Amid reports that jailed former prime minister Imran Khan had green-lit negotiations with the establishment and political forces, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, founded by former Pakistani cricketer Imran Khan, the party's chairman Barrister Gohar Khan has said that Khan is not holding "backdoor talks" with anyone. Addressing a press conference following a meeting with the 71-year-old PTI founder at Adiala jail, Gohar on Monday suggested that the ex-premier only sought names for holding negotiations. No talks were being held right now, he added. "Today, the PTI founder was barred from addressing the media by the jail administration, while several of our legal representatives were denied entry into the jail," Gohar was quoted as saying by the Express Tribune newspaper. He said that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif had been "exonerated of all charges, while the PTI founder was being punished in fabricated cases". "The police are being used against our party. Maryam Nawaz, dressed in police attire, sends a message that the police are subordinate to them, Gohar quoted the PTI founder as saying during their meeting. PTI leader Sher Afzal Marwat, who was alongside Gohar during the conference, said Imran Khan criticised Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar's appointment as deputy prime minister and termed him Nawaz's "frontman". Consultations are ongoing for the selection of the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), and a final decision will be announced tomorrow," said Marwat, whose name is also doing the rounds for the position. Addressing reports of former PTI leaders rejoining the party, the leader maintained that only Imran would have a final say. On Sunday, reports said the cricketer-turned-politician had given his party the green light for negotiations with the establishment and political adversaries. However, the PTI founder made it clear that any talks must play by the rulebook, stressing the party's willingness to sit down with both the powers that be and political adversaries for the greater good. How the negotiations will take place and in what environment should be decided first, only then will the way for the negotiations be paved with those who are the stakeholders,¿ he added. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
30 April,2024 12:15 PM IST | Lahore | mid-day online correspondentIn a devastating shooting incident at a residence in Charlotte, North Carolina, three law enforcement officers lost their lives. Those who were shot in a gunfire were a deputy US Marshal and two local task force officers, confirmed by a source familiar with the matter speaking to CNN. Though police had not publicly confirmed the fatalities, a news conference has been scheduled at 5:40 pm (ET) to shed light on the event. The incident unfolded at a residence on Galway Drive in Charlotte, where multiple officers were shot Monday afternoon, as per authorities. "The residence on Galway Drive is now clear, and the area is safe. Residents no longer need to shelter in place," Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police said in a Monday afternoon X post. One suspect was found dead, and two other people were found in the home and are being held by police for questioning, according to the post. "Numerous law enforcement officers struck by gunfire in active situation," the department had said earlier on X. The incident took place at the 5000 block of Galway Drive, police said, and a SWAT team was on scene. Police said the "threat is isolated" to that area and asked neighborhood residents to shelter-in-place. "The US Marshals Fugitive Task Force comprising of several agencies in the Charlotte area was attempting to serve a warrant" when shots were fired, according to another X post from the police department. "Multiple law enforcement officers have been struck by the gunfire and are being taken to the hospital," police previously said. In response to the tragic events, Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles expressed sorrow, extending her condolences to the affected officers and their families. Lyles urged the community to unite in support and prayer for those impacted by the harrowing incident, CNN reported. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
30 April,2024 08:12 AM IST | Charlotte | mid-day online correspondentNine people charged in connection with an alleged far-right plot to topple the German government are going on trial on Monday in one of three cases linked to the purported conspiracy, which came to light in late 2022. The trial opening in Stuttgart is the first one and is focused on those defendants of the so-called Reich Citizens group who allegedly were part of the so-called military arm, German news agency dpa reported. Federal prosecutors in December filed terrorism charges against a total of 27 people, one of whom has since died. Nine other suspects will go on trial on May 21 and eignt on June 18. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
30 April,2024 06:28 AM IST | Berlin | AgenciesThe Taiwan government urged China to resume bilateral exchanges “without preconditions” after China announced it would once again allow tourists from Fujian Province to travel to the Taiwan-controlled Matsu Islands, Central News Agency (CNA) reported. The eased travel restrictions were announced after a meeting was held between China’s deputy minister of culture and tourism Rao Quan and a legislative delegation led by Kuomintang (KMT) caucus whip Fu Kun-chi. Asked about the decision later in the day, Taiwan’s Interior Minister, Lin Yu-chang, said that “equitable exchanges” between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait are a “shared expectation and consensus” among the people of Taiwan. Lin stated that such exchanges should take place without pre-conditions or any type of political considerations to avoid suspicions about the motives. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
30 April,2024 06:24 AM IST | Taipei | AgenciesAt the Khalsa Day Celebrations that took place in Toronto, loud chants of pro-Khalistan slogans were seen being raised in the presence of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as well as opposition leader Pierre Poilievre. This comes amid a sharp rise in anti-India sentiment in Canada in recent times. As PM Trudeau was about to take the stage for his address to mark Khalsa Day, the chants were heard getting louder till he arrives and commences his speech in the video released by Canada-based CPAC TV. Slogans of “Khalistan Zindabad” were heard at the event in which, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow were also present. Thousands flocked to downtown Toronto on Sunday for one of the biggest yearly gatherings in the city. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
30 April,2024 06:21 AM IST | Toronto | AgenciesMalaysia’s elderly population is set to feel the full force of its planned removal of fuel subsidies. Plans to remove Malaysia’s fuel subsidies are set to add to cost of living challenges, particularly for its elderly population who rely heavily on fixed incomes. The removal of subsidies in the second half of 2024 will see the price of fuel rise from two to three times the current rates. As the price of fuel increases, the most direct and immediate effect will be on transport costs which form the backbone of industry and individual mobility. Rising transport costs may be more severe for economically disadvantaged or vulnerable populations, including the poorer and/or elderly. In 2020, over seven per cent of Malaysia’s population was aged 65 years and above. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
30 April,2024 06:16 AM IST | Kuala Lumpur | AgenciesIsraeli airstrikes on the southern Gaza city of Rafah have killed at least 22 people, including six women and five children, Palestinian health officials said. One of the children killed in the strikes overnight into Monday was just five days old. Israel has regularly carried out airstrikes on Rafah since the start of the war and has threatened to send in ground troops, saying Rafah is the last major Hamas stronghold in the coastal enclave. Over a million Palestinians have sought refuge in the city on the Egyptian border. The United States and others have urged Israel not to invade, fearing a humanitarian catastrophe. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday begins his seventh diplomatic mission to the Middle East since the Israel-Hamas war began more than six months ago. Biden speaks with Netanyahu again US President Joe Biden has again spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the White House said, as pressure builds on Israel and Hamas to reach a deal that would free some Israeli hostages and bring a cease-fire in the war in Gaza. The White House said Biden reiterated his “clear position” as Israel plans to invade Rafah. Israel worried about ICC arrest warrants Israeli officials on Monday were concerned that the International Criminal Court (ICC) may issue arrest warrants against the country’s leaders, as international pressure mounts over the Gaza war. The ICC launched a probe three years ago into possible war crimes by Israel and Palestinian militants going back to the 2014 Israel-Hamas war, but it has given no indication such warrants are imminent. 05No of children killed in the latest airstrikes This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
30 April,2024 06:13 AM IST | Jerusalem | AgenciesAmid the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has said that Palestinian civilians living in Gaza were suffering a "collective punishment" from Israel's retaliatory military campaign for the attacks launched by Hamas on October 7. "What has taken place, all Palestinians in Gaza have to pay for it," Madbouly said. Israel's response to the massacre that left over 1,200 people dead and hundreds more taken hostage "was unbelievable," he said at a conference organised by the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Riyadh on Monday. More than 80 per cent of the health facilities in Gaza have been destroyed, he said, while an "estimated 7,000 [people] remain under the rubble." The Prime Minister said that it would take "decades" for Gaza to recover. On Sunday, the Hamas-controlled health authority put the number of people killed in the Gaza Strip since the start of the war at 34,454. The figures it publishes make no distinction between civilians and militants and are almost impossible to verify independently. The WEF conference underway in Saudi Arabia's capital is focusing on topics including health, the environment and finance. Several Western and Arab foreign ministers were due to meet on the fringes of the conference to discuss the Gaza war. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
29 April,2024 05:57 PM IST | Cairo | mid-day online correspondentThe UK government's new legislation require all internet-connected smart devices to meet minimal security standards beginning on Monday. These steps are designed to safeguard consumers and organisations against hacking and cyber-attacks. Manufacturers will be barred from using easily guessable default passwords such as "admin" or "12345". If a common password is discovered, users will be requested to change it when they set up the device, reported PTI. According to the report, Which?, a UK house with smart gadgets might face more than 12,000 hacking attempts in a single week. The new legislation are intended to provide consumers better peace of mind regarding the security of their devices. Viscount Camrose Jonathan Berry, UK Minister for Cyber, described the rules as "world first" and emphasised their importance in protecting personal privacy, data, and funds, the report added. "From today, consumers will have greater peace of mind that their smart devices are protected from cyber criminals, as we introduce world first laws that will make sure their personal privacy, data and finances are safe," said UK Minister for Cyber Viscount Camrose, Jonathan Berry. Manufacturers must ensure that equipment with internet or network access, such as cellphones and connected fridges, are safeguarded from hackers and cybercriminals under the new law. The laws are part of the UK government's GBP 2.6 billion National Cyber Strategy, which aims to safeguard and promote Britain online. UK Data and Digital Infrastructure Minister Julia Lopez emphasised the country's commitment to being a global leader in online safety, the PTI report further stated. "Our pledge to establish the UK as the global standard for online safety takes a big step forward with these regulations, moving us closer to our goal of a digitally secure future," said UK Data and Digital Infrastructure Minister Julia Lopez. The regulations, which are part of the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure regime, aim to strengthen the UK's resilience to cyberattacks while also protecting the economy from malicious influence. In addition to password security, manufacturers will be required to offer contact information for reporting bugs and vulnerabilities, and retailers must educate customers about the estimated period for security updates.
29 April,2024 05:41 PM IST | London | mid-day online correspondentBritish Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has reappointed a leading Indian-origin academic in the field of environmental science as the Trustee of the Natural History Museum Board in London. Yadvinder Malhi, a University of Oxford professor, was formally reappointed earlier this month for a second four-year term. The unpaid advisory role will see him continue his mission to oversee the institution's role to champion the natural world. "I am very pleased to serve for a further four years on the Board of the Natural History Museum. My goal is to support this amazing, respected and much-loved institution in its research and public and policy engagement," said Professor Malhi. He added: "This can enable it to maximise the contribution it can make, with the unique leverage it has, to tackle what I believe is the most fundamental question of our century: how can we understand and restore our relationship with the natural world so that people and nature thrive within a vibrant biosphere and a stable climate?" Malhi, who was conferred a CBE for his services to ecosystem science in the late Queen Elizabeth II's Birthday Honours List in 2020, is Professor of Ecosystem Science at the School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford. He is also Director of Oxford's Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery and a Jackson Senior Research Fellow at Oriel College, University of Oxford. "His research interests focus on how the living world is responding to global environmental change including climate change, how protecting and working with nature can help mitigate and adapt to climate change and how we can enable nature recovery at scale and reverse the ongoing global decline in biodiversity," the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said of Malhi. "Much of his research has focused on tropical forests and savannas, but recent work has also explored the challenge of nature recovery in the UK," it notes. Malhi, in his mid-50s, is a past-President of the British Ecological Society and the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation and is passionate about increasing global equity in the practice of science and conservation. When he was first appointed to the Natural History Museum Board in May 2020, he shared that he has been "enthralled" by it since his first visits as a child. His appointment has been made in accordance with the UK Cabinet Office's Governance Code on Public Appointments, which requires that any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years is declared. Malhi has not declared any political activity that would fall under holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation or candidature for election. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
29 April,2024 05:20 PM IST | London | PTIA Hamas delegation has arrived in Cairo for talks on a possible cease-fire and prisoner exchange agreement with Israel. The three-member committee travelled from Doha to investigate the most recent plan, which includes releasing hostages in return for Palestinian detainees detained by Israel. According to sources, the deal involves releasing 33 hostages in return for several hundred Palestinian detainees, including women, the elderly, and the injured. Hamas demands the release of 50 detainees for every soldier and 30 for every civilian, the IANS report stated. According to the report, under the proposed accord, Israel would withdraw from a crucial road that separates the Gaza Strip into two parts, allowing residents of the northern sector to return. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces issues within his administration, with the far-right coalition partners threatening to withdraw support if the deal proceeds. During the war, the vast majority of Gaza's nearly 2.2 million inhabitants evacuated to the south, the report added. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may have to choose between a hostage deal and the survival of his government, the IANS report added. Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, leader of the Religious Zionist Party, vowed to dissolve the cabinet on Sunday if the current hostage situation was resolved and a military operation in Rafah was halted. Netanyahu's political survival relies on his far-right coalition partners. With IANS inputs
29 April,2024 04:58 PM IST | Cairo | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
