WORLD
China sanctions Lithuanian Minister for Taiwan trip
Vaiciukeviciute had trampled on the "one-China principle", seriously interfered in Beijing's internal affairs and undermined the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, dpa news agency quoted the Chinese Foreign Ministry as saying on Friday. It did not say what the sanctions were in detail but it did say all forms of exchanges with the Lithuanian Ministry of Transport and Communications would also be suspended.
Zelensky proposes extending martial law, general mobilisation
The Ukrainian Parliament imposed a martial law after the start of the ongoing war with Russia on February 24 and has extended it three times since then. The general mobilisation of the population was introduced in Ukraine on February 24 and was prolonged in May for another three months. The laws on the martial law and general mobilization in Ukraine are due to expire on August 23.
Taliban disperses women's rally in Kabul with warning shots, violence
Social media images showed Taliban forces firing warning shots and physically assaulting the women to disperse their gathering in the heart of the city, reports dpa news agency. Another video clip showed a small group of women cornered by the Taliban in a closed place. "We are inside a drug store, they have imprisoned us here," an activist said in one of the videos.
Operating licence of Pak's ARY News revoked, paves way for permanent closure
In a notification, the Ministry said: "The NOC issued in favour of M/S ARY Communications Pvt Limited (ARY News) is cancelled with immediate effect and until further orders on the basis of adverse reports from agencies." The decision by Pemra was taken during its 172nd meeting which was chaired by re-appointed chief Saleem Baig, reports Dawn news. Sources in the regulatory authority said Baig chaired the meeting in the presence of three other members, while four members, including the PTA chairman, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) chairman and the interior secretary joined the meeting via video link.
Taiwan slams China for sanctioning Lithuanian Minister for Taipei trip
Vaiciukeviciute arrived in Taipei on August 7 for a five-day visit to promote future cooperation, reports dpa news agency. Beijing said on Friday that Vaiciukeviciute had undermined China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Taiwan has had an independent government since 1949, but China considers the self-governing democratic island part of its territory.
Russia planning to hold several referenda in Ukraine: US official
A senior National Security Council official said Russia is planning to hold such referenda in Kherson, Zaporizhzhya, the separatist regions of Luhansk and Donetsk, and parts of Kharkiv, dpa news agency reported. "Russian leadership has instructed officials to begin carrying to hold these referenda. As Russia prepares for the referenda, we have information that officials are vetting candidates to serve as administrators of these territories. And that this these moves could take place as soon as in the coming weeks," US official said.
Salman Rushdie put on ventilator, says agent
In a statement late Friday night, Rushdie's agent Andrew Wylie said: "The news is not good... Salman will likely lose one eye; the nerves in his arm were severed; and his liver was stabbed and damaged," dpa news agency reported. The attacker stormed the stage at the event held in the Chautauqua Institution attended by hundreds of people at around 11 a.m. on Friday and stabbed the 75-year-old Indian-born novelist, according to a police spokesman.
China comes to rescue of JeM leader Abdul Rauf Azhar facing UN sanctions
At the Security Council's committee dealing with sanctions on the Islamic State, al-Qaeda and linked groups, China on Wednesday put a technical hold on placing travel restrictions and freezing the assets of Abdul Rauf Azhar, the brother of Masood Azhar, the head of JeM. India and the US had made the proposal to the panel known as the 1267 Committee for the Council resolution setting it up. Decisions are made by consensus in the UN sanctions committees giving any of the 15 members of the Council a veto.
China tried its best to stop Taiwan trip, India's equity unharmed by Ukraine stand: US Congressman
The Taiwan visit last week by US lawmakers led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was intended to make sure what happened in Ukraine - invaded by Russia - was not repeated with China invading Taiwan, says Raja Krishnamoorthi, a member of the US House of Representatives. In an exclusive interview, Krishnamoorthi, who had accompanied Pelosi, says the Chinese "tried to interfere with our trip, even while we were in the air".
Trump demands DOJ release docs seized by FBI from his Florida residence
Trump took to his social website Truth Social to claim that the FBI could have planted evidence during the raid earlier this week on his Mar-a-Lago residence, without however backing up his claim with any shred of evidence. His accusation came on the back of what some sources told The Washington Post last Thursday that classified documents relating to nuclear weapons were among the items FBI agents were looking for in Florida.
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