years down the line, he would become a global darling. Following his appearance in 2008’s Twilight, Robert Pattinson’s picture went on to make $407 million worldwide, becoming one of the year’s highest-grossing films.

Not to mention his role as Bruce Wayne, whose alter ego, Batman, wants retribution for the DC universe. The actor is the latest in a long line of performers who have performed the role of Batman. Yet, reviewers and moviegoers have complimented Pattinson for his unique take on the role and are looking forward to ‘The Batman – Part 2’.

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Liam Payne gives ‘One Direction’ friends credit for helping him get over ‘Dark Times’

March 18, 2023 by Qurat ul Ain Khan Qurat ul Ain

Liam Payne has credited his One Direction bandmates with helping him through “a dark time.”
Liam felt it was “massively important” that he supported Louis.
Liam Payne has five-year-old son Bear with ex-girlfriend Cheryl.

Liam Payne has credited his One Direction bandmates with helping him through “a dark time.”

The 29-year-old pop star rose to fame in 2010 as a member of One Direction alongside Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Harry Styles, and despite the fact that the group has been on hiatus since 2016, Liam felt it was “massively important” that he supported Louis at the premiere of his documentary ‘All of Those Voices’ on Thursday.

Liam Payne told: “I’m feeling good, I’m so excited. I was trying to surprise Louis by coming in but I didn’t know how I was going to get in otherwise.”

Liam Payne added, “It was massively important for me to be here, I’ll be honest with you – all the boys have been here for me and I’ve suffered a bit of a dark time in my life at the moment, and honestly, I wouldn’t be here without the boys.”

The ‘Strip That Down’ hitmaker, who has five-year-old son Bear with ex-girlfriend Cheryl but has been seeing Kate Cassidy since October last year, went on to add that he was “so eager” to see the new documentary.

He added: “I’m so excited to see this. I can’t wait. He is so passionate about what he does. Even being here, it is so nostalgic and these guys are all amazing so I am really excited for him.

Last month, Liam Payne stated that while he “cannot see” the band reuniting, he would be “surprised” if their paths did not cross again in some fashion at some time.

He said: “Getting back together at some point is hard to imagine right now. But I’d be surprised if we lived out our lives and didn’t have a moment where we had a reunion, or whatever you want to call it. I’d be up for that. I do miss the boys and I do definitely miss being one of the five, but I like doing my own thing too.”

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The Crown Season 6: first look of Kate Middleton & Prince William Unveiled

March 18, 2023 by Qurat ul Ain Khan Qurat ul Ain

It has been speculated that Crown Season 6 will focus on the Royal Family in the ’90s.
The Crown’s sixth season, now filming in Saint Andrews, Scotland.
The Crown ceased shooting on the day of Queen Elizabeth II’s death in September 2022.

It has been speculated that Crown Season 6 will focus on the Royal Family in the ’90s.

The Crown’s sixth season, now filming in Saint Andrews, Scotland, will star Ed McVey and Meg Bellamy as college-age Prince William and Kate Middleton, respectively.

The pair met at the University of Saint Andrews in 2001, and cameras captured the actors filming a scene that seemed to be a prospective meet-cute on March 17, according to sources.

When they met, newspapers have been obsessed with Prince William and Kate Middleton’s relationship. They got engaged in November 2010 and married at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011. Prince George of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales, and Prince Louis of Wales are their three children.

This season is expected to focus on the Royal Family in the 1990s, particularly the loss of William’s mother, Princess Diana. Although it is thought that they will not reveal the moment of death, they will depict the events leading up to and after it.

The Crown ceased shooting on the day of Queen Elizabeth II’s death in September 2022, and also stated that work would be halted on the day of her funeral.

According to reports, Prince William has lately been under fire when his brother, Prince Harry, said in his memoirs that William physically beat Harry after disparaging his wife, Meghan Markle.

After reportedly calling Markle “difficult,” “rude” and “abrasive,” Harry wrote that William “grabbed me by the collar, ripping my necklace, and knocked me to the floor.”

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Selena Gomez becomes first woman with 400 million followers on Instagram

March 18, 2023 by Qurat ul Ain Khan Qurat ul Ain

Selena Gomez becomes the most followed woman on Instagram, with 400 million followers.
The Kardashian sister lost fans as a result of her role in reportedly abusing the phenomenal pop singer.
The Hailey Bieber scandal helped her acquire more publicity, resulting in an increase in followers.

Selena Gomez puts another feather to her head by being the most followed woman on Instagram, with 400 million followers; Kylie Jenner and others trail far behind.

Selena Gomez has dethroned Kylie Jenner as the Most Following Women Celebrity on Instagram. In fact, the Kardashian sister lost fans as a result of her role in reportedly abusing the phenomenal pop singer during the Hailey Bieber fight. Sel is now celebrating after being the first woman to reach 400 million followers on the social networking site.

A lot has transpired recently, yet everything has worked out well for Selena. Hailey Bieber and her BFFs Kylie Jenner and Kendall Jenner convinced followers that they were trying to harass Gomez through social media posts and TikTok videos. In the midst of all the hostility, the Only Murders In The Building actress even deserted social media. But Selenators, as her admirers are known, were out for vengeance, and the consequence is obvious to everyone.

Selena Gomez is the first and only woman to have 400 million Instagram followers. The actress has been quite active on social media, and her unedited postings are very popular. Furthermore, the Hailey Bieber scandal helped her acquire more publicity, resulting in an increase in followers. She is third on the list, only after football giants Cristiano Ronaldo (562 million) and Lionel Messi (442 million).

Meanwhile, Kylie Jenner is the second most followed woman on Instagram, with 382 million followers. The other ladies in the Top 10 are Ariana Grande (361 million), Kim Kardashian (348 million), Beyonce (300 million), and Khloe Kardashian (348 million). Taylor Swift, Selena’s best friend, is ranked 15th with 249 million followers.

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Military fight against US: North Korea claims almost 800,000 people have signed up

March 18, 2023 by Qurat ul Ain Khan Qurat ul Ain

Some 800,000 students and workers across the country expressed a desire to register.
North Korea launched an intercontinental ballistic missile.
Kim accused the US and South Korea of inflaming tensions through military drills.

North Korea claims that about 800,000 of its citizens volunteered to join or reenlist in the nation’s military to fight against the United States, North Korea’s state newspaper reported on Saturday.

Some 800,000 students and workers across the country expressed a desire to register or reenlist in the military to resist the US on Friday alone.

North Korea made the allegation after launching its Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Thursday in retaliation to ongoing US-South Korean military drills.

North Korea launched the intercontinental ballistic missile into the sea between the Korean peninsula and Japan on Thursday, just hours before South Korea’s president traveled to Tokyo for a summit to discuss how to resist the nuclear-armed North.

The North’s ballistic missiles are prohibited by UN Security Council resolutions, and the launch was condemned by governments in Seoul, Washington, and Tokyo.

On Monday, South Korean and US soldiers began 11 days of joint exercises called “Freedom Shield 23” to address the North’s mounting threats.

Kim accused the US and South Korea of inflaming tensions through military drills.

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‘Kill Bill’ star Lucy Liu didn’t do a lot of research

March 18, 2023 by Qurat ul Ain Khan Qurat ul Ain

Lucy Liu discusses her parenting experience.
The actress gave birth to a boy called Rockwell through gestational surrogacy in 2015.
She now claimed she did very little study before making the life-changing choice.

Lucy Liu, who played the femme fatale O-Ren Ishii in Quentin Tarantino’s cult masterpiece ‘Kill Bill,’ discusses her parenting experience.

Lucy Liu, who portrayed O-Ren Ishii in Quentin Tarantino’s cult film ‘Kill Bill,’ said she “didn’t have a plan” and just “pulled the trigger” when she decided to become a single mother.

The actress gave birth to a boy called Rockwell through gestational surrogacy in 2015, and she’s now claimed she did very little study before making the life-changing choice because she was afraid she’d “think” herself out of it, according to reports.

In an interview, Lucy Liu explained: “I didn’t have a plan. I just thought, ‘I want to change the conversation a little bit’. I didn’t mull it over too much. I didn’t do a lot of research, I just pulled the trigger”.

Lucy Liu said, “I can think myself out of something easily. If I think too much I won’t do it. It’s better for me to feel something and just go for it. A lot of people read books about parenting. I didn’t do any of that. I was like, ‘When the child is here, I’m just going to figure it out’.”

The 54-year-old actress then explained why she opted to raise Rockwell in her hometown of New York City, stating that she wanted him to experience more of the world.

Lucy Liu added, “I definitely wanted to raise a kid in New York. People will say, ‘It’s not convenient, you don’t even have a car,’ but this way, they’re going to see all the things. You’re going to show them what’s safe and what’s not, and they’re going to understand that through experience. It’s hard to build common sense when you’re in a car all the time. They’re going to smell the smells.”

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Turkey will begin ratifying Finland’s NATO membership, after months of opposition

March 18, 2023 by Qurat ul Ain Khan Qurat ul Ain

Recep Tayyip Erdogan made the statement alongside Finnish President Sauli Niinistö.
Finland has taken “real actions” to address Turkey’s worries about terrorist organizations, says Sauli Niinistö.
Finland and Sweden announced their intention to join NATO in May 2022.

Turkey‘s president has announced that his government will begin ratifying Finland’s NATO membership application, clearing the path for the country to join the security alliance after months of delay.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan made the statement alongside Finnish President Sauli Niinistö, who said Finland has taken “real actions” to address Turkey’s worries about terrorist organizations.

Finland and Sweden announced their intention to join NATO in May 2022, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which forced the two countries to surrender their long-held non-aligned status.

The move was a loss for Moscow, as the Ukrainian war triggered the type of NATO enlargement that Russia invaded Ukraine to prevent.

Almost all NATO leaders supported Finland and Sweden’s bids, but under NATO regulations, only one member state can block a new applicant’s admission.

‘Positively’

Erdogan of Turkey threw a spoke in the wheel when he declared he could not see both nations joining NATO “positively,” accusing them of harboring Kurdish “terrorist organizations.”

“We have decided to start the parliamentary ratification process of Finland’s NATO Accession Protocol,” Erdogan said at the news conference in Ankara.

Erdogan said he believes NATO “will become even stronger through Finland’s membership.”

“It is very good to hear this news,” Niinistö added.

Erdogan’s approval eliminates a key impediment to Finland’s Nato membership.

Separately, Hungary’s ruling party announced that it would support Finland’s entry. A parliamentary vote had been postponed after Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban accused Finland and Sweden of disseminating “outright lies” about his country’s performance on rule of law.

In late February, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated that while Turkey had raised some reservations about both Sweden’s and Finland’s applications, it was primarily concerned about Sweden’s.

On Friday, Niinistö urged Turkey to reconsider Sweden’s offer.

“I have a feeling that Finnish NATO membership is not complete without Sweden,” he said.

Yet Erdogan said Turkey would not modify its position to Sweden’s NATO candidature unless “positive steps” were done.

Turkey accuses Sweden of harboring members of terrorist organizations, which Sweden rejects.

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John Wick: Chapter 4 gates for advance bookings open in india

March 18, 2023 by Qurat ul Ain Khan Qurat ul Ain

John Wick: Chapter 4 will be released in theaters on 24th March 2023 in India.
Lionsgate and PVR Pictures have launched early bookings – for fans around the nation.
It will be the longest film in the franchise.

Lionsgate and PVR Pictures will release John Wick: Chapter 4 in theaters on 24th March 2023 in India

Keanu Reeves returns as ‘Baba Yaga’ in John Wick: Chapter 4 to reprise his role. Lionsgate and PVR Pictures have launched early bookings – for fans around the nation who want to witness it ahead of the official release, you can book ‘The Thursday Preview’ for March 23rd in select multiplexes across India.

The fourth episode is a direct sequel to John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, which was released in 2019. It will be the longest film in the franchise. The world of Wick is entering a new era, and Baba Yaga is ready to wreak havoc on his enemies with his lethal fighting abilities and battle talents. Recent screenings and reviews of the film have gained outstanding reactions worldwide, anticipating the picture to be one of the largest box office launches of the year.

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BTS’ Jimin releases a banger shortly before his debut solo album

March 18, 2023March 18, 2023 by Qurat ul Ain Khan Qurat ul Ain

BTS Jimin’s debut solo album is coming soon.
He has now unleashed a new single called ‘Set Me Free Pt.2.’
“When this song was made, I felt really attached to it.”

BTS Jimin‘s debut solo album is coming soon and he has now unleashed a new single called ‘Set Me Free Pt.2’

Jimin, a member of the K-pop supergroup BTS, is set to release his debut solo album shortly, and he has just released a new track titled “Let Me Free Pt.2.”

The video for the song was released alongside it. In the video, the South Korean singer displays his moves while surrounded by a swarm of dancers inside a large studio.

Speaking about the song in an interview with Consequence, Jimin shared: “When this song was made, I felt really attached to it.” He added, “I went to the U.S. myself for the choir recording, and listening to it right next to them was truly amazing. I remember it as a really good memory.”

‘Set Me Free Pt.2’ will appear on Jimin’s upcoming debut solo album “FACE”, which will hit streaming services on Friday, March 24. Of the record, he explained: “This album talks about how I look back on myself and how I overcame If people understand the emotions I’m trying to express, I’ll consider the album a success.”

On how he feels as the next member of BTS to release solo material, the 27-year-old elaborated: “You know, the members felt very nervous before releasing their solo albums, but compared to those feelings, their results were absolutely great.”

He continued, “I don’t want to be an embarrassment to my members. I want to be a proud member of BTS.”

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Taylor Swift defended Selena Gomez after she was accused

March 18, 2023 by Qurat ul Ain Khan Qurat ul Ain

Taylor Swift defended bff Selena Gomez after the release of her song.
There have been many cold battles in Hollywood, but there are two ladies that never leave each other’s side.
Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber were in an on-again, off-again romance for 8 long years.

Taylor Swift defended bff Selena Gomez after the release of Lose You To Love Me & called the song a win for Gomez.

Relationships are fun, but nothing beats a good female friendship, right? When a queen helps other queens, she sets a good example for others. There have been many cold battles in Hollywood, but there are two ladies that never leave each other’s side, and one of them is Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift. These stunning ladies have been friends for over a decade and have frequently protected one other against hostility and served key friendship goals.

Selena and Swift have always been honest about their feelings for each other, and like genuine friends, they come to each other’s aid when needed. Today, we offer you a flashback to when Taylor defended Her after many accused her for being enamored with Justin Bieber following the debut of Lose You To Love Me.

Particularly, following the release of Selena Gomez’s renowned song Lose You To Love Me, Hailey Bieber apparently responded with the song I’ll Kill You, which was about a woman going for her boyfriend. Following that, many people chastised Sel for remaining fascinated with Justin even after his marriage. Her bestie Taylor Swift, on the other hand, rushed to her aid. She defended herself and her favourite tune. Swift stated that the song is a fantastic illustration of healing and that it is unquestionably a triumph for Gomez. In fact, she applauded her for being vulnerable in the song, saying that not everyone is capable of doing so.

For the uninitiated, Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber were in an on-again, off-again romance for 8 long years until splitting up in 2018. Following then, Justin married Hailey Bieber. In fact, Hailey was recently accused of shading Gomez and garnered a lot of attention. Sel, like a genuine queen, clarified and requested her supporters to be respectful.

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FBI offers $20,000 reward in case of missing American woman

March 18, 2023March 18, 2023 by Qurat ul Ain Khan Qurat ul Ain

FBI Assistant Director in charge does not believe narcotics cartels were involved in the kidnapping.
The agency has witness reports verifying Lopez’s kidnapping, but no additional facts.
The FBI did not reveal any details about the case.

The FBI has issued a $20,000 reward for information leading to the location of a 63-year-old US woman kidnapped from her home in Mexico more than a month ago.

Maria del Carmen Lopez was kidnapped on February 9 in Pueblo Nuevo, a community in the southern Mexico state of Colima, according to a notice from the FBI’s Los Angeles field office on Thursday.

According to a statement from the Colima Attorney General’s office, Lopez is also a Mexican citizen, and the office is cooperating with the FBI on the investigation.

The FBI did not reveal any details about the case, although Lopez was described as having blonde hair, brown eyes, and tattooed eyeliner.

According to FBI Assistant Director in Charge of the Los Angeles Field Office Donald Alway, federal authorities do not believe narcotics cartels were involved in the kidnapping. According to Alway, the agency has witness reports verifying Lopez’s kidnapping, but no additional facts about the case have been released.

“We are going to pursue this, and we’ll look at every avenue and we’ll follow every lead and we’ll open every door that we can find to ensure that our primary goal is to get her back safely,” he added.

The FBI’s revelation comes about two weeks after the kidnapping of four Americans, two of whom were killed, in the Mexican border city of Matamoros, and three weeks after the disappearance of three women who walked into Mexico to sell clothes at a flea market.

The Colima Attorney General’s Office started an investigation into Lopez’s disappearance on the day of the suspected kidnapping, and the Mexico Attorney General’s Specialized Prosecutor for Organized Crime has since requested to accept the case, according to a statement from Colima officials.

The Colima prosecutor’s office stated that it has shared material with Mexico federal authorities and has also worked with American agencies “in order to clarify the facts and protect the victim’s integrity.”

Anybody with information regarding Lopez’s whereabouts is urged to contact their local FBI office, submit a tip online, or contact the nearest American embassy or consulate.

Almost 100,000 Mexicans and migrants have gone missing across the country, leaving their families with little explanation and scant solace. The Mexican government’s fast response to recent American disappearances has aroused suspicions among those who blame officials for failing to respond in a number of domestic instances.

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Australia: Millions of dead fish wash up near Menindee

March 18, 2023 by Qurat ul Ain Khan Qurat ul Ain

This was caused by an ongoing heatwave.
It is the largest mass fish death event to hit the town.
Heat waves have become more common, more intense, and stay longer.

People in a small Australian town awoke to the discovery of millions of dead fish in their river.

The large-scale fish deaths were initially recorded on Friday morning in Menindee, New South Wales (NSW).

According to the state’s river authorities, it was caused by an ongoing heatwave that affected the Darling-Baaka river.

According to locals, this is the largest mass fish death event to hit the town, which saw another significant mass fish death just three years earlier.

In a Facebook post, the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) claimed the heatwave put “further stress on a system that has experienced extreme conditions from wide-scale flooding”.

Because of human-caused climate change, heat waves have become more common, more intense, and stay longer. The world has already warmed by around 1.1 degrees Celsius since the beginning of the industrial age, and temperatures will continue to rise unless governments around the world drastically reduce emissions.

Menindee resident Graeme McCrabb characterized the fatalities as “surreal” in an interview with the sources.

“It’ll probably be a bit more confronting today,” he said, as he warned that locals were anticipating that even more fish would die as the already decomposing fish sucked more oxygen from the water.

The town in far-western New South Wales has a population of around 500 people. The Murray Darling Basin, Australia’s largest river system, includes the Darling-Baaka.

The NSW DPI also stated that the fish deaths were “distressing to the local community,” which Mr. McCrabb agreed.

“Imagine leaving a fish to rot in your kitchen with all the doors shut and no air conditioner, and we’ve got millions of them.”

On Saturday, the temperature in Menindee was anticipated to reach 41 degrees Celsius.

He added that locals in the regional town rely on the Darling-Baaka for water supplies, “we use the river water for washing and showering in so people won’t be able to use that water for those basic needs again,” he said.

“Over time those people won’t be able to access that water for domestic use which is just shameful”.

The deaths of this week’s fish shed light on the Murray Darling Basin’s problems. Drought and excessive human use have harmed the Murray Darling ecosystem’s health.

According to the Murray Darling Basin Authority, agriculture, businesses, and towns have consumed river water, resulting in less water flowing through the river.

The Basin is also prone to major weather events and has a very fluctuating climate, making it vulnerable to both fires and droughts, according to the report.

A plan involving A$13 billion (£8.45 billion at the time) was initiated in 2012 to try to prevent the river from drying up and return it to a healthier state.

The NSW DPI said it will work with federal agencies to respond to the latest incident and to find the underlying causes of the deaths.

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Selena Gomez once slammed Justin Bieber

March 18, 2023March 18, 2023 by Qurat ul Ain Khan Qurat ul Ain

Conflict between Selena Gomez, Hailey Bieber & Justin Bieber does not appear to be ending anytime soon.
The Calm Down singer recently asked her followers not to harass anybody.
Justin and Selena ended their relationship permanently in 2018.

The conflict between Selena Gomez, Hailey Bieber, and Justin Bieber does not appear to be ending anytime soon, and the world is consumed by their drama. The Calm Down singer recently asked her followers not to harass anybody (read Hailey) since she wanted to be surrounded by kindness. She has matured in life and no longer engages in social media brawls. Yet, this was not always the case. Selena and Justin argued online and openly mocked one other in 2016.

Justin and Selena ended their relationship permanently in 2018. Their relationship, though, was always rocky. They also called it quits for a while in 2016. The Despacito singer was dating Sofia Richie at the time. He posted photos of himself with his then-girlfriend, which enraged his supporters.

Shippers of Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez wished for the two to reunite. Therefore, when the Peaches singer uploaded love photos with Sofia on Instagram, his followers, known as Beliebers, criticised her. If they didn’t stop, Justin threatened to make his account private. Interestingly, Selena came to the Beliebers’ defence, furiously responding to her ex-boyfriend in the comments area.

Take a look:

@selenagomez protecting beliebers is the best thing that ever happened#SelenaEndedJustinParty pic.twitter.com/UYsJ3whAzB

— ̀ (@TheRitaOraWorld) August 15, 2016

Selena Gomez reminded Justin of how much his fans loved him and wrote, “If you can’t handle the hate, then stop posting pictures of your girlfriend lol- It should be special between you two only. Don’t be mad at your fans. They love you and supported you before any one ever did.”

Justin did not take this lightly and attacked Selena as well. He wrote, “It’s funny to see people that used me for attention and still try to point the finger this way. Sad. All love.” He added, “I’m not one for anyone receiving hate. Hope u can all be kind to my friends and each other. And yes I love my beliebers.”

Selena Gomez did not hold back after the comment and indirectly accused Justin of cheating. “Funny how the ones who cheated multiple times, are pointing the finger at the ones that were forgiving and supportive. No wonder fans are mad. Sad. All love,” she wrote.

After a while, the drama subsided, and the two reconciled before calling it quits for good years later.

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Biden welcomes ICC’s war crimes allegations against Putin

March 18, 2023 by Qurat ul Ain Khan Qurat ul Ain

The ICC charged President Putin with war crimes in Ukraine.
Moscow has disputed the claims and slammed the warrants as “outrageous”.
Russia is not a member of the International Criminal Court, hence the court has no jurisdiction there.

US Vice President Joseph Biden has welcomed the International Criminal Court’s issuance of an arrest warrant against his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.

The ICC charged President Putin with war crimes in Ukraine, which President Biden claimed the Russian leader had “obviously” done.

The charges center on the illegal transfer of children from Ukraine to Russia after Moscow’s invasion in 2022.

Moscow has disputed the claims and slammed the warrants as “outrageous”.

The measure is unlikely to have much of an impact because the ICC lacks the authority to arrest people without the cooperation of a country’s government.

Russia is not a member of the International Criminal Court, hence the court has no jurisdiction there.

Yet, it may have an impact on Mr. Putin in other ways, such as his ability to travel worldwide. He might now be detained if he steps foot in any of the court’s 123 member states.

Mr. Putin is only the third president to have an ICC arrest warrant issued against him.

Officially concluded

President Biden noted that, while the court also held no sway in the US, the granting of the order “makes a very strong point”.

His administration had previously “officially concluded” that Russia had committed war crimes during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, with Vice-President Kamala Harris announcing in February that those responsible would “be called to account”.

The UN also issued a report earlier this week concluding that Moscow’s forced relocation of Ukrainian minors to territories under its control constituted a war crime.

The ICC said in a statement on Friday that it had reasonable grounds to believe Mr. Putin committed the crimes directly as well as in collaboration with others. It also accused him of failing to use his presidential authority to prevent the deportation of children.

Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia’s commissioner for children’s rights, is also wanted by the ICC for the same offenses.

Forensic Evidence

The warrants were issued “based on forensic evidence, scrutiny, and what those two individuals said,” according to ICC prosecutor Karim Khan.

The court considered keeping the arrest warrants private at first but decided to make them public in order to prevent more crimes from being committed.

“Children can’t be treated as the spoils of war, they can’t be deported,” Mr. Khan told the sources.

“This type of crime doesn’t need one to be a lawyer, one needs to be a human being to know how egregious it is.”

Mr. Khan also stated that no one expected Slobodan Milosevic, the Serbian leader who was tried for war crimes in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo in the 1990s, to end up in The Hague to face justice.

“Those that feel that you can commit a crime in the daytime, and sleep well at night, should perhaps look at history,” Mr Khan said.

Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesman, claimed any decisions made by the court were “null and void,” while former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev compared the warrant to toilet paper.

The statement has been welcomed by Russian opposition activists. Ivan Zhdanov, a close supporter of imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny, tweeted that it was “a symbolic step,” but one that was significant.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed his thanks to Mr. Khan and the ICC for their decision to press charges against “state evil”.

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France pension protests: Protesters scuffle with police over government decree reform

March 18, 2023 by Qurat ul Ain Khan Qurat ul Ain

Firecrackers were thrown at the police.
No-confidence motions have been lodged against the government.
Protests were also held in several French towns on Friday, including Bordeaux, Toulon, and Strasbourg.

Protesters battled with police in central Paris once more over the French government’s pension plans.

Thousands of protesters set fires and some threw firecrackers at police, who dispersed them with tear gas.

It is the second night of disturbance since President Emmanuel Macron opted to impose unpopular measures raising the retirement age from 62 to 64 without a vote.

In response, no-confidence motions have been lodged against his government.

The first was signed by independents and members of parliament’s left-wing Nupes alliance, while the second was signed by the far-right National Rally party.

Both are scheduled for debate early next week.

Total failure

Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally MPs in parliament, branded the decision to push through the pension changes “a total failure for the government”.

During the commotion in Place de la Concorde, near the parliament building, police arrested scores of people.

Protests were also held in several French towns on Friday, including Bordeaux, Toulon, and Strasbourg.

“We won’t give up,” one demonstrator told sources. “There’s still hope that the reform can be revoked.”

Another told sources that pushing the legislation through without a vote was “a denial of democracy… a total denial of what has been happening in the streets for several weeks”.

The administration has stated that pension adjustments are necessary to keep the system from being overwhelmed and from collapsing.

Many others, including union members, disagree, and the subject has sparked more than two months of fierce political debate and strikes in France.

Transport, public services, and schools have all been disrupted, and hundreds of tonnes of garbage have been left on the streets of the capital as a result of a rolling strike by waste collectors.

Gasoline supply has also been halted, and a huge refinery in Normandy is set to shut down in the coming days.

“Changing the government or prime minister will not put out this fire, only withdrawing the reform,” said the head of the moderate CFDT union, Laurent Berger.

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ICC issued arrest warrant for Putin over war crime allegations

March 18, 2023 by Qurat ul Ain Khan Qurat ul Ain

The focused allegations are on illegally repatriating children from Ukraine to Russia.
Moscow has refuted the claims and characterized the warrants as “outrageous”.
Russia’s commissioner for children’s rights, Maria Lvova-Belova, is also wanted by the ICC for the same crimes.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been served with an arrest order by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The court accuses him of war crimes and has focused its allegations on illegally repatriating children from Ukraine to Russia.

According to the report, the atrocities were perpetrated in Ukraine beginning on February 24, 2022, when Russia launched its full-scale invasion.

Moscow has refuted the claims and characterized the warrants as “outrageous”.

The effort is unlikely to have any impact because the ICC has the authority to arrest individuals and can only exercise jurisdiction within its member countries, of which Russia is not one.

Nevertheless, it may have significant consequences for the president, such as preventing him from traveling internationally.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been served with an arrest order by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The ICC stated that it had reasonable reasons to think Mr. Putin committed the crimes in collaboration with others. It also accused him of failing to use his presidential authority to prevent the deportation of children.

Russia’s commissioner for children’s rights, Maria Lvova-Belova, is also wanted by the ICC for the same crimes.

In the past, she has spoken openly of efforts to indoctrinate Ukrainian children taken to Russia.

Ms. Lvova-Belova said in September that some children transported from Mariupol “talked negatively about the [Russian President], said horrible things, and sang the Ukrainian anthem.”

She also claimed to have adopted a 15-year-old Mariupol kid.

The ICC stated that it considered keeping the arrest warrants confidential at first, but decided to make them public in the case that it prevented more crimes from being committed.

ICC prosecutor Karim Khan told the sources: “children can’t be treated as the spoils of war, they can’t be deported”.

“This type of crime doesn’t need one to be a lawyer, one needs to be a human being to know how egregious it is,” he said.

The warrants drew immediate criticism from Russian officials, who dismissed them out of hand.

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev compared the warrant to toilet paper, according to Dmitry Peskov, the court’s spokesperson.

“No need to explain WHERE this paper should be used,” he wrote on Twitter, with a toilet paper emoji.

However Russian opposition leaders welcomed the announcement. Ivan Zhdanov, a close ally of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny, tweeted that it was “a symbolic step” but an important one.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was grateful to Mr. Khan and the criminal court for their decision to file charges against “state evil”.

Ukraine’s Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin said the decision was “historic for Ukraine”, while the country’s presidential chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, lauded the decision as “only the beginning”.

But, because Russia is not a signatory to the ICC, it is unlikely that Vladimir Putin or Maria Lvova-Belova will appear in The Hague.

The ICC relies on government collaboration to arrest people, and Russia is “obviously not going to cooperate in this regard,” according to Jonathan Leader Maynard, a lecturer in international politics at King’s College London.

Mr. Khan, on the other hand, pointed out that no one expected Slobodan Milosevic, the Serbian leader on trial for war crimes in Croatia, Bosnia, and Kosovo, to end up in The Hague.

“Those that feel that you can commit a crime in the daytime, and sleep well at night, should perhaps look at history,” he said.

Yet, this does pose a legal difficulty for Mr. Putin.

While he is the head of a G20 state, and set to shake hands with China’s Xi Jinping in a historic summit, Mr Putin is now also a wanted man, and this will unavoidably place constraints on which nations he may visit.

There is also some embarrassment for the Kremlin, which has constantly denied claims of Russian war crimes, that such a powerful, pan-national authority as the ICC simply does not trust its denials.

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How did Rihanna and A$AP Rocky respond to Tem’s contentious outfit?

March 17, 2023 by Qurat ul Ain Khan Qurat ul Ain

The Oscars 2023 were a family affair for pop star Rihanna.
Rihanna’s stratus cloud dress has captured the attention of the audience.
Rapper and Umbrella singer were spotted having lunch together on Wednesday.

The Oscars 2023 were a family affair for pop star Rihanna, who flaunted her baby bump alongside A$AP Rocky. The couple, who walked the red carpet together, were all smiles as Rihanna prepares to welcome her second child this year.

The Fenty Beauty founder created a surreal atmosphere with her magical voice as she performed her “Wakanda Forever Track,” “Lift Me Up,” at the Oscars.

Tem’s puffy, cloud-like white dress, which curled around from the back to the head and stood like a “wall of China” between the viewers, blocking the view of whoever stood behind her, made more headlines than ever.

Her stratus cloud dress has captured the attention of the audience ever since she made her entrance, as it has not only been oppressed by the viewers but has also become a trendy meme on social media.

Although many people said and slammed it on Twitter and social media, what piqued people’s interest was when Rihanna and A$AP Rocky commented on it.

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A$AP Rocky is not the type to comment on such a topic, nor is he the type to disagree with Tem’s stance on blocking dresses; in fact, his reaction was quite the opposite.

Rapper and Umbrella singer were spotted having lunch together on Wednesday at Bottega Louie in West Hollywood, where the expectant parents were asked about Tem’s fluffy white dress.

He laughed and stated that people should not be mocking or slamming Tem on social media for her appearance because she was simply being herself.

Tem, who attended the Oscars for her incredible musical score for Wakanda forever and is also a co-writer for Rihanna’s song, which she performed in the film, has a good relationship with the Nigerian singer. As a result, the couple will have biassed opinions on the subject.

Rihanna expressed the same sentiment as rapper A$AP Rocky, who stated that the audience should not mock or slam TEM for her dress after people began to be very rude to her.

The couple was seen favouring the Nigerian singer, which was in stark contrast to how the audience reacted. On the bright side, they were seen swaying to Tem’s side.

[embedpost slug=”/jimmy-kimmel-slammed-by-rihanna-fans/”]

Not constructive

In-principle agreement

Sharp maneuvering

‘Positively’

Take a look:

Officially concluded

Forensic Evidence

Total failure

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