An armed man has emerged as an unlikely hero in Lebanon after he held hostages in a central Beirut bank and demanded access to his own money.42-year-old food-delivery driver, Bassam al-Sheikh Hussein entered the bank with a shotgun and a canister of gasoline, fired three warning shots and locked himself in with up to 10 hostages, threatening to set himself on fire unless he was allowed to take out his money.Reports said he insisted on withdrawing part of his frozen savings of $210,000 to help pay for his father’s hospital bill.
Like nearly all Lebanese, the hostage taker’s funds have been off limits for more than two years. Banks, stricken by an economic crisis, have allowed depositors only token withdrawals of dollars each month that are insufficient to meet the most basic of needs.News of the siege was quick to reach all parts of a country where nearly 80% of the population are now considered impoverished after the imposition of informal capital controls. Scenes of a defiant figure holding a bank to ransom resonated with hundreds of thousands of people.

Explained: why armed man who took hostages in Lebanon bank is hailed as hero

Reports said he insisted on withdrawing part of his frozen savings of $210,000 to help pay for his father&rsquo;s hospital bill.

An armed man has emerged as an unlikely hero in Lebanon after he held hostages in a central Beirut bank and demanded access to his own money. 42-year-old food-delivery driver, Bassam al-Sheikh Hussein entered the bank with a shotgun and a canister of gasoline, fired three warning shots and locked himself in with up to 10 hostages, threatening to set himself on fire unless he was allowed to take out his money. Reports said he insisted on withdrawing part of his frozen savings of $210,000 to help pay for his father&rsquo;s hospital bill.
Like nearly all Lebanese, the hostage taker&rsquo;s funds have been off limits for more than two years. Banks, stricken by an economic crisis, have allowed depositors only token withdrawals of dollars each month that are insufficient to meet the most basic of needs. News of the siege was quick to reach all parts of a country where nearly 80% of the population are now considered impoverished after the imposition of informal capital controls. Scenes of a defiant figure holding a bank to ransom resonated with hundreds of thousands of people. Also Watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/partner/boomlive/are-big-banks-good-for-customers-1649241529572">Are big banks good for customers?</a>

FBI agents were reportedly looking for secret documents about nuclear weapons when they searched former US president Donald Trump’s home.The Washington Post cited people familiar with the investigation as saying nuclear weapons documents were thought to be in the trove the FBI was hunting in Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. 
They did not specify what kind of documents or whether they referred to the US arsenal or another country’s.The report came hours after the attorney general, Merrick Garland, said he had personally authorised the government request for a search warrant. The suspected presence of nuclear weapons documents at Mar-a-Lago could explain why Garland took such a politically charged step as ordering FBI agents into a former president’s house, as retrieving them would be seen as a national security priority.Trump was particularly fixated on the US nuclear arsenal while he was in the White House, and boasted about being privy to highly secret information.

FBI looked for secret nuclear documents during raid on Trump's Florida house: report

The Washington Post cited people familiar with the investigation as saying nuclear weapons documents were thought to be in the trove the FBI was hunting in Trump&rsquo;s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.&nbsp;

FBI agents were reportedly looking for secret documents about nuclear weapons when they searched former US president Donald Trump&rsquo;s home. The Washington Post cited people familiar with the investigation as saying nuclear weapons documents were thought to be in the trove the FBI was hunting in Trump&rsquo;s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.&nbsp;
They did not specify what kind of documents or whether they referred to the US arsenal or another country&rsquo;s. The report came hours after the attorney general, Merrick Garland, said he had personally authorised the government request for a search warrant. The suspected presence of nuclear weapons documents at Mar-a-Lago could explain why Garland took such a politically charged step as ordering FBI agents into a former president&rsquo;s house, as retrieving them would be seen as a national security priority. Trump was particularly fixated on the US nuclear arsenal while he was in the White House, and boasted about being privy to highly secret information.
ALSO WATCH: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/after-trump-house-raid-armed-man-tried-to-enter-fbi-office-killed-1660276161124">After Trump house raid, armed man tried to enter FBI office; killed</a>

The UN nuclear chief has warned that "very alarming" military activity at Europe's largest nuclear plant in Ukraine could lead to dangerous consequences.
Rafael Grossi urged Russia and Ukraine, who blame each other for the attacks at the plant, to immediately allow nuclear experts to assess damage and evaluate safety at the Zaporizhzhia facility.
India too has expressed concern over reports of shelling near the spent fuel storage facility of the nuclear power plant and called for mutual restraint.While the plant is controlled by Russia, its Ukrainian staff continues to run the nuclear operations. It is in Enerhodar, a city seized by Russian troops in early March soon after they invaded Ukraine.

 Shelling near Ukraine's nuclear power plant; UN issues warning

India too has expressed concern over reports of shelling near the spent fuel storage facility of the nuclear power plant and called for mutual restraint.

The UN nuclear chief has warned that "very alarming" military activity at Europe's largest nuclear plant in Ukraine could lead to dangerous consequences.
Rafael Grossi urged Russia and Ukraine, who blame each other for the attacks at the plant, to immediately allow nuclear experts to assess damage and evaluate safety at the Zaporizhzhia facility.
India too has expressed concern over reports of shelling near the spent fuel storage facility of the nuclear power plant and called for mutual restraint. While the plant is controlled by Russia, its Ukrainian staff continues to run the nuclear operations. It is in Enerhodar, a city seized by Russian troops in early March soon after they invaded Ukraine. ALSO WATCH: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/explained-why-armed-man-who-took-hostages-in-lebanon-bank-is-hailed-as-hero-1660292378976">Explained: why armed man who took hostages in Lebanon bank is hailed as hero</a>

An armed man clad in body armor who tried to breach the FBI’s Cincinnati office on Thursday was shot and killed by police after he fled the scene and engaged in an hourslong standoff in a rural part of the state, the Ohio State Highway Patrol said.
The confrontation came as officials warned of an increase in threats against federal agents in the days following a search of former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
The man is believed to have been in Washington in the days leading up to the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection and may have been present at the Capitol on the day of the attack, according to a law enforcement official briefed on the matter. The official could not discuss details of the investigation publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
The suspect was identified as Ricky Shiffer, 42, according to the law enforcement official. He was not charged with any crimes in connection with the Jan. 6 attack, the official said.

After Trump house raid, armed man tried to enter FBI office; killed

The man was killed after he fled the scene and engaged in an hourslong standoff in a rural part of the Ohio.

An armed man clad in body armor who tried to breach the FBI&rsquo;s Cincinnati office on Thursday was shot and killed by police after he fled the scene and engaged in an hourslong standoff in a rural part of the state, the Ohio State Highway Patrol said.
The confrontation came as officials warned of an increase in threats against federal agents in the days following a search of former President Donald Trump&rsquo;s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
The man is believed to have been in Washington in the days leading up to the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection and may have been present at the Capitol on the day of the attack, according to a law enforcement official briefed on the matter. The official could not discuss details of the investigation publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
The suspect was identified as Ricky Shiffer, 42, according to the law enforcement official. He was not charged with any crimes in connection with the Jan. 6 attack, the official said.
ALSO WATCH: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/rishi-sunak-admits-he-diverted-funds-meant-for-deprived-areas-report-1659782192568">Rishi Sunak admits he diverted funds meant for deprived areas: report</a>

A power outage in downtown Toronto left the offices of Canada's top businesses in the dark on Thursday for about eight hours.
Officials said the outage was caused by a large crane that struck a high-voltage transmission line earlier in the day.
The incident forced the evacuation of one of the city's biggest shopping malls, and caused some businesses to be locked.
The power utility Hydro One said the outage, which started at about noon on Thursday, affected 10,000 customers.
Hydro One confirmed late Thursday that power has been restored, local media reported.
The company said residents and businesses who have been without power for most of the afternoon and evening now have electricity.

Major power outage causes disruption in Toronto

The incident forced the evacuation of one of the city's biggest shopping malls, and caused some businesses to be locked.

A power outage in downtown Toronto left the offices of Canada's top businesses in the dark on Thursday for about eight hours.
Officials said the outage was caused by a large crane that struck a high-voltage transmission line earlier in the day.
The incident forced the evacuation of one of the city's biggest shopping malls, and caused some businesses to be locked.
The power utility Hydro One said the outage, which started at about noon on Thursday, affected 10,000 customers.
Hydro One confirmed late Thursday that power has been restored, local media reported.
The company said residents and businesses who have been without power for most of the afternoon and evening now have electricity.
ALSO WATCH: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/california-wildfire-explained-what-is-firenado-1660295366509">California wildfire | Explained: what is 'firenado'</a>

A Pakistani court in the southern port city of Karachi on Thursday ordered the release of a TV news director who was arrested over an alleged anti-army broadcast, his colleagues and lawyer said.
The release of Ammad Yousaf, a senior executive at the country's popular private ARY Television, came a day after police raided his home and arrested him. He had been accused of broadcasting an anti-army interview with Shahbaz Gill, chief of staff at Tehreek-e-Insaf opposition party of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Khan, a famous cricket player-turned-Islamist politician, was ousted in a no-confidence vote in parliament in April.
Pakistan's media regulatory body also shuttered the TV station.
According to ARY, after his release, Yousaf thanked all those who had raised their voices against his arrest. However, by late Thursday, ARY was still off the air.
In the controversial interview, broadcast on Monday, Gill urged Pakistani troops and officers to refuse to obey "illegal orders" from the military -- remarks that were seen by authorities as incitement to mutiny.
Gill was subsequently arrested on treason charges for which he could face the death penalty.
Earlier Thursday, Reporters Without Border condemned Yousaf's arrest and the TV's suspension, and accused Pakistan's powerful military of orchestrating them.
"The same crude censorship and harassment of journalists critical of the government keeps on recurring," said Daniel Bastard, the head of the group's Asia-Pacific desk.
ARY has distanced itself from Gill's remarks, stressing that it is not part of any campaign against the army. Khan came to power in 2018, promising to break the pattern of family rule in Pakistan, but his opponents said he was elected with help from the military, which has ruled the country for half of its 75-year history. 

Pakistan frees TV executive held over an anti-army broadcast

A Pakistani court in the southern port city of Karachi on Thursday ordered the release of a TV news director who was arrested over an alleged anti-army broadcast, his colleagues and lawyer said.

Pakistan's media regulatory body also shuttered the TV station.

A Pakistani court in the southern port city of Karachi on Thursday ordered the release of a TV news director who was arrested over an alleged anti-army broadcast, his colleagues and lawyer said.
The release of Ammad Yousaf, a senior executive at the country's popular private ARY Television, came a day after police raided his home and arrested him. He had been accused of broadcasting an anti-army interview with Shahbaz Gill, chief of staff at Tehreek-e-Insaf opposition party of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Khan, a famous cricket player-turned-Islamist politician, was ousted in a no-confidence vote in parliament in April.
Pakistan's media regulatory body also shuttered the TV station.
According to ARY, after his release, Yousaf thanked all those who had raised their voices against his arrest. However, by late Thursday, ARY was still off the air.
In the controversial interview, broadcast on Monday, Gill urged Pakistani troops and officers to refuse to obey "illegal orders" from the military -- remarks that were seen by authorities as incitement to mutiny.
Gill was subsequently arrested on treason charges for which he could face the death penalty.
Earlier Thursday, Reporters Without Border condemned Yousaf's arrest and the TV's suspension, and accused Pakistan's powerful military of orchestrating them.
"The same crude censorship and harassment of journalists critical of the government keeps on recurring," said Daniel Bastard, the head of the group's Asia-Pacific desk.
ARY has distanced itself from Gill's remarks, stressing that it is not part of any campaign against the army. Khan came to power in 2018, promising to break the pattern of family rule in Pakistan, but his opponents said he was elected with help from the military, which has ruled the country for half of its 75-year history.&nbsp;
ALSO WATCH: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/pakistan-tv-journalist-from-ary-news-arrested-hours-after-channel-taken-off-air-1660118734507">Pakistan: TV journalist from ARY News arrested hours after channel taken off air</a>

At least 47 people including 16 children and 4 women died in the aftermath of last weekend's fighting between Israel and Gaza militants, the Health Ministry in Gaza said on Thursday. 
The increased death toll has been reported after a man died from wounds sustained during the violence. 
Israeli aircraft struck targets in the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant group fired over a thousand rockets over three days of fighting, the worst cross-border violence since last year's 11-day conflict with Hamas.
The cease-fire on Sunday night brought an end to the fighting, in which no Israelis were killed or serious injured.
(With inputs from PTI)

Israel-Gaza fighting death toll reaches 47, over dozen children among dead

Israeli aircraft struck targets in the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant group fired over a thousand rockets over three days of fighting, the worst cross-border violence since last year's 11-day conflict with Hamas

Israeli aircraft struck targets in the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant group fired over a thousand rockets over three days of fighting, the worst cross-border violence since last year's 11-day conflict with Hamas

At least 47 people including 16 children and 4 women died in the aftermath of last weekend's fighting between Israel and Palestinian militants, the Health Ministry in Gaza said on Thursday.&nbsp;
The increased death toll has been reported after a man died from wounds sustained during the violence.&nbsp;
Israeli aircraft struck targets in the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant group fired over a thousand rockets over three days of fighting, the worst cross-border violence since last year's 11-day conflict with Hamas.
The ceasefire on Sunday night brought an end to the fighting, in which no Israelis were killed or serious injured.
The latest violence broke out with Israeli attacks in Gaza Strip, in response to threats from a militant group called Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), claimed the Israeli military
Israel and Gaza's militant Hamas rulers have fought four wars and several smaller battles over the last 15 years at a staggering cost to the territory's 2 million Palestinian residents.
ALSO WATCH: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/israel-and-gaza-militants-exchange-fire-after-deadly-strikes-1659772429187">Israel and Gaza militants exchange fire after deadly strikes</a>
(With inputs from PTI)

China has put a hold on a proposal by the US and India at the United Nations to blacklist Abdul Rauf Azhar, the brother of Jaish-e Mohammed (JEM) chief Masood Azhar and a senior leader of the Pakistan-based terror organisation.
Abdul Rauf Azhar, born in 1974 in Pakistan, was sanctioned by the US in December 2010.
On Wednesday, sources said China put a hold on a proposal by India and the US to designate Azhar as a global terrorist and subject him to assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo.
This is the second time in less than two months that China has put a hold on a listing by the US and India to blacklist a Pakistan-based terrorist under the sanctions committee of the UN Security Council.
In June this year, China had put a hold, at the last moment, on a joint proposal by India and the US to list Pakistan-based terrorist Abdul Rehman Makki under the 1267 Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council.
Makki is a US-designated terrorist and brother-in-law of Lashkar-e-Taiba head and 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed.
New Delhi and Washington had put a joint proposal to designate Makki as a global terrorist under the 1267 ISIL and Al Qaida Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council but Beijing placed a hold on this proposal at the last minute here.
The US Department of Treasury had in December 2010 designated “Abdul Rauf Azhar, a senior leader of Jaish-e Mohammed (JEM), for acting for or on behalf of JEM." The US said as a senior leader of JeM, Abdul Rauf Azhar “has urged Pakistanis to engage in militant activities. He has served as JEM's acting leader in 2007, as one of JEM's most senior commanders in India, and as JEM's intelligence coordinator." "In 2008 Azhar was assigned to organise suicide attacks in India. He was also involved with JEM's political wing and has served as a JEM official involved with training camps.” A day before Beijing blocked this latest proposal, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj had said at a Security Council meeting chaired by permanent-member and Council President China that the practice of placing holds and blocks on listing requests without giving any justification must end and asserted that the credibility of the Sanctions Regime at an all-time low.
“An effective functioning of the Sanctions Committees requires them to become more transparent, accountable and objective. The practice of placing holds and blocks on listing requests without giving any justification must end,” Kamboj said.
Kamboj had added that “it is most regrettable that genuine and evidence-based listing proposals pertaining to some of the most notorious terrorists in the world are being placed on hold.
“Double standards and continuing politicisation have rendered the credibility of the Sanctions Regime at an all-time low. We do hope that all members of the UNSC can pronounce together in one voice, sooner than later, when it comes to this collective fight against international terrorism,” she had said.
Earlier also, China, an all-weather friend of Islamabad, has placed holds and blocks on bids by India and its allies to list Pakistan-based terrorists.
In May 2019, India had won a huge diplomatic win at the UN when the global body designated Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a "global terrorist”, a decade after New Delhi had first approached the world body on the issue.
A veto-wielding permanent member of the UN Security Council, China was the sole hold-out in the 15-nation body on the bid to blacklist Azhar, blocking attempts by placing a "technical hold". All decisions of the committee are taken through consensus.
In 2009, India had moved a proposal by itself to designate Azhar.
In 2016 again India moved the proposal with the P3 - the US, the UK and France in the UN's 1267 Sanctions Committee to ban Azhar, also the mastermind of the attack on the air base in Pathankot in January, 2016.
In 2017, the P3 nations moved a similar proposal again. However, on all occasions, China blocked India's proposal from being adopted by the sanctions committee.

China puts hold on proposal to blacklist JEM chief Masood Azhar's brother

Abdul Rauf Azhar, born in 1974 in Pakistan, was sanctioned by the US in December 2010.

China has put a hold on a proposal by the US and India at the United Nations to blacklist Abdul Rauf Azhar, the brother of Jaish-e Mohammed (JEM) chief Masood Azhar and a senior leader of the Pakistan-based terror organisation.
Abdul Rauf Azhar, born in 1974 in Pakistan, was sanctioned by the US in December 2010.
On Wednesday, sources said China put a hold on a proposal by India and the US to designate Azhar as a global terrorist and subject him to assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo.
This is the second time in less than two months that China has put a hold on a listing by the US and India to blacklist a Pakistan-based terrorist under the sanctions committee of the UN Security Council.
In June this year, China had put a hold, at the last moment, on a joint proposal by India and the US to list Pakistan-based terrorist Abdul Rehman Makki under the 1267 Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council.
Makki is a US-designated terrorist and brother-in-law of Lashkar-e-Taiba head and 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed.
New Delhi and Washington had put a joint proposal to designate Makki as a global terrorist under the 1267 ISIL and Al Qaida Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council but Beijing placed a hold on this proposal at the last minute here.
The US Department of Treasury had in December 2010 designated &ldquo;Abdul Rauf Azhar, a senior leader of Jaish-e Mohammed (JEM), for acting for or on behalf of JEM." The US said as a senior leader of JeM, Abdul Rauf Azhar &ldquo;has urged Pakistanis to engage in militant activities. He has served as JEM's acting leader in 2007, as one of JEM's most senior commanders in India, and as JEM's intelligence coordinator." "In 2008 Azhar was assigned to organise suicide attacks in India. He was also involved with JEM's political wing and has served as a JEM official involved with training camps.&rdquo; A day before Beijing blocked this latest proposal, India&rsquo;s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj had said at a Security Council meeting chaired by permanent-member and Council President China that the practice of placing holds and blocks on listing requests without giving any justification must end and asserted that the credibility of the Sanctions Regime at an all-time low.
ALSO WATCH: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/china-successfully-completes-military-drills-around-taiwan-1660184645780">China 'successfully completes' military drills around Taiwan</a>
&ldquo;An effective functioning of the Sanctions Committees requires them to become more transparent, accountable and objective. The practice of placing holds and blocks on listing requests without giving any justification must end,&rdquo; Kamboj said.
Kamboj had added that &ldquo;it is most regrettable that genuine and evidence-based listing proposals pertaining to some of the most notorious terrorists in the world are being placed on hold.
&ldquo;Double standards and continuing politicisation have rendered the credibility of the Sanctions Regime at an all-time low. We do hope that all members of the UNSC can pronounce together in one voice, sooner than later, when it comes to this collective fight against international terrorism,&rdquo; she had said.
Earlier also, China, an all-weather friend of Islamabad, has placed holds and blocks on bids by India and its allies to list Pakistan-based terrorists.
In May 2019, India had won a huge diplomatic win at the UN when the global body designated Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a "global terrorist&rdquo;, a decade after New Delhi had first approached the world body on the issue.
A veto-wielding permanent member of the UN Security Council, China was the sole hold-out in the 15-nation body on the bid to blacklist Azhar, blocking attempts by placing a "technical hold". All decisions of the committee are taken through consensus.
In 2009, India had moved a proposal by itself to designate Azhar.
In 2016 again India moved the proposal with the P3 - the US, the UK and France in the UN's 1267 Sanctions Committee to ban Azhar, also the mastermind of the attack on the air base in Pathankot in January, 2016.
In 2017, the P3 nations moved a similar proposal again. However, on all occasions, China blocked India's proposal from being adopted by the sanctions committee.

Britain’s prime ministerial candidate Rishi Sunak has insisted that he would rather lose the Conservative Party leadership race to replace Boris Johnson than win on a false promise on how he plans to tackle the economic crisis.
In an interview with the BBC, the British Indian former Chancellor said he was committed to helping the most vulnerable families with the cost-of-living crisis and felt a "moral responsibility to go further" and provide "extra help" over the winter.
The issue has become the key dividing line between him and his rival, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, who has pledged tax cuts which the former finance minister insists will benefit wealthier households rather than those who need it most.
“I would rather lose than win on a false promise,” Sunak, 42, said.
"What I'm determined to do is help people across this country through what will be a very difficult winter. My first preference is always not to take money off people in the first place," he said.
As the candidates continue to be grilled by Conservative Party members who will be voting in the election in hustings up and down the UK, the issue of soaring inflation and prices has dominated the agenda.

UK PM race:  Rishi Sunak says he would rather lose than win on a false promise:

UK PM race:  Rishi Sunak says he would rather lose than win on a false promise

The issue of soaring inflation and prices has dominated the agenda. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, who has pledged tax cuts which the former finance minister insists will benefit wealthier households

Britain&rsquo;s prime ministerial candidate Rishi Sunak has insisted that he would rather lose the Conservative Party leadership race to replace Boris Johnson than win on a false promise on how he plans to tackle the economic crisis.
In an interview with the BBC, the British Indian former Chancellor said he was committed to helping the most vulnerable families with the cost-of-living crisis and felt a "moral responsibility to go further" and provide "extra help" over the winter.
The issue has become the key dividing line between him and his rival, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, who has pledged tax cuts which the former finance minister insists will benefit wealthier households rather than those who need it most.
&ldquo;I would rather lose than win on a false promise,&rdquo; Sunak, 42, said.
"What I'm determined to do is help people across this country through what will be a very difficult winter. My first preference is always not to take money off people in the first place," he said.
As the candidates continue to be grilled by Conservative Party members who will be voting in the election in hustings up and down the UK, the issue of soaring inflation and prices has dominated the agenda.
ALSO WATCH: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/rishi-sunak-admits-he-diverted-funds-meant-for-deprived-areas-report-1659782192568">Rishi Sunak admits he diverted funds meant for deprived areas: report</a>

A judge in Russia on Thursday convicted and sentenced American basketball star Brittney Griner to nine years in prison for drug possession and smuggling.
Judge Anna Sotnikova said that all the evidence and materials presented during the trial led the court to conclude that Griner's guilt "is proven." Apart from the jail term, the 31-year-old was also fined around $16,400.
Griner, a two-time U.S. Olympic champion and an eight-time all-star with the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, listened with a blank expression as an interpreter translated the verdict.
Earlier in the session, an emotional Griner made a final appeal and said that she had no intention to break the law by bringing vape cartridges with cannabis oil when she flew to Moscow in February to play basketball in the city of Yekaterinburg
The ruling concluded a case that reached the highest levels of U.S.-Russian diplomacy and raised concerns that Griner was being used as a political pawn in Russia's war against Ukraine.
Also read: India and Pakistan can lock horns against each other 3 times in Asia Cup 2022, here's how

US Olympic champion Brittney Griner sentenced to 9 years in Russian jail for drug-smuggling

A judge in Russia on Thursday convicted and sentenced American basketball star Brittney Griner to nine years in prison for drug possession and smuggling. Is she being used as a political pawn?

US Olympic champion sentenced to 9 years in Russian jail for drug-smuggling

Griner carried vape cartridges with cannabis oil when she flew to Moscow in February to play basketball in the city of Yekaterinburg

A judge in Russia on Thursday convicted and sentenced American basketball star Brittney Griner to nine years in prison for drug possession and smuggling.
Judge Anna Sotnikova said that all the evidence and materials presented during the trial led the court to conclude that Griner's guilt "is proven." Apart from the jail term, the 31-year-old was also fined around $16,400.
Griner, a two-time U.S. Olympic champion and an eight-time all-star with the WNBA&rsquo;s Phoenix Mercury, listened with a blank expression as an interpreter translated the verdict.
Earlier in the session, an emotional Griner made a final appeal and said that she had no intention to break the law by bringing vape cartridges with cannabis oil when she flew to Moscow in February to play basketball in the city of Yekaterinburg
The ruling concluded a case that reached the highest levels of U.S.-Russian diplomacy and raised concerns that Griner was being used as a political pawn in Russia's war against Ukraine.
Also read: <a title="India and Pakistan can lock horns against each other 3 times in Asia Cup 2022, here's how" href="https://www.editorji.com/sports-news/cricket/india-and-pakistan-can-lock-horns-against-each-other-3-times-in-asia-cup-2022-here-s-how-1659609043784" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">India and Pakistan can lock horns against each other 3 times in Asia Cup 2022, here's how</a>

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US Congress pass law, makes lynching a federal crime

US Congress makes lynching a hate crime under federal law
Historic bill comes 120 years after Cong first considered move
Law criminalising&nbsp;lynching passed unanimously by the House
Law comes 65 years after lynching of 14-yr-old Emmett Till
Till's&nbsp;lynching in&nbsp;Mississippi triggered a civil rights movement
Hate crime to be punishable by a life term, fine, or both

The US Congress has approved a legislation designating lynching as a hate crime under federal law. The bill, comes 120 years after the Congress first considered an anti-lynching legislation. The measure was approved unanimously, 410 to 4 on Wednesday. Ironically, the bill comes sixty-five years after the shocking lynching of 14-year-old Emmett Till in Mississippi, which triggered a civil rights movement. Till, who was black, was brutally tortured and killed in 1955 after a white woman accused him of grabbing her and whistling at her at a grocery store. President Trump is expected to sign the bill, which designates lynching as a federal hate crime punishable by up to life in prison, a fine, or both.

Salman Rushdie, the Mumbai-born author who faced Islamist death threats for years after writing 'The Satanic Verses', underwent surgery after he suffered multiple stab wounds to the neck. 
A man stormed the stage and stabbed Rushdie as he was about to deliver a lecture during an event in New York's Chautauqua Institution. 
The audience tackled the attacker and Rushdie was then treated onstage following the assault.
A video taken by a member of audience shows the attacker being led away by the police and some civilians
“State Police are investigating an attack on author Salman Rushdie prior to a speaking event at the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, NY. On August 12, 2022, at about 11 a.m., a male suspect ran up onto the stage and attacked Rushdie and an interviewer,” New York Police said in a statement.
“Rushdie suffered an apparent stab wound to the neck and was transported by helicopter to an area hospital. His condition is not yet known. The interviewer suffered a minor head injury. A State Trooper assigned to the event immediately took the suspect into custody. The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office assisted at the scene,” it said.
Several users on the social media site posted visuals from the event in Chautauqua, New York that showed emergency medical crews and other authorities on stage at the event where Rushdie was reportedly stabbed.
Chautauqua Institution, where at an event Rushdie was stabbed, said it is focussing on coordinating with police officials following the “tragic" incident.
 

Author Salman Rushdie undergoes surgery after being stabbed

Salman Rushdie, the Mumbai-born author who faced Islamist death threats for years after writing 'The Satanic Verses', underwent surgery after he suffered multiple stab wounds to the neck. 

A man stormed the stage and stabbed Rushdie as he was about to deliver a lecture during an event in New York's Chautauqua Institution.&nbsp;

Salman Rushdie, the Mumbai-born author who faced Islamist death threats for years after writing 'The Satanic Verses', underwent surgery after he suffered multiple stab wounds to the neck.&nbsp;
A man stormed the stage and stabbed Rushdie as he was about to deliver a lecture during an event in New York's Chautauqua Institution.&nbsp;
The audience tackled the attacker and Rushdie was then treated onstage following the assault.
A video taken by a member of audience shows the attacker being led away by the police and some civilians
&ldquo;State Police are investigating an attack on author Salman Rushdie prior to a speaking event at the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, NY. On August 12, 2022, at about 11 a.m., a male suspect ran up onto the stage and attacked Rushdie and an interviewer,&rdquo; New York Police said in a statement.
Also Watch| <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/associated-press-reporter-describes-salman-rushdie-stabbing-1660327091156" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Associated Press reporter describes Salman Rushdie stabbing</a>
&ldquo;Rushdie suffered an apparent stab wound to the neck and was transported by helicopter to an area hospital. His condition is not yet known. The interviewer suffered a minor head injury. A State Trooper assigned to the event immediately took the suspect into custody. The Chautauqua County Sheriff&rsquo;s Office assisted at the scene,&rdquo; it said.
Several users on the social media site posted visuals from the event in Chautauqua, New York that showed emergency medical crews and other authorities on stage at the event where Rushdie was reportedly stabbed.
Chautauqua Institution, where at an event Rushdie was stabbed, said it is focussing on coordinating with police officials following the &ldquo;tragic" incident.

Author Salman Rushdie was attacked as he was about to give a lecture in western New York.
While intially it was not clear whether the author was punched or stabbed, the New York State Police later issued a statement saying that Rushdie had suffered an apparent stab wound to the neck. 
The police also confirmed that attacker had been restrained. 
Rushdie's book "The Satanic Verses" has been banned in Iran since 1988, as many Muslims consider it to be blasphemous.
A year later, Iran's late leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa, or edict, calling for Rushdie's death. Iran has also offered over $3 million in reward for anyone who kills Rushdie.
(with AP inputs)

Associated Press reporter describes Salman Rushdie stabbing

Author Salman Rushdie was attacked as he was about to give a lecture in western New York.

Associated Press reporter describes the attack on Salman Rushdie

While intially it was not clear whether the author was punched or stabbed, the New York State Police later issued a statement saying that Rushdie had suffered an apparent stab wound to the neck.&nbsp;

Author Salman Rushdie was attacked as he was about to give a lecture in western New York.
While intially it was not clear whether the author was punched or stabbed, the New York State Police later issued a statement saying that Rushdie had suffered an apparent stab wound to the neck.&nbsp;
The police also confirmed that attacker had been restrained.&nbsp;
Rushdie's book The Satanic Verses has been banned in Iran since 1988, as many Muslims consider it to be blasphemous.
A year later, Iran's late leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa, or edict, calling for Rushdie's death. Iran has also offered over $3 million in reward for anyone who kills Rushdie.
ALSO WATCH: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/author-salman-rushdie-received-death-threats-had-3-million-bounty-1660324194161">Salman Rushdie stabbed: 'The Satanic Verses' and why the author lived under threat</a>
(with AP inputs)

Author Salman Rushdie who was attacked in front of a live audience in New York on Friday has always been vocal with his criticism of some of the Islamic practices. 
His book "The Satanic Verses" fetched him death threats from Iran in the 1980s as many Muslims consider it blasphemous. Since then, the book has been banned in the country. Late Iran leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a 'fatwa' to kill Rushdie.
Iran had also announced a bounty of $3 million for anyone who kills the authors.
The attack on Rushdie suggests the possibility of a death conspiracy against the author, though official word is awaited on the attack 
Irrespective of the threats, Rushdie continued to produce several nivel throughout the 1990s 
A British citizen by origin,  Rushdie has been in the US for 20 years

Salman Rushdie stabbed: 'The Satanic Verses' and why the author lived under threat

His book 'The Satanic Verses' fetched him death threats from Iran in the 1980s as many Muslims consider it blasphemous. Since then, the book has been banned in the country. Late Iran leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini had issued a 'fatwa' to kill Rushdie

His book The Satanic Verses fetched him death threats from Iran in the 1980s as many Muslims consider it blasphemous. Since then, the book has been banned in the country. Late Iran leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini had issued a 'fatwa' to kill Rushdie

The Satanic Verses, the book that came to people&rsquo;s mind when the news about the Salman Rushdie&rsquo;s stabbing broke.
After all, the India-born author has spent over 30 years of his life, including 9 years in hiding, living with death threats for that one book.
Rushdie&rsquo;s 1988 novel The Satanic Verses was viewed as blasphemous by many Muslims and they accused him of insulting certain basic beliefs of Islam.
The book was banned in Iran the year it came out and in 1989 the country&rsquo;s then Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa calling for Rushdie&rsquo;s death. He also announced a bounty of $3 million for anyone who kills him.
According to Associated Press, at least 45 people were killed in riots over the book, including 12 people in Rushdie&rsquo;s hometown of Mumbai. In 1991, a Japanese translator of the book was stabbed to death and an Italian translator survived a knife attack. In 1993, the book&rsquo;s Norwegian publisher was shot three times and survived.
The death threats and bounty led Rushdie to go into hiding under a British government protection program from which he emerged 9 years later after the Iranian govt started distancing themselves from the fatwa.&nbsp;
But anti-Rushdie sentiments continued to linger. In 2016, Iranian state-run media outlets added $600,000 to the bounty on his head.
Rushdie continued to write during hiding as well but under the pen name of Joseph Anton &ndash; chosen after his two favourite authors Joseph Conrad and Anton Chekhov.&nbsp;
In 2012, Rushdie published a memoir &lsquo;Joseph Anton&rsquo; about the fatwa and his life in hiding.&nbsp;

Indian-origin author Salman Rushdie, who lived a life under threats after the publication oif his controversial book on prophet of Islam, has been attacked at an event in New York. 
Videos circulating on social media show a crowd gathered on a stage where Rushdie, on whose head Iran's Ayatollah Khomeni placed a bounty, was to speak. 
The video shows a bunch of people reaching out to a person who is lying on the stage. 
The Associated Press in its initial coverage reported that the author of Satanic Verses was either punched or stabbed. 
Details about his condition were unavailable. 

Indian-born author Salman Rushdie attacked, suffers stab wound

Author Salman Rushdie attacked on stage in New York
Rushdie was about to begin a lecture at a university
AP: Rushdie either punched or stabbed

Videos circulating on social media show a crowd gathered on a stage where Rushdie, on whose head Iran's Ayatollah Khomeni placed a bounty, was to speak.&nbsp;

Indian-origin author Salman Rushdie, who lived a life under threats after the publication of his controversial book The Satanic Verses has been attacked at an event in New York.&nbsp;
The New York State Police confirmed that he suffered an apparent stab wound to the neck and was transported by helicopter to an area hospital. Details about his condition were unavailable.&nbsp;
The statement also said that the attacker has been restrained. New York State Police said the male suspect ran up onto the stage and attacked Rushdie and an interviewer.
Videos circulating on social media show a crowd gathered on a stage where Rushdie, on whose head Iran's Ayatollah Khomeni placed a bounty, was to speak.&nbsp;
The video shows a bunch of people reaching out to a person who is lying on the stage.&nbsp;
ALSO WATCH: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/associated-press-reporter-describes-salman-rushdie-stabbing-1660327091156">Associated Press reporter describes Salman Rushdie stabbing</a>

Hot winds and wildfires created a fire like tornado prompting many to to term it a 'firenado' in the United State's California. Flames and smoke swirled upwards due to soaring temperature and created the firenado.

Hot wind and wildfires create 'firenado' in California 

Caught on camera: Watch how wildfire created 'firenado' in California

The bushfire on Wednesday at Gorman region and quickly spread to more than 100 acres of land and a nearby highway was shut down.

In California, hot winds and wildfires created a fire-like tornado prompting many to term it a 'firenado'. Flames and smoke swirled upwards due to soaring temperature and created the 'firenado'.&nbsp;
The bushfire started on Wednesday at Gorman region and quickly spread to more than 100 acres of land and a nearby highway was shut down.
Climate experts say the wildfires in California are increasing due to climate change. In this month alone, two persons died in McKinney Fire, which was California's one of the biggest wildfire this year, and forced thousands to evacuate their homes.&nbsp; &nbsp;
ALSO WATCH: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/shelling-near-ukraine-s-nuclear-power-plant-un-issues-warning-1660280836243">Shelling near Ukraine's nuclear power plant; UN issues warning</a>

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