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U.S. takes new action against Iran

August 01, 2020

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) concluded Thursday its military drills in the southern province of Hormozgan, western parts of the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf, according to media reports. Russian Federation and China, two of the Permanent Five nations that enjoy veto power on the Security Council, want the UN embargo on selling conventional weapons to Iran to end on October 18 as laid out under a 2015 resolution.

Three killed as troops open fire at rally in Pakistan

August 01, 2020

It is reiterated that Pakistan Force did not open fire first and responded in self-defence only'. It further stated that the Pakistani side "immediately activated both military and diplomatic channels" in order to de-escalate the situation and it was after hectic efforts that the firing from the Afghan side came to a halt.

Appeals court delays release of Ghislaine Maxwell deposition

August 01, 2020

He allegedly wrote a statement for her in order to publicly deny accusations and discredit Giuffre. Ms Giuffre claimed in the suit and other litigation that Ms Maxwell recruited her in 2000 to be a sexual servant to Epstein. He suggested she go outside and hold her head high, "not as an (escaping) convict". Epstein killed himself last summer while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

Esper Outlines Plan to Cut 12000 US Troops From Germany

August 01, 2020

The German government's transatlantic coordinator Peter Beyer criticized on Wednesday the plan of U.S. President Donald Trump to withdraw U.S. troops from Germany . Wolters said there is also potential to relocate U.S. Africa Command's headquarters and its component U.S. Special Operations Command Africa, which are in Germany, to a "location to be determined".

'Deal with it,' Epstein told Maxwell in unsealed emails

August 01, 2020

You have done nothing wrong and I woudl (sic) urge you to start acting like it". US District Judge Loretta Preska had ordered them released, but ms Maxwell's lawyers appealed her ruling to the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals. "I remember asking Jeffrey what's Bill Clinton doing here kind of thing, and he laughed it off and said well he owes me a favor", Giuffre told attorneys in a 2011 recorded conversation about her claims against Epstein.

Boris Johnson pauses lockdown easing on weddings and casinos

August 01, 2020

Moreover, as of Aug, 8, facial masks will be compulsory in galleries, cinemas, and places of worship. "We must be willing to react to the first signs of trouble". "But we have to be realistic about this". Mark Francois, the chairman of the European Research Group of Conservative MPs, said: "The Government's got to stop sending contradictory signals".

Herman Cain, US ex-presidential candidate, dies after contracting Covid

August 01, 2020

Trump campaign spokesperson Tim Murtaugh told CNN at the time that Cain did not meet with Trump at the Tulsa rally . Ellen Carmichael, a former member of Cain's staff, tweeted Thursday, "I'm very saddened to learn of the passing of my former boss, Herman Cain".

United Nations chief welcomes ceasefire in Afghanistan ahead of Eid

August 01, 2020

The Taliban and the U.S. government signed the accord in February. "The Islamic Emirate due to compassion of the Amirul-Momineen and as a goodwill gesture, will release the remaining prisoners of the Kabul Administration before Eid al-Adha, thus completing the release of 1000 prisoners", Tweeted Suhail Shaheen, a Taliban spokesman based in Doha.

9 die drinking sanitizer amid coronavirus alcohol ban

August 01, 2020

They were alcohol-dependent, he added, and had started drinking the mixture about 10 days before they died. The group lost consciousness after consuming a "high quantity" of hand sanitizer mixed with water or soda, Siddharth Kaushal, police superintendent for Kurichedu town in Andhra Pradesh state told AFP.

Muslims sacrifice sheep on first day of Eid

August 01, 2020

Eid al-Adha, or the Grand Feast for the Muslims all over the world, is one of the two most important Islamic holidays. In view of COVID-19 pandemic , social distancing norms were followed at the mosque. Dr Umar Al-Qadri, chair of Irish Muslim Peace & Integration Council, told the BBC he approached Croke Park after seeing Muslims in Germany earlier this year using an * a href="https://newswire.storyful.com/storylines/*/stories/236547?search_term=ikea%20muslims" target="_blank" ...

Rep. Jordan questions Dr. Fauci on how protests are contributing to pandemic

August 01, 2020

Other members of the bipartisan committee grilled them on subjects including development of a vaccine for the virus, the safety of reopening schools and President Donald Trump's handling of the crisis. That includes the need to wear masks, avoid crowds and practice good hand hygiene, he said. Lawmakers pressed Giroir about the availability of tests and long wait times.

Unsealed court documents reveal Ghislaine Maxwell's connection with Epstein

August 01, 2020

She's the one who abused me on a regular basis. Maxwell, 58, is accused of helping Epstein recruit and abuse underage girls, including one as young as 14, in London and the United States during the 1990s. Maxwell's lawyers repeatedly had tried to block their release, arguing that they could prejudice her trial. A judge denied Maxwell be released on bail, and she's now in custody awaiting her trial.

Ghislaine Maxwell Loses Late Bid to Block Deposition's Release, Quickly Appeals

August 01, 2020

If convicted, she could face up to 35 years in prison. Preska's ruling late Wednesday came nearly a week after she ordered the documents unsealed - including portions of Maxwell's deposition and emails the socialite exchanged with Epstein.

Vietnam reports 1st-ever COVID-19 death after new outbreak

August 01, 2020

The Vietnam government has started mass coronavirus testing in the capital Hanoi, locked down tourist spots, banned gatherings in its economic hub and urged tens of thousands of domestic travellers to report to authorities on Thursday, as the country scrambled to contain the new spread of the virus.

Fed Appeals Court Overturns Death Sentence for Boston Marathon Bomber

August 01, 2020

His brother, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, was killed in a gun battle with police days after the two brothers detonated two pressure-cooker bombs near the marathon finish line. Police then locked down Boston and most surrounding communities for nearly 24 hours, with heavily armed officers conducting house-to-house searches through the suburb of Watertown, where the surviving brother was found hiding in a dry-docked boat in a backyard.

Italy's far-right leader Salvini loses his parliamentary immunity

July 31, 2020

Sicilian prosecutors from the city of Palermo claim that Salvini abused his powers during his tenure as then-interior minister in August 2019 in order to "illegally" stop more than 80 migrants in the Mediterranean Sea from disembarking from the Open Arms ship they were on.

Rafale aircraft will be a game-changer for the Air Force

July 31, 2020

A government statement on Monday said 10 Rafale jets had been delivered and that five of them were staying back in France for training missions. Since then, India's indigenous LCA Tejas joined the fleet but has yet to prove its combat ability.

Documents detailing Ghislaine Maxwell's ties to Jeffrey Epstein released

July 31, 2020

Responding to a Maxwell email a few days later, Epstein wrote: "You have done nothing wrong and I (would) urge you to start acting like it". US District Judge Loretta A. The late billionaire pedophile and his alleged madam told Virginia Giuffre they didn't want black girls for their sex massages, according to a 2011 taped conversation between Giuffre and her lawyers.

Trudeau praises ‘excellent work’ of WE Charity, despite recent challenges

July 31, 2020

Trudeau says the public service assured him that WE Charity was the only organization capable of delivering the Canada Student Service Grant Program. Conservative MP Michael Cooper grills Justin Trudeau's chief of staff, Katie Telford, on the prime minister's insistence that he "pushed back" on the proposal to task WE Charity with administering a $900-million student grant program.

Trump raises possibility of delaying November U.S. presidential election

July 31, 2020

During recent USA primaries which determines the presidential candidate for each party, some states struggled to manage a surge in mail-in votes, leading to delays in the result being announced . We still are a country based on the rule of law. But the #PresidentPelosi tweets seem to have been based on a misunderstanding of the United States constitution.

Boris Johnson pauses England's coronavirus reopening

July 31, 2020

Mr Johnson clarified that local authorities will be acting to close down premises and cancel events that are not following the guidelines, as well as ensuring face coverings are being worn in these settings. "We realise this will be a huge disappointment for fans who were excited to witness the magic of the Crucible over the next fortnight, and we feel the same ourselves", said WST Chairman Barry Hearn.

Supreme Court Justice Ginsburg receives treatment in NY hospital

July 31, 2020

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg had a minimally invasive non-surgical procedure Wednesday, the high court announced. BJP Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy strongly US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg underwent a "minimally invasive non-surgical procedure" to revise a bile duct stent placed past year, according to a spokesperson.

Some parents, teachers balk at Ontario's back-to-school plan

July 31, 2020

Jackson County's case rate per 100,000 remains too high for a full return to classrooms as well. "This is a localized, data driven approach to making sure school districts where it is physically possible to teach our students we will do that", Walz said.

North Korea inspects border after defector returns from South with coronavirus symptoms

July 31, 2020

An arrest warrant reportedly was issued for Kim later that week, but he had already made it back into North Korea . According to Chinese state media outlet Xinhua News Agency , Kim Hyun Chong, deputy director of the National Security Office (NSO) of the Blue House, revealed during a Tuesday news briefing that the revised guidelines lift restrictions on the use of solid fuel for space launch vehicles.

United Kingdom tightens lockdown in northern England

July 31, 2020

England reported its highest number of new Covid-19 infections in more than a month yesterday. On Thursday night the United Kingdom government announced new local lockdown measures in areas of Northern England due to a spike in coronavirus cases.

Egypt's Sisi greets Egyptians, Arabs on Eid Al-Adha - Politics - Egypt

July 31, 2020

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar, has congratulated Nigerian Muslims on the occasion of the Eid-il-Adha 1441 A.H.

Charlie Elphicke trial: Ex-MP guilty of sexual assaults

July 31, 2020

The woman said Elphicke asked her about bondage and sex, then kissed her and groped her breast before chasing her around his home chanting "I'm a naughty Tory". Natalie Dawson, specialist prosecutor for the Crown Prosecuction Service, said in a statement: "Charles Elphicke abused his power and influence over these women to make unwanted and forceful sexual advances towards them".

New documents released on Ghislaine Maxwell's dealings with Jeffrey Epstein

July 31, 2020

She alleged that Epstein of kept her as a "sex slave" with Ms Maxwell's assistance, which includes allegations that the pair forced to her have sex with Prince Andrew . She's pleaded not guilty and is being held in a Brooklyn jail after a judge deemed her a flight risk. Epstein was found hanged in his cell in August past year while awaiting trial for sex trafficking charges.

Brazil's first lady tests positive for COVID-19

July 31, 2020

Brazil's first lady has tested positive for coronavirus just days after her husband President Jair Bolsonaro tested negative, having spent two weeks in isolation with the virus. "After 20 days indoors, I have other problems. I guess I got moldy lungs". "Now I'm on antibiotics", Mr. Bolsonaro said in a livestream video, without elaborating on the infection.

Iran Fires Ballistic Missiles From Underground for 1st Time

July 31, 2020

The drill - and the American response to it - underlined the lingering threat of military conflict between Iran and the US after a series of escalating incidents past year led to an American drone strike killing a top Iranian general in Baghdad.

England records most virus excess deaths in Europe

July 31, 2020

Sky News Economics Editor Ed Conway said: "The UK faced one of the worst periods of mortality of any European country during the COVID-19 outbreak, the figures from the ONS have confirmed". Comparisons were made nationally, in cities and local areas - which in England are local authorities such as Buckinghamshire, Rutland and Norfolk. The latest United Kingdom government figures show that England has suffered over 41,300 coronavirus-related fatalities since the start of the pandemic, with ...

'Apparently I have the Wuhan virus': Texas rep.

July 31, 2020

Mr Gohmert said he wore a mask during Tuesday's hearing with Mr Barr. As a result of this latest infection at Capitol Hill, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will require that masks be worn on the House floor. Gohmert - who earlier in the day tested positive for the disease at a White House screening ahead of a morning flight to Texas on Air Force One with President Donald Trump - told Hannity that he "would never have known" he was infected had it not been for the president.

Federalist Society co-founder calls Trump's tweet about delaying election "fascistic"

July 31, 2020

The President has been pushing hard to block the expansion of postal voting in states around the country and has repeatedly claimed that mail in ballots were fraudulent. Republican Senator Mitt Romney also rejected the delay and noted that about 90% of voters in his home state of Utah submit ballots by mail. As of Thursday, 16 states and the District of Columbia have changed how they will allow people to vote by either switching to an all-mail system or allowing residents to vote ...

Trump floated delaying the November election. Here's what Alaska's congressional delegation says

July 31, 2020

However, there is no evidence of widespread fraud, according to numerous nationwide and state-level studies over the years. At a news conference in Merritt Island to promote Florida's aerospace industry, Gov. Five states already conduct their elections entirely through the mail: Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington and Utah. Trump has made a routine of railing against mail-in voting, making claims that bristle against the wisdom of experts, by saying that ballots will be reprinted, ...

Scientists solve mystery of Stonehenge megaliths origin

July 31, 2020

It is to be noted that the smaller bluestones of Stonehedge were traced to the Preseli Hills in Wales , but the mystery of sarsens remained intact until now. It had been removed from a megalith, known as number 58 along, by a firm who were repairing damaged monuments with metal ties in the 1950s. It comes after former engineer Robert Phillips, 89, a year ago gave back part of a stone rod made from sarsen that he had received in 1958.

US GDP contracted by a record-shattering 32.9% pace last quarter

July 31, 2020

The growth figures released separately by the Commerce Department are given at an annual rate - a measure of the full-year result if the damage was translated over 12 months. Some 1.434 million Americans filed for state unemployment benefits in the week ending July 25, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported , marking the second consecutive rise in weekly jobless claims since the labour market bottomed out in March.

Hong Kong Occupy protest leader sacked by HKU over 'misconduct'

July 31, 2020

Tuesday's decision by the governing council reversed an earlier decision by the university senate that there were not enough grounds for a dismissal. An initiator of the illegal "Occupy Central" movement in 2014, Tai was sentenced to 16 months in jail previous year for his role in the campaign and was later released on bail.

Horror day as Victoria sets new deadly virus record

July 31, 2020

Premier Daniel Andrews on Thursday said the latest fatalities were three men and three women in their 70s, three men and two women in their 80s, and two men aged in their 90s. "The data is telling us that outside work, this is the single greatest cause of transmission in these communities", Andrews said in a statement. Military medics and interstate nurses have been brought into Melbourne nursing homes to boost standards of care.

US, Australia condemn China

July 31, 2020

Reynolds told reporters freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea was a subject of discussion, but Australia already had a long history of transiting through the region. Ms Payne praised Australia's long-standing alliance with the U.S. but insisted that Australia would prioritise its own personal interests over any rhetoric the USA had against the Chinese Communist party.

Trudeau to testify Thursday on WE Charity controversy

July 30, 2020

The Conservatives say many of their questions for Trudeau will revolve around hundreds of thousands of dollars in speaking fees paid to members of his family for appearing at WE events, along with related expenses. Since 2016, the WE charity said Margaret Trudeau has been paid about $312,000 in speaking fees and the prime minister's brother, Alexandre Trudeau, received about $40,000.

Ministry of Awqaf announces Eid Al Adha prayer time

July 30, 2020

During the month of pilgrimage, Muslims all over the world congregate in Makkah to perform pilgrimage also known as Hajj which occurs on the eighth, ninth and tenth day of the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Eid'l Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice is one of the two most significant feasts of Islam, with the other being Eid'l Fitr. Muslims celebrate Adha every year, honoring the obedience of Prophet Ibrahim to God when Ibrahim was ordered to sacrifice his son Ismail.

Pompeo says Russian deaths in Syria sent warning

July 30, 2020

Axios reported that Trump and Putin have spoken at least eight times since the intelligence community submitted information about the alleged Russian bounties, reportedly in the president's daily brief in February. Trump added during Wednesday's gaggle that Russian Federation "lost a fortune and a lot of people" during the Soviet Union's incursion into Afghanistan.

Donald Trump Wants 2020 Election Delayed

July 30, 2020

Trump tweeted: "With Universal Mail-In Voting (not Absentee Voting, which is good), 2020 will be the most INACCURATE & FRAUDULENT Election in history. Many Trump rivals and critics - including Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden - have warned of an impending crisis for democracy in America, citing Trump's openly expressed love for totalitarian military dictators and his very public reluctance to accept election results that may not go his way.

Brazil’s Covid-19 death toll tops 90,000

July 30, 2020

The United States and Brazil account for close to 40% of all coronavirus cases worldwide. Rio de Janeiro, July 30 (IANS) Brazil's novel coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak has marked grim milestones, with the death toll surpassing 90,000, the number of people testing positive going over 2.5 million, and a record number of new cases emerging in a single day (nearly 70,000).

U.S. citizen accused of blasphemy shot dead in Pakistan courtroom

July 30, 2020

Afridi questioned how the man managed to get a gun into the court given that all visitors are checked thoroughly at three different points. Ahmad died before he could be transported to hospital. While the state has never executed anyone under such laws, mere allegations have stirred mass protests and violence. Critics of the blasphemy law have long maintained that the legislation is largely used to persecute religious minorities and settle personal vendettas and have called for reforms.

Annual Islamic hajj pilgrimage scaled back due to COVID-19 concerns

July 30, 2020

They began the haj on Wednesday with their first "tawaf", the circumambulation of the Kaaba, a large structure in Mecca's Grand Mosque towards which Muslims around the world pray. The hajj ministry has fielded a deluge of anguished queries on Twitter from rejected applicants. A handout picture released by the Saudi ministry of media shows pilgrims circumambulating around the Kaaba, Islam´s holiest shrine, at the centre of the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah.

Twitter Restricts Donald Trump Jr.'s Account Over COVID-19 Misinformation

July 30, 2020

Twitter, Facebook and YouTube removed the videoafter it started to go viral. Trump also defended the doctor who claimed there was a coronavorus cure (and has said that alien DNA is being used in medical treatments). Adding: "All of you doctors that are waiting for data, if six months down the line you actually found out that this data shows that this medication works, how about your patients that have died?", she said.

Louie Gohmert: Mask-shunning lawmaker catches Covid-19

July 30, 2020

Some are sequestering in their offices until they can get tested. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., blasted Gohmert and other Republicans who have declined to wear a mask for "showing no personal responsibility or consideration for others".

'China Not Strategic Threat to India', Beijing's Ambassador to New Delhi Assures

July 30, 2020

Indian and Chinese forces have locked in a standoff on their de-facto Himalayan border since May. Indian and Chinese frontline troops have completed disengagement at most locations, the Chinese government said on Tuesday, adding that the preparation is underway to hold the next round of military-level talks to resolve the border issues.

Herman Cain Dies of COVID-19, Was Hospitalized After Trump's Tulsa Rally

July 30, 2020

What they're saying: "Let me deal with some of the particulars of the last few weeks". " Herman Cain - our boss, our friend, like a father to so many of us - has passed away ", wrote Dan Calabrese on Cain's website Thursday. There were hopeful indicators, including a mere five days ago when doctors told us they thought he would eventually recover, although it wouldn't be quick.

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