International

MNA International Desk: Soon after issuing a list bearing the name of Dawood Ibrahim as a designated terrorist along with his address in Karachi and details of his passports, Pakistan on Saturday denied his presence on its soil. It said there is no admission that Dawood Ibrahim is in Pakistan. Pakistan had issued a list of UN-designated terrorists and entities who will be subject to “assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo” as per the United Nations Security Council resolution that Islamabad has to adhere to. In a notification, Pakistan said, “As of August 18, 2020, the ISIL (Da’esh) and ...

MNA International Desk: US Senator Kamala Harris accepted the Democratic nomination for vice president on Wednesday, imploring the country to elect Joe Biden in November and accusing President Donald Trump of failed leadership that had cost lives and livelihoods during a pandemic. Making history as the first Black woman and Asian-American on a major US presidential ticket, Harris made a direct appeal to Black Americans and other crucial constituencies that Democrats need in the Nov 3 election, Reuters reported. “The constant chaos leaves us adrift, the incompetence makes us feel afraid, the callousness makes us feel alone. It’s a lot,” ...

MNA International Desk: Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan are “world-class chess players” and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden won’t be able to deal with them if he wins the election, US President Donald Trump told his supporters on Monday. “Listen, one thing I’ve learned: Putin, President Xi of China, Kim Jong Un and Erdogan of Turkey are world-class chess players… They are all dreaming of Joe Biden [as a president],” Trump said, noting that Biden would not be able to work with them as an equal partner because he wasn’t very ...

MNA International Desk: National Intellectual Property Administration has granted the China’s first patent for a COVID-19 vaccine. The patent was jointly applied for by a research team with the Academy of Military Sciences and CanSino Biologics Inc., a Chinese high-tech biopharmaceutical company, said a report in People’s Daily. The team led by Chen Wei, a researcher at the Institute of Military Medicine under the academy, developed the recombinant COVID-19 vaccine, with the modified defective adenovirus as the vector. In March, the vaccine became the first in China to be approved to enter clinical trials. According to the patent abstract, the ...

MNA International Desk: The personnel from Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and Nepal Army along with local people continued on Sunday to search for missing people in a massive landslide that has killed at least 18 people in central Nepal. Eighteen bodies have been recovered at Jugal Rural Municipality in Sindhupalchowk district while 21 people are still missing, reports XInhua. The incident happened in the early morning on Friday as the falling hill damaged 37 houses in the Lidi village of nearly 170 houses. Among the 18 bodies, 11 were children, four were women and three were men, Superintendent of ...

MNA International Desk: The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday urged people not to fear catching the novel coronavirus from food, after Chinese testers found traces on food and food packaging. The virus was found Tuesday in the Chinese city of Shenzhen during a routine check on samples of frozen chicken wings imported from Brazil, city authorities said. The authorities said they immediately screened people who had been in contact with the contaminated products, plus their relatives, and all the tests came back negative. In China’s eastern Anhui province, the mayor of Wuhu announced Thursday that the virus had been ...

MNA International Desk: President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that Russia had become the first country in the world to grant regulatory approval to a Covid-19 vaccine after less than two months of human testing, a move hailed by Moscow as evidence of its scientific prowess. The development paves the way for the mass inoculation of the Russian population, even as the final stage of clinical trials to test safety and efficacy continue. The speed at which Russia is moving to roll out its vaccine highlights its determination to win the global race for an effective product, but has stirred ...

MNA International Desk: Lebanon’s prime minister was set on Monday to announce the resignation of his government, the health minister said, after a devastating explosion in Beirut that has stirred public outrage and spurred a string of ministers to step down. The Aug. 4 port warehouse detonation of more than 2,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate killed at least 163 people, injured over 6,000 and destroyed swathes of the bustling Mediterranean capital, compounding months of political and economic meltdown. Demonstrations broke out again in central Beirut, with some protesters hurling rocks at security forces guarding an entrance leading to the parliament ...

MNA International Desk: Leader of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna party Mahinda Rajapaksa took his oath as the nation’s new prime minister on Sunday after his party secured a landslide victory in the recently concluded parliamentary election. Rajapaksa took oaths during a grand ceremony at Kelaniya Temple, a Buddhist temple on the outskirts of Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo in the presence of the diplomatic community and legislators from the ruling and opposition parties. Rajapaksa was sworn in as the prime minister of the country for the 4th time. Rajapaksa’s party won 145 seats in the Aug. 5 election which was held ...

MNA International Desk: Police fired tear gas and clashed with demonstrators in Lebanon’s capital on Saturday at the start of a planned protest over this week’s massive explosion that devastated large parts of Beirut and killed more than 150 people, reports Associated Press. Thousands of people poured into Beirut’s main square, where they set up symbolic nooses to hang politicians whose corruption and negligence they blame for Tuesday’s explosion at the Port of Beirut. The huge blast was caused by thousands of tons of ammonium nitrate improperly stored at the port for more than six years, apparently set off by ...

MNA International Desk: At least 16 people were killed and 123 others were injured late Friday evening when an Air India Express passenger jet skidded off the runway after landing in heavy rain, officials said. Air India Express said more than 193 passengers and crew were on board the plane, which left from Dubai and landed at Kozhikode airport in the southern state of Kerala. Television pictures showed part of the fuselage of the jet ripped apart, although there was no sign of any fire. “I can confirm at least 14 deaths overall. Another 15 passengers have critical injuries. It ...

MNA International Desk: Malaysia police have been granted 13 more days to question Bangladesh national Mohammad Rayhan Kabir, who was arrested for appearing in a documentary broadcast by Al Jazeera. A Malaysia court granted the remand on Thursday after police sought another 14-day to interrogate Rayhan. Therefore, Rayhan will be remanded till August 19. Raihan’s lawyer Sumita Shantini Krishna told to Brac migration programme that they came to know on Wednesday night that police would seek fresh remand for Rayhan. But, o representatives from Bangladesh High Commission was present in the court. “Raihan said as before that he had said ...

MNA International Desk: A large blast has hit the Lebanese capital, Beirut, causing widespread damage and injuring many people, officials say. At least 25 were killed while more than 2,500 were injured. It is not yet clear what caused the explosion in the port area of the city. Video posted online showed a large mushroom cloud and destroyed buildings. Hospitals are said to be overwhelmed by casualties. It comes at a sensitive time with the country’s economic collapse reigniting old tensions. Tensions are also high ahead of the verdict in a trial over the killing of ex-PM Rafik Hariri in ...

MNA International Desk: Indian Home Minister Amit Shah has tested positive for coronavirus, the minister tweeted on Sunday afternoon. He said he is getting admitted to a hospital on doctors’ advice. “On getting the initial symptoms of corona, I got the test done and the report came back positive. My health is fine, but I am being admitted to the hospital on the advice of doctors,” tweeted Shah. The home minister also requested those who had come in his contact to isolate themselves and get tested. Mr. Shah’s positive report came on a day when Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister Kamla ...

MNA International Desk: Only a small number of faithful are taking part in this year’s hajj, usually one of the biggest religious gatherings in the world. Authorities have dramatically downsized the pilgrimage to prevent fresh virus outbreaks. Muslims in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday began the annual hajj, a five-day pilgrimage taking place on a much smaller scale this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. One of the five pillars of Islam, the hajj is a requirement able-bodied Muslims must perform at least once in their lifetime. Usually, more than 2 million people travel from around the world to take part, ...

MNA International Desk: Tensions soared between the world’s two most populous nations in June after the deadliest fighting in decades erupted between Indian and Chinese troops on the Himalayan border Chinese and Indian troops have “completed disengagement” on most parts of the disputed border between their two countries, China’s foreign ministry said on Tuesday, after violent clashes broke out earlier this year. Tensions soared between the world’s two most populous nations in June after the deadliest fighting in decades erupted between Indian and Chinese troops on the Himalayan border. “The situation on the ground continues to cool down and de-escalate,” ...

MNA International Desk: India has banned 47 more Chinese apps just weeks after blocking the highly popular video-sharing platform TikTok and 58 others over national security and privacy concerns, an information ministry official and media reports said on Monday. Tensions between the world’s two most-populous nations soared last month after a Himalayan border clash that left 20 Indian troops dead and an unknown number of Chinese casualties. “We have banned 47 mobile apps from China in this ongoing exercise which highlights the government’s seriousness about data privacy and security,” the official, who asked to remain anonymous, told AFP. “The order ...

MNA International Report: The first Atlantic hurricane of 2020 “Hanna’ slammed into coronavirus-hit Texas on Saturday, bringing heavy rain, storm surges and potentially life-threatening flash flooding. The Category 1 storm was packing winds of around 90 miles (145 kilometers) per hour as it came ashore at Padre Island at 5 pm (2200 GMT), the US National Hurricane Center said. “Hanna is expected to produce heavy rains across portions of southern Texas and northeastern Mexico. These rains will result in life-threatening flash flooding,” and some river flooding, the meteorologists said. There were no immediate reports of casualties or widespread damage as ...

MNA International Desk: Turkey and Greece exchanged harsh words on Saturday over the conversion of Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia into a mosque, a day after Islamic prayers were held at the ancient site for the first time in nine decades. Greek criticism of the move to convert the site from a museum has been scathing, underlining tense ties between Greece and Turkey. Church bells tolled in mourning across Greece on Friday as Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan joined prayers at the building. “Greece showed once again its enmity towards Islam and Turkey with the excuse of reacting to Hagia Sophia Mosque being ...

MNA International Desk: Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan joined huge crowds on Friday for the first prayers at Hagia Sophia in nine decades, sealing his ambition to restore Muslim worship at an ancient site long revered in both Christianity and Islam. After the call to prayer rang out from four minarets surrounding the mosque, whose rose-pink walls and huge grey dome have dominated Istanbul since Christian Byzantine times, hundreds knelt in prayer inside the building. Outside, tens of thousands more prayed in a public square and on sidewalks, squeezing into spaces between cars or in cafes, joining a ceremony which many ...

MNA International Desk: The United States has abruptly ordered China to close its consulate in Houston, accusing diplomats of aiding economic espionage and the attempted theft of scientific research as the Trump administration sharply escalates its moves against China. China vowed to retaliate, calling the action illegal. Hours after the administration issued its order on Tuesday, consulate employees burned papers in open metal barrels in a courtyard of the Houston building, prompting police officers and firefighters to rush to the area. The move comes as President Trump’s campaign strategists, anxious about his failures on the pandemic, are pushing a comprehensive ...

MNA International Desk: Pakistan wants strong relations with Bangladesh, cricketer turned politician Imran Khan said on behalf of the people and government of Pakistan. Pakistan desires to further strengthen its relations with Bangladesh based on the principles of mutual respect and understanding, Prime Minister Imran Khan has said. “Our two countries have common aspirations for regional peace, prosperity and development and these commonalities provide a firm foundation upon with we can build the edifice of our cooperation in the years to come,” he said. He made the remarks while greeting his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina on the occasion of the ...

MNA International Desk: Climate activist Greta Thunberg plans to donate a 1 million euro ($1.14 million) prize to organizations focused on the environment and climate change. The 17 year old Swede was named winner of the inaugural Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity on Monday. In a video, she described herself as being “incredibly honored and extremely grateful … this means a lot to me and I hope that it will help me do more good in the world.” “All the prize money will be donated through my foundation to different organizations and projects who are working to help people on the ...

MNA International Desk: The moon of the month of Jilhaj was not sighted in the sky of the Middle East nations, including Saudi Arabia. So, the month of Jilhaj will start next Wednesday in the Middle East countries. Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court said on Monday that the Day of Arafat will fall on Thursday, July 30, and the Eid Al-Adha holiday will be on Friday, July 31. The first day of Eid Al Adha always falls on the 10th day of Dhu Al Hijja and one day after Arafat Day. Saudi Arabia will sight the crescent of Dhu Al Hijja, ...

MNA International Desk: Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has built a commanding 15-point national lead over President Trump in his bid for the White House, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll. The survey, which was released on Sunday, found that 55 percent of registered voters say they would vote for the former vice president if the 2020 election were held today, while 40 percent say they’d back Trump. The findings represent a substantial shift in support for Biden, who led Trump by just 2 points in a similar poll released in March and by 10 points in ...

MNA International Desk: Coronavirus has revealed the “fragile skeleton” of societies and could push 100 million people into extreme poverty, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said on Saturday. Speaking on the 102nd birthday anniversary of the late Nelson Mandela – South Africa’s first black president – Guterres said coronavirus was “shining a spotlight” on global injustice. “We have been brought to our knees – by a microscopic virus. The pandemic has demonstrated the fragility of our world.” “Entire regions that were making progress on eradicating poverty and narrowing inequality have been set back years, in a matter of months,” ...

MNA International Desk: The United States has deployed two aircraft carriers to the South China Sea for the second time in two weeks as China and the United States accuse each other of stoking tensions in the region. The USS Nimitz and USS Ronald Reagan carried out operations and military exercises in the contested waterway between July 4 and July 6, and returned to the region on Friday, reports Reuters citing a US Navy statement issued on Friday. “Nimitz and Reagan Carrier Strike Groups are operating in the South China Sea, wherever international law allows, to reinforce our commitment to ...