The UK has become the first country to approve a so-called “bivalent” COVID vaccine that targets both the original strain of COVID-19 and the newer Omicron variant, British health authorities announced on Monday.

UK becomes first country to approve COVID booster vaccine targeting original and Omicron strains

In each dose, half of the vaccine (25 micrograms) targets the original virus strain from 2020 and the other half (25 micrograms) targets Omicron.

The UK has become the first country to approve a so-called &ldquo;bivalent&rdquo; COVID vaccine that targets both the original strain of COVID-19 and the newer Omicron variant, British health authorities announced on Monday.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said it had given the green light to the Moderna vaccine as a &ldquo;sharpened tool&rdquo; against the novel coronavirus after it was found to meet its standards of safety, quality and effectiveness.
In each dose of the booster vaccine, &lsquo;Spikevax bivalent Original/Omicron&rsquo;, half of the vaccine (25 micrograms) targets the original virus strain from 2020 and the other half (25 micrograms) targets Omicron, the regulator said.
&ldquo;I am pleased to announce the approval of the Moderna bivalent booster vaccine, which was found in the clinical trial to provide a strong immune response against the Omicron BA.1 variant as well as the original 2020 strain,&rdquo; said MHRA Chief Executive Dr June Raine.
&ldquo;The first generation of COVID-19 vaccines being used in the UK continue to provide important protection against the disease and save lives. What this bivalent vaccine gives us is a sharpened tool in our armoury to help protect us against this disease as the virus continues to evolve,&rdquo; she said.
The MHRA said its decision to grant approval for this booster vaccine in the UK was endorsed by the government&rsquo;s independent expert scientific advisory body, the Commission on Human Medicines, after carefully reviewing the evidence. The regulator said its decision is based on data from a clinical trial, which showed that a booster with the bivalent Moderna vaccine triggers a strong immune response against both Omicron (BA.1) and the original 2020 strain. In an exploratory analysis, the bivalent vaccine was also found to generate a good immune response against the Omicron sub-variants BA.4 and BA.5.
Also watch:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/renaming-monkeypox-who-creates-open-forum-invites-public-feedback-after-stigmatisation-concerns-1660469350384">Renaming Monkeypox: WHO creates open forum, invites public feedback over stigmatisation concerns&nbsp;</a>
&ldquo;The virus, SARS-CoV-2, is continually evolving in order to evade the immunity provided by vaccines. This novel bivalent vaccine represents the next step in the development of vaccines to combat the virus, with its ability to lead to a broader immune response than the original vaccine,&rdquo; said Professor Sir Munir Pirmohamed, Chair of the Commission on Human Medicines.
The authorities said that safety monitoring showed that the side effects observed were the same as those seen for the original Moderna booster dose and were typically mild and self-resolving, and no serious safety concerns were identified.
The UK&rsquo;s independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) will now advise on how this new vaccine should be rolled out as part of the country&rsquo;s booster vaccine deployment programme.
The vaccine has also been submitted for approval with the authorities in Australia, Canada and the European Union (EU). It is expected that the EU medicines regulator will approve the dose by next month.
Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel described the new vaccine as a "next generation COVID-19 vaccine", which will play an important role in protecting people over the winter.
"This represents the first authorisation of an Omicron-containing bivalent vaccine, further highlighting the dedication and leadership of the UK public health authorities in helping to end the COVID-19 pandemic. This bivalent vaccine has an important role to play in protecting people in the UK from COVID-19 as we enter the winter months," said Bancel.
According to official statistics, 126,504,756 vaccine doses have been administered in the UK including first and second doses as well as third and fourth booster doses rolled out on an age group basis.&nbsp;

A high-tech Chinese research ship docked at Sri Lanka's southern port of Hambantota on Tuesday, days after Colombo asked Beijing to defer the port call amidst India's concern over the vessel's presence in its neighbourhood.
Chinese ballistic missile and satellite tracking ship 'Yuan Wang 5' arrived in the southern port of Hambantota at 8.20 am local time. It will be docked there till August 22, officials said.
The ship was originally scheduled to arrive at the port on August 11 but it was delayed in absence of permission by the Sri Lankan authorities.
Sri Lanka had asked China to defer the visit amid India's concerns over it. On Saturday, Colombo granted the port access to the vessel from August 16 to 22.
Sri Lanka said the security clearance was granted from the Ministry of Defence for the visit of the vessel for replenishment purposes during the stipulated period.
It said no rotation of personnel would take place during the call and the Sri Lankan government was requested to provide the necessary assistance by the Chinese Embassy in Colombo.
The security and cooperation in the neighborhood are of utmost priority in handling the issue of the Chinese vessel Wang Yang 5, the Foreign Ministry here said in a statement.
The local telecommunications regulatory authority had issued a No Objection Letter for the use of frequencies and communication equipment subject to non-interference and non-protection basis.
There were apprehensions in New Delhi about the possibility of the vessel's tracking systems attempting to snoop on Indian defence installations while being on its way to the Sri Lankan port.
The Sri Lankan government has since engaged in extensive consultations at a high-level through diplomatic channels with all parties concerned, with a view to resolving the matter in a spirit of friendship, mutual trust and constructive dialogue, the Foreign Ministry statement said last week on giving the final clearance.
The government took into account the interests of all parties concerned, and in line with the principle of sovereign equality of states, according to the statement.
In light of concerns raised, the ministry also sought further information and material that could assist in consultations on the matter, the statement said.

Chinese research ship docks at Sri Lankan port amid concerns raised by India

The ship was originally scheduled to arrive at the port on August 11 but it was delayed in absence of permission by the Sri Lankan authorities.

A high-tech Chinese research ship docked at Sri Lanka's southern port of Hambantota on Tuesday, days after Colombo asked Beijing to defer the port call amidst India's concern over the vessel's presence in its neighbourhood.
Chinese ballistic missile and satellite tracking ship 'Yuan Wang 5' arrived in the southern port of Hambantota at 8.20 am local time. It will be docked there till August 22, officials said.
The ship was originally scheduled to arrive at the port on August 11 but it was delayed in absence of permission by the Sri Lankan authorities.
Sri Lanka had asked China to defer the visit amid India's concerns over it. On Saturday, Colombo granted the port access to the vessel from August 16 to 22.
Sri Lanka said the security clearance was granted from the Ministry of Defence for the visit of the vessel for replenishment purposes during the stipulated period.
It said no rotation of personnel would take place during the call and the Sri Lankan government was requested to provide the necessary assistance by the Chinese Embassy in Colombo.
The security and cooperation in the neighborhood are of utmost priority in handling the issue of the Chinese vessel Wang Yang 5, the Foreign Ministry here said in a statement.
The local telecommunications regulatory authority had issued a No Objection Letter for the use of frequencies and communication equipment subject to non-interference and non-protection basis.
There were apprehensions in New Delhi about the possibility of the vessel's tracking systems attempting to snoop on Indian defence installations while being on its way to the Sri Lankan port.
Also watch:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/former-australian-pm-morrison-took-on-extra-powers-in-secret-1660626127038">Former Australian PM Morrison took on extra powers in secret</a>
The Sri Lankan government has since engaged in extensive consultations at a high-level through diplomatic channels with all parties concerned, with a view to resolving the matter in a spirit of friendship, mutual trust and constructive dialogue, the Foreign Ministry statement said last week on giving the final clearance.
The government took into account the interests of all parties concerned, and in line with the principle of sovereign equality of states, according to the statement.
In light of concerns raised, the ministry also sought further information and material that could assist in consultations on the matter, the statement said.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday accused his predecessor Scott Morrison of “trashing democracy” after revealing that while Morrison was in power, he took on five ministerial roles without the knowledge of most other lawmakers or the public.
Albanese said Morrison had been operating in secret, keeping the Australian people in the dark and misleading Parliament over who was in charge of what portfolios.
“This has been government by deception,” Albanese said.
Adding to revelations first detailed over the weekend by News Corp. media, Albanese said that between March 2020 and May 2021, Morrison was appointed minister of health, finance, home affairs, treasury and industry — moves which appeared to have given Morrison equal powers to the ministers already appointed to those positions.
“It is completely extraordinary that these appointments were kept secret by the Morrison government from the Australian people,” Albanese told reporters in Canberra.
Speaking on Sydney radio station 2GB, Morrison defended taking on the extra portfolios, saying they were a safeguard during the coronavirus pandemic and that he would have made the appointments public had he needed to use the powers involved.

 Former Australian PM Morrison took on extra powers in secret

Albanese said Morrison had been operating in secret, keeping the Australian people in the dark and misleading Parliament over who was in charge of what portfolios.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday accused his predecessor Scott Morrison of &ldquo;trashing democracy&rdquo; after revealing that while Morrison was in power, he took on five ministerial roles without the knowledge of most other lawmakers or the public.
Albanese said Morrison had been operating in secret, keeping the Australian people in the dark and misleading Parliament over who was in charge of what portfolios.
&ldquo;This has been government by deception,&rdquo; Albanese said.
Adding to revelations first detailed over the weekend by News Corp. media, Albanese said that between March 2020 and May 2021, Morrison was appointed minister of health, finance, home affairs, treasury and industry &mdash; moves which appeared to have given Morrison equal powers to the ministers already appointed to those positions.
&ldquo;It is completely extraordinary that these appointments were kept secret by the Morrison government from the Australian people,&rdquo; Albanese told reporters in Canberra.
Speaking on Sydney radio station 2GB, Morrison defended taking on the extra portfolios, saying they were a safeguard during the coronavirus pandemic and that he would have made the appointments public had he needed to use the powers involved.
ALSO WATCH: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/liz-truss-in-commanding-lead-over-rishi-sunak-in-uk-pm-race-1660489663162">Liz Truss in commanding lead over Rishi Sunak in UK PM race</a>

The Indian tricolour took over the iconic Times Square in America's New York on 15 August as the Indian diaspora celebrated the country's 76th Independence Day.
Famous musician Shankar Mahadevan led the festivities as he sang the song 'Ae Watan' while Indian-Americans waved the Indian national flag. The tricolour was hoisted at Times Square to mark 75 years of freedom of modern India.
Celebrations also took place at the Indian Embassy in USA's capital Washington, DC. Indian Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu hoisted the national flag. Cultural performances also took place to mark the occasion.
US President Joe Biden extended warm wishes to India. Biden reportedly said, "As people around the world, including nearly four million proud Indian-Americans, celebrate the 75th anniversary of India's independence on August 15, the United States joins the people of India to honour its democratic journey, guided by Mahatma Gandhi's enduring message of truth and non-violence."

India takes over Times Square, New York: Shankar Mahadevan sings 'Ae Watan' at Independence Day fest

The Indian tricolour took over the iconic Times Square in America's New York on 15 August as the Indian diaspora celebrated the country's 76th Independence Day.

The Indian tricolour took over the iconic Times Square in America's New York on 15 August as the Indian diaspora celebrated the country's 76th Independence Day.
Famous musician <a href="https://www.editorji.com/entertainment-news/bollywood/ranveer-singh-and-deepika-padukone-attend-shankar-mahadevan-s-us-concert-with-family-pics-go-viral-1656921201089">Shankar Mahadevan</a> led the festivities as he sang the song 'Ae Watan' while Indian-Americans waved the Indian national flag. The tricolour was hoisted at Times Square to mark 75 years of freedom of modern India.
Celebrations also took place at the Indian Embassy in USA's capital Washington, DC. Indian Ambassador to the <a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/taranjit-singh-sandhu-is-india-s-new-envoy-to-us-1580284179371">US Taranjit Singh </a>Sandhu hoisted the national flag. Cultural performances also took place to mark the occasion.
<a href="https://www.editorji.com/entertainment-news/bollywood/ranveer-singh-and-deepika-padukone-attend-shankar-mahadevan-s-us-concert-with-family-pics-go-viral-1656921201089">Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone attend Shankar Mahadevan's US concert with family, pics go viral</a>
US President Joe Biden extended warm wishes to India. Biden reportedly said, "As people around the world, including nearly four million proud Indian-Americans, celebrate the 75th anniversary of India's independence on August 15, the United States joins the people of India to honour its democratic journey, guided by <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/mahatma-gandhi-s-statue-defaced-at-hindu-temple-in-canada-india-seeks-probe-into-hate-crime-1657789701567">Mahatma Gandhi's</a> enduring message of truth and non-violence."
ALSO WATCH: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/india-news/independence-day-2022-google-s-special-doodle-for-75-years-of-india-s-independence-1660545224202">Google's special doodle for 75 years of India's independence</a>

A court in military-ruled Myanmar convicted the country's ousted leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, on more corruption charges on Monday and sentenced her to an additional six years in prison, a legal official said.
The trial was held behind closed doors, with no access for media or the public, and her lawyers were forbidden by a gag order from revealing information about the proceedings.
In the four corruption cases decided Monday, Suu Kyi was alleged to have abused her position to rent public land at below market prices and to have built a residence with donations meant for charitable purposes. She received sentences of three years for each of the four counts, but the sentences for three of them will be served concurrently, giving her a total of six more years in prison.
She denied all the charges, and her lawyers are expected to appeal.
She already had been sentenced to 11 years in prison on sedition, corruption and other charges at earlier trials after the military ousted her elected government and detained her in February 2021.
Analysts say the numerous charges against her and her allies are an attempt to legitimize the military's seizure of power while eliminating her from politics before the military holds an election it has promised for next year. 

Myanmar: jailed leader Aung San Suu Kyi convicted on fresh corruption charges amid military rule

Aung San Suu Kyi had earlier been sentenced to 11 years in prison on sedition, corruption and other charges at trials held after the military ousted her elected government and detained her in February 2021.

A court in military-ruled Myanmar convicted the country's ousted leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, on more corruption charges on Monday and sentenced her to an additional six years in prison, a legal official said.
The trial was held behind closed doors, with no access for media or the public, and her lawyers were forbidden by a gag order from revealing information about the proceedings.
In the four corruption cases decided Monday, Suu Kyi was alleged to have abused her position to rent public land at below market prices and to have built a residence with donations meant for charitable purposes. She received sentences of three years for each of the four counts, but the sentences for three of them will be served concurrently, giving her a total of six more years in prison.
Also Watch| <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/myanmar-executes-nld-lawmaker-3-other-political-opponents-first-executions-in-50-years-1658734692419">Myanmar executes NLD lawmaker, 3 other political opponents; first executions in 50 years</a>
She denied all the charges, and her lawyers are expected to appeal.
She already had been sentenced to 11 years in prison on sedition, corruption and other charges at earlier trials after the military ousted her elected government and detained her in February 2021.
Analysts say the numerous charges against her and her allies are an attempt to legitimize the military's seizure of power while eliminating her from politics before the military holds an election it has promised for next year.&nbsp;

In Iran's first public reaction on the attack on author Salman Rushdie, its government official denied on Monday that Tehran was involved in the assault on the notable author. 
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said nobody has the right to accuse his country in this regard.
He added that Iran did not have any other information more than what the American media has reported.
Rushdie, 75, was stabbed Friday while attending an event in western New York. He suffered a damaged liver and severed nerves in an arm and an eye, his agent. He was likely to lose the injured eye.
The West condemning the actions of the attacker and in return glorifying the actions of the insulter to Islamic beliefs is a contradictory attitude, Kanaani said
Rushdie's 24-year-old assailant Hadi Matar pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from the attack through his lawyer.
Former Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini had issued the fatwa on Rushdie in 1989. The Islamic edict came amid a violent uproar in the Muslim world over Rushdie's novel 'The Satanic Verses' which some viewed as blasphemously making suggestions about the Prophet Muhammad's life. 
A semiofficial Iranian foundation had put up a bounty of over $3 million for the author, though it has yet to offer any comment on the attack.
While fatwas can be revised or revoked, Iran's current Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who took over after Khomeini has never done so.
As recently as February 2017, Khamenei said, “The decree is as Imam Khomeini issued.” Since 1979, Iran has targeted dissidents abroad in attacks. Tensions with the West, particularly the United States have spiked since then President Donald Trump unilaterally pulled America out of Iran's nuclear deal with world powers in 2018.

Iran claims 'no role' in Salman Rushdie attack, says 'don't accuse us'

Iranian Foreign Ministry on Monday said nobody has the right to accuse the country in regard to attack on author Salman Rushdie, adding that Tehran only knew what American media reported

Iranian Foreign Ministry on Monday said nobody has the right to accuse the country in regard to attack on author Salman Rushdie, adding that Tehran only knew what American media reported

In Iran's first reaction to the attack on author Salman Rushdie, its government official denied on Monday that Tehran was involved in the assault on the notable author.&nbsp;
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said nobody has the right to accuse Iran of the incident.
Kanaani said that Iran did not "have any other information more than what the American media has reported.&rdquo; The West &ldquo;condemning the actions of the attacker and in return glorifying the actions of the insulter to Islamic beliefs is a contradictory attitude,&rdquo; he added.
Rushdie, 75, was stabbed Friday while attending an event in western New York. He suffered a damaged liver and severed nerves in an arm and an eye, his agent said. He was likely to lose the injured eye.
Also Watch| <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/salman-rushdie-stabbing-suspect-sympathetic-to-iran-military-report-1660372693294">Salman Rushdie stabbing suspect sympathetic to Iran military: report</a>
His assailant, 24-year-old Hadi Matar, allegedly sympathetic to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a branch of the Iranian Armed Forces, has pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from the attack through his lawyer.
Former Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini had issued a fatwa on Rushdie in 1989 demanding his death. The Islamic edict came amid a violent uproar in the Muslim world over Rushdie's novel 'The Satanic Verses' which some viewed as blasphemous.
A semiofficial Iranian foundation had put up a bounty of over $3 million for the author, though it has yet to offer any comment on the attack.
While fatwas can be revised or revoked, Iran's current Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who took over after Khomeini has never done so. As recently as February 2017, Khamenei said: &ldquo;The decree is as Imam Khomeini issued.&rdquo;&nbsp;

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Monday offered “audacious” economic assistance to North Korea if it abandons its nuclear weapons program while avoiding harsh criticism of the North days after it threatened “deadly” retaliation over the COVID-19 outbreak it blames on the South.
Yoon's televised speech on the liberation holiday came days after North Korea claimed a widely disputed victory over COVID-19 but also blamed Seoul for the outbreak. The North insists leaflets and other objects flown across the border by activists spread the virus, an unscientific claim Seoul describes as “ridiculous.” 
Yoon, a conservative who took office in May, said North Korea's denuclearization would be key for peace in the region and the world. If North Korea halts its nuclear weapons development and genuinely commits to a process of denuclearization, the South will respond with huge economic rewards that would be provided in phases, Yoon said.
Yoon's proposal wasn't meaningfully different from previous South Korean offers that have already been rejected by North Korea, which has been accelerating its efforts to expand its nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles program leader Kim Jong Un sees as his strongest guarantee of survival.
“We will implement a large-scale program to provide food, providing assistance for establishing infrastructure for the production, transmission and distribution of electrical power, and carry out projects to modernize ports and airports to facilitate trade,” Yoon said.
“We will also help improve North Korea's agricultural production, provide assistance to modernize its hospitals and medical infrastructure, and carry out initiatives to allow for international investment and financial support,” he added, insisting that such programs would “significantly” improve North Korean lives.
Inter-Korean ties have deteriorated amid a stalemate in larger nuclear negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang, which derailed in early 2019 over disagreements in exchanging a release of crippling U.S.-led sanctions against the North and the North's disarmament steps.
North Korea has ramped up its testing activity in 2022, launching more than 30 ballistic missiles so far, including its first demonstrations of intercontinental ballistic missiles since 2017. Experts say Kim is intent on exploiting a favorable environment to push forward his weapons program, with the U.N. Security Council divided and effectively paralyzed over Russia's war on Ukraine.
North Korea's unusually fast pace in weapons demonstrations also underscore brinkmanship aimed at forcing Washington to accept the idea of North Korea as a nuclear power and negotiating badly economic benefits and security concessions from a position of strength, experts say. The U.S. and South Korean governments have also said the North is gearing up to conduct its first nuclear test since September 2017, when it claimed to have detonated a nuclear warhead designed for its ICBMs.
In face of growing North Korean threats, Yoon has vowed to bolster South Korea's defense in conjunction with its alliance with the United States and also strengthen security ties with Japan, which is also alarmed by the North's nuclear and ballistic weapons program.
South Korea's relations with Japan declined to post-war lows over the past several years as the countries allowed their grievances over history to extend to other areas including trade and military cooperation.

On Korean independence day, South offers North economic benefits for denuclearisation

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Monday offered “audacious” economic assistance to North Korea if it abandons its nuclear weapons program

Yoon's televised speech on the liberation holiday came days after North Korea claimed a widely disputed victory over COVID-19 but also blamed Seoul for the outbreak.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Monday offered &ldquo;audacious&rdquo; economic assistance to North Korea if it abandons its nuclear weapons program while avoiding harsh criticism of the North days after it threatened &ldquo;deadly&rdquo; retaliation over the COVID-19 outbreak it blames on the South.
Yoon's televised speech on the liberation holiday came days after North Korea claimed a widely disputed victory over COVID-19 but also blamed Seoul for the outbreak. The North insists leaflets and other objects flown across the border by activists spread the virus, an unscientific claim Seoul describes as &ldquo;ridiculous.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Yoon, a conservative who took office in May, said North Korea's denuclearization would be key for peace in the region and the world. If North Korea halts its nuclear weapons development and genuinely commits to a process of denuclearization, the South will respond with huge economic rewards that would be provided in phases, Yoon said.
Yoon's proposal wasn't meaningfully different from previous South Korean offers that have already been rejected by North Korea, which has been accelerating its efforts to expand its nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles program leader Kim Jong Un sees as his strongest guarantee of survival.
&ldquo;We will implement a large-scale program to provide food, providing assistance for establishing infrastructure for the production, transmission and distribution of electrical power, and carry out projects to modernize ports and airports to facilitate trade,&rdquo; Yoon said.
&ldquo;We will also help improve North Korea's agricultural production, provide assistance to modernize its hospitals and medical infrastructure, and carry out initiatives to allow for international investment and financial support,&rdquo; he added, insisting that such programs would &ldquo;significantly&rdquo; improve North Korean lives.
Inter-Korean ties have deteriorated amid a stalemate in larger nuclear negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang, which derailed in early 2019 over disagreements in exchanging a release of crippling U.S.-led sanctions against the North and the North's disarmament steps.
Also Watch| <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/pelosi-in-taiwan-china-us-allies-divided-over-visit-1659525661635">Pelosi in Taiwan: China, US allies divided over visit</a>
North Korea has ramped up its testing activity in 2022, launching more than 30 ballistic missiles so far, including its first demonstrations of intercontinental ballistic missiles since 2017. Experts say Kim is intent on exploiting a favorable environment to push forward his weapons program, with the U.N. Security Council divided and effectively paralyzed over Russia's war on Ukraine.
North Korea's unusually fast pace in weapons demonstrations also underscore brinkmanship aimed at forcing Washington to accept the idea of North Korea as a nuclear power and negotiating badly economic benefits and security concessions from a position of strength, experts say. The U.S. and South Korean governments have also said the North is gearing up to conduct its first nuclear test since September 2017, when it claimed to have detonated a nuclear warhead designed for its ICBMs.
In face of growing North Korean threats, Yoon has vowed to bolster South Korea's defense in conjunction with its alliance with the United States and also strengthen security ties with Japan, which is also alarmed by the North's nuclear and ballistic weapons program.
South Korea's relations with Japan declined to post-war lows over the past several years as the countries allowed their grievances over history to extend to other areas including trade and military cooperation.

As the Taliban completes one year of takeover of Afghanistan, Afghan foreign minister Abdul Qahar Balkhi asked India to resume development projects that it started in the country.
Speaking to Indian Express, Balkhi named the Shahtoot Dam in Kabul as one of the many projects that the Taliban wanted India to complete.
India recently reopened its embassy in Kabul, a year after it was shut down, a step welcomed by the Taliban regime.
August 15, which marks one year of takeover by Taliban, has been declared a holiday but the Taliban regime has kept celebrations low-key while restricting to an official media event. 
The main events may take place on September 1, the day the last foreign troops left Afghanistan last year.

Taliban asks India to resume halted projects in Afghanistan

August 15, which marks one-year rule of Taliban, has been declared a holiday but the Taliban regime has kept celebrations low-key, restricting them to an official media event.&nbsp;

As the Taliban completes one year of its takeover of Afghanistan, Afghan foreign minister Abdul Qahar Balkhi asked India to resume development projects that it had started in the country.
Speaking to Indian Express, Balkhi named the Shahtoot Dam in Kabul as one of the many projects that the Taliban wanted India to complete.
India recently reopened its embassy in Kabul, a year after it was shut down, a step welcomed by the Taliban regime.
August 15, which marks one-year rule Taliban, has been declared a holiday but the Taliban regime has kept celebrations low-key restricting them to an official media event.&nbsp;
Also watch:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/one-year-into-taliban-rule-afghanistan-stares-at-suppressed-women-s-rights-humanitarian-crisis-1660557945442">One year into Taliban rule: Afghanistan stares at suppressed women's rights, humanitarian crisis</a>
The main events may take place on September 1, the day the last batch of foreign troops left Afghanistan last year.

The Taliban marked the first anniversary of their return to power in Afghanistan with a national holiday on Monday, following a turbulent year that saw women's rights crushed and a humanitarian crisis worsen with a faltering economy.

One year into Taliban rule: Afghanistan stares at suppressed women's rights, humanitarian crisis

Afghanistan has an estimated population of 41.7 million from which over 20 million are living with extreme food insecurity, according to Humanitarian Needs Overview.&nbsp;

The Taliban marked the first anniversary of their return to power in Afghanistan with a national holiday on Monday, following a turbulent year that saw women's rights crushed and a humanitarian crisis worsen with a faltering economy.
Exactly a year ago on August 15, the hardline Islamists captured Kabul after their nationwide lightning offensive against government forces ended 20 years of US-led military intervention post 9/11.
"We fulfilled the obligation of jihad and liberated our country," said Niamatullah Hekmat, a fighter who entered Kabul on August 15 last year just hours after then-president Ashraf Ghani fled the country.
A chaotic withdrawal of foreign forces continued until August 31, with tens of thousands of people rushing to Kabul's airport hoping to be evacuated on any flight out of Afghanistan. Images of crowds storming the airport, climbing atop aircraft -- and some clinging to a departing US military cargo plane as it rolled down the runway -- &nbsp;aired on news bulletins around the world.
Authorities have so far not announced any official celebrations to mark the anniversary, but state television said it would air special programmes.
Taliban fighters, however, expressed happiness that their movement was now in power, even as aid agencies say that half the country's population face extreme poverty.
Afghanistan has an estimated population of 41.7 million, from which more than half - over 20 million - are living with extreme food insecurity, according to Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO).
Also Watch| <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/taliban-fighters-fire-in-air-to-disperse-women-s-protest-in-kabul-1660406644776">Taliban fighters fire in air to disperse women's protest in Kabul</a>
'Life has lost its meaning' But for ordinary Afghans, especially women, the return of the Taliban has only increased hardships. Initially, the Taliban promised a softer version of the harsh Islamist rule that characterised their first stint in power from 1996 to 2001. But many restrictions have been imposed on women to comply with the movement's austere vision of Islam.
Tens of thousands of girls have been shut out of secondary schools, while women have been barred from returning to many government jobs. And in May, they were ordered to fully cover up in public, ideally with an all-encompassing burqa.
"From the day they have come, life has lost its meaning," said Ogai Amail, a resident of Kabul. "Everything has been snatched from us, they have entered even our personal space," she said.
On Saturday, the Taliban fighters beat women protesters and fired guns into the air to disperse their rally in Kabul.
While Afghans acknowledge a decline in violence since the Taliban seized power, the humanitarian crisis has left many helpless. "People coming to our shops are complaining so much of high prices that we shopkeepers have started hating ourselves," said Noor Mohammad, a shopkeeper from Kandahar, the de facto power centre of the Taliban.
For Taliban fighters, however, the joy of victory overshadows the current economic crisis. "We might be poor, we might be facing hardships, but the white flag of Islam will now fly high forever in Afghanistan", said a fighter guarding a public park in Kabul.
With AFP inputs
Also Watch| <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/india-yet-to-restore-full-ties-taliban-assures-security-to-mission-in-kabul-1660445060571">India yet to restore full ties, Taliban assures security to mission in Kabul</a>

Salman Rushdie has his “feisty and defiant” sense of humour intact despite battling severe, life-changing injuries, his son said on Sunday, two days after the Mumbai-born author was stabbed in what US authorities described as a "targeted, preplanned" attack.
His son Zafar Rushdie said on Sunday that the family was “extremely relieved” that the best-selling author was taken off the ventilator and additional oxygen on Saturday and he was able to say a few words.
“Following the attack on Friday, my father remains in critical condition in hospital receiving extensive ongoing medical treatment,” he said in a statement posted on Twitter.
“Though his life-changing injuries are severe, his usual feisty and defiant sense of humour remains intact,” he said.
The family expressed gratitude to the audience members who bravely leapt to Rushdie's defense and administered first-aid after he was stabbed multiple times at the Chautauqua Institution in Western New York on Friday.
The family thanked the police and doctors for their care. They also expressed gratitude for the “outpouring of love and support from around the world.” “We ask for continued patience and privacy as the family come together at his bedside to support and help him through this time,” the statement said.
Earlier, Rushdie's former wife and celebrated TV personality Lakshmi said in a tweet: “Relieved @SalmanRushdie is pulling through after Friday’s nightmare. Worried and wordless, can finally exhale. Now hoping for swift healing.” Rushdie and Chennai-born Lakshmi married in 2004 and got divorced in 2007. Lakshmi, 51, who is herself an author and the host of the hit culinary TV show TopChef, was Rushdie’s fourth wife.
The New York Times reported that Rushdie’s agent Andrew Wylie said, “The road to recovery has begun. It will be long; the injuries are severe, but his condition is headed in the right direction.” Rushdie, who faced Islamist death threats for years after writing "The Satanic Verses", was stabbed by a 24-year-old New Jersey resident identified as Hadi Matar, the US national of Lebanese origin, on stage on Friday while he was being introduced at a literary event of the Chautauqua Institution in Western New York.

'His feisty and defiant sense of humour remains intact': Salman Rushdie's son

Salman Rushdie has his “feisty and defiant” sense of humour intact despite battling severe, life-changing injuries, his son said on Sunday, two days after the Mumbai-born author was stabbed in what US authorities described as a "targeted, preplanned" attack.

His son Zafar Rushdie said on Sunday that the family was &ldquo;extremely relieved&rdquo; that the best-selling author was taken off the ventilator and additional oxygen on Saturday and he was able to say a few words.

Salman Rushdie has his &ldquo;feisty and defiant&rdquo; sense of humour intact despite battling severe, life-changing injuries, his son said on Sunday, two days after the Mumbai-born author was stabbed in what US authorities described as a "targeted, preplanned" attack.
His son Zafar Rushdie said on Sunday that the family was &ldquo;extremely relieved&rdquo; that the best-selling author was taken off the ventilator and additional oxygen on Saturday and he was able to say a few words.
&ldquo;Following the attack on Friday, my father remains in critical condition in hospital receiving extensive ongoing medical treatment,&rdquo; he said in a statement posted on Twitter.
&ldquo;Though his life-changing injuries are severe, his usual feisty and defiant sense of humour remains intact,&rdquo; he said.
The family expressed gratitude to the audience members who bravely leapt to Rushdie's defense and administered first-aid after he was stabbed multiple times at the Chautauqua Institution in Western New York on Friday.
The family thanked the police and doctors for their care. They also expressed gratitude for the &ldquo;outpouring of love and support from around the world.&rdquo; &ldquo;We ask for continued patience and privacy as the family come together at his bedside to support and help him through this time,&rdquo; the statement said.
Earlier, Rushdie's former wife and celebrated TV personality Lakshmi said in a tweet: &ldquo;Relieved @SalmanRushdie is pulling through after Friday&rsquo;s nightmare. Worried and wordless, can finally exhale. Now hoping for swift healing.&rdquo; Rushdie and Chennai-born Lakshmi married in 2004 and got divorced in 2007. Lakshmi, 51, who is herself an author and the host of the hit culinary TV show TopChef, was Rushdie&rsquo;s fourth wife.
Also watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/you-are-next-twitter-user-threatens-harry-potter-author-jk-rowling-over-her-tweet-on-rushdie-attack-1660471691811">'You are next': Twitter user 'threatens' Harry Potter author JK Rowling over her tweet on Rushdie attack&nbsp;</a>
The New York Times reported that Rushdie&rsquo;s agent Andrew Wylie said, &ldquo;The road to recovery has begun. It will be long; the injuries are severe, but his condition is headed in the right direction.&rdquo; Rushdie, who faced Islamist death threats for years after writing "The Satanic Verses", was stabbed by a 24-year-old New Jersey resident identified as Hadi Matar, the US national of Lebanese origin, on stage on Friday while he was being introduced at a literary event of the Chautauqua Institution in Western New York.

Editorji is your personalised video news platform, we learn about your interests in order to show the news that matters to you! Watch it on your phone, tablet or TV.

ABOUT US

about us editorji

Latest Video News: Editorji provides the latest news video headlines, latest videos clip from India and the World. Get all breaking news videos on Entertainment, Business, Coronavirus, Elections, Politics and more.

Latest Video News, Breaking News, Bollywood, Political, Sports, Business News | Editorji

+91 11 4035 6666 / info@editorji.com
3rd floor, Plot B, Khasara no 360, Sultanpur, New Delhi, Delhi 110030
<a title="mail to us" href="mailto:info@editorji.com">Send Feedback</a>

REACH US

Contact for any questions, suggestions, comments, feedback or advertisement on Editorji.com, we are always looking forward to hearing from you.

Contact Us for Feedback, Suggestions and Advertising 

Rakesh Jhunjhunwala passes away 

Salman Rushdie News

Raju Srivastava News 

Laal Singh Chaddha

Independence day 2022

Johnson & Johnson News

Bank holidays in August 2022

Asia Cup 2022

NYT claims tycoon Trump paid just $750 in taxes

The New York Times has reported that Trump paid just $750 in federal income tax both in 2016, the year he ran for the US presidency, and in his first year in the White House

Donald Trump may&nbsp;have been a real estate tycoon before becoming the US president, but guess how much he paid in taxes? The New York Times has reported that Trump paid just $750 in federal income tax both in 2016, the year he ran for the US presidency, and in his first year in the White House. The newspaper, which says it obtained tax records for Trump and his companies over two decades, has also claimed that he paid no income taxes at all in 10 of the last 15 years. The records reveal "chronic losses and years of tax avoidance", the NYT report said. Trump has dismissed the report as "fake news".

Massive explosions and fires hit a military depot in Russia-annexed Crimea on Tuesday, forcing the evacuation of more than 3,000 people, the second time in recent days that the Ukraine war's focus has turned to the contested peninsula.
Russia blamed the blasts at an ammunition storage facility in Mayskoye on an “act of sabotage” without naming the perpetrators.
As with last week's explosions, they led to speculation that Ukrainian forces may have staged an attack on the peninsula, which Russia has controlled since 2014.
Separately, the Russian business newspaper Kommersant quoted local residents as saying that plumes of black smoke also rose over an air base in Crimea's Gvardeyskoye.
Ukraine has stopped short of publicly claiming responsibility for any of the fires or explosions, including last week's at another air base that destroyed nine Russian planes.
If Ukrainian forces were, in fact, responsible for any of the explosions, they would represent a significant escalation in the war.
Videos posted on social media showed thick plumes of smoke rising over raging flames in Mayskoye, and a series of explosions could be heard in the background.
The Russian Defence Ministry said the fires at the depot caused damage to a power plant, power lines, rail tracks and some apartment buildings. It said in a statement that “there were no serious injuries”.
Earlier, Russia's state news agency RIA Novosti reported a fire a transformer substation after “a loud thump sound” in what appeared to be a result of the blasts at the depot.
Crimea holds huge strategic and symbolic significance for Russia and Ukraine. The Kremlin's demand that Kyiv recognise the peninsula as part of Russia has been one of its key conditions for ending the fighting, while Ukraine has vowed to drive the Russians from the peninsula and all other occupied territories.
The district where the blasts happened, Dzhankoi, is in the north of the peninsula, about 50 kilometres from the Russian-controlled region of Kherson in southern Ukraine.
Kyiv has recently mounted a series of attacks on various sites in the region, targeting supply routes for the Russian military there and ammunition depots.
Last week's explosions at Saki air base sent sunbathers on nearby beaches fleeing as huge flames and pillars of smoke rose over the horizon.
Ukrainian officials emphasised on Tuesday that Crimea — which is a popular destination for Russian tourists — would not be spared the ravages of war experienced throughout Ukraine.

Blasts, fire hits military depot in Russian-annexed Crimea

Massive explosions and fires hit a military depot in Russia-annexed Crimea on Tuesday, forcing the evacuation of more than 3,000 people, the second time in recent days that the Ukraine war's focus has turned to the contested peninsula.

As with last week's explosions, they led to speculation that Ukrainian forces may have staged an attack on the peninsula, which Russia has controlled since 2014.

Massive explosions and fires hit a military depot in Russia-annexed Crimea on Tuesday, forcing the evacuation of more than 3,000 people, the second time in recent days that the Ukraine war's focus has turned to the contested peninsula.
Russia blamed the blasts at an ammunition storage facility in Mayskoye on an &ldquo;act of sabotage&rdquo; without naming the perpetrators.
As with last week's explosions, they led to speculation that Ukrainian forces may have staged an attack on the peninsula, which Russia has controlled since 2014.
Separately, the Russian business newspaper Kommersant quoted local residents as saying that plumes of black smoke also rose over an air base in Crimea's Gvardeyskoye.
Ukraine has stopped short of publicly claiming responsibility for any of the fires or explosions, including last week's at another air base that destroyed nine Russian planes.
If Ukrainian forces were, in fact, responsible for any of the explosions, they would represent a significant escalation in the war.
Videos posted on social media showed thick plumes of smoke rising over raging flames in Mayskoye, and a series of explosions could be heard in the background.
The Russian Defence Ministry said the fires at the depot caused damage to a power plant, power lines, rail tracks and some apartment buildings. It said in a statement that &ldquo;there were no serious injuries&rdquo;.
Earlier, Russia's state news agency RIA Novosti reported a fire a transformer substation after &ldquo;a loud thump sound&rdquo; in what appeared to be a result of the blasts at the depot.
Also Watch| <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/putin-slams-us-era-of-the-unipolar-world-order-is-nearing-its-end-1660653766927">Putin slams US: era of the unipolar world order is nearing its end</a>
Crimea holds huge strategic and symbolic significance for Russia and Ukraine. The Kremlin's demand that Kyiv recognise the peninsula as part of Russia has been one of its key conditions for ending the fighting, while Ukraine has vowed to drive the Russians from the peninsula and all other occupied territories.
The district where the blasts happened, Dzhankoi, is in the north of the peninsula, about 50 kilometres from the Russian-controlled region of Kherson in southern Ukraine.
Kyiv has recently mounted a series of attacks on various sites in the region, targeting supply routes for the Russian military there and ammunition depots.
Last week's explosions at Saki air base sent sunbathers on nearby beaches fleeing as huge flames and pillars of smoke rose over the horizon.
Ukrainian officials emphasised on Tuesday that Crimea &mdash; which is a popular destination for Russian tourists &mdash; would not be spared the ravages of war experienced throughout Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the United States of trying to encourage extended hostilities in Ukraine as part of what he described Tuesday as Washington's alleged efforts to maintain its global hegemony.
Addressing a security conference attended by military officials from Africa,, Asia and Latin America, Putin reaffirmed his long-held claim that he sent troops into Ukraine in response to Washington turning the country into an “anti-Russia” bulwark.
“They need conflicts to retain their hegemony,” Putin charged. “That's why they have turned the Ukrainian people into cannon fodder. The situation in Ukraine shows that the United States is trying to drag the conflict out, and it acts in exactly the same way trying to fuel conflicts in Asia, Africa and Latin America.” The speech represented the latest attempt by the Russian leader to rally support amid bruising Western sanctions that targeted the Russian economy and finance along with its government structures, top officials and businesses for Moscow's action in Ukraine.
Putin also drew parallels between the U.S. backing Ukraine and a recent visit to Taiwan by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, charging that both were part of an alleged American attempt to foment global instability.
“The American adventure in Taiwan wasn't just a trip by an irresponsible politician. It was part of a deliberate and conscious U.S. strategy intended to destabilize the situation and create chaos in the region and the entire world, a blatant demonstration of disrespect for another country' sovereignty and its own international obligations,” Putin said.
The Russian leader claimed that “Western globalist elites" were trying "to shift the blame for their own failures to Russia and China,” adding that “no matter how hard the beneficiaries of the current globalist model try to cling to it, it's doomed.” ”The era of the unipolar world order is nearing its end," he added.
Speaking at the same conference, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu charged that along with supplies of weapons to Ukraine, Western allies also have provided detailed intelligence information and deployed instructors to help the Ukrainian military operate the weapons systems.
“Western intelligence agencies not only have provided target coordinates for launching strikes, but Western specialists also have overseen the input of those data into weapons systems,” Shoigu said.
He dismissed allegations that Russia could potentially use nuclear or chemical weapons in the conflict as an “absolute lie.” “From the military viewpoint, there is no need for using nuclear weapons in Ukraine to achieve the stated goals,” Shoigu said. “The main mission of the Russian nuclear forces is providing a deterrent against a nuclear attack.” Shoigu added that the claims of a possible chemical attack by Russia were equally “absurd,” saying that Moscow fully liquidated its chemical weapons stockpiles in compliance with an international treaty banning chemical weapons. 

Putin slams US: era of the unipolar world order is nearing its end

Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the United States of trying to encourage extended hostilities in Ukraine as part of what he described as Washington's alleged efforts to maintain its global hegemony.

Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the United States of trying to encourage extended hostilities in Ukraine as part of what he described Tuesday as Washington's alleged efforts to maintain its global hegemony.
Addressing a security conference attended by military officials from Africa,, Asia and Latin America, Putin reaffirmed his long-held claim that he sent troops into Ukraine in response to Washington turning the country into an &ldquo;anti-Russia&rdquo; bulwark.
&ldquo;They need conflicts to retain their hegemony,&rdquo; Putin charged. &ldquo;That's why they have turned the Ukrainian people into cannon fodder. The situation in Ukraine shows that the United States is trying to drag the conflict out, and it acts in exactly the same way trying to fuel conflicts in Asia, Africa and Latin America.&rdquo; The speech represented the latest attempt by the Russian leader to rally support amid bruising Western sanctions that targeted the Russian economy and finance along with its government structures, top officials and businesses for Moscow's action in Ukraine.
Putin also drew parallels between the U.S. backing Ukraine and a recent visit to Taiwan by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, charging that both were part of an alleged American attempt to foment global instability.
&ldquo;The American adventure in Taiwan wasn't just a trip by an irresponsible politician. It was part of a deliberate and conscious U.S. strategy intended to destabilize the situation and create chaos in the region and the entire world, a blatant demonstration of disrespect for another country' sovereignty and its own international obligations,&rdquo; Putin said.
Also Watch| <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/iran-submits-written-response-in-nuclear-deal-talks-1660635573927">Mega submarine deal: Russian official says project design is good but implementation in India problematic</a>
The Russian leader claimed that &ldquo;Western globalist elites" were trying "to shift the blame for their own failures to Russia and China,&rdquo; adding that &ldquo;no matter how hard the beneficiaries of the current globalist model try to cling to it, it's doomed.&rdquo; &rdquo;The era of the unipolar world order is nearing its end," he added.
Speaking at the same conference, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu charged that along with supplies of weapons to Ukraine, Western allies also have provided detailed intelligence information and deployed instructors to help the Ukrainian military operate the weapons systems.
&ldquo;Western intelligence agencies not only have provided target coordinates for launching strikes, but Western specialists also have overseen the input of those data into weapons systems,&rdquo; Shoigu said.
He dismissed allegations that Russia could potentially use nuclear or chemical weapons in the conflict as an &ldquo;absolute lie.&rdquo; &ldquo;From the military viewpoint, there is no need for using nuclear weapons in Ukraine to achieve the stated goals,&rdquo; Shoigu said. &ldquo;The main mission of the Russian nuclear forces is providing a deterrent against a nuclear attack.&rdquo; Shoigu added that the claims of a possible chemical attack by Russia were equally &ldquo;absurd,&rdquo; saying that Moscow fully liquidated its chemical weapons stockpiles in compliance with an international treaty banning chemical weapons.&nbsp;

London’s Heathrow Airport has extended its ongoing flight restrictions and cap on passenger numbers until October 29, amid staff shortages and pressure on services at one of the world’s busiest airports.
In July, a daily cap on passengers travelling through the airport was set at 100,000 and was due to end on September 11. However, on Monday the airport announced that this would now remain in place until the end of October, hitting a particularly busy half-term school break period for families in the UK.
“After consulting with airlines, a daily limit of 100,000 departing passengers will now apply until October 29,” Heathrow said.
The UK's largest airport said the cap would "provide passengers with confidence ahead of their half-term getaways".
"Our primary concern is ensuring we give our passengers a reliable service when they travel," said Ross Barker, Heathrow's chief commercial officer.
"We want to remove the cap as soon as possible, but we can only do so when we are confident that everyone operating at the airport has the resources to deliver the service our passengers deserve," he said.
Airline travellers across the UK have faced months of disruption along with lengthy waits at check-in, security and baggage collection as airports have struggled to cope with renewed high demand in the wake of the COVID-19 lockdowns.
During the pandemic, the aviation industry cut thousands of jobs as international travel ground to a halt but since then it has struggled to recruit and train new staff speedily.
Heathrow – one of the worst hit airports – claims that since the passenger limits were introduced in July, there have been fewer last-minute cancellations, more punctual flights and shorter wait times for bags. However, airlines feel airports should have been better prepared for the post-pandemic rush and a lack of ground handling crews is seen as a key problem in resuming normal services.
"We are disappointed that Heathrow Airport has already decided to extend the passenger capacity cap until the end of October, as additional resources come online every week and the airport experience improves," a spokesperson for Virgin Atlantic said.
There is a chance of the cap being lifted sooner than October-end as Heathrow indicated that "improved resource levels are evident and the airport continues to see sustained operational improvements".

Heathrow Airport extends passenger cap until October-end

London’s Heathrow Airport has extended its ongoing flight restrictions and cap on passenger numbers until October 29, amid staff shortages and pressure on services at one of the world’s busiest airports.

In July, a daily cap on passengers travelling through the airport was set at 100,000 and was due to end on September 11.

London&rsquo;s Heathrow Airport has extended its ongoing flight restrictions and cap on passenger numbers until October 29, amid staff shortages and pressure on services at one of the world&rsquo;s busiest airports.
In July, a daily cap on passengers travelling through the airport was set at 100,000 and was due to end on September 11. However, on Monday the airport announced that this would now remain in place until the end of October, hitting a particularly busy half-term school break period for families in the UK.
&ldquo;After consulting with airlines, a daily limit of 100,000 departing passengers will now apply until October 29,&rdquo; Heathrow said.
The UK's largest airport said the cap would "provide passengers with confidence ahead of their half-term getaways".
"Our primary concern is ensuring we give our passengers a reliable service when they travel," said Ross Barker, Heathrow's chief commercial officer.
"We want to remove the cap as soon as possible, but we can only do so when we are confident that everyone operating at the airport has the resources to deliver the service our passengers deserve," he said.
Airline travellers across the UK have faced months of disruption along with lengthy waits at check-in, security and baggage collection as airports have struggled to cope with renewed high demand in the wake of the COVID-19 lockdowns.
During the pandemic, the aviation industry cut thousands of jobs as international travel ground to a halt but since then it has struggled to recruit and train new staff speedily.
Heathrow &ndash; one of the worst hit airports &ndash; claims that since the passenger limits were introduced in July, there have been fewer last-minute cancellations, more punctual flights and shorter wait times for bags. However, airlines feel airports should have been better prepared for the post-pandemic rush and a lack of ground handling crews is seen as a key problem in resuming normal services.
Also watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/chinese-research-ship-docks-at-sri-lankan-port-amid-concerns-raised-by-india-1660630376405">Chinese research ship docks at Sri Lankan port amid concerns raised by India</a>
"We are disappointed that Heathrow Airport has already decided to extend the passenger capacity cap until the end of October, as additional resources come online every week and the airport experience improves," a spokesperson for Virgin Atlantic said.
There is a chance of the cap being lifted sooner than October-end as Heathrow indicated that "improved resource levels are evident and the airport continues to see sustained operational improvements".

After pulling out of the Indian Navy’s tender for the construction of six advanced submarines under Project-75I, Russia on Monday said that it cannot meet the 'unrealistic' terms and conditions for the over ₹40,000 crore project.

Terms of Indian Navy’s mega submarine deal unrealistic: Russian official

Mega submarine deal: Russian official says project design is good but implementation in India problematic

Mega submarine deal: Russian official says project design is good but implementation in India problematic

After pulling out of the Indian Navy&rsquo;s tender for the construction of six advanced submarines under Project-75I, Russia on Monday said that it cannot meet the 'unrealistic' terms and conditions for the over ₹40,000 crore project.&nbsp;
A senior Russian official said that without any changes in the entire process, the deal cannot move forward, reported The Hindu.
Speaking at the inaugural day of the Army-2022 expo, Andrey Baranov, Deputy Director General, Rubin Design Bureau said, &ldquo;The requirement stated in the Request For Proposal (RFP) demanded very strict timelines and a lot of responsibility to the designer. At the same time, designer has no control over the construction, which happens in India." &ldquo;We are the first ones to leave the project and the last one we know to leave the project is France,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;
Baranov raised concerns over the implementation of the project in India. He said that the design of the project is 'very good' but the implementation "is not so good" as the requirements specified by the Indian Navy and the arrangement for this are not matching. He also noted that the key part of the RFP is that construction will be done in India and if the timelines are not met, the &ldquo;penalties are very high&rdquo;.
In July, the ministry of defence had once again extended the deadline to submit responses from June 30 to December 2022, reported The Hindu. The Indian Navy had also reportedly sought relaxation in certain specifications laid down by the government stating that they have made most submarine manufacturers non-compliant.
Also watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/chinese-research-ship-docks-at-sri-lankan-port-amid-concerns-raised-by-india-1660630376405">Chinese research ship docks at Sri Lankan port amid concerns raised by India</a>
Project-75(I) requires indigenous construction of six modern conventional submarines with contemporary equipment, weapons and sensors, including Fuel-Cell based Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system, advanced torpedoes, modern missiles, and state-of-the-art countermeasure systems.&nbsp;
The Navy currently has 15 conventional and one nuclear submarine in service.&nbsp;

 Iran submits a 'written response' in nuclear deal talks

There was no immediate acknowledgment from the EU that Iran submitted its response. The EU has been the go-between in the indirect talks on the Iran nuclear deal.

Iran said Tuesday it submitted a &ldquo;written response&rdquo; to what has been described as a final roadmap to restore its tattered nuclear deal with world powers.
Iran's state-run IRNA news agency offered no details on the substance of its response, but suggested that Tehran still wouldn't take the European Union-mediated proposal, despite warnings there would be no more negotiations.
&ldquo;The differences are on three issues, in which the United States has expressed its verbal flexibility in two cases, but it should be included in the text,&rdquo; the IRNA report said. &ldquo;The third issue is related to guaranteeing the continuation of (the deal), which depends on the realism of the United States.&rdquo; Tehran under hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi has repeatedly tried to blame Washington for the delay in reaching an accord. Monday was reported to have been a deadline for Iran's response.
There was no immediate acknowledgment from the EU that Iran submitted its response. The EU has been the go-between in the indirect talks.
From Washington, State Department spokesman Ned Price said the U.S. would share its own response to the EU.
&ldquo;We do agree, however, with (the EU's) fundamental point, and that is that what could be negotiated has been negotiated,&rdquo; Price said.
Also watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/chinese-research-ship-docks-at-sri-lankan-port-amid-concerns-raised-by-india-1660630376405">Chinese research ship docks at Sri Lankan port amid concerns raised by India</a>
He added that Iran had been making &ldquo;unacceptable demands&rdquo; going beyond the text of the 2015 nuclear deal, which saw Iran drastically limit its enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.
&ldquo;If Iran wants these sanctions lifted, they will need to alter their underlying conduct," Price said. "They will need to change the dangerous activities that gave rise to these sanctions in the first place.&rdquo;

Latest news

NYT claims tycoon Trump paid just $750 in taxes

Up Next

More videos

Categories

Trending topics